AUTHORS NOTE
So here is chapter number seven! I just finished grammer checking it and I'm so happy I actually got it done. I wrote this enitre chapter on paper. 5 piecesof paper. FRONT AND BACK! So technically I wrote ten pages and here they are. You think you saw drama before this chapter, well you won't believe the drama after you read this. READ! REVIEW! ENJOY! (BTW, I don't own Newsies. Only Clare/Clarebell)
I barely slept at all last night. I kept waking up with thoughts swarming my mind. But at one point I realized this was pathetic and it was enough. This boy will NOT destroy me. I refuse to take this lying down. It's time I take my own advice and man up. I will not let him drive me crazy in my own home. He wants to act like that then fine. Two can play that game. Little does he know that I'm positive I can do it much better. When I got out of bed, I was ready. Ready to show everyone just how strong I really am. I opened the door and went straight for the washroom.
"Heya boys how's it rollin'?" They all stopped and stared at me like I was crazy. Lucky for me, Race never came back last night so that was one less person I would have to deal with right now.
"Guys don't look at me like dat'. Ya'll should be happy. Smile! We ain't gotta work today. Come on. Cheer up!"
They still looked on edge but then they just smile a weak smile and continued getting ready for the day. I then felt I was being tugged back to my room.
"What's the big idea huh!" I spat at my intruder.
"Clarebell what's goin' on?" Of course. Jack.
"Nothin' Cowboy. What's up with you?"
"Clare. You don't have ta' put up dis' front ta' cover your anger towards Racetrack."
"I'm not mad at Race," I say with the widest grin. "What would give you that idea Cowboy?"
"Clarebell listen-"
"No Jack! This time I talk and you listen!" All my cheerfulness is gone and at this point it is my turn to be in control. "I'm so sick of everyone thinkin' dey' know da' best for me. Stop bringin' him up ta' me got it? 'Cause unlike you I'm trying ta' get over it. Okay Cowboy?" I swear if he asks one more question about that situation I will be glad to soak him myself.
"Ok Clarebell. You got me word." I let out my breath I didn't know I was holding.
"Thanks Jack." I turn to leave but he catches me yet again. "What now Kelly?" I say sarcastically but his face turns stone cold serious.
"I neva' asked chu' yesterday. What happened wid' your talk wid' Spot?" Oh mother trucker! I completely forgot about that! Or was I hoping he he'd forget? Either way I'm screwed because I never thought of my answer I was going to tell him. He must obviously see me struggling with a reply because he now has the eyes of fury.
"I'll soak em'!"
"Jack no!" I rush in. "We talked and I left. Nothin' happened."
"So you won't mind if I ask Boots den' huh?" He turned to leave but this time I was the one who caught him.
"Jack stop!"
"Clarebell I know you're hidin' somethin' and if you don't tell me I will go directly ta' Brooklyn n' take you wid' me. Now what happened!"
Like I said before, besides Spot, I'm the only one who ever gets to talk to Jack the way I do. But unlike Mr. Brooklyn I know when to stop. When it comes to me, Jack never backs down and I my shoes it's just easier to give in.
"Jack, sit down."
"No I'm good jus' where I am dank' you very much."
"No 'cause you're gonna have a freak attack on me." His eyes go big, sort of scared about what information he is about to be informed about. So he eventually goes to sit on my bed while I stand on the side. I'm really not up for this. Not just this information in general, but his reaction, so I look everywhere but his eyes.
"When youse' left yesterday, we went back to da' lodging house. We went to his room and I was nervous 'cause he made everyone else clear out in da' whole buildin' so-"
"You two were alone in da' entire lodgin' house!"
"JACK! You want me ta' tell you or not!"
"Ya."
"Then don't interrupt me 'cause believe me. I'll leave. Anyways, he was sayin' how he was sorry bout' what had happened between us." I took a breather knowing he was not going to react well with the next part.
"Den' he held me close."
Silence.
"Den' he said we should get back together."
Silence.
"Den' he kissed me."
"What da' fuck!" THERE it is. "Clare don't you worry. Once I get my hands on dat' rotten little-"
"Cowboy! Don't go doin' somethin' stupid. Now, just calm down an'-"
"Calm down! Calm down! I told dat' little shit if he hurt ya I was comin' for him. Now out of my way!" I know Jack cares so much for me but I've never seen him this upset. It hurts me to know I'm about to make him even worse.
"Jack you can't go."
He laughed in a sarcastic way. "And why is dat' Clarebell huh? Did ya' like it when dat' asshole took advantage of ya'?"
"No."
"Well den' please, tell me why I shouldn't kick his ass. I would LOVE ta' know!"
"Because I kissed him back!" I yelled. As soon as I said that his jaw dropped. He looked like a parent who was extremely disappointed in their child. I had to look at my shoes because his stare was too much or me to handle. Time went by but we just stayed like that. The noise of the others brought back jacks attention. I finally had the courage to make eye contact. When I did he was already looking directly at me. Then, he shook his head, and left the room. He left me standing there, felling like the biggest pile of shit in the world. But, like with Racetrack, I refuse to let him treat me like this. I'm just going to put on my false front and go on with my day. Me sulking here in my room will just make everything worse.
