Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters from "Newsies".
I'm sorry I couldn't update yesterday, guys... My computer was being all "BLLEEHH" and my teachers were all "Please read this entire text book because we assume you have no life outside of school" and I was all "Anyone who comes within ten feet of me I'll whack you with a wooden stick" and all that jazz. On that note, enjoy the chapter :D
--START--
"Heya Aces!!" Someone called. I looked over the top of the menu to see Blink and Swifty with two other boys that I didn't know. The four of them sat down at my table that was empty except for me. "Hey guys, how's it going?" I asked.
Blink ignored my question. "So it's true? You 'nd Race, I mean..." He smiled broadly. It was only the second day of this, and by dinnertime everyone knew. I could feel myself blushing as I nodded. "Yeah, I'm waiting for him right now. Told me to meet him here."
I looked towards the two other boys that I didn't know and smiled at them. One looked about my age, with short curly brown hair. The other was around 11 years old. "Oh yeah! Aces, dis is David... or da walkin' mouth. Either or." Swifty said, realizing we had never been introduced. "'nd dis is Les, Davey's younger brudda."
David looked at me strangely as if he was thinking about something. Then he snapped his fingers. "Oh! You must be the new kid... The one who was originally a guy... Well, I mean, obviously you were always a girl. But everyone just recently found out, so it was i sort of /i like being a guy, since everyone assumed that and-"
I quickly took his hand and shook it. "Hi. I'm Aces." I said, stopping him from talking. "And I can see why they call you the walkin' mouth." I added. The rest of the guys laughed, including Les, but David just made a sarcastic "Hah!" sound and picked up a menu.
Race walked into the restaurant with Jack, Dutchy, Snitch, and Snipeshooter. The rest of the guys took a table behind us, but Race took a seat right next to me. He put his arm around my shoulders as he sat. "Heya, doll."
A few of the guys who had been looking in our direction smirked at us. The waiter came by and took our orders, causing everyone to drop the teasing for a couple minutes.
----
"You a'right, Race?" I asked quietly. He was absentmindedly staring at the napkin that he was shredding between his fingertips. "Huh?" He asked, looking up at me. "Oh, yeah, I'se fine. Jus' thinkin', ya know." Race pushed his plate away from him. He had barely touched his food, except for moving it around with the fork.
"Heah, Jack. Take me share of da money for when ya guys pay da bill, will ya? I got somewheres I gotta be." Racetrack put a few coins in the palm of Cowboy's hand. Then he turned to me.
Race leaned in close to me so he was right next to my face. "Meet me at da square in 'bout 15 minutes." He whispered in my ear, causing me to get goosebumps. Then his lips brushed against my face, and he tenderly kissed me on the cheek before he stood up and walked out.
I bowed my head and let my hair fall in front of my face. That way I could hide the fact that I was blushing again.
What could Race want to tell me that he couldn't say in front of his friends? I wondered. It had to be about the 'pretending to be a couple' thing, or else he would have said it at Tibby's. 15 minutes passed and I casually excused myself, telling everyone that I was tired so I was going to head back to the lodging house early.
I made my way to the square and found Racetrack sitting by the base of the statue. He stood up when he saw me. "Heya, Aces." He said. "Hey Race... So what's up?"
"Guess what I found out today?" Race asked. He continued before I even responded. "I was talking to Cowboy today... 'nd you hoid 'bout da newsboy strike in 1899, right?" He asked.
"Yeah... I used to read 'bout it. Jack was the leader, wasn't he?" I replied. Race nodded. "Well, dis Thursday is da foist anniversary of da strike. It's been a year since we beat Pulitzer, 'nd Medda's holdin' a little party thing for us at Irvin' hall."
"That sounds fun, Race... But what does it have to do with me? I wasn't even part of the strike..." I replied. Racetrack rolled his eyes. "Well, you'se obviously comin', too. Everyone in da lodgin' house is, 'nd newsies from udda' parts of da city, too. So ya know what dat means?" He asked.
"I... get to see Irving hall?" I asked, shrugging. Race rolled his eyes again and sighed. "No, Aces. It means dis is da poifect opportunity to get Dutchy to take ya out somewhere." He said.
"Race, I hate to burst your bubble... But Dutchy hasn't said a word to me since I got back. I don't really think he's interested." I replied. I heard people approaching on the sidewalk behind me. They talked and laughed as they passed the square. Racetrack looked over my shoulder at them and his eyes lit up, showing me that he had an idea. "We can change that..." He whispered.
Before I could turn to see who was walking by, Racetrack grabbed my shoulders and pulled me towards him. His lips crashed down on mine and he wrapped his arms around the small of my back. I was completely shocked and I could basically feel myself trembling in his arms.
As Race pulled away, I glanced over my shoulder at the passing crowd. Dutchy, Pie Eater, and Specs stared back at us guardedly as they passed, heading in the direction of the lodging house. All my thoughts were jumbled from the earth shattering kiss, but one thought was very clear.
I wasn't pretending anymore.
----
:O Cliffhanger? Iknow,Iknow,Iknow... It's short. Sorry :( But maybe I'll update another tonight if I can.
Opinions? Ideas? Criticism? Please review :D
Thanks for reading.