Author's note: So I guess everyone has noticed that I changed the title! Thank you for everyone who voted and submitted titles. :3 So I hope everyone looooveeess this chapter. Please review!
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters you recognize from the movie.
Chap. 7: Romeo and Juliet
Do I have to get up? I ask myself lying in bed staring at the rising sun. I dread the thought of leaving my bed. After last night I just want to curl up in a ball and forget Spot Conlon and Brooklyn. And it doesn't help that now everyone is suspicious of me and Spot. Honey and Bubbles swarmed me with questions as soon as I walked through the door last night. I kept my cool-as best I could-and used Medda as our late note. Spot, on the other hand, went straight up stairs the instant the front door opened, no questions, and no explanations. I was glad, I really didn't and don't want to talk to him. The whole way back, he walked 2 feet in front of me. I knew he was probably really hurt, emotionally. But he won't let me see it. I felt so bad. When he walked away and I didn't go after him, I just couldn't let him see my face. The only words spoken between us were when I asked for my hat (to shield my face); which he promptly threw over his shoulder at me.
After I pushed Honey and Bubbles off of me, my conscience told me that I should thank him for saving me, again. So, once everyone had fallen asleep, I tip-toed out of the girls room and stood on the outside of the boy's door. While I stood there, preparing to knock, I heard something. So I let my hand float above the door. There were voices talking on the other side, and I have always been an eavesdropper.
"I saw ya Gent. Why didn't you do somet'ing? She coulda been hurt or worse." Spot's voice reached me outside the door. He was interrogating Gent with restrained anger and he was piling on the disappointment.
"Maybe I don't care about that little girl anymore." He spat out he words. I inwardly cringed. I always thought Gent was like a brother to me. I heard shuffling and someone groan. "So this is how you feel?"
"Don't ya talk about her like dat Gent." I regretfully let out a gasp and my hand slipped falling into the door and I found myself staring at a defiant Gent in the clutches of a fuming Spot. "Barbie…" Gent looked at me with a pleading help in his eyes. Spot noticed my concern and he let Gent go, moving towards me at a cautious pace. I position my eyes at a downward focus and told Spot thank you before I dart out of the door and into the girl's room. Spot stood in the doorway, his hand outstretched. "Wait! Barbie!"
"Barbie! Wake up, sleepin' beauty!" Bubbles jumps down from the top bunk, bringing me back to reality. My whole body sighs. I have recalled the events of last night at least twenty times. I am trying to find the loop-hole where I will wake up in my bed at home. After about a minute, I sadly swing my legs out of my bed. "How did ya sleep?"
"Meh…I really don't want to talk about it Bubbles." I rub my eyes and walk to the bathroom. I splash cold water on my face and dunk my head in the bucket of water. I hope the cold water will wake me up. Swoosh, swoosh, I let my head get soaking wet then take it out. I grab a towel and squeeze extra water out then rub my scalp to get my hair semi-dry. I look into the mirror, and my depression intensifies. My hair grows like a weed and when it was once at mid-neck, it is now resting on my shoulders. I plow my fingers through the wild mess, making it look reasonable.
"Hey we are goin'! Ya want us ta wait?" Molly calls from the door.
"Nah, its fine. I will meet you guys there." I walk out of the bathroom. I only have my pants and tank-top on, so "I have to get dressed." The girls wave and leave me in the room alone. I shuffle over to my bed and pick up Spot's shirt. I guess I should give this back to him...But I don't have another shirt. I slip the shirt over my head and my hat. I take my belt and tighten my pants around my hips. I grab my bag and the book I borrowed yesterday. When I am not performing I intend to be reading. Out in the hallway I close the door and shuffle to the top of the stairs, still half asleep. Looks like the water didn't work…Halfway down I observe Gent standing at the front desk talking to Ms. Flora. She is laughing and he is using his dreamy smile Probably to get something…I duck my head and walk past silently hoping he doesn't notice me.
