Past Secrets and Present Times
Chapter 29
By Hotshot
When she got out of the shower she threw on clean clothes and went back downstairs. Her father had hired people to decorate. There was nothing extremely amazing about the decorating. The house was very old and had a large hall from when it had first been built, including a stage, where workers were setting up for Medda's show. Hotshot helped a few others put tablecloths and plates on some of the tables. Her father was not a chef and had ordered foods form several shops for the guests. Hotshot was looking for some extra silverware when he found her in the kitchen.
"Brooke, it's time for you to go get dressed," he said.
Hotshot looked at her watch and sighed; it was five o'clock already. She had to be dressed by six. "Alright." She took a slow pace upstairs and walked into her room to find what Medda and Rosa had picked out. She knew it was a dress before she went into the room. Medda and Rosa both wanted her to wear one, and her father didn't know she couldn't stand them. Her frown moved into a smirk for a second when she saw it; at least it was a good color. She could have pictured it being red, pale blue, or the worst Pink.
The dress sitting in front of her was a dark, dark green, her favorite color. She quickly changed and folded her clothes on the end of her bed. First chance she got and she'd change back. She turned and looked in the mirror, gasping at what she saw. There was no way the reflection in the mirror was her.
Hotshot had seen herself plenty of times in the mirror at the lodging house and it couldn't be the same person. In her newsie clothes she'd always looked younger and shorter. She was almost always mistaken for a boy and her muscular frame was shown off well. Now she looked more feminine. The dress showed off her frame nicely and made her look taller simply because it fit her better.
The dress had thin straps and a low neckline, unlike anything most other girls wore. It fit somewhat tightly against her body and became loose and flared out past her waist.
"So, you like it?" The way Rosa said it from the doorway made it seem like she'd known it all along.
"It's nice," Hotshot smiled. She wasn't going to wear a dress everyday now but it wasn't as bad as she'd remembered.
Rosa helped her with her hair and makeup. Her hair was too short too do anything extravagant with so Rosa styled it a little to make it look better than just running a brush through it.
Medda poked her head into the room, as they were finishing, "You look wonderful darling."
"Thanks Medda."
"Your father wants you downstairs in five minutes," she went on, "The guests should be arriving soon."
"I'll be down," she said as the two women left the room. She sat down on her bed and looked into the mirror for a moment thinking. What were the guys going to say when they saw her, especially Spot and Specs? Finally she let those thoughts drift to the back of her mind and went downstairs.
Her father smiled when he saw her, "You look beautiful, Sweetheart."
"Thanks Dad," she smiled, enjoying being complemented on her looks for once. As long as she could remember she'd only been complemented for her fighting skills and comments.
It was then that her brother entered the room. He wasn't in a suit but he was in something nicer than newsies would wear. He glanced up at his father's face and took a sidelong glance at Hotshot. That glance turned into a double take and he tripped over his own feet, landing face down on the floor. "Holy shit!" he yelled sitting up.
"Andres!" her father looked appalled at his language.
Hotshot just laughed, "Thanks Blackjack." She reached out a hand and helped him stand.
He looked her over again, "You look nice," he said, "Where'd you get the dress?"
"Rosa and Medda."
A carriage was pulling up in front of the house; the first guests were arriving. "Now Brooke, remember to be nice to all your guests," her father reminded her opening the door.
Hotshot frowned at being called Brooke but smiled when she saw the guests. The Edwards walked up the front steps. Mrs. Edwards, Lily, Maggie, and Ana followed Mr. Edwards and a young man she presumed was Benjamin. The men walked right by her but the women stopped to chat for a while.
"I take it that's Benjamin." She spoke to Lily.
"Yes," the older girl rolled her eyes, "Rebel's coming tonight isn't he?"
"As far as I know." The two of them shared a grin as Lily followed her sisters to the hall. Hotshot looked over toward the door. She could hear the sounds of people in the distance and soon placed the voices. A smile was on her face as many of the Brooklyn boys entered the front door and she was quick to hand out retorts when they commented on how she looked. The girls she'd invited arrived next with Sarah, who promised the others were coming. She took a moment to glance into the other room and saw Mr. Edwards' look of distaste at all the newsies.
