Circus in the Clouds (The Balloonist Chronicles Book 3)

by L. J. Higgins

I followed Suzan, Sam, Emma and Maddison towards the door, arms at the ready to catch either of the girls should they fall. Both Suzan and Maddison had a wobble in their step, but I couldn’t help but smile at how much fun they were having.

  Inside, the loud music and dense crowd made my heart race, but Dylan stepped up beside me and put his arm around my middle to keep me close, easing the tension in my chest. As we followed the beat, we found the room where people were dancing, coloured lights shooting through the darkness. Dylan hugged me to his chest, and I let him, watching as Sam spun Suzan and Emma, and Maddison danced through the crowd. Guiding me to go first, Dylan stayed behind me until we found a small section void of moving bodies and my friends started dancing.

  Suzan grabbed my hips, swaying them to the music, the thud of the bass echoing through my chest and the energy in the room making me overwhelmed and excited all at once. Swaying, hands rested on my sides from behind me, and I turned to find Dylan smiling as he leaned into my ear.

  “Is this okay?” he asked.

  I nodded, continuing to dance and move.

  The songs melded into one as we continued to dance until the heat became too much.

  “I’m going to get a drink of water,” I yelled to Suzan.

  She gave me a thumbs up turning back to dance with Sam.

  Dylan gestured towards the door and I let him take my hand and lead me out into the backyard.

  The cool, fresh air washed over my skin as we stepped outside and my ears throbbed despite the music being much quieter.

  “You okay?” asked Dylan.

  “If I don’t have some water I might pass out,” I said.

  “Emma will have some in her eski.”

  12

  Lucy

  BILSTONE, AUSTRALIA

  Dylan didn’t let go of my hand as we crossed the lawn to the bales of hay we’d been sitting on. Becca bounced up to her feet, but her arms flailed as she lost balance and stumbled backwards. Her legs flew in the air as she fell over the bale of hay she’d been sitting on. Aidan laughed as he bent over to help her up.

  Letting go of Dylan’s hand, I ran to her, gripping her hands and helping Aidan who was barely able to keep himself upright.

  “Lucy,” she cried, wrapping her arms around me. “I love you so much. I’m so glad you’re our friend now.”

  “Thanks Becca. How much have you had to drink?” I asked.

  “They played a drinking game,” said Ethan. “Don’t ask me what the rules were or what the end goal was. But they’ve had a lot. I’m glad you’re back. I’m sick of babysitting them.”

  “I’m so sorry. I lost track of time in there,” I said.

  “I bet you did.” He looked at Dylan, then me.

  I glanced at my phone. Nine-thirty. “Maybe you should have some water, Becca?”

  “I’ve tried to make her drink water several times to no avail,” said Ethan.

  “Didn’t you need water?” Dylan reminded me of my too dry mouth.

  Ethan grabbed a bottle from Emma’s eski and handed it to me.

  “Thank you.” I took a long skull, enjoying its coolness as it moistened my mouth. “Here Becca. Have some of this.”

  I held the bottle out towards her mouth and she let me pour some in.

  “Lucy, I don’t feel well,” she said.

  As if on cue, her face went white as a sheet and she turned, leaning over the hay bale and vomiting on the grass as I grappled to hold her hair out of her face.

  “Dylan, do you mind getting Suzan please? I think I’m going to call Mike to come get us,” I said.

  Becca heaved again.

  “Of course,” said Dylan.

  “I’ll come with you. I’m a sympathy spewer,” said Ethan.

  “I’m sorry,” said Aidan. “She said she could handle it.”

  I shot him a glare and turned to watch as Ethan and Dylan disappeared through the doorway to the garage.

  “I’m sorry…” Becca spewed again. “I’m sorry.”

  Aidan sat, patting her back.

  “It’s okay. Just get it all out so you don’t throw up in Mike’s car,” I said.

  “Mike?” Suzan arrived with the others. “Mike’s here?”

  She spun around as though she was busted.

  “No, but I think we should call him. Becca’s really sick,” I said.

  “No way. He’ll tell mum and I’ll never be allowed out again,” she said.

