A.N.- Thanks so much to the people who reviewed the last chapter!:
Kicker- Thanks! Oh, I finished your parts in the Uptown LH! I'm so proud. I've just been getting so much done lately! It should be up soon, hopefully.
Asia- I won't let her break Blink's heart.I don't think. And he will get someone great! (
Vix- Here's another chapter, the longest I have so far! Yeah! Oh, I also finished one of your parts in the Uptown LH as well. Hehe. It should be up soon. (I know I said it'd be a whole lot earlier, but I got busy)
SparksdaNewsie- Thanks, I love Race! He's great, and I wrote this story cause I thought that he needed his own story. Here's more!
Chapter 5:
Calli walked across the bridge briskly, the early morning breeze blowing her hair out behind her and cooling her face. She was glad to be alone in order to think about last night in Brooklyn. Spinz had been overly-friendly towards her during the usual games and chatter in the Lodging House. If she didn't know he liked her she would have welcomed this new friendship. Now it wasn't that she didn't genuinely like him, actually she thought he was a wonderful person. Spinz was a good-looking guy with blonde hair and blue eyes, and a cute light sprinkling of freckles on his nose and dotting his arms. He had dated girls before and was sought after by many of Spot's ex-girlfriends who turned to him after the Brooklyn leader grew tired of them. He was friendly, nice, smart, cute, mischievous at times, romantic, understanding, and second-command of Brooklyn, which was no small position. He had many wonderful qualities that girls found attractive.but he just wasn't Kid Blink.
^~*^~*^~*~^*~^*~^
Kid Blink was bored. Race was sneaking looks at Brooke every time she wasn't watching and Blink was starting to miss selling with Calli. *I shoulda gone back ta da Lodgin' House earlier last night ta tawk ta her. I wondah where she was dis mornin'?*
Brooke walked over to a different crowd and the two newsies were left alone for a few moments. Race turned to Blink in a panic, wringing his hands together,
"I can't handle dis! It's too hard. Why'd she have ta become a newsie? It's impossible tryin' ta hide it from her!"
Blink shook his head in mock sympathy, "You do have a very difficult situation dere Race."
A pause followed his statement.
Racetrack glared at him, gesturing wildly with his hands, "AND? NO words of advice, anyt'in'?"
"I t'ink..." Kid Blink hesitated and watched Brooke sell for a moment. After a few seconds she glanced over at them, smiled broadly and waved. He smiled back, "You should tell her."
"I know, I know.when?"
"She'll find out on her own soon, so ya bettah hurry. Hmm.ya wanna take her ta Medda's tanight? You can tell her dere."
Race hesitated a moment, then quickly agreed before he could change his mind. "Ok, I will. But you have to tell Charm."
"What?! I wasn't part of dis, I don't have ta tell her anyt'in'."
"C'mon, Blink! Everyone knows yer head over heels in love wit' her except for her. Why don't ya just get it ovah wit'? You know she likes you back, why not just give it a go?"
Kid Blink took his hat off and brushed his hands through his hair irritably. "I can't.I don't know for sure dat she likes me."
Race rolled his eyes, happy to be the one inflicting pressure instead of receiving it. "Oh, c'mon Blink. Where have you been da last half a year? She hangs on yer every word!"
"CALLI is hardly da type for hangin' on someone's words." Blink stressed the name, stubbornly reminding Racetrack of how independent and temperamental the girl newsie was.
Race sighed, shrugging his shoulders, "Well, I'm not tellin' Brooke that I like her unless you tell Calli as well."
"Fine," Blink snapped nervously. "I'll tell her alright?"
^~*^~*^~*~^*~^*~^
"Heya, Kloppman." Calli stepped inside the Lodging House and smiled happily. The morning walk had been just the thing to refresh her and brighten her look on life.
"Good morning, Charm. Where were you last night?"
Calli grinned inwardly, pleased she had been missed. "Brooklyn. Why? Everyone asking about me?"
"No.no, but I noticed your bunk was empty. I don't think anyone was looking for you, so don't you worry." Kloppman smiled kindly at her from behind his desk.
A sinking feeling traveled its way down Calli's stomach. "No one at all? What about Blink and Race?"
"No, they came home late last night with Brooke. She's a right nice girl, that one." He smiled and nodded his head, "real nice."
"Yeah...well, thanks anyways."
