Chapter Six
Kris looked at herself as she washed her face. Is this really me? I mean… here I am in the 1900s, making a living selling newspapers. At least in 2004, I had a choice of what I could do. But here… this is so… different. And what's even more frustrating is that… Kris sighed and began to towel her hair. This has been her third day staying with the newsies. Everyone else was asleep in their beds, with Race in her bed again, while she was up early in the morning. And I'm changing too… I don't stay up anymore … I wake up early and get up early! She looked at herself and made sure she looked presentable. She was wearing a white blouse and a dark blue skirt that ended at her ankles. She was also wearing brown chunky shoes that she was actually getting used to. She walked out of the bathroom to see Kloppman already waking up the other sleeping newsies.
"You don't mind if I wake some of 'em up do you Kloppman?" asked Kris with a smile on her face. This is gonna be interesting..
"Oh! Yes, please! This is much more that I can handle!" said Kloppman as he started to wake up Boots. "Boots! Wake up!!!"
She walked over to Race and bent down to see that he was snoring. Kris started giggling and shouted so that Race could hear her. "Are you sure I heard that right? Race won FIVE DOLLARS?"
"Money!" he mumbled as he quickly sat up in bed. "Where?" He stretched out his hands and started looking on the bunk bed. "Here? Where?"
Kris smiled and patted Race on the head. "Good Morning, Race!" She took off her shoes and jumped up to Rachel's bunk bed. She sat on the right side of the bed. She laughed again as she heard Race say, "But… where's the money?" She turned her attention to Rachel and started poking her madly on the shoulder. "Raaaccchhheeellllll…." She said in her best whiney voice. But before Rachel could open her eyes, she rolled over on the left side of the bed, screamed, and fell in Race's arms.
"You FELL AGAIN!" said Kris as she tried to get off Rachel's top bunk bed.
"I'm going to have to make sure that I'm here to catch you!" said Race as he put down Rachel. While Kris headed for Blink's bunk, which was right above Mush's, she was sure that she saw Rachel blush as she walked towards the bathroom.
NOW… I haven't been spending anytime with Blink… but hey; let's see what I can come up with. She stood on the edge of Mush's bed so that she could prop herself up towards Blink's bed. Blink was still asleep and half the blanket was covering him. Kris started to punch him on the arms. "Wakey wakey!" Kris continued when she saw Blink ignore her. Okay, with a little bit of strength now… She punched him as hard as she could, but at the same time, trying her best not to hurt him.
"Owie!" said Blink as he rubbed his arms.
"Owie? Wow, I've never heard of a guy say that…" said Kris teasingly.
"Kris?" he asked as he started to open his eye.
Kris nodded and whispered, "Um… is it okay if you sell papes with me today?"
"Sure… why not? Hey… is Mush awake?" Blink was already up and started getting down his bed.
Kris shook her head. "Nope. You can wake him up…. I'll meet you downstairs." Kris turned around started walking towards the stairs.
**
Rachel walked into the bathroom and started getting ready for the day. I fell into Race's arms! That was embarrassing! She got dressed, wearing a white blouse and pink skirt. How I miss wearing tube tops and jeans! I'm only wearing spaghetti straps and shorts to sleep. She finished getting ready and walked out, to see Kris gone. "Hey? Does anyone know where Kris is?" she asked as she started looking around for Kris around the room.
"I think she's downstairs with Blink," said Race as he started looking for his cigar. "Who keeps stealing my cigars?!?!" he said as he turned around to see Snipeshooter holding his batch of cigars. He quickly grabbed his cigars, shoved Snipeshooter down his bed, and started puffing on one.
"Thanks!" Rachel looked at Race who was already smoking his cigar. She put her hand up to her nose and held her breath. "How can you people smoke that thing?!?!" Rachel as she started to cough from the smoke.
"Oh… sorry Rach! So… who you gonna sell papes with today?" Race asked as he smiled at her and started putting out his cigar.
"Um… I think I'll sell with Spot today." She turned around and saw Spot go downstairs. She quickly ran down the stairs and shouted as she ran after him. "Hey Spot! Good morning!"
Spot turned around and smiled in memory of the kiss. "Hey Rachel! Someone's in a happy mood!"
"Yah… I'm happy. I have no idea why." Rachel said as she shrugged and started laughing. "Um... Spot? Can I sell papes with you today?" She walked up to Spot who was putting on his hat and getting ready to go outside.
