Heart Of Jade Part Three
Jaden wanted to pull her hair out in frustration as she searched under her bed for what felt like the millionth time in three weeks. "Where is it?!", she mumbled as she crawled out from under the bunk. "Where's what?" Mush asked from the doorway. Jaden looked up in surprise. She hadn't known anyone was on the second floor. Almost no one was back yet so she thought she could look for her poem without anyone bugging her about it. "Uhh...nothing important." The boy smiled a little. "You're looking pretty hard for something that's not important. If you'd tell me what it is maybe I could help you look." "No, that's alright. Don't worry about it," she told him as she came to her feet. Mush shrugged and walked back down the stairs. Jaden figured he must have just stopped by on his way to meet Racetrack. This reminded her that she needed to get back to the alley and sell before Blink came looking for her. Still, she couldn't help but look around the room for the paper once more and hoping no one had found it. If anyone had and read it would give them a good sized peek into her thoughts and feelings. And right now she wanted anything but that.
***
Blink looked up to see Mush heading toward him, his stride as carefree as ever. "Was she there?" Blink asked as soon as the other boy reached him. "Yeah, and she was looking for something too. I asked if I could help but..." Blink cut him off. "She told you 'no'." "Yeah, how did you know?" "Mush, have you ever wondered why Worm keeps to herself so much?" "No, I never really paid that much attention." Blink raised his eyebrows. For once in his life Mush Myers had never paid attention to a girl! That was something new. "That's not like you." Mush shrugged. "I know. I just never felt comfortable around her." This was also surprising. Mush was shy but he'd never not felt at ease with people, with the exception of the Delanceys. "Why?" Blink asked. "I don't know, I just didn't." "Thanks." "For what? What did I do?" Mush's face showed clear confusion and bewilderment. "Ever since Book Worm joined the Newsies she's acted really defensive and closed. Like she was afraid. I was starting to think it was me, but after what you just said and after reading that poem..." Blink stopped a little short of breath. "What poem?" "A poem Kloppman thinks Worm wrote. Said she dropped it." "And you read it?" Mush asked. "Kloppman said I might want to, more than once. So I did." "Blink! That's invading the lady's privacy." "I know. Just don't tell her." "I should." Mush mumbled at his friend. "Don't. I'm going to talk to her later." Normally Mush would've told the girl who at least had her paper, but the look Blink held in his good eye pleaded with him to let it go for now, before she got back. "Alright, Blink. I'll keep my mouth shut. Just answer one question." Blink nodded. "How long have you had Worm's poem?" Blink wanted to bite his lip and walk away. He knew Mush would want to scold him more over the matter if he told. Finally he gave it up, figuring it was the only way to keep his friend quiet. "About three weeks." Blink looked away, he knew that three weeks was all the time the girl had been a Newsie. "Blink..." Mush said as he began to walk away. "She's not going to forgive you of she's as closed as you say.
***
Mush walked back toward the tracks with a grim face. He couldn't believe that his best friend had done that. "There you are!" Racetrack said coming out of the Lodging House. "I was getting worried. Thought the bulls had got you or something." Mush joined Race on the steps. "Do you know what he did?!" he asked before he even thought about putting Racetrack's worries to rest. "Who?" "Blink! Do you know what he did?" "No, but it can't be good. You look like smoke should be coming out of your ears." Race said smiling despite the other boy's anger. "Race, I'm not joking around here. He's had a poem that Worm wrote for three weeks! And he hasn't told her, hasn't even thought about giving it back I'm sure. And he's read it!" Race gave his friend thoughtful look. "You're right he shouldn't have done that. So just tell her." "I can't." Mush said with a huff. "Why not?" "He said he was going to talk to her. Made me promise to keep my mouth zipped." Racetrack sighed. Mush always seemed to get messed up in something. "Tell you what. We've got to go to the tracks and sell. We can figure out what to do while we're there." Mush was about to say a little more but decided getting his papers sold would be best for the moment. "Sure." The two boys turned and headed off down the road. This was a problem that needed thought.
***
Jaden opened the Lodging House door the rest of the way and watched Mush and Racetrack walk down the street until they were out of sight. At least her mystery was solved, but right now Blink could get hit in the face with brass knuckles and she couldn't care less. Turning on her heel Jaden stomped back toward Bottle Alley. Why hadn't he just given it to her? Why'd he have to read it? She wanted answers to her questions. She also wanted to go where no one would get in on how she felt. "How do you feel?" her mind asked. At that moment she stopped. How did she feel? What had made her ask herself that question? She felt hurt, tired, betrayed, scared...lonely. Jaden swallowed hard, those last two had never been on her list before. "I don't have time for this." Walking once more toward the alley she pondered what to say to Kid Blink
***
Blink called out his headline almost ten times before he saw Book Worm coming. She looked angry and it was directed right at him. Mush hadn't told her had he? "Blink!" she shouted before she even came near him. "I want it back!" Worm wasn't yelling to be heard, Blink realized, she was yelling out of exasperation. "Want what back?" he tried to look calm. "My poem. I know you have it!" she was still shouting even though she was standing beside him now. No! How did Worm know? He didn't want to tell her now, not when she was angry with him. Studying her face his good eye locked with both her's. They held something besides anger in them, they held hurt. He couldn't lie to her. It would hurt her more. "Yeah, I've got it. I..." the boy stopped and pulled the paper out of his pocket. "I was going to tell you." "Why did you have to read it, Blink?" her voice was quiet now. "I just did. Hey, how did you find out I had your poem?" And how did you find out I read it?" "I heard Mush telling Race. Neither of them is too happy with you. And me, I'm infuriated with you!" "Worm, will you hear me out?" "No. I don't want to listen to whatever excuse you've got." "You just asked me why I didn't give it to you." Blink was suddenly confused. She sighed, "I guess I did. And I do want to know. Just do me a favor and come right out with it. No beating around the bush." "Fine. Someone gave me your paper. They told me you dropped it. They also told me I might want to read it." "And you read it not thinking you were invading my thoughts?" "At the time, yes. You see I've always thought you were a little closed, a little scared. I don't know why I noticed, but I did. I wanted to get to know you, I wanted to be your friend, wanted to help in some way." Book Worm looked at him. "You sure have an odd way of helping people." Turning her back on him she began to walk away. "Where are you going?" Blink asked, causing her to stop. "Somewhere that isn't here." "You know, Jade is a soft stone. You've got to stop running sometime in your life, Jaden Alexandra Folin." The girl didn't turn, didn't speak, didn't even seem to breathe in that moment. The only indication that she'd heard him was her hands turning into fists. Blink watched her begin to walk again. He'd said all he could. He'd made a mistake and he couldn't reverse it. He shook his head. He should have listened to himself when he had gotten his hands on that paper. He should've just given it to her. Now thanks to him it would take forever for her to trust anybody. The paper, she'd left it! He started to go in the direction that Worm had headed off in, but then he stopped. Even if he did catch up with her she'd have nothing to do with him.
