Chapter 19 – Kid Blink

She took the steps two at a time and was out of breath when she reached the bunk room. A few heads turned her way as she wound her way to the 'crate' table she knew would be there.

" 'ey Shina." Said Racetrack amiably as she approached. He was sitting opposite the way she had come from and was the first to see her. Jack and Skittery looked up at her from her left and right. The boy sitting with his back to her was decidedly not looking at her. Though she knew he was well aware of her presence, because as the silence stretched his ears began to go redder and redder. Finally, he gave in and looked up at her.

"Alright, he's on tha roof, but don't tell him I tol' youse." Said Mush nodding towards the open window leading to the fire escape.

She smiled down at him, Jack winked at her and she headed for the window.

He was, indeed, on the roof, staring out over the city. He heard her coming up the fire escape but did not turn his head.

" 'ey Shina."

She paused halfway up the last step.

"How'd you know it was me?"

He shrugged.

"Anyone else'd sound like an elephant comin' up dose stairs. Plus, I'm gonna have ta soak Mush." He said with the faintest trace of a grin as he looked over his shoulder at her. "I heard him. Window's open."

Indeed, in the following short silence between them she heard Racetrack clearly, trying to bet Jack 'doubla or nuttin'. Jack yelled back something to the effect of: 'we's playing cards, not t'rowin' dice.' They both laughed and she was relieved to see he was in the mood to smile, no matter how slight and temporary it was. She crossed the roof to stand next to him at the low brick railing.

"Mitts is here." She said matter-of-factly and he nodded.

"I saw him. I've been up hea a while."

Without warning, he turned towards her and pulled her close. For a fraction of a second he hesitated, waiting to see if she would push him away. She did not. She wanted to see for herself and was sure he did too. She wanted his kiss to feel the same as Spot's. She knew it would probably be better for her if it did. Blink was so much more stable and safe than Spot. Then again, perhaps that was why it did not. Not that it was unpleasant. His lips were smooth, soft and exceedingly gentle, but her feet stayed rooted firmly to the roof. There was no electric current and when he broke away to stare at her, she knew he had felt the lack of it too. He did not let go of her though.

"Ya know, I was thinkin', while I was up hea." His eye searched hers as he spoke. "Youse never asked me ta hol' ya hand or take ya out. I did that."

"I never asked you to hit Spot in the face either."

He cracked a grin and released her, turning back to the railing.

"Yea well, he desoived it."

"Maybe." She conceded.

"Anyways, I don't blame ya. Youse can't help tha way ya feel."

"Blink?" She laid a hand on his arm. He instinctively reached down to hold her hand in his. She looked up into his lone blue eye. That eye that was so much like Spot's, but so different too. "You're a good friend. Thank you."