Past Secrets and Present Times
Chapter 14
By Megan
A/N: I don't know how things are done in a courtroom so the next few chapters may not be correct. If you have suggestions send them to me; I'd greatly appreciate it.
Denton stood at the door to the court the next morning with the sign in sheet that each newsie had to sign before entering. All of them had signed in so far except Kid Blink, Spot, Rebel, Swifty, and Specs. Kid Blink wasn't coming until he was out of the hospital or at least until he got better, if he did. Spot and Rebel were just running late, as was Swifty. Specs had strangely been the last one to sign up to be there. Denton had heard of his and Hotshot's relationship from the others and expected him to be one of the first. He'd seemed hesitant and Denton was not going to pry information from him until he needed to. Swifty arrived and signed the sheet before going into the courtroom. Hotshot walked out to where he was just as Spot and Rebel arrived. Spot looked tempted to say something but a glare from Rebel silenced him. They signed their names and found a seat inside. Denton handed Hotshot the clipboard, "Specs has ten minutes until court starts. When it's time to come in I'll come get you if you're not in there yet. If Specs gets here go sit down and tell him to find an empty seat with the other newsies."
Hotshot nodded and Denton went inside. She slouched against the wall and looked at the list in her hands. She scanned over the newsie names to see who was there. She had a copy of the list to find out everyone's real names later. Denton had made symbols for different newsies. Manhattan newsies had one star after their name, Brooklyn newsies had two, and Mitchell had three.
List of newsies available at court:
/Newsie name/ /Real name/
Kid Blink* Trey Parker Cowboy* Jack Kelly Racetrack* Anthony Higgins Davey* David Jacobs Les* Les Jacobs Mush* Robert Arroyo Spot Conlon** Gabriel 'Gabe' Conlon Skittery* Steven Bryant Dutchy * Alexander Thomas Boots* Christopher Page Bumlets* Dominic Lucero Crutchy* Charlie Reynolds Snipeshooter* Jeremy Ford Snoddy* Richard Cameron Jake* Jacob Daniels Itey* Jeffery Antos Pie Eater* Joseph Davis Snitch* Kevin Donavan Swifty* Michael Wallace18.Rebel** Dennis Bennett
19.Royal** Henry Frederick
20.Pickpocket** Kyle Dolan
21.Wiser** Albert Everett
22.Scruff ** Jared Mason
23.Ace** Jordan Acres
24.Cover** Benjamin Clarke
25.Caps** Stewart Conrad
26.Aqua** Anton Klein
28.Virgo** Virgil Jones
29.Libra** Louis Danes
30.Starburst** Scott Brown
31.Mitchell*** James Mitchell
32.Roman** Andrew Roman
33.Swinger** Corey Roswell
34.Scorpion** Eric Remington
35. Specs* Matthew Edwards
(A/N: I just read 'things that go bump' by Anne Valentine and I did not copy her for Specs' name. I came up with this in Spanish the other day.)
She glanced down at her watch praying that Specs would show up. As the bell gave a five-minute warning Specs came racing up the steps. "Sorry I'se late." He said as he peeked in the door, "Damn, Hotshot, I dunno if I can go in there."
"Who's in there that you're so scared of?" When she got no reply she added, "Please Specs, come in there for me. I need your help."
Specs sighed thinking of how willing she was to help the other newsies and decided it was time he got over his fear, "Alright." He took the clipboard and signed it before the two of them hurried to their seats.
"All rise for the respectable Judge. E.A. Monahan," said the bailiff as the judge entered the courtroom. Seconds later he called for everyone to be seated. Then he gave the judge the simple version of the case, "Brooke Maria Lynn versus Joseph Pulitzer." He handed the folder of papers for the case to the judge.
"Who is representing each client?" the judge asked.
"Mr. Bryan Denton representing Ms. Lynn and Mr. Nathaniel Edwards representing Mr. Pulitzer."
"Mr. Denton, have you any opening statements?"
"Yes you honor," Denton said standing, "My client wishes for emancipation from her stepfather and her uncle for clear reasons. Until she was six and a half years old she lived with her parents and siblings in either their Brooklyn or Manhattan home. When her father was convicted of murder and sent to the state penitentiary her mother married Mr. Jonathan Pulitzer, her husband's business associate. Ms. Lynn has told me that Mr. Pulitzer beat her, her mother, and her brother Andres regularly. When she was twelve there was a carriage accident that killed all members of her family. Mr. Pulitzer's brother Joseph took her in and took it upon himself to control every aspect of her life. He placed her into a new school, chose her friends, and arranged a marriage for her. He also struck her only once, but he did strike her. She only ran away to get away from her abusive situation. When the police brought her back she found out her stepfather was alive. We believe that the court should grant her emancipation to keep her out of the potentially dangerous situation that awaits her if she is kept under their care. She may only have one year left in their care but a lot of damage can be done in one year." Denton took his seat.