***
Mush sat staring out the window. It had been a long day with Book Worm on his mind. "Mush?" Blink's voice came from behind him. "Yeah." "You told Race about it, didn't you?" "How...?", Mush started to ask but Blink cut him off. "Book Worm told me. She heard you talking to him." "She didn't come in tonight.", Mush's voice was quiet as he turned back to the window. "I know. She left after she found out and yelled at me about the paper." "You mean she's out there tonight?", Mush asked as he watched the blanket of rain hit the streets outside. Blink nodded even though he knew the other boy couldn't see him. "You know, you gave me a lecture on privacy and then you told Race about it. I don't understand that." Mush turned back to Blink. "I thought about that too. Before now I would have said it that it was different. But it wasn't. I told Race without thinking about it. I was mad at you and I felt I needed to do something." Blink nodded. He didn't understand much better, but this was Mush's way of saying sorry. "I just hope she's alright.", this time Blink was the one to pay attention to the rain outside. "You like her, don't you?", Mush asked. Blink nodded his answer. He hadn't realized it earlier but he found himself missing her, wishing he knew where she was and if she was okay. The truth was he did like her. But he'd blown it. Mush could almost see these things as Blink thought them. "You care about her. Go find her.", Mush told him and then walked away.
***
"Worm, Worm wake up." Jaden felt herself being picked up off the wet ground as the voice continued to speak to her. "Girl, you've got to wake up." "I'm here.", Jaden said, slowly opening her eyes and attempting to look at whoever was carrying her. "Don't move, you're beat up pretty bad." "Spades, is that you?", she asked. "Yeah, it's me. What are you doing in Harlem?" "Coming to see you and your boys." "What happened to you?", Spades asked as he continued down the street with the Manhattan Newsie in his arms. He waited for an answer to his question but never got one. Looking over at the girl's face he saw she'd slipped off again. Spades quickened his step as much as he dared; he had to get her to the Harlem Lodging House.
***
Trouble looked up as the door to the Harlem Lodging House opened and Spades Johnson walked in carrying a girl. "Spades, what happened?!" Trouble asked. "I'm not sure to be honest. I found her in an alley. She's one of Jack's Newsies." Trouble helped Spades take her into the bunkroom. The other boys watched as they laid her on a bed and covered her. Most had never seen Book Worm before and questioning eyes focused on the Harlem Newsies' leader. "She's from Manhattan. Her name's Book Worm. Now someone get some water." Two of the boys walked out of the room, one to tell Sam, the caretaker, and the other to get the water Spades had asked for. "What's going on here?" Every face turned to see Sam walk over to the girl. Bug, the one who had gotten the water came in behind him. Sam dipped his handkerchief in the water and began to clean Book Worm's cuts. Turning, Spades looked at Bug. "Go tell Jack." Bug nodded at his leader's instructions and left the room. A minute later Spades heard the Lodging House door shut.
***
Kloppman grumbled when he heard a knock on the office door. It was twelve after midnight and none of the kids should have been up. "Come in.", he said barely loud enough for whoever was outside the door to hear. Looking up at the sound of creaking hinges he saw Blink walk in. "Blink what are you doing down here after lights out?" the caretaker asked, clearly irritated. "I read it. I read Worm's poem and then she found out. Now she's gone because of it. So, why'd you tell me to read it, Kloppman?" Blink looked at the older man, his face tired. "I told you to because I know you understand her more than you think you do." "Then why is she gone? If I understand her why did she run?" Kloppman set his spectacles down on the desk. "Do you remember the day I gave that paper to you? I told you to read it and talk to her about it as soon as you had the chance." Blink nodded in remembrance so Kloppman went on. "You didn't talk to her or give the poem back, did you?" And you didn't tell her that I told you to read it either?" "No, I didn't do any of that. I held onto it for three weeks. I never gave it to her and I never told her who it was that gave me her paper." Blink confessed with his good eye concentrating on the floor. "So you only did part of what I told you. That's why she ran. You never told her the whole story and you didn't let her know how you feel." "What do you mean how I feel?" Blink asked trying to mask his surprise at that last comment. "I know you like her, Blink. You're always looking her way, you're always her selling partner, you're always making sure she's okay. It's no big secret." Kloppman walked over the where the young man stood. "Go find her, Blink. Go find her." Blink smiled a little. "That's what Mush told me too." "I know. I heard him say it." "Thanks, I understand why you told me to read the poem now. I just wish I hadn't messed it up." Kloppman was about to respond when the sound of someone banging on the front door caught their ears. Quickly Kloppman hurried to see who would be trying to come in at this time of night. Blink followed and picked up a candlestick holder in case someone was attempting to break in, though why a thief would try the front door was beyond him. As soon as the key turned in the lock a boy pushed himself inside. "Bug! What are you doing here?" Blink asked in surprise. "It's almost one PM!" "Spades sent me. He found a girl in an alley near our Lodging House, her name's Book Worm. Told me to come tell Jack." Blink's face showed complete shock. He stood for a moment before he asked, "Is she okay?" Bug shook his head. "She's beat up pretty bad. When Spades brought her in she was out cold." Kloppman looked at Blink and knew he was ready to walk out the door and all the way to Harlem. "Blink, it's morning now. Wait until it's light and the two of you can head to Harlem." Blink was about to protest but then realized that this was best. He could change into his day clothes and try to get a little sleep before starting off. Heading to the main room he lay down on the couch, telling Bug he could have his bunk. The Harlem boy accepted the offer and went on upstairs. As Blink listened to the ascending footsteps he knew sleep would not come easy.
