The Circus, A Story About Sound Effects

The Circus

The loud music, sickly sweet smell, painted on smiles. The circus always made me uncomfortable. But, Troy insisted on coming here for his birthday. And Cory insisted on me attending with them. Cory is my boyfriend, Troy is his little brother.
“Are you okay?” Cory whispered in my ear, squeezing my hand. I took a deep breath and nodded. Sure, circuses gave me the heebie jeebies, but ever since Cory’s parents got divorced, he’s needed me more than ever.
“Yeah, I’m fine,” I told him. Troy ran ahead of us, laughing at a clown.
“Claire! Look, an elephant!” Troy yelled to me from up ahead. He was smiling from ear to ear and pointing to a big gray beast with a pink carriage on its back.
“Whoa,” I said, pasting a fake smile on my face. Troy was so excited about the elephant. He found the circus fun, I found it depressing. People actually paid money to watch animals that should be free walking in a circle in stupid little outfits. And don’t even get me started on those clowns, ugh.
“Claire?” I realized Cory had been trying to get my attention for a few minutes, “it’s time to go into the tent. You ready?” he asked cautiously. I nodded and allowed him and Troy to drag me into the brightly colored tent.
After about five minutes, I’d had enough. I was dizzy and nauseous. I felt as if I were going to be sick any minute.
“I’ll be right back. I’m going to get a soda,” I told Cory. He smiled at me and nodded. I stumbled out of the tent just in time to throw up. I ran through the maze of colorful costumes and smiling faces. Everything was starting to blur together. All I could see were psychedelic colors and swirls.
“Hey, kid? You alright?” A guy in a brightly colored suit asked me roughly. His voice sounded as if he’d smoked one too many cigarettes on break. I looked up at him with dread. He had a bright red painted on smile and crazily painted eyes on his eyelids. He blinked slowly and I shuttered. I shook my head, picked myself up and ran.
I had no idea where I was going or what I was doing, all I knew was that I needed out. Now. I couldn’t see straight and kept tripping over things. I’d mumble an apology and continue on my quest for an exit.
The circus music was blaring in my ears, making everything seem surreal. It felt foolish, the child’s music making me crazy. But, it stopped me from thinking straight. I couldn’t even tell which way was up and what way was down. I felt like I was watching myself run around like a chicken with its head cut off. I felt a few people look and me and laugh, or at least I thought I did. I was insane, out of my mind, with fear. I was bawling my eyes out as I ran.
Finally, a rope jumped in front of me and I fell to the ground. I didn’t bother getting up and just laid there. The blue sky was spinning; the colorful tents around me were turning. I was dizzy and unable to breath. Sobs wrenched through my body.
“Claire! Claire!” I could hear Cory and Troy yelling for me. I attempted to get up so I could find them, but I fell back down and stayed there.
“Claire? Claire, wake up,” Troy said, shaking me. I groaned because moving me sent the world spinning again.
“Oh my God. Claire, are you okay?” Cory’s hands were behind my head, “Can you see me?” he asked. I opened my eyes a slit and saw his concerned face hovering over mine.
“Yeah,” I muttered. He picked me up gently and carried me back to his car.
Once I could breath and see straight again, I apologized for ruining Troy’s birthday.
“Are you kidding? That was great! Most fun I’ve had all week,” Cory smiled at his dramatic little brother, “in fact, I think I’ll join the circus!” I groaned.

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