Note from Author
Wow! Thank you for the reviews! I was getting so frusterated with chapter 7, but after coming here and reading the few reveiws I received, I felt so much better. THANKS!!
Chapter 8 is going to be kinda short, but It's an important chapter. If I write all night it should be up by tomorrow. (I hope!)
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Chapter 7
"Are you going to just sit there or are you going to sell?"
Mary glanced up at Blink as he sold his last paper then back to the stack of papers that sit next to her, untouched. She shrugged. "I'll sell them, eventually."
Blink pocketed the money he just received, and sat down on the curb next to her. He watched her thoughtful stare a few moments before speaking. "You need to stop thinking about this Race and Nichole thing so much. If they are so crazy about each other then they will get together themselves."
Mary broke out of her thoughts and focused it on Blink. "You really don't know anything about Nick. She rather throw herself off the Brooklyn bridge then admit she was in love with Race."
He paused and thought for a minute realizing she was right. He only knew Nichole for a few months and knew little about her, but if there was one person he did know it was Race, and when he cared for someone he told then straight out. Why would Nichole be any different.
"You think she's in love with him?"
Mary's eyes lit up as she watched a couple walk past her hand in hand. "If you just watch the two of them together, you'll see. I have never seen her more happy then when she is with Race."
The determine look that spread across Mary's face caused Blink to fidget where he sat. She was not someone to give up on something she set her mind on. He shook his head slowly side to side and grasped her small hand with his much larger one.
"Maybe you should let nature take its course, let them get together on their own. Their relationship will be better that way."
"No, Blink. You lived with her the last few months you see how she is. She is too stubborn to admit anything to herself or anybody else. I'm not going let her pass up a good thing. She needs someone there to care for her and tell her they love her…"
Blink slide closer to her and placed his free hand around her shoulder. "That's where you come in. Even if she and Race don't get together Nick will always have you to there for her."
"It's not the same thing, she needs a guy to tell her those things, she needs to learn to trust again…"
Blink sat confused for a second. She seemed to trust Race fairly well… " What do you mean "trust again"? She seems to trust us all to an extent."
"Yea, to an extent. Before she was…before the accident she was so free and carefree. She talk with anyone in the orphanage." Mary paused to gather her thoughts while Blink pulled her closer. "After she became distant, she wouldn't trust anyone except me, especially guys. In fact, you could say she hated guys. She just turned…cold towards everything and everyone."
Blink nodded listening intently. "If you don't mind me asking, what kind of "accident" happened?" The question was somewhat a stupid one. The way Nichole acted around men was an answer in its own, but he wanted to be positive before inquiring anything.
Mary laughed bitterly, in the exact same way Nichole had the night she told her. "The one thing no girl should have to go through at any age. Especially at thirteen."
It wasn't an exact answer, but it was good enough. "She was only thirteen when it happened?" When she simply nodded he gathered her in a hug. "Was it someone from the orphanage?"
She nodded snuggling closer to his chest, suppressing the tears that threatened to spill down her cheeks. Blink pulled back to look at her strangely as she laughed lightly into her chest. Tilting her head up she shook it back and forth.
"Nothing…nothing, I just realized that everytime we are together alone I always end up crying and you always end up comforting me. I need to stop being so damn dramatic…"
Chuckling, Blink released her from his grasp. "I like you dramaticness. It makes you, you."
"Yes, but we never get to spend anytime together without bring up Nick and Race, or my past…" Her voice was silenced by a hand being placed over her hand. She raised her eyebrows at Blink questionably.
"I was thinking, maybe we could leave the party at Irving hall tomorrow early and come back to the lodging house to spend alittle alone time together." Blink asked leisurely, removing his hand. "What do you think about that?"
Mary blushed brightly and turned her head to hide the wide grin that was spreading across her face. Was he inquiring what she thought he was? She turned to look at his hopeful face, and nodded without hesitation. Blink released a shaky breath and returned the smile.
