Sorry this took so long everyone; my sport just started which means too much time spent at games and practice. And I just got back from vacation where I didn't have my computer with me. Hopefully you guys enjoy this! Also, I made a mistake on the last chapter. When Actor said she thought that Trap was cuter than Striker, it's supposed to that Match is cuter than Striker. Trap isn't introduced until this chapter. I changed it now, but just in case that confused anyone I wanted to clarify what I meant to say.
I watched as Race walked up to the table and shook hands with Striker. The two started chatting and seemed to be very friendly and casual towards one another. I desperately wished I could read lips right now so that I could tell what Striker was saying. It bothered me immensely that there was an important conversation going on right now that I should be eavesdropping on and yet I couldn't get any closer.
"Hey Actor!"
I turned my head at the sound of Kid Blink's voice.
"Yeah?" I replied.
"I forgot to tell you about this funny thing that happened yesterday. There I was, selling papes at the corner of Brenton and Wiles when all of the sudden…."
I tried to listen to Blink as he told me the story but I was distracted by the nagging voice in my head that was telling me I needed to pay attention to the meeting between Race and Striker. Still, I pretended to be engaged in his story, nodding and laughing at appropriate times.
(Scene shift to Race and Striker meeting)
Race strolled over to the table currently occupied by five Street Sharks. He returned the greetings and nods from four of the guys with a nod and a couple of greetings of his own before turning his attention to Striker.
"How's it rolling Striker," Race said, sticking out his hand.
Striker grinned up at Race and shook hands with him. Race was one of Striker's favorite Newsies because he was actually really smart and knew how to handle himself.
"It's good Race. Where's Jacky-boy?" he replied.
"He's at the bar talking to Glare," Race said, nodding his head in the direction of the bar.
"Oh right, we have to deal with him and Spot butting heads tonight," Striker chuckled.
"At least it'll be entertaining," Race shrugged his shoulders.
"Speaking of Brooklyn, it looks like Spot decided to show up late again," Striker commented, scanning the crowd.
"That's the King of Brooklyn," Race chuckled, "always has to make a grand entrance"
"Anything less would be unacceptable," Striker said, amused.
"So what's up Race? I can't imagine you came over to say hello," Striker said after a brief pause.
"You know me too well. I actually did come over here for another reason," Race replied, chuckling.
Striker waited for Race to continue talking.
"I wanted to introduce you to Actor. She's the newest Newsie around here and the honorary birthday girl. And, she's the one Jack and Spot were telling you about," Race said, shooting Striker a meaningful look at the end.
Striker shifted slightly when he heard Race's news but kept a straight face otherwise.
"And where might this special girl be?" he asked casually.
"She's right over there, talking to Blink," Race said, indicating with his head where she was.
Striker scanned the area where Race had nodded towards and found the girl he was talking about. She dressed like a boy, like most of the other Newsie girls, and was pretty with wavy, blonde hair and a fair complexion slightly darkened from the sun. She was listening to Kid Blink saying something and was very engaged with what he was saying. Suddenly, she laughed at something funny. He didn't think it was possible but she actually looked even better when she laughed.
"She's cute," Brick said, who was seated directly across from Striker.
"Yep. But I bet she just wants to meet Striker for his stunning good looks and huge muscles," Trap said in a girly voice, who was sitting next to Striker.
"Actually Striker doesn't have to worry about that," Race replied, grinning, "Actor told me she thought Match was cuter"
Trap erupted with laughter and the other guys chuckled as well.
"Who would've thought that Match would ever be considered competition to Striker?" Trap managed to get out through his laughter.
"He isn't," Striker smirked casually, but when his eyes found Match in the crowd of Newsies they hardened slightly.
Striker stood up and immediately the other four guys did the same.
"Trap you come with me. The rest of you can stay here," Striker ordered.
Race fell in step with Striker and Trap as they made their way across the room towards where Actor was sitting. He fought to keep a smirk off his face. He normally wasn't one to be a matchmaker but he had a feeling these two would be great for each other.
(Scene shift back to Actor)
Blink's story had turned out to actually be incredibly funny. He had been selling papers when the warden's carriage broke down in the middle of the street. After the warden had yelled at the carriage driver, who was trying to figure out what had gone wrong, the warden actually started (although it sickens me to say it) flirting with some unlucky, young woman. He had been leaning against the back of the carriage when the horses suddenly took off. The warden wasn't prepared and lost his balance and ended up falling down into a mud puddle. To make things even worse, the woman he had been talking to immediately left without saying a word. Ah, sweet justice.
He had just finished his story when I heard Race's voice.
"Hey, Actor!"
I looked up and my eyes met with another pair of eyes that were an absolutely stunning dark blue. My mind went completely blank for a second but luckily Race pushed me out of my stunned state when he spoke up.
"Actor, this is Striker, the leader of the Street Sharks. Striker, this is our newest Newsie and the birthday girl, Actor," he said, gesturing back and forth when he said our names.
I stood up, making sure I didn't do it too slow or too fast, and looked him straight in the eye again before holding out my hand for him to shake.
"Nice to meet you," I said, smiling at him.
He didn't stare at me like Spot had and instead reached out his hand and shook mine. His hand was warm and strong and enveloped my hand when we shook. Again, I shook those thoughts out of my head and concentrated on what Striker was saying instead.
"It's nice to meet you too. Race here couldn't stop talking about you," he said.
"Yeah that sounds like Race," I replied, grinning.
Striker chuckled and I couldn't help but think how cute he was.
"So birthday girl. How old are you now?" he asked.
"Just turned sixteen," I replied.
"Sweet sixteen. I'm seventeen myself," he said.
I would not have guessed this guy to be seventeen. He seemed more like he was nineteen.
"I wouldn't have guessed that," I said before I could stop myself.
He raised his eyebrows at me.
"And is that a good thing or a bad thing?" he questioned.
"Depends on how you take it. I would've thought you were nineteen," I replied, shrugging.
"I'll take that as a compliment," Striker said, laughing.
"Good. I'd hate to insult you right after we met," I replied smoothly.
"Smart girl," he smirked at me.
I noticed that it wasn't like one of Spot's smirks that proclaimed a huge ego and confidence and promised hurt to someone who would dare to challenge that. This one was more mischievous and playful.
I forced myself to look away from Striker and instead over at Race when he started to talk again.
"And this is his second-in-command, Trap," Race said, gesturing towards a guy standing slightly behind Striker who I hadn't even noticed.
He was almost the same height as Striker with jet black hair and deep brown eyes. There was a mischievous glint in his eyes that told me it would be a very bad idea to underestimate the boy.
"Charmed," Trap said, bowing extravagantly.
I chuckled at the gesture.
"Likewise," I replied.
"How about I introduce you to some of the other Sharks? It'll be good for you to know them," Striker asked.
"That'd be great," I replied.
This was perfect. I'd met the leader and second-in-command of the Sharks and now I was going to be able to scout out the enemy gang. Night was going to love me.
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