^~*^~*^~*~^*~^*~^
The group of three entered Tibby's and found a booth. Brooke and Race slid in on one side and Kid Blink seated himself on the other. He searched the restaurant eagerly for Calli, and then sat back disappointed when he didn't find her. The blonde waitress from several days ago appeared at their table, looking none too pleased at the sight of Racetrack.
"Are you ready to order?"
The little bell above the door tinkled and Calli walked in, looking annoyed. She stood at the front of Tibby's for a moment, looking around.
"Yes, I'd like a-" Brooke began, answering the waitress.
Racetrack gestured with his head towards the front and Kid Blink turned around. He saw Calli and grinned, relieved to see her again after a whole day. "Hey Charm! Ovah heah!"
Calli glanced at the three of them skeptically, but swallowed her pride and joined them. She slid in next to Blink.
The waitress paused in her orders, noticing Calli, and had to ask Brooke to repeat herself. She took Blink's order next, then Race's, then Calli's.
There was a brief moment of uncomfortable silence when she left, but Blink broke it. "Sorry we got in so late last night Calli. We were showing Brooke around and the time slipped by."
*He doesn't even mention deserting me at lunchtime. I can't believe they didn't notice I was gone!* Calli put on a false smile and turned to Brooke, "That's okay, I'm sure Brooke has never seen Manhattan before. How long did you say you lived here again? All your life, right?"
The boys exchanged glances. Brooke nodded, but before she could say anything Race broke in. "Yeah, but she hasn't seen many of da newsies hangouts. Oh, actually, we were thinkin' of goin' ta Medda's tonight. Blin- we, wanted you ta go."
Calli groaned inwardly, *Not Medda's! Anything but that!* She glanced at Brooke who was joking and laughing with Blink and made a quick decision. "Sure, I'll go. Will everyone else be there too?"
"Yeah, it is Friday aftah all."
^~*^~*^~*~^*~^*~^
"Hey Jack! Where's Medda?"
Jack turned to look at them, grinning. "Great ta see you too." He glanced around Irving Hall, "I don't know where she is, prob'lly backstage gettin' ready. Why?"
"We wanted ta intraduce her ta Brooke heah." Kid Blink said.
"Dat's ok, I'll meet her aftah da show."
Calli sighed in relief.
"Why don't I just take ya backstage ta see her?" Jack asked, getting up.
Calli held her breath, hoping the boys would change their mind about going to find Medda.
Race grinned, "T'anks Jack."
*Fat chance.* Calli thought, following the group.
^~*^~*^~*~^*~^*~^
"Why, Kelly." Medda gave Jack a hug and then turned with a smile to Brooke. "Who is this pretty young lady?"
"Medda, dis is Brooke. She's a new newsie at da Lodgin' House."
"Nice to meet you."
"Same heah," Brooke said, looking around the brightly lit dressing room. It was crowded; people rushing here and there, getting ready for the show. *How do performahs live constantly stressed and anxious about da shows? I could nevah do dat. Dough I suppose people like Medda thrive off the excitement.*
Brooke turned to Medda, her face aglow with anticipation of the show. "So you're a singah?"
"Yes, the Swedish Meadowlark. Do you sing?"
Brooke laughed, shaking her head, "No way! I couldn't hold a tune if my life depended on it. I don't know how you people do it so effortlessly."
Medda put her lipstick on, glancing at her in the mirror. "Lots of practice."
Jack hugged Medda again. "We bettah go now an' let you get ready. See ya aftah da performance."
"Alright. It was nice to meet you Brooke!"
^~*^~*^~*~^*~^*~^
"So, whaddya t'ink of Medda?" Race asked, leading Brooke over to their seats with Kid Blink and Calli trailing after them.
Brooke grinned, "She seems great! I can't believe she runs dis place almost all by herself. She'd be a neat person to get ta know."
Kid Blink seated himself between Calli and Brooke, with Racetrack on the other side of Brooke. "See, dat's what me an' Race say! Charm t'inks she's a big flirt. I don't know why she can't see how great Medda is."
Calli pursed her lips, crossing her arms. Not only did Blink have his back to her, but he was talking about her as if she wasn't there. It wasn't her fault if she didn't idolize Medda like the rest of the newsies. It was just her luck though that Brooke agreed with the boys. Yet another point for Brooke.
