Sorry I didn't update last Thursday. Truth is my sister was in town and I was kinda busy. I'm actually still gonna try to update on Thursday this week but I have to start writing NOW if I'm going to do that.
Okay here you go...
"Hey Rose, ya stayin here tonight?" Spot asked.
"I was thinking 'bout it, if that's okay with ya." Spot nodded and told her she could use the spare bed in the corner.
"This way," he said, "no one's gotta walk ya home." Rose took a seat on my bed as Spot left.
"Tired?" She asked.
"You have no idea."
"Yeah," she nodded mindlessly, "being with us newsies ain't as easy as it looks. Ya know, we should give ya a nick name."
"But why, I'm not even a newsie."
Rose shrugged, "Ya practically are. I mean ya live here, ya take orders from Spot, the only thing ya don't do is sell papes."
I laughed, "Isn't that the point of being a newsie." Rose stuck her tongue out at me.
"Rose?" We turned to see Rebel walking up to us.
Rose jumped up and engulfed him in a hug, "Hey!"
"What
are ya doing here?"
"I'm staying the night."
"Does Spot know?" He asked.
"Of course he knows, ya don't think I'm that stupid do ya?"
Rebel smirked, "Ya're a lot of things, stupid included."
"Yeah well ya're a lot of things, mean included." Rose said, once again taking her seat on my bed.
"Hi Bethany," Rebel's voice softened as he took off his cap but lowered his head.
Rose laughed, "Why ya doing that?" She asked, referring to his cap's removal.
"Because there's a lady present." He said, smacking Rose with the cap. I blushed and looked over at Rose.
"Ya nevah do that for me."
"Yeah well ya ain't a lady."
"Oh, what am I, a little boy?" She asked jokingly.
"Might as well be."
"Ya're gonna regret saying that one day." She grabbed the cap and took off.
"ROSE!" Rebel started to chase her but decided not to. "So, how was yer trip ta Manhattan?" He asked me, keeping his head low.
"Eventful." I said, a little confused as to why he wouldn't meet my eyes.
"Looks like it," He gave my bandaged arm a once over, "What's that from?"
"Valentine's knife like nails."
"Ouch, sounds painful."
"It was." An uneasy silence fell between us.
"Uh, Bethany?" I turned to look at Rebel who seemed rather nervous and was still not looking at me.
"Yes?"
"I was wondering if…" he trailed off.
"If what?"
"If ya wanted ta come ta Medda's party with me?" He said it all very fast and it was hard for me to distinguish words but I managed.
I smiled, "Of course! I'd love to."
Rebel's nerves were banished and he sighed with relief, "Good, well then I'll meet ya here at 6 tomorrow night."
"Okay," I nodded and for the first time, Rebel met my eyes. That's when I noticed it. "Rebel!" I gasped horrified. "What happened?" His left eye was swollen and bruised.
He quickly lowered his head again, "Nothing." I stood and tilted his face up.
"Who did this?" I whispered, appalled by the thought of someone actually hitting him.
"It was my own fault." He said, taking my hand from his face. "I knew bettah then ta make fun of him."
"Spot? Spot hit you?"
"Look, that's what happenens when ya don't listen ta Spot. He gets angry and he hits something."
"That's awful. When did this happen?"
"Right aftah ya left the restaurant."
"I'm so sorry, it's all my fault. If I had just stopped you when it got out of hand-"
"Hey," Rebel lifted my chin to meet his eyes, "It's not yer fault, Spot's just got a tempah." There was a swooping feeling in my stomach as my eyes met Rebel's. "Well, I bettah go get my hat back from Rose," He left the room in the direction Rose had gone. I lay back on my bed and tried not to think horrible things about Spot. It was proving impossible.
"All I'm saying is that if he broke it off with Valentine, he's gonna need a date." I looked over my shoulder to see Maverick and Shadow talking in hushed tones.
"Maverick, every goil he's evah taken ta this thing has been in the 'six pack'," Shadow made air quotations. "He's not going ta break that tradition and take ya."
"But think about it! He broke up with Valentine, Ditz has Harvard, Dollface always goes with one of the little boys, Butterfly's back in the refuge, Sugah is going out with that rich guy, and Ann thinks he's scum. It's perfect! What are ya looking at?" Maverick sneered as both she and Shadow approached me.
"I-I uh," I stuttered, startled by her sudden query.
"Listening in on our private conversation are ya?"