***
Blink burst through the door of the Harlem Lodging House out of breath. He had left Manhattan almost as soon as dawn showed it's face, nearly forgetting to grab Bug on his way out. "Blink! Is Jack with you?" Spades asked the Manhattan boy. Blink shook his head. "I didn't even wake him when Bug showed up." Spades raised his eyebrows; for once Jack had no idea what was going on. "Kloppman said he'd tell Jack when wake up call came." Blink told the other boy. "That was about an hour ago. I set out as soon as light hit." Despite the condition of the girl in the other room Spades smiled a little. "She mean something to you?" Blink sighed, "I just wish she knew that as well as everyone else seems to." "She's in the bunkroom." Spades said walking down the hall and turning to the right. Blink peeked in the doorway to see the redheaded girl sleeping. Book Worm's upper lip was swollen and her right arm, which was hanging out of the blankets, was cut up. "Do you know what happened?" Blink asked the other boy. Spades remained silent shaking his head no. Walking into the room Blink came to stand beside the bed. Slowly he reached down and pushed back a hair that had fallen across her face. As he stood there he saw that she also had a black eye. Just then a sound behind him caused him to glance toward the door. Spades was still standing there, joined by Sam. "She's just sleeping. You can wake her if you want to talk." the caretaker told Blink. The Manhattan Newsie turned back to the girl and quietly said her name. "She's sleeping harder than that, Blink." Spades told him. "Book Worm." he said again, this time shaking her hand gently. She tossed and turned a little and, with a second shake of her hand, came to. "Blink?" she whispered as she looked at the familiar face. "What are you doing in Harlem?" "Came as soon as I could after I found out you were hurt." Worm attempted to sit up but winced at the pain in her side. "Just lay down, girl." he told her. "You got cut up pretty bad." She nodded in agreement. "They hit me kind of hard in the side." Blink realized that she was giving an explanation of why she couldn't sit up. "Who's 'they'?" he asked suddenly. "A girl and a boy. Tried to rob me and were desperate enough not to believe me when I said I didn't have anything." "Worm, this is my fault." Blink told her. Book Worm's silence told him that she didn't disagree. "I know you're not feeling your best right now, but I need to tell you something." The girl's face darkened so quickly it surprised him. "If it's about my poem and your excuse, I'm not listening." Blink was taken aback at the fact she knew what was on his mind. "I'm not here to offer an excuse, I'm here to offer facts," he told her. "I don't want to hear it, Blink. I'm sick of people doing things behind my back all the time! And I certainly don't want to hear you justify yourself!" The boy stood there for a moment. Book Worm was madder now than she had been when she left Manhattan. He knew that she wouldn't listen to reason, especially from him. For once Blink thought about Mush's words," She's not going to forgive you if she's as closed as you say." Mush was right. Blink's face dropped as he lost his determination to care for her any further. If only she wasn't so stubborn! As these thoughts filled his head he became angry too. "You know." he began before he could think about the words themselves. "If you could have a heart and listen to me you'd realize that you've got good people you can trust all around you! But you're so wrapped up in fear that you won't let yourself see that! I came here to see if you were all right and all you can do is yell at me! Someday, Jaden, you're going to have to forgive the people that hurt you, because if you don't, you're going to be miserable!" Blink stopped talking and turned to leave. As he entered the hall he heard Worm call out. "What do you know about being hurt?!" In a huff Blink stalked down the hallway and into the front room. "What was that?" The words were the first thing that greeted him. "Mush? What are you doing here?" Blink asked. "And where's Jack?" "Right here." The answer didn't come from Mush, but from Jack who had been in a chair just inside the office. "And Mush had a good question. What was that in there? I've never heard you lose your temper before." Suddenly Blink felt defensive. "She's stubborn and she find forgiveness impossible!" the boy's exasperation was clear. "You want to know why I lost it...?", Blink stopped as realization hit him. His face softened as he spoke again, "I lost it because I'm mad at her, but more at myself." "So go tell her that.", Mush prompted. "No, Mush. Not after what I just dished out to her." Silence filled the room as Blink glanced toward the front door, then said, "I'll catch you guys later." Jack and Mush looked at each other for a moment. "Blink, wait!", Jack called after his retreating friend. "Try and talk to her just once more." It was a last ditch attempt to make peace, and they all knew it. Blink looked away from the door and down the hallway only to see Spades coming toward him. When the Harlem leader reached them he told Blink, "Sorry to disappear on you but I heard Jack come in and thought I'd better tell him what was up." "It's alright.", the Newsie with the eye patch said told him, glad that Spades had not heard him yell at Book Worm. "By the way, what did you say to her?", Spades asked unexpectedly. "I walked into the room and she tosses her pillow over her head. My guess is that she was crying from the way she was shaking." The Harlem boy's questioning glance was enough to make the blond turn back to the door. About to put his hand on the knob Blink sighed. "I'm too soft." Without another word he walked down the hall and entered the bunkroom. Book Worm was laying with her back to the door, her shoulders shaking hard. Blink swallowed, still frustrated with his actions earlier. "Book Worm?" "Go away.", she told him, her voice obviously strained. "Ja...Worm." He decided that using her real name would remind her of why they were all here. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry I never told you I had your poem, that I yelled at you, that I made you run...", he paused again. "I'm sorry that I never told you that I care for you." Blink stopped. Book Worm had turned over and was looking at him, her tear-streaked face showing how venerable she felt. "Book Worm, I..." She raised a hand to stop him, then said, "You can call me Jaden." Blink looked her right in the face and walked over to the bunk. "Jaden, what happened to make you feel so hurt?" Surprisingly she was open to the question. "I don't know where to start Blink," she swallowed more tears. "Well, first, you were right. I do need to forgive the people that hurt me, and I have to stop living in the past." Suddenly Sam entered the room carrying a bowl of soup. Without a word he gave it to the girl and then left. After Sam walked out, Jaden continued. "My father and brother died in a fire a four days before I came to the Lodging House. They were at work and the factory caught fire. They couldn't get out in time. The worst thing is that I didn't get to see them before they left because I'd spent the night in the Refuge.", she paused for a breath and to wipe away the tears that she had been fighting. "One of my 'friends' told the bulls I was running away because I had mentioned it to her one time. Why she chose that night to rat, I don't know. Anyway, the day after the fire I go to meet my boyfriend, John Thortan, and find him on the fire escape kissing some girl. When I confronted him about it he simply dumps me, calling me street trash.", her voice dropped to a whisper. "I saw him the first time we went to Tibby's. He was with another girl, and not the one he was kissing either.", at that moment she quit talking and began to eat her soup. Blink took this to mean her story was over. He also guessed it was the short version. "I understand why you were so closed when I came along.", he was silent for a moment as he considered how to say what was on his mind. "Jaden, all I can ask of you is to not hate me for what I did. I want you to know that you've got friends in all the Newsies." "Apparently you haven't noticed that Snoddy and I don't get along so well.", she quipped. "True, I haven't. I was busy trying to figure you out.", he admitted. Taking a breath he decided to make his point. "I know why you're afraid of people, but I want you to know I'm here for you. And maybe we could be a little more than just friends." Fear rose up inside Blink that she would close him off again. He let out a silent sigh of relief when she didn't. "Maybe someday that could happen, Blink, but not just yet." Blink smiled at her and, for once, she smiled back. Then he said, "I couldn't ask for any other answer."
***
A gust of cold October wind hit Jaden in the face as she walked toward her end of Bottle Alley. It felt good to be in Manhattan again with her friends. Yes, she had decided that she did have friends here, if she would allow herself to be friendly. And, after having some time to think while in Harlem, she'd seen it was foolish to majorly guard against people. Reaching her end of the alley Jaden glanced through the paper for a halfway decent headline. Finding one that would be workable she folded that paper back up and began to yell, "Extry! Extry! Newsboys strike in New Jersey threatens economy!" It wasn't her best, but she wasn't likely to sell much today anyway. Most people didn't linger on the streets longer than they had to on chilly days. Though, she had to smile, it was about time the Jersey boys took some action. Taking a deep breath of Autumn air she looked to the other end of the street at Kid Blink. Only to find that he'd been looking at her first. Quickly he turned away and Jaden was sure the boy had turned red at being caught. She thought that he seemed more his layed-back, and slightly shy, self now that the two of them were on good terms. Jaden went back to selling her papers but the blond Newsie down the street still lingered in her thoughts.
***
The second week of October Blink walked into Irving Hall, smiling for all the world to see. He knew that the girls normally came here for a while after selling papers. "Blink!", he heard a voice behind him exclaim. Turning he saw Medda standing there, ready to go on stage. "Medda, don't you have a show tonight?", the boy asked. She nodded, red curls bouncing as she did. "But not for another five minutes. Are you looking for Angel and the others?" "Yeah, they in the back room?", he inquired "Yes, there was a new girl with them tonight." "Let me guess.", Blink said. "She's got red hair, blue eyes and is kinda' short?" Medda laughed a little. "I take it you know her?" Blink's smile grew even wider as he answered. "She's my girl." "Well, she's very nice.", the woman told him earnestly. "Oh, it's time for me to go on. You know where the back room is.", with that she left. Blink opened the door that led to a dim hallway. The girls, he knew, were in the last room on the right. Drawing nearer he could hear Angel playing her heart out on the piano. As he entered all the girls looked up to see who it was. Jaden's face brightened instantly. "Blink!" "Hey, Worm. You ready." "Yeah.", she replied. As Jaden stood to leave Emerald asked. "Blink, do the rest of us get a hello or what?" "Sorry, Em. Hello ladies." All the girls mumbled hi as Jaden walked over to the blond boy. Gently he kissed her on the cheek. Both heard Emerald and the other girls gasp and giggle. "You two are together?!" Winter asked. "As of yesterday." Jaden told them. "Why didn't you say anything?" Emerald inquired. Jaden shrugged at her friends. "I wanted to surprise you." "Well, you succeeded, Worm." Wings put in. After a few more minutes if conversation Blink and Jaden left. Dark was almost completely upon the city as the couple walked to Tibby's. "You know." she told him. "I think all this worked out for the best."
