The next morning, Mush woke up to Illy shaking him.
"C'mon, ya gotta get up!" Illy said. "Ya slept right through Kloppman's wake-up cawl," Illy laughed.
"I did?" Mush asked surprised. Illy nodded.
"An' I decided ta stay an' sell papes taday wid Race," she added. Mush felt his heart drop again. "Ya gonna sell too or are ya goin' back ta da estate?"
"I guess I'll sell," Mush said. "I haven't carried da bannah for a while,"
"Moinin' Mush, 'bout time you'se got up," said Blink walking up to them. "Wanna sell wid me taday?" he asked Illy. Illy shook her head.
"I promised I'd sell wid Race," she said. "Sorry,"
"Dat's okay," said Blink. "Mush?"
"Shoah," said Mush. He was glad to be able to sell with his best friend again.
"Me an' Race are ready ta leave," Illy said to Mush. "I'll see ya at Tibby's. 'k?"
"Yeah," Mush sighed as Illy left the lodging house with Race.
* * * * *
A few days later, Mush and Illy returned to the lodging house to sell papers again. Race was surprised to see them.
"Illy?" he asked as Illy walked up and kissed him in greeting. "What are you'se doin' heah?"
"I decided I wanted ta sell again taday," Illy said. "Dat okay?"
"Yeah, dat's fine." said Race.
After Illy bought fifty papers, Race slipped his arm around her waist and they walked off.
"Hey Mush, see ya at Tibby's?" asked Illy.
"Shoah," said Mush. He sighed.
"Whatsa maddah Mush?" asked Blink. Mush shrugged in reply.
"Nuthin'," he said. Blink shook his head.
"Mush, I'se yer best friend, I'se have been eva since you'se came ta da lodgin' 'ouse. I kin tell when yer lyin' ta me," he said. "I kin also tell when you'se upset, an' you'se are, an' it ain't no use lyin' ta me,"
"I knows dat Blink," said Mush.
"Den why don't ya tell me what's wrong?" asked Blink. Mush sighed. He knew he couldn't fool his friend.
"Ya know me background right?" asked Mush. Blink nodded. "Well, da reason I ain't been hangin' around too much is 'cuz I found out dat me folks were alive."
"Ya did?" Blink's eyes widened.
"Yeah," said Mush. "Now all of a sudden I can't tawlk like dis in front of 'em or dey throw a fit an' dey're always bodderin' me 'bout 'proper table mannahs," Blink smiled.
"Dat would get annoyin," he said.
"An now, I'm engaged ta da goil dat Illy woiks for an..." Mush trailed off. He didn't want to admit that he was falling in love with Illy. He was about to when Blink interrupted him.
"Don't ya feel bettah now dat you've told someone what's on yer mind?" asked Blink. Mush nodded.
"Yeah," he said, half relieved that he didn't have to admit to Blink the real feelings he was trying to hide.
"An ya got Illy," said Blink.
"Huh?"
"Illy," said Blink. "You'se always wid 'er. It's good dat ya got yerself anudder best friend,"
"Is dat jealousy I heah comin' from you'se Blink?" asked Mush smiling.
"No!" Blink said. "I mean it's just good dat..oh nevahmoind. We gotta sell our papes."
* * * * *
"Illy, what's wrong?" asked Race later that day. He had noticed from the beginning that something was bothering her.
"Nuthin'" she said. "THOUSAND DOLLAH'S STOLEN FROM DA MAYOR'S HOUSE!"
she yelled out. "Thank you sir," Race and Illy had decided to sell in front of Tibby's.
"Illy, I kin tell when somethin's wrong wid you'se," said Race.
"It's nothin' Race," said Illy.
"Illumination Higgins," he shook his head. "If it was nothin' you'se could tell me," Illy sighed.
"Guess I can't keep a secret from ya huh?" she asked. Race smiled wickedly and led her to a booth inside of Tibby's.
"No, ya can't. don't even try. I'm yer brudder an' I knows when somethin's wrong wid me sista," said Race. "Now, tell me what's wrong,"
"D'ya know Mush's background?"
