Forbidden Love

Chapter 5-First Date With Jerome Valeska

Emily POV

I can't remember what happened last night. I fell asleep while reading my letters from my Mom and Dad. I softly rubbed my eyes and went to take a shower. The bathroom was small, but it'll do. After showering, I dried my hair and began to look for Aunt Matilda. I dressed in a t-shirt and jeans, slipped into flats, and carried some clips for my hair just in case. Aunt Matilda is outside, rinsing her clothes and hanging them. 

"Morning, sweetheart. Would you like some coffee?" 

I shook my head in reply. The sun was shining brightly and affecting my vision. Aunt Matilda finished hanging her clothes and sat next to me on the trailer steps. She sighs and says, 

"So, Jim called me and said that you start school again tomorrow. Unfortunately, there's no school bus nearby so I'll have to drop you close to a bus stop to go to school. I can ask Jerome to walk you if you want." 

My cheeks flushed when I heard his name. I quickly try to think of an excuse not to see Jerome. 

"I don't want to inconvenience him if he has anything to do." 

Matilda lowers her voice and says, 

"His mother is unbearable. He escapes from her daily because she likes to." 

We then heard a throat clearing. We see a man with a bowler hat, a long trench coat, and white eyes. 

"Mr. Cicero, how are you this morning?" Aunt Matilda asks the man. 

Mr. Cicero grunted in annoyance and walked away. 

"He's a blind and bitter man who hates everyone. He's also a fortune reader." 

Matilda says as she finishes her coffee. I look at Mr. Cicero as he walks away and greets Jerome. I immediately turn away, and my Aunt looks at me and says, 

"He's a nice boy. Go talk to him, Em." 

I fix my hair in a nice ponytail and walk up to Jerome. 

"Good morning, Jerome." I practically squeaked. 

"Oh, good morning Emily," Jerome replies. 

He smiled at me, which caused my heart to erupt. 

"H-How did you sleep last night?" Stupid question, Emily. 

Jerome looks at me and says, 

"I slept wonderfully. I was going to come over to your place. I-I wanted to ask you if you were free today. I'm heading to the library to return some books. Would you like to come with me?"

 I turn to look at Matilda, who signals to me to answer Jerome. 

"Yes, of course. Let me go and tell my Aunt." 

Jerome smiles at me and hangs around to wait for me. Aunt Matilda hands me some money she pulled out from her purse. 

"Here's $50. If you want to go, eat somewhere or if anything happens. Have fun, sweetheart." 

She kissed me on my cheek and waved goodbye to Jerome and me. He had his books under his arm, and he and I walked side by side. We walked towards the street, where a block away was one of the bus stops. 

"Have you ever taken the bus before?" Jerome asked me. 

"Yes, but it was when I was a kid," I replied. 

Jerome handed me a Haly pass. 

"What's this?" I curiously ask. 

"The circus and the bus company understand, and those who work with Haly's circus can get free rides. I got these from the ringmaster." Jerome answered.