Disclaimer: I'm running out of humorous disclaimers, I can't even make myself crack a smile. So yeah, Newsies=Disney, not me. Plagarism=bad, don't steal.

Chapter 4

The two figures in the back of Tibby's had been attempting to hide behind their menus for the past twenty minutes, leaning their heads close together so that they could whisper to one another. The waitress had interrupted them a few times and the menus had collapsed onto the floor once or twice but for the most part they were successful in concealing themselves from the growing population of newsies who were slowly flowing in for dinner.
That is until Evie came barreling into the restaurant, holding above her head her sac and what seemed to be an envelope as she weaved between the tables. Spot! Charlie! I've been looking for you two all morning. She collapsed into the chair next to Charlie and if her entrance hadn't drawn enough attention already her graceful tumble onto the floor did. A group of newsies who had been eating at the front of the restaurant recognized the trio and began snickering to themselves.
Jesus, goyl. Would ya keep it down. What's da big rush fo? Spot winced as she hit her head on the table bottom while standing up.
Evie blew a misplaced curl out of her face before placing the letter down into front of Spot. Here's the letter. I got an envelope from Kloppman. Now I'se just gotta find a post office. Charlie moved next to Spot and read the letter over his shoulder. It was addressed to Maggie and explained Evie's disappearance and that she was safely living in New York City. The plan that the three had come up with the day Evie had spilled her story to Charlie was relatively simple: Evie would write a letter home to Maggie, requesting some of the nicer dresses she'd left behind. This plan was based on the information Evie had received from her discussion with Jack. The dresses, she'd explained to Spot and Charlie, would help as evidence when she needed to convince Jack of who she really was. And although Spot and Charlie weren't completely convinced, Evie was sure that Maggie would keep her secret from the Cummings.
During the period of time that it would take for the dresses to reach her in New York, Evie was to stick with Spot's plan of wooing Jack, an aspect she was hesitant to try. But when she expressed her discomfort to Spot, he simply laughed at her. What are you so worried about?
I don't—I mean, what am I supposed to do? Evie glanced between Spot and Charlie, the two with small smirks on their faces.
Ya know, floit a little. Jack likes his goyls to show a liddle Spot's tone, along with his growing smirk, implied a little more than his word choice did.
Evie looked mortified at the idea, making Charlie giggle to herself and elbow Spot before he could continue explaining how to seduce Jack Kelly. You make em sound so trashy. Evie, don't worry about it. Spot and I will put in a good woid for ya. And as long as you'se keep on getting Jack to look at ya the way he did dat night on da roof, den we'se all set.
Spot nodded eagerly, you'se gotta get him ta notice ya. After dat, those eyes of you'se will do da talkin'. Promise.
Hesitating momentarily, Evie folded and refolded the letter. Well, I was thinking that I'd give him a present. He'd certainly notice me then.
A present? Dat's a too obvious it you askin' me.
Charlie seemed to notice in her friend's expression something Spot hadn't, a secret that Evie had to be hiding, the extra card up her sleeve. What did ya have in mind? she asked. Reaching behind her to grab her sac, Evie slowly opened it to reveal Jack's cowboy hat.
Holy, put dat ting away. Immediately, Spot snatched the sac away and hid it underneath the table. He looked around the restaurant to see if anyone else had noticed. Where'd youse get dat?
Evie followed Spot's lead and whispered across the table. It's Jack's right? The two opposite nodded. The police gave it to my father after the fight thinking that it was my brother's. Not knowing that it was actually Jack's, my dad gave it to Brody. It was a secret between the two of us afterwards, that the hat was Jack's. Brody use to say that Jack had left it for him. When I left I took it with me. I thought it'd help me convince Jack, or at least bring me good luck.
Charlie danced quickly in her chair, excitement making her more silly than normal. Goyl, use da luckiest person I'se eva known. Dis is the poifect tin ta give
Spot nodded but didn't make any comment until a couple moments had passed. But ya can't just give it to em and be all Hey Jack, here's your hat.' Dat's sota random, ya know.
I hate that word. Evie mumbled before continuing. But I was thinking that also. I figured that I could just tell him that I found it while cleaning. That way, I'd still get the credit for finding it but it wouldn't be so out of the blue.
