For those of you who don't know, PC^^^^^^^PC means perspective change. And for those of you who don't know what perspective change means, it means the story is know being told by a different person than it was just being told by. Otherwise known as point-of-view. *he-he*
"Island engulfed in flames, thousands flee in panic!" I hawked the headline, and a man held out a penny. "Thank ya, sir," I said, handing him a pape.
I started to walk a little further down the street, when I heard someone call my name. I turned to see who it was, and ran into someone, head first, and fell on the ground. My papes flew up and landed all around me. I looked up and saw it was a girl.
"Sorry, miss," I said, slightly embarrassed.
"Dat's awright, I wasn't watchin where I was goin," the girl said. She had medium brown hair that hung a few inches below her shoulders. She wore a long flowing white dress, and carried a small leather-covered book with her. She looked up at me, and I noticed her eyes were a crystal blue color, and sparkled in the sunlight. She smiled at me, and I smiled back.
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I had been walking for a long time, and still didn't recognize any of my surroundings. 'Wheah am I?' I looked around, and started walking faster. It was almost dark, and if I didn't get home soon...I shut my eyes and shook my head, pushing the thought out of my mind.
I ran right into someone, and landed hard on the ground. I had closed my eyes for only a second, but it was long enough. Newspapers flew everywhere, and I realized I had run into a newsie. I felt a wave of relief come over me, because I knew that if anyone could tell me how to get home, it was a newsie.
"Sorry miss," he said quietly.
"Dat's awright," I said, smiling, "I wasn't watchin where I was goin."
The boy smiled at me. His eyes were dark brown with emerald green flecks. He had short curly brown hair and was about medium height. He wore brown cut-off pants and his suspenders hung down to his legs. He had a blue t-shirt with a white thermal shirt underneath it, and he wore a gray cap.
After I stared at him for a second, I continued. "I was wonderin' if-" I began but was interrupted by another boy.
"Ay, Mush," the other boy laughed, "what 'appened heah?"
"Nuttin," Mush mumbled, as he picked up his papers.
I helped him gather some of the papers and handed them to him. "Hi," I stuck out my hand to Mush, "me name's Bella."
He reached out and kissed my hand. "I'se Mush." I blushed slightly, and stared at the ground.
"Well, I was wondrin' if ya could tell me where I am."
"You'se in Manhattan," he answered.
"Manhattan?" I was shocked. "As in Manhattan, New York?"
"Umm...ya." He answered.
I gasped, and put my hands over my mouth. It would be a long walk back to Trenton...
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"Ay Mush," Jack came up behind me, laughing, "what happened heah?"
"Nuttin," I was trying to gather all my papes, and the girl was helping.
"Hi," she said suddenly, "me name's Bella."
I kissed her hand. "I'se Mush."
"Well, I was wondrin' if ya could tell me where I am."
"You'se in Manhattan," I answered, and wondered why she hadasked.
"Manhattan?" she asked incredulously. "As in Manhattan, New York?"
'What other Manhattan is there?' I thought. "Umm...ya."
She put her hands over her mouth and gasped.
"What's da madda?" I asked, concerned.
She shook her head. "Da ya know how da get ta Trenton from heah?" she asked slowly.
"You mean yer from Joisey?" Now I was the one who was shocked.
She nodded, and her eyes filled with tears. "I dunno how I got heah, an I can't git back b'fore dark, and I ain't got no where ta stay..." her voice trailed off, and a single tear rolled down her cheek.
"Ya can stay wid us, in da Lodgin' House fer da night, an I'll take ya home tamarra'."
She looked up at me, and I wiped away the tear that fell. "Thank you," she managed to say.
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Jack and Mush walked me the few blocks to the Lodging House, and brought me in. There was an older man inside, and he told me I could stay for free, since I was only staying for one night. I thanked him, and Jack and Mush took me upstairs to the bunkroom. Jack went out to a restaurant called 'Tibby's,' and Mush and I talked until he came back.
A few boys came in after we had eaten, and I was introduced immediately.
"Dat dere's Racetrack," Jack said, pointing to a boy with a cigar, talking to a boy with a crutch under one arm. "And dat kid wid him is Crutchy."
"Dat's me pal, Kid Blink," Mush said, nodding toward a tall boy with a leather patch over his eye. Kid Blink looked up at me and smiled. I smiled back.
A bunch of other boys came in, and I was introduced to all of them. I knew I wouldn't be able to remember all of their names, but I figured it wouldn't matter, since I was leaving in the morning.
A little while later, Mush came up to me and presented me with a pair of black pants and a white t-shirt. "Ya might need these," he said simply. I looked up at him, and was about to ask him what they were for.
"Ta sleep in," he answered the unasked question. I nodded and went into the bathroom to change.
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Later that night, I realized the only thing Bella had to sleep in was what she was wearing, which was a dress. I got up from my seat at the poker table, which was a bad place for me anyway. I hadn't won a single hand all night, and was running out of money to throw away. I walked over to my bunk and grabbed an extra shirt and pair of pants for Bella.
