Chapter 14
Race blinked, his brain soaking in the question Nicole just asked. "You aren't talking about anything that is going to hurt them are you?"
Nicole looked appalled at even the thought of doing anything to hurt her friend. "No, no. Just mess with their minds alittle bit. You know go around pretending that nothing happened while we were locked in that room."
Race thought and then nodded vigorously, the avenging thoughts overpowering his usual logical ones. He wasn't going deny that he would get a good laugh from the look on Blink and Mary's faces when they found out their plotting and planning was only met in vein.
"Okay, I'm in." He paused, deep in thought, then his lip stuck out in a pout. "Wait, doesn't this mean I can't kiss you no more…or until they find out which might take awhile."
Nichole laughed. Catching sight of the rising sun, she stood and held out a hand for Race, which he gratefully accepted. "We can still be all lovey- dovey. Just not in front of everyone." Locking her arms around his neck, she rested her forehead against his own. "Besides, this will give us alittle time to be alone."
Race wiggled his eyebrows playfully. He titled his head at an angle and let his breath mingle with hers. "What exactly are you suggesting?"
The brown lustful eyes that bore into her own caused a shiver to run down her spine. Something that happened quite often when she was close to Racetrack. Returning his smirk, she pecked his lips lightly and tweaked his nose. "Nothing yet, but maybe sometime in the near future."
Race exhaled gustily. His eyes followed Nichole's every movement as she walked over to the firescape and disappeared down the medal steps. Removing his hat, he ran a hand through his thick greased hair.
He had definitely fallen head over heels in love with that girl…
HR
Mary groaned. Rolling to her side, she buried her face deeper into Blink's white longunderware in an attempt to block out Kloppman's grizzly voice. Blink's steady heartbeat began to lull her back to sleep, but the second her eyelashes made contact with her cheeks; a finger poked her firmly in the back.
"Hey, what's this? I thought the boys gave you your own room to sleep in."
Mary waved a hand sleepily at Kloppman; mumbling protest into Blink's shirt. He continued his prodding, poking and yelling, while the boys that were awake watched on, amused.
"Okay, Kloppman, I'm up, I'm up." Blink grumbled opening his eye lazily. He waved a hand at the older man and stretched. Looking down at the peaceful sleeping Mary, he placed a kiss on her forehead, then whispered into her hair. "Hey, Mar, It's time to get up."
She mumbled a few unrecognizable words, and swatted a hand at Blink. He stifled a laughed, and carefully rolled from under her. Running a hand through his tangled hair, he pulled on his pants, and headed towards the washroom.
In one of the bunks that were usually empty, he saw Spot getting ready. He shook his head. Spot was not one to give-up when he set his mind to something (or when he was angry), and he wasn't going to leave until he got Nichole alone and had a talk with her.
Nichole (from what he knew of her anyway) was one to do things without thinking, and hitting Spot was one of them. She was the type to let her anger control her actions.
Blink splashed a handful of water on his face and shifted his eyes down the hallway. The door was closed and nothing seemed to be out of place. But there was still the possibility that Race or Nichole found the door unlocked. Something that Mary had insisted on doing after the room became silent. On the other hand like he had said before they both could have killed eachother during the night.
Running a towel over his face, he walked back into the bunkroom, and sighed when he saw Mary hadn't moved from her spot in bed. Hoisting his body up on the empty bottom bunk, he loomed over her and lowered his mouth to her exposed ear. He exhaled slowly and bent back waiting for a reaction.
Nothing.
The others began to file out of the room, and Blink looked back down at Mary's sleeping form with a sigh. He bent his head and blew in her ear one last time, but this time he received a reaction.
"Oh come on, Blink. Let me stay here today." Mary wined, rolling to her side to face him. "I'm too damn tired to sell."
"No, you can't stay here. Get up." He grabbed her hand and pulled her up into a sitting position. "I know you're just dieing to find out what happened with Race and Nick."
Mary's eyes widened. Swinging her legs over the edge of the bed, she pushed Blink to the side and ran across the room. Before she could leave the bunkroom, though Spot stepped in front of her; placing a hand on her chest.