The sound of a single pair of feet on the steps made her turn; she hadn't heard a carriage? Rebel came in the door with a smile on his face, wearing a nice suit; similar to the one Blackjack was wearing. He stopped dead in his tracks when he saw her. "Is that little Hotshot?" he asked, "Look at you, ya look like one of those upper class ladies."
"Don't remind me."
"No you look nice." He kissed her hand politely and then flashed a grin.
Before he could get a word out Hotshot spoke, "Lily's in the hall. If you can get her away from her father and Benjamin the closet is down that hall, second door on the left."
He raised an eyebrow, "You sure you an' Specs ain't gonna be in there?"
"Go," she motioned to him.
People that she hadn't seen in years were arriving every few minutes. Boys she'd gone to school with kissed her hand and tried pick-up lines on her. It was when the first group of Manhattan boys entered that she stopped for a second. David, Les, Jack, Bumlets, Race, Dutchy, Snoddy, Skittery, Kid Blink and Mush stood in front of her frozen. Racetrack began to circle her. Hotshot groaned, knowing exactly what was coming. He stopped in front of her and opened his mouth to speak but was abruptly cut off by another voice.
"I guess I must've missed the article about Hell freezing over in the papes today." David said. Many of the newsies turned to look at him.
Racetrack closed his mouth with a snap and shrugged, "Better than what I had." They all commented kindly on her outfit as they walked by and Race said, "Five ta one she cant last anudda half hour at that door."
Hotshot scooped up a dollar off the table and slammed it into Racetracks palm. He grinned and put the money in his pocket.
More people were coming in. Hummingbird and her girls had somehow slipped by unnoticed. Rich girls that had been wary of Brooke's tomboyish ways came in and treated her like on of them, guess they didn't know she wasn't usually like that. Several boys around her age came in and introduced themselves to her, each one kissing her hand. The other Manhattan and Brooklyn boys arrived in groups and commented about her clothes.
Standing in line after the mayor's son came a familiar figure. Though he was more nicely dressed than usual he still had an egotistical smirk on his face and an ice-cold look on his eyes. He also still carried the slingshot and gold-tipped cane. He looked her up and down several times before kissing her hand, "Wow!" He gave her a light hug, "Medda and Rosa did a good job. I'd almost believe you were one a those rich goils."
"I can see that brudda of yours tried to teach you some manners." She smirked.
"I'se got manners," he defended himself, "Right now I'se thinkin' Specs is the luckiest guy alive though. Where is he? I'd think the two a you would be all over each other?"
"Isn't here yet." She motioned toward the hall, "Go have some fun."
Several minutes later her father ushered her into the hall. Specs still had not arrived yet but they weren't going to sit there all night. Medda was performing up onstage and many couples were dancing on the floor. An interesting sight caught her eye. Some of the newsies were flirting with the rich girls while angry boyfriends looked on; same with the newsgirls. Hummingbird was practically on top of Spot though and Hotshot could tell he wanted to be left alone.
She walked over to them and slipped her hands into Spot's. "Hello Hummingbird." She said, "Spot, will you dance with me?"
"Sure," He walked with her out to the center of the floor. The two of them danced to the slow song receiving envious looks from others. "So, what're you gonna do 'bout that girl?"
"You invited her," she reminded him, "But, don' worry. I got an idea."
"Excuse me," Daniel appeared, "Allow me to cut in, get you away from this scum."
"That's alright," Hotshot dismissed him, "I'm better off with Spot, but don't forget, there are plenty of places to hide a body in here." With that he was gone.
Her father was the next person to come over to them, "Are you enjoying yourself Brooke?"
"Yes sir," she said smiling as the song ended. "Dad, this is Spot Conlon, the leader of Brooklyn, Spot this is my father."
Spot went to spit in his palm but thought better of it. Mr. Lynn saw what he had gone to do and smiled, shaking his head and remembering when he would have done the same. The time he'd done it to the governor's wife. He spit in his hand and held it out to Spot. The current Brooklyn leader smiled and shook the man's hand.
"Brooke, there's a young man who just arrived. He's out in the entrance but he did ask for you."
"Alright," she turned to Spot and pointed out a girl to him, "See her?"