"Yeah," Race nodded.
"Den I suppose 'e told ya dat his parents found him an'.."
"Dey're alive?" he asked surprised.
"Yeah, didn't ya know?" asked Illy. "he's been livin' wid dem,"
"No wonder," Race said. "Go ahead,"
"Anyways, he's engaged ta Lynn," said Illy. "Dat's how I met him."
"Lynn?" Race made a face. "Poor Mush,"
"I feel da same way," Illy laughed. "Anyways, we've been tawlkin' an awlful lot an'."
Race smiled. He could tell where Illy was going with this even though she hadn't even finished her sentence.
"An' one day while I was rakin' da leaves, he.." Illy broke off. "We.he almost kissed me," Race smiled.
"Uh huh," he said. "An'?"
"Well we didn't, Lynn interrupted him. He's seemed kinda distant since den an' I don't want it ta be dat way. I want open communication wid my friendships,"
"Dat's gotta be rough,"
"What?" asked Illy. Race laughed.
"Ya likes Mush an' I kin understand why yer so upset wid him bein' engaged an all-"
"Whoa der, who said dat I liked him?"
"Illy, it's as plain as daylight dat you'se likes him."
"We're just friends," Illy protested.
"People who are 'just friends' don't kiss, Illy," said Race.
"We didn't kiss," said Illy.
"Almost kiss," said Race. "Whatevah. All I knows is dat you'se likes him. Ya gotta tell him Illy, before it's too late."
"Race, I don't like him. We'se just friends an' I don't like it how we've been so uneasy around each udder since dat day,"
"You'se gotta tell him," said Race. Illy stood up.
"Race for da last goddamn time, I do not like.."
"Hiya Illy," Illy turned around to see Mush.
"Mush," she just barely whispered. "Hi," There was tension in the air as Illy and Mush stared into each other's eyes. Blink and Race made eye contact and nodded to each other.
"We'll see you two later," said Race as he and Blink rushed out the door to Tibby's. Illy glared at her brother but Race just shrugged as he exited the restaurant.
"So um..ya want somethin' ta eat?" asked Mush.
"Shoah," said Illy. She sat down in the booth across from Mush. She pulled out a piece of paper and started drawing,
Illy and Mush each ordered a sandwich and ate in silence. After a few minutes, Mush cleared his throat.
"So, um.." Mush began. "What're ya drawin'?"
"Nothin' really," Illy replied. Mush leaned across the table to see.
Illy had been on the process of drawing a cupid. When she saw Mush leaning over her shoulder, she quickly crumbled it up.
"Why'd ya do dat?" asked Mush. "Dat was good," Illy blushed.
"I messed up on it," she managed to say. Mush knew she was lying but he didn't say anything. "I bettah be goin'. I hoid dat der's a real good view of da sunset in Brooklyn. I wouldn't mind seein' Spot eider,"
"Would ya mind if I came along?" asked Mush.
"Shoah," said Illy. It was a little early for the sunset, but Brooklyn was an hour away.
* * * * *
"Illy!" called out Mona when she and Mush reached Brooklyn.
"Mona," Illy and Mona spatshook. "Where's Spot?"
"He just went ta Manhattan," said Mona. "Seems dat ya wanted him ta take ya ta da place ta see da sunset." Illy slapped her forhead.
"I forgot dat Spot was gonna walk me heah," she said. "Oh well, he'll get ova it,"
"One of da best places is da Brooklyn Bridge, da pier ain't a bad view eider." said Mona. Illy smiled.
"Thanks, I'll be at da pier in case Spot comes back an' is wonderin',"
"I'll tell him," said Mona.
"Thanks," said Illy. "C'mon, Mush,"
Illy and Mush walked to the pier and sat down on some crates. Illy soon took out a piece of paper and started to sketch. Mush looked at her as she drew.
Her hair was blowing in the wind, brushing it away from her face. Illy's green eyes were focused on her picture, and they didn't seem to notice Mush staring at her.
Mush scooted closer to her and looked at her picture. She was drawing a very accurate picture of the sunset.