"Oh, shut it Maverick! Gawd, I'm sick of hearing ya whiny voice," Shadow sat down on my bed, "It's not even like the conversation was that private anyways." She turned to me, "Maverick's trying ta get Spot ta take her ta Medda's."
I was hesitant to ask but I had to know, "What's the 'six pack'?"
"Their six of the most wanted goils in New York." Shadow smiled, "It's like a Spot tradition ta take one of them ta Medda's parties."
"He's never gone with anyone other than those six girls?" I found it hard to believe.
"Well…no. Even if he was going out with some one else, he goes with one of them. Butterfly and Sugah are usually up for it but Butterfly's locked up and if Sugah doesn't go with her rich guy he'll dump her for sure. And then the presents would stop which is bad."
"Has he ever gone alone?"
Maverick and Shadow laughed, "Alone?" Shadow asked. "If he went alone then his reputation would be trashed."
"Which is why he'll take me." Maverick said.
"But you're not in the 'six pack'." I stated as she sent me a glare.
"Well I'm a bettah candidate than most." She gave me a glance over, "I've got the looks, the brains, and me and Spot get along."
I thought it over for a minute, she was right. Suddenly an idea struck me. "If I can get Spot to take you to the party will you stop being unreasonably mean to me?"
"What makes ya think I need yer help? I can get him all on my own."
"Go ahead and show me." I nodded toward Spot who had just come down from his room. Maverick looked at him for a moment and then turned to me.
"Fine, ya get him ta take me and I'll find someone else ta pick on." Yes!
"Deal. Now all I have to do is convince Spot to take you, that shouldn't be to hard. Should it?" Shadow and Maverick looked at each other and burst out laughing. "Thanks for the reassurance." I mumbled as I left the bed to approach Spot. "Hey Spot!" I said a little overly enthusiastic.
"Hi?"
"So, you got a date for Medda's thing?"
He eyed me warily, "No."
"Good, because I have the perfect girl for you."
"Ya do?" He looked at me, his eyes filled with suspicion.
"Yup." I nodded. "She's smart, good-looking, and most of all you get along with her."
Spot raised an eyebrow, "I must meet this goil, she sounds ta good ta be true."
"She's not, her name is Maverick."
"Maverick? Yer kidding me."
"Nope."
"I'm not taking Maverick." This was going to be harder than I thought.
"Why not?"
"Because she's not right."
"What's wrong with her?"
"One, she's not part of the group of goils I usually take and two, she's too smart."
"Well, everyone in that little group is currently taken." I said completely ignoring his second reason.
"Not Ann."
"Yeah, well she hates you."
"How do ya know all this?"
I shook my head, "I just do. Look either you go alone or you take Maverick."
"I don't have ta take Maverick."
"Who else would you bring?"
"I could take you." I was more than shocked by that but I pushed on as if it hadn't affected me in the slightest.
"No you couldn't because I'm going with Rebel."
"Then I'll go alone."
"Why are you being so difficult?" I asked, my temper rising.
"Hey! It's my life, my date, and I'll take who evah the hell I want." Obviously me getting angry wasn't helping the cause. All it was doing was making him angry. Time to switch tactics.
"Please, please just take Maverick." I begged.
"Why does it mattah so much?"
"I-I just want her to be happy?" He could see right through me.
"Liar. Now tell me the truth."
"That is the truth."
"No it ain't, now out with it."
I looked around to make sure no one could hear us. "Okay, if I get you to go with her than she's promised to leave me alone."
Spot smirked, "Using me for personal gain, huh?"
"Well look at it this way, it's a win-win situation. You and Maverick get dates and I get some peace."
Spot looked at me for a moment before talking. "Fine, I'll take Maverick."
"YES!"
"BUT-" He said loudly over me, "I ain't gonna dance with her."
I nodded, "That's quite alright." I started to leave but was stopped by Spot's chuckle. "What's so funny?"
"Ya really going with Rebel?" I blushed.
"Yes I am." I said and turned to make my way back to Maverick and Shadow. They were exactly as I had left them, chatting and sitting on the bed. "Hope your dress is pretty Maverick." I interrupted.
"Why?"
"Because Spot's not going to like it if his date wears an ugly dress."
Her face lit up as Shadow's jaw dropped. "He's really going to take me?" I nodded. Maverick jumped up and engulfed me in a hug. The awkwardness set in and we broke apart. "Uh, thanks."
"It was nothing, really." Moments later Shadow and Maverick left, claiming that they needed to tell a few people, mainly Ditz, who Spot was taking to Medda's. Content and tired, I fell back on the bed and let sleep take me.
