DISCALIMER: No, my dear, none of these characters belong to me except for
Salsa, Clue, and Phoenix. So puh-lease do not sue me because I am trying to
save money to buy a Camino. Woo hoo!
A.N.: A great big thanks goes out to all my reviewers. Thank you sooo much for your reviews. You know how much those things mean to a writer. Hee hee! Hope you enjoy this new addition.
Sugar and Spice and A Little Bit of Vice It had been a long and exciting day for the newsies. It all began in the Manhattan lodging house where Jack, David, and Spot had given speeches about how working together will help to achieve a goal, no matter how hard that goal seemed. It had been a rather sensitive moment for those who had been a newsie during the strike, and many of the boys spent quite a time dealing out hugs and shedding small tears.
Spot had shaken his head at the sight of Race pretending to scratch his eyes. "What have we'se come tah, Jacky-boy? Newsies don't cry over stuff like this! We should be dancin' like idiots!" He turned to look at his best friend and was shocked. "Jack, youse cryin too?!"
"Ah, shutup, Conlon," Jack said. "Just because youse aint in touch wid yer emotional side don't mean the rest if us gots tah be expressionless alls the time."
As the large masses of newsies headed to Tibby's for lunch, Spot caught sight of Salsa flirting with a few boys beside her. She glanced back at him every so often as if making sure that he saw all of what she did. He smirked. So she's gunna be like that. Let's see if she can hold up the image when Spot Conlon comes into the picture. The Brooklyn leader casually made his way to the girl and tapped her shoulder when he was just behind her. She slowly spun around at the intrusion and gave him a small smile.
"Oh! Heya Spot. How's life treatin ya these days?" She signaled to the other guys to leave her alone and like dogs obeying their master, they willingly did.
Spot took not of that and arched an eyebrow. "They's yer slaves?"
"No," she said with a laugh. "I guess they's understand when I need tah talk tah someone who's of more worth than they is. I mean, yer the infamous leadah of New Yawk's toughest newsies after all, right? Why shouldn't they scamper away like scared mice?"
"What are ya talkin about? Youse sound like yer some princess who thinks everyone else is a commoner. Ya better get rid of that attitude! I'se aint like goils who thinks they's all high and mighty." He playfully pushed her aside and grinned.
"Oh, excuse me, Conlon. I guess only youse is allowed tah think that yer better than everyone else." Spot looked away. When she put it like that, he supposed he had been wrong in making people think they should treat him as if he were royalty. He usually did have that air of superiority about him and in seeing it in someone else, he was suddenly appalled. But what could he do? His attitude had everything to do with his reputation. If he became down-to-earth, what would the other newsies say? They'd think I'se is weak. And a lot of them won't even respect me while a lot more wouldn't be afraid to defy me. No matter whether I'se like it or not, I'se gotta keep me rep.
"So youse plannin on sittin wid anyone in particular at Tibby's?"
Salsa smiled again. "Why? Youse gots sumthin in mind?" This is gunna woik out great! I spend me time tryin tah gets him tah fall head over heels fer me while we eat, which shouldn't be too hard, and then at Medda's, I embarrass him like he's never been embarrassed before.
"Well, I'se was gunna ask youse if ya wanted tah sit wid me and me boys Jack, Race, and Davey. Youse know 'em all already, how bout it?"
"Shoah!" She inwardly groaned however. She hated David; he was one of the few boys who did not chase after her. She assumed it had to do with his upbringing. He was the kind of guy who would never think of even touching a girl unless she asked him to. Race was pretty cool and had kissed her a few times in the past, and Jack..., well Jack was Jack. She did not particularly like the Manhattan leader that much. She would suffer through it though, if only to see Spot miserable by the end of the night.
* * * * *
"Heya Clue," Jack called out as the newsies were seating themselves at Tibby's. "Why don't youse come and eat wid me and Race?"
Clue grinned. Jack was so nice; he was always asking her if she wanted to hang out with him and his friends during the day when everyone had sold their papers. When he talked to her, he always used a soft voice that made her blush and his eyes always looked sincere. She pulled down her skirt an inch-wearing something so short was uncomfortable and her legs were getting cold-and headed for Jack and his table. Already seated there were Race and David who had also been quite cordial with her. She smiled at them and said hello to each.