"Too bad I don't got crayons huh?" she asked.
"Yeah, dat would make da picture look bettah," he said.
"It ain't dat good," she replied.
"Anythin' you do is good Illy," Mush said. Illy looked up at him, her green eyes staring into his brown eyes.
Illy thought he was going to kiss her. She wanted him too, but at the same time she didn't. Mush got closer and she wanted to pull away, but she couldn't. She knew that they couldn't be together.
"Hiya Illy, Mush," a voice called out. Illy turned away.
"Hiya Spot!" she called out to him. She stood up and they spatshook.
"I was wonderin' where you'se went," he said to her.
"I'm sorry Spot." Illy apologized. "I'se forgot you'se was comin'."
"I'll forgive ya dis time," said Spot.
He sat down on the crate next to Mush and Illy sat down next to Spot.
"Ain't it beautiful?" asked Spot. Illy and Mush nodded I agreement. "I like ta come here every evenin' an' think,"
"Dat must be relaxin'," Illy sighed. "I don't get ta relax too often, since I'se gotta woik for Lynn," Spot smiled.
"I've been hearin' da opposite." he said. "I've hoid dat you'se been sellin' papes."
"I have," Illy admitted. "But I still woik for da Moore's.
"Why?" asked Spot. "Ya don't like it der,"
"It's where I woik."
"Ya could be a newsie full time like da rest of us," said Spot. "An' now dat you an' Race have found each oddur,"
"Yeah, I know," Illy didn't want to admit that the real reason she still worked for them was because after Lynn and Mush got married, she still wanted to be able to see him. She wouldn't be able to do that if she was a newsie.
Stop it, Illy scolded herself. You know dat ain't da reason. You'se awlready told Race dat ya don't like Mush like dat.
But she couldn't help feeling that she was wrong.
* * * * *
That night, Mush and Illy walked home in silence.
"I hope dat Rosa covered for me," said Illy. Mush smiled. "What're you'se smilin' 'bout? All you'se gotta do is say you'se spent da day in da city or somethin'."
"I'll still have ta deal wid Lynn," he pointed out.
"Yeah," Illy agreed. Then she realized that they were at the back door to the house. "Well,"
"I guess I'll see you'se tamarra?" Mush asked. He started to walk to the front of the house without an answer.
"Wait, Mush, I kinda wanted ta tawlk ta ya for a second," Illy said.
"'bout what?" asked Mush walking back over to her. Illy took a deep breath.
"Yestaday," she said slowly.
"Oh, yeah," Mush said.
"I didn't want." but she didn't finish her sentence. She just couldn't find the right words. "Nevahmoind," she said.
She looked up into Mush's captivating eyes and felt lost in her emotions.
Mush stared at Illy. He wanted desperately to kiss her, but he didn't know if she wanted him to and he didn't want to scare her off. Mush took a step towards her. She wanted to go into the house, but she felt glued to the spot. She couldn't move at all. Mush got closer and she saw in his eyes a look of love which she had never seen before.
Mush's face got closer to hers and he put one of his hands on her face. It all happened so fast yet it seemed like an eternity. Their lips finally touched and once again they felt the same spark as they had the day before only this time, the kiss got deeper. Illy was overwhelmed by the feeling of Mush's warm kiss. She was surprised to find herself kissing him back.
After a few moments Mush and Illy pulled apart. He leaned in to kiss her again but Illy put her hand on top of his hand that was on her face. She pulled further away from him and stepped back.
She quickly turned and walked into the house without saying anything to him. Mush wanted to kick himself. She just had said something about the other day and he had taken it the wrong way, and he knew it. He turned and started walking to the front of the house. He looked back at the back door. For a moment she had kissed him back, even if she did pull away. He shook his head.
No, she didn't kiss me back. I just imagined dat, Mush thought to himself.
From her bedroom window, Lynn watched as Mush walked to the front of the house and opened the door.
