Chapter 6: To Manhattan
I woke up in the morning to realize I was the only one there. 'Oh, so Spot left me here? grr...did he think I couldn't sell?!?' I jumped out of bed and looked at the clock.
"Holy Shit!" I cursed allowed, it was noon and the boys were gonna be at....what was it spot was tellin me about....oh yea, Tibby's in and hour. I went to the washroom and couldn't believe that even Jack had left, he knew I wanted to go to Manhattan! Wait...I thought, I laughed to myself, this had to be a plan...I mean-Spot didn't want me to go...Its a good thing I know where Tibby's is.
I ran out the door and onto the street. I didnt even see Spot sellin his papes, he probably already finished. I walked speedily to Manhattan and busted into Tibby's. I had seen them all sitting there through the window, so I just started talking. "What the Hell?! You dont even wake me up? Ugh...Spot, you knew I wanted to go to Manhattan, and Jack, you didnt even get me up! And..." just as I was about to yell at them some more, I saw everyone in the store looking at me. "Ugh" I sighed heavily as I sat down next to Jack, who was sitting across from Spot.
I heard a small chuckle and looked over to see a boy smoking a cigar laughing at me. "Who the hell are you?" I asked forcefully. He stopped laughing. "and what, is so damn funny?" A smile crept back onto his face.
"Well, foist of all, I think I know where ya got yer name, Storm, right? Oh my god, ya just busted in here and yelled..." he spoke...god I loved his voice. I was about to protest, but he interrupted me. "Secondly, me names Racetrack Higgins and I was laughing cause I never knew somebody as small as you could make all dat noise."
"Oh..." I said. "Well, I got me name from the fact that I love it when it storms out, and I can make a lot more noise then that so ya bettah watch ya back uh...what was it...?" I questioned, even though I remembered it perfectly. "Oh yea, Racetrack."
He looked at me quizzically and kinda looked me over, he smiled, but said nothing. I smiled back and then turned to Jack. "So, why'd ya leave me Jacky boy?" I asked, crossing my arms.
"Well, Spot here" he said, jerking his thumb in Spots direction "said ya needed ya sleep, and that you'se was out past one."
"Hmm..." I said, not really answer since Spot was right. "Well, what time is it, bout one?" I asked, not really waiting for an answer but going on "Hmm, where's the Manhattan Lodging House? Anyone wanna give me a tour?" I smiled as hands shot up.
"I'll do it boys..." I heard, I looked over and saw Race standing up and walking out. He motioned for me to follow him. We walked outside and he motioned for me to walk inside of a building with a sign that said "Newsboys Lodging House" on the top.
"Is this gonna be just like the one in Brooklyn?" I asked, he didn't speak, but nodded his head 'yes'.
"Ya know Race," I spoke softly, he had stopped in his tracks to listen "you'd be alot cuter if ya talked once in awhile" I walked by him and into the Lodging House. He smiled and jogged to catch up to me.
"So Storm, dese are da boys, Mush" He pointed to a boy with no short on.. 'damn' I thought. He laughed as if he read my mind. "Boots, Les, Dave, Bumlets, Skittery, SnipeShooter, Jittery, Specs, Itey, and this..." He pointed to a boy just walking in, he had curly hair and was thin, he also had a crutch under his right arm. " is Crutchy." He patted the boy on the back.
"His boys," I said "I'se Stormy, ya guys dont mind if I stay here right?" I asked, already knowing the answer, they all shook their head no. I smiled. I gave Kloppman 5 cents to stay the night and walked upstairs.
I sat on my bed and looked down, I got the top bunk. It was getting late and the boys started piling in. I smiled as I saw Race jump up on the top bunk next to me.
"So, uh..." he spoke to me, I was guessing he wanted to know more about me, it made me shift in my bed uncomfortably.
"Ya know, Newsies dont really talk about their past" I said, looking straight into his eyes. "How'd ya know I was gonna ask ya bout ya past?" he sat up and looked and me questioningly. "Lucky guess" I said as I flashed him my famous smile.
"Well, I dont usually tell too many people about my past, just like, my closest friend or...ya know..." I said, yet again, shifting around.
"No," he smiled "I dont know." He popped the cigar back in his mouth.
"My boyfriends." I said quietly.
He laughed and lied back down into his bed. "Night" he said. "g'night Race." I smiled as I fell asleep silently.