"Ya might need these," I said. She looked confused, so I added, "ta sleep in." She nodded and walked into the bathroom.
"So, Mush," Race began. I spun around, and walked over to the table. "Ya ask her yet?"
"Ask her what?" I asked, not having any idea what he was talking about.
"Ta be yer goyl," Race said. The sarcasm in his voice told me I should've known what he meant.
I blushed, and shook my head. "Why would I do dat?"
"Wait, wait..." I looked over at Blink, and he stared into my eyes. "He asked her."
"I did not!" I cried defiantly.
"Yeah, ya did." He leaned back in his chair, and fell backward. Everyone laughed so hard they were close to tears.
When the laughter had died down, Race spoke up, "So, ya asked her." It was more of a statement than a question.
"No-"
"Ya don't hafta hide it from us, Mush," Jack said, smiling.
I gave up. It was hopeless. 'Just let dem tink dat, I don't care.'
"Ya don't hafta hide what, Mush?" Bella asked.
I got up and walked over to her. "We should talk, Bella."
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The clothes fit almost perfectly. I walked out of the bathroom, and put my dress down on the bed I was given to sleep in. I walked out just in time to hear Jack say, "Ya don't hafta hide it from us, Mush."
"Ya don't hafta hide what, Mush?" I asked curiously. I guess he didn't hear me coming, and jumped out of his chair.
He came towards me, and said, "We should talk, Bella."
"Okay..." I said slowly.
"On da roof."
I nodded, and we started out the fire escape. I heard the others whooping and whistling, and Mush trying to shut them up. Now I was really curious.
"What's goin on?" I asked once we sat down.
"Well...umm..." Mush seemed really nervous. "Da guys, dey tink dat...well, dey tink I asked ya ta be me goyl."
I laughed. "Dat's it? Dat's no big deal."
"It's not?"
"No," I replied. "Whaddya say we play along?" I suggested. "I'll only be heah til moinin anyway."
"Okay," Mush laughed. "Whateva ya wanna do, it's fine wid me."
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It was hard for me to tell Bella that my friends thought she was my goyl. So when she said it wasn't a big deal, I was very relieved. But I was very surprised when she said we should play along.
"Okay, whateva ya wanna do, it's fine with me."
We walked back into the bunkroom, and she pulled my arm around her waist, and put hers around my shoulders. I looked at her, and asked her with my eyes if she really wanted to do this. She nodded, and we walked over to the poker table.
Everyone looked up at us, and Blink said, "See, whad I tell ya?"
I just shook my head and sat on the bunk closest to the table. But Bella surprised me by sitting on my lap. I wasn't expecting it, but I put my arms around her waist, and she grabbed my hands.
After about ten minutes, she slid off my lap and sat to the left of me. I brought my left arm around the front of her, and put it over her hands. She snuggled up close to me, and rested her head on my shoulder.
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I rested my head on Mush's shoulder, and wondered what my next move would be. Should I go as far as kissing? I decided he should be the one to initiate that, if he wanted it to happen. I didn't want to freak him out. I looked up at him, and whispered his name in his ear.
"Yeah?" He asked, turning his head and looking down at me. I searched his eyes for something. I wasn't really sure what I was looking for, but I guess I didn't find it.
I shook my head. "Nuttin."
"So, whad ya do up dere on da roof?" Jack asked.
"We didn't kiss, if dat's what yer askin," I said pointedly. I hoped Mush could take a hint.
"Oh, ya didn't?" Blink asked. "So are ya gonna?"
I looked up at Mush, waiting for an answer.
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"Mush?" Bella whispered in my ear.
I looked at her. "Yeah?"
She just stared at me for a long time, then shook her head. "Nuttin." I knew she was gonna ask me something, but before I had a chance to ask what, Jack spoke up.
"So, whad ya do up dere on da roof?"
"We didn't kiss, if dat's what yer askin," Bella answered.
I caught my breath. 'Why did she say dat?' I wondered. 'Maybe she wants me ta kiss 'er.' My thoughts were interrupted again, this time by Blink.
"Oh, ya didn't? Are ya gonna?"
She looked up at me, and raised her eyebrows. I looked over at the boys. They were all looking at me expectantly. "Now?" I asked nervously.
Everyone nodded enthusiastically. I just sat there for a minute.
"We ain't got all night, Mush," Race said impatiently.
I looked at Bella again, then over at the boys, then back to Bella. I winked at her and smiled. 'Heah goes nuttin,' I thought, then I leaned down, closed my eyes, and kissed her. She put her arms around my neck, and I put mine around her waist. Everyone started whistling, but I barely heard it. It was the most powerful kiss I had ever experienced, and it was with someone I didn't even like-or did I?
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I looked up at Mush, waiting for what seemed like an eternity for him to answer Blink. He looked at me, then looked away. Everyone was waiting for an answer, that much was obvious. The room was silent.
"Now?" he asked shakily.
Everyone nodded, and after a while Race spoke. "We ain't got all night, Mush."