"Don't bother they aren't in there."
Mary looked from the hand on her chest to Spot's face. "What do you mean they're not in there? Where the hell would they go?" She asked Spot, confused. Turning, she looked at Blink for an answer. He only shrugged.
"I told you we should have locked the door somehow." Blink shrugged again. "They couldn't have gone far, if they went anywhere at all."
"You think they're still here?" Mary asked.
"If they're still here then Nick better not show her face because she is in store for a major soaking when I catch her."
Both Blink and Mary rolled their eyes.
"Even if you do see her, and you do catch her, you would not hit her." Blink reasoned. "She beat the crap out of you once and she probably could do it again."
Blink laughed silently and shook his head. Catching Mary's hand in his, they brushed past the glowering leader, and out of the lodging house. They had only walked a block but the sweat was already forming on Blink's forhead. Removing his hat and shoving it in his pocket, he wiped the sweat from his brow.
It was still early morning, but the sun was already shining brightly, and the temperature was slowly rising to a record high.
"Do you think anything happened between Race and Nick last night?" Mary asked, swinging their entwined hands back and forth.
Blink shook his head doubtfully. "Not with all that yelling going on. Both of them probably compromised on just being friends, and settled it at that."
Mary poked the side of his head. "What did I tell you about thinking positive? They are never going to get together if everybody keeps saying they aren't."
Dodging her finger, he laughed. "I'm only saying the truth. They are both completely different people, and there is no way they could be together without fighting."
"Hey, hey, opposites attract." She stated wisely.
"And then they kill each other." Mary punched his shoulder and Blink laughed. "What! You know I'm just joking. Besides after Nick went off at Spot like that you never know what she might do to Race."
"She would never hit him, she told me herself, and Nick wouldn't lie to me." Mary replied confidently. "And Spot deserved what he got." She added quietly.
Reaching the distribution center, Mary quickly kissed Blink and waited outside the gate. They still hadn't resolved the little problem with the Dalanceys and they didn't want to rouse up anything else.
Sitting down on a crate, Mary made herself comfortable. It was still early and most of the Manhattan newsies were still waiting for their papers; it would be a while before Blink got his. Tapping her finger patiently against the crate, she watched as files of people going to work or just out for a stroll walk by.
"Heya, Mary."
Mary glanced up and answered nonchalantly. "Hey, Race." Blinking, she took a double take. Had Race just walked past her, and if so where was Nichole? Standing, she glanced past the gate. Race stood at the end of the line, talking and laughing with Blink.
What is going on here? Where is Nichole?
Sitting back down her eyes scanned over the crowds of people. Nichole couldn't be to far away from Race. There was the possibility though; that they did get in a fight and Nichole ran off somewhere. Perhaps she was back up in the tree. But Race seemed too happy for anything negative to had happened. Her eyes scanned over the crowds for the third time.
Nothing. Absolutely nothing.
"Mary, Mary…Hey wake up Mary!" Mary stopped her searching and snapped her attention to Blink who stood beside her with Race, a concerned look on his face. "You okay?"
Mary shook her head to clear her mind. "Yea, I'm fine. Just thinking about some things." Standing, she looked Race over. "Hey, Race. How are ya doing?"
"Fine, looks like it's going to be a good selling day. Great headlines."
Mary nodded. Glancing over his head, she looked around as casual as she could. "So, where's Nichole?"
Race looked surprised. "Nichole? I haven't seen her since last night. Of course, I was locked in a room with her last night so…"
"What do you mean you haven't seen her? Where did she go?" Blink asked stepping in front of Race.
"I don't know. I was asleep when she left. She must have found out the door was unlocked sometime during the night."
"And you have no idea where she went?" Mary asked, eyebrow raised. Race only shook his head and began to back away from her and Blink. "Now if you'll excuse me I have some papes to sell."
Mary followed Race's retreating figure with a determine look on her face. Shaking her head, she turned to Blink. "There is something not right here."