* * * * *
A/N: Ooh! Suspense! Lol...well to a twelve year old it was very suspenseful! hehe. Just review the damn story. *Pouts*
"C'mon, ya gotta get up!" Illy said. "Ya slept right through Kloppman's wake-up cawl," Illy laughed.
"I did?" Mush asked surprised. Illy nodded.
"An' I decided ta stay an' sell papes taday wid Race," she added. Mush felt his heart drop again. "Ya gonna sell too or are ya goin' back ta da estate?"
"I guess I'll sell," Mush said. "I haven't carried da bannah for a while,"
"Moinin' Mush, 'bout time you'se got up," said Blink walking up to them. "Wanna sell wid me taday?" he asked Illy. Illy shook her head.
"I promised I'd sell wid Race," she said. "Sorry,"
"Dat's okay," said Blink. "Mush?"
"Shoah," said Mush. He was glad to be able to sell with his best friend again.
"Me an' Race are ready ta leave," Illy said to Mush. "I'll see ya at Tibby's. 'k?"
"Yeah," Mush sighed as Illy left the lodging house with Race.
* * * * *
A few days later, Mush and Illy returned to the lodging house to sell papers again. Race was surprised to see them.
"Illy?" he asked as Illy walked up and kissed him in greeting. "What are you'se doin' heah?"
"I decided I wanted ta sell again taday," Illy said. "Dat okay?"
"Yeah, dat's fine." said Race.
After Illy bought fifty papers, Race slipped his arm around her waist and they walked off.
"Hey Mush, see ya at Tibby's?" asked Illy.
"Shoah," said Mush. He sighed.
"Whatsa maddah Mush?" asked Blink. Mush shrugged in reply.
"Nuthin'," he said. Blink shook his head.
"Mush, I'se yer best friend, I'se have been eva since you'se came ta da lodgin' 'ouse. I kin tell when yer lyin' ta me," he said. "I kin also tell when you'se upset, an' you'se are, an' it ain't no use lyin' ta me,"
"I knows dat Blink," said Mush.
"Den why don't ya tell me what's wrong?" asked Blink. Mush sighed. He knew he couldn't fool his friend.
"Ya know me background right?" asked Mush. Blink nodded. "Well, da reason I ain't been hangin' around too much is 'cuz I found out dat me folks were alive."
"Ya did?" Blink's eyes widened.
"Yeah," said Mush. "Now all of a sudden I can't tawlk like dis in front of 'em or dey throw a fit an' dey're always bodderin' me 'bout 'proper table mannahs," Blink smiled.
"Dat would get annoyin," he said.
"An now, I'm engaged ta da goil dat Illy woiks for an..." Mush trailed off. He didn't want to admit that he was falling in love with Illy. He was about to when Blink interrupted him.
"Don't ya feel bettah now dat you've told someone what's on yer mind?" asked Blink. Mush nodded.
"Yeah," he said, half relieved that he didn't have to admit to Blink the real feelings he was trying to hide.
"An ya got Illy," said Blink.
"Huh?"
"Illy," said Blink. "You'se always wid 'er. It's good dat ya got yerself anudder best friend,"
"Is dat jealousy I heah comin' from you'se Blink?" asked Mush smiling.
"No!" Blink said. "I mean it's just good dat..oh nevahmoind. We gotta sell our papes."
* * * * *
"Illy, what's wrong?" asked Race later that day. He had noticed from the beginning that something was bothering her.
"Nuthin'" she said. "THOUSAND DOLLAH'S STOLEN FROM DA MAYOR'S HOUSE!"
she yelled out. "Thank you sir," Race and Illy had decided to sell in front of Tibby's.
"Illy, I kin tell when somethin's wrong wid you'se," said Race.
"It's nothin' Race," said Illy.
"Illumination Higgins," he shook his head. "If it was nothin' you'se could tell me," Illy sighed.
"Guess I can't keep a secret from ya huh?" she asked. Race smiled wickedly and led her to a booth inside of Tibby's.
"No, ya can't. don't even try. I'm yer brudder an' I knows when somethin's wrong wid me sista," said Race. "Now, tell me what's wrong,"
"D'ya know Mush's background?"