Spot's POV
Maverick. Sure she was pretty with that long dark hair and bright eyes. And her body was something else. She was more petite than most of the girls. But her attitude made up for anything she lacked. Spunky and always causing some sort of trouble. Boys love her; she loves to mess with them. She's known for being "One of those Brooklyn doll faces, who ain't so doll faced." There was nothing wrong with her. Any guy would love to have her as a date. So why wasn't I happy?
At first I didn't like the idea because she wasn't part of the 'six pack' but she might as well be. I wouldn't be one bit surprised if she took Butterfly's place. After all Butterfly has spent more time in the refuge than she has selling papes as of late. Maverick could replace her any day. The looks, the charm, the reputation. She's got it all.
Maybe that's why I didn't want her. Maybe I want something new, something fresh. Instead of the usual sluts and whores I associate with perhaps I want to spend time with an innocent, funny, and wholesome girl. I laugh at the thought but I know I shouldn't. I've been feeling this way for a while now. Everywhere I look I see girls throwing themselves at me, even my female friends, like Rose or Shadow. The only break I get from it is Runner. This isn't saying much since she's 8…I think.
Now that I really think about there are some girls who didn't throw themselves at me. Ann for one. I always liked her. No matter how many times I tried and no matter how many tricks I played she never fell for it (not to mention she's been a newsie for years and not a single nickname has stuck). She's the girl I could never get, the unreachable. Ann's no saint though; it's just that she thinks I'm scum. And I respect her for sticking to that, loads of girls couldn't. Just look at Valentine and Sugar, both 'hated' me but I still got them.
Then there's Dollface. Sure, I'll take her with me to Medda's occasionally but that's because I ask her not vice versa. Everyone knows she'd rather dance with a hundred little boys, each stepping on her toes numerous times, than stick with one guy an entire evening.
Finally on my list of girls who don't throw themselves at me is Bethany. Yeah, I've only known her a few days but there's just something about her. The way questions just spew out of her mouth like she'll die if she doesn't get them answered. Or the peaceful smile she wears when she sleeps. She's a refreshing change from the normal girls around here. Impressionable and naïve, the very qualities I like about kids. Bethany is new to the newsie ways (listen to me, making it out to be some sort of culture) but she'll learn. I just hope that when she does she won't become another Valentine because the world certainly doesn't need anymore of them.
You know I had a point when this soliloquy began. I was trying to figure out why I wasn't happy with Maverick as a date. But I think I've just realized why. I'm gay. I'm just kidding. Me, Spot Conlon, gay? Like hell I'm not. (A/N: Sorry, I couldn't help myself) No, the real reason why is still unknown to me. Whatever, I just got to push all this crap from my mind and get down to real things at hand. Now where did I leave that whiskey?
Normal POV
"Bethany, Bethany," Some one whispered into my ear. "Ya know yer name's to long I'm gonna call ya Beth."
"No," I groaned, "Bethy." I turned to face Rose who was sitting on my bed attempting to wake me. Sunlight streamed in and I closed my eyes with another groan.
"What's wrong with Beth?"
"It sounds like a grandma name." Rose nodded in agreement. Suddenly a smile broke out on her face.
"I hear yer going with Rebel."
"Why does everyone find that so funny?" I was getting agitated.
"I'm not sure, it just is."
"Well I don't see anything funny about it. Rebel seems sweet."
"He is." Rose reassured me. "Wonder how Ditz is gonna take this."
"What do you mean?"
Rose looked slightly uneasy. "Well, Rebel is her brother."
"And?"
"And she doesn't seem ta like ya that much. I dunno, it'll be interesting ta see what she does." Rose and I continued mindlessly chatting until she left. Once I was alone I realized how hungry I was. I couldn't remember the last time I'd eaten; it was either yesterday or the day before, either way I was starving. Since my clothing had been brought down I thought it wise to change into some clean clothing. A brown skirt and cream colored top were what I decided on. Soon enough I made my way out of the lodging house and down to the market (actually I wandered around for a while until finally coming upon it). Walking down the street I stopped in front of a fruit vender.
Money! I didn't bring any money. Oh, but that apple looks so good. My tongue salivated at the sight. Big, red, and ready to be eaten. I knew I should go back to the lodging house and get some money but I couldn't bring myself to leave the apple. I glanced at the vender, a fat grey-haired man, to make sure he was looking the other way. Without a second thought I pocketed the apple and started to casually walk away.