"Sure… if you want to…" he looked at Rachel and walked out to the fresh morning air.
They walked outside to see Blink and Kris laughing at something she didn't know. I wonder what they are talking about? Hmmmmm…. "Hey, let's go talk to them!" said Rachel. Spot nodded as he led them towards Blink and Kris who had already calmed down and stopped laughing, but found that Rachel was already there.
"Hiya Kris! Hiya Blink! What a beautiful day!!" Rachel exclaimed as she started skipping towards them.
"Boy! Aren't you happy!" Blink said laughing. "Hey Spot! Wanna go in and get the papes? The girls can wait here... I don't think Mr. Weasel would be too happy seeing girls with us."
"Oh alright. We'll be right back." Spot turned and followed Blink. Rachel and Kris saw Specs, Snipeshooter, and many other newsies passed by.
"So… you're selling papes with Spot today huh?" Kris said as she nudged Rachel on the ribs with her finger.
Rachel looked at Kris with a confused look on his face. "What? It's nothing!"
Kris smirked, "Yeah, right. Seriously Rachel… is it Spot or Race? Cause you seem to be spending a lot of time with the two of 'em!"
"Can't a girl sell papes with a guy without getting cross-examined?!" said Rachel. She turned to look around and saw Spot waving at her and calling her to come. "Anyways… I got to go… talk to you later. I'll meet you at Tibby's ok?" shouted Rachel as she started running towards Spot.
That girl's never gonna make up her mind… Kris walked over to Blink who was already holding a stack of papes. "So… I guess we'll see who's the better newsie!" she said as she took a couple of papes and started shouting headlines.
~*~
"There! Done!" said Rachel as she started walking towards Spot. They were standing in the middle of the busy streets of New York, and everybody seemed to want a pape from them. Spot smiled and waved to Rachel as he sold off his last pape.
"So what were you doing outside that night? Looking for shooting stars?" Spot winked at her and they started walking down the streets.
Shooting stars… Race! "I… uh… I couldn't sleep… I just needed to walk around for a while." Rachel looked up at Spot and smiled. Wow… blue eyes! His eyes are like oceans! I can just drown in them. Her thoughts flooded in her head as she looked at Spot's eyes.
"Rachel? Rach? Are you okay?" said Spot as he waved his hands in front of Rachel's face. But Rachel didn't move. Spot shrugged and started walking away, turning around once in a while to see if she would follow.
Rachel snapped out of her daydream and looked around. "Spot? Spot? Where are you?" She looked around and ran to Spot. "Don't you walk away like that! I thought I was lost."
Spot stood there laughing at Rachel. They both looked into the streets and saw that there was hardly anybody around. Suddenly, out of the blue, Rachel did a cartwheel in the middle of the streets.
"Whoa there, girl. How did you do that? Did you live with monkeys?" joked Spot as he looked at Rachel in amazement.
Rachel laughed and looked at Spot. She did a few more cartwheels, landing perfectly on her feet. She turned around again, looked at Spot and said, "It's pretty easy. You should try!" This is going to be so funny! Then she did a few more.
Spot carefully watched how Rachel did her cartwheels. He held up his hands, imitating Rachel, bent down on the ground and tried to pick up himself. But instead of landing on his feet, he landed on his butt with a "thud". He stood up rubbing his butt and looked up to find Rachel laughing.
"Hey! It isn't that easy as it looks!" Spot said blushing still rubbing his butt.
"No… No… you were really good! You were better than me when I started learning!" Rachel said trying to stop laughing as she walked over to Spot.
"Really? You really think so??" Spot said in amazement. He leaned on her for support. He couldn't exactly walk just yet.
"No…!" joked Rachel as she stepped away from Spot. He stumbled when she let go, making him look like an old man. She turned around and yelled, " I'M JUST JOKING WITH YOU, SPOT!" She walked back towards him and let him lean on her. "Let's go to Tibby's! I'm hungry!" she said as they walked… or hobbled towards their favorite restaurant.
**
Rachel walked into Tibby's only seeing Brooklyn newsies. Hey! Where's all the Manhattan newsies? She turned around and saw Spot walk in. He was feeling better already; at least he wasn't limping like before. Spot made her swear not to tell the other newsies.
