The next morning Glorianna woke up groggy. She quickly washed up and got dressed and went down stairs. It was well into eight o'clock and all of the newsies were long since selling. She smiled a good morning at Mr. Crandles and after a quick breakfast of bread and butter, she swept up the kitchen and got to washing dishes. She continued with the household chores, absently doing the domestic tasks, while her mind stuck to it's favorite subject of late: Spot.
She was completely confused yet utterly giddy from the kiss he'd given her the night before. I'm such a push over, she thought with an exasperated sigh, one kiss and I forget what a complete condescending, argumentative jerk he can be. Of course, it was one heck of a kiss! And he really isn't so bad. He can be awful sweet when he wants to be and charming. And boy what a smile… Her mind continued to drift into similar subjects of Spot's attractive features and she completely forgot what she was doing.
"You day dreamin' again?"
Startled, she jumped and turned to face, Mr. Crandles , "You did it to me again!" She said, with a bit of a laugh.
He smiled at her, "Well, some of the kids are back, I thought ya might want ta go down an' visit since you've been stuck here wit' me all day."
"Thanks, Mr. Crandles," She answered, "But you aren't so bad. However, I think I will go downstairs." She walked off down the stairs and smiled when she saw Gospel, Tex, Forgey, and Flute sitting about the kitchen table playing poker.
"Heya, Priss, how's it goin'?" Forgey asked, as she casually dealt the cards.
Glorianna sighed, "I see Spot's nick name for me has caught on."
The girl grinned and shrugged, "It fits…"
"Hey!" Glorianna said, in mock anger, then laughed.
"Don't get on Priss's bad side, Forg, she has an awful tempah." Spot said, as he entered the room languidly and slid onto the bench, "Deal me in."
"Yeah," Gospel agree, "An' dats da gospel truth."
Flute sighed, "I fold." She mourned softly, "I hate this game, completely hate it. I nevah win."
"Me neither." Tex said, in his deep, dopey drawl, tossing his cards down as well.
The hand continued, the pot slowly rising.
Forgey glanced down at her cards and grinned broadly, "Hey, what's bettah, a straight or a flush? Isn't there a straight flush? I forget sometimes."
Gospel grinned, "I fold."
"Me too." Spot agreed.
The girl smiled, sweeping the pot towards her, "Wonder why? I didn't have either…"
"Ya little cheat…" Spot began, but then stopped as Bites walked in with a slender girl with long curly, chocolate brown hair and deep blue eyes. She was of medium height and her clothing bespoke of high class and a wealthy upbringing. Spot jumped to his feet, a huge grin on his face and ran to the girl, he threw his arms around her waste and spun her around, "My Princess!" He said grinning, and place a big smacking kiss on her lips.
A huge blush shaded her delighted face as she smiled hugely, "Luke, put me down." She said, laughing gaily.
Gospel grinned and got up from the table walking over to her and giving her a hug as well, "We've missed ya, Caroline."
The other's at the table followed right after him. Glorianna stood dumbly, too hurt to think, "So this is what it's about! You already have a…a…" She choked on the words. Tears smarted in her eyes and she knew she had to get out of there. She turned swiftly on her heal and walked out the door, into the kitchen and out the back door into the alley way. From there she didn't care where she went, she just started running, quickly, blindly, her heart hurting too much to think.
"Wait, Glori! Whatta ya think you're doin'!" Spot called as he started after her.
"What did you do that girl, Luke!" Caroline said angrily.
Spot looked guiltily at the floor, "Not now." He mumbled, then whistled three times in quick succession.
Three newsies were standing in front of him within seconds, "Spike, Handy, Yeah-Yeah, I want ya to find out where she ran to, quick, an' make sure nothin' happens to her. You report to me when she finally stops, got it? I want eyes on her at all time. Any danger comes to her dat means twice the danger comes to you, ya got it?" Spot barked the orders quickly, thinking he'd give her sometime to run off whatever was now eating her, and then bring her back, how can she be so stupid! I told her not ta leave da house!
"Yeah, yeah." Yeah-Yeah stated quickly, and took off back into the alley ways. Spike and Handy nodded and took off as well.
Spot began walking slowly in the direction Glorianna had been running down, Caroline at his side, "So, are you going to explain this to me?"
Spot sighed, "Things 'ave been crazy since I met dat goil, Princess. I jus' can't seem ta get 'er out of my head, ya know?"
She nodded silently, "Have you kissed her?"
Spot nodded, "Yeah, but we fought before it and we fought after it and that's pretty much what we do."
She grinned, "But apparently you enjoy making up."
Spot blushed, "Yeah."
"So why don't you just ask her to be your girl. That's what you newsboys usually do in situations like this and that's what you have always done when you liked a girl."
Spot sighed, "But she's different, Caro, she's from a rich family, she's used to good things an' someday she'll want 'em all back. I can't evah give 'er dat."
"I'm from a rich family." She stated indignantly, "And if I found love I'd be willing to give it all up."
