Helena sat on the steps of the caravan, a blank notebook in her lap, twirling her pen in her fingers. She had lost her inspiration. The drizzling rain of Scotland was not helping, so on this rare afternoon of 'patchy sunlight', she was hoping to find some of the old motivation she had lost. It wasn't working. She knew why.
Lucas was juggling across the clearing. Pingo and her father were both clapping and laughing, and she gave a half smile as he fumbled and dropped a club on his own head. He laughed, rubbing his head and shrugging. He glanced up at Helena and she quickly dropped her eyes.
She had lost her inspiration shortly after Lucas had joined the Circus. At first she was convinced he was Valentine, minus the mask, but the more she got to know him the more the doubt spread in her mind. It wasn't that she didn't like him, he was quite nice really. He got along well with all the troupe, as well as with her parents. He was cute, in a way. And he certainly seemed to like her.
But it was the little things. The way he often fumbled when he practiced. The ease in his manner. The way he was nice to her, never teasing her or making any sarcastic remarks. More and more often Helena found herself getting angry with him when he had done nothing to provoke her. That was the problem.
Lucas jogged over to her and grinned. She gave him a half smile in return.
"Catch that little display, did you?" he said, still rubbing his head.
She nodded. "You'll have to do better than that, if you ever want to get into the ring."
For a moment she thought she had gone to far. He looked down at her, hurt on his face. It took her a moment to realise his eyes were smiling.
"You shouldn't talk to me like that, you know." he said, his voice heavy with mock arrogance.
"Oh yes? Why's that?" she replied, a twinge of recognition in the back of her mind.
"Because," he said, puffing out his chest. "I'm a very important man."
Helena blinked at him a few times. He laughed and gave her a playful whack on the shoulder.
For once, Helena had no idea what to say.
392 Words
Helena Campbell
Mirrormask