The judge turned to the other side of the room, "Mr. Edwards?"
Mr. Edwards rose from his chair and walked around the room in a more professional manner than Denton had, "Your honor, the only true information Mr. Denton has given today are the parts about what happened to her blood relatives, the murder, the marriage, the crash. The rest were just stories that Ms. Lynn has made up in her mind as an excuse to run away. As for what Joseph Pulitzer did when she was in his care, it was in her best interest. The new school was the best in the city; he monitored her friends to be sure she grew up to be a proper young lady. The marriage was arranged because it would secure the young woman's future. Obviously she believed that she was being treated unfairly, so she made up stories, and joined the newsies. As it is known throughout the city many of these boys were probably a bad influence on her. Her uncle merely wanted her back to make sure that she was not being taken advantage of. I'm sorry to say it may be too late. Since she returned she refuses to wear a dress or a skirt and talks in street slang. We would like her to stay in their custody in hopes that we may guide her to a more useful and productive future." (A/N: I know, I know, a line from the movie but, hey, it works.)
As Mr. Edward's took his seat the judge spoke again, "Now that I have heard from both sides of the situation I decree that the court process will start tomorrow. Be sure to have any person that is needed on the stand is present. Before we leave are there any requests?"
Mr. Edwards shook his head when the judge glanced in his direction. Denton on the other hand spoke, "Ms. Lynn would like to ask for a few privileges your honor."
Brooke rose when the judge signaled for her to do so. "I know that you will not allow me to stay at the newsies lodging house for the duration of the trial, but I do not believe it is fair that I stay in Pulitzer's mansion either," She said, "I would like permission to stay in my parent's Manhattan home with six other people. My idea is that Joeseph Pulitzer and I each pick four people. Joe will pick one newsie and two members of his household. Then I will pick one member of his household and two newsies. We will each also pick one from the others world whom they cannot use. I would also like permission to visit my parents home in Brooklyn, the hospital, and the state penitentiary."
"That is a lot to ask for young lady," the judge paused, "But it does sound fair. I would like each of you to at this time choose the member to eliminate."
While Pulitzer conferred with his lawyer Brooke turned to Denton, "I don't care who else he puts with me, eliminate Jonathan." Denton nodded in understanding.
Each of the lawyers stood when they were ready. "Mr. Denton, you first," the judge said.
"Jonathan Pulitzer," Denton said clearly.
"Jack Kelly," Mr. Edwards said, "Or Francis Sullivan, whatever he's going by these days."
"Will each party now pick the three persons from the list and send them forward." He announced.
Pulitzer sent his lawyer to fetch the three people, while Brooke did it herself. Six people were lined up in front of the courtroom when they were done.
"Each of you please state your name for the court," the judge said, "Starting with those of you chosen by Joseph Pulitzer."
"Daniel Taylor."
"Rubin Hill."
"Anthony Higgins," Racetrack rounded out the group.
"And Ms. Lynn's…"
"Rosa Valdez."
"David Jacobs."
The last boy gulped staring at one man in the courtroom. That man was watching the judge and paying him no attention. He spoke, "Matthew Edwards." The man's eyes were on him instantly and so were many painful memories.
**Flashback**
"How dare you talk back to me you little brat," The man brought a hand down across his oldest daughters face.
"Leave her alone," his only son, two years younger than his daughter cried.
The man turned and struck him, harder because he was a boy. He hit the boy until he lay still, and then stormed out of the room pausing at the door to only look over his shoulder and mutter incoherently.
"Matt," the girl leaned over her brother, "Why did you do that? Lately you're the only one he ever hits."
"It's better than him hitting you," said the ten year old who was now nursing a black eye.
His sister helped him up to his room where their mother was waiting to clean his cuts. "Your father went out to drink so be quiet tonight, and Lily keep your little sisters in your room. Matt, sweetheart are you alright." He nodded.