For the second time already today, I take a deep breath. Grab my items to get ready with, and open the door. I go back to the washroom where all the boys are still getting ready, including Jack. Although I'm going to act like nothings wrong, I still don't want to have to explain anything. So I go to the mirror in the far back corner. As I walk by Jack doesn't even take one glance at me. When I get to the mirror I just get ready and listen in on everyone else conversations.
"Hey who's up for soakin' some scabbers today?"
"Yeah, who's ready for winnin' dis' war?"
"Poor Weasel ain't gonna know what's come back for him."
"Yeah. Den' Brooklyn'll be beggin' ta' join!"
"Yeah. But me might have ta' beat Spot n' his boys in a little poker first before we let dem' in."
"HEY LISTEN UP!" Everyone turned to Jack, the one who made the sudden outburst and interrupted all the conversations. Still not able to look at him, I braid up my hair while I just listen to him.
"From now on we only go ta' Brooklyn for business!"
I stop what I'm doing and look at him. This is exactly why I didn't want to tell him. I knew this would be the outcome.
"No more hanging out wit' dem'." he continues, "From now n' forward we address it only as Brooklyn. No more Spot Conlons territory. No more Spots boys. No more Spot. Everythin' is now known as Brooklyn. Brooklyn's borough. Brooklyn's boys. And even Brooklyn's leader. You only call him by his real name when wit' him got it? I find out youse' associatin' wit' dem' without my knowin' I'll be happy ta' kick ya' out in a second. Now are we clear?"
Blink now steps forward, "But Jack. What's da' problem ?"
"Da' problem?" Jack laughs that sarcastic laugh again. " Da' problem is dat' stupid Conlon thinks he really is da' fuckin' king of Brooklyn. Think of dis' as helpin' Spot control his head from explodin' due to dat' big ego of his."
Everyone was stunned, including me. I wasn't shocked that Jack was trying to fight my battles. It wasn't that at all. I was shocked because everyone knows newsies are supposed to respect each other, especially leaders. So for Jack, Manhattan leader, to call out Spot, Brooklyn leader, like that is just wrong to do.
"Jack," Mush says, "everyone knows dat's who he is. Sure he sucks but we deal wid' it. Now what's really goin' on here?
I just want to scream. I wanna be like 'HEY! This is my entire fault! Jack is trying to protect me from Conlon but he's going out of control! So blame me! Blame me!' but of course I have enough sense and control to know that's the worst thing to do at the moment, or even ever.
"What's goin' on Mush," Jack answers, " is dat' I'm in charge here so unless you wanna trade over to da' Brooklyn side I suggest you listen. I suggest you all listen. You guys know I never ask much from you. So I'm only tellin' you dis' one ting'. No more being friends wid' Brooklyn. Dey' are only our alliance. You know the consequences." And with that, he walked, or more like stormed off, leaving everyone still confused. Except for me. I hate always knowing more than the others. But theres not anything I can do about it, so I just continue getting ready.
"What's up his ass?" I didn't even notice Mush come up to me.
"He's got a lot on his mind. Just go wid' it. If he thinks it's for tda' best, so be it. He has his reasons." Mush gives me a questioning look.
"You?" he asks.
I look him directly in the eyes. "What do ya think." I don't wait for him to answer, knowing it will only lead to more trouble. Instead, I try to get everyone's minds off of stupid Cowboy, and onto today's events.
"Hey boys!" The focus is on me now. "Are we gonna hear da' bell today?" I get a mumbled 'no' in return.
"I said are we gonna hear da' bell today!" I now in return get a regular 'No' as a response.
"WHAT!"
"NO!" They shout.
"Now what are we gonna do bout' it !"
"SOAK EM'!" They're all now cheering and shouting, giving each other high fives, forgetting about Jacks new command.
"Dat's right." I chuckle. "Now boys. Lets get at it!"
"YEAH!" We all start cheering again and run down the stairs, straight out the door running around like were crazy. Figuring my little speech was very encouraging, I jump onto Skitterys back for higher ground to cheer us on again.
"Where we goin'!"
"Lookin' for scabbers!" They cheer.
"And what are we doin'!"
"Soakin'!"
"WHAT!"
"SOAKIN'!"
"WHAT!"
"SOAKIN!"
"DAT'S RIGHT!
We get to the distribution center and see Cowboy, David, and Racetrack already there. Everyone else is still in complete cheer mode.
"Hey! Quite down!" NO. You quite down. I'm telling you Jack is such a buzz kill. It's really sad. Just then the gates open and the deliver wagon zoomed right past us, looking scared for his life. God knows WHAT these guys did to the poor manthe other day. Now it's just us, and the scabbers. They're staring at us like were the stupid ones.
