Good Morning!
By Stepherz
Jack's POV
I woke up and looked around. The others were all asleep. I yawned, and stretched my arms far above my head.
Shards of broken gold peeked through the mud-coated glass of the windows. Mush's face gleamed in the early morning light. I could hear the pigeons squawking outside. Their morning symphony of 'the hungry birds' was enough to wake me up.
Mush was on his side, nearly on the edge of his bed. Yeah, it was his bed. I looked around the room, to make sure no one else was awake. Boots stirred under his sheets, but didn't wake.
I rolled Mush onto his back and his eyes fluttered open. I leaned over him. He smiled the gentle smile that I'd fallen in love with.
A rush of guilt swept over me. There was no doubt in my mind that Mush was nothing but faithful to me…but me, well…Let's just say I got around. It seemed like once I got bored with one, I moved onto another…I got bored very easily, too. There were very few who could hold my interest. In this case, it was Mush and……
I pulled him away from the edge of the mattress, and he furrowed his brows at me. I placed a feather light kiss on his forehead. He laughed softly and pushed me daintily away, making a face.
"Um…Morning breath!" He made a mock-disgusted look, and I elbowed him.
"And I bet you smell like an angel."
He nodded, smiling. I smiled, and loomed over him, closing in.
"Let's find out then, shall we?" I pressed my lips gingerly to his, taking his cheek in my palm. Our tongues darted over each other, and I reluctantly pulled away. I swallowed, and looked down at him.
"If that's what you call angel-scent, I'd hate to smell the devil." I laughed nearly inaudibly. I didn't want to wake the others up.
He smiled, and pressed his forehead to mine. His gaze lingered on my eyes, before closing slowly.
"I'm so glad you decided to come back." He whispered.
"I'm glad I came back." I whispered back.
We heard another stir, and separated quickly.
Specs rolled absently out of his bunk. Mush got up, so he could use the washroom before the rest woke. I followed him silently.
Specs smiled, and disappeared through the door. I got dressed and ready to go quickly. By the time I finished, the others were awake. I slid down the banister of the stairs. Mush was waiting for me at the bottom.
"G'mornin'." He smiled.
"Well, good mornin' yourself!" I laughed at his stiffness and shoved him out the door.
"Good. We're early this mornin'." I was referring to the fact that we'd get our papers and be out selling before the rest of them.
He nodded, and we set of to Weasel's.
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After we'd sold all our papes, Mush and I walked back towards the lodging house. We hadn't seen hair or hide of the others all that day. Mush seemed kind of nervous, so I tried to set his nerves at ease.
"Look, Mush. There's David. See, they ain't plottin' against us." I smiled.
Sure enough, David was marching towards us. Mush looked less than thrilled.
"Hey Jack…You forgot to visit Les yesterday." He eyed me coldly.
"Aw, gosh David…Sorry. It slipped my mind."
He glared at Mush, who tilted his head.
"So what's going on with you, Mush?" David nearly spat at him.
I swallowed. Oh no…
"Listen, David. I know we ain't great pals or nothing, but you can treat me decent y'know." I smiled. Leave it to Mush. The kid wasn't as dim-witted as everyone thought.
David scowled.
"I'm not wasting anymore of my brain on you." I frowned.
David had become incredibly hotheaded since the end of the strike. Sure, the kid was smart…but he'd been acting like a real numbskull. I raised my eyebrows at him, and he shrugged carelessly.
"What are you lookin' at me like that for?" He frowned deeply.
"Why're you treatin' Mush like he ain't worth the time o' day?" This was going to heat up if something didn't stop us.
Mush looked frantically between us, as we advanced in showdown style towards each other.
"Why are you so busy defending Mush when you should be visiting a little boy that has the flu?" He seemed pleased with himself, but he really didn't convince me.
"Mush is my friend too, David. I can't spend all my time with you, or Les." He turned to Mush.
"Well, you've spent nearly two whole days with him."
"So?" I watched as Mush backed away.
"So, what kind of a hypocrite are you?" He shoved Mush. I felt my blood begin to boil.
I reached for David's shirt, spinning him around to face me.
"Leave him alone." He glared at me.
"Why are you defending him?"
"Why can't you get along with him? He ain't done nothin' to you."
He seemed to be thinking when Mush walked back towards us, dusting himself off.
"Look, Jack. I don't know what's going on here, but I don't like it."
I narrowed my eyes.
"What are you talkin' about?"
Mush looked nervous.
"I ain't stupid, Jack." He glared at Mush. "I can see that something's goin' on here."
I swallowed. I felt as nervous as Mush looked.
"I don't know what you're talkin' about, David."
"You and Mush! Do I have to paint a picture, Jack? I want to know what's going on."
Mush and I exchanged confused glances, though we both knew what he was talking about.
"Right now!" David demanded. The look in his eye was of pure anger. He was beyond angry…
AN - Bwahaha! The evil truth comes out between the next chapter, and the 5th.