"Heya, there goes that goil from Brooklyn," Race pointed out to Jack. "Remember her? She's crazy! I think they's call her Phoenix or sumthin. Rumor has it she's wid Spot."
Just then, Blink joined the table after overhearing Race's statement. "Nah, she aint wid Spot. They's just friends, if ya know what I mean." They burst out laughing and Clue shifted uncomfortably in her chair. What did Blink mean by that? Were Phoenix and Spot sleeping together?
Phoenix walked over to Jack and smiled flirtatiously at him. "Heya Cowboy!" She sat on his lap and kissed him on the cheek. "How's it rollin wid youse? I hoid ya broke up wid Sarah. What a shame, what a shame. I tell ya, goils these days don't know when they's got a real man in their hands. If youse and me were goin out, you could be shoah that I wouldn't give ya up fer the woild."
Race's jaw dropped open. "Heya, I'se still heah! I aint got me a goil!"
Blink smacked his friend upside the head and Phoenix laughed. But the happiness soon faded when she noticed Clue sitting quietly nearby. She recognized her as the shy girl Spot liked so much and she narrowed her eyes in a glare. It would be so easy tah make her cry. Maybe I'se should play my chances wid it. Yet before she could engage in any devious plans, Spot entered the restaurant hand in hand with Salsa.
"Heya Spot, over heah!" Jack waved to the Brooklyn leader and motioned for him and Salsa to sit at the empty seats beside Clue. Clue's eyes went wide and her heart sank at the sight of another girl all over Spot. She understood it all now. Spot was a player and she meant nothing to him! She wanted to run out of the place and cry her heart out back at the Manhattan lodging house, but she would only look like a baby. She had to be strong! She could tell Phoenix was terribly jealous as well, but she knew the fiery girl would not begin to cry! No, this would be interesting.
Spot hesitated when he saw Phoenix and Clue seated at Jack's table as well. He did not know Jack was such good friends with the shy girl, or that Phoenix even knew Jack! "Heya kids, havin fun yet?"
"I was until youse showed up," Phoenix remarked with a glare.
"What's that suppose tah mean?"
"Ah, Conlon. Ya thinks yer so innocent. I swear, sometimes I'se just wanna soak ya so ya can't walk!" She got off Jack's lap and sat across from Clue, all the while giving Salsa menacing looks.
Jack shook his head in confusion. He was obviously missing something here. He looked at each person at the table to try to come up with the problem. At the end of the table sat Blink, then Race, Clue, Spot, and Salsa. Then came David on the other end followed by and empty chair, Phoenix, himself, and Mush. Clue seemed uncomfortable in her position for some reason while Spot appeared as if he rather be somewhere else. Phoenix was staring hard at Spot and kept shooting glances at each of the girls beside him as if she wanted an explanation for something. Salsa on the other hand, could not wipe the grin off her face. That's when it hit him! Spot was playing all three of the girls and all three of them knew it!
But why would Salsa be all happy about that? He wondered. Well, I'se aint getting involved in any of it. If she's plannin sumthin, Spot deserves what's comin tah him. Poor Clue! She's so innocent; he's gunna break her heart bad! "Heya Clue, youse mind being me date tonight when we'se go tah Medda's?"
Clue opened her mouth to answer, but the words wouldn't come out. This was the last thing she expected! Not to say she wasn't elated by it. Being Jack's date for the whole night? She wanted to jump on the table and start dancing like a mad woman. "Okay," she said simply.
Both Spot and Phoenix looked at Jack angrily, but he pretended not to notice.
"Ya know what, Conlon? I'se had it wid youse!" Phoenix grabbed the cup of water in front of her and threw its contents at Spot. "Yer nuthin but a lousy rat!"
"Yea, well it takes one tah know one," Salsa threw in.
"Excuse me, did I'se ask fer yer opinion?"
"Nah, yer gettin it anyways though. Why do youse think Spot would go fer someone like youse when he can have a real woman. He deserves more than trash, goil. Why don't ya settle fer some lower class swine? I'se shoah you'd get along just fine wid them."
