Ahhhhhh over 30 reviews? I know that's not a whole lot but man I'm excited! :) Sorry about the long waits but I'm in my senior year in high school and right now my teachers are piling on the work. So far this year has been kicking my butt. So I'm going to keep trying to update ASAP! Shorter chapter, but I felt it was a good place to stop.
I do not own Newsies nor will I ever!
Chapter 11
Mattie pulled back as if his cheek had burned her. She had no idea what had come over her. She wrote it off as pure excitement, but she knew that getting over Jack was going to be a long process. Jack looked down at her looking just as surprised as she was. She took a chance before he could say anything before she turned around and hurried away. She made it look like she was simply hugging the boys, but in all honestly she wanted to get away from the embarrassment she had just pulled herself in.
Jack stood there staring after her not knowing what to do. He wanted to follow after her. He wanted to take her into his arms and never let her go. However, he knew that he couldn't do that. She was his best friend and best friends do not take each other in their arms and never let go. He ran a hand through his chocolate locks not knowing what was going on with him.
"I saw that." Spot said, with an all knowing look on his face.. Jack looked to the Brooklyn boy and shoved him lightly. Spot chuckled but said nothing more. He usually wouldn't have let anyone live that down, but he found himself wordlessly smiling. Spot had never been educated in romance, but even him, the roughest, toughest boy of Brooklyn, could see the way both Jack and Mattie acted toward each other. And then, for some reason, he found himself rooting for them.
The boys cheered the whole way back to the lodging house, jumping and yelling at the top of their lungs. The people on the streets glared or gave them disgusted scowls, but none of them minded. They were on cloud nine. Somehow Les had ended up on Mattie's back and she carried him piggy back to the lodging house. David watched her carry the young boy on her back and smiled. She was good with kids, or so it would seem. David's mind suddenly went back to the night before when Les and him had gotten home.
The two boys had gotten home later than usual. Their parents weren't happy but once David explained they backed off a tad. David had gotten ready for bed in a daze. He had never felt this way about someone, and he couldn't comprehend the emotions he was feeling. All he thought about was the strike and Mattie. No other foolish thoughts crossed his mind like they used to. He was growing up, he supposed. He kind of wished he would stop. All of these feelings and thoughts were clouding his judgment.
He should have been thinking solely about the strike and how he could help the newsies win, however, when he would think of any idea her eyes would flash in his mind, or her musical laugh would drum through his ears. He had only known the newsies for a few days, and he couldn't understand why he would have such strong feelings about all of them. He felt a bond with all of the boys, and especially with Mattie.
She wasn't like any girl he had ever met before. She didn't rely on people to survive, she relied on herself. She wasn't prissy, if anything she was tougher than most of the boys he had met; much stronger than David ever would be. She wasn't focused on herself; she focused on the well-being of others. And man was she beautiful. She must not have known just how beautiful she was, because she never showed that she had much confidence in herself.
However, David knew that he wasn't the only one pining for Mattie's attention. As much as Jack would deny it, he cared for Mattie more than a friend. David wasn't blind, he knew that Jack felt the same way David felt about her, maybe more. David's only advantage was that he wasn't trying to hide his feelings like Jack was. He wasn't screaming it out, but he wasn't trying to keep it concealed either. If anything David should have a better chance at receiving Mattie's affections than Jack would. However, he couldn't shake that feeling that Mattie might not feel the same way. David had seen Mattie look at Jack in a very caring and loving way, however, she was a hard book to read. He didn't know if the look was platonic or if she was falling for Jack as quickly as David was falling for her.
"Hey David?" A small voice said, causing David to be thrown from his thoughts. The older Jacob boy turned to see his little brother standing in the doorway. He was dressed in his pajamas and was stifling a yawn. David smiled at the boy.
"Shouldn't you be in bed?" David asked. Les simply shrugged before sitting on David's bed. David turned full around, leaning on the wall and staring at Les intently. The small boy hesitated before speaking.
"I have a question." Les finally said. David nodded encouraging him to go on. "I was just thinking..."
Les stopped looking down at the floor as if he didn't know where to go from there. David chuckled before sitting on the bed next to his brother. It seemed as though something monumental was bothering the kid, but David knew Les had a habit of over dramatizing things. Les finally looked up and searched his brother's face. He saw no judgment or annoyance on David's face, so he finally continued.
"Mattie's real pretty." Les practically whispered. David was taken aback by this. Maybe David and Jack weren't the only one who had feelings for the female newsie.
"That's not a question." David told Les. The smaller boy looked up a small glare on his face. David chuckled slightly
"She's also real nice." Les continued. David looked away from the boy. She was nice, probably too nice for her own good. For David's own good.
"She is." David agreed.
"And she's tough." Les replied. David smiled at that. Mattie was probably one of the strongest people he had ever met. He had only heard bits and pieces of her past, but he knew she had been through a lot. A lot more than a majority of people even dreamed about.
