Chapter 13
The week passed by in a blur. It was strange--everyone knew that Becca and Davey were together, but the two of them didn't act any differently around each other than they had before. You could usually tell who was a couple and who wasn't, unless the couple was trying to hide it, which Becca and Dave weren't. However, there were no cuddles, arms around waists, or stolen kisses. If the newsies didn't know that Dave and Becca were a couple, they wouldn't be able to tell from the way they acted. Instead, the difference was on a deeper level. If you were near them, you could sense something different. Like a spark, but deeper. Yet, the pair continued on as they had before, never bringing up Dave's impending departure.
On Sunday, however, there was no denying it. Dave had to leave in the morning as it would take a whole day's train ride to get to Kingston, where his boarding school was located. Despite Dave's telling them that they didn't have to, the newsies insisted on skipping out on selling that morning to see their "honorary newsie for life", as he had been proclaimed, off. Dave might not be a close, personal friend to all of them, but each newsie remembered Dave's first quiet, then more confident, leadership from the strike. The newsgirls enjoyed Dave's company well enough too, and anyone who Becca liked as much as she did Dave had to be a great guy, they declared.
So there they were. The train was leaving in fifteen minutes, and all the Manhattan newsies plus a certain notorious Brooklyner were lined up at the train yards. Dave had already put his luggage on the train, so all that remained were the good-byes. He bid "adieu" to his family first. Dave still wasn't too pleased with his parents' decision, but he did not want to leave on bad terms with anyone. Nevertheless, it wasn't long before he moved on to the row of newsies.
David shook with each one, a dry shake, as Jack had decreed, to commemorate Dave's first day as a newsie. (Not to mention that it would be very unsanitary to spit-shake with over twenty different people.) Dave went down the line, exchanging handshakes, good-byes, wishes of luck, "we'll/I'll miss ya's, and "come back and visit often's" with the newsies. Finally, David reached Jack. When Dave extended his hand to shake with the golden-brown haired newsie, Jack took it and pulled Davey into a quick hug. (One of those guy hugs, where they smack each other's backs and never hug for long.) "So Dave, ya go and get all smart, smartah t'en ya already are, t'en come back and dazzle us with everyt'in' ya know."
Dave smiled, "I will, Jack." Cowboy looked around, and in a low voice, with a grin playing about his lips, added,
"But don't be gone too long, 'cuz wit'out my walkin' mouth around I won't have t'e right woids ta get all t'ese bums ta do nuttin'." The two former strike leaders laughed. In a few seconds, though, Jack sobered. "I just wanna thank ya foah bein' such a good friend ta all of us. Ya mean a lot ta me, and t'e rest of us, but 'specially Becky. T'anks foah bein' so great foah hoir." Dave nodded, and shook vigorously with Jack.
"I'll miss you."
"I'll miss ya too, Dave. Ya better write us!"
"I will." With that, Dave moved on to Becca. He took her hand in his and they walked off to the side a bit. Dave brushed her hair out of her face and cupped her cheek with his hand. Becca's eyes were glistening with tears that were fiercely threatening to fall. "I don't know what to say that's gonna make this much better," he told her softly. Becca sniffed, and Dave held out his handkerchief. Becca took it, blew her nose, and replied.
"Then just say that you'll come back whenever you can, and that you won't change too much. I know everyone changes, but just don't go scab on me."
"I will (first request), and I'll be sure not to (second request)." Becca's chin shook violently, but she managed to stop herself from crying, at least for a while longer.
"There's no point in letting ourselves get too upset, 'cause it's not like we're never gonna see each other again, or don't know when we're gonna see each other again. You'll be back in a few months, it'll give me something to look forward to." However, Becca couldn't keep her voice from quivering. Dave turned Becca's chin so he looked into her eyes, and in this way they communicated all they needed. Slowly, they leaned in and their lips met. The kiss began gentle and sweet, but in deepened into one of heartache and longing. After a few moments, they pulled apart. Dave's arms enclosed Becca in a large hug. This lasted longer than the kiss, yet they slowly, reluctantly broke away. Tediously, Dave trudged away and climbed onto the train.
Becca felt arms wrap around her from behind. It was Jack. Aching for comfort, Becca clung to her brother. When she spied Dave watching, waving to her from his car's window, Becca lost the struggle she'd been fighting. Tears slipped from her eyes and streamed down her face. Yet, she made no sound, much the same as when her mother died. Becca watched as Dave's train sluggishly pulled away. Once Dave was out of view, she buried her face in Jack's shirt, shoulders heaving with silent sobs. Jack simply held her, comforting her with his support, understanding, and presence. There the newsies stood for awhile, each with their own thoughts. Gradually, they started to trudge away.
Should I? Hmm, yes, I guess I will.
The End.
Alright, I know what you're thinking. But ending the story here instead of just another chapter makes the emotional intensity more powerful. I'll work on a sequel (I only just finished this today) because I know that if I don't, you'll probably hunt me down. Stay tuned for the sequel, which I've tentatively titled Growing Up.