Ch.2
The next morning Glorianna woke up earlier then the rest of the boys and tip-toed passed the bunks of sleeping boys to the bathroom. She had spent the night there, not wanting to leave her brother after just being reunited with him. Tonight, however, she would be going home with David. She had to agree that the Lodging House wouldn't exactly be a proper place to live at. The boys had lived with just boys for too long and were far too set in their ways to change for lady. There had already been to embrassing incidents and she didn't want a third.
As she passed by her brother a loving smile crossed her face and she stared down at his sleeping form for just a moment before continuing on. It had been so long.
When she passed Spot the smile disappeared, as she remembered how insufferably overbearing he was. It was really too bad to, because he looked so adorable in his sleep. She mentally kicked herself for the thought and quickly washed up and changed.
She had borrowed a pair of pants from Race, but they were a little big (okay, a lot big) so she had to use the purple sash from her dress as a belt to keep them up. She had on a thermal gray, long sleeved shirt that she had gotten from one of the boys, she wasn't sure which, and a button up, short sleeved shirt from another boy that went over it. She pulled back her hair and tied it in a loose bun at the nape of her neck with a piece of violet ribbon that she had taken from the top of her hat. She hated to admit that Spot was right about anything, but it really was a silly hat; she had hated wearing it.
By the time she was done, Kloppman, was waking up the rest of the boys. She dashed down the stairs quickly, so she wouldn't accidentally see something she wasn't supposed to.
"There ya are, Sis! I was startin' ta get worried about'cha." Blink said, as he and Mush made their way down the steps. More boys came running down, some tipped their hats at her others just kept on their way.
"Ya look cute, Glori, but no one in dere right mind would mistake ya as a boy." Mush said with a smile.
She blushed a little, "Thanks, Mush."
Spot, Jack and Race came down the stairs next, Spot and Race making some kind of offhand joke at Jack's expense.
"Yeah, yeah, hush up." Jack said smiling.
Spot smile slowly faded into a condescending smirk, "Well, if it ain't Miss Priss. Hope your day goes well." He said as he walked by, clearly insinuating that he didn't think that it would.
"You too, Mr. Conlon." She said, a fake smile on her face, "I hate that boy." She whispered softly to her brother.
"Spot?"
"Who else?" She growled as they made their way out the door to the gates to get their Newspapers.
"He ain't so bad, Glori. He's just worried about'chu, dat's all." Jack said quietly, so that no one (particularly, Spot) would over hear.
"Worried? He doesn't seem worried. He seems as though he'd like to see me fail."
"Well…he's a bit weird and 'e comes of as a bit, I don't know, tough, but it just comes from bein' da leadah of Brooklyn an'dall. If he ain't tough, den someone else'll come up and try an' take 'is place, an' if 'e shows some kinda special treatment ta you…well, den they'll just t'ink he's gone soft and if dat happens it could be really dangerous for Spot." Jack said intelligently, putting a hand on her shoulder.
She silently considered this as they made their way to get their papers. Why do I care so much? She wondered absently as she stood in line. I should hate him, he's so mean to me and condescending. All the rest of the boys are so nice to me, so why am I interested in Spot? She looked up to find Spot looking at her from the front of the line next to Jack and quickly looked away.
Spot saw the movement and sighed, also looking away, Why am I so interested in her? Sure she's beautiful and all, but she's also spoiled looking and prissy. She talks back to me, doesn't listen to a word I say. I can't stand to be near her…yet I don't think can stand to be away from her either. Spot couldn't believe what he just thought, and shook his head in denial of it.
"What do ya mean no? How many papes do ya want?" Kloppman asked with a weird smile on his face. He had taken over the newsstand after "Weasel" was fired.
"Huh? Oh…100 papes." Kloppman nodded and handed them to him.
Spot shook his head at his own silly preoccupation and made his way down the old wooden steps, I'll be fine. I don't need her and I can be away from her just fine. As soon as the day is over, I'll go home and forget all about her.
At least that's what he told himself. And he continued to tell himself that the next day, and the next day, and the one after that, but he still stayed.