Blink sighed. He was beginning to get the idea Mary didn't trust Race. "What's not right? So he hasn't seen her all day? Big deal. They probably ignored each other all night and when Race fell asleep she slipped out of the room." Blink reasoned. "We did leave the door unlocked so you really can't blame the whole thing on him."
"I'm not blaming anything on Race."
"Yes, you are." He insisted. "You are trying to make Race out to be the bad guy. I told you this whole thing was a bad idea. We should have just left the two alone and if they ripped each other apart then fine, but don't involve me in it."
Blink turned and left for his selling spot, leaving Mary standing, shocked. Sighing, Mary sat down and covered her face with her hands. Everything piece of advice Blink told her in the last few months had come true. Not only had her plan backfired it caused her and Blink's first fight as a couple.
God, I wish Nichole was here right now.
What neither Blink nor Mary noticed was the small figure duck into an alley.
HR
Race carefully looked behind him. When he was sure nobody was paying attention, he ducked quickly into an alley. Setting his papers on a crate, he slide down to the cobblestone ground and sat next to Nichole.
Blowing a puff of smoke from her mouth, she snubbed the cigarette. "What happened?" She asked excitedly, grabbing his arm. He laughed and pried her arm from his.
"What do you think happened? I told them I didn't see you all day, and they fell for it." He smiled at her. "What are you so excited about?"
She shrugged, a smile playing on her lips. "I was just thinking about the look on Mary's face when she finds out that we're together. Finally after all these months of her plotting to get us together, I get to pay her back." She rubbed her hands together in a mad scientist fashion.
"Are you sure you're sane?" Race questioned skeptically, a hint of laughter in his voice.
Tapping her chin in thought then shrugged. "I don't know, I never thought about it."
Race shoved her shoulder, laughingly. Standing, he grabbed his papers and extended his hand to help Nichole up. Brushing the dirt from the bottom of her pants, she followed him out of the alley and into the growing crowds of people. Nichole followed Race willing for about five blocks until realized she had no idea where she was going. She had never went selling with Race before and didn't know where his selling spot was, but what she could tell they weren't in Manhattan anymore.
"Race, where are we going?"
Race glanced over his shoulder. "Sheepshed Races, I sell there all the time."
Normally, Nichole wouldn't object to betting at the races or even selling a few papers, but after the little incident on her last visit there, she didn't want to go anywhere near the races. "I ain't going to Sheepshed, Race." Nichole replied grabbing his free arm.
He turned and looked at her curiously. "Why not?" Realizing the reason, he grinned and slid an arm around her shoulder. "Don't worry, Nichole, I'll protect you from the big mean men at the races."
"Oh, please." She rolled her eyes and pushed him away. "Come on, lets just go, sell your papes, and get it over with."
HR
It was near noon before Nichole finally convinced Race to let her go off on her own. If they wanted to make their little joke believable, she had to make some kind of appearance. Since it was near lunchtime, she decided to head over to Tibby's. Perhaps Blink and Mary took a break from selling.
However, when she arrived at Tibby's, the scene before her was the last thing she expected to see.
Elbowing her way through the few customers in the restaurant, and gripped her friend's hand comfortably. "Mary, what's wrong?" She noticed Kid Blink was no where in site. "Did Blink do something to you?" She asked completely prepared to hunt him down and murder him.
Mary drew in a shaky breath and tightened her grip on Nichole's hand, afraid she might do something drastic. "No, I just got in a small fight with Blink. Nothing big." Sniffing, she wiped the tears that clouded her eyes.
"NOTHING BIG!?" Nichole stood shouting, not caring about how much attention she received. "YOU'RE SITTING HERE CRYING AND IT'S NOTHING BIG!?"
Mary grabbed her arm and roughly pulled her back in the booth. Leaning across the table, she whispered loudly. "Stop it, Nick! We just got in a fight, he didn't hit me or anything else to hurt me. We had a disagreement, we'll make up in time, that's the end of it." By the time she finished, she sat back, her arms crossed, and her teeth gritted.
Nichole held her hands up defensively. "Okay, I believe you." Leaning forward, she placed her chin in her hand. "Can I ask you what your little disagreement was about?" She questioned seriously.