Race laughed, adding to the conversation, "You shoulda seen Calli da foist day we brought her heah, Brooke! She got so mad at Medda she stormed out aftah da show an' we had no idea where she was. We found her on da roof of da Lodgin' House da next mornin', right CURT?"
Kid Blink turned around and the three looked over at her. Calli nodded stiffly in reply, and they continued their own conversation.
"Whaddya mean- Curt?"
"When Calli foist joined da newsies she pretended ta be a guy cause she was hidin' from Hearst."
"Really? Why?"
"Hearst-"
Suddenly the lights dimmed and Medda walked on stage in a purple dress with her hair down across her shoulders. She began singing and the other three newsies were riveted to her. Calli looked over at them and sighed. Blink had moved closer to Brooke and now almost a foot and a half separated Calli from him.
She waited patiently for awhile, and when Medda finished her song Brooke began talking excitedly about her voice and looks. "She's gorgeous! And her voice was so pretty in that song. It almost reminded me of my.Nevermind." She was quiet for a moment; her thoughts had turned inward. ***Me muddah had a pretty voice too. Like-trickling brooks in springtime. Dat's what Daddy used ta always say...
TO BE CONTINUED
Author's Note- I'm so proud! That chapter hardly took anything to write and I got it out quickly! Plus, I kept writing for a whole page more but figured I'd cut it there and get a headstart on Ch. 7 that way. hehe YEAH!!!!! I'm so hyper!!!!! Please, please, please, send me a quick review and let me know what you think. I put so much work into writing this one quickly, and you know, the quicker you start it after the last chapter, the easier it is to write. WOO- HOO!!!! I'm so happy! Just a small review if you want, you only have to say, "It was nice getting to read it so quickly, Ciara. You are a wonderful writer, so much talent I just know you're going to get somewhere in life. OH, this chapter was the best chapter in the entire world, it was just perfect! And I love your style!" Ok, not really. Don't write that. But send me a review in your own words, por favor!
UPTOWN LH!!!!! For those of you who don't know, me and Spark are starting up a website, called the Uptown Lodging House. We can't post it up until we get more lodgers, so if yer interested in joinin', send me a review and ask for the application. Include your email address please! So far, the lodgers are: Vix, Kicker, Slick, Moods, Reffy, Spark, and myself. Send a review!
Kicker- Thanks! Oh, I finished your parts in the Uptown LH! I'm so proud. I've just been getting so much done lately! It should be up soon, hopefully.
Asia- I won't let her break Blink's heart.I don't think. And he will get someone great! (
Vix- Here's another chapter, the longest I have so far! Yeah! Oh, I also finished one of your parts in the Uptown LH as well. Hehe. It should be up soon. (I know I said it'd be a whole lot earlier, but I got busy)
SparksdaNewsie- Thanks, I love Race! He's great, and I wrote this story cause I thought that he needed his own story. Here's more!
Chapter 5:
Calli walked across the bridge briskly, the early morning breeze blowing her hair out behind her and cooling her face. She was glad to be alone in order to think about last night in Brooklyn. Spinz had been overly-friendly towards her during the usual games and chatter in the Lodging House. If she didn't know he liked her she would have welcomed this new friendship. Now it wasn't that she didn't genuinely like him, actually she thought he was a wonderful person. Spinz was a good-looking guy with blonde hair and blue eyes, and a cute light sprinkling of freckles on his nose and dotting his arms. He had dated girls before and was sought after by many of Spot's ex-girlfriends who turned to him after the Brooklyn leader grew tired of them. He was friendly, nice, smart, cute, mischievous at times, romantic, understanding, and second-command of Brooklyn, which was no small position. He had many wonderful qualities that girls found attractive.but he just wasn't Kid Blink.
^~*^~*^~*~^*~^*~^
Kid Blink was bored. Race was sneaking looks at Brooke every time she wasn't watching and Blink was starting to miss selling with Calli. *I shoulda gone back ta da Lodgin' House earlier last night ta tawk ta her. I wondah where she was dis mornin'?*
Brooke walked over to a different crowd and the two newsies were left alone for a few moments. Race turned to Blink in a panic, wringing his hands together,
"I can't handle dis! It's too hard. Why'd she have ta become a newsie? It's impossible tryin' ta hide it from her!"
Blink shook his head in mock sympathy, "You do have a very difficult situation dere Race."
A pause followed his statement.
Racetrack glared at him, gesturing wildly with his hands, "AND? NO words of advice, anyt'in'?"