Glorianna did wonderfully as a Newsie. She had a tough time of it the first day, but once she got the hang of it, she did pretty well. Better perhaps, because she was a girl and a lot better looking to male buyers, but that too caused it's problems. Some men who were looking for a lot more than papers would try and make a move on her and she would have to teach them a lesson, and if she couldn't teach it her brother didn't have any problems.
She sold with her brother and Mush. and occasionally Race would come with them, but usually he was at the Race Track.They would joke and have fun and sell their papes. She was closest with her brother and like a sister to Mush. She spent her nights at the Jacob's house with David, Sarah and Les and had become pretty good friends with Sarah.
The only bad thing, in her opinion, that remained was Spot. He continued to tease her and ridicule her relentlessly. The two of them had gotten into more arguments over more stupid things then anyone could count in the past nine days since they arrived.
They were currently arguing like usual in Tibby's.
"Don't you have some place else to be, Mr. Conlon?" She countered after he made a remark at what he dubbed "her prissy talk".
"Don't'chu?" He countered. Though in the back of his mind he thought about Brooklyn, I really should get back dere. He thought to himself. It was the same thought he'd thought everyday since he got here.
She rolled her eyes, "Gee, you got me there, Spot."
He rolled his eyes along with her's, copying her gesture for gesture. Some of the guys chuckled, Jack, who was sitting with them just shook his head and looked up at David who was also sitting with them. Both of them had decided that the two, Spot and Glorianna, were so head over heels for each other that it wasn't even funny. It's the only possible reason that Spot would stay away from Brooklyn so long and that they would continue to talk to each other even though all they ever did was argue. She still looked for him after the long day, though she tried to hide it, and wouldn't relax until she knew he was still there and would still be there the next day. He did the same for her, making sure that she was safely back from a long day's work before he could eat and that she was safe and sound at the Jacobs' before he could sleep. He did all these things nonchalantly, never calling attention to them, so that no one else noticed, well, except for Jack and David. Jack had told Sarah and she agreed, the two definitely had a thing for each other. The question now was, would they admit it? Or kill each other first? Jack figured if Race caught wind of it, a few wagers would be made in no time flat.
They ate in a few minutes of rare silence until it was broken by the slight tinkling of the bell that hung on the door of Tibby's which alerted them to someone's entrance into the establishment.
"Well if it ain't me pal, Spot. I've been lookin' all over for yous. I figured you'd be heah!" Came the loud call from the boy who had just entered Tibbys.
He was tall, at least six foot two, and had thick black hair that was combed back from his forehead. His eyes were a dark shade of blue. He was broad shouldered and had an aura of muscle, power and brute strength around him. Surprisingly enough, he was also one of the most gentle Newsies around.
Beside him was a short girl who looked about twelve or thirteen. She had a tiny, thin frame like a skinny little bird. Her hair was dishwater blonde and hung down her back in a thick, straggly braid. She had a grin on her face and dirt smudged on her cheeks. Her fingers were black with newspaper ink and she looked ecstatic to see Spot.
"Gospel! Bite Size! What brings ya ta Manhattan?" Jack called out, a huge smile on his face.
Spot stood up and walked over to him, spit shaking with the mountain of a boy, who pulled him into a hug and patted his back, "I don't care if ya are da leadah a Brooklyn and da toughest Newsie around. Ya's still little Spot to me and I hasn't seen ya's in over a week!" Spot pulled away from the boy looking slightly ruffled and socked Gospel in the shoulder, "Yeah, yeah…"
Glorianna decided instantly that she liked this boy. Anyone who could ruffle Spot and get away with it she liked.
Spot turned to the girl and grinned, "Bite Size! I've missed yer smart mouth, kid!"
The tiny girl threw her arms around him, yelling, "Sure ya did, Spot!" Then stepped back embarrassed to have shown so much affection in front of so many people.
Spot took Gospel and Bite Size to their table and introduced him to Glorianna, "Miss Priss, dis heah is me best pal, Gospel and the only newsie in Brooklyn worth more den me spit, Bite Size. Gospel, Bites, dis is da Kid's sistah, Glorianna."