"Bon Matin Barbie." Gent calls still leaning on the front desk. He has a devilish look on his face, making him look very bad-boy. The boy I used to trust isn't there anymore. I nod and walk out the door into the morning heat. I stand outside for a good minute leaning against the wall. I have been really queasy lately and I don't know why. I told Medda yesterday, and she said it was just dehydration. I glance down at my watch, trying to discern the date. The little square that tells me the date is broken. It can tell the time, but the date is stuck on July first. I have tried to keep a hold of the date in my head but it keeps slipping out of reach. It seems that my mind doesn't want me to remember. I guess I will be able to tell on the newspaper. It seems like months but I know it has only been a matter of weeks.
I enter the distribution center and join the back of the line. The loud group of newsies goes quiet as I stand there waiting to buy my papes. Whispering kicks up around me and eyes dart to me then back to the person whom they are talking to. Why do teenagers have to be so immature? It feels like high school. No one knows the real story, only bits and pieces. I shove my hat lower on my head and just ignore everyone. When I reach Porker he gives me a friendly smile.
"Mornin' Miss." I return his happiness, grateful that someone is happy to see me. I slide money onto the counter and ask for 50 papes. Porker pushes the money back and calls for the 50 papes. I start to object but he just puts his hand up. "Ya saved me yesterday miss, I owe ya."
"Thank you, Porker." I take my papes and walk down the steps and out of the gate with a smile on my face. I adjust my papes so they are slung on my bag and I take one out to examine the headline. The headline isn't amazing but it isn't the words that catch my eye, it is the picture. In the picture is a family of four: A mother, and three sons. The mother is pregnant but an amulet around her neck grabs my eye. Around her neck there is a crescent moon with gems decorating it. My hand falls to the copy around my neck. That's Grandma Winnie's necklace…But what do they have it for?...Maybe… Someone calling my name steals me from my thoughts. I make a mental note to save a paper, and look up to see the thief. Spot strolling towards me, and I panic. Against my own will I stand still letting Spot approach me. He has only a few papes left in his hand and he looks worn.
"Barbie, I wanna talk ta ya 'bout last night and what ya heard." I get mad at his easiness. How can he be so cool after he almost kissed me, saved my life, then defended me against Gent? My cheeks go red and I cross my arms trying to keep myself from slapping him.
"I didn't hear anything. Even if I did, I don't want to talk to you." I turn on my heel, flipping my hair. I march down the street yelling the headline at the top of my lungs. I hope my yelling helps drown out my thoughts. Right now I don't even want to know the name Spot Conlon.
I took me about an hour and a half to sell all my papes, minus one. I stick the one in my bag next to the book. I walk towards Oliver's to tell Honey something. When I enter the cool, noisy restaurant I find Honey, keeping my head down as I walk to her. When I reach the table I don't sit down but I lean in, resting my elbows on the table.
"Hey I can't stay but I need to tell you something." Honey nods and motions for me to continue. I lean in closer and bring my voice down so just we can hear. "If Spot comes, please just pretend you don't know where I am. I don't need him following me to Manhattan."
"Alright…anything else?" Honey gives me a suspicious look but shrugs and raises her eyebrows in her listening face. I really just want to break down and tell her everything, right here. But I control my emotions, and plan to tell her another time.
"If you see Gent, it is the same thing." Honey nods and I say thank you. I walk away from the table and towards the door. I open the door and almost run into Marilyn. I can't contain a burst of laughter at seeing her shiner. She glares at me and flicks her hair stomping away. I let the door slam behind her and put my cap on, walking out into the sunlight. I cross the street directing myself towards Manhattan.
Damn…why does it hafta be so hot? Spot thinks to himself as he crosses the street towards Oliver's. Everything today has been bothering him: the heat, the people…especially one person. Spot just can't get Barbie out of his head. The way she acted last night and then the way she was acting today. But Spot understands why she acted the way she did last night. He can't believe he did that, and Barbie obviously doesn't like him. She shook his hand away. He wants to just talk to her, but she won't listen. He rubs his temples trying to relax his mile-a-minute thoughts. As he walks into Oliver's he takes his hat off and is greeted by a wave of "hellos".
"Hey…" Spot greets the newsies out of habit. He finds his usual seat next to all his close buddies in a daze. Spots mind is off wondering where Barbie is. Usually all the newsies are here by noon. It's about 12:30. Spot sweeps his eyes through the group of newsies. He perks up when Spot's eyes land on Honey sitting at a table across the room.
