El Circo Dos Grillos was one of the last circuses to arrive at Low Shores. The broad meadow was nestled between two large lakes that glistened in the evening sun.

The caravan pulled into a wide-open space that had a small sign in the center, welcoming them. Each circus had its own well-marked area.

Judging by the tents and the flags, Pru could see that there were twelve circuses there. Her heart began to race. She was excited to see the other acts but, at the same time, nervous about her own! The billowing performance tents stretched out in all directions. Smaller tents for sleeping or practice dotted the fields in bright, mismatched colors. Even though El Circo Dos Grillos didn’t have a big tent—they performed in the open air—once they were done setting up their sleeping and practice tents, the last patch of grass would be covered.

The sounds of chatter and music, the howls and brays and neighs of performing animals, and the smells of a thousand different foods filled the air.

“This is the most incredible place I’ve ever seen! We gotta explore,” Lucky said.

“We can’t,” Pru said. There was always so much work to do when the caravan first pulled into a town.

Pru had no doubt that before the night was over, she’d be even more tired than she already was. She’d been staying up late, writing show ideas in her journal, thinking of ways to improve her act for the exhibition. There were a few good ideas in her notebook but nothing amazing, and she wanted this performance to be amazing. Her own performance was on the last day of the three-day festival, so Pru still had some time. But if an idea didn’t come to her soon, she’d never have time to practice with Boomerang.

“Pru’s right,” Abigail told Lucky. “Work comes first. We can go look around tomorrow.” Abigail gazed over Lucky’s shoulder at a spot where someone had set off small fireworks, and sighed. “Sometimes it’s hard being mature and very grown-up.”

Lucky stared out at the fireworks and pinched her lips together.

“Lucky… don’t even think about it,” Pru warned. “We have to stay with the circus.”

“Come, girls.” Estrella called them to gather near the marker sign.

“Buenas tardes, amigos.” Fito stood on a small ladder so he could address the entire circus staff. He had to shout over the sounds coming from the other circuses in the meadow. “It’s late, and I know you are all tired after the long days of travel. Leave the supplies for now,” Fito told them all. “We’ll set up the main performance area and a smaller practice tent tomorrow. Relax. Estrella and I will set up the corral and feed the horses. No one works. Tonight, you all should have fun and explore.”

There was a cheer from the circus performers. It seemed that everyone wanted to find out more about the gathering.

“My unicorn wish just came true,” Lucky told Pru and Abigail with a laugh.

“What did you wish for?” Abigail asked, clearly excited that the unicorn wishes were working.

“Adventure!” Lucky cheered, taking her friends’ arms and dragging them to where Solana was standing. “Come on, Solana, we’re off!”

As they headed toward the loudest music and the brightest tent, Abigail asked Pru, “What was your unicorn wish?”

Pru shook her head playfully. “I can’t tell you or it won’t come true.” Truth was, Pru hadn’t made one, but she didn’t want to make Abigail feel bad.

It was as if Abigail read her mind. “Don’t be a doubter, Pru. A wish will come true for you, you’ll see.” With that, and before Pru could protest, Abigail skipped ahead, linking arms with Lucky and Solana.

“Come on, Pru,” Solana called over her shoulder. “Catch up.”

“Yeah, Pru, catch up.” A mocking voice came from somewhere behind her.

“Huh?” Pru stopped and turned around. There, in the rising moonlight, stood a girl. She was alone in the field. Her hair was wild. Her jeans and T-shirt were loose fitting and well worn. Pru almost didn’t recognize her, but then—she winked.

“Catalina,” Pru muttered under her breath. Louder she asked, “What are you doing here?”

“It’s a circus gathering.” Catalina stated the obvious. “I’m here to perform, just like you.”

Pru knew that Abigail, Lucky, and Solana were getting farther away. Eventually they’d notice she wasn’t with them.

“What exactly do you do in this amazing circus of yours?” Pru asked, squinting hard at Catalina.

“I’m a clown,” Catalina told her.

Pru was surprised. Catalina didn’t seem the goofing-around type. Then again, maybe Pru didn’t seem that type, either.

“Me too,” Pru responded. “Are you performing?”

Catalina huffed. “Of course. Are you?”

Pru imitated her huff and repeated, “Of course.”

“You might as well not show up,” Catalina said. “I already warned you that we’re the best circus on the frontier.”

Pru knew if Lucky and Abigail were there, they’d tell her to forget about Catalina and come explore instead. There was no real way to prove El Circo Dos Grillos was better than Circus Libre, so why bother? The exhibition was all about sharing shows and having fun. There were no awards or trophies, so why was Pru feeling so feisty?

“It’s not a competition,” Pru declared, though she was feeling awfully competitive.

“It sort of is,” Catalina countered.

That caught Pru’s attention. “What do you mean?”

“Lydia Sebastian is coming,” Catalina said, in a tone that seemed to expect that Pru knew who that was already. At Pru’s confused look, Catalina offered, “She’s a newspaper reporter.”

Pru shrugged. She still didn’t know the name.

“Ugh.” Catalina exhaled, as if telling Pru about Lydia Sebastian was the last thing on Earth she wanted to do. “She’s going to write an article that will showcase only the best acts,” Catalina explained. “I’ve always been chosen.” She added, “And I always get a photo, too.”

Catalina was getting under Pru’s skin.

“Maybe this year I’ll get my picture in the newspaper,” Pru suggested. “It could happen.”

“No way,” Catalina said. “Not only is my act the best clown act, but I’ve known Lydia, the writer, for years. We’re both from Copper Springs. Her youngest sister was in my class at school; that makes us practically friends.” Catalina gave a small laugh and declared, “I’m going to prove to you that I’m the better clown, right here in front of every. Single. Circus. My name will be in the paper!”

Pru’s blood was boiling. Now the exhibition was a competition, and she was going to do whatever she had to in order to be the one in the newspaper!

“You’re on!” Pru told Catalina. “See you in the big tent!”

Pru turned and stormed away, leaving Catalina in the field. But stomping off wasn’t satisfying. By the time she reached her friends, Pru’s face was on fire and her blood was hot.

She told them what happened.

“Pru, don’t let Catalina get under your skin,” Lucky said.

“Yeah, that would be terrible,” said Abigail. “I mean, skin is stretchy and everything, but two people can’t fit in one body.”

Lucky snapped her head to Abigail with a grossed-out look.

“Oh, that wasn’t literal?” Abigail shrugged. “I’ll get it next time.”

“It’s too late,” Pru said. “Now I have to show Catalina that I’m a great clown, too.” She groaned. “But how? You know, I was already planning to do something special, but I don’t have an idea yet.”

“I’ve been thinking that you should do your usual show,” Lucky said. “It gets a million laughs, and everyone loves it.”

“You can do the new bowling-ball part, too,” Solana said. “The crowd in Durango City thought it was hysterical. I swear I saw a little boy laugh so hard that he cried.”

“Oh, that was because I spilled his popcorn…” Abigail started, then corrected herself. “And because he was laughing really hard.”

“I don’t know,” Pru said, staring out at the endless rows of tents spread all around them. “Tonight’s my last night of fun. Tomorrow, the work begins. Boomerang and I are going to practice until our routine is a winner.”

“Well, then,” Lucky said, clear that she couldn’t talk Pru out of her determination. “We better get started! We have to make tonight the best adventure ever!”

They began the night by going into the nearest circus encampment, where a band was playing and people were dancing.

Pru danced with her friends until her feet couldn’t dance a step more.