"We are going to hang out at the party for a little while right? I still see what I can do with Race and Nick in the time I have." Blink groaned, but continued to grin. "You never give up do you?"
Mary punched him in the arm lightly, stood and stretched. "Nope, I ain't giving in until Nick and Race are a couple."
"Well, I don't know how you plan on doing that, but it's your life you can spend it on an endless cause if you want…Oww!" Blink stood towering over Mary rubbing his arm where she hit him. He backed away as she advanced towards him, hitting him repeatedly in the chest.
"It…is…not…a…endless…cause. I'm going to get those two together if it's the last thing I do…wait! Is Medda at Irving Hall today?"
Blink stumbled back, surprised by her mood change. It must be a girl thing. "Uhhh, yea I think." He replied scratching the back of his neck unsure of his own answer. He began to ask why, but stopped seeing she was now just a speck in the throng of people. Sighing, he turned his head to look between the fifty or so papes that lay on the ground and the spot Mary stood just moments ago. Hoisting the stack on his shoulder he headed to Central Park, the quickest place to sell, while racking his brain for somekind of explanation to Mary's sudden urge to see Medda. He couldn't come up with anything, but the thought became more intriguing the more he thought of it.
HR
Mary eyes wandered around the elegant backstage area of Irving Hall before quickly knocking on a faded wooden door marked "Medda". She only met Medda once before, when Blink and the others needed a night out of the lodging house, but they immediately hit it off. Mary looked at her like a mother, and was positive she would help her in anyway she could.
Mary smiled as the door swung open and Medda, in one of her many fancy dresses, appeared. "Mary, it's nice to see you again! Everything fine with you and Kid Blink?"
Mary's smile grew to a grin. Medda was one of the first people, other then Nichole to predict her and Blink getting together. "Me and Blink are fine, I actually wanted to ask a favor of you."
"Of course, of course! You know I do anything for a friend of a newsie." Medda exclaimed ushering the younger girl into the dressing room. Pushing her down in a chair she nodded for her to continue. Mary inhaled deeply, excited to tell someone her idea.
"I just wanted to ask if me and Nick could borrow dresses for the party tomorrow. You know in some hope the change would get Race to notice Nick in a different light."
"Of course you can, but are we talking about the same Nichole I met the last time the newsies were here. Not that I'm saying she wasn't a sweet girl, but she just doesn't seem like the type to want to wear something like this." Medda said fingering a dress on one of the many racks strewed around the small room.
Mary nodded, agreeing with her. "I know, but I thought I could somehow talk her into wearing it, or… maybe you could." She glanced up at Medda with hope in her eyes.
"You know I do anything for you, but I don't see how me asking is going to make a difference in her answer."
Standing she began to pace the small area. "It probably won't, but I feel like I need to do something. If she passes up her chance with Race I would never forgive myself."
Medda placed a comforting hand on the rambling girl's shoulder. "You don't have to do anything, if they are meant to be together then they will get together, it's as simple as that. "
Mary laughed and shook her head at the familiar advice. "You sound exactly like Blink."
"Yes, well I suggest you listen to that boyfriend of yours, cause he is right."
"Yea, yea." Mary mumbled upset nobody saw her side of things. "I just feel like if I don't do something the whole thing is going to drive me insane." She stopped pacing, Medda's hands holding her shoulders.
"Mary, calm down! Everything will turn out fine. You just pick out a dress and take it home with you; show it to Nichole. If she still disagrees then bring her backstage before my show tomorrow and I will talk to her."
Mary smiled gratefully and pulled her into a hug. "Thanks, Medda."
Returning the hug, she patted her back. "No problem, kid." Pulling back Medda pushed her gently towards the racks of dresses. "Mary, could you do me a favor?"
"Yea, sure." Mary looked up from the dress she held against her body.
"If she does agree to wear a dress get someone to take a picture, because that is one thing you are going to want to remember. It's not everyday you'll see her in a frilly dress."
Mary laughed openly at the truth of Medda's words. "Ohh trust me I will…I will."
