The one thing you love more than anything when it comes to events in Gotham is when the circus comes to town. You love the bright lights. You love the music. The costumes. All of it. With it only coming every few years, it held more meaning to you. But most of all, you wanted to see the boy with flaming red hair. Every time the circus came, you found the boy at night and kept him company. It has been almost five years since the circus came to Gotham and you were anxious to see how your fiery friend matured. You certainly changed.
Your chubby cheeks were now structured where your cheekbones. Your flat chest now had voluminous size and body was a full figure. You could leave Gotham at any day. With all the modeling offers you had, you had many chances to escape the dangers in Gotham. But you wanted to see him again. You wanted to ask him if it would be a good decision to even pursue modeling when you excelled at science and art. Thankfully, the first night of the circus came and you were nervous for some reason
I smoothed down my deep blue dress for the third time. My black wedges made my blue nail polish pop on my toes. I decided to not wear jewelry. I didn't need a reason to draw more attention than necessary. Wanting to dress nicely to see Jerome, I felt giddy and something odd. Nervous. My midnite black hair was slightly frizzy still, but I had no time left to flat iron my hair again.
I took a deep breath before I decided to stomach my anxiousness and walked out my parents house, heading to the brightly lit outskirts of town. The sun was setting by time I got there. The walk took my just under an hour and I was thankful that I wasn't a sweaty mess by time I got there. A smile came to my face as soon as the lights caught my sight. I walked around taking in the sights around me. Nothing has changed. Everything is just as I remember. The smell of salty buttered popcorn and smoke. The unknown stains embedded permanently in sections of the tent.
It was beautiful. The stands were about completely full by time I strolled through the halls of the tent to the main section. The show had just begun and I saw a familiar woman dancing with her snake. Joy surged through me. Not for seeing the woman but because that meant that Jerome was alone and most likely enjoying rare alone time in his mom's trailer. Instead of joining the crowd of people in the stands, I hastily made my way out of the tent and to the trailers.
As usual, the trailer was towards the back, far from the main crowd and looked exactly the same. Music played softly from the trailer. I knew why it was so low. Jerome is never able to listened to music when his mom is home or when a guest is there. Suddenly, the feeling I pushed to the pit of my stomach came up like vomit just as my hand came to the trailer door to knock. I swallowed deeply and felt a chill run through me. My fist raped the door a little loudly. The music stopped almost immediately. I heard hasty footsteps and nothing else. Moments passed before the door swung open and my heart did a triple flip.
My favorite ginger stepped out in a hurry and stopped as soon as his eyes meet mine. The look of uncertianty swept from his face and was replaced by a swift charming smile. He stepped down the onto the ground and embraced me in his arms as I did the same. My arms around his neck while his wrapped around my waist. My heart felt his beating forcefully just like mine. The last five years did change Jerome. He was taller, leaner, and more than handsome. He had his boyish charm to him still, but he was no boy to me.
When we pulled away, Jerome looked me over with a wide smile on his face,
"You look more beautiful than ever Y/N. I'm at a loss for words."
His smile was contagious. And I giggled as I playfully shoved him,
"Well look at you Jerome. My my. You must be popular with the ladies by now. I can hardly call you a boy anymore. Who could resist your face?"
If I didn't know it were even possible, his smile grew even further and a tinge of color came to his cheeks.
"Are you free to spend the night with me Jerome? You can come over to my house. My parents are probably going to be out late at a function and I want to spend as much time with you as I can before you leave."
Throwing his arm around my shoulders, Jerome led us on a stroll through the sunset. We headed towards our spot. An abandoned carousel that the carnival never fixed and no one but the two of us came to. It felt so natural walking with Jerome like this. We approached the dimly lit carousel at a slow pace. Jerome told me new jokes the entire way. My laughter was something he always provided. We sat facing each other on a single horse. It was more uncomfortable now that we are older, but it was worth sitting through a little pain to be with Jerome. We sat with our faces only inches apart, just like when we were kids.
"I need your help making a decision."
His fiery eyebrows shot up and smile gragraced his face,
"You sound serious. Must be something big."
I smiled a small smile.
"It is. Everyone says I should do modeling. I've had many offers over the past three years and a lot are out of Gotham. But I just don't think that's what I want to do with my life. To have people look at me and not even know me, just what I look like."
Jerome smiled wider and pulled me into a hug and held onto me as he said,
"It's whatever you want to do Y/N. You'd be the most beautiful model in the world, but if you don't want to do that do something else."
"I could join the circus. I could stay here with you."
He sighed and pulled away,
"You're too good for this place. Your mom and dad would do anything to get you back and they'd have me ordered to stay away from you."
I placed my hand on his shoulder and looked him right in the eye,
"Hey, it is my choice. Besides, I'd love to be able to see you every day. You make this circus worth going to."
I paused forfor a moment then smiled widely at Jerome,
"Why don't you come stay with me? We have enough rooms at my house. You could live there and my parents wouldn't have to find out. They'd let you stay the night, but you and I both know they never even wanted us to become friends. I know you hate it here Jerome. So, what do you say?"