I step foot on the bus, I’m overwhelmed by the smells and sounds of a deep fryer, an enormous extractor fan, and the clinking of silverware and glasses. Vivien leads me up a narrow staircase and onto the top level. There’s a black-and-white-checkered path along the center aisle, with cherry-red leather booths up and down both sides of the bus.
Most of the booths are full, which isn’t surprising. Fitting an entire diner into a bus is no easy feat. Seating is understandably limited.
The performers and crew members emit a rumble of greetings, ranging from “Good morning, Vee” to “Who’s the new girl?” I think it’s mostly friendly curiosity, but it’s hard to tell.
I know letting a bunch of strangers intimidate me is only going to make things harder, but I can’t help it. They’re all part of the circus. As far as I’m concerned, everyone here is the coolest.
God, I hope they like me.
“Look who I found,” Vivien says in a singsong voice, tucking into one of the booths and patting the seat beside her.
I plop onto the leather cushion, meeting the dark brown eyes of the girl sitting across from us. She has pale skin, small eyes, and shiny black hair that sits in a low braid in front of her shoulder.
“So. You’re our new roommate,” the girl says, her voice like crystal. Beautiful, but easily shattered if you’re not careful. “I’m Dexi Liu.”
“Harley,” I say with a nervous smile.
“Did Vivien tell you the housemate rules?” Dexi asks, but then doesn’t wait for an answer. “If you put something in the fridge that doesn’t have a name on it, it’s fair game. The shower schedule is on the door and is nonnegotiable. No spraying perfume indoors.” She pauses, motioning to Vivien. “Vee has allergies.”
Vivien mouths, “It’s true.”
“And if you have a problem with another roommate, don’t let it fester. You say something, and we’ll hash it out. This is too small of a space to be harboring bad feelings, and people will never know they’re annoying you until you tell them. Communication is key.” Dexi blinks at me.
I nod like my neck is made of Jell-O. “Okay. Got it.”
She looks at Vivien, then back to me, with one of her brows raised curiously. “What’s your Hogwarts house?”
“I don’t know,” I reply. And then more quickly, “I’ve taken the test before, but sometimes I get Hufflepuff, and sometimes I get Slytherin.”
Vivien makes an oohing noise. “Loyal but ambitious. I ship it, even though snakes are the worst.” She shudders dramatically, her nearly black hair swaying back and forth.
Dexi’s mouth curls into a smile. “There is no shame in Slytherin.”
Vivien makes a face. “Says Dexi Liu-strange.” And then, brightening, she adds, “Hey, look, we’re bonding already!”
The click of heeled footsteps draws near, and a young woman with pale lavender hair appears at the top of the stairs. She’s dressed like she was plucked out of the 1950s, with oversized curls, bright red lips, and a short playsuit covered in pink flamingos and ice-cream cones.
Everyone looks up at her as she makes her way down the center of the diner, one hand clutching her phone and the other flattening her collar. Even though there’s youth in her face, she doesn’t carry herself like someone who might be just out of high school. She’s too… professional.
Vivien leans forward so her words carry past me. “Hey, Maggie,” she starts, and I get the feeling there’s a particular way to approach her. “This is Harley. I don’t know if Simon told you, but—”
“He told me,” Maggie cuts in like a blade. And not a big, chunky sword—she’s more precise than that, like the needle of an assassin that reveals itself only when it intends to do the most harm. Her luminous gray eyes snap toward me, making my heart quicken.
Maggie. I remember what Simon said—about her wanting nothing to do with me if I was holed up in the bunkhouses. Suddenly it all clicks together.
She must be the lead aerialist.
I start to stand, to tell her it’s nice to meet her, and to assure her I’m willing to work hard.
But she holds a finger up to stop me, pursing her lips. “Don’t bother.”
I freeze, slowly sinking back into the booth. Heat floods my face, and even though I’m here with Vivien and Dexi, I feel thoroughly alone.
“I don’t know what arrangement you made with Simon behind my back, but it’s not happening. I hardly have the time as it is—certainly not enough of it to