Spot excuses himself from the table and shrugs off the awkward glances from his companions. Spot casually weaves through the tables closing in on Honey who is chatting with the other girl newsies. Out of all of the girls, he trusts Honey the most. Ever since he met her, they have been like siblings to each other. He knows all of her little tricks, and she knows his. He stops next to Honey and she looks up, stopping the conversation.
"I need ta talk ta ya." Spot uses a tone implying that it needs to be done alone. Honey apologizes and pushes her chair back from the table. She stands and follows Spot out of the door and into the busy street.
"What do ya need ta talk 'bout?" Honey leans against the wall, knowing what is coming. Spot looks at her, his eyes squinting in the summer sun. He looks older, since he came back last night Honey observes. Not in his face, but in his body language and his eyes.
"I am assumin' she didn't tell ya?" Spot sticks his hand in his pockets and looks at Honey's amused face. "What are ya laughin' at?"
"Ya are so stupid, Spot Conlon." He gives her an angry and curious look. "She didn't tell me anything, but I don't need to be told to know what happened."
"Everything went down da toilet. I need ta fix it, and I know you know where she is." Spot begins his persuading. "Where is she? I know ya want me to fix it as much as I do."
"She went to Manhattan. Gonna be at Medda's for a while." Honey tells Spot, ignoring Barbie's previous request. Spot is right; Honey wants Barbie to fix things with Spot as much as he does. She remembers Spot telling her about Barbie after three days of her being here. He was so intrigued with her and how forward her opinions are. He looks truly happy when he speaks about her to Honey. She always thinks it is cheesy when Spot says that, but it is true.
"T'anks. We won't be late." Spot turns and begins to walk away when Honey reaches out to grab his arm. She has her wishful gleam in her eye. "What?"
"Fix this, quick. Coz if ya don't…Barbie is probably more stubborn than youse." Spot laughs and reassures Honey before she relinquishes his arm and Spot walks off into the street. Spot puts his cap on and takes his cane out and strolls down the street towards Manhattan. Time ta turn on da Conlon charm…Spot smiles and continues down the street with a newly energized pace.
"Can I go now Medda?" I ask struggling with a box she is making me move. Medda doesn't believe in child labor, but she does enforce the rule that everyone will do their fair share in her theater. All day today I have been moving things from one area of the stage to another. I have also done all this in a corset.
"Mmm…you have worked hard. Without a large amount of complaining." Medda addresses me from her Balcony perch. She has been conducting me for the whole day. At one point I asked her why she isn't doing anything. She swiftly smacked me upside the head and told me that she did all this and more when she was an apprentice. I haven't asked any questions since, my head is still throbbing.
"Pleeeeeaaaasssseeeee Medda! I will wear the corset back to the boarding house and while I am selling papes tomorrow." Medda stands there pondering if the corset is enough compensation for letting me go early. She smiles and flicks her conductor's wand.
"Go on! You did a wonderful job today. Keep the corset on though." I drop the box and run off to grab my bag and my cap. I pop back out on stage and give one final good-bye to Medda before running up the stairs, and into the lobby.
I think the corset agreement is a bad idea. My mind mocks me. I reach the lobby and almost die of suffocation. The corset is on underneath my shirt and shorts, but that doesn't make it more comfortable. God…I am glad I was born in the 20th century. I say good bye to all the workers and leave the building into the cool night air. I walk out under the awning but stop when I see someone move out of my peripheral.
"Who's there?" I turn my back to the street and search the area and my heart sinks. All my problems come crashing back into me as I watch Spot Conlon walk towards me. "Listen, if you wanna talk. Can we do it tomorrow? I need a day."
"No, we are doing it now Barbie." He stops me from walking off into the street by grabbing my shoulders and putting himself between me and the street. I look up into his determined eyes. I take a step back and cross my arms. Might as well listen…
"What is it?" I sigh, exhausted. "Do you wanna know why I don't want to talk to you? Well I will tell you."
"Please do." Spot relaxes, smirking at my frustration.
"I want to know what happened last night. Not the fight but when you almost…" I suck up my courage and shove down my pride. "Kissed me. What does that mean? That you maybe like me, that you are too shy to do anything about your feelings? Because I know you Spot, and the last thing you are is shy."