Mary turned to away from Nichole's eyes and unfolded her arms with a frustrated sigh. "You aren't going to give up are you?"
"No, I'm not." Nichole smirked. When Mary didn't answer her face turned serious again. "Mary, I just want to know what you and Blink got in a fight about. You're my only friend and I care about you. I might even be able to help in some way."
Mary eyed her friend skeptically. Nichole wasn't one to give up on her easily and even if she did refuse to tell her what happened, Nichole would only find Blink and terrorize him until he told. It resulted the same either way.
"The fight was about you and Race."
Nichole sat back, surprised by Mary's answer. "Me and Race? Why were you fighting about us?"
Mary shrugged not knowing the answer herself. "I don't know. We were talking about what happened last night, you know locking you in the room and all, and then he got really defensive saying I was turning Race into the bad guy in this whole situation then he walked away…." She continued to rant on until Nichole interrupted.
"Calm down. It just sounds like Blink was only defending Race when you said something about Race he didn't like. This whole thing will blow over, you just have to find Blink and apologize."
Mary nodded. "But what if he doesn't accept my apology?" she asked uncertain of Nichole's reasoning.
"He'll accept the apology, cause if he doesn't I'll break his neck."
Mary rolled her eyes, knowing quite well she wouldn't do no such thing. Then she laughed, first out of embarrassment, then at how ironic her situation was. Nichole stared at her as if she was crazy.
She exhaled loudly. "I was just thinking this whole thing started just because I wanted you and Race to get together so badly. And after all the badgering from Blink, I still went along with my little plan, and then It blows up in my face." She shook her head. "I am so stupid."
The guilt that built up inside her after Mary told her that made Nichole want to crawl in a hole and die. The reason Blink and Mary were fighting was entirely her fault. If she had just stayed in that room with Race last night none of this would have happened and the lodging house would be like one big happy family. If she didn't tell her the truth now the guilt would eat her alive.
Nichole ran a hand through her hair nervously. "Uhhh…Mary I got to tell you something."
Mary caught sense of her friend's nervous vibes. She stopped laughing and leaned forward concerned. "What? Come on, just spit it out."
Nichole looked her friend in the face, then adverted her eyes downward. "Well, me and Race kinda tricked you into thinking that we weren't together when we really are." She cringed, waiting for an outburst from Mary. When one didn't come she continued. "I thought I would get you back for butting into the whole thing with Race, and I thought it would be funny, and I never expected to end with you and Blink getting in a fight."
Mary mouth grew into and grin and Nichole stared at her confused. "Wait, you aren't mad?"
"Why would I be mad? You and Race are together finally, of course I won't really believe it until I see it but still it's great." If possible, her grin grew wider.
Nichole frowned at Mary's cheerful attitude. Was Mary trying to make this harder on her? Running a hand over her face, she groaned. "You should be mad because I'm the reason you and Blink got in a fight. If I just stayed in that room then you two wouldn't be apart. God, I should have just stayed in bed with Race…"
Mary's eyes grew wide. "You were in bed with him!? Go Nick!"
She groaned again, and banged her head against the table. "Shut up, Mary. We were lying on top of the covers with our clothes on, just holding each other. Nothing happened."
"Mmhmm."
"Mary, SHUT UP!" Nichole warned picking her head up from the table. "Anything that happened was very innocent, nothing serious happened. Will you stop grinning!"
The laughter that bubbled in her throat shook her body. Not being able to hold it anymore, she opened her mouth and a long stream of laughter flowed out. When she finally controlled herself, she wiped the tears from her eyes and sighed. "I'm sorry, It's just you finally got together, and I'm happy for you. I still want some visual proof though."
Nichole rolled her eyes. "The moment I see him I'll be sure to grab him and give him a great big kiss."
"That's good enough for me." Mary stood. "Now, come on lets go find our men so I can sort this whole thing out."
Nichole snorted and followed Mary's example. "I don't think you can qualify Race or Blink as men."
"Ohh trust me Blink can qualifies as a man."
Covering her ears with her hands, Nichole followed Mary out of Tibby's and into the streets. "That was WAY too much information."