"Hey boys. You guys are here early," said Spot. He took Rachel's hand and led her to a table full of Brooklyn newsies with straight faces. There was definitely something different from Brooklyn and Manhattan newsies. They weren't very welcoming. "This here is my friend, Rachel. So youse better be nice to her," he said as he pointed at them menacingly.
"Hey..." Rachel said feeling a bit uncomfortable. Where's Kris?!?! She sat down next to Spot, looked at him, and burst out laughing. Rachel had to put her hand on her face to keep from laughing out loud.
"What? Do I gots dirt on my face?" Spot looked at her confused.
"No… I just thought of how you looked like when you fell on your butt!" Rachel laughed. Rachel gasped and just figured out what she had said. "Oops…" She turned to find a select few of Brooklyn newsies trying not to laugh. But Spot saw them, and turned bright red.
~*~
Kris looked around from the edge of Blink's newsie cap, which was propped fashionably on her head. I could NEVER find these kind of hats in our time… at least I finally found one that fits me! She had borrowed Blink's hat since it had been another hot day. The sun seemed to be giving off extra effort to keep the day alive and bright. Her eyes fell upon Blink, who was happily giving a gentleman his last pape and taking the penny that the gentleman offered him.
"Took you long enough!" chuckled Kris as she walked towards Blink.
Blink rolled his eyes and looked at Kris. "How was I supposed to know you were a born newsie? It seems that you've been selling papes all your life!" He said as they started walking towards Tibby's. "Are you sure you're from the future?" asked Blink jokingly.
Kris nodded her head. "Why won't you guys believe me? I AM from the future! Remember that airplane thing I was talking about with Race when I made a bet with him? I'm positively sure that it'll happen!" she said as she started looking around again. I wonder where's Mush…
"If you say so…" mumbled Blink as he ran his fingers through his blond hair. Kris saw a glimpse of silver run down his arm.
Hey, that looks familiar… "Is that… Emily's bracelet?" asked Kris as she took Blink's arm and pulled up his sleeve. She looked at Blink, who turned a deep shade of red, as he nodded. "Wow… you have it all this time?"
"Of course!" Blink retorted. "It's not that easy to forget about someone…"
I know how you feel… "So how have you been doing lately? You're alright… right?" asked Kris as she looked up at Blink to see if he was hiding anything.
"Do I look messed up to you? I'm fine, Kris. I just needed a little bit of thinking when Emily…" But Blink didn't finish his sentence, his voice faltered and he looked down on the ground.
"Aww… its ok…" said Kris as she put her arm around his shoulder.
Blink looked at Kris and smiled. Suddenly, his gaze fell upon something in front of a brown colored building filled with windows. Oh no… Blink looked at Kris out of the corner of his eye and made sure that she wasn't looking. Instead, Kris was happily playing with his newsie hat. "Hey, Kris… why don't we go another way? I feel like walking…" Blink quickly grabbed her arm and started walking the opposite direction.
"But—what--" Kris protested from Blink pulling her away, but her sentence was cut off until she saw why Blink had done what he needed to do. She stopped walking and stood frozen to the spot, with her arm still held by Blink. Standing in front of the building was Jack, Mush, and Jamie. Jamie and Jack were talking to each other, and not taking notice of other people, except for Mush, who was watching them and listening.
Blink looked at Kris and saw the pain in her eyes. Her dark brown eyes seemed clouded and deep instead of looking bright and alive. Blink sighed and started tugging Kris' arm. "Come on, Kris… it won't help if you go over there right now…"
"But…" uttered Kris. All she could think of was Jamie and Mush, wondering what had happened when she was gone.
Blink shook his head and finally got Kris to move, although very slowly. "Mush is just as confused as you right now…you shouldn't have ran away like that yesterday," said Blink as they turned the corner and started walking through an alleyway.
"Why? It's not like staying there would have helped! And anyways…" said Kris as she looked down on her feet and felt a wave of depression come over her. "It looked like Jamie and Mush were very close…"
Blink snorted. "Close? I wouldn't exactly say that…"
"WHAT? Blink! What does that mean?" said Kris as she looked up at Blink.
Blink avoided Kris' look and stared straight ahead. "Hey, we're here…" Kris looked ahead to see Tibby's, the restaurant the newsies had always gone to. Blink opened the door for her as she walked inside. What did he mean?! Were they.. But Kris' thoughts were interrupted when she heard a voice talking to her.