"Come on scabbers cross da' line!" Racetrack spat. Stupid boy! No No Clare. Calm the emotions. Luckily David just interrupted my self-encouraging speech inside my head. Stopped me from going crazy.
"Guys. Lets just be careful and rational about this."
We all looked to Jack to see what we should do, him being the leader and all, not Dave. Jack has the eyes ready to kill.
"Let's soak em' for Crutchy!"
That's all it took for the newsies to run towards the scabbers. Usually I like to pick out my victims before I harm them. Not that I'm a violent person or anything, trust me I'm no manic. It's just you want to see who really deserves to get there ass whooped. But today it doesn't matter. This is war and I'm out for anyone in my way. So far were doing well. We've led them all the way to the back so they got nowhere's to go. But wait. Why don't they look scared? Hold up, why are they pounding on the door?
"Jack! Jack it's da' crips!" SWEET MOTHER OF MARY!
All of a sudden a bunch of crips came out from behind the door and were coming straight for us newsies. We all started to retreat but my arm was yanked back.
"Hey Clarebell. How bout' you help us out a little bit. Then when we win, you and I can, how you say, celebrate." Did I ever mention how much I hate the Delancy Brothers? My response to Morris's request was spitting right in his face. Now my other arm is yanked the same harsh way by Oscar. Come on! I mean seriously, someone teach these two animals some manners.
"Don't be like that Clarebell. Keep that up and after Cowboy, you just might be next."
I turn to see all the boys held back by the crips while a few were going head to head with one particular newsie. There was Jack right in the middle getting attacked. He doesn't look hurt yet but he sure is getting close to it.
"Cowboy!" Oscar immediately took his nasty, grubby little arm and covers my mouth. I didn't get Jacks attention but I did get one in particular. He was trying to make his way over to me but before he could a marble came flying and hit Oscar straight in the neck and I was free. I turned around to see him and Morris were lying on the ground, both being shot at. I look up to my rescuer.
"Neva' fear Brooklyn is ere'!"
All of the of the Manhattan boys were shouting, being thankful that Brooklyn had showed up to save our asses.
"Hey Spot!" Jack waved. I'm so thankful that he is actually grateful that Spot and his boys had showed up instead of putting him on blast.
While his boys stood up on the rafters and fire escapes shooting marbles and the rest of the crips, Mr. Brooklyn himself swung down on a clothesline and kicked the crip who had been keeping hold of Jack. They crip flew back against the wall. Spot and Cowboy smiled and spit shook, then went to help the others. Before I knew it I was being cornered by more crips. They were about to start swinging when they each got shot at one by one. Oh dear lord please please please don't be-
"Come wid' me."
"I coulda' handled em' Conlon!"
That very good-looking yet very irritating smirk appeared onto his face. "When? Before or afta' ya' got da' shit kicked out of ya?" He went to grab my arm but I turned and ran before he could drag me away. Sadly though, I was cornered yet again. Jeez how the hell did the Delancys recover so fast?
"Where's your savior now huh Clarebell!"
"Right here." They turn around and each got a punch in the face by Jacks already swollen and bloody fist.
"Why ain't ya' wid' Spot Clare?"
What is he talking about!
"What are you talking about!"
"I told him ta' keep ya' wid' him til' da' crips were taken care of!"
"Well Cowboy, how da' hell was I supposed ta' know dat'?"
"Did he tell ya' ta' go wid' him?"
"Yeah but before he could I ran off."
"What da' fuck Clare!"
"You said not ta' be wid' da' kid!"
"EXCEPT as an alliance and we need help! Does all of dis'," he turns and gestures to all of the crips being pushed back by the Brooklyn newsies that Spot must have let in, "look like we needed help wid'!"
"Well yeah but-"
"EXACTLY!"
Jack then pulls me toward the cheering newsies who got the crips to give up. The boys pull us onto the platform so we can celebrate. After Denton took the picture, the boys hop down and celebrate with everyone else. Now left up on the platform still are Jack, Mr. Conlon, and Me.
"Thanks for coming Spot."
"No problem Jacky Boy." Spot replies, " It was easy. Cept' for dis' one ova' here." He laughs as he nods to me.
"Yeah. bout' dat'." Jack tells him with all seriousness sunken into his expression. I actually feel kind of bad for Spot. He's about to be soaked and it's all because I couldn't get my lie straight. I never should have agreed to talk with him in Brooklyn. I should have just left with Jack and Dave. Jack then continues.
"I've got a problem."
Oh no.
"Oh yeah? What bout'?" Dear lord Spot just shut up. You're not helping the situation.
"It's bou1t' Clarebell over here." Spots eyes grew wide and I know he was thinking what I wished I could have warned him about. RUN SPOT! RUN!
"O-Oh? Wh-What bout' her?" Spot eventually stutters out. So much for being fearless.
"I need youse ta' keep her in Brooklyn."
Whoa didn't see that coming. Wait? WHAT!