Their father came home later that night, drunk as usual. Matt was still awake, watching out the window for him. As always he had a bag packed near the window. He'd threatened to run away many times but had never had the courage to carry it out. The past few months his father had been angrier than ever with him and he'd been getting beaten worse lately. He listened to his father's footsteps pass the door to his parent's room, then his sisters', stopping in front of his. He could smell the alcohol even before his father opened the door. "I'm gonna kill you, boy." He said opening the door, stumbling because he was more drunk than usual. The knife in his other hand scared the boy terribly. He took his bag and jumped out his window into the uppermost branches of the tree outside. His father tried to follow, but stopped at the window, then turned to go downstairs. Matthew reached the ground just as his father came out the kitchen door, waving the knife around. He caught Matthew's left arm with it causing him to cry out in pain.
The boy jumped the fence and ran down the empty street. Long after his father had stopped chasing him he ran. After close to an hour he finally stopped and collapsed in an alley. He'd never go back to that house. Even if his father wasn't drunk he'd be killed. The little boy cried himself to sleep thinking of his mother and sisters back at the house.
For the next two days he wandered the streets begging for food and money. His black eye, ripped clothing, and numerous cuts only earned him pity for a day or two. Most people just ignored him, but a few gave him spare change. On the sixth morning he tapped the shoulder of a boy who looked about his age. "Do you have any spare money?"
The boy turned around. He was a little taller than Matthew with longish blond hair and blue eyes that sparkled behind glasses. When he saw the boy in front of him the look on his face grew concerned. The kid (Matthew's) clothes were ripped, bloody, and dirty. He was short and had his dark brown hair cut close to his head. His thin ovular glasses were bent, and he seemed like he hadn't eaten in days. "You's a runaway."
"No," Matthew lied, "My parents died in a fire."
"Sorry t'hear that. You need a job an' somewhere ta stay."
"Yeah," Matthew perked up.
"You could be a newsie. C'mon I'll bring you to Kloppman. I'se Dutchy by the way. Don' worry 'bout givin' me your name. You's gonna need a newsie one. Another boy, about the same age, named Bumlets, joined them on the way back and they entered the large building to find two other newsies talking to the man who seemed to be in charge.
"Kloppman," Bumlets said, "Dutchy found a new recruit out beggin' for food. Can you get 'im signed in?"
The old man explained the rules and sent one of the two newsies he'd been conversing with to get something to clean up Matthew's arm. After getting some bandages for his arm the two other newsies watched him. Kloppman turned to one of them, "Skittery,"
"I didn't do it!"
"Never mind that," the old man said, "Can you two please try to give this kid a newsie name while I find him some decent clothes."
As the old man walked off the two boys approached. They were taller than Matthew but about his age. "Hello," said the one who hadn't been introduced, "I'se Jack Kelly, but me friends call me Cowboy, and this is Skittery. What's your name?"
"Matthew."
"You don't gots a newsie name. We'se gonna hafta think one up for you before Ambition gets back. He's our leader, real nice guy. You'll like him."
"What about Shrimp," Skittery suggested, leering at the smaller boy. All of them in the room had at least half a foot on the new boy so it made perfect sense at the time.
"No," Jack glared at his friend then examined the boy, "You'se seem smart, are you?"
"I'se educated if that's what ya mean." He copied the newsie's accent.
Jack smiled, " How 'bout Specs."
All of them, including Matthew smiled. It fit perfectly and from then on he ignored the name Matthew and went by Specs.
That night Jack introduced him to everyone, including their leader, Ambition. Specs asked Ambition if he could still go to school and seeing as their previous 'educated newsie' had left Ambition said yes. Specs was fitted with proper newsie clothes and allowed to study with an old neighbor of his every afternoon. Specs went to school every day until he was fourteen and the neighbor moved.
Many physical changes also occurred. Kloppman bought him a new rounder pair of glasses to replace the broken ones and Specs let his hair grow longer. To his surprise it was somewhat curly like his mother's. Somehow when his work and exercise increased and his food decreased Specs went through a major growth spurt. It amazed everyone in the lodging house how often he needed new clothes. He passed many of the other newsies the year he was eleven. By age twelve he was taller than Jack, and passed Skittery at fourteen making him the second tallest in the lodging house. When he was fifteen he was looking Ambition, the tallest, in the face. Skittery commented that he was glad they hadn't named him Shrimp. He was also somewhat thinner than before.