"Yeah," he was looking her over with a familiar gleam in his eyes.
"Her name is Canada. Go talk to her." She gave him a small push.
"Are you tryin' ta set me up?" he asked turning around.
"That all depends on if it works or not now go. I have plenty of other couples to set up tonight."
Spot wiggled his eyebrows and then turned, strolling purposefully across the room.
Hotshot walked out to the entryway. Specs was taking off his faded brown overcoat, looking around the large room. His clothes were the same as always, which made her smile. He fumbled nervously with his hat.
"Specs." She said.
He turned his attention in her direction. "Hotshot," he sucked in a breath, "You look amazing."
* * *
Specs' breath seemed caught in his throat. There was no way the girl in front of him was the same girl he sold with everyday. That girl never dressed in anything other than a tattered old pair of pants, a tank top that was darker from streaks of dirt and a usually ripped or stained shirt. That girl's hair was always hidden underneath a dark cap or stolen hat and her face completely void of any makeup or expression. That girl was most definitely not the one in front of him right now.
But it was. Unlike the newsie clothes the dress fit her figure tightly and showed off her curves. The eye shadow brought out her bright eyes, which were usually hidden by the shadow of her cap. Her hair, instead of being hidden and greasy when it was visible, seemed to have just been dried and styled to perfectly frame her face. The smile on her face told of the happiness she usually only expressed when selling.
"Thank you," her response broke him out of the daze he was in.
"I can only imagine what the other guys have said." It wasn't the best thing for him to have said but it was the first thing to come to his numbed mind.
She smiled, "Race didn't get a single word in. Dave beat him to it. It was so perfect."
"I take it I'm the last one to get here."
She shrugged, "I haven't seen a few of the fellas but I'm pretty sure they just snuck in." She took his hat from his hands and hung it up. Then she nodded toward the hall, which was at this point exploding with the sounds of music and talking, "C'mon, you're gonna miss all the fun."
Specs walked into the hall at her side and looked around. Most of his friends were in plain sight, flirting with other newsgirls or the ones from the upper class. Almost all were dressed in something better than what they sold in. Had the newsies best clothes not been almost as shabby as their worst he would have felt out of place. He looked around and examined the scene before him. There were so many people he didn't know, and a few he remembered from his days of being part of an upper class family. Newsgirls were swarming all over the place, and, knowing Hotshot and Sarah as well as he did he was absolutely positive all of the girls they'd invited would end up with a guy by the end of the night.
* * *
Hotshot glanced up at Specs who had stopped beside her. He was looking around the room almost awestruck. She didn't say anything, having felt the same way when she walked into the room for the first time. She had no idea how so many people had accumulated so quickly.
Specs looked very handsome. It wasn't anything new as he was wearing his normal clothes but he seemed to be different in some way. He looked determined and held himself a little higher than usual. He looked so nice without his hair covered by his hat too.
"You're mother wanted me to send you over when you got here." she interrupted both their thoughts. She motioned toward a table on the far side of the room and he nodded.
"Where's Lily?" he asked spotting all other members of his family seated around the table.
"With Rebel," Hotshot replied brightly, "In the closet. Don't worry he won't try anything." She looked quickly over her shoulder, "Well my father wants me to dance with a few more guys than Spot so go talk to your mother and I'll catch up with you later." The two headed in opposite directions. As Specs walked towards his parents he realized that he could be stuck in their house again after the next day. Or dead and buried was the next thought that entered his mind.
Hotshot, meanwhile walked over to her father and brother. They were mingling among a large group of teenagers.
"There is a reason this is called a ball; you're supposed to dance," her father stared at her as he spoke.
She nodded knowing that all the boys behind her were listening and would ask her to dance the second she turned around, the rich ones getting to her first. "Yes sir." She sighed to herself and turned around.
What seemed like a million voices asked her at once but only one hand was offered. She took it gladly and walked out to the dance floor.
"Roman, you are a saint," she declared.
"Hotshot, I'se the only newsie in Brooklyn who's been there longer than Spot an' you. Did ya think I was gonna let you dance wit' those hoity toity bums 'fore I got to dance wit' you." As the pace of the song quickened he pulled her along with him to the music, both of them laughing.