"What are you getting at Les?" David asked. Les shrugged again, trying to keep the mood light. He didn't know what possessed him to bring Mattie up, but this had been bothering him for a while.
"Do you like her?" Les asked. David froze. He didn't know where his kid brother had gotten such information, but he didn't appreciate it. Les didn't even like girls yet, or at least he shouldn't. How would he know if David liked a girl or not?
"Uh…. " David trailed off. He didn't know how to respond to this. Les had always been a big mouth. What if the kid wen to Mattie and told her everything? He would be in deep shit.
"I think you like her." Les said. "I think Jack does too."
"How do you know?" David found himself asking. He wanted to know how Les had found any information out. Maybe he could learn something from his little brother.
"Just a feeling." Les shrugged. David opened and then closed his mouth. The Jacob brothers sat there silently for about three minutes before Les stood up. David watched the boy closely and before Les was out the door her turned. "If it helps, I hope she picks you."
"Why is that?" David asked curiously. Les laughed slightly.
"Because you're my brother. I have to be on your side." Les replied like it was the most simple thing in the world. David chuckled.
"Thanks buddy." David said. Les nodded, and with a nod he left the room leaving David to his thoughts.
David smiled slightly at the thought. At least Les was on David's side for something, instead of hanging on Jack's every word. He didn't know if Mattie felt the same way about him, and he was fine as of now not knowing. He would have to wait and see how things unfold. They finally made it to the lodging house and when they approached the building, Mattie let Les slide down from her back. She bent backward to crack her now sore back.
"I think you threw out my back." Mattie grumbled playfully. Les smiled, catching her joking tone.
"Maybe you're just old!" Les replied. She gasped mocking hurt. She then grabbed for the boy, catching him by the chest.
"Oh, you're gonna' get it!" She said as she began tickling him. The boy burst into laughter and tried to fight his way out of her grasp to no avail. Mattie laughed with him. Les was a good way to keep her mind off of her embarrassing actions earlier. The whole way Les was yelling into her ear how excited he was. She didn't once think about you know who while she was listening to Les' comments.
She missed when things were innocent, easy. Now the world seemed to hate her and everything she strived for. Growing up was hard. Love was hard. Life in general was hard, and she didn't know what she could do to make it any easier. She guessed that there wasn't much to do, but just go on living as she normally would. Secretly loving her best friend, trying to get over her feelings time and time again, and eventually grow up. She envied Les and his innocence. She envied his untouched heart. She envied his happiness. Not that she wasn't happy, it just seemed like she continued to lose hope every day. Her emotions and the stress of the everyday were taking their toll on her.
"Stop! Please!" Les begged, but Mattie continued until the child was limp in her arms as she continued her attack. She heard the other boys laughing at the encounter behind her. Les was cute and hearing his laughter was bringing up the spirits of the guys even higher.
"Jack! Jack help me!" Les said in between giggles when he saw the Manhattan leader approaching. He had just been joking around with Boots when he heard the call. He looked up, a large grin on his face. He saw Mattie viciously tickling Les, both laughing loudly. His eyes searched Mattie's amused face and he felt his heart skip a beat. She had a beautiful smile. He loved when she was happy. That's all he ever wanted, was for her to be happy.
"I'll be right back." Jack mumbled to Boots. He took long strides reaching the two in barely four steps. Once he was close enough he reached for Mattie. He wrapped his arms around her waist and hoisted her up. Mattie was surprised and released Les upon realizing her feet were off the ground. Les took several deep breaths trying to catch his breath. Mattie squealed loudly catching everyone's attention.
"Jack! Put me down!" She demanded. He chuckled deeply and set her on her feet, but didn't release his grip around her waist. He pulled her flush against his chest and held on tight.
"Run Les!" Jack called to the boy. The already breathless kid did as he was told and ran away from the struggling Mattie. Laughter could be heard as they saw Mattie doing her best to get away. However, no one knew exactly what Mattie was feeling then.
The only thing going through her mind was the man who had hurt her. The one from the fighting ring, and the one who had attacked her today. All she could think of was when he had grabbed her, not once, but twice. He had hurt her, and frightened her. He had damaged her in more ways that physical. She hadn't realized it, no one had, but she had been traumatized by this experience. And now, even though she knew it was Jack, her best friend, someone who would never harm her, her mind switched back to the vulnerable, terrified girl from a few days ago.
"Stop!" She shouted. Everyone became quiet, as Jack did was her was told. He released her staring down at her trembling figure in confusion. She tried her best to slow down her heart beat but she could feel all the eyes on her. She looked up and saw worried and confused looks being shot her way. She swallowed hard, trying not to cry. She hated looking weak, especially in front of the boys. She was about to break down when a hand slipped onto her shoulder.
