Disclaimer: Newsies and the characters DON'T belong to me. Only Enchanted does.
Baby watched as Sling and Jack flirtatiously pushed each other dangerously near a puddle of water. She watched as Kaa passed by with David's arm entwined around hers, and as Gears and Crutchy discussed something important. IF and Snitch were laughing about something, and Blaze was busy trying to filch Bumlets' hat (Bumlets was kept dodging her attempts, however). Tapper and Skittery were walking together, arms around each other's waist. Switch Blade and Blink were busy kissing, unafraid of who was passing by, and who was observing them.
Baby didn't care about these couples. It was apparent that they were meant for each other, each and every one of them. And they were all still together. Baby, however, knew whom she was meant for. The only difference from the other couples was that she wasn't with him anymore. And that made her hurt inside...in her heart and buried in the depths of her soul. She watched Race and Mysty talk together, their eyes never straying from one another. Baby felt tears well up in her eyes. Race used to always look at her that way. Just give her his entire attention and not listen to anyone but her and her only.
She couldn't believe that she had agreed to walk with everyone to Tibby's. All they seemed to do was flaunt the fact that they were still together, and she wasn't together with him anymore. She kept making sidelong glances at the two of them. God, they even looked cute together... She had once caught a glimpse of her and Race's reflections together in a mirror. They couldn't look any more mismatched. She looked like she had come from England, with her light blonde hair and her blue eyes. And he looked exactly an Italian.
She shook her head. They were finally coming up the street that led to Tibby's. She vaguely wondered if Spot Conlon would be there, but that idea was quickly ruled out. She knew Spot wouldn't step out in public with the two shiners Mysty had given to him.
Everyone in the restaurant looked up as the rowdy crowd entered the restaurant, and looked away as they realized they were just newsies. Baby clenched her hands as Mysty started laughing hard at something Race had said. She ordered a roast beef sandwich, the first thing that came to mind when the waiter asked her what she wanted, and devoured it without tasting it. She gulped down her water and rapidly stood up, leaving the table. She threw down a few coins to pay for her hurried meal and abruptly left the restaurant. She couldn't stay here, near Race. She would cry again and she didn't want to cry in front of him. This morning, Race had asked Mysty to be his girl...and that hurt Baby even more than a thousand knives could ever have.
Mysty stared after her pitifully. She knew why Baby was having such bitter feelings towards her...obviously it was because she still had feelings for Race. But still, she was curious as to how they broke up. It was a good thing that Tapper was sitting right next to her. "Tapper?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.
Tapper knew what she was talking about. They had both watched Baby scarf down her food and drink, and soon afterwards, she had left. She lowered her voice to a whisper. Race was on the other side of the table, and he could easily pick up on what they were saying. "Whad happened a few months latah," Tapper narrated for her...
Baby put down her brush and then rose up from her bunk bed. She smiled in anticipation at what the day would hold for her. Ever since she had been Race's girl, every day was another good one. Sure, they had their arguments, but they almost made up. And making up was good to do. She giggled as she remembered their first kiss. They had been sitting at a bench in Central Park, the sun glinting brightly above them. Race had touched her hair in adoration (he loved her hair, he was always telling her that she had the best hair in all of New York) and then he touched his lips to hers. The world had erupted in light and heat and colors, and Race placed his arms around her, kissing her again and again his hand still touching her blonde curls at the very tips of her hair.
She believed he was the one. She knew he was the one. She could feel it in her heart, the way it always skipped a beat each time he smiled at her. She felt passion, and desire, and just happiness to be around him.
"Heya, slow poke," Race said as he snuck up behind her. "You'se comin'?" Baby scanned the room and discovered she and Race were the only ones left in the Bunk Room.
"Yeah," Baby agreed with a sheepish smile.
Gradually, she and Race made their way to the Distribution Center, and bought 50 papers each. By now, Race had learned to cope on his own and he and Baby would have selling contests to see who could get rid of all their papes first. Today was a good selling day, and Race managed to sell all of his before Baby's. It was around 5:00 when he whooped in glee as a customer took the last pape in his hands.
"Whad'd I tell ya? Don't compete against da mastah," he gloated.
"Shut up," Baby groaned, and punched him playfully in the stomach. He punched her back and this started a mock fight between them, only stopping when Race caught her hands in mid-punch. His eyes had a burning fire within them, and Baby couldn't tear her gaze away. Her fists dropped and his hands went to her hips. At that point, he kissed her roughly, taking her breath away. When they finally pulled apart, she rested her head on his chest.
'Good thing I'm leaning on him,' she thought giddily, 'Or else I'd fall down.'
He intertwined her fingers within his. 'Damn, she's pretty,' he thought, still feeling the after-affects of the kiss.
Passerbys all smiled at a glimpse of young love, before returning to what they were doing. 'Young love,' they all thought, 'But it won't last long.' Without saying a word, they both turned towards the direction of Central Park. The bench they had shared their first kiss at was a special place for them. That's where they were headed.