  “Suzan. Becca’s sick.”

  Becca heaved again.

  Suzan sighed. “You’re right. Let me have some water and I’ll call him.”

  “I’ll call him while you have some water. You probably danced off whatever you drank anyway,” I said, unsure if that was a thing.

  Becca stopped vomiting, so I helped her off the bale and onto the cool grass where Aidan sat and propped her up.

  “Can you watch her for a minute?” I asked Emma as she arrived with a giggling Maddison.

  “Sure, I don’t think she’s going anywhere,” said Emma. “But if she spews again, I’m out.”

  Becca groaned.

  “I think she’s pretty empty,” said Ethan.

  “You okay?” asked Dylan.

  “Yeah, I just need to call Mike,” I replied.

  I walked a few paces away from them and pulled out my phone, taking a deep breath. Please let him answer. And please let him not be with Charity.

  I found his number and dialled.

  “Lucy? Is everything okay?” concern laced his voice.

  “Yes, and no. Becca’s had too much to drink. I was hoping you could come get us,” I said.

  “You’re drinking?” he questioned.

  “No, just Becca.” I looked to where Suzan and Sam were returning with a cup of water each.

  “I’ll be there in a minute,” he said.

  “You’re leaving?” Another voice said through the phone.

  My heart stilled. “If you’re busy…”

  “It’s fine. I’ll be there soon,” he said.

  “Are you serious?” said a female voice as he hung up.

  Of course he was with Charity. She was his girlfriend. Why was my throat so tight?

  “Everything okay?” asked Dylan, walking over to me.

  The tightness eased. Mike had Charity, and I had Dylan. Well, at least for tonight I did.

  “Yeah, he’s coming to get us now. How is she?” I turned to find her fast asleep on Aidan’s lap.

  “I just messaged my mum. I’m going to head home,” said Emma as she approached us. “It was nice to meet you, Lucy.”

  “You too,” I said.

  She said goodbye to the others and left.

  It wasn’t long before Mike appeared in the doorway and made his way into the yard, stalking towards me and ignoring his sister.

  “Is she okay?” he asked.

  “She’s been asleep since you hung up,” I said.

  Dylan stepped up beside me and took my right hand in his left before offering his right to Mike. “Hey, I’m Dylan.”

  Mike eyed our linked fingers before shaking his hand. “Mike. I’m Suzan’s brother. I think I’ve seen you around school.”

  “Yeah, I’ve seen you too,” replied Dylan.

  Silence fell between us.

  “We should probably get Becca back to yours,” I told Mike.

  “Lucky she’s sleeping at our place tonight. Where were you Suzan? You were supposed to be looking after her,” he said.

  “Don’t lecture me,” argued Suzan. “She didn’t want to dance and Lucy and I did so she stayed out here with Aidan and when we came back, she was sick.”

  Mike groaned. “Great friends you two are.”

  He was right. We should never have left her.

  “Can we just get her home?” I asked.

  With Dylan’s help Mike scooped a now fast asleep Becca into his arms and carried her around the side of the house to his small car, followed by the rest of us.

  I opened the door and he did his best t
o slide her into the seat and buckle her up, adjusting her head although she still looked uncomfortable.

  “Suzan, can you sit in the middle to make sure she doesn’t fall over,” he said.

  “I’ll talk to you tomorrow.” Sam kissed Suzan on the cheek.

  “I’ve got your number so I’ll message you in the morning.” Dylan took both my hands and turned me to face him. “Thanks for a great night.”

  “Sorry it ended this way,” I said.

  “Next time we’ll have to go somewhere there’s no alcohol,” he said.

  I couldn’t help the smile that tugged at the corners of my lips. Next time. I liked the sound of that.

  “We better go,” called Mike from the driver’s seat.

  “Bye.” I slid my fingers from Dylan’s.

  “Night.”

  I climbed into the seat and put on my seatbelt, a grin on my face as we drove away.

  “You know this is ridiculous, right?” Mike gripped the steering wheel tight. “I was hanging out with Charity and had to ditch her because you two let your friend get drunk.”

  I pulled out my phone and started messaging Dad to pick me up from Suzan’s house.