"Yeah," Race nodded.
"Den I suppose 'e told ya dat his parents found him an'.."
"Dey're alive?" he asked surprised.
"Yeah, didn't ya know?" asked Illy. "he's been livin' wid dem,"
"No wonder," Race said. "Go ahead,"
"Anyways, he's engaged ta Lynn," said Illy. "Dat's how I met him."
"Lynn?" Race made a face. "Poor Mush,"
"I feel da same way," Illy laughed. "Anyways, we've been tawlkin' an awlful lot an'."
Race smiled. He could tell where Illy was going with this even though she hadn't even finished her sentence.
"An' one day while I was rakin' da leaves, he.." Illy broke off. "We.he almost kissed me," Race smiled.
"Uh huh," he said. "An'?"
"Well we didn't, Lynn interrupted him. He's seemed kinda distant since den an' I don't want it ta be dat way. I want open communication wid my friendships,"
"Dat's gotta be rough,"
"What?" asked Illy. Race laughed.
"Ya likes Mush an' I kin understand why yer so upset wid him bein' engaged an all-"
"Whoa der, who said dat I liked him?"
"Illy, it's as plain as daylight dat you'se likes him."
"We're just friends," Illy protested.
"People who are 'just friends' don't kiss, Illy," said Race.
"We didn't kiss," said Illy.
"Almost kiss," said Race. "Whatevah. All I knows is dat you'se likes him. Ya gotta tell him Illy, before it's too late."
"Race, I don't like him. We'se just friends an' I don't like it how we've been so uneasy around each udder since dat day,"
"You'se gotta tell him," said Race. Illy stood up.
"Race for da last goddamn time, I do not like.."
"Hiya Illy," Illy turned around to see Mush.
"Mush," she just barely whispered. "Hi," There was tension in the air as Illy and Mush stared into each other's eyes. Blink and Race made eye contact and nodded to each other.
"We'll see you two later," said Race as he and Blink rushed out the door to Tibby's. Illy glared at her brother but Race just shrugged as he exited the restaurant.
"So um..ya want somethin' ta eat?" asked Mush.
"Shoah," said Illy. She sat down in the booth across from Mush. She pulled out a piece of paper and started drawing,
Illy and Mush each ordered a sandwich and ate in silence. After a few minutes, Mush cleared his throat.
"So, um.." Mush began. "What're ya drawin'?"
"Nothin' really," Illy replied. Mush leaned across the table to see.
Illy had been on the process of drawing a cupid. When she saw Mush leaning over her shoulder, she quickly crumbled it up.
"Why'd ya do dat?" asked Mush. "Dat was good," Illy blushed.
"I messed up on it," she managed to say. Mush knew she was lying but he didn't say anything. "I bettah be goin'. I hoid dat der's a real good view of da sunset in Brooklyn. I wouldn't mind seein' Spot eider,"
"Would ya mind if I came along?" asked Mush.
"Shoah," said Illy. It was a little early for the sunset, but Brooklyn was an hour away.
* * * * *
"Illy!" called out Mona when she and Mush reached Brooklyn.
"Mona," Illy and Mona spatshook. "Where's Spot?"
"He just went ta Manhattan," said Mona. "Seems dat ya wanted him ta take ya ta da place ta see da sunset." Illy slapped her forhead.
"I forgot dat Spot was gonna walk me heah," she said. "Oh well, he'll get ova it,"
"One of da best places is da Brooklyn Bridge, da pier ain't a bad view eider." said Mona. Illy smiled.
"Thanks, I'll be at da pier in case Spot comes back an' is wonderin',"
"I'll tell him," said Mona.
"Thanks," said Illy. "C'mon, Mush,"
Illy and Mush walked to the pier and sat down on some crates. Illy soon took out a piece of paper and started to sketch. Mush looked at her as she drew.
Her hair was blowing in the wind, brushing it away from her face. Illy's green eyes were focused on her picture, and they didn't seem to notice Mush staring at her.
Mush scooted closer to her and looked at her picture. She was drawing a very accurate picture of the sunset.