After 30 minutes of just strolling and chatting, the sun was already dipping down in the sky. They found the bench without any problem and they both plopped down, still talking. After a few minutes, they ran out of topics to discuss, and Baby just leaned her head on his shoulder, content to be by his side. She didn't know what overcame her, but she got the urge to tell him that she loved him. "Racetrack?" she murmured.
Race knew whatever she had to say was serious. She never called him 'Racetrack' unless it was a solemn topic. "Yeah, Baby?"
"I think...I think I love you," she whispered. Her words hung in the air until they dropped down with a thud.
Race stared at her with wide eyes that were unreadable. No one had ever told him they had loved him before. And he should have felt gratitude and thankfulness that she put into words what they both felt for each other. But that wasn't what he felt. He felt fear...fear of commitment, fear of responsibility, and a desire to be free. He felt fear for the fact that if he did commit himself to her, if he did say those three words back, she was just lying and that he was just another guy, someone she could easily just throw away. And he felt fear towards the fact that if he gave her his heart, she would someday return it to him, shattered in a million pieces. The fear gripped him and made him mute for a few seconds; but those few seconds were enough.
"Race?" Baby asked, "Say something," she begged. His eyes were carefully kept blank as he stared at her, astonished and all of a sudden afraid. 'Oh, God,' she thought as she chastised herself mentally, 'Shouldn't have told him that...he wasn't ready to hear that.'
Race brusquely stood up and started walking away from the bench and Baby. Baby stared after him with eyes that had suddenly become tear-filled.
"And dat started da demise a dere relationship," Tapper whispered, ending the tale. Mysty had been listening spell-bound to her account of things. "Aftah a while, dey jist drifted away from each udda. Cuz he didn't wanna hear dose woids so soon. Cuz she wanted ta tell da truth," she waved her hands dramatically. "It's been dat way evah since. Race actin' like he don't care, but deep inside he still does. And Baby...Baby hates cryin' in public, so she does it alone. Dat's why she disappears. She won't neva git ovah him. Dey were meant ta be," she said wisely, "Dey were as serious as Blaze and Bumlets. Or Gears and Crutchy. Or...or Skittery and me," she added.
Mysty frowned. "Jeez, he kinda reminds me of Spot," she grumbled, "Imagine breaking up with someone just because she said she loved you."
"It's da way t'ings woik," Tapper shrugged, "I'se thankful dat I'se got Skittery...and if ya tell anyone I'se said dat, I'se gonna kill ya," she threatened, breaking the soft moment.
Mysty just nodded and pondered over it some more.
Baby watched as Sling and Jack flirtatiously pushed each other dangerously near a puddle of water. She watched as Kaa passed by with David's arm entwined around hers, and as Gears and Crutchy discussed something important. IF and Snitch were laughing about something, and Blaze was busy trying to filch Bumlets' hat (Bumlets was kept dodging her attempts, however). Tapper and Skittery were walking together, arms around each other's waist. Switch Blade and Blink were busy kissing, unafraid of who was passing by, and who was observing them.
Baby didn't care about these couples. It was apparent that they were meant for each other, each and every one of them. And they were all still together. Baby, however, knew whom she was meant for. The only difference from the other couples was that she wasn't with him anymore. And that made her hurt inside...in her heart and buried in the depths of her soul. She watched Race and Mysty talk together, their eyes never straying from one another. Baby felt tears well up in her eyes. Race used to always look at her that way. Just give her his entire attention and not listen to anyone but her and her only.
She couldn't believe that she had agreed to walk with everyone to Tibby's. All they seemed to do was flaunt the fact that they were still together, and she wasn't together with him anymore. She kept making sidelong glances at the two of them. God, they even looked cute together... She had once caught a glimpse of her and Race's reflections together in a mirror. They couldn't look any more mismatched. She looked like she had come from England, with her light blonde hair and her blue eyes. And he looked exactly an Italian.
She shook her head. They were finally coming up the street that led to Tibby's. She vaguely wondered if Spot Conlon would be there, but that idea was quickly ruled out. She knew Spot wouldn't step out in public with the two shiners Mysty had given to him.
Everyone in the restaurant looked up as the rowdy crowd entered the restaurant, and looked away as they realized they were just newsies. Baby clenched her hands as Mysty started laughing hard at something Race had said. She ordered a roast beef sandwich, the first thing that came to mind when the waiter asked her what she wanted, and devoured it without tasting it. She gulped down her water and rapidly stood up, leaving the table. She threw down a few coins to pay for her hurried meal and abruptly left the restaurant. She couldn't stay here, near Race. She would cry again and she didn't want to cry in front of him. This morning, Race had asked Mysty to be his girl...and that hurt Baby even more than a thousand knives could ever have.
Mysty stared after her pitifully. She knew why Baby was having such bitter feelings towards her...obviously it was because she still had feelings for Race. But still, she was curious as to how they broke up. It was a good thing that Tapper was sitting right next to her. "Tapper?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.