  “Shut up Mike. We didn’t do it on purpose. We feel bad enough as it is,” spat Suzan.

  “You didn’t feel too bad when you were busy with Sam,” he replied.

  “It wasn’t like that,” I said. “But you’re right. We should’ve been better friends and watched her. It was our first party and we screwed up.”

  My words calmed him a little.

  “Sorry. Charity was just angry I left to come pick you up. I can’t do anything right,” he sighed.

  “I shouldn’t have called you,” I said.

  “No, I told you to call me if you needed me to come get you. You did the right thing.” His sad eyes met mine.

  “Do you want to talk about it?” I asked.

  His gaze went to the mirror where he looked between Becca and Suzan. “No, it’ll be fine. What’s with you and that guy? Duncan.”

  “Dylan,” I said. “I don’t know. We just hung out for the first time tonight.”

  “He’s pretty cute, though,” teased Suzan. “Lucy has a boyfriend. Lucy has a boyfriend.”

  “One night doesn’t make him her boyfriend,” said Mike.

  “Well, he’s been asking about her for the past week, so I know he’s interested. I think they’ll make a cute couple,” said Suzan.

  “Do you like him?” asked Mike.

  “I don’t know. I had a good night,” I said.

  “Are you sure you weren’t drinking?” he teased.

  “Funny. He was nice, but I don’t know him.”

  “But she’ll be getting to know more about him,” added Suzan.

  Once we got back to their house, we helped Mike carry a murmuring Becca to Suzan’s room, where we set her up with a bucket, a bottle of water and aspirin.

  “What’s going on?” asked Mrs. Fitzer as we left the room.

  “Becca’s not feeling well. I picked them up from the party,” said Mike. “Everyone’s fine.”

  “You gave me a heart attack with all of your sneaking around,” she said. “Make sure you don’t wake your dad up, he’s got work early in the morning. Did you girls have a good night?”

  “Yes, thank you,” I said.

  “You’re a good boy Mike.” She scruffed his hair. “Are you staying now, Lucy?”

  “No, Dad’s coming to get me,” I said. “I might go wait out front.”

  “I’ll wait with you,” said Mike. “Suzan can keep an eye on Becca.”

  “I’ll come check on her too,” said Mrs. Fitzer. “Say hi to your dad for me Lucy.”

  “I will.”

  After giving Suzan a hug goodbye, I made my way through the living room to the front door followed by Mike. Walking down the front steps, I pushed through the gate and sat on the grass leaning up against the fence. Mike sat beside me.

  “I don’t need another lecture. I know we screwed up,” I said. “I couldn’t make her not drink.”

  “I know. I was angry before I got there. I shouldn’t have taken it out on you.”

  “Anything you want to talk about?” I asked.

  “Nothing you probably want to hear,” he said.

  “Try me.”

  He sighed. “No matter what I do Charity’s never happy. If I don’t message her in the morning she gets annoyed, if I get a phone call while we’re together she gets annoyed, if I say I can’t hang out with her because I have band practice…”

  “She gets annoyed?” I guessed.

  “Yup, you get the picture. I don’t know why she wanted to be with me. She’s always angry with me.”

  “I wish I could help, but I’ve never been in a relationship before. I have no idea how it all works,” I said.

  “Me either,” he confessed. “Apparently I’m not a very good boyfriend.”

  “I’m sure you’re a great boyfriend.” My cheeks warmed.

  “Charity doesn’t think so,” he said.

  “Have you told her how you’re feeling?” I asked. I hated seeing him so deflated and questioning himself.

  “To be honest, I think she’s more interested in kissing than talking,” he said.

  I cringed without thinking.

  “Sorry, too much information.”

  “You’re an awesome guy Mike and if she can’t see that she’s crazy.” I stilled as I realised how honest I’d been.

  “Thanks Lucy, you’re a good friend to Suzan and to me,” he said.

  Friend. That was all we were. Friends. And after tonight with Dylan, I decided I would be okay with that. No more belly flutters, no more jealousy. Mike was my friend first and that was all we were ever going to be.