"…with us?" Kyle was standing in front of her and was trying to ask her a question.
Kris looked up to see Kyle. "Oh, sorry… what did you say?"
Kyle inhaled a breath of air as if to make asking look so hard. "I said… maybe you'd like to sit with us? Spot and Rachel are already sitting over there," he said as he pointed to a circular table full of Brooklyn newsies that Kris didn't know. She saw Spot and Rachel sitting next to each other, who seemed to be having a good time.
"So… yes or no?" asked Kyle as he bent down to look down on her face as if expecting to see the answer written on her forehead.
"Um… sure." Kris shrugged and looked at Blink. "You don't mind right?" Blink shook his head and patted Kris on the shoulder. "Have fun… but remember us Manhattan newsies!" he said as he walked over to a different table full of Brooklyn newsies.
Kyle led Kris towards the table where Spot and Rachel were sitting. Kris saw Rachel look up from her conversation with Spot and wave at her. She patted the empty chair right next to her. Kris walked towards the empty chair, followed by Kyle.
"Hey, Kris," said Spot as he smiled and put his arm around Rachel's shoulder.
What is going on?! "Um… Hey Spot," said Kris. He doesn't talk to me like that! The last time we talked, he insulted me! Well, not really…Kris looked at Rachel and noticed that she was having a fun time with Spot. Kris shook her head and looked at the rest of the Brooklyn newsies. They didn't seem very welcoming.
"You want anything to drink? I'm going to the bar to get some water…" said Kyle as he stood up from his chair. Kris nodded and smiled, "Sure."
Right at that moment, when Kyle left, Kris heard the door open. She looked over to see who it was, trying not to make it too obvious. Standing in front of the doorway was Mush. He didn't seem to notice where Rachel and Kris were so they started walking towards where Blink was sitting. A few minutes passed, which seemed like hours, Kyle still didn't come back. She stole a glance over to where Mush was sitting and saw him looking at her. Kris quickly looked away and blushed. She looked around for somebody to talk to. Right then, Kyle came back, holding four glasses of water.
"Sorry it took so long… there was this Italian kid who took forever…" he said as he placed the glasses on the table.
So that's where Race is! No wonder I didn't see him come in! "Oh… thanks," said Kris as she reached out and took a sip of water. She looked at Rachel and saw her still having a conversation with Spot. Oh sure, just leave me here with a group of boys I don't know…
Suddenly she felt as if a huge shadow was hovering right above her. She looked up to see Mush and Race standing there, their faces grim and their eyes with determination. Kris peeked a glance from her shoulder and saw that Rachel and Spot noticed that Mush and Race were standing there, glowering at them. Kyle was ready to stand up and take a shot at them, but Kris prevented it as she took a hold of Kyle's arm and forcing him to sit back down. Kyle glared at Mush, sat back down, and looked at Kris.
"Rach, why are you sitting here? Don't you want to sit with us?" asked Race as he looked at Rachel with concern.
Rachel looked at Race, then at Spot. "I… I just felt like sitting with Spot today. Is there anything wrong? I can't sit with Spot?"
Race shook his head and shrugged, "No… no, 'course not." He looked at Mush as if waiting for him to say something. Mush's face was rigid while he looked at Kyle and Kris. He stretched his hand out, waiting for Kris to take it and said, "Come on, Kris… let's go sit over there… you wouldn't want to be sitting here don't you?"
Kris looked at Mush thoughtfully. She looked at his hand, then to Kyle, who was looking at her with concern. But he's right… I DON'T want to sit here… but why is Mush acting this way? It's not like he owns me! And Kyle was there when I needed help… or when I needed someone to cry on. AND I saw him with Jamie today! I'm staying here! Kris shook her head and looked at her glass of water, then looked up at Mush. "No… I'd rather stay here."
His hand fell as he said, "But… I know you, Kris! You wouldn't sit with anyone you didn't know! Come sit with us!"
Kyle seemed offended; he stood up quickly, causing him to push his chair over. He stared at Mush and glared at him. He walked up towards him, close enough that their noses were almost touching. "She doesn't want to come, you get that?"
Mush nodded, still looking at Kyle. "I get that… but remember this, she's mine…" whispered Mush just enough that Kris could hear him.