"Too bad I don't got crayons huh?" she asked.
"Yeah, dat would make da picture look bettah," he said.
"It ain't dat good," she replied.
"Anythin' you do is good Illy," Mush said. Illy looked up at him, her green eyes staring into his brown eyes.
Illy thought he was going to kiss her. She wanted him too, but at the same time she didn't. Mush got closer and she wanted to pull away, but she couldn't. She knew that they couldn't be together.
"Hiya Illy, Mush," a voice called out. Illy turned away.
"Hiya Spot!" she called out to him. She stood up and they spatshook.
"I was wonderin' where you'se went," he said to her.
"I'm sorry Spot." Illy apologized. "I'se forgot you'se was comin'."
"I'll forgive ya dis time," said Spot.
He sat down on the crate next to Mush and Illy sat down next to Spot.
"Ain't it beautiful?" asked Spot. Illy and Mush nodded I agreement. "I like ta come here every evenin' an' think,"
"Dat must be relaxin'," Illy sighed. "I don't get ta relax too often, since I'se gotta woik for Lynn," Spot smiled.
"I've been hearin' da opposite." he said. "I've hoid dat you'se been sellin' papes."
"I have," Illy admitted. "But I still woik for da Moore's.
"Why?" asked Spot. "Ya don't like it der,"
"It's where I woik."
"Ya could be a newsie full time like da rest of us," said Spot. "An' now dat you an' Race have found each oddur,"
"Yeah, I know," Illy didn't want to admit that the real reason she still worked for them was because after Lynn and Mush got married, she still wanted to be able to see him. She wouldn't be able to do that if she was a newsie.
Stop it, Illy scolded herself. You know dat ain't da reason. You'se awlready told Race dat ya don't like Mush like dat.
But she couldn't help feeling that she was wrong.
* * * * *
That night, Mush and Illy walked home in silence.
"I hope dat Rosa covered for me," said Illy. Mush smiled. "What're you'se smilin' 'bout? All you'se gotta do is say you'se spent da day in da city or somethin'."
"I'll still have ta deal wid Lynn," he pointed out.
"Yeah," Illy agreed. Then she realized that they were at the back door to the house. "Well,"
"I guess I'll see you'se tamarra?" Mush asked. He started to walk to the front of the house without an answer.
"Wait, Mush, I kinda wanted ta tawlk ta ya for a second," Illy said.
"'bout what?" asked Mush walking back over to her. Illy took a deep breath.
"Yestaday," she said slowly.
"Oh, yeah," Mush said.
"I didn't want." but she didn't finish her sentence. She just couldn't find the right words. "Nevahmoind," she said.
She looked up into Mush's captivating eyes and felt lost in her emotions.
Mush stared at Illy. He wanted desperately to kiss her, but he didn't know if she wanted him to and he didn't want to scare her off. Mush took a step towards her. She wanted to go into the house, but she felt glued to the spot. She couldn't move at all. Mush got closer and she saw in his eyes a look of love which she had never seen before.
Mush's face got closer to hers and he put one of his hands on her face. It all happened so fast yet it seemed like an eternity. Their lips finally touched and once again they felt the same spark as they had the day before only this time, the kiss got deeper. Illy was overwhelmed by the feeling of Mush's warm kiss. She was surprised to find herself kissing him back.
After a few moments Mush and Illy pulled apart. He leaned in to kiss her again but Illy put her hand on top of his hand that was on her face. She pulled further away from him and stepped back.
She quickly turned and walked into the house without saying anything to him. Mush wanted to kick himself. She just had said something about the other day and he had taken it the wrong way, and he knew it. He turned and started walking to the front of the house. He looked back at the back door. For a moment she had kissed him back, even if she did pull away. He shook his head.
No, she didn't kiss me back. I just imagined dat, Mush thought to himself.
From her bedroom window, Lynn watched as Mush walked to the front of the house and opened the door.
* * * * *
A/N: Ooh! Suspense! Lol...well to a twelve year old it was very suspenseful! hehe. Just review the damn story. *Pouts*