Enraged, Phoenix leapt over the table and punched Salsa right in the face with a scream. Jack tried to hold Phoenix back but the girl was too wild and managed to escape from his grasp. She tackled Salsa to the floor and soon, all the newsies in the restaurant stood to their feet and started rooting the fight on with loud cheers and laughs. Spot and the others at his table finally were able to drag Phoenix away from Salsa and when the two were separated, each girl had a collection of bruises across her face to show for it.
"Youse bettah watch what ya say next time youse talking tah me!" Phoenix yelled at Salsa as Jack held her hands behind her back. Salsa only glared back as she wiped blood from her mouth. She had never been in a fight before, let alone a fight in which she had totally gotten her behind kicked.
Clue bit her bottom lip and could only feel sorry for the two girls. Why were they going at it for a guy who couldn't even make up his mind about whom he wanted to be with? She instantly was ashamed for wanting to get with Spot. She had been willing to change her looks and even her attitude just for a chance at being his girl. How stupid was that!
* * * * *
At Medda's that night, Race promised to keep Phoenix occupied while Spot and Salsa danced to the slow music about that set a romantic mood.
"Youse gots sumthin against Phoenix? Youse were yellin at her as if youse were old time enemies." Spot could not help but ask. Those things that Salsa had said were just so.mean!
"I just don't like goils who thinks they's goddesses when they's nuthin but riff-raff. She aint no good fer youse, Spot. Ya need someone like me who'll take care of ya." She ran her fingers through his hair and leaned in for a delicate kiss. When their lips met, she felt a spark that made her want to deepen the kiss; so she did. She was so lost in the kiss that she lost track of time and even forgot where she was.
"Uh, sweety? Youse okay?"
Salsa opened her eyes in shock. She was still dancing with Spot and from the looks of her lipstick on his lips, they had indeed kissed. What had happened after that, though? She excused herself and hurried to the girl's restroom where she splashed cool water on her face, not caring if she smudged her makeup. Damn, I'se fallin fer him!
* * * * *
Clue giggled when Jack told her another joke as they laughed. He was telling her about the first time he learned to dance. He had accidentally stepped on his date's foot about three times that night and she had gotten so annoyed that she had left him for another guy.
"Eventually, I'se gots better. I never really was one fer dancin. I leave that stuff fer Race and the other guys. I rather sit around and talk. Now, that's the stuff I'se good at."
Clue nodded. "Yea, everyone has their own gifts. I think mines is writin. I love tah write. I used tah have a diary but I lost it when." Her eyes grew sad at the remembrance of her past.
"Youse don't have tah talk about it, Clue. We'se all comes from broken backgrounds. Let's just focus on the fun we'se havin now." The girl nodded and he held her closer to him. He couldn't believe that Spot would want to play someone as sweet as Clue. She was so adorable and loveable! As the song ended, he had a sudden urge to kiss her and he tried to shake it away. What if she don't like youse? She'd think youse were crazy! Ya better not do it, Jacky-boy. Youse gunna risk a great friendship wid her.
Clue looked around her and saw that most of the couples around were making out as if they would never see each other again. I wish Jack would kiss me like that, even if it was only a friendly kiss. He probably doesn't like me; maybe he just asked me tah be his date so I wouldn't feel rejected by Spot. She did not want to develop a crush on the Manhattan leader. What if things turned out the same way they had with Spot?
"So youse have fun?" Jack pulled her in for a warm hug.
"Of coise," she replied happily. "I always have fun wid youse."
The party at Medda's was over and it was time for the last event on the agenda; the poker game at Brooklyn! All the guys were excited about it and had a mindset to go home richer than they had come. Clue was scared though. She knew Phoenix lived in Brooklyn and would be running the joint as if she were married to Spot. It would be no surprise if another fight between her and Salsa broke out. She might even pick on clue!
As long as I stay at Jack's side, no one's gunna hoit me. She placed her hand in his and smiled up at him as they made their way to Brooklyn with the other newsies.
More to come. Hey everyone! Ya see that nice button just below? If ya click it, you'll be able to review this story!!!! WOOHOO!!! C'mon, let's get some reviews up! I live for reviews! Muahahahahah! I love ya all!