Spot frowned, "You better not be marryin' a newsie, Caro. Checker's would roll over in his grave. You're getting a good husband, wit' manners and kindness and money."
She rolled her eyes, "Let's not argue about that now. The point is, you love her…don't you Spot?" She questioned softly.
He was silent for a moment, "Yeah." He said in barely a whisper.
"Well, then you have to stop hurting her and let what is be. She's not like your mother, Spot."
"How do you know? Ya don't even know 'er."
"Because, if she was anything like your mother she wouldn't have put up with you this long."
"She doesn't exactly have a choice. She's been kinda stuck wit' me."
"A girl like her, with a mind of her own, always has a choice, Spot. If she didn't like you she probably wouldn't even talk to you, and if she didn't love you, she would never let you kiss her, she's just not the type."
Spot heard a whistle and glanced over at the alleyway, "Yeah-Yeah?"
"She stopped at da docks, boss. But uh…Rooster's dere an' he ain't bein' too friendly…er, maybe he's bein' a lil' too friendly, if ya get what I mean..."
Spot made a soft growl under his breath and began running, "Yeah-Yeah, take Caro back to da lodgin' house." He called over his shoulder, then disappeared around the corner.
Glorianna sniffed loudly when she finally stopped and glanced around. She was at the docks, a usual hang out for the Brooklyn Newsies. She glanced around and blushed at what she saw. Due to having been in the water, most of the newsies' long johns were soaked and see through. She ducked quickly behind some creates and sat, her back against them, "What do I do now?" She murmured softly to herself, "I'm so stupid!"
She knew she shouldn't have run out the way she had, it was so silly, but it hurt to see Spot with another girl and she didn't know what else to do. Running had seemed to be the only option.
She just couldn't believe how shamefully she had acted with Spot. She let him kiss her, heck, she encouraged him, and the whole time he had another girl. Not just any girl either, but a born and bread lady. A lady just like her, just like his mother. I'm so stupid, I thought the reason was because he was afraid I'd be like his mother, but instead, he's dating a girl who's more of a lady then I ever was.
"Well, what are ya doin' here, pretty thing?" Asked a deep voice behind her.
She turned, startled from her thoughts, and stared into the deep, cruel green eyes of the Brooklyn newsie, Rooster, "I…nothing, get away from me." She said angrily.
"Well, girly, you're in my territory, heah." He growled, grabbing her arm and pulling her up against him, "But it's alright, I don't want you to leave, in fact," he pulled her closer, "I like ya's just where ya are."
She shivered as he leaned over and kissed her neck, the memory of Oscar's cruelty was still fresh in her mind and she felt bile raise up in her throat, "Get away from me!" She screamed, and spit in his face.
"Rooster! Get ya hands offa her!" Handy yelled. He was a thin boy, short, with slick black hair and dark, beady eyes.
"Or what're you gonna do, Handy?" Rooster said laughing, "The lady here is tallah den you."
"It's not what I'll do, Rooster, it's what Spot'll do. Yeah-Yeah's already gone to get him."
"An' meanwhile, we intend to see dat nothin' happens to the lady." Said another boy, who wasn't much bigger than Handy."
Rooster laughed again, "I'd like ta see ya's try."
Glorianna noticed his distraction with the two boys and began to struggle. She bit him as hard as she could, the taste of salty, dirty skin sickening her, and kicked him in the shins.
He yelled loudly and pushed her hard into the crates, she slumped to the ground without a sound.
Spot chose this time to show up. He saw Glorianna's still form and his eyes narrowed, he walked towards Rooster menacingly, "You just made a big mistake, Rooster, I'm already sick an' tired of you and now you've gone a step too far."
"Bring it on, Spot, you don't got Gospel heah to protect you."
"I don't need Gospel, Rooster, I've always been able to whip ya on my own."
The two circled each other like wolves over prey. Spot may have been shorter than Rooster, but he was meaner and madder and defending Glori. He was skinny yes, but had a great deal more strength then his slim frame presented and what he lacked in strength he made up in sheer will power.
Rooster made the first lunge and Spot took advantage of the other boys bulk, whipping under and throwing his arms around his waste. The two fell to the floor in a rolling, punching heap. Spot knew that being on the floor wasn't to his advantage, if Rooster got him pinned it'd be near to impossible for him to get out from under him. He rolled back wards and two his feet, crouched low. His nose was bloodied and he felt a sharp pain in his side.
Rooster was no better off. His left eye was already beginning to swell up and his right hand fell loosely to his side, useless. He had tried to punch Spot but had missed and slammed his fist full force into the dock. The pain ate at him, making him want to throw up, but anger kept him fighting.
The two threw themselves at each other again. Spot picked up one of the crates and threw it at Rooster who tried to bat it of with his uninjured hand. It struck him in the shoulder and he fell backwards. Spot kicked him three times, hard in the side and Rooster grabbed one of Spot's leg, pulling them out from under his feet. Spot slammed to the floor and rolled away from Rooster. Rooster pulled himself slowly to his feet, panting hard. His sides were aching as were his shoulder and hand. He felt sick to his stomach and was afraid he was going to disgrace himself by throwing up.