Dat sounds good. And because he don't rememba much from dat day, he'll just think he misplaced it or sometin. Charlie shook her head. I can't believe you'se had dat ting all along. He was so pissed when he lost dat hat. Evie reached under the table at took her sac back, closing it just in time for Race, Skittery and Jack to enter Tibby's with it safely tucked beneath her feet.
The trio moved slowly over towards the back group, saying hello to newsies that they met along the way. This gave Charlie enough time to seize the opportunity as the starting point for their plan. Just as the three boys sat down at the table, Charlie jumped up.
You goin? Skittery asked while skimming the menu. He got the same thing every time but continued to look at it out of habit.
Charlie nodded and tugged Evie out of her chair. Yeah, Evie and I gotta do some errands. The boys looked surprised. Ya know, goyl stuff. Spot, too confused to catch Charlie's hidden wink tried to persuade them to stay. Put in a good woid. Charlie whispered, grabbing the letter last minute and skipping out of the restaurant with Evie in tow.
Race shook his head, which was hidden by his menu. Those two, He set the menu down in front of him. Dey only encourage each otha.
Skittery nodded in understanding. Who wouda though dat dere'd be a goyl as crazy as Chalie out dere.
What are you two talkin' about? Jack asked. In the few days that had passed since his meeting with Evie on the roof, he'd spent more time with her and the newsies and less time selling by himself. During those times he couldn't deny that she bewitched him in a strange way. When she'd left a moment ago, he'd been happy to note that in her hair was the ribbon he'd gotten her to replace the one still fastened around his hand. Evie's real sweet Skittery and Race looked happily amused at the statement and Jack tried to recover. Well, at least dats what I'se hoid from Spot. Embarrassed, he returned to studying his menu.
Have ya eva listened to dem talk. It's like code, as if dey know what de otha's thinkin'. Skittery imitated the two girls with makeshift hand puppets. Laughing at his friend's antics, Race swatted at the puppets. It's scary if ya ask me.
Yea well I ain't askin' Jack mumbled, still perusing the menu. He looked up as the waitress came and they all ordered the usual, Spot declining because he'd eaten earlier with Charlie.
Spot, you'se been awful quiet. Race said between lighting a cigarette. What gives?
Aw, notin, The boy shrugged and tried to casually slip into a conversation that he hoped would turn again to focus on Evie. I'se just been thinkin' about da dance dat's comin up. Who you'se takin Jack?
I dunno. Didn't really tink I'd go dis yea.
Race, elbowing Skittery to get his attention, cleared his throat before saying, You could always take Evie, seein as she's so sweet and alls.
Jack scowled at his friend's teasing while Skittery and Spot laughed. She's probably already been asked, Race, alright. You'se just worry about how much you'se gonna have ta pay dat broad you took to da last dance.
While Skittery erupted into easy laughter at Jack's comeback, Spot interrupted Race from any possible retaliation. Wait, Jack, why'd you'se tink Evie's already been asked?
She's pretty and all. Jack knew that he'd already revealed a little too much about his new interest in Evie so he tried to come up with a quick excuse. I'se seen some of day guys eyein' her at da distribution centa.
Really? Who Skittery asked, becoming protective of his new friend.
Aw you look out fo Charlie woud ya, Spot said, shoving Skittery and winking discreetly. Evie's fine. Dose guys knows she's off limits. Specially when she's gots eyes fo Jacky-boy hea. The three smirked silently and when Jack decided not to comment they knew he was thinking about what Spot had just said. It was obvious to them all that even with his little obsession with the Central Park girl Jack hadn't been able to totally ignore Evie and his natural attraction to her. And although Skittery and Race knew nothing about Evie's past, they liked her enough to encourage any sort of relationship that might develop between her and their friend. As far as they were concerned, Jack needed someone to take his mind off of the ridiculous Central Park girl.
Jack picked at his fingers for a few moments before changing the subject. What about you'se Spot? Skittery given ya permission to take out Charlie yet? He and Race snickered to themselves.
He'd been expecting a question like that, especially after all the prodding he'd done about Jack's own love life. Although it wasn't official, everyone in the newsie community knew that Spot and Charlie liked each other. Ah, I'se don't need permission. Spot laughed. Beside, he says no, and I'll soak Before anything more than wrappers could be thrown, the food came and the boys became distracted long enough to forget the girls that filled their minds.