A.N.: A great big thanks goes out to all my reviewers. Thank you sooo much for your reviews. You know how much those things mean to a writer. Hee hee! Hope you enjoy this new addition.
Sugar and Spice and A Little Bit of Vice It had been a long and exciting day for the newsies. It all began in the Manhattan lodging house where Jack, David, and Spot had given speeches about how working together will help to achieve a goal, no matter how hard that goal seemed. It had been a rather sensitive moment for those who had been a newsie during the strike, and many of the boys spent quite a time dealing out hugs and shedding small tears.
Spot had shaken his head at the sight of Race pretending to scratch his eyes. "What have we'se come tah, Jacky-boy? Newsies don't cry over stuff like this! We should be dancin' like idiots!" He turned to look at his best friend and was shocked. "Jack, youse cryin too?!"
"Ah, shutup, Conlon," Jack said. "Just because youse aint in touch wid yer emotional side don't mean the rest if us gots tah be expressionless alls the time."
As the large masses of newsies headed to Tibby's for lunch, Spot caught sight of Salsa flirting with a few boys beside her. She glanced back at him every so often as if making sure that he saw all of what she did. He smirked. So she's gunna be like that. Let's see if she can hold up the image when Spot Conlon comes into the picture. The Brooklyn leader casually made his way to the girl and tapped her shoulder when he was just behind her. She slowly spun around at the intrusion and gave him a small smile.
"Oh! Heya Spot. How's life treatin ya these days?" She signaled to the other guys to leave her alone and like dogs obeying their master, they willingly did.
Spot took not of that and arched an eyebrow. "They's yer slaves?"
"No," she said with a laugh. "I guess they's understand when I need tah talk tah someone who's of more worth than they is. I mean, yer the infamous leadah of New Yawk's toughest newsies after all, right? Why shouldn't they scamper away like scared mice?"
"What are ya talkin about? Youse sound like yer some princess who thinks everyone else is a commoner. Ya better get rid of that attitude! I'se aint like goils who thinks they's all high and mighty." He playfully pushed her aside and grinned.
"Oh, excuse me, Conlon. I guess only youse is allowed tah think that yer better than everyone else." Spot looked away. When she put it like that, he supposed he had been wrong in making people think they should treat him as if he were royalty. He usually did have that air of superiority about him and in seeing it in someone else, he was suddenly appalled. But what could he do? His attitude had everything to do with his reputation. If he became down-to-earth, what would the other newsies say? They'd think I'se is weak. And a lot of them won't even respect me while a lot more wouldn't be afraid to defy me. No matter whether I'se like it or not, I'se gotta keep me rep.
"So youse plannin on sittin wid anyone in particular at Tibby's?"
Salsa smiled again. "Why? Youse gots sumthin in mind?" This is gunna woik out great! I spend me time tryin tah gets him tah fall head over heels fer me while we eat, which shouldn't be too hard, and then at Medda's, I embarrass him like he's never been embarrassed before.
"Well, I'se was gunna ask youse if ya wanted tah sit wid me and me boys Jack, Race, and Davey. Youse know 'em all already, how bout it?"
"Shoah!" She inwardly groaned however. She hated David; he was one of the few boys who did not chase after her. She assumed it had to do with his upbringing. He was the kind of guy who would never think of even touching a girl unless she asked him to. Race was pretty cool and had kissed her a few times in the past, and Jack..., well Jack was Jack. She did not particularly like the Manhattan leader that much. She would suffer through it though, if only to see Spot miserable by the end of the night.
* * * * *
"Heya Clue," Jack called out as the newsies were seating themselves at Tibby's. "Why don't youse come and eat wid me and Race?"
Clue grinned. Jack was so nice; he was always asking her if she wanted to hang out with him and his friends during the day when everyone had sold their papers. When he talked to her, he always used a soft voice that made her blush and his eyes always looked sincere. She pulled down her skirt an inch-wearing something so short was uncomfortable and her legs were getting cold-and headed for Jack and his table. Already seated there were Race and David who had also been quite cordial with her. She smiled at them and said hello to each.