"Alright, shows over!" Racetrack said to the boys. She looked at the boy gratefully, in which he smiled back. The boys nodded and began slowly heading inside, but not before giving her worried or sympathetic smiles.
"Thanks Race." Mattie said, her voice recovering. He squeezed her shoulder in reassurance, before nodding.
"I've got ya' back Dimples." Race admitted before heading inside. Once he was inside she took a deep breath, trying to collect herself. She couldn't believe she had lost control like that. She also couldn't believe that this scum bag was still hurting her and he wasn't even around. She shook her head putting her arms around herself. However, she knew that she wasn't alone. She could feel his eyes on her, boring into her back as she stood there. She turned slowly, meeting his eyes. His muddy brown orbs were full of different emotions. Fear, confusion, worry, regret, and something she couldn't quite place. She knew he felt bad, and she knew she had to explain, she just didn't know how.
"I'm sorry." She began. "I just…."
She trailed off, and stood there awkwardly. Now as she looked at him, all she wanted was to be in those arms. However, this time she would know exactly who it was and it would be because of her consent that he was holding her. She wanted comfort.
"You don't have to-" He said but she cut him off by stepping closer.
"No… no I… I don't know what happened." She said looking into his eyes. "When you grabbed me… All I could think of was that… that goon that attacked me."
Jack felt a wave of guilt wash over him. He had never thought that his little joke would have that effect on her. Then anger had come over him. That creep was still affecting her, and he shouldn't have been. He shouldn't have been anywhere near her, even in her mind. He took a step forward, but stepped back again. He didn't want to push her, or make her feel uncomfortable. That was the last thing he wanted. Seeing his hesitation, Mattie took another step forward so she could feel his body heat radiating off of him. Both felt their hearts pick up speed at the closeness of their bodies.
"He really messed me up didn't he?" Mattie asked so quietly, only Jack could hear. He swallowed not knowing how to respond with words. So he slowly and gently pulled her towards him. Like before he pulled her into his chest, but he made sure not to frighten her this time. Mattie buried her face into his shirt taking a deep breath. Her arms snaked around his torso, and his did the same around her shoulders. Jack had no idea how much just being near her had helped calm her down, even if he had caused her panic attack before.
The two stood there, holding one another for the longest time. It was as if time stood still as they stayed there, frozen in their spots. Neither one ever wanted to let go, but Mattie took the initiative to pull back. There was one piece of information that she had failed to share with him. She hadn't planned on telling him at all, but she knew that she should let him know sooner than later. She took a deep breath before speaking.
"He was there today." She said quietly. Jack's eyebrows kitted together.
"Who?" He asked. Mattie sighed looking down at her feet. She knew that he wouldn't like what she was about to say. However, he kind of already had an idea.
"The guy… he was there… at the distribution center." She told him. His grip tightened around her. She had been fine before today, never having acted like she just had. Now he knew why. Mattie had never thought she would see that guy again, and now he showed up. He was there with plans to hurt her friends, but found her instead. Jack's eyes fluttered to the bruise on her face. It had begun to heal, turning yellow around the edges, but it was still purple and tender in the middle.
"Did he hurt you?" He asked, trying his best to be calm. She shook her head. He hadn't had the chance to. The Brooklyn newsies had saved her. However, she knew that if Brooklyn had never shown up all of them would have been hurt.
"Brooklyn came just in time." She said with a weak laugh. She wanted to lighten the mood. She hadn't had a normal, fun conversation with Jack in so long. She missed their fun, go lucky talks they used to have. Everything was different now. She had changed, and he had changed.
"I'll kill him." Jack threatened, the seriousness in his voice scared Mattie. She wanted nothing to do with that creep anymore. If Jack went and beat on him again that would only make things worse. So, when Jack began to release his grip on her, she found herself gripping onto him.
"Please don't…" She begged. "Don't leave me."
Mattie needed him, not as a romantic interest, but her best friend. She needed him because he was the only one who understood her. She needed his support and his care so she could feel better. She just wanted to feel better. Jack looked down at her and sighed. As he looked over her face he felt his anger be pushed to the back of his mind. Beating the living tar out of that moron was going to have to wait. Jack had to be there for her, because she had always been there for him. She had always pulled him back up, and now he had to do that for her. He had to make her whole again, to make her feel safe. She deserved that, she deserved to feel protected. Not overly protected, but just enough that she knew that nothing, nothing, would ever happen to her again.
"I'm not going anywhere." Jack said pulling her back into a hug. Whenever she needed him, he would be there. As he held her a strange feeling erupted in his stomach. Holding her felt right, natural. It felt as though she was made to fit right into his arms, as if they were molded for one another. He kissed the top of her head, sending a shiver down her spine. He chuckled slightly at her reaction, but continued to hold her. This was perfection, this was right, this was love.