Chapter 6

I took a break from yelling every insult I could muster, spit violently at the concierge, and finally felt Skittery's arms wrap roughly around me, pulling me backward towards the door.

I struggled, but his tightening grip told me I wouldn't win a fight against him. I gave in and a moment later, the cool night air hit my face.

Skittery burst out laughing as he let me go.

"That. Was. Incredible," he said between gasps of laughter, and bending over as a new wave of hysterics hit him.

I huffed. This only made him giggle harder.

Our trip had not gone according to plan. The concierge had recognized me from my earlier attempt at a room, and had made some snooty comments suggesting that I was trying to turn tricks in his room, and I don't think my newly sported black-eye was doing much to help the matter. Needless to say, it hadn't ended well. For the concierge.

"Skittery!" I half yelled, and half laughed his name, my angry facade fading as the contagious humor hit me.

"Yes," he looked up with watering eyes.

"What am I going to do?" The desperation of my situation sobered the mood. I glanced around to see a few people setting up camp in various corners of the street.

"Is there a good area that I could sleep outside?" I asked, my mind beginning to reel.

Skittery's laughter died down a tiny bit, but he was still laughing as he put his arm around me. "You can stay at the lodging house if you don't mind sharing a room with a bunch of boys," he said. "'Sides, you should be there when I tell them all what you just did!" Fresh waves of laughter overtook him.

I followed Skittery slowly into the lodging house, unsure if this was really the best course of action. Kloppman, however, didn't seem surprised that I was back. I stood awkwardly by the couch that I'd been lying on several hours earlier as Skittery had a whispered chat with the old boarding manager.

Within seconds, Skittery was back across the room and pointing the way up the stairs to the bunkroom. I pulled my hat down tightly and began to climb. I followed him closely and was about knocked down when we abruptly stopped and turned mid-flight.

"You know, I should go up first, make sure they quiet down and what not for ya," he said, signaling for me to wait and then running the rest of the way up. I sighed to myself and looked around the dark staircase, and listened to the dim roar coming from the second floor.

Moments later, I heard Skittery yelling, "Hey! I said shut-up, ya bums!" The room quieted down. I realized I was smiling to myself at this, but snapped out of it when I heard the door re-open at the top of the stairs. Skittery was waving me up, with Mush over his shoulder, signature beaming grin on his face.

I cautiously entered, head down, hoping not to draw too much attention. Luckily, Skittery's bunk seemed to be one of the closest ones, and we stopped there.

"I traded with one of the guys so I've got the bottom bunk," Skittery started to say as I set my things down. "Easier for two people to share." He looked proud of himself, but I felt a look of shock creep quickly across my face.

"Share?" I eventually squeaked out. I racked my already over-worked brain but couldn't remember anything about sharing a bed. I looked around to see that every bed was taken, and that several beds had two or more smaller kids occupying them. I also noticed that everyone was staring back at me. I gave a little wave, then turned back to Skittery.

"Yeah, well, the thing is," he started, rubbing the back of his head – his seemingly obvious tell for when he was nervous – "I thought there would be at least one empty bed but it's still chilly at night, even in April. So it's full up."

I stared at the floor, not sure what to say, or do. Should I leave?

"I mean, I suppose I could see if one of the other guys wants to share…" he started.

I glanced over my shoulder at the boys in the room, then at the size of the bed. I was definitely smaller than his would-be-bunkmates, and it didn't seem fair to expect him to share the tiny bed with his friends. I shook my head and said that there was no need to do that. I proposed me heading back outside, but he refused. I still felt all eyes on me as Skittery and I quietly debated, but the room began settling again into a dull roar around us.

"Let's see that shiner!"

Before I could even acknowledge that the shout was aimed at me, one of the older boys had climbed onto the top bunk next to me and yanked my hat off my head.

The room was once again completely silent, apart from the quiet "whoa" that escaped the boy's lips. I wasn't sure which one had stopped him in his tracks – my bright purple eye, my bright red hair, or the vicious look I was giving him. I snatched my hat out of his hands, and it seemed to pull him out of his trance.

"Who's your lady, Skitts?" said the boy, with a stupid grin on his face.

I heard Skittery start to respond, but I quickly stopped him with a curt "don't". Turning back to this boy, who looked a bit foolish in western garb, complete with a red bandana, I was ready to take out the day's frustrations on him.

"My name's not important to you, and I'm not anyone's lady," I started. I was interrupted from across the room by a voice that must have belonged to Mush.

"Careful, Jacky, she's got a mean right hook!"

I continued to let my stare bore into his face as he jumped down from the bunk.

"Is that so? You give as good as you get?" He walked closer to me and made to put his hand near my bruised eye. I quickly shoved him hard.

"Don't touch me," I hissed as he landed on the bottom bunk with a laugh.

"Easy there, Red," he smiled. "No one here's gonna hurt ya." With that, he turned around and walked back into the center of the room. "All right boys," he announced, "I think it's almost time for lights out."

I turned back to Skittery, who had an expression of both being impressed and dumbfounded.

"Sorry about that," I started. "Did I just make a big mistake?"

"I'm not sure yet," he answered, breaking into that grin. "Red suits you, by the way. And you have to stay now. You've got a nickname – you're in."

For some weird reason, I found this a little relaxing. A little security in an otherwise crazy day. I smiled back. "Fine, I'll stay."