Chapter 29
Hey Newsies! Ready for a new chapter? Yea, I thought so.
I wiped my face clear of tears on face and stood up. Looking myself in the small cracked mirror above Spot's dresser, I nodded at my reflection, puttung the hat tightly on my head. I exhaled deeply, "Heah goes nothin'," I said turning to the the door tersely.
As i rest my hand on the luke warm knob of the door, I scrunched my eyes closed and cocked my head, "No, no, I can't do it," I put myself down, dropping my handto my side and staring at the knob.
"No, I have ta," I encouraged myself, raising my hand back to the knob, turning it and throwing the door open. I shot a look down the empty hall way, checking if I was in the clear, and I was.
Hestitantly I took a large, uneven step out of the room. I strode forward, a clear uneasiness in every step I took. I was on a mission, and by now, no one would stop me. I picked up my pace, running down the stairs, opening the front door and jumping off the porch onto the sidewalk.
Before heading towards the distribution center, I looked both ways to see any sign of Spot. I sprinted down the street, weaving through waves of people, bumping elbows with miscretants and rubbing shoulders with wealthy buisness men.
I ran to the square , crowds of boys surrounding me; standing on my toes I was able to see that the distruibutors have begun to sell out papers.
I pushed past boys to get to the front, which I knew was where Spot would be. I recieved a few complaints and hits, but ultimately I was able to get to the front, not issues.
That is where I saw Spot, leaning on the green wooden counter by the barred window, a cigarette hanging from his mouth as he stared into empty space.
I smiled softly and approached him, "Spot," I said so only he could hear me.
He looked over his shoulder at me before turning his back on me. He took a puff off his cigarette, "Cross," he said after blowing rings of smoke into the air.
I tooke in a deep breath, "Spot, I hafta tawk ta you'se," I said, looking at the back of his capped head, my hands linked behind my back.
At that moment, the windows opened ans Spot took a stepped forward, completely ignoring me. "Da usual, Eric," Spot ordered, leaning on the counter, his profile now visible to me. God he was great.
I must have been in a daze because before I knew it I was being called after and pushed forward, "Next! Jesus," Eric said, very aggravated, tapping his fingers on the counter.
I blushed and looked at Spot's retreating form, "I-uh, I gotta go," I said, sprinting away from the window and towards Spot.
I caught up to him with ease and began to walk in step with him. He looked over at me, "Wheah's ya papes?" He asked, dropping his cigarette to the ground and stepping on it.
I inhaled and looked away from him, "I'se is takin' a break fa tahday," I said with ease, squinting as the sun shined into my eyes.
Spot simply shrugged, "I see you'se is not so moody no more," he said,still very clearly not pleased with my previous attitude.
I sighed, turning my gaze to him, "Yea, I guess I jus' had a lot on me mind," I said.
"Mhmm," was his only reply as we strode forward.
I looked to my hands before looking back up to Spot as we strode forward on the uneven coblestone street, "Th-Theer was actually something I wanted ta say to you'se Spot," I said, telling myself I would be able to spit it out.
Spot waved his free hand the air, gesturing me to speak, "Go ahead, no body is gonna stop ya," he said.
"Well, foist of all, I'se is sorry bout how I'se been actin'," I said.
Spot nodded, "Okay, we went ovah dat, what next."
I grabbed Spot's arm, turning him to face me, "What's th-"
I cut him off by leaning up and kissing him passionately; after a moment or so, Spot pulled back and looked at me with a confused expression.
"This ain't easy fa me ta say," I said, with a blush and a soft smile. Spot continued to gaze down on me, "Spot Conlon," I began, "I used to hate ya guts, but then I began to know the real you, and you is now my best friend," I continued, looking up at him. "Spot, I- I love you. I love you, Spot," I said, looking at him in the eyes.
He showed no emotions, his eyes glazed over. Without another word, he turned and continued to walk forward. At that moment, I think my heart broke into a million different pieces. I chased after him, "Spot, say something! Please," I pleaded pathetically, grabbing his arm.
He growled and roughly pushed my hand off him, turning on his heel and facing me. His face was red, "Listen Sara," he spat my name with dripping malice, "you don' even know da foist thing about love,"he huffed, poking me in the shoulder, "and jus' because you tell me you think you may love me, that I'se is gonna be as stupid as to tell you I love you too is jus' childish," he finished walking away.
I stayed in my place, "Ya know, Spot, sometimes ya just gotta let people in," I called after. My eyes watered up and my began to quiver.
My heart ached with the pang of heart break and disappointment. Why was he always so cold? So what if he did not love me back, or maybe even like me at all, but he did not have to be so cruel.