Glorianna smiled at him and stuck out her hand, "It's nice to meet you, Gospel."
Gospel took it and kissed the back, "Nice ta meet yous too, Glorianna."
Spot gave Gospel a look, but didn't say anything. He didn't have to, Gospel had been his best friend for a long time and he knew that the look meant, "hand's off".
"Hey, you mus' be da hoidy-toidy goil dat da boys was talkin' about! Ya were lucky Spot showed up! Some a dem were ready ta drag ya off!" The small girl said with a grin.
Spot smirked at Glorianna, "Ya heah dat Miss Priss? Ya were lucky."
"Lucky? For meeting you? I would never even dare to make such an outlandish statement." She said grinning.
Spot rolled his eyes, "She does dat a lot guys. She goes ALL Miss Priss speech on me and DEN gets angry when I accuse her of bein' a hoidy-toidy rich girl."
"Don't talk about me like I am not here, Mr. Conlon!"
Spot rolled his eyes, "Jus' remember, Priss. If ya hadn't met me, ya wouldn't have found Blink AND ya would've been dragged off to some alley somewhere's."
"Like I've told you a hundred times, I could have taken care of myself AND I would have found Blink without your help!"
The two stared at each other angrily until Gospel broke in, "So, are ya goin' ta ask us what we's doin' in Manhattan, Spot? Or are ya jus' gonna stand dere an' argue wid dat lovely lady all day?"
Spot glared angrily at Gospel and Glory grinned at him, "What a gentlemen…. Spot, take notes…"
Jack smiled broadly at them, "So what ARE you doing here in Manhattan?" He questioned.
Gospel pulled up a chair and sat on it backwards while Bite Size wondered off to get a drink, "Well, I came ta find Spot. Dere may be some trouble in Brooklyn if 'e stays gone too much longer, an' I came to see what was keepin' 'im." Gospel looked between the two of them, "An' it would seem that I's found out too."
Glorianna frowned and looked at Spot who suddenly found the ceiling very interesting.
"Well, he can't help it if he enjoys teasing and torturing me so much that he decided to take a sabbatical from Brooklyn." Glorianna said, unknowingly saving Spot and herself from an embarrassing situation.
Spot smirked, "It's not my fault that ya make it so easy for me ta tease and torture ya, as you say, by actin' like such a Miss Priss goil all da time. An' what da hell is a sabbaticoil?"
"Sabbatical, half wit, it's...it's like a vacation." She said prissily.
"See…there ya go, bein' all Miss Priss again. It's not my fault if I ain't all educated like you is…hell, no one else heah knows what dat woid means."
"I do." David said softly.
"Yeah, well you's da walkin' mouf, you don't count. So shad up." Spot said jokingly.
Everyone at the table laughed at their banter.
"Anyways, I t'ink it's time to go back ta Brooklyn, Spot. T'ings dere are startin' ta get a little shakey, if ya know's what I mean. So end ya Sabbaticoil, or whatevah ya want ta call it, and head home wit' me an' Bites." Gospel said, grinning.
Spot shook his head, "Yeah, it's about time I headed home. I was just enjoying me dang sabbaticoil so much dat I figured I'd stay gone a bit longer." Spot said, his smirk turning into a full blown grin as well.
"Yeah…maybe's I should take a sabbaticoil…!" Jack said loudly, standing up, holding his glass up like he was making a toast.
"Yeah! To da Cowboy's sabbaticoil!" A boy from somewhere behind them called out and a few more shouts followed. Other calls of, "What the hell's a sabitcoil" could be heard throughout the room
Glorianna sighed, "Alright, alright, I'm sorry…" She said laughing, "So sit down, Jack!" She grumped playfully, pushing his shoulders from across the table. Her heart still pounding madly from Spot's big smile. She felt like such an idiot, but she couldn't help it, he had the most adorable grin, something she hated to admit to herself.
Jack beamed at her and sat down, "So, you's headin' back ta Brooklyn, Spot?" Jack asked casually.
"It would seem dat way, Jacky-boy. I cain't be leavin' me territory fer to long, now can I? Even if I's do enjoy teasin' dis heah, Miss Priss." As he said this he took of his hat and placed it on her head, a teasing smile on his face.