Kris' eyes widened at what she just heard. She quickly stood up and walked over towards where Mush and Kyle were standing. "Excuse me? Since when am I… YOURS? I'm not a stupid object you leave lying around!" shouted Kris. Kris realized that everyone was watching what was going on, but she didn't care.
Kyle smirked and looked at Mush. "Hmmm… looks like you don't have a claim on her, so that--" But Kyle's sentence was cut off when he suddenly felt a huge impact come upon his face. Mush had hit him on the nose. Kyle put his hand to his nose and looked at it, then looked back at Mush. He raised his arm up high, ready to punch Mush back, but before he could Mush was already all over him.
Kris backed away to avoid herself from getting hurt. She looked at either newsie, unaware of which one she should protect. Soon enough, the boys were fighting, full on, punching at each other, kicking at each other. Nobody seemed to do anything until Spot ran over to the two boys and tried to break them up. "Hey… hey boys! STOP!" he shouted as he stood in front of them, giving enough space between Kyle and Mush. Kris saw that Kyle nose's was slightly bleeding and Mush had a black eye on his right eye. Even though Spot was standing between them, the two boys seemed to be very determined and kept on stealing punches from one another.
Kris sighed and edged towards them. She stood next to Spot and looked at Mush. But before she could even stand to where she was expecting to, she felt something hit her on her right shoulder. She looked at Kyle, who looked shocked. "I… I…" he said as he retreated.
Kris shook her head and rubbed her shoulder. "You know what? Forget it. Both of you aren't worth it," she said as she passed through the boys and walked out of Tibby's.
Rachel looked around the room. Kris had just left them again. Kyle and Mush were still staring at each other, as if blaming each other for what just happened. I can't take this anymore! "Man, you guys! Why the hell did you do that for? Fighting doesn't work! And then you get all hurt and bloody for no reason." Rachel yelled at Mush and Kyle as she stood up from her seat and glared at them. Then, Rachel turned to the rest of the newsies sitting inside the room. The Brooklyn newsies were on one side of the room while Manhattan on the other side. "You, newsboys, should know fighting ain't worth it. You only fight when it's important! Fighting over a girl shows the girl that you're immature. Girls don't like that!" she said as she wailed her arms in the air.
There was a moment of silence. Jack got up and walked over to Rachel. "Whoa. You're good. You restored order. Now what do you suggest we do?" Jack whispered.
I have no idea… "Okay now listen! I mean it. LISTEN! We're going to split up and look for Kris. And NO FIGHTING! Then we'll all meet back at the Lodging House. NO FIGHTING," she said as she pointed at the newsies fiercely.
"So who are you going with?" Rachel turned around to find Race looking at her, his face full of anger. "Are you going with me or Spot?" He turned to Spot and then looked back at Rachel.
"Yah, who you going with?" Spot questioned Rachel as he walked towards her and Race.
"Oh my lord! This ain't about me it's about Kris! She might get lost out there! I'LL GO MYSELF!" shouted Rachel as she headed for the door.
Jack ran out after her and caught her by the hand. "Wait Rachel! You don't know the way around."
"I RATHER GET LOST HERE THAN LISTEN TO RACE AND SPOT FIGHT OVER ME AND KRIS UNHAPPY!" she said as she pulled her hand away from Jack and shouted Rachel so that both Race and Spot could hear. Before Spot and Race can say anything, Rachel disappeared.
As it turns out, both the Brooklyn and Manhattan newsies went in search for both the girls. They were feeling ashamed and guilty for the shouting that Rachel had given them. They had never looked at fighting that way. So, Mush and Jack went back to the Lodging House just in case they was there. However, Blink and Race went to look for them around Central Park. Spot and some Brooklyn newsies looked around the river by Brooklyn. Kyle, on the other hand, went to look for Kris by himself. He knew where to look for her.
~*~
"I'm so sorry, Medda… if I seem to be intruding…" said Kris as she looked up at Medda, who was wearing her pink costume.
Medda laughed and took Kris by the arm. "You can come here as long as you want. The stage and piano will be waiting for you…" she said as she led her towards the part of the stage where the piano was sitting. "Who could resist your voice? I'll be out back if you need me." Medda smiled and walked off the stage.