Spot got to his feet and stared at the boy in contempt, his body tensed and ready for another attack. In the corner of his eye he saw Glorianna shift and raise her head groggily.
"Get the hell out of Brooklyn, Rooster, while you still have a chance."
Rooster glared and Spot and then turned to Glori, "You better watch out little missy, you think you're safe, ya think you're untouchable heah wid Spot, but ya ain't." He turned slowly and sauntered off.
"Watch him, boys, make sure he leaves and see where he goes."
"Gotcha boss." Handy said and he and Spike took off after Rooster. Spot sighed and slumped slowly to his knees taking a deep breath. His head killing him.
Glorianna got shakily to her feet and walked over to him, "Spot?" She said softly.
He turned, looking up at her, "Yeah?"
She got to her knees, kneeling in front of him and gently touched his bloodied lip, "Sometimes I think I'm more trouble then I'm worth." She murmured softly.
Spot glanced up at her, taking her hand into his and caressing the knuckles softly with the pad of his thumb, "Nevah." He whispered.
Her eyes filled with tears, "I didn't mean to run Spot, I'm sorry I caused so much trouble."
He smiled, causing him to wince, "Not so much trouble at all. Jacky boy's caused a lot more'n the past."
She smiled at him, then her face sobered and she stared at their clasped hands, "I don't think you should be so familiar with me, seeing as how you already have a-"
"Hold on a minute, Priss. Caroline ain't my goil and nevah will be. She's like a sistah to me. She was my brudder, Checker's, best friend. She took care of me once when I was stabbed da foist night I came ta Brooklyn wid Gospel lookin' for my brudder. Ever since then she seems ta think she owns my life, always grumpin' at me wid her advice and her fine lady goil mannahs." He didn't look annoyed however, in fact pure affection shone in his eyes as he spoke of her.
The relief shook Glorianna to the core, "So, she isn't your girl?"
"No, she's not. But uh…I'd like you ta be." He looked up at her from beneath puppy dog brows, his eyes unsure. What a smooth way ta ask 'er Conlan, ya surely should be a poet, what wid your smooth way with woids and all...
She threw her arms around his neck, throwing his self hating thoughts straight out of his head, "Oh Spot! I thought you'd never ask." She said with a giggle at just how silly and stereotypical that sounded, then pulled back and placed a huge kiss on his lips.
"Whoa…whoa…easy…I just got in a fight for ya, lady." He said, though he was smiling.
"I'm sorry!" She said, worried that she hurt him, "I'm just so happy! Spot, I've been crazy about you since the first day we met."
Spot grinned, "Is that a fact? Even though we's always fightin' like cats a dogs."
"Oh yes, even then, more so now." She said shyly, beaming at him.
"Well, da feelin' was mutual, and it's been getting' stronger…"
Her heart fluttered, "Even with the stupid hat?"
He nodded, "Yeah, it made ya look cute."
"You hated it!"
"Well, you'd look cute in a potato sack." He said, grinning as best he could with a split lip. Something in him didn't believe this was real, but if he was delerious or dreaming, he never wanted it to stop.
"I knew you could be charming if you tried." She said, her face radiant.
Spot rose to his feet and helped her to hers and the two of them began walking back to the lodging house holding hands. A feeling of contentment washed over Spot the likes of which he'd never known. He looked down at Glorianna and his heart skipped beats, she was beautiful and she completely had him...I'm so lost...or maybe I'm finally found. He grinned at thought, thinking he had to say it to her sometime, it was far more poetic than what he'd said earlier.
"Well, it's about good gosh darn time!" Bite Size exclaimed as she watched Spot and Glorianna come to the Lodging house hand in hand. Glorianna blushed, her smile radiant while Spot glared.
"Spot, you're hurt." Caroline stated, her voice filled with motherly concern.
Spot shrugged, "Just a lil' split lip, nevah killed anybody."
"So... what 'appened?" Gospel asked as they all sat around the table.
"Rooster is out. Tell all da fellas dat." Spot stated, "If dey see 'im in Brooklyn I don't want him ta leave it walkin'."
Gospel nodded, "I take it he wasn't to friendly to Glori."
"Nah, he was a bit too friendly." Spot said angrily, "Til' she bit 'im and he hit her."
"Well, at least everyone is okay." Caroline said softly, "By the way, my name is Caroline Preston."
"Glorianna Huffington. And…I'm sorry for running out earlier. I'm really quite embarrassed about the whole thing…"
"Oh, don't worry, it's completely understandable under the circumstances. Why if I had known how idiotic Spot was being I would've been here much sooner."
Spot groaned melodramatically, "Good golly, Bites, what're we gonna do now?"
"Bout what?" Bites questioned.
"Dere's two of um now… two loud mouthed, stubborn, think they know everythin' usin' big woids Miss Priss's…" That comment earned him to smacks upside the head and a big laugh from Bite Size.