Forbidden Love

Chapter 4-Haly's Circus

Emily POV

The circus' music was swirling in the air along with the echo of children laughing and adults excitedly talking drowned the thoughts swirling in my mind. A small smile was etched into my face as if I was almost happy to be here. I was at peace until Jim Gordon brought me back to reality. 

"Emily, your aunt Matilda is in that tent. Come on, sweetie." Jim says to me. 

I walk with Jim to the last tent. I felt as if everyone was staring at me, curious about who I was. Jim asked me to wait, and he would call my aunt outside to the tent. As Jim Gordon walked away, I scanned my surroundings. I then saw a young man by the elephant cage holding a hose. He turned to look at me. He had red hair, green eyes, and an athletic build. He looked tall. His red hair was combed to the side, and he wore a white shirt with long brown pants. He was handsome. 

"Hey, kid!" Jim Gordon yelled. 

The man comes over to us and says, "Y-Yes? How can I help you?" 

"We're looking for Matilda. Have you seen her?" 

The man shuffles his body and says, "She's currently doing an act. Is there anything I can do to help?" 

My face felt hot. Stop it, Emily! 

"It's about a delicate matter. Could you please check to see where she's at?" The man nodded and left. 

Jim kept looking at me with a smirk and a stern stare. 

"What? He's cute." I replied. 

Jim rolled his eyes. The man came back with a woman. She was slim with makeup on, and she had on a unitard with a yellow and green tutu. The man smiled at me and walked away. The woman comes up to me and says with a high voice. 

"You must be Emily. My God. You look just like your mother. Except for your eyes. You have your father's eyes." 

Her words almost brought tears to my eyes. I wasn't going to cry in front of Jim or anyone else. I then extend my hand. 

"Hello, Aunt Matilda," I say. 

She smiles and says, "I don't believe in handshakes. Hug me, sweetheart." 

I then hug her with uncertainty. 

"Detective Gordon, is there any way I can repay you for helping us out?" Aunt Matilda asked. 

"No, everything is okay. If you need anything, don't hesitate to call me, okay?" Jim tells my Aunt Matilda. 

She nods her head. 

"Hey, Em. I'll be here for you if you need me for anything." Jim says to me. 

Jim hugs me, and I hug back. I don't want to let go. Not because I'm falling for him, but because he and I have established a trust, and I feel that he knows me better than anyone. Jim says goodbye one last time and leaves. Aunt Matilda clears my throat and says to me, 

"Emily, I have another activity to do. If you want, you can stay in the trailer. Please help yourself to whatever I have. The trailer is the one with the pink banner."

 She smiled and walked away. I hold onto my backpack and suitcase and walk towards the trailer. As I am about to approach the trailer, I hear someone says, 

"Hey, wait up!"

I turn to see the red-haired man running after me. I stopped in my tracks so he could catch up. 

"Hi, I saw you were walking to Matilda's trailer. I can help you with your luggage if you let me." 

I smile softly. 

"Sure, thank you." 

He takes my luggage and walks alongside me. 

"I'm Emily Sterling. What's your name?" I ask the man. 

"I-I'm Jerome Valeska. I live in the trailer next to your aunt's. I live with my mother. No father. My mother is the snake charmer for the circus." Jerome says to me. 

We arrive at the trailer, and Jerome opens the door for me. I walk in behind Jerome, and he sets my bags down. My backpack opens up, and two of my textbooks fall out. Jerome bends down to pick it up and says, 

"You're taking honors classes?" Jerome asks me. 

I turn towards him and say, 

"Yes. I graduate high school next month. Hopefully, I can go to college. So far, I have 36 college credit hours under my belt. I sound like a geek, I know."

Jerome smiles and says, 

"I think that's great. Um, I-I also wanted to ask you if you wanted to walk around the grounds, go exploring." 

I was flattered by the suggestion, but I was tired and wanted to sleep. 

"Thank you for the offer, but I'm tired, and I've had a bad week. I don't mean to be rude. I'm sorry. Maybe later, I can give you an answer." 

Jerome nods his head and says, 

"No, I understand, and it was selfish of me to ask you at such a bad time." 

I push my hair out of my face and say, 

"Would it be okay if we could tomorrow?" 

Jerome smiles softly and says, 

"Yes, of course. Goodnight Emily. It was lovely to meet you." 

I smile back at him, and he leaves the trailer. I closed the door and sat on one of the chairs. I then pick up my textbook for honors English and start reading. I start classes again in 3 days, and I wanted to be prepared. As I opened the book, a note fell out of my Mom and Dad. They would write me letters of encouragement. Instead, I decided to read the letters. I love these letters. They completed me and made me happy. I shed some tears while reading these letters. It is almost as if I can hear their voices again.