Race blinked, his brain soaking in the question Nicole just asked. "You aren't talking about anything that is going to hurt them are you?"
Nicole looked appalled at even the thought of doing anything to hurt her friend. "No, no. Just mess with their minds alittle bit. You know go around pretending that nothing happened while we were locked in that room."
Race thought and then nodded vigorously, the avenging thoughts overpowering his usual logical ones. He wasn't going deny that he would get a good laugh from the look on Blink and Mary's faces when they found out their plotting and planning was only met in vein.
"Okay, I'm in." He paused, deep in thought, then his lip stuck out in a pout. "Wait, doesn't this mean I can't kiss you no more…or until they find out which might take awhile."
Nichole laughed. Catching sight of the rising sun, she stood and held out a hand for Race, which he gratefully accepted. "We can still be all lovey- dovey. Just not in front of everyone." Locking her arms around his neck, she rested her forehead against his own. "Besides, this will give us alittle time to be alone."
Race wiggled his eyebrows playfully. He titled his head at an angle and let his breath mingle with hers. "What exactly are you suggesting?"
The brown lustful eyes that bore into her own caused a shiver to run down her spine. Something that happened quite often when she was close to Racetrack. Returning his smirk, she pecked his lips lightly and tweaked his nose. "Nothing yet, but maybe sometime in the near future."
Race exhaled gustily. His eyes followed Nichole's every movement as she walked over to the firescape and disappeared down the medal steps. Removing his hat, he ran a hand through his thick greased hair.
He had definitely fallen head over heels in love with that girl…
HR
Mary groaned. Rolling to her side, she buried her face deeper into Blink's white longunderware in an attempt to block out Kloppman's grizzly voice. Blink's steady heartbeat began to lull her back to sleep, but the second her eyelashes made contact with her cheeks; a finger poked her firmly in the back.
"Hey, what's this? I thought the boys gave you your own room to sleep in."
Mary waved a hand sleepily at Kloppman; mumbling protest into Blink's shirt. He continued his prodding, poking and yelling, while the boys that were awake watched on, amused.
"Okay, Kloppman, I'm up, I'm up." Blink grumbled opening his eye lazily. He waved a hand at the older man and stretched. Looking down at the peaceful sleeping Mary, he placed a kiss on her forehead, then whispered into her hair. "Hey, Mar, It's time to get up."
She mumbled a few unrecognizable words, and swatted a hand at Blink. He stifled a laughed, and carefully rolled from under her. Running a hand through his tangled hair, he pulled on his pants, and headed towards the washroom.
In one of the bunks that were usually empty, he saw Spot getting ready. He shook his head. Spot was not one to give-up when he set his mind to something (or when he was angry), and he wasn't going to leave until he got Nichole alone and had a talk with her.
Nichole (from what he knew of her anyway) was one to do things without thinking, and hitting Spot was one of them. She was the type to let her anger control her actions.
Blink splashed a handful of water on his face and shifted his eyes down the hallway. The door was closed and nothing seemed to be out of place. But there was still the possibility that Race or Nichole found the door unlocked. Something that Mary had insisted on doing after the room became silent. On the other hand like he had said before they both could have killed eachother during the night.
Running a towel over his face, he walked back into the bunkroom, and sighed when he saw Mary hadn't moved from her spot in bed. Hoisting his body up on the empty bottom bunk, he loomed over her and lowered his mouth to her exposed ear. He exhaled slowly and bent back waiting for a reaction.
Nothing.
The others began to file out of the room, and Blink looked back down at Mary's sleeping form with a sigh. He bent his head and blew in her ear one last time, but this time he received a reaction.
"Oh come on, Blink. Let me stay here today." Mary wined, rolling to her side to face him. "I'm too damn tired to sell."
"No, you can't stay here. Get up." He grabbed her hand and pulled her up into a sitting position. "I know you're just dieing to find out what happened with Race and Nick."
Mary's eyes widened. Swinging her legs over the edge of the bed, she pushed Blink to the side and ran across the room. Before she could leave the bunkroom, though Spot stepped in front of her; placing a hand on her chest.