After Roman was a line of newsies and rich boys. Unfortunately she had to dance with both. Daniel and several of his friends were the boys she quickly dismissed with an inconspicuous signal to the newsies. For the guys she'd danced with Jack, Race, Kid Blink, Mush, Dutchy, Pickpocket, Royal, Ace and Wiser. Swinger approached her as a certain type of music was played. He carefully cut in and pulled her along with him. The boy had been aptly named due to his talent at throwing punches but also because he was amazing at swing dancing.
Though she was considered one of the guys in Brooklyn she was still a girl and was somewhat lighter than the guys so she'd often helped him practice. She'd seen the familiar grin on his face the second the swing music started. Being a gentleman he asked, "How 'bout it?" At least he tried to be a gentleman.
Hotshot took his hand and felt herself being pulled along with him in time to the music. She was used to the feeling and remembered the clubs she'd gone to in Brooklyn. At a pause in the music she caught sight of Specs watching her with an interested look on his face. She smirked right back and was pulled into the depths of the dance floor. Near the end Swinger caught her eye with a gleam similar to the one in Spot's. Seconds later she felt as though she were flying, being lifted high into the air. When the song ended however there was another rich suitor waiting to dance with her.
She danced with him to one song and seemed happy when it ended. She looked around frantically for one of her friends but found all of them talking to the girls or dancing. She inwardly groaned, this would mean another dance with him.
"Do you mind if I cut in?" A voice asked suddenly behind her. The boy she was dancing with started to object, but she was quicker and slipped out of his grasp and into the newsie's. The pace was quick and he swept her along the dance floor in time to the music.
"Specs, thank you so much." She said.
"Well you did promise me a dance," he pointed out.
"Yes, I did," She let him lead around the dance floor until she heard a familiar set of voices. "Specs?" she said hesitantly.
He looked over her shoulder in the direction the voices were coming from. "Let's go," he muttered.
"I promise we will dance again after," Hotshot whispered, "Just, Hummin'bird around Spot isn't a good thing." The two of them walked over to where a group of newsies were standing around the punch bowl.
"C'mon Spot, come dance with me." Hummingbird was all but throwing herself at Spot. Being somewhat shy Canada had drawn back to watch the scene play out. Hotshot had seen the girl dance with Spot several times and they seemed to be enjoying each other's company. Unfortunately she was also pretty sure that Canada wouldn't stand up for herself.
"What the hell do you think you're doin'?" She snapped. Several sets of eyes moved to her.
Hummingbird stood and moved in front of Hotshot, "I'se claiming my territory. See I need a new guy an' Spot here is it. But then it seems that you can't keep a guy," she glanced at Specs, "So you wouldn't know nuthin' about that would you."
"Well as I see it he's been dancin' wit' Canada here all night an' basically ignores you," Hotshot said in a deadly calm voice, which made even Spot a little nervous. "I got a few problems with what you just said too. First, me an' Specs ain't together at the moment, but if we were I wouldn't need to claim him 'cause we ain't like you. You on the other hand seem to need to be all over some guy twenty-four hours a day. And as for Spot… Well, he seems to be able to make up his mind on his own. He won't hit you to get the message across but I know he won't mind me doin' it for him."
"Fine then," Hummingbird moved past her, "Then I'll just ask your date here to dance."
Hotshot moved to block her path scooping up a glass of red wine off the table. "I don't think so," she said very calmly. With that she dumped the drink down the front of Hummingbird's white dress. The girl cried out in fury and stormed out. "Can you entertain yourselves for the rest of the evening?" she asked the rest of the crowd. When they nodded and went back to their dates she took Specs' arm, "Let's go for a walk."
They walked halfway down the empty hallway before she collapsed into a chair, "After tonight I never want to dance again."
"You know you don't mean that." Specs said, leaning against the wall next to her.
"Yeah, I do," she said. She laughed, shaking her head, "The look on her face was priceless."
Specs grinned back at her as she got herself under control and stood up. She looked at him with a smile on her face, "We should probably ge-"
She was cut off suddenly as he brought his lips down over hers. It had been so long since he'd kissed her and it felt good to kiss him again. She wrapped her arms around his neck and his slid into place around her waist. It was a good enough kiss that Race surely would have screamed 'when's the wedding' if he'd seen them. As they parted Specs finished the sentence she'd started, "Get back."