Jaden wanted to pull her hair out in frustration as she searched under her bed for what felt like the millionth time in three weeks. "Where is it?!", she mumbled as she crawled out from under the bunk. "Where's what?" Mush asked from the doorway. Jaden looked up in surprise. She hadn't known anyone was on the second floor. Almost no one was back yet so she thought she could look for her poem without anyone bugging her about it. "Uhh...nothing important." The boy smiled a little. "You're looking pretty hard for something that's not important. If you'd tell me what it is maybe I could help you look." "No, that's alright. Don't worry about it," she told him as she came to her feet. Mush shrugged and walked back down the stairs. Jaden figured he must have just stopped by on his way to meet Racetrack. This reminded her that she needed to get back to the alley and sell before Blink came looking for her. Still, she couldn't help but look around the room for the paper once more and hoping no one had found it. If anyone had and read it would give them a good sized peek into her thoughts and feelings. And right now she wanted anything but that.
***
Blink looked up to see Mush heading toward him, his stride as carefree as ever. "Was she there?" Blink asked as soon as the other boy reached him. "Yeah, and she was looking for something too. I asked if I could help but..." Blink cut him off. "She told you 'no'." "Yeah, how did you know?" "Mush, have you ever wondered why Worm keeps to herself so much?" "No, I never really paid that much attention." Blink raised his eyebrows. For once in his life Mush Myers had never paid attention to a girl! That was something new. "That's not like you." Mush shrugged. "I know. I just never felt comfortable around her." This was also surprising. Mush was shy but he'd never not felt at ease with people, with the exception of the Delanceys. "Why?" Blink asked. "I don't know, I just didn't." "Thanks." "For what? What did I do?" Mush's face showed clear confusion and bewilderment. "Ever since Book Worm joined the Newsies she's acted really defensive and closed. Like she was afraid. I was starting to think it was me, but after what you just said and after reading that poem..." Blink stopped a little short of breath. "What poem?" "A poem Kloppman thinks Worm wrote. Said she dropped it." "And you read it?" Mush asked. "Kloppman said I might want to, more than once. So I did." "Blink! That's invading the lady's privacy." "I know. Just don't tell her." "I should." Mush mumbled at his friend. "Don't. I'm going to talk to her later." Normally Mush would've told the girl who at least had her paper, but the look Blink held in his good eye pleaded with him to let it go for now, before she got back. "Alright, Blink. I'll keep my mouth shut. Just answer one question." Blink nodded. "How long have you had Worm's poem?" Blink wanted to bite his lip and walk away. He knew Mush would want to scold him more over the matter if he told. Finally he gave it up, figuring it was the only way to keep his friend quiet. "About three weeks." Blink looked away, he knew that three weeks was all the time the girl had been a Newsie. "Blink..." Mush said as he began to walk away. "She's not going to forgive you of she's as closed as you say.
***
Mush walked back toward the tracks with a grim face. He couldn't believe that his best friend had done that. "There you are!" Racetrack said coming out of the Lodging House. "I was getting worried. Thought the bulls had got you or something." Mush joined Race on the steps. "Do you know what he did?!" he asked before he even thought about putting Racetrack's worries to rest. "Who?" "Blink! Do you know what he did?" "No, but it can't be good. You look like smoke should be coming out of your ears." Race said smiling despite the other boy's anger. "Race, I'm not joking around here. He's had a poem that Worm wrote for three weeks! And he hasn't told her, hasn't even thought about giving it back I'm sure. And he's read it!" Race gave his friend thoughtful look. "You're right he shouldn't have done that. So just tell her." "I can't." Mush said with a huff. "Why not?" "He said he was going to talk to her. Made me promise to keep my mouth zipped." Racetrack sighed. Mush always seemed to get messed up in something. "Tell you what. We've got to go to the tracks and sell. We can figure out what to do while we're there." Mush was about to say a little more but decided getting his papers sold would be best for the moment. "Sure." The two boys turned and headed off down the road. This was a problem that needed thought.
***
Jaden opened the Lodging House door the rest of the way and watched Mush and Racetrack walk down the street until they were out of sight. At least her mystery was solved, but right now Blink could get hit in the face with brass knuckles and she couldn't care less. Turning on her heel Jaden stomped back toward Bottle Alley. Why hadn't he just given it to her? Why'd he have to read it? She wanted answers to her questions. She also wanted to go where no one would get in on how she felt. "How do you feel?" her mind asked. At that moment she stopped. How did she feel? What had made her ask herself that question? She felt hurt, tired, betrayed, scared...lonely. Jaden swallowed hard, those last two had never been on her list before. "I don't have time for this." Walking once more toward the alley she pondered what to say to Kid Blink
***
Blink called out his headline almost ten times before he saw Book Worm coming. She looked angry and it was directed right at him. Mush hadn't told her had he? "Blink!" she shouted before she even came near him. "I want it back!" Worm wasn't yelling to be heard, Blink realized, she was yelling out of exasperation. "Want what back?" he tried to look calm. "My poem. I know you have it!" she was still shouting even though she was standing beside him now. No! How did Worm know? He didn't want to tell her now, not when she was angry with him. Studying her face his good eye locked with both her's. They held something besides anger in them, they held hurt. He couldn't lie to her. It would hurt her more. "Yeah, I've got it. I..." the boy stopped and pulled the paper out of his pocket. "I was going to tell you." "Why did you have to read it, Blink?" her voice was quiet now. "I just did. Hey, how did you find out I had your poem?" And how did you find out I read it?" "I heard Mush telling Race. Neither of them is too happy with you. And me, I'm infuriated with you!" "Worm, will you hear me out?" "No. I don't want to listen to whatever excuse you've got." "You just asked me why I didn't give it to you." Blink was suddenly confused. She sighed, "I guess I did. And I do want to know. Just do me a favor and come right out with it. No beating around the bush." "Fine. Someone gave me your paper. They told me you dropped it. They also told me I might want to read it." "And you read it not thinking you were invading my thoughts?" "At the time, yes. You see I've always thought you were a little closed, a little scared. I don't know why I noticed, but I did. I wanted to get to know you, I wanted to be your friend, wanted to help in some way." Book Worm looked at him. "You sure have an odd way of helping people." Turning her back on him she began to walk away. "Where are you going?" Blink asked, causing her to stop. "Somewhere that isn't here." "You know, Jade is a soft stone. You've got to stop running sometime in your life, Jaden Alexandra Folin." The girl didn't turn, didn't speak, didn't even seem to breathe in that moment. The only indication that she'd heard him was her hands turning into fists. Blink watched her begin to walk again. He'd said all he could. He'd made a mistake and he couldn't reverse it. He shook his head. He should have listened to himself when he had gotten his hands on that paper. He should've just given it to her. Now thanks to him it would take forever for her to trust anybody. The paper, she'd left it! He started to go in the direction that Worm had headed off in, but then he stopped. Even if he did catch up with her she'd have nothing to do with him.