"Don't bother they aren't in there."
Mary looked from the hand on her chest to Spot's face. "What do you mean they're not in there? Where the hell would they go?" She asked Spot, confused. Turning, she looked at Blink for an answer. He only shrugged.
"I told you we should have locked the door somehow." Blink shrugged again. "They couldn't have gone far, if they went anywhere at all."
"You think they're still here?" Mary asked.
"If they're still here then Nick better not show her face because she is in store for a major soaking when I catch her."
Both Blink and Mary rolled their eyes.
"Even if you do see her, and you do catch her, you would not hit her." Blink reasoned. "She beat the crap out of you once and she probably could do it again."
Blink laughed silently and shook his head. Catching Mary's hand in his, they brushed past the glowering leader, and out of the lodging house. They had only walked a block but the sweat was already forming on Blink's forhead. Removing his hat and shoving it in his pocket, he wiped the sweat from his brow.
It was still early morning, but the sun was already shining brightly, and the temperature was slowly rising to a record high.
"Do you think anything happened between Race and Nick last night?" Mary asked, swinging their entwined hands back and forth.
Blink shook his head doubtfully. "Not with all that yelling going on. Both of them probably compromised on just being friends, and settled it at that."
Mary poked the side of his head. "What did I tell you about thinking positive? They are never going to get together if everybody keeps saying they aren't."
Dodging her finger, he laughed. "I'm only saying the truth. They are both completely different people, and there is no way they could be together without fighting."
"Hey, hey, opposites attract." She stated wisely.
"And then they kill each other." Mary punched his shoulder and Blink laughed. "What! You know I'm just joking. Besides after Nick went off at Spot like that you never know what she might do to Race."
"She would never hit him, she told me herself, and Nick wouldn't lie to me." Mary replied confidently. "And Spot deserved what he got." She added quietly.
Reaching the distribution center, Mary quickly kissed Blink and waited outside the gate. They still hadn't resolved the little problem with the Dalanceys and they didn't want to rouse up anything else.
Sitting down on a crate, Mary made herself comfortable. It was still early and most of the Manhattan newsies were still waiting for their papers; it would be a while before Blink got his. Tapping her finger patiently against the crate, she watched as files of people going to work or just out for a stroll walk by.
"Heya, Mary."
Mary glanced up and answered nonchalantly. "Hey, Race." Blinking, she took a double take. Had Race just walked past her, and if so where was Nichole? Standing, she glanced past the gate. Race stood at the end of the line, talking and laughing with Blink.
What is going on here? Where is Nichole?
Sitting back down her eyes scanned over the crowds of people. Nichole couldn't be to far away from Race. There was the possibility though; that they did get in a fight and Nichole ran off somewhere. Perhaps she was back up in the tree. But Race seemed too happy for anything negative to had happened. Her eyes scanned over the crowds for the third time.
Nothing. Absolutely nothing.
"Mary, Mary…Hey wake up Mary!" Mary stopped her searching and snapped her attention to Blink who stood beside her with Race, a concerned look on his face. "You okay?"
Mary shook her head to clear her mind. "Yea, I'm fine. Just thinking about some things." Standing, she looked Race over. "Hey, Race. How are ya doing?"
"Fine, looks like it's going to be a good selling day. Great headlines."
Mary nodded. Glancing over his head, she looked around as casual as she could. "So, where's Nichole?"
Race looked surprised. "Nichole? I haven't seen her since last night. Of course, I was locked in a room with her last night so…"
"What do you mean you haven't seen her? Where did she go?" Blink asked stepping in front of Race.
"I don't know. I was asleep when she left. She must have found out the door was unlocked sometime during the night."
"And you have no idea where she went?" Mary asked, eyebrow raised. Race only shook his head and began to back away from her and Blink. "Now if you'll excuse me I have some papes to sell."
Mary followed Race's retreating figure with a determine look on her face. Shaking her head, she turned to Blink. "There is something not right here."