"Well dat is what I wanna clear up right now." Spot takes a step closer and takes off his hat. "I have ya third favor. But dis one is optional."
"Okay? So I can choose if I do this or not?" This boy is getting on my nerves. He needs to make up his mind.
"Yeah." Spot's smirk won't go away.
"I can deal with this." I let my arms fall to my side and I stick my chin up waiting for his favor.
"Kiss me." I freeze and look up at him. Spot is completely serious. I don't understand…Not realizing that I spoke my thoughts out loud, Spot answers. "Youse can make da decision on where we go."
I stand contemplating for a few seconds. Spot shifts from foot to foot. I don't want to take a long time but my mind is going at a twice the speed of sound. Do I like Spot that much?...But every time I look at him, I get goosebumps. I can tell he is getting nervous and impatient. If I don't make a decision soon, he will make one for me. I smile and take my cap off. I lift my chin to meets Spot's dark stormy eyes. Wendy's voice speaks up finally in the back of my head. DO IT! Or regret you never did! Don't worry Wendy.
I step closer to Spot, standing up on my tip-toes and let my lips find his. I lean against his sturdy form and stay there. All of my questions and worries from the previous weeks melt away. All I feel is the warmth from Spot's chest. I begin to pull away, feeling embarrassed when Spot doesn't kiss back. I feel him smile against my lips and I am stopped. Spot wraps one arm around my waist and one up into my hair, holding me somewhat protectively. I'm glad he does this because I can feel my knees going weaker with every passing second.
Spot is the first one to pull away and I have to lean on him, for fear of falling. He chuckles and I can feel the warmth of his breath against my ear. I tear my head away and tilt my head up and place my chin on his chest.
"I knew youse would come around." He kisses me gently on my forehead. I feel like I am floating…or in a really cheesy chick flick. "What?" Spot responds to my little giggle at my own joke.
"Nothing…" I reach up and kiss him gently on the lips. But he takes my breath away, kidnapping me into another deep kiss. I force myself to regain reasonable thinking and I pull away from a reluctant Spot. "We have to go back to the boarding house."
"Nah…it's a warm night." Spot places his hands on my hips and pulls me in closer. I put my cap on Spots head and steal his hat from his back pocket. I stroll away into the street with Spot's cap on my head. "So dis is how its gonna be?" He follows me out into the street and grabs my hand. I blush and move my arm so it is wrapped around his arm. We walk arm in arm until we are halfway across the bridge. I decide to break the silence that we have been soaking in.
"So…I guess I am really your, goil, now." I elbow him in the ribs. I guess he has always been right with the whole "Spot Conlon get's what he wants" thing. Spot smirks and looks out over the bay.
"Ya, youse is ma goil. And if ya try and deny it I'm gonna kiss ya right in front of everyone. I don't t'ink ya will be able to deny when you are kissin' me back." I unwind my arm from his and give him a firm punch in the shoulder. He quickly retorts by grabbing my bag and striding off a head of me. This isn't fair, one of his strides are two of mine. I giggle and just keep walking at my leisure pace. I stretch my arms up to the sky and yawn. I realize that I am extremely tired from lifting boxes all day. Up until now I have kind of been floating. Well, just a few more minutes and I will be in my bed. I gaze up at the stars and find the Big Dipper. My mind automatically goes back to the future where my whole life is probably waiting for me. I promised Wendy and my mom that I wouldn't get into a relationship, but I can't help it with Spot. I let my gaze fall on the back of Spots head. I think this is what they would want…I know it is what Grandma Winnie wants. I yawn again and follow Spot as much as I can while being half asleep.
"C'mon Barbie goil…" I can feel Spot wraps his arms around me and my feet are off the ground. At first the shock wakes me up immediately but then I become completely comfortable in Spots arms. My eyes droop and I lay my head on Spot's shoulder. Everything is blank up until Spot whispers gently to himself. I can't quite make out what he is saying but it sounds like he is cursing to himself. I roll my head over and the last thing I see before drifting off into sleep again is Gent standing in the boarding house doorway, looking positively furious.