***
Mush sat staring out the window. It had been a long day with Book Worm on his mind. "Mush?" Blink's voice came from behind him. "Yeah." "You told Race about it, didn't you?" "How...?", Mush started to ask but Blink cut him off. "Book Worm told me. She heard you talking to him." "She didn't come in tonight.", Mush's voice was quiet as he turned back to the window. "I know. She left after she found out and yelled at me about the paper." "You mean she's out there tonight?", Mush asked as he watched the blanket of rain hit the streets outside. Blink nodded even though he knew the other boy couldn't see him. "You know, you gave me a lecture on privacy and then you told Race about it. I don't understand that." Mush turned back to Blink. "I thought about that too. Before now I would have said it that it was different. But it wasn't. I told Race without thinking about it. I was mad at you and I felt I needed to do something." Blink nodded. He didn't understand much better, but this was Mush's way of saying sorry. "I just hope she's alright.", this time Blink was the one to pay attention to the rain outside. "You like her, don't you?", Mush asked. Blink nodded his answer. He hadn't realized it earlier but he found himself missing her, wishing he knew where she was and if she was okay. The truth was he did like her. But he'd blown it. Mush could almost see these things as Blink thought them. "You care about her. Go find her.", Mush told him and then walked away.
***
"Worm, Worm wake up." Jaden felt herself being picked up off the wet ground as the voice continued to speak to her. "Girl, you've got to wake up." "I'm here.", Jaden said, slowly opening her eyes and attempting to look at whoever was carrying her. "Don't move, you're beat up pretty bad." "Spades, is that you?", she asked. "Yeah, it's me. What are you doing in Harlem?" "Coming to see you and your boys." "What happened to you?", Spades asked as he continued down the street with the Manhattan Newsie in his arms. He waited for an answer to his question but never got one. Looking over at the girl's face he saw she'd slipped off again. Spades quickened his step as much as he dared; he had to get her to the Harlem Lodging House.
***
Trouble looked up as the door to the Harlem Lodging House opened and Spades Johnson walked in carrying a girl. "Spades, what happened?!" Trouble asked. "I'm not sure to be honest. I found her in an alley. She's one of Jack's Newsies." Trouble helped Spades take her into the bunkroom. The other boys watched as they laid her on a bed and covered her. Most had never seen Book Worm before and questioning eyes focused on the Harlem Newsies' leader. "She's from Manhattan. Her name's Book Worm. Now someone get some water." Two of the boys walked out of the room, one to tell Sam, the caretaker, and the other to get the water Spades had asked for. "What's going on here?" Every face turned to see Sam walk over to the girl. Bug, the one who had gotten the water came in behind him. Sam dipped his handkerchief in the water and began to clean Book Worm's cuts. Turning, Spades looked at Bug. "Go tell Jack." Bug nodded at his leader's instructions and left the room. A minute later Spades heard the Lodging House door shut.
***
Kloppman grumbled when he heard a knock on the office door. It was twelve after midnight and none of the kids should have been up. "Come in.", he said barely loud enough for whoever was outside the door to hear. Looking up at the sound of creaking hinges he saw Blink walk in. "Blink what are you doing down here after lights out?" the caretaker asked, clearly irritated. "I read it. I read Worm's poem and then she found out. Now she's gone because of it. So, why'd you tell me to read it, Kloppman?" Blink looked at the older man, his face tired. "I told you to because I know you understand her more than you think you do." "Then why is she gone? If I understand her why did she run?" Kloppman set his spectacles down on the desk. "Do you remember the day I gave that paper to you? I told you to read it and talk to her about it as soon as you had the chance." Blink nodded in remembrance so Kloppman went on. "You didn't talk to her or give the poem back, did you?" And you didn't tell her that I told you to read it either?" "No, I didn't do any of that. I held onto it for three weeks. I never gave it to her and I never told her who it was that gave me her paper." Blink confessed with his good eye concentrating on the floor. "So you only did part of what I told you. That's why she ran. You never told her the whole story and you didn't let her know how you feel." "What do you mean how I feel?" Blink asked trying to mask his surprise at that last comment. "I know you like her, Blink. You're always looking her way, you're always her selling partner, you're always making sure she's okay. It's no big secret." Kloppman walked over the where the young man stood. "Go find her, Blink. Go find her." Blink smiled a little. "That's what Mush told me too." "I know. I heard him say it." "Thanks, I understand why you told me to read the poem now. I just wish I hadn't messed it up." Kloppman was about to respond when the sound of someone banging on the front door caught their ears. Quickly Kloppman hurried to see who would be trying to come in at this time of night. Blink followed and picked up a candlestick holder in case someone was attempting to break in, though why a thief would try the front door was beyond him. As soon as the key turned in the lock a boy pushed himself inside. "Bug! What are you doing here?" Blink asked in surprise. "It's almost one PM!" "Spades sent me. He found a girl in an alley near our Lodging House, her name's Book Worm. Told me to come tell Jack." Blink's face showed complete shock. He stood for a moment before he asked, "Is she okay?" Bug shook his head. "She's beat up pretty bad. When Spades brought her in she was out cold." Kloppman looked at Blink and knew he was ready to walk out the door and all the way to Harlem. "Blink, it's morning now. Wait until it's light and the two of you can head to Harlem." Blink was about to protest but then realized that this was best. He could change into his day clothes and try to get a little sleep before starting off. Heading to the main room he lay down on the couch, telling Bug he could have his bunk. The Harlem boy accepted the offer and went on upstairs. As Blink listened to the ascending footsteps he knew sleep would not come easy.