"Heya, there goes that goil from Brooklyn," Race pointed out to Jack. "Remember her? She's crazy! I think they's call her Phoenix or sumthin. Rumor has it she's wid Spot."
Just then, Blink joined the table after overhearing Race's statement. "Nah, she aint wid Spot. They's just friends, if ya know what I mean." They burst out laughing and Clue shifted uncomfortably in her chair. What did Blink mean by that? Were Phoenix and Spot sleeping together?
Phoenix walked over to Jack and smiled flirtatiously at him. "Heya Cowboy!" She sat on his lap and kissed him on the cheek. "How's it rollin wid youse? I hoid ya broke up wid Sarah. What a shame, what a shame. I tell ya, goils these days don't know when they's got a real man in their hands. If youse and me were goin out, you could be shoah that I wouldn't give ya up fer the woild."
Race's jaw dropped open. "Heya, I'se still heah! I aint got me a goil!"
Blink smacked his friend upside the head and Phoenix laughed. But the happiness soon faded when she noticed Clue sitting quietly nearby. She recognized her as the shy girl Spot liked so much and she narrowed her eyes in a glare. It would be so easy tah make her cry. Maybe I'se should play my chances wid it. Yet before she could engage in any devious plans, Spot entered the restaurant hand in hand with Salsa.
"Heya Spot, over heah!" Jack waved to the Brooklyn leader and motioned for him and Salsa to sit at the empty seats beside Clue. Clue's eyes went wide and her heart sank at the sight of another girl all over Spot. She understood it all now. Spot was a player and she meant nothing to him! She wanted to run out of the place and cry her heart out back at the Manhattan lodging house, but she would only look like a baby. She had to be strong! She could tell Phoenix was terribly jealous as well, but she knew the fiery girl would not begin to cry! No, this would be interesting.
Spot hesitated when he saw Phoenix and Clue seated at Jack's table as well. He did not know Jack was such good friends with the shy girl, or that Phoenix even knew Jack! "Heya kids, havin fun yet?"
"I was until youse showed up," Phoenix remarked with a glare.
"What's that suppose tah mean?"
"Ah, Conlon. Ya thinks yer so innocent. I swear, sometimes I'se just wanna soak ya so ya can't walk!" She got off Jack's lap and sat across from Clue, all the while giving Salsa menacing looks.
Jack shook his head in confusion. He was obviously missing something here. He looked at each person at the table to try to come up with the problem. At the end of the table sat Blink, then Race, Clue, Spot, and Salsa. Then came David on the other end followed by and empty chair, Phoenix, himself, and Mush. Clue seemed uncomfortable in her position for some reason while Spot appeared as if he rather be somewhere else. Phoenix was staring hard at Spot and kept shooting glances at each of the girls beside him as if she wanted an explanation for something. Salsa on the other hand, could not wipe the grin off her face. That's when it hit him! Spot was playing all three of the girls and all three of them knew it!
But why would Salsa be all happy about that? He wondered. Well, I'se aint getting involved in any of it. If she's plannin sumthin, Spot deserves what's comin tah him. Poor Clue! She's so innocent; he's gunna break her heart bad! "Heya Clue, youse mind being me date tonight when we'se go tah Medda's?"
Clue opened her mouth to answer, but the words wouldn't come out. This was the last thing she expected! Not to say she wasn't elated by it. Being Jack's date for the whole night? She wanted to jump on the table and start dancing like a mad woman. "Okay," she said simply.
Both Spot and Phoenix looked at Jack angrily, but he pretended not to notice.
"Ya know what, Conlon? I'se had it wid youse!" Phoenix grabbed the cup of water in front of her and threw its contents at Spot. "Yer nuthin but a lousy rat!"
"Yea, well it takes one tah know one," Salsa threw in.
"Excuse me, did I'se ask fer yer opinion?"
"Nah, yer gettin it anyways though. Why do youse think Spot would go fer someone like youse when he can have a real woman. He deserves more than trash, goil. Why don't ya settle fer some lower class swine? I'se shoah you'd get along just fine wid them."
