Title: A Simple Twist of Fate
Author: Amiee Amelie
A/N: I'm trying to vary POV's as much as possible, but it's a bit hard. Stick with me, I'm trying. :) Oh, in answer to a question: Yes, there will be couples. Just not slash. :)
~**~
Chapter 5: Davey
The kid was really bad.
I'm not just saying sort of, kind of bad, but maybe he'll get better.
I'm talking, really bad. I don't know why he's a newsie. He won't speak up, it seems like he's afraid of someone, or something. Or maybe he was a mime in another life. Who knows? He just won't yell.
Maybe I should suggest a change of profession. He's really hopeless.
And not just sort of hopeless. I'm talking, really, no buts about it, should toss himself in front of a carriage if he thinks he can be in this profession because he'd be better off-you get the picture.
But then again, so was I. I should have tossed myself in front of a carriage that first day, had Jack not gotten a hold of Les and I. Good heavens, there I was, this stupid little prick who thought he was all smart because he had an education.
Heh. Some education. I would've died out there by myself. I would have either annoyed the Delancy's, and got soaked, or annoyed some other newsie, and got soaked, or accidentally run into Brooklyn and got soaked, and then soaked literally as well as figuratively because Spot's goons would have probably tossed me into the river afterwards.
In fact, the only thing that kept me as a newsie was that Jack took a liking to Les and…
…Jack…
Why didn't I think of it before?
I have to be the stupidest person to trod the planet.
Of course! There is only one person for hopeless cases, and that is Jack. I mean, look at me. I may not be a first-class newsie, but I'm pretty good at what I do. And…
I'm even stupider than I thought. I thought I was being all smart, telling him "the name of the game is volume…" just spitting things out that Jack had told me. But I didn't tell him the newsie motto, the words that if you're going to come out knowing one thing, it would be this. "Headlines don't sell papes. Newsies sell papes."
The poor kid was trying to get along without a clue. I told him to improvise headlines, but not why he should. As if life weren't bad enough for him. I mean, good heavens, he's prettier than Sarah.
Not that that's hard, mind.
I really shouldn't be saying stuff like that about my sister…but I do think myself to be a realist. And realistically…there's no way that Jack and Sarah should have ever been together. He's a leader, and she's…not even a follower. She's a hide in the corner until someone comes to her rescue or uses sheer force to make her get up and do something. I mean, good heavens, Sarah's the complete and utter opposite of Jack. I know they say opposites attract and all, but honestly, I'm surprised Jack didn't chuck her out a window. I mean, I love her and all, she's my sister, I kind of have to.
But Jack…he needs someone different. He has to take care of so many other people, he needs someone to take care of him. Not a girl who will be the princess in the ivory tower. A girl that'll soak someone for him when he's down.
Not that I've ever actually seen him down, but you never know. It could happen.
I'm just floored that Sarah actually worked up the nerve to leave him for Spot.
I didn't know she had that much guts. I mean, good heavens, it's not like she ever showed backbone, til now.
But I'm missing the point. The point is…
…I don't quite remember what the point is.
But that's alright. I just need to talk to Jack. Soon. Preferably before he gets back to the lodging house. Because if anybody can save Baldy, it's him. And if he can't save him, then nobody can.
I was terribly afraid that he was going to take Sarah's actions against me. It wasn't my fault that my sister is stupid as well as ugly.
I mean, honestly. Les has more common sense. And he's ten years old.
As you can see, I'm not exactly happy with her, not after what she did to Jack. And with Spot, too. Not that he really cares. And not that I really blame Spot all that much, but Jack seemed pretty torn up.
He hasn't said anything to me, though. And he's been really good about it. It almost seems like…
…never mind. Stupid thought.
…I just hope I can catch up with Jack. And I really hope that Baldy isn't around. He doesn't like taking "charity," or being made to seem "weak" I've noticed. He has to be tougher than looks, just because of the way he looks, I guess. So if he show's up around Jack at the same time that I suggest he help him out…
Lets just say Racetrack and the other kid won't be the only ones with shiners tomorrow.
I like him, though.
He reminds me a little of Jack.
…Actually, he reminds me a lot of Jack. Because he acts exactly like Jack would were he in the same situation. And he's got guts. Enough to do whatever he needs to do to survive.
Heh. I saw him soak that one kid. It was pretty amusing to watch. And Racetrack, too. 'Course, I didn't actually see that one, but I heard the rumors. People seem to be a little scared of the kid, but everyone agrees that both of them deserved it. It wasn't like Baldy was picking fights, or anything.
So yeah, I think I like him.
I hope Jack does too.
He's the only chance Baldy's got.
~**~
A/N: Sorry about the short chapters. They'll be getting longer, I promise. I'm just trying to keep them to one POV, which is what accounts for the shortness factor. Plus it's rather late at night, and I really should get to bed. Oh, just to let you all know, I know I went on a little Sarah bashing spree. But I figured it was in character. I mean, Sarah just dumped Davey's best friend. A slightly embarrassing situation, don't you think? So I figured that he wouldn't be exactly happy with his loving sister, and, being the good sibling that he is, use the chance to insult her as much as possible. Ok, so it isn't THAT plausible. But it was fun :D So thank you all for the lovely reviews, and goodnight!