***
Blink burst through the door of the Harlem Lodging House out of breath. He had left Manhattan almost as soon as dawn showed it's face, nearly forgetting to grab Bug on his way out. "Blink! Is Jack with you?" Spades asked the Manhattan boy. Blink shook his head. "I didn't even wake him when Bug showed up." Spades raised his eyebrows; for once Jack had no idea what was going on. "Kloppman said he'd tell Jack when wake up call came." Blink told the other boy. "That was about an hour ago. I set out as soon as light hit." Despite the condition of the girl in the other room Spades smiled a little. "She mean something to you?" Blink sighed, "I just wish she knew that as well as everyone else seems to." "She's in the bunkroom." Spades said walking down the hall and turning to the right. Blink peeked in the doorway to see the redheaded girl sleeping. Book Worm's upper lip was swollen and her right arm, which was hanging out of the blankets, was cut up. "Do you know what happened?" Blink asked the other boy. Spades remained silent shaking his head no. Walking into the room Blink came to stand beside the bed. Slowly he reached down and pushed back a hair that had fallen across her face. As he stood there he saw that she also had a black eye. Just then a sound behind him caused him to glance toward the door. Spades was still standing there, joined by Sam. "She's just sleeping. You can wake her if you want to talk." the caretaker told Blink. The Manhattan Newsie turned back to the girl and quietly said her name. "She's sleeping harder than that, Blink." Spades told him. "Book Worm." he said again, this time shaking her hand gently. She tossed and turned a little and, with a second shake of her hand, came to. "Blink?" she whispered as she looked at the familiar face. "What are you doing in Harlem?" "Came as soon as I could after I found out you were hurt." Worm attempted to sit up but winced at the pain in her side. "Just lay down, girl." he told her. "You got cut up pretty bad." She nodded in agreement. "They hit me kind of hard in the side." Blink realized that she was giving an explanation of why she couldn't sit up. "Who's 'they'?" he asked suddenly. "A girl and a boy. Tried to rob me and were desperate enough not to believe me when I said I didn't have anything." "Worm, this is my fault." Blink told her. Book Worm's silence told him that she didn't disagree. "I know you're not feeling your best right now, but I need to tell you something." The girl's face darkened so quickly it surprised him. "If it's about my poem and your excuse, I'm not listening." Blink was taken aback at the fact she knew what was on his mind. "I'm not here to offer an excuse, I'm here to offer facts," he told her. "I don't want to hear it, Blink. I'm sick of people doing things behind my back all the time! And I certainly don't want to hear you justify yourself!" The boy stood there for a moment. Book Worm was madder now than she had been when she left Manhattan. He knew that she wouldn't listen to reason, especially from him. For once Blink thought about Mush's words," She's not going to forgive you if she's as closed as you say." Mush was right. Blink's face dropped as he lost his determination to care for her any further. If only she wasn't so stubborn! As these thoughts filled his head he became angry too. "You know." he began before he could think about the words themselves. "If you could have a heart and listen to me you'd realize that you've got good people you can trust all around you! But you're so wrapped up in fear that you won't let yourself see that! I came here to see if you were all right and all you can do is yell at me! Someday, Jaden, you're going to have to forgive the people that hurt you, because if you don't, you're going to be miserable!" Blink stopped talking and turned to leave. As he entered the hall he heard Worm call out. "What do you know about being hurt?!" In a huff Blink stalked down the hallway and into the front room. "What was that?" The words were the first thing that greeted him. "Mush? What are you doing here?" Blink asked. "And where's Jack?" "Right here." The answer didn't come from Mush, but from Jack who had been in a chair just inside the office. "And Mush had a good question. What was that in there? I've never heard you lose your temper before." Suddenly Blink felt defensive. "She's stubborn and she find forgiveness impossible!" the boy's exasperation was clear. "You want to know why I lost it...?", Blink stopped as realization hit him. His face softened as he spoke again, "I lost it because I'm mad at her, but more at myself." "So go tell her that.", Mush prompted. "No, Mush. Not after what I just dished out to her." Silence filled the room as Blink glanced toward the front door, then said, "I'll catch you guys later." Jack and Mush looked at each other for a moment. "Blink, wait!", Jack called after his retreating friend. "Try and talk to her just once more." It was a last ditch attempt to make peace, and they all knew it. Blink looked away from the door and down the hallway only to see Spades coming toward him. When the Harlem leader reached them he told Blink, "Sorry to disappear on you but I heard Jack come in and thought I'd better tell him what was up." "It's alright.", the Newsie with the eye patch said told him, glad that Spades had not heard him yell at Book Worm. "By the way, what did you say to her?", Spades asked unexpectedly. "I walked into the room and she tosses her pillow over her head. My guess is that she was crying from the way she was shaking." The Harlem boy's questioning glance was enough to make the blond turn back to the door. About to put his hand on the knob Blink sighed. "I'm too soft." Without another word he walked down the hall and entered the bunkroom. Book Worm was laying with her back to the door, her shoulders shaking hard. Blink swallowed, still frustrated with his actions earlier. "Book Worm?" "Go away.", she told him, her voice obviously strained. "Ja...Worm." He decided that using her real name would remind her of why they were all here. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry I never told you I had your poem, that I yelled at you, that I made you run...", he paused again. "I'm sorry that I never told you that I care for you." Blink stopped. Book Worm had turned over and was looking at him, her tear-streaked face showing how venerable she felt. "Book Worm, I..." She raised a hand to stop him, then said, "You can call me Jaden." Blink looked her right in the face and walked over to the bunk. "Jaden, what happened to make you feel so hurt?" Surprisingly she was open to the question. "I don't know where to start Blink," she swallowed more tears. "Well, first, you were right. I do need to forgive the people that hurt me, and I have to stop living in the past." Suddenly Sam entered the room carrying a bowl of soup. Without a word he gave it to the girl and then left. After Sam walked out, Jaden continued. "My father and brother died in a fire a four days before I came to the Lodging House. They were at work and the factory caught fire. They couldn't get out in time. The worst thing is that I didn't get to see them before they left because I'd spent the night in the Refuge.", she paused for a breath and to wipe away the tears that she had been fighting. "One of my 'friends' told the bulls I was running away because I had mentioned it to her one time. Why she chose that night to rat, I don't know. Anyway, the day after the fire I go to meet my boyfriend, John Thortan, and find him on the fire escape kissing some girl. When I confronted him about it he simply dumps me, calling me street trash.", her voice dropped to a whisper. "I saw him the first time we went to Tibby's. He was with another girl, and not the one he was kissing either.", at that moment she quit talking and began to eat her soup. Blink took this to mean her story was over. He also guessed it was the short version. "I understand why you were so closed when I came along.", he was silent for a moment as he considered how to say what was on his mind. "Jaden, all I can ask of you is to not hate me for what I did. I want you to know that you've got friends in all the Newsies." "Apparently you haven't noticed that Snoddy and I don't get along so well.", she quipped. "True, I haven't. I was busy trying to figure you out.", he admitted. Taking a breath he decided to make his point. "I know why you're afraid of people, but I want you to know I'm here for you. And maybe we could be a little more than just friends." Fear rose up inside Blink that she would close him off again. He let out a silent sigh of relief when she didn't. "Maybe someday that could happen, Blink, but not just yet." Blink smiled at her and, for once, she smiled back. Then he said, "I couldn't ask for any other answer."
***
A gust of cold October wind hit Jaden in the face as she walked toward her end of Bottle Alley. It felt good to be in Manhattan again with her friends. Yes, she had decided that she did have friends here, if she would allow herself to be friendly. And, after having some time to think while in Harlem, she'd seen it was foolish to majorly guard against people. Reaching her end of the alley Jaden glanced through the paper for a halfway decent headline. Finding one that would be workable she folded that paper back up and began to yell, "Extry! Extry! Newsboys strike in New Jersey threatens economy!" It wasn't her best, but she wasn't likely to sell much today anyway. Most people didn't linger on the streets longer than they had to on chilly days. Though, she had to smile, it was about time the Jersey boys took some action. Taking a deep breath of Autumn air she looked to the other end of the street at Kid Blink. Only to find that he'd been looking at her first. Quickly he turned away and Jaden was sure the boy had turned red at being caught. She thought that he seemed more his layed-back, and slightly shy, self now that the two of them were on good terms. Jaden went back to selling her papers but the blond Newsie down the street still lingered in her thoughts.
***
The second week of October Blink walked into Irving Hall, smiling for all the world to see. He knew that the girls normally came here for a while after selling papers. "Blink!", he heard a voice behind him exclaim. Turning he saw Medda standing there, ready to go on stage. "Medda, don't you have a show tonight?", the boy asked. She nodded, red curls bouncing as she did. "But not for another five minutes. Are you looking for Angel and the others?" "Yeah, they in the back room?", he inquired "Yes, there was a new girl with them tonight." "Let me guess.", Blink said. "She's got red hair, blue eyes and is kinda' short?" Medda laughed a little. "I take it you know her?" Blink's smile grew even wider as he answered. "She's my girl." "Well, she's very nice.", the woman told him earnestly. "Oh, it's time for me to go on. You know where the back room is.", with that she left. Blink opened the door that led to a dim hallway. The girls, he knew, were in the last room on the right. Drawing nearer he could hear Angel playing her heart out on the piano. As he entered all the girls looked up to see who it was. Jaden's face brightened instantly. "Blink!" "Hey, Worm. You ready." "Yeah.", she replied. As Jaden stood to leave Emerald asked. "Blink, do the rest of us get a hello or what?" "Sorry, Em. Hello ladies." All the girls mumbled hi as Jaden walked over to the blond boy. Gently he kissed her on the cheek. Both heard Emerald and the other girls gasp and giggle. "You two are together?!" Winter asked. "As of yesterday." Jaden told them. "Why didn't you say anything?" Emerald inquired. Jaden shrugged at her friends. "I wanted to surprise you." "Well, you succeeded, Worm." Wings put in. After a few more minutes if conversation Blink and Jaden left. Dark was almost completely upon the city as the couple walked to Tibby's. "You know." she told him. "I think all this worked out for the best."