She kissed him lightly and muttered, "Yeah, we need to finish that dance."
The two returned to the room as a new song started. It was slower than the one they'd danced to earlier but they joined the couples on the floor. Hotshot noticed the envious looks some of the rich guys were shooting Specs and almost laughed. She'd never had this many guy vying for her attention in her life. Too bad she'd already chosen Specs over all of them.
"So Hotshot," Specs started to gain her attention, "I wanted to ask you something."
She turned to face him, "Yeah, go ahead."
"Well, I was wondering if you wanted to," he swallowed nervously, "Well, since the trial is basically over. If you wanted to get back together. Will you be my girl again?"
Hotshot hadn't expected for him to bring this up before the next day but she was almost prepared, "Specs I really care about you. It's just; I have no idea where my life is going after the trial. I want to help my dad out some. I don't know if I'm staying in Manhattan or going back to Brooklyn. Specs, I don't even know if I'll get away from the Pulitzers. If you'll get away from your parents."
"So that's a 'no'." Specs sighed.
"That is a 'maybe'." Hotshot nodded, "Just; I need a little while to figure things out if I get emancipation..." She was going to go on to tell him that her maybe was a close to 'yes' as you could get without it actually being a yes but was interrupted by the music being cut off and her father's voice echoing through the room.
"Ladies and gentlemen, since the party seems to be winding down I believe it is time that Brooke come up here and sing a song for us." He motioned for her to come up to the stage.
Hotshot squeezed Specs' hand slightly before walking forward, "Be right back," she promised. She climbed the stairs to the stage and stood next to her father.
"I am also very happy to announce that we are very optimistic about the outcome tomorrow being in Brooke's favor. If and when she receives emancipation she will be staying here with her brother and I." He patted her on the shoulder and walked offstage.
Brooke stood there in shock for a minute. She'd been trying to make this decision for the past few months and now her father had just decided for her. She looked out at the guys and could see that most of them understood that it wasn't all her decision. She shook herself out of her stupor and thought of a song. After a brief chat with the band she walked to the front of the stage to sing. The music started and she began to tap her foot with it, the words flowing off her tongue…
As she sang the firs verse she looked at her brother, Jack and Spot, thinking of how her life was when she lived among the upper class. Everyone claimed it was the best way to live life but that way of life was the main reason she'd run away.
Here's to the good life
or so they say
All those parties and games that all those people play
They tell me this is the place to be
All these beautiful people and nothin' to see
Sometimes I feel like something is gone here
Something is wrong here, I don't belong here
Sometimes I feel like a stranger in town
And I've lost what I found, it'll all turn around
In a little while I'll be thinkin' about you
In a little while I'll still be here without you
You never gave me a reason to doubt you
In a little while I'll be thinkin' about you baby...I'll be thinkin' about you
baby
The second verse revolved
around her life with the newsies and all of the friends she had made in the
past ten years. Her gaze landed on a
large group of them in the center of the floor, especially Specs who stood in
front of them. She knew how hard it
would be for her to leave them.
On the other side of a coin
There's a face there's a memory somewhere that I can't erase
And there's a place that I find someday
But sometimes I feel like it's slippin' away
Sometimes I feel like something is gone here
Something is wrong here, I don't belong here
Sometimes I feel like a stranger in town
And I've lost what I found, it'll all turn around
In a little while I'll be thinkin' about you
In a little while I'll still be here without you
You never gave me a reason to doubt you
In a little while I'll be thinkin' about you baby...I'll be thinkin' about you
baby
In a little while I'll be
thinkin' about you
In a little while I'll still be here without you
You never gave me a reason to doubt you
In a little while I'll be thinkin' about you baby...I'll be thinkin' about you
baby
Some things are lost some
left behind
Some things are better left for someone else to find
Maybe in time I can finally see
I just wonder, wonder if you think about me
Sometimes I feel like something is gone here
Something is wrong here, I don't belong here
Sometimes I feel like a stranger in town
And I've lost what I found, it'll all turn around
In a little while I'll be thinkin' about you
In a little while I'll still be here without you
You never gave me a reason to doubt you
In a little while I'll be thinkin' about you baby...I'll be thinkin' about you
baby
In a little while I'll be
thinkin' about you
In a little while I'll still be here without you
You never gave me a reason to doubt you
In a little while I'll be thinkin' about you baby...I'll be thinkin' about you
baby
In a Little While by Uncle Kracker
The room was full of cheers. Most of the newsies understood why she'd sung the song. Even Specs was cheering, but halfheartedly. Hotshot could see the look on his face. He was trying to express happiness, but sorrow was showing through a little too.