HR
With one of Medda's dresses stored safely in a bag in her hand, Mary headed down the darkening streets of Manhattan. Making a short stop at Tibby's to check if Blink was there (he wasn't) she headed back to the lodging house.
Giving a short hello to Kloppman she jumped up the stairs two by two, and placed the bag safely in her room. Retracing her steps down the hallway she joined the others in the boy's bunkroom, who were engaged in a game of poker. Noticing Blink on the other side of the table, she walked around the boys and pulled up a stray chair beside him. Resting her head on his shoulder, she glanced at his cards before tilting her mouth close to his ear.
"You didn't have to sell my papers, you know."
Blink jumped at the soft breath on his ear, and turned to acknowledge her presence. "Yes, I did. Besides what was I supposed to do with fifty extra papes? Eat them?" Kissing her quickly he turned back to her cards and threw a coin into the pile. "I have your money in my vest, I'll give it to you later."
Mary reached around him and threw another coin in the pile. "Naw, you keep it. You sold them not me."
"And just how are you going to feed yourself without any money?"
"I'll just let you buy for me." Mary suggested poking him playfully in the stomach.
Folding his cards and placing them on the table he turned and began to tickle her stomach, catching the attention of the others in the room. The laughter that burst out of the two knocked them both to the floor, gasping for breath.
"You two need to get a room."
Untangling herself from Blink, Mary sat up and regarded Nichole's comment with raised eyebrows. "Fine, we will." Grabbing Blink's hand she dragged him to the unoccupied room, leaving a room full of shocked faces.
"If you guys plan on doing anything don't use my bed!" Nichole yelled watching the happy couple leave the room.
Closing the door softly, Blink turned and jumped on the bed beside Mary. Wrapping his arms around her, he fell back on the bed pulling her with him. The soft kisses that he placed on her neck sent shivers over her body. Turning she wrapped her arms fully around his body, feeling comfort from the warmth. Both lay there in the silence of the room, listening to the sounds of the poker game continuing on the other side of the door.
Nichole could be clearly heard over the rest of the male voices, arguing with Racetrack over a hand he just won. Mary's lips tugged into a smile as she listened to her friend playfully argue with Racetrack. They were meant to be together and didn't even know it.
"So, we still on for tomorrow night?"
Blink's meek voice caused Mary to jolt out of her thoughts. She looked up at him confused. "Huh? Did you say something?"
"I asked you if you were still on for tomorrow night."
Mary buried her red face into his chest and nodded, smiling. Blink laughed at the shy act and lifted her chin, his gaze meeting hers. "There is nothing to blush about, we love each other." This comment only caused Mary to blush again, and attempt to bury her face deeper in his chest.
"You are going to suffocate if you stay like that." Blink commented trying to lighten the mood. He smiled when he felt a muffled laugh against his chest, and then met her eyes. He laughed and stretched his long body out when she smacked his chest lightly. Lifting his body up and resting on his elbows, he glanced at the end of the bed at the bag that his foot hit.
"What's that?" Blink asked curiously sitting up the rest of the way. Glancing at the bag Mary shrugged nonchalantly. "Just a dress I picked up for the party from Medda."
"Is that why you were in such a hurry to see her earlier?"
Mary nodded and welcomed his arms as they embraced her in a hug. Yawning loudly she gave Blink on last squeeze and jumped off the bed. "I need to go talk to Nick before I fall dead asleep."
Blink pulled her back to his body and nuzzled her neck. "I don't think sleep would be such a bad thing if we do it together." He pouted; Mary patting his cheek and standing again.
"Mmm the offer sounds tempting but I really need to talk with Nick." She turned avoiding his puppy dog eyes.
"Can't you talk to her tomorrow?"
Mary's mouth tugged into a smile at his childlike whine. "No, I have tonight and tomorrow to persuade Nick to wear a dress to the party, and that is not as simple as it sounds."
Blink sat up, intrigued. "Wait, is this part of your plan?" She nodded and he continued. "How is getting Nick all dolled going to get her and Race together?"