The year he was fifteen was also the year that Ambition left to get a job, as he was too old to be a newsie. Jack was a natural born leader so he took Ambition's place. The day that their old leader left Specs found Ambition's fedora, the hat he was known for, on his bed. Ambition had just commented that Specs needed a hat the day before, and it was well known that he never forgot anything so Specs knew it was meant as a gift. Since then he'd worn it every day.
He was friends with all the newsies by then and spent most of his time with Dutchy, Bumlets, Skittery and Kid Blink. When anyone asked him about his past he'd tell them his parents died in a fire. Even when he'd seen his father on the street twice he ignored the urge to run and acted like he didn't know the man.
Today, however, he had a feeling the story was going to come out.
**End Flashback**
The courtroom was deathly silent. Specs glanced quickly in Hotshot's direction to see what she was thinking. She'd made the connection quickly and was looking back and forth between Specs and his father. Some of the newsies had also figured it out and the ones that hadn't were silent because all those around them had fallen silent when Mr. Edwards stood suddenly. Specs looked back at his father and met his eyes, only able to do so for seconds because he was still scared of the older man. Those seconds were plenty for his father's message to be delivered; he was a dead man.
The judge was one of the few who hadn't made the connection. He was writing out a formal document for the names of people who would be in the house. He paid no attention to the quiet courtroom and gave a copy of the document to Denton, adding the other to the folder. "Each of those who was named, you have one hour to pack your belongings and return to the front of the courthouse where a carriage will be waiting." With that he banged his mallet on the table, "Court dismissed."
Mr. Edwards shot a final glare at his son before turning to Mr. Pulitzers and the three members of his household who were staying with Hotshot. Denton motioned to the three newsies in the front of the room and he came over. "Specs, why didn't you tell me he was your father?"
"I thought, maybe, he wouldn't have to know my real name," Specs sighed, "He can't do anything until Hotshot's case is over, right?"
Denton nodded, "But you'll be more involved than before." He turned to the others, "Go pack your things and Racetrack get Specs'. Specs I want you to stay here with Brooke."
The courtroom was nearly empty when Brooke, Specs, and Denton exited. Specs was praying the entire time that his father had already left, but any hope was quickly dashed.
"Matthew!"
The three of them turned to face Mr. Edwards and Joseph Pulitzer. Specs quickly wrapped his arms around Hotshot's waist in a protective and friendly manner, not like they were dating. Both of the men raised an eyebrow at the actions. "What do you want?" Specs asked sounding braver than he felt.
"Can I help you Mr. Edwards?" Denton asked at the same time.
"I wish to speak to my son," the man said glaring at Denton, "You are the girl's lawyer not his."
"Actually I am the lawyer for all of the newsies in Manhattan, Specs included," Denton called the boy by his newsie name.
"Fine, then stand back and listen. I want to speak to my son, and Mr. Pulitzer wishes to speak to his niece."
"It's alright Denton," Specs said. Denton looked back at him.
"So this is what you ran away for; to become a newsie," Specs father spat, "You are protected only until this case is over. After that I will drag you home."
"I'm seventeen and a half," Specs said, "You can't make me come home."
"I can make you until you are eighteen and I will. If I need to I'll bring you to court and I'd like to know how you'd afford it then."
Specs glared at him. He couldn't afford to go to court with the money he made in a year, and his father knew it.
"That goes for you as well Ms. Lynn," Pulitzer said, "Mr. Edwards is the best lawyer in New York. It is not possible that Mr. Denton can beat him."
"My father is the best lawyer in New York," she spoke calmly, "And we will win because as you have said often in your papes, Joe, the guilty are always punished."
"Even if you get emancipation there are other ways of dealing with you," Now that Denton had gone down to the returning newsies Pulitzer spoke freely. His lawyer only nodded in agreement.
"Tell you what," said Specs, "We'll make a little bet." Specs had rarely gone to the tracks or gambled his herd earned money but it felt like it needed to be done now. "If you win me and Hotsh- I mean Brooke will go back without a fight and stay there until we're old enough to leave. But if Denton and her win you leave us alone and drop trying to find us."
Edwards smiled, his son wanted to bet his freedom on this girls trial. There was no way he could lose. He exchanged an agreeing glance with Pulitzer and shook his son's free hand. "By the way, your mother and I are planning a dinner party on Friday. Mr. Pulitzer will be there. Why don't the two of you join us?"
"Alright," Specs agreed as the two men walked off. It was this moment that Daniel Taylor arrived back at the courthouse. His face turned red with anger when he saw the two of them.