As happy as Jack seemed to be that afternoon, sitting in Tibby's and reminiscing with his friends, he couldn't stay away from Central Park. His regression began a few days after Evie's letter was sent. And although the circumstance wasn't as drastic as it had been, he still spent a majority of his time selling alone. He returned after selling in the park all day and enjoyed supper with the rest of the newsies, playing cards back at the Lodging House or seeing a show at Medda's. But every once in awhile he'd split off unnoticed and clear his thoughts of nothing but those brown eyes. They were addictive, and he couldn't go more than a few hours without fantasizing about them.
The only cure seemed to be Evie. When Jack found himself sidetracked from thoughts about Central Park it was usually because he was thinking about something in relation to her. And the separation seemed natural. He'd had the opportunity since the accident to date other girls, but it hadn't felt right, always getting sidetracked and unable to focus on the girl in front of him when he was tormented by the beauty in his head. But with Evie, he could clearly distinguish between daydreams about her and daydreams about Central Park. And he decided, after too many hours of lost sleep, that allowing himself this simple pleasure was going to keep him sane.
Evie on the other hand was blaming herself for Jack's one step forward, two steps backward' shuffle routine. She figured that fate had come and slapped her in the ass for getting too sure of herself. Everything had been too easy so farnow she needed to work hard to win Jack Kelly. After consulting with Spot and Charlie it was confirmed that now was the right time to return Jack's beloved cowboy hat. With the dance only a week away, it would be the right start to getting Jack's attention for the rest of the week and thus winning his invitation.
So on Thursday, after cleaning her portion of the house faster than normal, Evie washed up and changed into clean clothes. She wore the only skirt she owned, a simple emerald number that sat high on her waist softening her curves, and a blouse that matched the ribbon Jack had given her. She tied the ribbon in her hair as a makeshift headband and let it lie amongst her auburn curls. Finished before most of the other girls, she played on the floor with Annie, the cowboy hat sitting next to her. Charlie had planted it earlier in the morning so that Evie found' it while cleaning. The whole display had been somewhat comical, with Teeni squealing with pleasure and running all throughout the house, the hat held high in her hands, everyone excited at the prospect of presenting Jack with it later on that night. The girls seemed to take longer to get ready that night so when they finally entered Tibby's, they were the last to arrive.
From his seat on the opposite side of the restaurant, Jack could watch who entered and left. He smiled at Charlie and waved the girls over to where he, Race, Mush, Skittery and Blink had claimed a few tables. Standing up he tracked Annie's progress through the crowd as she ran ahead of the other girls, giving Charlie enough time to slide the cowboy hat on Evie's back. She was pushed to the back, where she and Jazz continued to giggle and fool around with the hat.
Thanks fo savin' us da seats, boys. Charlie said, stopping in front of the group. Behind her, the rest of her girls didn't move to any of the seats, a plan they'd worked out on the way over.
Annie, standing on Jack's chair, jumped up and down with excitement. Before she toppled to the ground, Blink grabbed her waist and swung her around, causing her giggle to fill the room. she cooed. Stop, I gotta tell Jacky somtin! She was placed back on her chair and after fixing her dress, turned towards Jack. she began, saying the words Basil and Charlie had rehearsed with her earlier that afternoon. As she spoke she played with the collar of Jack's shirt. We'se found sometin fo you. While Evie was cleanin. She flashed him a toothy smile before turning back to Blink so that he could spin her more.
Now that Annie's part was done and Jack's curiosity was in full attention, Charlie stepped forward. Found ya a little present Jacky-boy. Her smirk fell on the faces of all the other girls while Charlie spun Evie to the front of the pack. She'd been fooling around with the hat, placing it on her head and shooting with finger rifles at Jazz from the back where she knew no one was watching her. But her abrupt cut in line caught her off guard and she stumbled in front of Jack, his hat tipped side ways over one eye.
All the guys burst into spontaneous chatter at the sight of the missing cowboy hat, asking so many questions that Evie seemed to huddle behind Jack from the onslaught. But he too failed to make a coherent sentence until a couple seconds after the fact. Where—I mean, you found—that's, well that's my hat ain't it.