Mary paused her movement towards the door, and thought for a moment. Come to think of it, she hadn't thought of any reason or explanation of how her plan would help her two friends. The idea just popped into her head and she went with it. Shrugging she turned back towards Blink.
"I don't know, but it's something, and I can't think of anything else. It's not like anything I think of in the next twenty-four hours is going to be useful anyway." With her hand on the doorknob she gave Blink a smirk. "See ya tomorrow night…"
"Damit, Race, would you stop cheating. You are starting to piss me off!"
Mary walked into the bunkroom and had to laugh at the two who sat at the table playfully arguing. She stood back a few more moments, before plopping herself down in the chair Blink once occupied.
Nichole glanced away from her shoving match with Race to smile quickly at her friend. "Hey Mar, where have you been? I haven't seen you all day."
Mary chuckled as Nichole placed Race in a headlock. "I was over at Medda's picking up a dress for the party." Mary paused a moment before continuing. "And I thought that maybe you might want to pick one out too."
Nick halted her actions with Race and stared at Mary perplexed. "Me? In a dress?!" She smacked a laughing Race. "I don't think so, Mar. I haven't worn a dress since I was like six!"
"Nick! In a dress! Oh God, that is the funniest thing I heard in a long time!" Nichole rolled her eyes and released Race letting him fall to the floor in a fit of laughter.
Mary briskly walked around the table, jumped over Race who lay crumpled on the floor, and sat in the chair he sat in moments ago. "Would you just think it over before you give me an answer?"
She sighed in aggravation. Leaning forward she eyed Race and whispered. "You know exactly what my answer is, and I'm not going to change it, and you know why." Nichole replied harshly slamming her cards down and leaving the room.
Race, who stopped laughing at the sound of Nichole's raised voice, stared up at Mary concerned. Sighing, she gave him a reassuring pat on the shoulder and left to return to her room and lay in Blink's comforting arms.
HR
(The Next afternoon)
Mary flinched as the laces of her corsage tightened and the fabric attached itself to her skin. Lifting her eyes she stared at Nichole's reflection in the mirror. She could almost feel the anger Nichole felt as she pulled and tugged the laces, restricting Mary's breathing room. Grunting as the fabric, once again bit into her skin, she turned ripping Nichole's hands from the laces.
"Are you angry with me or something?"
Nichole didn't reply, she grabbed Mary's slimed-down waist and turned her around. "I'm not angry with anyone." She replied dryly, tying the laces in a bow. "There you're done go put your dress on over it, and do your hair or whatever you plan on doing."
Nichole turned and hurried to leave the room, something she wanted to do the moment she entered about an hour ago. The tension in the room was so thick you could cut it with a knife, and it was driving Nichole up the wall. With her hand on the door, she turned feeling a hand grab her wrist.
"What?!"
The edge in her voice caused Mary to flinch back. "If you are upset at me for something I did I suggest you tell me now and we apologize to each other, because we are going to be seeing each other all night." She stated wisely.
Nichole rolled her eyes and leaned against the door waiting for a lecture. When Mary's eyes just stared through her, she banged her fist against the wood behind her. "I just told you I wasn't mad with you. You…I'm just frustrated."
Turning to avoid Mary's prying eyes, she opened the door to the chaos of forty different boys running around getting themselves ready. "Just go get yourself ready, I'll see you there."
"You're still going?" Mary was surprised, she thought that maybe Nichole might want to be alone. Nichole only nodded. "Of course I'm going, I need alittle excitement in my life."
Leaning out the door Nichole raised her eyebrows in amusement as Bumlets ran down the hallway, with Skittery close behind him in only his long underwear and no shirt. Shaking her head, she glanced at Mary.
"Anyway, I'll see you there. Ohh and I want all the details on how shocked Blink looks when he sees you. Some things are always amusing no matter what kind of mood you are in."
Mary bit back a giggle and shut the door behind her grumbling friend. She may not be absolutely miserable, but she knew that there was something bothering Nick. She just prayed it didn't interfere with her plan.