Enraged, Phoenix leapt over the table and punched Salsa right in the face with a scream. Jack tried to hold Phoenix back but the girl was too wild and managed to escape from his grasp. She tackled Salsa to the floor and soon, all the newsies in the restaurant stood to their feet and started rooting the fight on with loud cheers and laughs. Spot and the others at his table finally were able to drag Phoenix away from Salsa and when the two were separated, each girl had a collection of bruises across her face to show for it.
"Youse bettah watch what ya say next time youse talking tah me!" Phoenix yelled at Salsa as Jack held her hands behind her back. Salsa only glared back as she wiped blood from her mouth. She had never been in a fight before, let alone a fight in which she had totally gotten her behind kicked.
Clue bit her bottom lip and could only feel sorry for the two girls. Why were they going at it for a guy who couldn't even make up his mind about whom he wanted to be with? She instantly was ashamed for wanting to get with Spot. She had been willing to change her looks and even her attitude just for a chance at being his girl. How stupid was that!
* * * * *
At Medda's that night, Race promised to keep Phoenix occupied while Spot and Salsa danced to the slow music about that set a romantic mood.
"Youse gots sumthin against Phoenix? Youse were yellin at her as if youse were old time enemies." Spot could not help but ask. Those things that Salsa had said were just so.mean!
"I just don't like goils who thinks they's goddesses when they's nuthin but riff-raff. She aint no good fer youse, Spot. Ya need someone like me who'll take care of ya." She ran her fingers through his hair and leaned in for a delicate kiss. When their lips met, she felt a spark that made her want to deepen the kiss; so she did. She was so lost in the kiss that she lost track of time and even forgot where she was.
"Uh, sweety? Youse okay?"
Salsa opened her eyes in shock. She was still dancing with Spot and from the looks of her lipstick on his lips, they had indeed kissed. What had happened after that, though? She excused herself and hurried to the girl's restroom where she splashed cool water on her face, not caring if she smudged her makeup. Damn, I'se fallin fer him!
* * * * *
Clue giggled when Jack told her another joke as they laughed. He was telling her about the first time he learned to dance. He had accidentally stepped on his date's foot about three times that night and she had gotten so annoyed that she had left him for another guy.
"Eventually, I'se gots better. I never really was one fer dancin. I leave that stuff fer Race and the other guys. I rather sit around and talk. Now, that's the stuff I'se good at."
Clue nodded. "Yea, everyone has their own gifts. I think mines is writin. I love tah write. I used tah have a diary but I lost it when." Her eyes grew sad at the remembrance of her past.
"Youse don't have tah talk about it, Clue. We'se all comes from broken backgrounds. Let's just focus on the fun we'se havin now." The girl nodded and he held her closer to him. He couldn't believe that Spot would want to play someone as sweet as Clue. She was so adorable and loveable! As the song ended, he had a sudden urge to kiss her and he tried to shake it away. What if she don't like youse? She'd think youse were crazy! Ya better not do it, Jacky-boy. Youse gunna risk a great friendship wid her.
Clue looked around her and saw that most of the couples around were making out as if they would never see each other again. I wish Jack would kiss me like that, even if it was only a friendly kiss. He probably doesn't like me; maybe he just asked me tah be his date so I wouldn't feel rejected by Spot. She did not want to develop a crush on the Manhattan leader. What if things turned out the same way they had with Spot?
"So youse have fun?" Jack pulled her in for a warm hug.
"Of coise," she replied happily. "I always have fun wid youse."
The party at Medda's was over and it was time for the last event on the agenda; the poker game at Brooklyn! All the guys were excited about it and had a mindset to go home richer than they had come. Clue was scared though. She knew Phoenix lived in Brooklyn and would be running the joint as if she were married to Spot. It would be no surprise if another fight between her and Salsa broke out. She might even pick on clue!
As long as I stay at Jack's side, no one's gunna hoit me. She placed her hand in his and smiled up at him as they made their way to Brooklyn with the other newsies.
More to come. Hey everyone! Ya see that nice button just below? If ya click it, you'll be able to review this story!!!! WOOHOO!!! C'mon, let's get some reviews up! I live for reviews! Muahahahahah! I love ya all!