Chapter 2: A Dream Come True

November 2nd, 1890, Academy of the Sacred Heart, Amherst, New York. 5:00 AM

Charlotte had been awake for half an hour waiting to see if Aaron had come back. He had just come to the gate and was setting up when she had just about given up.

Charlotte quickly dressed and ran out to greet him. He was better bundled up this time.

"I'm glad to see that you're well, Monsieur," she greeted. Aaron turned to her and smiled.

"My dad worries more than my mum did," he said, indicating the gloves and scarf. "He's intent on making sure that I don't suffer the life he had. Though, mine is already remarkably different compared to his."

"My father smothers me too."

"It makes sense that your father does. Have you ever heard of a father doting on his son? It's weird."

"It sounds weird," Charlotte giggled. "But I doubt he dotes on you as much as my Papa."

"Dear God! I hope not!" Aaron laughed. "That would be a nightmare."

Charlotte laughed with him. "It couldn't be worse than mine: If I went through what you did yesterday morning, Papa wouldn't let me out of his sight without making sure I was going to roast even in cold weather before letting me go."

Aaron winced. "Why do you think that is?"

"I don't know. If it were my brothers, Papa wouldn't care much but tell them to make sure they're properly bundled as you are before sending them out again. Speaking of which, why didn't you have a coat, scarf, or gloves yesterday?"

"My old ones got tattered beyond repair. Dad kept barking at me to get new clothes before my old ones fell apart, but you know how it is."

Charlotte gave him an apologizing look. "No, I don't. Sorry."

Aaron shrugged it off. "Not a big deal." The sun began to creep up, gradually warming Charlotte's face. Aaron turned to face the sun, covering his eyes. "Maybe you should go back before Ms. Newfield finds out you're here."

Charlotte frowned.

"I'll still be here," he assured her. "I don't want you to get in trouble with her. She's harsh, but a very nice lady once you get to know her."

Charlotte nodded her head. "You're name's Aaron Destler, right?"

He blinked but gave her the affirmative. "Did Mary tell you?"

"Yes," Charlotte answered before heading back to the school.

Aaron licked his lips, hoping that she'd turn around and glance back at him before entering.

Just as she reached the door, she turned and smiled at him. Aaron felt rather pleased with himself.

November 12th, 1890, Academy of the Sacred Heart, Amherst, New York. 3:30 PM

Charlotte had come to enjoy the little moments she had with Aaron in the mornings and sometimes the afternoons before he left for home.

She sometimes couldn't get him out of her head and she found herself on more than one occasion glancing outside the window just to watch as passerby would stop and applaud him and tip him. This of course, would make the teachers snap at her on occasion.

The bell chimed and the doors opened allowing the girls to leave for the day. Charlotte ran out to the front gate to see if she could catch Aaron.

The gate was open allowing the girls to leave and venture around the city. She was just about to greet Aaron when she stopped, her smile vanishing from her face.

A very beautiful brunette was talking to him.

"Are you sure you don't want to go?" she purred, bending over at waist, her hands on her knees, as she leaned in closer to hear his answers.

"I'm flattered, Miss Beret," Aaron said. "But I'm not interested," he snapped his violin case shut and stood. As he stood, she straitened.

"But I insist," Miss Beret said wrapping her arms around Aaron's neck.

"And I stick with my answer," Aaron stated, detangling her arms from around his neck. He turned to Charlotte and his eyes widened.

By this time, her eyes were brimming with tears and she had covered her mouth to keep herself from sobbing aloud. When their eyes met, Charlotte ran back to the building. Aaron gently pushed her aside and ran after Charlotte.

"Charlotte!" he called after her, grabbing her tiny wrist.

"Let me go!" she shouted at him, refusing to let him see her tears.

"Charlotte, let me explain!" SMACK! Aaron released her, cupping his cheek, and the doors slammed shut.

"I didn't know you preferred younger women, Aaron," Jane cooed, entangling her arm in his and leaning against his shoulder.

Aaron growled and shoved Jane off of him. "Actually, my dear," he snarled. "I prefer a lady next to a whore."

Jane gaped at him and he knocked on the door. Jessica, one of the servant girls, answered. "I need to speak with Charlotte de Chagny. It's urgent."

"I'll take you to her room," Jessica offered, leading the way to the Opal dormitory. "I wonder what happened to cause such an outbreak," Jessica muttered, glancing at Aaron.

She knocked on one of the doors and opened it before an answer was given. "Good luck," she whispered to Aaron before closing the door.

The room was beautifully adorned with light blue and white furnishings. Some of the chairs were covered with dolls. The bed was red and gold. On the bed lay Charlotte, her shoes thrown on the floor and she herself seemed to be holding something close to her (a pillow maybe), her body shaking.

Taking his own shoes off, Aaron crept onto her bed and lay as close as he could to her, stroking her hair and trying to shush her. She didn't stop him as she did at the gates. Maybe this was something her Father did when she was upset. However, he tried to control his hand from moving past her hair, but he found himself too weak.

His hand went from her hair to stroking her cheek, caressing her tiny neck and finally wrapping his arm around her, closing the rest of the space between them.

"Go away," Charlotte sobbed. "I hate you…I hate you…"

"I'm sorry," he said. "I'm not leaving. Not yet. Jane means nothing to me—"

"Oh, I'm sure of it! You seemed to be something to her."

"She's been after me for some time, but I never returned her affections. I really wish that you didn't see that," he whispered in her ear. She stopped shaking, but the tears kept falling. "I can accept you hating me for only so long, Charlotte. I've fallen in love with you. Curse it all to hell! I love you so damn much!" As he said this, he turned her head to face him and crashed his lips to hers.

Charlotte tried to push him off, shocked at his forwardness. However, Aaron tightened his grip on her, refusing to let go. Charlotte was able to free one of her hands and tried pulled on his hair, trying to cause him pain.

But Aaron took the gesture differently and paused for a second to catch his breath before swooping down on her again. After a moment in which Charlotte stopped fighting back, shivering due to her newly built up fear of him, Aaron released her.

"I would never do that with someone I hated," he whispered huskily, kissing her forehead before leaving.

Aaron walked back to his house in a lighter mood, his head feeling foggy and faint. It was a wonder he made it home without getting lost.

Yeah...I know it seems fast, but it isn't supposed to be (the dates are spread apart to indicate that this is at least a month or two after they met...

If you feel that it is too close, I understand what you mean...

Hope you liked it anyway.