"Extra Extra, read all about it, Mayors wife loses a life." Skittery screamed as we were approaching Central Park. I gave him a sideways glance.
"Hey, that's not the headline. The Headline was that the Mayor's wife had a miscarriage." I said. (Of course I knew what he was doing. I watch the movie everyday remember? Glum and dumb!)
"I know… we need to spice up the truth a bit so we can sell all of our papes. Considering I got you today, I took about 20 extra." Skittery said.
"20 huh? You think that's all I'm worth… 20 papes?" I said. I didn't really take offence; I was just yanking his noodles.
"I didn't say that's how much you were worth; I said that's how much I thought you should start out with." Skittery finished.
"Try this on for size. Extra Extra, read al about it, Mrs. Mayor kills!" I yelled. Shouting this headline, I sold 14 papes. When I decided to take a break, I just turned to Skittery. "How was that? Not too bad for my first try." I said smiling evilly.
By the time all of 'his' papes were gone, it was around lunchtime. Skittery didn't want to go to Tibby's.
"It's alright, I'm not hungry anyways. Want to just walk?" I suggested.
"Sure." We started walking around Central Park. "So tell me a bit about yourself." He finished.
"There's not a lot to tell." I said not wanting to talk about it.
"Well, where are your parents." He asked.
"Oh, my dad, who knows. He's a drunk, so I don't see him that often." I said.
"What's a drunk?" Skittery asked. (Shit, you gotta remember they don't understand modern day lingo *kicks herself*)
"Oh, someone who is an alcoholic." I said.
"Oh, well what about your mom?" He asked. I didn't answer. When he figured out I wasn't going to answer, and I was crying, he put his arm around my shoulder. "What's wrong, was it something I said?" He asked.
"No." I said sniffling.
"Well then what's matta?" He asked with his arm still around me. (Now usually I'd be jumping for joy, but this was a really difficult moment, and if you don't understand that then you are the most shallow and vapid person alive.)
"It's just…" I hesitated. "My mom's dead." I finally said wiping my tears.
"Oh god, I'm so sorry." He said giving me a slight squeeze.
"Hey, you've said sorry to me a lot today." I said trying to change the subject. I gave a half smile. My face was all red.
"Yeah, I've noticed. Sorry." He said. This made me laugh.
"So, tell me about your family." I said.
"Well, My mother is dead also, but I never met her, and my dad…last I heard he was in Virginia somewhere." Skittery said.
"Don't you miss him? Why don't you live with him?" I asked.
"I'd rather be a newsie over living with him any day." He said.
"Yeah, that's the same for me. After all, that's why I came here." I said. Skittery looked confused, and suddenly I had just realized what I had let slip out.
"What do ya mean why you came here?" He asked.
"Uh, it's a long story. You don't want to tell it right now. How bout another time?" I asked.
"Suit yourself." He said. We were walking until he came upon a huge rock. Luckily, it wasn't big enough for the both of us. (Wink wink if ya know what I mean.)
"Here, ya wanna sit on my lap?" He asked.
"Sure, thanks." I said. I sat down, and he put his hands around my waste.
We sat there for what seemed like forever. We eventually got up, and spent the rest of the day walking and talking. We finally went back to the lodging house when it was 8:00, and we realized we hadn't eaten all day.
"Where have you two been all day?" Jack asked when we walked in.
"Everywhere." Skittery said. Stephanie came over to me, and stole me away from all the newsies.
"Is he as great as he is in the movie?" She asked.
"Better. Oh god. I like him so much. You have no idea." I said smiling, and flopping on a bunk. When I did this, a bunch of the newsies looked over, and saw me and Stephanie gossiping. They started talking amongst themselves.
"You guys." Skittery started. "I like her." He finished.
"Big deal, I like Stephanie too." Race said.
"No Race, I mean I really like her." Skittery said.
"Yeah, I knew what you meant." Race finished.
"Do you think she likes you too?" Blink asked.
"I don't know. Look at them over there. Charity told me today that she and Doll face tell each other everything. Race! Could you ask Doll face to find out if Charity likes me too?" Skittery said practically pleading.
"Sure thing." Race said.
"Doll face, come here for a minute." Race yelled. When Stephanie got over to him, he put her arm around her, and walked her to the other end of the room. He told her everything, and, she ran over to me.
"Ali, guess what?" She asked all excited.
"What? Is it something good? Is it Skittery?" I asked really really wanting to know.
"Race likes me!" She said.
"Oh. Well, I'm really happy for you. At least one of us got what we want right." I said sarcastically. (My life sucks!)
"Oh, and also Skittery likes you." She said calmly.
"What? Are you serious? Oh my god. I'll be right back." I said. I was so happy. (My life doesn't suck, I take it back.) I walked right over to Skittery, put my arms around his neck, and in one quick second, I kissed him. And thankfully, he kissed me back. (Damn straight he did. He better of or else he would have been one unhappy little cookie.) When we were done kissing, we walked over to his bunk without saying another word to anyone.