Wow! Thank you for the reviews! I was getting so frusterated with chapter 7, but after coming here and reading the few reveiws I received, I felt so much better. THANKS!!
Chapter 8 is going to be kinda short, but It's an important chapter. If I write all night it should be up by tomorrow. (I hope!)
________________________________________________________________________
Chapter 7
"Are you going to just sit there or are you going to sell?"
Mary glanced up at Blink as he sold his last paper then back to the stack of papers that sit next to her, untouched. She shrugged. "I'll sell them, eventually."
Blink pocketed the money he just received, and sat down on the curb next to her. He watched her thoughtful stare a few moments before speaking. "You need to stop thinking about this Race and Nichole thing so much. If they are so crazy about each other then they will get together themselves."
Mary broke out of her thoughts and focused it on Blink. "You really don't know anything about Nick. She rather throw herself off the Brooklyn bridge then admit she was in love with Race."
He paused and thought for a minute realizing she was right. He only knew Nichole for a few months and knew little about her, but if there was one person he did know it was Race, and when he cared for someone he told then straight out. Why would Nichole be any different.
"You think she's in love with him?"
Mary's eyes lit up as she watched a couple walk past her hand in hand. "If you just watch the two of them together, you'll see. I have never seen her more happy then when she is with Race."
The determine look that spread across Mary's face caused Blink to fidget where he sat. She was not someone to give up on something she set her mind on. He shook his head slowly side to side and grasped her small hand with his much larger one.
"Maybe you should let nature take its course, let them get together on their own. Their relationship will be better that way."
"No, Blink. You lived with her the last few months you see how she is. She is too stubborn to admit anything to herself or anybody else. I'm not going let her pass up a good thing. She needs someone there to care for her and tell her they love her…"
Blink slide closer to her and placed his free hand around her shoulder. "That's where you come in. Even if she and Race don't get together Nick will always have you to there for her."
"It's not the same thing, she needs a guy to tell her those things, she needs to learn to trust again…"
Blink sat confused for a second. She seemed to trust Race fairly well… " What do you mean "trust again"? She seems to trust us all to an extent."
"Yea, to an extent. Before she was…before the accident she was so free and carefree. She talk with anyone in the orphanage." Mary paused to gather her thoughts while Blink pulled her closer. "After she became distant, she wouldn't trust anyone except me, especially guys. In fact, you could say she hated guys. She just turned…cold towards everything and everyone."
Blink nodded listening intently. "If you don't mind me asking, what kind of "accident" happened?" The question was somewhat a stupid one. The way Nichole acted around men was an answer in its own, but he wanted to be positive before inquiring anything.
Mary laughed bitterly, in the exact same way Nichole had the night she told her. "The one thing no girl should have to go through at any age. Especially at thirteen."
It wasn't an exact answer, but it was good enough. "She was only thirteen when it happened?" When she simply nodded he gathered her in a hug. "Was it someone from the orphanage?"
She nodded snuggling closer to his chest, suppressing the tears that threatened to spill down her cheeks. Blink pulled back to look at her strangely as she laughed lightly into her chest. Tilting her head up she shook it back and forth.
"Nothing…nothing, I just realized that everytime we are together alone I always end up crying and you always end up comforting me. I need to stop being so damn dramatic…"
Chuckling, Blink released her from his grasp. "I like you dramaticness. It makes you, you."
"Yes, but we never get to spend anytime together without bring up Nick and Race, or my past…" Her voice was silenced by a hand being placed over her hand. She raised her eyebrows at Blink questionably.
"I was thinking, maybe we could leave the party at Irving hall tomorrow early and come back to the lodging house to spend alittle alone time together." Blink asked leisurely, removing his hand. "What do you think about that?"
Mary blushed brightly and turned her head to hide the wide grin that was spreading across her face. Was he inquiring what she thought he was? She turned to look at his hopeful face, and nodded without hesitation. Blink released a shaky breath and returned the smile.