As she walked down the stairs she noticed most of the crowd drifting toward the door. She glanced wildly around for Specs and caught sight of Race, Dutchy, and a few of the other guys pulling him toward the door, complaining that Kloppman wouldn't let them in. Specs shrugged on his coat and picked up his hat. As she caught his eye he waved and turned, leaving with his friends.
She noticed Rebel walking Lily to the door and Mr. Edwards looking on angrily. She smiled as Rebel kissed Lily goodnight and went back to the hall. Her father was waiting for her.
"I'm sorry for springing that on you a few minutes ago." He said, "But you will stay here won't you?"
"Yeah, I'll stay," she said grinning. She leaned down to pick up some trash that lay on the floor.
"No, it's been a long night and we have to be at court early tomorrow. Go get to bed." Her father insisted.
She nodded and started upstairs. She nearly collided with her brother.
"I still say, holy shit you look different in that outfit," Blackjack claimed. "I'm pretty sure most of the newsies agree with me. But tomorrow you'll be back to your normal attire, right?"
"Yup," she continued on her way and changed in her room. She smiled to herself thinking of all the couples she'd set up tonight. Canada and Spot were very happy together, and she was pretty sure they'd get together. Spot would have someone else to care about so much. Then there was Chiara and Much, Splash and Dutchy, Mouse and David all seemed to be getting along quite nicely. The group of couples could also include Laze and Race, Random and Snoddy, Frenchy and Snitch, Dodger and Jake, and Sweets and Kid Blink, who was back to his normal self and flirting up a storm. Glare, Tigerlily, and Shade were by themselves. Shade liked Jack but there was nothing Hotshot could do about that. She and Specs soon popped up in her mind. What was she going to do? If she stayed she couldn't be with him, but she had to help her father get settled. She'd talk to him tomorrow. He always understood where she was coming from.
Tomorrow. Tomorrow she lost or gained her freedom. Tomorrow she made decisions that would change the rest of her life. Tomorrow her life would become better or it would be ruined. So many things could go wrong, but they could also change for the better. Tomorrow she could be with Specs. Everything was determined tomorrow. Tomorrow she had to make more decisions than she wanted, but that was tomorrow. Everything could wait until tomorrow.
A/N: Merry Christmas everyone! It took me so long to finish this chapter because I couldn't decide what song to use. Almost no one reviewed until a week after I put the chapter up so I looked to other people for help. The song I chose wasn't even one of the one's I put on the list anyway. Don't worry, one of the songs from the list will be on here before the end of the story, which btw I am working very hard to finish over vacation.
I am brainstorming so many other storylines for Newsie stories. The best part is most of them haven't been seen before, at least not by me. Hotshot is probably going to have roles in a few other stories too so keep an eye out for her. I'd give individual shout outs to everyone but I really want to get this chapter up. That and my sister and friend are playing Black Jack right next to me and I want to play. So shout outs to Drama-Queen, Katie, Chachi, Frenchy, Starrika, Crystal Lefler, Caitlin22888, Splash, and SaL for that e-mail. I hope t see updates from those of you that write and reviews from everyone. For anyone who likes the song, it's copyrighted by Uncle Kracker.
I would love to get a bunch of reviews for Christmas. If I read any stories tomorrow those people will all get reviews for their Christmas presents from me. So if you wanna give me a Christmas present click that little purple button that says go and tell me what you think. I don't care if you've never review before. Another chapter soon, I promise, hopefully before we go back to school. Have a nice Christmas and a happy vacation. In the words of my good friend Mandi (and Harry Potter) Happy Christmas!
~Hotshot~~~