Glorianna blushed a bit and pushed the hat back from her forehead, "Careful, Spot, I might think you'll actually miss me."
Spot shook his head, "I's cain't believe me ea'as, Miss Priss jus' called me Spot instead a Mr. Conlon…da Woild must be commin' to an end….again!" (hehe…what? Who can resist that particularly corny newsies joke?-dust of snow)
Glorianna took off the hat and placed it back on Spot's head, pulling it over his eyes, "Don't get to used to it, Mr. Conlon…it won't happen again." She said seriously, though she was still smiling. Her thoughts, however, were very serious, I can't let myself get comfortable like that with him again. It'll just end in heartache…he enjoys teasing me, but that's it.
David stood up then, "Well, Glory, we'd best be getting home or else Mama will worry. Besides, Les is sound asleep." He said, motioning to where Les slept, slumped against Jack. (hmmm maybe Les has narcolepsy…-dust of snow)
Jack picked up Les, "I'll's accompany yous home, Davey. I want to talk to Sarah."
David nodded and they all started toward the door, "We'll come too, Jacky-Boy," Spot stated, "It is me last night in Manhattan aftah all."
"And what? You want to spend it with me?" Glorianna asked teasingly.
"Don't flattah ya'self, Miss Priss, I need's to talk wid Jacky Boy."
She rolled her eyes, "Like I would have been flattered…frightened more likely…"
Spot grinned, "Whatevah you say. 'Ey, Bites! Get ya fanny ovah heah, you're commin' wid us!"
The girl shook her head, "Don't go bossin' me around', Spot!" She said, grinning.
"Well, you are commin', aren't'cha?" He asked, putting an arm around her and pulling her over to his side as he walked ahead of the group.
Glorianna felt idiotic about the fact that she was jealous of the younger girl, insanely so.
"Aw, ya really did mis havin' me around, didn't'cha?" Bite Size questioned softly, as if she didn't believe it. They had walked ahead of the group and she knew that the other's couldn't hear her.
Spot threw her his most charming smile, "Well, a coise!" He exclaimed.
"Alright, Spot, so what else is it dat you want?"
"Whattaya mean?" He asked innocently.
"Oh, quit playin' games, Conlon! I knows ya too well! Da only times you're dat charmin' wid me or anybody, is when ya want somethin'."
He nodded, "Okay, okay… Dere is somethin' else."
"Well, spit it out!" She said, grinning.
Spot frowned a bit, "I really did miss ya though."
She looked at him skeptically, but then said, "I know, Conlon, I know. I missed you too. Now are ya gonna tell me what dis is all about?"
Spot nodded, "Alright den. It's about Glorianna."
"Ah, I shoulda known it was about her." Bite Size said disgustedly.
"She ain't dat bad, Bites, but she don't always t'ink before she does t'ings. I just don't want ta see her get hoit. So, when I go back ta Brooklyn I want you ta stay and sell wid' her. Keep her outta trouble, look aftah her, and if anythin' goes wrong, anythin' at all, I mean stubbed toe, you come and get me. Got dat?" Spot's voice had gotten extremely serious.
Bite Size shook her head and grinned, "Shoot, you'se is real stuck on dis goil, ain't ya, Spot?"
Spot sighed, out of anyone he knew, he knew he could trust Bites to understand. He trusted Gospel, but didn't feel like the teasing that would come from his telling his best friend, "Yeah, I guess I am. So, you gonna do dat for me, or what?"
"Yeah, I'll do dat for you. Can I ask you somethin'?"
"Sure, kid, what?"
"Why her?"
Spot shrugged, "Honestly, Bites, I haven't a clue. Jus' somethin' about 'er."
"It's 'cause she's pretty, huh?"
He shook his head, "Naw, it ain't just dat. I don't know, Bites. It's like I can't get 'er outta my head. It's dose eyes maybe."
"Yeah, 'cause she's pretty!"
"No, no, she's sma't to, real sma't, kinda funny when she's not to busy takin' offense ta everythin', and such a lady…" Spot's voice trailed off.