Mush looked at me again, then away again, then back to me. He smiled and winked, and I knew what was coming. He leaned in towards me, and I closed my eyes and felt his lips brush against mine. I put my arms around his neck, and he put his arms around my waist. I felt something in that kiss. I didn't know what it was at the time, but I knew it was something.
He pulled me closer, and kept kissing me. By now, the others were whistling, and I waved my hand at them to be quiet. Of course, they didn't obey. But it didn't matter anymore. I felt so comfortable with Mush, and I barely heard the other sounds around me.
Footsteps were heard coming up the steps, and the door opened. Mush and I pulled away abruptly, and the man from downstairs came in and told everyone to go to sleep. He walked back out, and closed the door behind him.
"Kay, everyone, lights out," Jack said, "an' don't try any tricks wid Mush's goyl."
Everyone laughed, and then Jack turned the lights off. The moon was still reflecting in through the window when I pulled the covers up on the bed, and I started writing in my journal. "Ay, Bella?"
I turned to Blink. "Yeah?"
"Ya wanna switch bunks wid me?" he asked, winking.
I was confused for a minute, until I realized why he had asked me. Mush's bunk was right next to his. "Sure," I said, then grabbed my dress and walked over to the other bed. I closed my eyes, but I was having trouble sleeping. I couldn't stop thinking about kissing Mush. I wanted to do it again. It startled me, but I actually wanted to be his girl, for real. There was something in that kiss...
Someone coming over and sitting on my bed interrupted my thoughts. I opened my eyes, and saw that it was Mush. He smiled down at me, and I smiled back.
"Oh good," he said, "yer, uh, still awake."
"Did ya need sometin'?" I asked.
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I sat down on my bed, watching Bella as she wrote something down in a book she had. I felt Blink looking at me, and turned to face him.
"What?" I whispered. He smiled at me, and walked over to Bella. "Ay, Bella?""Yeah?"
"Ya wanna switch bunks wid me?"
'Tanks, Blink,' I thought, and shook my head.
"Sure," Bella answered. I was surprised. She came over to the bunk, and sat down. I turned away from her, not wanting her to see me blush.
After a few minutes, I turned on my side to face her. She was lying down, and her eyes were closed, although it didn't really seem like she was sleeping. I found myself on my feet, and walking over to her bed. I tried to stop myself, but my legs weren't listening. I sat down on her bed, and watched as she opened her eyes slowly.
"Oh, good, yer, uh, still awake," I stammered.
"Did ya need sometin?"
I started to shake my head, then looked away.
She laughed a little, and said, "Well, what is it?"
"He wants a good-night kiss!" Skittery said from the bunk above my own. My face turned dark red, and I glared up at Skittery. Actually, I did want a good-night kiss. But that wasn't why I had gone over there. It's not like I was expecting one, I just wanted one.
"Is that so?" She asked suspiciously.
"Not really, I-"
"Jus kiss 'er Mush, I wanna go ta sleep," Blink whined from across the room.
"Well, she might not want me to. I mean, it's-" I was interrupted again.
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Mush shook his head slightly, and looked away.
I laughed. "Well, what is it?" I was confused.
"He wants a good-night kiss," Skittery said. I looked up at him. He had the bunk above Mush's. I hoped that was what he wanted, because that was what I wanted. He didn't say anything for a long time, so I did.
"Is that so?" I asked curiously.
"Not really, I..." My heart sank. I had really wanted him to kiss me.
"Jus kiss 'er, Mush, I wanna go ta sleep," Blink yelled.
Mush started to speak again. "Well, she might not want me to."
'Not want you to?' I thought incredulously. 'Of course I want you to!'
"I mean it's-"
I pulled him down towards me, and kissed him. Once again, I could hear people whistling, and pulled away after a few seconds. "Da ya still not tink she wants ya to, Mush?" Blink asked. He just shook his head, then walked back over to his bunk.
I closed my eyes, and smiled. I hoped Mush wasn't looking at me. It was then that I remembered what Mush had told me from the beginning. 'I'll take ya home tamarra,' he had said. I got a sinking feeling in my stomach. I didn't want to go back, at all. I wanted to stay with Mush, even if he didn't want me as a real girlfriend. Playing along would do, until he got tired of me. I realized what I had been thinking, and shook my head. 'I can't stay here. I'm goin home tamarra, an fergettin all about Mush.' But I knew I would never forget Mush.
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I was totally taken aback when Bella pulled me down to her and kissed me. But she pulled away all too quickly. I stared down at her for a second. I couldn't take my eyes away from hers.
"Da ya still not tink she wants ya to, Mush?" I barely heard Blink, and just shook my head in reply. I got up in a zombie-like fashion, and went back to my bunk. I thought about what had just happened, and how much I liked Bella.
But I knew it would never work out. She lived in New Jersey! And even if she lived in Manhattan, it wouldn't matter because she didn't like me anyway. She was only kissing me because she was 'playing along'. I was taking her home tomorrow, and she would forget all about me. I knew I would never forget her. I could try, but I never would.
Kay, that's the end of the first chapter. I have the whole story written, but it's not in HTML format, so as soon as I have the next part formatted, I'll post it.