Tapper knew what she was talking about. They had both watched Baby scarf down her food and drink, and soon afterwards, she had left. She lowered her voice to a whisper. Race was on the other side of the table, and he could easily pick up on what they were saying. "Whad happened a few months latah," Tapper narrated for her...
Baby put down her brush and then rose up from her bunk bed. She smiled in anticipation at what the day would hold for her. Ever since she had been Race's girl, every day was another good one. Sure, they had their arguments, but they almost made up. And making up was good to do. She giggled as she remembered their first kiss. They had been sitting at a bench in Central Park, the sun glinting brightly above them. Race had touched her hair in adoration (he loved her hair, he was always telling her that she had the best hair in all of New York) and then he touched his lips to hers. The world had erupted in light and heat and colors, and Race placed his arms around her, kissing her again and again his hand still touching her blonde curls at the very tips of her hair.
She believed he was the one. She knew he was the one. She could feel it in her heart, the way it always skipped a beat each time he smiled at her. She felt passion, and desire, and just happiness to be around him.
"Heya, slow poke," Race said as he snuck up behind her. "You'se comin'?" Baby scanned the room and discovered she and Race were the only ones left in the Bunk Room.
"Yeah," Baby agreed with a sheepish smile.
Gradually, she and Race made their way to the Distribution Center, and bought 50 papers each. By now, Race had learned to cope on his own and he and Baby would have selling contests to see who could get rid of all their papes first. Today was a good selling day, and Race managed to sell all of his before Baby's. It was around 5:00 when he whooped in glee as a customer took the last pape in his hands.
"Whad'd I tell ya? Don't compete against da mastah," he gloated.
"Shut up," Baby groaned, and punched him playfully in the stomach. He punched her back and this started a mock fight between them, only stopping when Race caught her hands in mid-punch. His eyes had a burning fire within them, and Baby couldn't tear her gaze away. Her fists dropped and his hands went to her hips. At that point, he kissed her roughly, taking her breath away. When they finally pulled apart, she rested her head on his chest.
'Good thing I'm leaning on him,' she thought giddily, 'Or else I'd fall down.'
He intertwined her fingers within his. 'Damn, she's pretty,' he thought, still feeling the after-affects of the kiss.
Passerbys all smiled at a glimpse of young love, before returning to what they were doing. 'Young love,' they all thought, 'But it won't last long.' Without saying a word, they both turned towards the direction of Central Park. The bench they had shared their first kiss at was a special place for them. That's where they were headed.
After 30 minutes of just strolling and chatting, the sun was already dipping down in the sky. They found the bench without any problem and they both plopped down, still talking. After a few minutes, they ran out of topics to discuss, and Baby just leaned her head on his shoulder, content to be by his side. She didn't know what overcame her, but she got the urge to tell him that she loved him. "Racetrack?" she murmured.
Race knew whatever she had to say was serious. She never called him 'Racetrack' unless it was a solemn topic. "Yeah, Baby?"
"I think...I think I love you," she whispered. Her words hung in the air until they dropped down with a thud.
Race stared at her with wide eyes that were unreadable. No one had ever told him they had loved him before. And he should have felt gratitude and thankfulness that she put into words what they both felt for each other. But that wasn't what he felt. He felt fear...fear of commitment, fear of responsibility, and a desire to be free. He felt fear for the fact that if he did commit himself to her, if he did say those three words back, she was just lying and that he was just another guy, someone she could easily just throw away. And he felt fear towards the fact that if he gave her his heart, she would someday return it to him, shattered in a million pieces. The fear gripped him and made him mute for a few seconds; but those few seconds were enough.
"Race?" Baby asked, "Say something," she begged. His eyes were carefully kept blank as he stared at her, astonished and all of a sudden afraid. 'Oh, God,' she thought as she chastised herself mentally, 'Shouldn't have told him that...he wasn't ready to hear that.'
Race brusquely stood up and started walking away from the bench and Baby. Baby stared after him with eyes that had suddenly become tear-filled.
"And dat started da demise a dere relationship," Tapper whispered, ending the tale. Mysty had been listening spell-bound to her account of things. "Aftah a while, dey jist drifted away from each udda. Cuz he didn't wanna hear dose woids so soon. Cuz she wanted ta tell da truth," she waved her hands dramatically. "It's been dat way evah since. Race actin' like he don't care, but deep inside he still does. And Baby...Baby hates cryin' in public, so she does it alone. Dat's why she disappears. She won't neva git ovah him. Dey were meant ta be," she said wisely, "Dey were as serious as Blaze and Bumlets. Or Gears and Crutchy. Or...or Skittery and me," she added.
Mysty frowned. "Jeez, he kinda reminds me of Spot," she grumbled, "Imagine breaking up with someone just because she said she loved you."
"It's da way t'ings woik," Tapper shrugged, "I'se thankful dat I'se got Skittery...and if ya tell anyone I'se said dat, I'se gonna kill ya," she threatened, breaking the soft moment.
Mysty just nodded and pondered over it some more.