"We are going to hang out at the party for a little while right? I still see what I can do with Race and Nick in the time I have." Blink groaned, but continued to grin. "You never give up do you?"
Mary punched him in the arm lightly, stood and stretched. "Nope, I ain't giving in until Nick and Race are a couple."
"Well, I don't know how you plan on doing that, but it's your life you can spend it on an endless cause if you want…Oww!" Blink stood towering over Mary rubbing his arm where she hit him. He backed away as she advanced towards him, hitting him repeatedly in the chest.
"It…is…not…a…endless…cause. I'm going to get those two together if it's the last thing I do…wait! Is Medda at Irving Hall today?"
Blink stumbled back, surprised by her mood change. It must be a girl thing. "Uhhh, yea I think." He replied scratching the back of his neck unsure of his own answer. He began to ask why, but stopped seeing she was now just a speck in the throng of people. Sighing, he turned his head to look between the fifty or so papes that lay on the ground and the spot Mary stood just moments ago. Hoisting the stack on his shoulder he headed to Central Park, the quickest place to sell, while racking his brain for somekind of explanation to Mary's sudden urge to see Medda. He couldn't come up with anything, but the thought became more intriguing the more he thought of it.
HR
Mary eyes wandered around the elegant backstage area of Irving Hall before quickly knocking on a faded wooden door marked "Medda". She only met Medda once before, when Blink and the others needed a night out of the lodging house, but they immediately hit it off. Mary looked at her like a mother, and was positive she would help her in anyway she could.
Mary smiled as the door swung open and Medda, in one of her many fancy dresses, appeared. "Mary, it's nice to see you again! Everything fine with you and Kid Blink?"
Mary's smile grew to a grin. Medda was one of the first people, other then Nichole to predict her and Blink getting together. "Me and Blink are fine, I actually wanted to ask a favor of you."
"Of course, of course! You know I do anything for a friend of a newsie." Medda exclaimed ushering the younger girl into the dressing room. Pushing her down in a chair she nodded for her to continue. Mary inhaled deeply, excited to tell someone her idea.
"I just wanted to ask if me and Nick could borrow dresses for the party tomorrow. You know in some hope the change would get Race to notice Nick in a different light."
"Of course you can, but are we talking about the same Nichole I met the last time the newsies were here. Not that I'm saying she wasn't a sweet girl, but she just doesn't seem like the type to want to wear something like this." Medda said fingering a dress on one of the many racks strewed around the small room.
Mary nodded, agreeing with her. "I know, but I thought I could somehow talk her into wearing it, or… maybe you could." She glanced up at Medda with hope in her eyes.
"You know I do anything for you, but I don't see how me asking is going to make a difference in her answer."
Standing she began to pace the small area. "It probably won't, but I feel like I need to do something. If she passes up her chance with Race I would never forgive myself."
Medda placed a comforting hand on the rambling girl's shoulder. "You don't have to do anything, if they are meant to be together then they will get together, it's as simple as that. "
Mary laughed and shook her head at the familiar advice. "You sound exactly like Blink."
"Yes, well I suggest you listen to that boyfriend of yours, cause he is right."
"Yea, yea." Mary mumbled upset nobody saw her side of things. "I just feel like if I don't do something the whole thing is going to drive me insane." She stopped pacing, Medda's hands holding her shoulders.
"Mary, calm down! Everything will turn out fine. You just pick out a dress and take it home with you; show it to Nichole. If she still disagrees then bring her backstage before my show tomorrow and I will talk to her."
Mary smiled gratefully and pulled her into a hug. "Thanks, Medda."
Returning the hug, she patted her back. "No problem, kid." Pulling back Medda pushed her gently towards the racks of dresses. "Mary, could you do me a favor?"
"Yea, sure." Mary looked up from the dress she held against her body.
"If she does agree to wear a dress get someone to take a picture, because that is one thing you are going to want to remember. It's not everyday you'll see her in a frilly dress."
Mary laughed openly at the truth of Medda's words. "Ohh trust me I will…I will."