"HEY!" I peeked over my shoulder to see the old man pointing at me. Before he could say anything else I ran. I could hear the man yelling for the police and sooner than I would have liked I heard the telltale sound of a whistle. Trying desperately to remember how I got down here I ducked into an alley. There was a fence at the end, if I could only get over it. I pulled a box, that the alley had conveniently been filled with, closer and started over the fence. I felt my heart drop as my skirt snagged on something.
The whistle got closer and closer making my heart pound. "Oh God, oh God, oh God," I murmured as I frantically pulled harder and harder.
"Yer so gonna owe me for this." I turned to see Spot running to the fence.
"Spot! Thank God!" I was so happy I could have kissed him. Spot stepped up on the box and in one swift movement ripped the bottom of my skirt, setting me free.
"Come on." He said as he stepped off the box and helped me down from the fence. Quickly he opened a door I hadn't noticed earlier and we went inside. Once inside he shut the door and locked it.
"Where are we?" I asked. The room was dark as well as empty, making it eerier than it truly was. The room was equipped with a window, two doors, and a staircase.
"Shhhh," He put a finger to his lips. Silently we made our way over to the window. Looking out I saw a police man run into the alley. A moment later there was tugging at the door. Fear rose and I looked to Spot. He motioned for me to follow him and up the stairs we went. On the landing I could see two doors and nothing more. Trailing Spot, we entered the first door. It looked like some sort of bedroom, but an abandoned one. There was a metal bed frame but no mattress. And a closet but no clothes.
I sat down on the bed frame and bowed my head as Spot went to the window. Minutes later he announced that the cop had left.
"Oh Spot, it was awful. I should have just gone back to get money." I felt like crying.
"Are ya hurt?" He asked making his way over to the bed.
"No, only scared. And this atmosphere isn't helping much, where are we?"
"Abandoned apartment."
"Why's it abandoned?" Spot simply shrugged and we fell silent.
"What'd ya steal anyways?" He asked. I held up the apple and bit my lip. It didn't seem worth all the trouble for such a small thing. "An apple?" I nodded. "Why didn't ya just get yer money?"
"I was hungry!" I said in my poor defense.
He shook his head, "Come on let's go back ta the lodging house." We left the building and made our way down the dirty road.
"What's behind that fence?" I said taking a bite from my apple.
"What fence?"
"The one I got stuck on." I gargled, my mouth full.
"I dunno, nothing probably."
I swallowed my apple and turned to face Spot. "Thank you for saving me back there."
"It was nothing." He said.
"No, it was…everything. I would have been caught," I looked at my feet, "I don't really have experience with things like that."
"Like what? Stealing or the bulls?"
"Both." I glanced at Spot who was staring at me with an odd expression. Somewhere between admiration and confusion. "What?" I asked.
"Nothing." He said and the look dropped.
Out of the blue I remembered something that had been bugging me. "Why'd you hit Rebel?"
"What?" Spot looked at me as if I had grown a head.
"That day, at that restaurant. I saw his eye Spot, it's terrible. Why'd you do it?"
"That's something ya wouldn't understand."
"Well then make me."
Spot sighed, "There are certain things Ise gotta do ta assert my authority. Punishing those who disobey me is one of them."
I looked at him in disgust, "So you were 'punishing' Rebel? For what, having fun?"
"Like I said, ya wouldn't understand."
"I think it's barbaric the way you treat your boys. They listen to you, they fight for you; they do almost anything you ask them. But the moment they slip up, your there. And you beat them?" Spot refused to look at me but I was sure his temper was rising. Against my better judgment I kept going. It's the whole, have to have the last word thing. "I don't know if you get it but your boys don't like you. They fear you and that fear causes loyalty and respect. The moment you slip up, when you lose that fear, they'll abandon you. Then you'll have nothing. It's sad, you have so much power and charisma, but such a total lack of brains."
Spot was quiet, leaving me to wish I had never said that. "I guess ya understand more than I gave ya credit for." I was puzzled by this so he continued. "If they don't fear me, I've got nothing. Just like ya said. That's why I have ta punish my boys, so they'll continue ta fear and respect me."
"Oh," I said quietly. "There are other ways to gain their respect you know."
"Yeah," He sighed once more, "I know. But some things are easier said then done."
I
dunno how much I really liked this chapter but whatever. The
whole 'six pack' thing was kind of dumb. But I loved Bethany's little
speech right there at the end.
NEXT CHAPTER: No idea but probably the dance (I hope)
Thanks for all the reviews, keep it up!