Kris sat on the piano stool and looked at the piano with its black and white ivory keys. In truth, she didn't really know how to play the piano. She only knew a few songs that Rachel had taught her. Kris smiled to herself. Rachel was the real piano player. She was just imitating her. She even shocked herself on how quickly she caught on. Kris finally decided on a song and started playing the piano.
Kris looked around to see if anyone was there. She looked down at the piano to make sure she was doing it right and started singing, "There's no time… move along… but I've come much too far… and I know what's in my heart. And I know what I feel… I can tell when it is real…" Kris voice faltered as she heard footsteps.
~*~
Rachel ran through the people passing by, not giving a glance back at what had just happened. She had just shouted to a bunch of newsboys. Most of them, bigger and stronger than her. But she didn't care; she needed to let them know what a fool they were making themselves. They had hurt her friend… her very best friend. She was probably beyond repair. But Rachel didn't think of Kris, Mush, or Kyle as she began to slow her pace.
She looked around and found herself in Central Park. She remembered it when Spot and her were looking for Mush and Kris the first day they came here. She sat beneath a shady oak tree. She felt the hardness of the trunk as she laid her back down and looked up at the sky. Patches of sunlight fell on her face as the branches and green leaves of the tree moved back and forth to the motion of the wind. People were passing by, giving no notice to the girl sitting under the tree.
Rachel sighed and took in what she saw. This is probably going to be the only time I'm going to have peace… The park looked peaceful, letting her put her troubles aside. Suddenly, her body felt tired, her eyes felt droopy and her eyelids tried its best to stop snapping up and down. Rachel rested her head on the tree and fell in a deep sleep.
~*~
"Don't stop… you sounded really good…"
Kris rolled her eyes. It was Kyle. You're the last thing I need right now.. "Really? The last time you were here with me, you were too impatient to hear me sing…" Kris saw Kyle had moved up towards the stage and was already sitting next to her. It looked like he already stopped bleeding, although there were still some blood on him.
Kyle shrugged. "I didn't know I was expecting something that great," he said as he inched towards her.
Kris backed away. "Right… well, stay still. There's still some blood on you," she said as she took a piece of tissue from out of her skirt pocket and started wiping his face.
"So I guess this is your… hiding place huh?" asked Kyle while Kris kept on wiping his face.
Kris nodded. "I guess so… I mean, the boys don't come here that often and Medda doesn't mind that I'm here. So yah… I guess you can put it that way." Kris stopped wiping Kyle's face and put the used tissue back in her pocket. She looked back longingly at the piano, wanting to play some more, but changed her mind.
"So where's everybody? Out looking for me?" asked Kris as she started getting up from the stool and walked down the stage. Kyle quickly stood up and followed.
"Um… sorry about that… I was so into the moment that…" Kyle looked at Kris shyly.
"That you thought I was Mush?" Kris laughed. "I've never heard that one before."
A few minutes later, they were within walking's distance of the Lodging House. Kris insisted that they hide from the other looking newsies to avoid making a fuss, making them duck corners constantly.
"So… here we are…" said Kyle as he looked at Kris. They were outside the Lodging House and there was nobody around.
Kris smiled, "Yup… ok, well I'm going upstairs now…" Kris walked towards the door, but suddenly, she felt a tight grasp around her wrist and somebody pull her back. She saw Kyle's face up close, and felt as if she couldn't breathe. Kyle had pulled her towards him and kissed her intentionally.
"Mmm.. stop!" said Kris as she pushed Kyle away. She looked at Kyle, who started to look ashamed. "What'd you do that for?" shouted Kris as she wiped her mouth. Ack, he slobbered all over me!
"Sorry… I couldn't help it! I really like you Kris… and since Mush isn't…" he stopped talking and looked up at Kris.
Kris sighed. "I like you Kyle… but…" She shook her head and turned around. He'll never understand! She looked back at Kyle, who was standing at the same spot, unable to move, and started walking to the door. But before she could enter, she saw that someone was blocking the door. Their arms hung limply from their sides, and he was standing firmly on the ground. His eyes seemed to be filled with pain and his mouth was in a tight grim line. Kris raised up her head to see who it was. Her eyes widened and the feeling of misery filled her heart.
"So that's how it is? You like him?"
"I… no…" Kris trailed off shaking her head and looked up at Mush. He made his way up the stairs, tuning her voice out.