"I t'ink..." Kid Blink hesitated and watched Brooke sell for a moment. After a few seconds she glanced over at them, smiled broadly and waved. He smiled back, "You should tell her."
"I know, I know.when?"
"She'll find out on her own soon, so ya bettah hurry. Hmm.ya wanna take her ta Medda's tanight? You can tell her dere."
Race hesitated a moment, then quickly agreed before he could change his mind. "Ok, I will. But you have to tell Charm."
"What?! I wasn't part of dis, I don't have ta tell her anyt'in'."
"C'mon, Blink! Everyone knows yer head over heels in love wit' her except for her. Why don't ya just get it ovah wit'? You know she likes you back, why not just give it a go?"
Kid Blink took his hat off and brushed his hands through his hair irritably. "I can't.I don't know for sure dat she likes me."
Race rolled his eyes, happy to be the one inflicting pressure instead of receiving it. "Oh, c'mon Blink. Where have you been da last half a year? She hangs on yer every word!"
"CALLI is hardly da type for hangin' on someone's words." Blink stressed the name, stubbornly reminding Racetrack of how independent and temperamental the girl newsie was.
Race sighed, shrugging his shoulders, "Well, I'm not tellin' Brooke that I like her unless you tell Calli as well."
"Fine," Blink snapped nervously. "I'll tell her alright?"
^~*^~*^~*~^*~^*~^
"Heya, Kloppman." Calli stepped inside the Lodging House and smiled happily. The morning walk had been just the thing to refresh her and brighten her look on life.
"Good morning, Charm. Where were you last night?"
Calli grinned inwardly, pleased she had been missed. "Brooklyn. Why? Everyone asking about me?"
"No.no, but I noticed your bunk was empty. I don't think anyone was looking for you, so don't you worry." Kloppman smiled kindly at her from behind his desk.
A sinking feeling traveled its way down Calli's stomach. "No one at all? What about Blink and Race?"
"No, they came home late last night with Brooke. She's a right nice girl, that one." He smiled and nodded his head, "real nice."
"Yeah...well, thanks anyways."
^~*^~*^~*~^*~^*~^
The group of three entered Tibby's and found a booth. Brooke and Race slid in on one side and Kid Blink seated himself on the other. He searched the restaurant eagerly for Calli, and then sat back disappointed when he didn't find her. The blonde waitress from several days ago appeared at their table, looking none too pleased at the sight of Racetrack.
"Are you ready to order?"
The little bell above the door tinkled and Calli walked in, looking annoyed. She stood at the front of Tibby's for a moment, looking around.
"Yes, I'd like a-" Brooke began, answering the waitress.
Racetrack gestured with his head towards the front and Kid Blink turned around. He saw Calli and grinned, relieved to see her again after a whole day. "Hey Charm! Ovah heah!"
Calli glanced at the three of them skeptically, but swallowed her pride and joined them. She slid in next to Blink.
The waitress paused in her orders, noticing Calli, and had to ask Brooke to repeat herself. She took Blink's order next, then Race's, then Calli's.
There was a brief moment of uncomfortable silence when she left, but Blink broke it. "Sorry we got in so late last night Calli. We were showing Brooke around and the time slipped by."
*He doesn't even mention deserting me at lunchtime. I can't believe they didn't notice I was gone!* Calli put on a false smile and turned to Brooke, "That's okay, I'm sure Brooke has never seen Manhattan before. How long did you say you lived here again? All your life, right?"
The boys exchanged glances. Brooke nodded, but before she could say anything Race broke in. "Yeah, but she hasn't seen many of da newsies hangouts. Oh, actually, we were thinkin' of goin' ta Medda's tonight. Blin- we, wanted you ta go."
Calli groaned inwardly, *Not Medda's! Anything but that!* She glanced at Brooke who was joking and laughing with Blink and made a quick decision. "Sure, I'll go. Will everyone else be there too?"
"Yeah, it is Friday aftah all."
^~*^~*^~*~^*~^*~^
"Hey Jack! Where's Medda?"
Jack turned to look at them, grinning. "Great ta see you too." He glanced around Irving Hall, "I don't know where she is, prob'lly backstage gettin' ready. Why?"
"We wanted ta intraduce her ta Brooke heah." Kid Blink said.
"Dat's ok, I'll meet her aftah da show."