He stalked over, "Come along Brooke," he reached for her hand and Specs pulled her back a little. "Unhand my fiancée newsie." Daniel threatened.
Hotshot pulled herself out of Specs arms and walked up to him, "Get it through your head, Daniel, I am not now, nor will I ever be your fiancée." With that she and Specs walked past him to meet up with David and Race at the bottom of the stairs."
The carriage ride to the mansion was almost silent. Specs seemed somewhat astounded when he found the mansion to be one of the ones that they had been near the day Dutchy, Mush, and Kid Blink had fought with the Delancy brothers while they ran. As Brooke was shaking slightly he took her hand and squeezed it lightly. She looked at him, biting her lip nervously; she hadn't been to the house in almost seven years. The house looked as though it had never been touched and Hotshot figured that Pulitzer had hired someone to take care of it. It was when they reached the front door that Rubin complained of a problem,
"Miss Lynn, no one has the key to this door. How are we going to get in?"
Hotshot nodded and pulled a thin piece of string from around her neck. There was a key dangling on it, which she placed in the keyhole and turned. She turned the knob and let them in. Everyone looked around for a moment, too taken with the place to say anything. "Why don't I show you your rooms?" Hotshot broke the silence.
The large group proceeded up the staircase and followed Hotshot when she turned left at the top. "Now let's see if I can remember…" She muttered to herself, trailing off. She opened a door on her right to reveal a large bedroom, "I thought so, Daniel this is your room." They waited as Daniel placed his things on his bed and rejoined them. She gave the next room to Rubin and the one after that to Rosa. She opened the door to the next room, revealing two beds. "Race and David, this is your room."
"How come we's gotta share a room?" Race complained.
"I will tell you later," she hissed, giving him a look. David was already coming back from disposing of his thing. Race left his bag just inside the door. She gave the next room to Specs and claimed the last room for herself. After that she gave everyone a tour of the rest of the house and sent them to unpack. When Rosa asked Hotshot went to the linen closet and gave the maid three sets of sheets and took another four for herself.
"Brooke, give me those sheets. I'll do it." Rosa said.
"Rosa, you're here as my guest. Everyone's going to help so don't worry about it." She directed Rosa down the right side of the hall and took the left. She walked into David and Race's room to find Specs there as well. "Any of you figure it out yet?" She asked tossing two sets of sheets at the room's temporary owners.
"Yeah, they're connected," David said, picking up the sheets she gave him.
Race gave her a look. He knew she had a reason for doing everything and shouldn't have questioned her, "I was wrong, alright, you did have a good reason." He then closed his mouth and began to make the bed.
Hotshot smirked and walked into Specs' room where she deposited another set of sheets. He was still in Dave and Race's room. She went into her room and quickly made the bed. She'd been taught very early on how to do it by a maid because she'd had a habit of jumping on them and messing up the covers when she was little.
Specs was leaning against the doorframe that separated their rooms when she was finished. "So why do our rooms all need to be connected?"
"So I can talk to you guys about the trial and other stuff," she said giving the blanket a final tug and standing up. The two of them walked into Specs room and began to put the sheets on his bed. "I was jus' 'bout goin' crazy at Pulitzer's with no one to talk to or play poker with."
"What about Rosa?"
"She doesn't like me to gamble. She's a really good friend and everything but…"
"She feels the same way about you bein' a newsie as Pulitzer does." Specs finished.
"That and she's just uneducated in her rights and everything. It's hard to explain."
"Trust me," Specs said, "I understand."
That night the group had a quiet dinner and everyone entertained himself or herself for most of the evening. Brooke sat in Dave and Race's room and they talked about the trial. Specs was there too but he wasn't into the conversation much. He sat on one of the beds and looked around the room.
"So whose room was dis when you lived here?" Race asked.
"The twins," she said, "Aaron and Salina. They woulda been 'bout seven or eight last time we was here."
"And Specs' room?" David asked.
"Blackjack's, oops… I mean Andres'." She stumbled over the words, "and my room was mine. I barely remember my way around the place though. Ain't lived here or even been inside in years."
"What 'bout the place in Brooklyn?" Race asked it with a look of interest in his eyes.
"We hid Brooklyn newsies in there a few years ago when the bulls were lookin' for 'em. My bets Pulitzer paid someone ta keep that place in shape too."