HR
With one of Medda's dresses stored safely in a bag in her hand, Mary headed down the darkening streets of Manhattan. Making a short stop at Tibby's to check if Blink was there (he wasn't) she headed back to the lodging house.
Giving a short hello to Kloppman she jumped up the stairs two by two, and placed the bag safely in her room. Retracing her steps down the hallway she joined the others in the boy's bunkroom, who were engaged in a game of poker. Noticing Blink on the other side of the table, she walked around the boys and pulled up a stray chair beside him. Resting her head on his shoulder, she glanced at his cards before tilting her mouth close to his ear.
"You didn't have to sell my papers, you know."
Blink jumped at the soft breath on his ear, and turned to acknowledge her presence. "Yes, I did. Besides what was I supposed to do with fifty extra papes? Eat them?" Kissing her quickly he turned back to her cards and threw a coin into the pile. "I have your money in my vest, I'll give it to you later."
Mary reached around him and threw another coin in the pile. "Naw, you keep it. You sold them not me."
"And just how are you going to feed yourself without any money?"
"I'll just let you buy for me." Mary suggested poking him playfully in the stomach.
Folding his cards and placing them on the table he turned and began to tickle her stomach, catching the attention of the others in the room. The laughter that burst out of the two knocked them both to the floor, gasping for breath.
"You two need to get a room."
Untangling herself from Blink, Mary sat up and regarded Nichole's comment with raised eyebrows. "Fine, we will." Grabbing Blink's hand she dragged him to the unoccupied room, leaving a room full of shocked faces.
"If you guys plan on doing anything don't use my bed!" Nichole yelled watching the happy couple leave the room.
Closing the door softly, Blink turned and jumped on the bed beside Mary. Wrapping his arms around her, he fell back on the bed pulling her with him. The soft kisses that he placed on her neck sent shivers over her body. Turning she wrapped her arms fully around his body, feeling comfort from the warmth. Both lay there in the silence of the room, listening to the sounds of the poker game continuing on the other side of the door.
Nichole could be clearly heard over the rest of the male voices, arguing with Racetrack over a hand he just won. Mary's lips tugged into a smile as she listened to her friend playfully argue with Racetrack. They were meant to be together and didn't even know it.
"So, we still on for tomorrow night?"
Blink's meek voice caused Mary to jolt out of her thoughts. She looked up at him confused. "Huh? Did you say something?"
"I asked you if you were still on for tomorrow night."
Mary buried her red face into his chest and nodded, smiling. Blink laughed at the shy act and lifted her chin, his gaze meeting hers. "There is nothing to blush about, we love each other." This comment only caused Mary to blush again, and attempt to bury her face deeper in his chest.
"You are going to suffocate if you stay like that." Blink commented trying to lighten the mood. He smiled when he felt a muffled laugh against his chest, and then met her eyes. He laughed and stretched his long body out when she smacked his chest lightly. Lifting his body up and resting on his elbows, he glanced at the end of the bed at the bag that his foot hit.
"What's that?" Blink asked curiously sitting up the rest of the way. Glancing at the bag Mary shrugged nonchalantly. "Just a dress I picked up for the party from Medda."
"Is that why you were in such a hurry to see her earlier?"
Mary nodded and welcomed his arms as they embraced her in a hug. Yawning loudly she gave Blink on last squeeze and jumped off the bed. "I need to go talk to Nick before I fall dead asleep."
Blink pulled her back to his body and nuzzled her neck. "I don't think sleep would be such a bad thing if we do it together." He pouted; Mary patting his cheek and standing again.
"Mmm the offer sounds tempting but I really need to talk with Nick." She turned avoiding his puppy dog eyes.
"Can't you talk to her tomorrow?"
Mary's mouth tugged into a smile at his childlike whine. "No, I have tonight and tomorrow to persuade Nick to wear a dress to the party, and that is not as simple as it sounds."
Blink sat up, intrigued. "Wait, is this part of your plan?" She nodded and he continued. "How is getting Nick all dolled going to get her and Race together?"
