I'm just gonna post the rest of this thing, just to have it up there.
Chapter 4: Heather's Father
That day was a tough one. The newsies sold 4 different editions and I was beat.
A number of newsboys were still out selling. But, Mush, Jack, Snoddy, Racetrack, Snoddy, and I were sitting around the unlit fire. (A dozen other newsies were already back too.)
I leaned against Snoddy. He put an arm around my shoulder. We were just friends, but it was nice to know we could hug.
Specs suddenly ran into the lobby. "There some grown man here! He's at the first door," he announced loudly.
"What does he want?" Snoddy asked.
"Said he's looking for his daughter," Specs said. "He said her name was Heather."
My eyes opened wide. "Oh no!" I exclaimed. The boys looked at me. "It's my father!"
The boys all started talking at once. Snoddy looked down at me. I glanced at Jack. "I don't want to go home, Jack," I told him.
"Okay," Jack said with a confident nod. "Don't worry. Put your braids up in your hat, and we'll have him out of here at no time." Jack began to walk to the front door. "But, Snoddy get her- I mean, him- hidden."
Snoddy stood up and shoved me behind him. "Great hiding place, Snod," I commented in his ear.
"Shh," he said as I heard the front door open.
"So, sir," I heard Jack ask. "What can we newsboys do for you?"
"I'm looking for my daughter," I heard my father mumble. "Heather."
"He's drunk," I muttered to myself.
"No girls here," Jack said. "I'm sorry."
"Where is she then?"
"Try the dog shelter. It's just a few blocks over. You can't miss it." Jack said. The boys forced a laugh.
"She's here," my father said. "I can smell her." The boys laughed loudly. "Hey, you," my father yelled in my direction.
"Me?" Snoddy asked.
"Yes!" My father yelled. "Move! I want to see who is behind you!"
"But, there's no one behind me," Snoddy argued.
"MOVE!" My father barked.
I thought Snoddy was gonna slide to the right, so I slid to the right. But, Snoddy moved to the left, and I was revealed.
"So," I said slowly. "Hey. How's it going?"
"Take your hat off," he ordered.
I shook my head. "Thank you for your time, sir," Jack said loudly, pushing my father out of the lodge and locking the door behind him.
The boys all turned to face me. "He knows it's me." I said with a shrug.
They all sighed. "We tried," Jack said.
"I know," I said. "But, I don't think he'll find me." There was an awkward silence. "We need to have a talk, Jack Kelly!" I exclaimed. "'Try the Dog Shelter," I quoted him. "What were you thinking?"
He laughed with a clever grin. "I thought he would fall for it!"
I sighed at sat down on the couch. I put my face in my hands. "He was so drunk," I muttered.
Snoddy sat down next to me and began to rub my back. I looked up at him with sad eyes. "I hate him," I told Snoddy.
"What did he do?" Jack asked.
"He was in jail," I said. "For a long time. He left me to stay with my uncle, who was always a drunk." I sighed. "When, he finally got out of jail…he murdered some man, and was once again running from the law. I was left on streets."
Snoddy pulled me into his arms. I leaned against him and closed my eyes.
I woke up hours later. It was just Snoddy and I in the lobby. I looked up at him. He was half asleep. "Sorry, Snoddy," I whispered, sitting up.
"It's okay," Snoddy said absently, pressing me back to his chest.
I sighed. "Thanks," I said. He muttered something back in reply. "You're my best friend, Snoddy," I said to him, I had never told him that before.
"You're me best friend, Alley," he whispered back to me. And, I feel asleep again.
Blink's view
"What the hell are you doing?" I shouted at Snoddy, as I spotted a sleeping Alley on his chest.
"Shh," Snoddy muttered.
"NO!" I said.
"Shut up!" He shouted at me. "What does it matter to you? You are always so rude to her!"
"I am not!" I argued.
"Then why did she tell me that she hates you?" he asked.
My breath got caught in my throat and I ran up to the roof. I hate both of them even more.
Alley's view
I woke up that morning leaning on Snoddy. I sat up quickly and walked up to the roof. That was the only place I went without Snoddy.
I spotted Blink staring into the distance. I stood next to him. He turned towards me. "Oh," he said. "Just you."
"Just me," I echoed. He said nothing. "Are you mad at me?" I asked him boldly.
"Yes," he answered.
"Why?" I asked.
"I saw you and Snoddy tonight." Blink said.
"I fell asleep on him because I was crying." I said. "Because I told him about my father."
Blink didn't say anything for a few minutes. "You're always with him," he finally spat out.
"He's my best friend," I informed Blink.
"And secret lover?" Blink asked. I shook my head. "You fell asleep on him," Blink exclaimed.
"I was tired! Upset! Crying!" I screamed at Blink. "Snoddy was there when I need him! Why is that so hard for you to understand?"
"Cause I wanted to be there!" he answered loudly. "I wanted to be the one you needed!"
"Why would I want you there?" I asked him. "So you can ignore me! Brush me off! So you can tell me you don't want anything to do with me again?"
Blink's view
"Why would I want you there?" she asked me. "So you can ignore me! Brush me off! So you can tell me you don't want anything to do with me again?" Her words echoed through my head loudly.
I sighed. "You think I don't want anything to do with you?" I asked quietly.
"You told me so," she reminded me.
I thought for a moment then yelled, "Well, you told me the same thing."
"Then, leave me alone!" She shouted. "Have nothing to do with me!"
"Fine!" I yelled as she stormed away.