Chapter 4
After adjusting my cap once more, I headed downstairs to find Mush. I was kind of hungry and was wondering where I could go to get something to eat, not to mention I was wondering if he'd let me become a newsie like him. I stole down the stairs as quietly as I could when I heard some whispering in the lobby of the lodge. I carefully slipped behind the front counter and peeked over to see Dealer... Skittery talking to a Brooklynner. I frowned deeply. Dealer was still up to his old tricks. I peeked over the counter again to study the Brooklynner. I gasped softly as I recognized the boy. I hope... I really hope Dealer isn't going to do what I think he might be doing.
"Rebekah?"
"Aaagh!" I jumped up in surprise.
Mush blinked.
I glanced back at Dealer and the guy. Gone... Go figure. "Hi, Fred. How do I look?"
He pursed his lips. "Um... all right I guess."
I shrugged. "I did the best I could with them."
He smiled slightly.
"Can I ask you a question?"
He nodded. "Sure."
"Would you let me be a newsie?"
A simple "no" was his answer.
"Please, Fred?" I looked at him with a pleading look. "It'll only be for a little bit."
He shook his head. "No, Rebekah."
I bit my lip. "You know you're the one who got the idea into my head. Giving me boy clothes and all."
"That was all we could give you!" Mush protested.
"So please?"
He sighed. "No."
"It'll only be for a few days. Once I earn some money, I'll go."
Compromise seems to be the only choice right now.
Mush grabbed my arm. "I... don't want you to leave. I just don't think it's a good idea for you ta be a newsie."
"Oh come on. How hard can it be?" I re-adjusted my cap. "I look like a boy, don't I?"
Mush made a face. "Unfortunately, yes. You could pull off for a ten year old boy."
Heh heh heh... I suppose that will have to work.
"Fred, pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeease?"
He sighed in frustration. "All right! But only for a day."
"What?!"
"If you do a decent job, then I'll talk to Jack about lettin' you stay as a newsie."
"Thanks, M-Mush."
Grrr... I don't really like his new name, but it beats Dealer's new name. I shuddered at the thought of him as I followed Mush downstairs. I hate the fact that I'll be living with him again, but it's better than being with Spot. I don't ever want to live with Conlon again. He'd never forgive me if he knew.
"Ummm Mush?"
"Hmmm?"
I blushed slightly with embarrassment. "I was wondering... er about eating?"
"Right!" He turned a little red. "That's why I was about to get you, but you ended being behind the counter." He cocked his head slightly. "Why were you behind there anyways?"
I felt my cheeks burn. "Err... I just uh was wondering what was back here... haha."
He raised an eyebrow.
This isn't good... He knows I've been lying to him.
He took my hand. "Let's go."
"Go? Go where?" I asked surprised. I thought he was going to bring up the lying...
"To eat, silly."
Mush took me to a small diner called Tibby's. I had heard of it, but I never went there. It was kinda nice to just have me and Mush eating together and catching up a bit on some stuff. Not like there was a lot of catching up to do on my side. It was mostly just him telling about what went on with him since the three us had split about six years ago.
"So I ended joining the Manhattan newsies," he finished off.
I nodded. "You like it?"
He grinned. "It's a fine life, ya know."
I cracked a small grin.
"Sooo... what about you?"
I coughed. "Me? I already told you."
"You didn't tell me why you left Spot. I thought you two were on good terms."
I bit my lip. "We just... decided it was best to split."
"But Danny too?"
"Danny wanted to go with me."
"Spot was okay with his little brother just leaving with you? It doesn't quite sound like him."
"He thought it was best," I replied quickly hoping Mush would stop asking questions. He didn't need to know anymore.
He frowned slightly. "Something happened between the two of you, didn't it?"
"Nothing happened!" I insisted.
His frowned deepened. "Rebekah."
I opened my mouth to reply.
Ding a rrrrring!
Mush sat up a little and glanced at the door behind me. "Look like I can find my answers from someone else."
I blinked and turned only to face (you guessed it) Spot Conlon.
"Rebs!"
I gulped. "Hi..."
He grabbed me by my wrist and pulled me out of my seat. "Where'd the h-" He forced the word back. "What are ya doin' here?!"
I glanced back at Mush. Save me!
Mush stood up. "Um, Spot."
Spot threw Mush a dirty look. "You've got nuthin' ta do wit' dis, Mush."
Mush sighed through his nose. "I knew you didn't remember me, Spot. It's me, Fred."
Spot blinked in surprise and loosened his grip on me. "Fred?"
"Yeah. It's been awhile."
I rubbed my wrists as Spot sat down beside me.
"Why didn't ya say somethin' before?" Spot asked, frowning at Mush.
Mush shrugged. "Didn't think it was important. You were all caught up in your own world. Didn't think I needed to pry."
Spot shrugged. "Did you know Rebs was here the whole time?"
"I had no clue until she bumped into me about an hour ago."
Spot narrowed his eyes at me slightly and gave me an "I knew it" look.
I shifted uneasily. I'm not liking how things are going. I fingered the bangs covering my left eye.
"Well, I'm taking Rebs back ta Brooklyn wit' me," Spot announced as he stood up and grabbed me once again by my wrists.
Mush looked Spot in the eye. "But does she want to go with you?"
"She's goin' back wit' me. I ain't losin' her again," Spot snapped and stormed out dragging me behind him.
I lowered my head as I reluctantly began to follow Spot. Mush is going to have a lot of questions for me when we meet up again.
As soon as we got back to Brooklyn, Spot gave me a dress to change into. (I wonder how he got his hands on a dress...) I guess he didn't like my new newsie look. Well, I'll just hide them somewhere until I get a chance to run away from here.
I stepped out of the wash room and quickly brushed some bangs over my left eye before I pulled the rest back.
"You should keep your hair out of your face, Rebs."
I glanced at Spot from the corner of my eye. "I like it this way."
He frowned and turned me toward him. "It makes you look like a street rat." He reached out to move my bangs.
"NO!" I screeched and slapped his arm away from me.
He flinched slightly and lowered his arm slowly.
My hand went straight to my left eye. I didn't want him to see... He was the last person I ever want to see it. After all, it is practically his fault why I hide it. Okay, it was my fault too. If only Spot hadn't gotten drunk... and if only I hadn't made a deal with Dealer, everything... everything would be okay right now.
Author's Note: Waaah... this felt like a short chapter but I'm glad to have it posted. ^^ I plan on speeding the plot along and making a longer chapter in the next chapter. XD Oooo! Please go to my profile (if you get the chance X3) and vote on my poll for which story you would like to have me finish first. X3
Author's Response to Reviews:
Ealasaid Una-Skittery is Dealer? What is his story? Is he a good guy? i like skittery. I would be a bit worry about her after Skittery silence her with his hand.
Heheh. I thought it'd be an interesting twist. ^^;; I hope to reveal more about him in the next chapter so please keep reading! :)
To bE mY HEaRt-Skittery? Wow, he's from Brooklyn now? that's kinda cool... he gives me the creeps though... Mush is all sweet and awkward and I died reading it. XD 33 Quirk
Well... he's kinda suppose to give the creeps right now. I'm glad you're liking it! :D