I wandered to the bridge, and before I knew it I was in what I thought Manhattan, searching for an outlet. My silently crying face was to the floor, causing me to bump into someone.
The person turned around as I looked up; it was Sinker, and he was with Smooth and a newsie I was un aware of. Sinker smirked at me, "Well look who it is," he said, "Spot's little fu-"
"Don't even start," warned Smooth roughly towards Sinker, shoving him, he looked at me with a nasty, gruesome grin, "Look who wandered in ta enemy territory," he said, crouching down to me, "I should, uh, take you in, you could be my prisoner," he said with a wink.
I rolled my eyes and sniffled, "Bite me, Smooth. I'm not in da mood foah ya moves," I said sitting up.
"Ho, oh, oh, look whose got a mouth on her, and she's in our house!" He said in surprise. "Listen, I don't know how Spot let's you run around Brooklyn, but it does not fly here," he said, standing up and holding his hand out to me.
I looked up and ignored his gesture, pushing myself off the ground, "Yea, well, you'd be surprised how things fly there," I said, wiping my eyes.
"Aw, why is the angel crying?" Smooth asked mockingly.
"None of ya buisness, bozo," I said, crossing my arms and pushing out of the circle.
Smooth grabbed my arm, "Listen, doll, if you ever get sick of your majesties kingdom, you are always welcome in Midtown," he said, letting go of my arm.
"When pigs fly," I retorted, storming away from them.
As I walked back to Brooklyn, I thought about my confrontation with the Midtown Newsboys. The more I thought about it, the more I actually considered the idea. Smooth seemed kind, he seemed like, like a gentleman.
No, no. I could not do it, I could not do that to Spot.
But maybe I could, after what he did to me, maybe he deserved it. All of the sudden, I felt i hand on my shoulder, causing me to jump out of my skin.
I turned around swiftly and gasped; Phantom. "Cross, don't fall for their act, Smooth is not as kind as he seems," he warned.
I shrugged his hand off my shoulder and looked at him, "And how would you'se know?" I said with distain in my voice.
He grabbed my arm roughly and pulled me to him, "Can you tell me one reason why you hate me? When all I try to do is help you?" He asked through gritted teeth.
My expression softened, "I-I don't know," I said.
"Exactly," he replied, releasing my arm, "You ready to grow up and listen to what i have to say?"
I rubbed my arm and nodded, "Yes."
"Listen, I once was a Midtown Newsie," he began.
I gave him a look of disgust and opened my moutht o speak, but he shut me up, "Spot knows this, so you don't have a thing to say," he said rolling his eyes.
"Anyways, I have seen a lot of horrible things happen there," he said, his eyes glazed over.
"How do I know you'se is not lyin'? That you'se is not some kind of spy," I asked stubbornly.
He looked at me with eyes so sad my heart broke, "I had a sister, a beautiful, lively and kind little sister. Her name was Snow, she was so pure and innocent," he took a pause to bite his lip, looking away from me before taking in a deep breath and looking back, "Eliza- I mean Snow got involved with Smooth," he paused to think. "Snow was with Spot at the time, they were in love, or so she said, she even gave him the key to her heart. The one he wears around his neck to this day."
I nodded, but felt my hands clam up as the story continued, "He loved her more than anything. Smooth became kind to Snow, even telling her he loved her. She was stupid," he spat angrily, "She left Spot for him, and to this day, I still don't see why. Smooth changed my sister, I noticed, my friends noticed, and Spot noticed. He stopped wearing the key, and droned her out of his life. Once Smooth had Snow wrapped around his finger he used her," Phantom paused to wipe a lone tear from his cheek.
"He killed her when she was of no use for him anymore. And you know what? I could not do one damn thing but leave Midtown and go to the only person who understood me; Spot Conlon," he said, "I refreashed Spot on what had happened and he felt... horrible. He put the key around his neck to remember her," he said, "When she left him, he swore off falling in love, but I see it with you Cross, and I don't want what happened to Snow happen to you. And I don't want to see Spot get hurt again," he said, finishing the story.
By the end of the story, I had tears running down my cheeks. WIthout a second thought, I threw my arms around Phantom, "I am so sorry," I whispered, pulling away and looking him in the eye with a small smile.
He stayed emotionless, "Go back ta Brooklyn," he said.
I nodded and began to walk away. I looked over my shoulder, "Thank you," I said before sprinting off.
I had just learned a wholed new part of Spot.
His past made my heart ache, but it made me love him more for who he became.
End of Chapter!
Thank you for reading! Hope you enjoyed and keep reading! PLEASE REVIEW! ooh and tell me y our favorite part of the story and also favorite chapters! Your opinions make me smile!