"Well, if dats what guys look for…I ain't gotta chance in da woild…"
"A chance? Wid who? Whatta ya talkin' about?" Spot asked curiously and a bit over protectively.
"Dere ain't nobody. Just ANYBODY!" She said evasively, rolling her eyes.
"Aw, don't say dat, Bites, you got plenty ta offah, but if I heah anybody taken you up on dat offah, I'se gonna soak 'im." Spot said grinning.
"Ah, quit dat!" She said, laughing.
"Quit what?" Gospel asked. The other's had caught up to them by now.
"Nothin'. Anyway Gospel, what's da story in Brooklyn?" Spot asked him curiously, "Da rest of you go ahead, I need ta talk wid, Gospel."
"First ya walk away from us, den you walk behind us, is it somethin' I said?" Jack asked, grinning.
"Naw, it's just ya ugly face, Cowboy…"
Jack grinned and shook his head, "Ya know ya secretly wish you were me, Spot. So don't try dat ugly bit… Anyway, come on guys, let's leave dese two ladies to their chatter. I'm in a hurry ta see, Sarah."
Once they were out of ear shot Gospel started, "Well, apparently Rooster says since you been gone so long, dat he figures you're given up yer claim ta Brooklyn and dat he's in charge. Well, almost all da boys are loyal to you and wid my say so, and Bites I might add, dey's pretty much stayed on your side. But a few of da guys are startin' ta side wid, Rooster. Now if you don't show up soon, it could become a real problem."
Spot nodded, "Damn dat, Rooster! He was always given me lip and not backin' down. I don't know how many times I had ta wallop him!"
Gospel nodded, "So dats da story. Now, you gonna tell me what da story is wid you an' dat pretty little thing ahead a us?"
"Dere ain't nothin' ta tell, Gosp. She's just an annoyance dat I'll soon be happily widout."
"Right… and I'm Pulitzer's son."
"I'm serious."
"Sure, an' dats why you stayed away from Brooklyn so long an' dats why you glared at me like we was enemies when I kiss 'er hand."
Spot sighed, "Alright, alright, I kinda, sorta, maybe gotta liddle thing for her, but it's real liddle, Gosp, not even woith mentionin'."
Gospel shook his head, "You're in love wid her, an' dats da gospel truth, Spot. I can tell by dat look in your eyes."
"Ah, shad up, Gospel, I don't have ta listen ta dis. Love ain't nothing but a joke…"
"Alright, Spot. Go ahead an' deny it all ya want." Gospel said, shaking his head.
They walked up and joined the others who were joking amongst themselves.
"So, ya done talkin' behind our backs?" Jack asked.
"Yeah, your ugly face ain't worth discussin' fer dat long."
"Well, I'm just flattah'd dat you was discussin' it at all." Jack quipped.
When they reached the Jacob's house Jack went up the steps quickly, mindful of Les' sleeping form on his shoulder, but anxious to see Sarah.
David turned to Spot, Gospel and Bite Size, "You can come up if you want."
"Naw, dats okay, we'll wait heah for Jack."
David nodded, "Alright, I'll be seein' ya then. Carryin' the banner." He said smiling, then went up the stairs to his apartment.
Glorianna turned to Gospel and Bite Size, "It was nice meeting you," she said softly. She then turned to Spot, "See you in awhile, Spot." She said softly, feeling sad yet not willing to accept why. She turned away and started to walk up the stairs.
"Hey, Priss!"
She turned around and looked at him over her shoulder. Her hair fell about her shoulders becomingly and her face looked angelic in the moonlight, "What?"
Spot was struck dumb by the sight, "Ya did it again." He said softly.
"Did what?"
"Called me, Spot." He said, grinning.
She sighed and rolled her eyes, "I must be tired." She stated, grinning a bit.
"Yeah, dats probably it." He said, rolling his eyes in copy of her gesture, "G'Night Priss." He said softly.
She nodded, her smile soft, her thoughts chaotic and confused, "Good night." She murmured and disappeared around the staircase.
Spot sighed, "Alright, so I lied, Gospel… I'm a lot stuck on her."