Race seemed bored with the topic and quickly moved to a new one, "Who's up for a game a-" He stopped suddenly with a hand on his vest pocket. He moved his pants and then jumped up and searched through his bag. "I forgot me cards." The way he said it sounded as if he'd forgotten everything he owned and the lodging house had burned down. "Please tell me you's got some here Hotshot."
"I don't think-" In the middle of her sentence she cut herself off and jumped off the floor. The three of them followed her into the next room. She leaned down in the corner and pried a loose board away. She reached her hand into the hole and pulled out a small box. When she opened it she made sure only she could see inside. Triumphantly she pulled out a deck of cards, closed the box, and placed it back in the hole. She shoved the cards into Races hands and commanded, "You deal."
Race shuffled the cards in his hands and smiled, "Wit' pleasure."
The card games lasted for hours, with Racetrack or Brooke winning most of them since David and Specs didn't play as often. When they ended the three boys went to their rooms for some sleep while Hotshot went to the bathroom to change. She put on a more comfortable pair of pants and a t-shirt. Something more likely to be worn by a boy than a girl. She entered her room and pulled down the blankets as the door opened.
"Are you ready for bed?" She looked up at the sound of Daniel's voice.
"What's it to you?" She glared at him, not trusting him at all.
"You are my fiancée. Therefore, it is my right to-"
She cut him off knowing what he was going to say, "No."
"And you think I'm going to give you a choice. What do you think you could stop me? I'm a man, therefore, I m probably ten times more powerful than you."
As he spoke he was also getting closer to her. She grabbed for Specs' vest, which lay on the end of her bed. She knew it was the only place he ever hid anything, so she reached into her pocket, her hands closing around the cold metal of a pocketknife. She pulled it out and flipped it open. She had it held against his neck in seconds, "Yes, I have a choice. I KNOW I can stop you. And you may be stronger but I've got tricks up my sleeves that you couldn't begin to imagine, plus three guys who could attack you in seconds. Some of the ones at the lodging house are even willing to kill."
He smiled cockily and Hotshot tried her hardest to resist the urge to shove the knife into his throat. He knew he wouldn't stay in the room that night but needed to at least insult her before he left. He laughed, "I've got plenty of them as well," he wasn't showing how scared he really was. "You're just like your parents Brooke," he pulled back a bit from the knife, "A fugitive like your father, and a slut like your mother."
That was more than she could take. Hotshot threw herself at him with her knife raised, ready to kill. Two strong arms grabbed her and pulled her back before she could touch him. One of them held her around the waist to keep her from lunging again, while the other steadied the arm holding the knife. She glanced quickly behind her to find Specs holding her back. Obviously he'd come back to get his vest and stepped in before she did any damage. "Get out of here."
Daniel turned and walked to the door. He stopped and turned to her for a second, "Don't worry though, we'll make you a better woman."
In Specs' grasp she again tried to lunge and struggled against his grip. "I've got half a mind to just let her go," Specs threatened Daniel who was watching her with pleasure, "After that I won't get in her way so you better leave while you got the chance." Daniel was gone within seconds and Specs released Hotshot.
"Why didn't you let me at him?"
"You woulda killed him. Hell I wanna kill him for what he said. Didn't matter who he was sayin' it about. You just don't say stuff like that." He took the knife out of her hand and placed it back in his pocket. "You gonna be alright?"
She shook her head, "If he comes back…"
Specs collapsed onto her bed. "I'll stay here with you 'till you fall asleep."
"What goods that gonna do?"
"Well, if he comes back he won't come in here." As she climbed into bed he threw a blanket over her and laid on top of it. "I won't try nothin', promise."
"Alright," she rolled over and let him lay beside her. Her first day at court had been exhausting and she didn't think she could stand to think about anything else. Within the next few minutes she drifted into a deep sleep. Specs smiled at her sleeping form and though, 'I'll leave in a few more minutes.' The first few minutes turned into a few more, and a few more, and soon Specs had also fallen asleep. Racetrack found them there half an hour later when he went to ask Specs a question.
"Ten ta one, day this things over they're back together," he told David.
David shook his head; declining the bet, "Bum odds." He threw an extra pillow at Racetrack before climbing into bed.
(A/N: Another chapter, big English final tomorrow. Wish me luck!!! 6/19)
(6/26- Well finals are done and I'm finally out of school. Officially a sophomore. I'll probably have more time to write this summer but I'm goin' to Cape Cod for two weeks so no updates then. I'll get more up before then)