Blink sighed. He was beginning to get the idea Mary didn't trust Race. "What's not right? So he hasn't seen her all day? Big deal. They probably ignored each other all night and when Race fell asleep she slipped out of the room." Blink reasoned. "We did leave the door unlocked so you really can't blame the whole thing on him."
"I'm not blaming anything on Race."
"Yes, you are." He insisted. "You are trying to make Race out to be the bad guy. I told you this whole thing was a bad idea. We should have just left the two alone and if they ripped each other apart then fine, but don't involve me in it."
Blink turned and left for his selling spot, leaving Mary standing, shocked. Sighing, Mary sat down and covered her face with her hands. Everything piece of advice Blink told her in the last few months had come true. Not only had her plan backfired it caused her and Blink's first fight as a couple.
God, I wish Nichole was here right now.
What neither Blink nor Mary noticed was the small figure duck into an alley.
HR
Race carefully looked behind him. When he was sure nobody was paying attention, he ducked quickly into an alley. Setting his papers on a crate, he slide down to the cobblestone ground and sat next to Nichole.
Blowing a puff of smoke from her mouth, she snubbed the cigarette. "What happened?" She asked excitedly, grabbing his arm. He laughed and pried her arm from his.
"What do you think happened? I told them I didn't see you all day, and they fell for it." He smiled at her. "What are you so excited about?"
She shrugged, a smile playing on her lips. "I was just thinking about the look on Mary's face when she finds out that we're together. Finally after all these months of her plotting to get us together, I get to pay her back." She rubbed her hands together in a mad scientist fashion.
"Are you sure you're sane?" Race questioned skeptically, a hint of laughter in his voice.
Tapping her chin in thought then shrugged. "I don't know, I never thought about it."
Race shoved her shoulder, laughingly. Standing, he grabbed his papers and extended his hand to help Nichole up. Brushing the dirt from the bottom of her pants, she followed him out of the alley and into the growing crowds of people. Nichole followed Race willing for about five blocks until realized she had no idea where she was going. She had never went selling with Race before and didn't know where his selling spot was, but what she could tell they weren't in Manhattan anymore.
"Race, where are we going?"
Race glanced over his shoulder. "Sheepshed Races, I sell there all the time."
Normally, Nichole wouldn't object to betting at the races or even selling a few papers, but after the little incident on her last visit there, she didn't want to go anywhere near the races. "I ain't going to Sheepshed, Race." Nichole replied grabbing his free arm.
He turned and looked at her curiously. "Why not?" Realizing the reason, he grinned and slid an arm around her shoulder. "Don't worry, Nichole, I'll protect you from the big mean men at the races."
"Oh, please." She rolled her eyes and pushed him away. "Come on, lets just go, sell your papes, and get it over with."
HR
It was near noon before Nichole finally convinced Race to let her go off on her own. If they wanted to make their little joke believable, she had to make some kind of appearance. Since it was near lunchtime, she decided to head over to Tibby's. Perhaps Blink and Mary took a break from selling.
However, when she arrived at Tibby's, the scene before her was the last thing she expected to see.
Elbowing her way through the few customers in the restaurant, and gripped her friend's hand comfortably. "Mary, what's wrong?" She noticed Kid Blink was no where in site. "Did Blink do something to you?" She asked completely prepared to hunt him down and murder him.
Mary drew in a shaky breath and tightened her grip on Nichole's hand, afraid she might do something drastic. "No, I just got in a small fight with Blink. Nothing big." Sniffing, she wiped the tears that clouded her eyes.
"NOTHING BIG!?" Nichole stood shouting, not caring about how much attention she received. "YOU'RE SITTING HERE CRYING AND IT'S NOTHING BIG!?"
Mary grabbed her arm and roughly pulled her back in the booth. Leaning across the table, she whispered loudly. "Stop it, Nick! We just got in a fight, he didn't hit me or anything else to hurt me. We had a disagreement, we'll make up in time, that's the end of it." By the time she finished, she sat back, her arms crossed, and her teeth gritted.
Nichole held her hands up defensively. "Okay, I believe you." Leaning forward, she placed her chin in her hand. "Can I ask you what your little disagreement was about?" She questioned seriously.