  Headlights appeared up the street and Dad’s ute rattled up to the sidewalk. Mike stood and held out his hand to help me rise to my feet.

  “That was fast,” I said to Dad as he wound down the window.

  “I stayed at Catherine’s just in case you needed me,” he said. “Is everything okay?”

  “Everything’s fine. I want to go home, have a shower, and go to bed.” I turned to Mike. “Thanks for waiting with me.”

  “Thanks for the talk,” he said. “I’ll see you on Monday. Bye Bruce.”

  “Thanks for looking after my girl,” said Dad.

  “My pleasure,” replied Mike.

  I climbed into the ute and watched Mike make his way through the gate back towards his house before Dad pulled away.

  “Wasn’t the party any good?” asked Dad.

  “Becca felt sick, so we decided to leave,” I said.

  He shot me a proud smile I didn’t deserve.

  The guilt ate at me until we reached the bottom of the driveway. “Dad, I need to tell you something.”

  “What is it?”

  “Becca wasn’t just sick. She drank too much.”

  “You were going to lie to me?” he asked as we rattled up the driveway.

  “It wasn’t exactly a lie,” I said.

  “You neglected to tell me it was because she was drunk.” Dad’s hands gripping the steering wheel tight.

  “I didn’t want her to get into trouble,” I said.

  “Where were you while she was drinking?”

  “I was dancing with Suzan.”

  “You left her alone?”

  “She was with friends. I didn’t know she was going to get drunk,” I said.

  “I thought I could trust you,” he said.

  “You can. I didn’t do anything wrong.”

  “You promised you wouldn’t drink.”

  “I didn’t drink. Becca did, and by the state of her I’m sure she never will again, and neither will I for that matter.”

  He growled as he pulled up in front of the house. “I shouldn’t have listened to Catherine.”

  Anger thrummed through my veins. I’d done everything he’d asked, and still he was angry and didn’t trust me. Yes, I’d screwed up leaving
Becca alone and not telling her she shouldn’t drink. But what did he want me to do?

  “But Catherine knows everything. She knows all about what girls need and how they should be and what they should do.” I made no attempt to hide my sarcasm.

  “Don’t make this about her,” he spat.

  “You brought her up. I can’t believe I did everything you asked and I’m still in trouble.” I swung open the door, slamming it once I’d climbed out of the car and ran up the front stairs to the house.

  “This isn’t over,” yelled Dad.

  He’d always trusted me. Always listened to me and believed me until Catherine arrived. Now there was a wedge between us and I couldn’t help but think that was what Catherine wanted. Did she want him to hate me so she could have him all to herself?

  “You okay?” Olivia’s voice made me jump.

  “Sorry, I didn’t mean to wake you,” I said.

  “What’s going on? Why is your dad yelling?” she asked.

  “I hate him.” I cried.

  She came in and sat beside me. “No, you don’t.”

  “Yes, I do. When your balloon is fixed, you have to take me with you. I can’t stand this weird relationship we have ever since Catherine turned up. I hate her and I hate him.” I rolled into a ball and sobbed.

  Olivia stroked my hair until my crying calmed.

  “I’m sorry, I’m just so angry.”

  “What happened?” she asked.

  “I had such an amazing night, and I did everything he asked, but because Becca got drunk he’s angry at me.”

  “I’m sure he’s overreacting because he’s worried about you,” she said.

  “Worried? I’m home. I’m safe. Please don’t defend him right now.”

  “Okay. How about we talk about what happened before you had to take Becca home?” she said.

  I wiped at my face and sat up, hugging my pillow to my stomach. “I was hanging out with a boy called Dylan.”

  “Dylan? What’s he like?”

  “Kind of cute. He’s got longish dark brown hair and a smile that makes me feel giddy. He was so nice to me, and we danced all night. It was so much fun.”

  “Did you kiss?” she asked.

  I shook my head. “But he held my hand and said he’d message me. But Dad’s taken any excitement out of it. I just don’t understand him.”

  “Men are hard to understand at the best of times,” she said. “I wish I could help you but if I learned one thing on my adventures, it’s that I don’t understand the male species at all.”