Calli sighed in relief.
"Why don't I just take ya backstage ta see her?" Jack asked, getting up.
Calli held her breath, hoping the boys would change their mind about going to find Medda.
Race grinned, "T'anks Jack."
*Fat chance.* Calli thought, following the group.
^~*^~*^~*~^*~^*~^
"Why, Kelly." Medda gave Jack a hug and then turned with a smile to Brooke. "Who is this pretty young lady?"
"Medda, dis is Brooke. She's a new newsie at da Lodgin' House."
"Nice to meet you."
"Same heah," Brooke said, looking around the brightly lit dressing room. It was crowded; people rushing here and there, getting ready for the show. *How do performahs live constantly stressed and anxious about da shows? I could nevah do dat. Dough I suppose people like Medda thrive off the excitement.*
Brooke turned to Medda, her face aglow with anticipation of the show. "So you're a singah?"
"Yes, the Swedish Meadowlark. Do you sing?"
Brooke laughed, shaking her head, "No way! I couldn't hold a tune if my life depended on it. I don't know how you people do it so effortlessly."
Medda put her lipstick on, glancing at her in the mirror. "Lots of practice."
Jack hugged Medda again. "We bettah go now an' let you get ready. See ya aftah da performance."
"Alright. It was nice to meet you Brooke!"
^~*^~*^~*~^*~^*~^
"So, whaddya t'ink of Medda?" Race asked, leading Brooke over to their seats with Kid Blink and Calli trailing after them.
Brooke grinned, "She seems great! I can't believe she runs dis place almost all by herself. She'd be a neat person to get ta know."
Kid Blink seated himself between Calli and Brooke, with Racetrack on the other side of Brooke. "See, dat's what me an' Race say! Charm t'inks she's a big flirt. I don't know why she can't see how great Medda is."
Calli pursed her lips, crossing her arms. Not only did Blink have his back to her, but he was talking about her as if she wasn't there. It wasn't her fault if she didn't idolize Medda like the rest of the newsies. It was just her luck though that Brooke agreed with the boys. Yet another point for Brooke.
Race laughed, adding to the conversation, "You shoulda seen Calli da foist day we brought her heah, Brooke! She got so mad at Medda she stormed out aftah da show an' we had no idea where she was. We found her on da roof of da Lodgin' House da next mornin', right CURT?"
Kid Blink turned around and the three looked over at her. Calli nodded stiffly in reply, and they continued their own conversation.
"Whaddya mean- Curt?"
"When Calli foist joined da newsies she pretended ta be a guy cause she was hidin' from Hearst."
"Really? Why?"
"Hearst-"
Suddenly the lights dimmed and Medda walked on stage in a purple dress with her hair down across her shoulders. She began singing and the other three newsies were riveted to her. Calli looked over at them and sighed. Blink had moved closer to Brooke and now almost a foot and a half separated Calli from him.
She waited patiently for awhile, and when Medda finished her song Brooke began talking excitedly about her voice and looks. "She's gorgeous! And her voice was so pretty in that song. It almost reminded me of my.Nevermind." She was quiet for a moment; her thoughts had turned inward. ***Me muddah had a pretty voice too. Like-trickling brooks in springtime. Dat's what Daddy used ta always say...
TO BE CONTINUED
Author's Note- I'm so proud! That chapter hardly took anything to write and I got it out quickly! Plus, I kept writing for a whole page more but figured I'd cut it there and get a headstart on Ch. 7 that way. hehe YEAH!!!!! I'm so hyper!!!!! Please, please, please, send me a quick review and let me know what you think. I put so much work into writing this one quickly, and you know, the quicker you start it after the last chapter, the easier it is to write. WOO- HOO!!!! I'm so happy! Just a small review if you want, you only have to say, "It was nice getting to read it so quickly, Ciara. You are a wonderful writer, so much talent I just know you're going to get somewhere in life. OH, this chapter was the best chapter in the entire world, it was just perfect! And I love your style!" Ok, not really. Don't write that. But send me a review in your own words, por favor!
UPTOWN LH!!!!! For those of you who don't know, me and Spark are starting up a website, called the Uptown Lodging House. We can't post it up until we get more lodgers, so if yer interested in joinin', send me a review and ask for the application. Include your email address please! So far, the lodgers are: Vix, Kicker, Slick, Moods, Reffy, Spark, and myself. Send a review!