Mary turned to away from Nichole's eyes and unfolded her arms with a frustrated sigh. "You aren't going to give up are you?"
"No, I'm not." Nichole smirked. When Mary didn't answer her face turned serious again. "Mary, I just want to know what you and Blink got in a fight about. You're my only friend and I care about you. I might even be able to help in some way."
Mary eyed her friend skeptically. Nichole wasn't one to give up on her easily and even if she did refuse to tell her what happened, Nichole would only find Blink and terrorize him until he told. It resulted the same either way.
"The fight was about you and Race."
Nichole sat back, surprised by Mary's answer. "Me and Race? Why were you fighting about us?"
Mary shrugged not knowing the answer herself. "I don't know. We were talking about what happened last night, you know locking you in the room and all, and then he got really defensive saying I was turning Race into the bad guy in this whole situation then he walked away…." She continued to rant on until Nichole interrupted.
"Calm down. It just sounds like Blink was only defending Race when you said something about Race he didn't like. This whole thing will blow over, you just have to find Blink and apologize."
Mary nodded. "But what if he doesn't accept my apology?" she asked uncertain of Nichole's reasoning.
"He'll accept the apology, cause if he doesn't I'll break his neck."
Mary rolled her eyes, knowing quite well she wouldn't do no such thing. Then she laughed, first out of embarrassment, then at how ironic her situation was. Nichole stared at her as if she was crazy.
She exhaled loudly. "I was just thinking this whole thing started just because I wanted you and Race to get together so badly. And after all the badgering from Blink, I still went along with my little plan, and then It blows up in my face." She shook her head. "I am so stupid."
The guilt that built up inside her after Mary told her that made Nichole want to crawl in a hole and die. The reason Blink and Mary were fighting was entirely her fault. If she had just stayed in that room with Race last night none of this would have happened and the lodging house would be like one big happy family. If she didn't tell her the truth now the guilt would eat her alive.
Nichole ran a hand through her hair nervously. "Uhhh…Mary I got to tell you something."
Mary caught sense of her friend's nervous vibes. She stopped laughing and leaned forward concerned. "What? Come on, just spit it out."
Nichole looked her friend in the face, then adverted her eyes downward. "Well, me and Race kinda tricked you into thinking that we weren't together when we really are." She cringed, waiting for an outburst from Mary. When one didn't come she continued. "I thought I would get you back for butting into the whole thing with Race, and I thought it would be funny, and I never expected to end with you and Blink getting in a fight."
Mary mouth grew into and grin and Nichole stared at her confused. "Wait, you aren't mad?"
"Why would I be mad? You and Race are together finally, of course I won't really believe it until I see it but still it's great." If possible, her grin grew wider.
Nichole frowned at Mary's cheerful attitude. Was Mary trying to make this harder on her? Running a hand over her face, she groaned. "You should be mad because I'm the reason you and Blink got in a fight. If I just stayed in that room then you two wouldn't be apart. God, I should have just stayed in bed with Race…"
Mary's eyes grew wide. "You were in bed with him!? Go Nick!"
She groaned again, and banged her head against the table. "Shut up, Mary. We were lying on top of the covers with our clothes on, just holding each other. Nothing happened."
"Mmhmm."
"Mary, SHUT UP!" Nichole warned picking her head up from the table. "Anything that happened was very innocent, nothing serious happened. Will you stop grinning!"
The laughter that bubbled in her throat shook her body. Not being able to hold it anymore, she opened her mouth and a long stream of laughter flowed out. When she finally controlled herself, she wiped the tears from her eyes and sighed. "I'm sorry, It's just you finally got together, and I'm happy for you. I still want some visual proof though."
Nichole rolled her eyes. "The moment I see him I'll be sure to grab him and give him a great big kiss."
"That's good enough for me." Mary stood. "Now, come on lets go find our men so I can sort this whole thing out."
Nichole snorted and followed Mary's example. "I don't think you can qualify Race or Blink as men."
"Ohh trust me Blink can qualifies as a man."
Covering her ears with her hands, Nichole followed Mary out of Tibby's and into the streets. "That was WAY too much information."