Mary paused her movement towards the door, and thought for a moment. Come to think of it, she hadn't thought of any reason or explanation of how her plan would help her two friends. The idea just popped into her head and she went with it. Shrugging she turned back towards Blink.
"I don't know, but it's something, and I can't think of anything else. It's not like anything I think of in the next twenty-four hours is going to be useful anyway." With her hand on the doorknob she gave Blink a smirk. "See ya tomorrow night…"
"Damit, Race, would you stop cheating. You are starting to piss me off!"
Mary walked into the bunkroom and had to laugh at the two who sat at the table playfully arguing. She stood back a few more moments, before plopping herself down in the chair Blink once occupied.
Nichole glanced away from her shoving match with Race to smile quickly at her friend. "Hey Mar, where have you been? I haven't seen you all day."
Mary chuckled as Nichole placed Race in a headlock. "I was over at Medda's picking up a dress for the party." Mary paused a moment before continuing. "And I thought that maybe you might want to pick one out too."
Nick halted her actions with Race and stared at Mary perplexed. "Me? In a dress?!" She smacked a laughing Race. "I don't think so, Mar. I haven't worn a dress since I was like six!"
"Nick! In a dress! Oh God, that is the funniest thing I heard in a long time!" Nichole rolled her eyes and released Race letting him fall to the floor in a fit of laughter.
Mary briskly walked around the table, jumped over Race who lay crumpled on the floor, and sat in the chair he sat in moments ago. "Would you just think it over before you give me an answer?"
She sighed in aggravation. Leaning forward she eyed Race and whispered. "You know exactly what my answer is, and I'm not going to change it, and you know why." Nichole replied harshly slamming her cards down and leaving the room.
Race, who stopped laughing at the sound of Nichole's raised voice, stared up at Mary concerned. Sighing, she gave him a reassuring pat on the shoulder and left to return to her room and lay in Blink's comforting arms.
HR
(The Next afternoon)
Mary flinched as the laces of her corsage tightened and the fabric attached itself to her skin. Lifting her eyes she stared at Nichole's reflection in the mirror. She could almost feel the anger Nichole felt as she pulled and tugged the laces, restricting Mary's breathing room. Grunting as the fabric, once again bit into her skin, she turned ripping Nichole's hands from the laces.
"Are you angry with me or something?"
Nichole didn't reply, she grabbed Mary's slimed-down waist and turned her around. "I'm not angry with anyone." She replied dryly, tying the laces in a bow. "There you're done go put your dress on over it, and do your hair or whatever you plan on doing."
Nichole turned and hurried to leave the room, something she wanted to do the moment she entered about an hour ago. The tension in the room was so thick you could cut it with a knife, and it was driving Nichole up the wall. With her hand on the door, she turned feeling a hand grab her wrist.
"What?!"
The edge in her voice caused Mary to flinch back. "If you are upset at me for something I did I suggest you tell me now and we apologize to each other, because we are going to be seeing each other all night." She stated wisely.
Nichole rolled her eyes and leaned against the door waiting for a lecture. When Mary's eyes just stared through her, she banged her fist against the wood behind her. "I just told you I wasn't mad with you. You…I'm just frustrated."
Turning to avoid Mary's prying eyes, she opened the door to the chaos of forty different boys running around getting themselves ready. "Just go get yourself ready, I'll see you there."
"You're still going?" Mary was surprised, she thought that maybe Nichole might want to be alone. Nichole only nodded. "Of course I'm going, I need alittle excitement in my life."
Leaning out the door Nichole raised her eyebrows in amusement as Bumlets ran down the hallway, with Skittery close behind him in only his long underwear and no shirt. Shaking her head, she glanced at Mary.
"Anyway, I'll see you there. Ohh and I want all the details on how shocked Blink looks when he sees you. Some things are always amusing no matter what kind of mood you are in."
Mary bit back a giggle and shut the door behind her grumbling friend. She may not be absolutely miserable, but she knew that there was something bothering Nick. She just prayed it didn't interfere with her plan.