Evie nodded proudly and handed it to him, slipping it over his head. I'd say it looks better on you. If only Spot were there! She'd actually flirted. Or at least attempted. The result was certainly worth it. Jack mimicked her smile before throwing his arms around her waist and twirling her like Blink had just twirled Annie. He set her down and pulled out the chair next to him, everyone else following and agreeing to let Jack order them a round of drinks. While they waited for their meals, Evie retold the story of how she'd found Jack's hat stuffed behind his bunk, answering any of the other questions as best she could. She kept on glancing over at Charlie and sharing secret smiles as the story got more and more exaggerated.
But no one seemed to question it and when Spot appeared, he was swept into the excitement of the group and the story was retold. From where he sat further down the table, Spot smiled at Evie's story telling abilities, one out of few who noticed Jack's arm draped lazily on the back of her chair. More drinks and food followed the empty glasses and plates while the conversation gradually drifted into everyone sharing their favorite stories about Jack's many embarrassing moments. While Jack graciously accepted every story with only a slight blush, Evie laughed so hard her stomach ached. After Race's telling of Jack leaning how to swim (demonstrations thanks to Mush) she tried to control her breathing and leaned back into her chair against the support of Jack's arm. Her and Charlie caught each other's eyes at that moment and burst into another round of laughter just as the others quieted down.
Skittery shook his head and turned towards Jack who was sitting diagonally to his left. I told ya, they's was batty. Spot held Charlie just out of reach of Skittery's head, her arms feverishly swatting at his head while the table burst into another round of laughter.
Gradually everyone began to calm down and it was at this time that Diamond decided to show. She stood in front of Evie, her girls fanning behind her to make a sort of pyramid. The table separated the two, with Race and Mush seated across from Evie and Jack, their backs to the rival newsgirl. Charlie twisted in her chair from where her and Spot sat further down the table. Skittery eyed her, making sure that she didn't do anything stupid. After a moment of surveying the table and glaring jealously at the arm drapped around Evie's chair Diamond spoke. Looks like da precious cowboy hat was found.
Jack nodded his head, tipping the hat that sat atop his head. He really had no idea who this girl was. Sure he'd seen her occasionally around the lodging house but because she didn't get along with Charlie, he hadn't paid much attention to her.
Now, where was it exactly?
Evie straightened up in her chair, flashing a nervous glance in the direction of Spot and Charlie. Stuffed far behind Jack's bunk. It must have fallen behind their one day.
Oh, I see Diamond nodded, her expression one of false understanding. Strange though, cause you would have taught dat it would've been found sooner. I mean, me goyls cleaned dere last week.
What are ya trying ta say Diamond? Dat ya goyls are slackin?
Diamond momentarily took her eyes off of Evie to sneer at Charlie for her remark. She focused back on Evie, looking the girl straight in the eye before saying, Nah, it's just dat finding that hat seems sot ofwhat's da woid
Something clicked in the back of Evie's brain at that moment and as the girls filtered out through the front door with no further comment she jumped up and rounded around back. Watching from the side alley, she scuffed her feet and shuddered. If Diamond knew her secret
She stopped herself from thinking of the possibility as Charlie stopped behind her, placing a hand on her shoulder. I'se been telling ya, don't let her get to ya. Evie nodded but continued to glare. Come on, you startled Jack when you ran out of dere. Get back and keep on charmin him like you'se been doin.
The two turned towards Tibby's back entrance to find Jack, Spot and Skittery, along with some of the other newsies, waiting for them. While Jack helped Evie into her coat, Spot started out into the street. You gotta loin how ta pick you're fights, Evie. He motioned towards Diamond with his cane. Next time dat goyl pulls you around, give her a quick right hook fo me, woud ya.
She came up to stand next to him, watching in the direction he'd pointed before turning back to him and nodding quickly.
Annie drawled. She sat on Skittery's hip, his arm supporting her bottom so that her feet stuck out at her side, wrapping around his waist. At the moment she was trying to hide one of her dolls under his cap, oblivious to the serious faces that surrounded her. Skitt-a ray don smell like tuna
She broke the tension amongst the crowd and everyone started in the direction of the lodging house ready for a night much like the ones before it.