(Author's Note: I really feel like Katherine would be like a big sister to Sniper. I've just been obsessed with that idea for a while, so this happened.
Standard disclaimers apply. I own nothing but my own imagination.)
Everything was quiet. For once, Katherine had her article finished and ready to turn in and was able to just sit and read, something she loved, but rarely had time for. She was thrilled to have nothing to do for once in her life.
Then, without warning, there was a knock on the door. Katherine stood up, set her book on the couch, and moved to investigate, rather puzzled. Her cousins hadn't mentioned that they were stopping by, and her father was even less likely to show up unannounced. Jack, for whatever reason Katherine could never figure out, didn't ever used her front door, preferring to come and go by her window overlooking the fire escape, so that ruled him out as well. Next she thought maybe Crutchie or Davey, but their visits were rare too. Finally, her curiosity won out and she opened the door, and the one person she never expected to turn up at her apartment was standing in front of her; Sniper.
She was surprised for a number of reasons. First off, Katherine wasn't sure how on earth Sniper had managed to figure out which apartment was hers. Jack hadn't even mastered that yet. Second, Sniper, the tough, spunky, only-girl-Newsie-in-Manhattan looked nervous. Sniper didn't get nervous, which meant that this was something important, but Katherine decided to get her questions answered one at a time.
"Sniper?"
"Hi Katherine," the girl mumbled sheepishly, looking down at the floor.
"Sniper, how did you-"
"I'se seen Jack at your window, so I knew what floor you was on, and I figured out the rest by watching other folks coming home from work. This was the only door that nobody went in yet, so's I figured it must be yours." She said all this in one rushed breath, and Katherine suddenly realized that they were still standing in the doorway. She ushered Sniper inside gently and commented,
"You certainly are observant." This put a smile on Sniper's face.
"Thanks," she paused. "Uh, Kat? I was wondering if I could have some advice."
"Of course! Sniper, you know you can always come to me if you need something." She wanted to make Sniper feel as comfortable as possible, because she knew that she was a relatively self-reliant girl, who didn't like to ask for help-not unlike Katherine herself-and she really wanted Sniper to open up to her if she was having a problem. She felt a sisterly affinity for the fourteen year old, and she wanted Sniper to trust her.
"Well, I just..." She was shy and quiet as her sentence trailed off.
"Hey," Katherine reassured her, "Whatever it is, I'm here for you."
"Sometimes I just wish I had a different life," she yelled, slumping down into a chair. It was silent for a moment as Katherine took in the sudden outburst of emotions. Then a look of regret crossed Sniper's face. "I didn't mean that," she amended quietly, "I should be grateful. I have it better than a lot of other girls. I shouldn't complain..."
"It's the boys, isn't it?" She interjected, and by the look on Sniper's face, she had guessed correctly.
"They'se driving me crazy Kat. They just... They..."
"They're boys. I get it. I've met them, remember?" Katherine grinned, but suddenly Sniper grew quiet again, drawing into herself as she spoke.
"Sometimes I just wanna be a girl, and look pretty, and not always have to be so tough all the time. I just get tired of being one of the boys," she sighed, a trickle of tears starting to push their way out of her eyes.
It was strange to see Sniper so vulnerable like this. She was usually so composed and cool. To watch her break down this way was heartbreaking for Katherine, like watching her little sister fall apart at the seams.
"Look at me Sniper." She did as she was told, and Katherine put her hands on the young girl's shoulders. "You have every right to feel the way you do, okay? Starting right now, you are not going to feel bad about occasionally wanting to get away from that madhouse of boys." Sniper giggled, wiping the residual tears from her cheeks.
"Okay. I won't," she said, nodding.
"And you're welcome here any time, especially if those boys are driving you crazy."
"Thanks-"
"And Sniper? You are pretty. No matter what you're wearing, or how much dirt is on your face-" Katherine chuckled and wiped a smudge off Sniper's cheek. "-you are very pretty." Sniper looked down at the floor, embarrassed. Katherine could only guess that few-if any-people had ever told her she was pretty.
"I have something for you too." Katherine pulled a simple skirt and blouse out of her dresser. "It was mine, but it won't fit me anymore, and I think you could use a little bit of extra confidence." Sniper just stared.
"Katherine, that is-"
"Going to look lovely on you," she interrupted, holding it out to her, "Now go take a hot shower, and put it on. You'll feel better, trust me." Katherine smiled encouragingly, and Sniper finally reached out and took the clothes. She headed for the bathroom door, but then paused, speaking in a hesitant voice without turning back around.
"Um, I don't... I don't have-"
"There's a petticoat in there, I didn't expect you'd have one," Katherine laughed. Suddenly, Snipers arms were thrown around her neck in a hug.
"Thank you," she whispered, "For everything." That was it, just a very short show of affection, before she scampered off into the bathroom. Katherine just laughed.
"Well? Let's see!" Fifteen minutes later, Sniper stepped out of the bathroom. The light blue blouse and navy skirt made her copper hair look even redder than usual, and her emerald eyes glittered in a way that Katherine had never seen in Sniper before. "You're beautiful," she breathed, smiling at the young girl.
"You really think so?"
"Yes," she laughed, "And I have one more thing for you." Katherine reached into her jewelry box and took out an old, silver locket from when she was a little girl. "I never put pictures in this locket," she explained. "I didn't have anyone that I thought was worth putting inside it. You have a wonderful family of boys who can be a handful, but who care about you very much." She slipped the locket around Sniper's neck and placed her hands on her shoulders. "Promise me you'll put something in this."
"Okay." She nodded vigorously. "I will."
(Please review and let me know what you thought! By the way, I will try to update Wherever You Go soon. Writer's block sucks.
Much love,
PrettyLittleMonster Xxx)
