Hypnotized - Chapter Two

She had lived in Brooklyn all her life, growing up among the shrouded houses and violent boys that surrounded her. It came as no surprise that she became a newsie, since most of her friends did so. They hated working at the factories… the hot and stuffy room that they had to work in, the annoying and pestering boss that watched their every move and step, the continuous and redundant work that they never got credit for. But she had found freedom with being a newsie. She enjoyed walking about the streets, papers in hand, and shouting her made up headlines with all her might. She knew she was going to need to live off her wit and charm, living off the few pennies that she had that day.

No wonder he caught her attention. His dazzling blue eyes that she wanted so badly to sink in. His built structure that she wanted to touch and to hold. His soft brown hair that she wanted to run her fingers through. But she knew how it was. He was the best of the best, the one who achieved greatness. He was always there to overlook everything with his commanding and strong atmosphere. He was the one that every little newsie wanted to be. She couldn't help herself and fall for him. It was just so tempting.

But she had been a newsie forever and she knew that he didn't know her. There were tons of newsies around… how was he to know her? She believed that she was invisible, that she didn't exist to his eyes. She was just another shadow fading into the darkness.

She felt the danger and the pain she was about to enter in her heart. But she ignored it. She let the butterflies in her stomach flutter as she heard him talk. She let herself clam up and hide as she saw him walk towards her and give her a quick glance. She let herself turn into a deep shade of red, as she would accidentally bump into him.

She thought her world was coming to an end, knowing that she would never have a chance. Not with him. Not ever. So she kept her distance and kept on living. But little did she know what was coming. He was watching her. She just never knew.

~*~

Leah could hear the mumbling and snores of her friends as she rolled over in her bunk and looked around her. Although the darkness enveloped her, her eyes could still make out the distinct shapes and figures of the girls' room. She let out a sigh and thought of how lucky she was. It was possible that she would be out in the streets by now, living off what she would find, hungry for food, and no place to live. At least the Brooklyn newsies gave her something to come home to.

She rubbed her eyes as she sat up from her bed and hastily made her way out the fire escape and onto the rooftop. The rooftop served as a meeting place or even a hideout for some of the newsies during normal nights. But for Leah, it was her own separate world where she can stare up into the sky and let her imagination get away with her.

She let her bare feet touch the cold concrete as she took a step and looked around. Empty. Thank God. But what was she going to expect at the middle of the night?

Her eyes widened and a small gasp escaped her mouth when she suddenly felt a hand clasp over her mouth and another grab both of her wrists as she felt somebody push her up against the wall of the entrance with a thump. A pair of ocean blue eyes stared back at her. She could see a silhouette of a boy in front of her, his muscles bulging through his dirt smudged shirt, the top two buttons undone, giving Leah a glimpse of his soft cream-colored skin. Her heart fluttered and did a somersault as she suddenly felt a wave of excitement and nervousness surround her. It was him.

"Shhh…" he whispered, still keeping her pinned to the wall as his eyes darted back and forth, looking about him.

Leah gave a little whimper as she suddenly felt her heart beat faster. What was going on? But her thoughts were drawn away from him when she heard the sound of footsteps and the flutter of wings. Her brow furrowed as she squirmed beneath him. She was getting more and more uncomfortable. Sure, she wasn't complaining being here with him… but what was that sound?

"What the hell are you doing up here at midnight?" barked Spot, slowly letting go of her and taking a step back, his ocean blue eyes turning into a clouded dark blue.

"Can't a girl get a moment's peace without getting tackled?" replied Leah as she wrapped her arms around her. She had just noticed that all she was wearing was her oversized shirt and cut off shorts over her undergarments. Blargh. And it was cold.

"You sure deserved it for sneaking up on me," he replied teasingly as he gave her a cocky grin that sent chills up her spine. Oh, how she hated that smile. It could just turn in her into a puddle of goo right then and there. But she stood her position, trying her best not to crumble, as she looked back at him. She wasn't going to get any thinking done that night.

"I ain't sneaking up on anybody… you were the one who jumped on me! Besides, what are you doing here up so late, by yourself?" Leah smiled inwardly. She wasn't turning into the shy and quiet person she thought she would be when she would imagine talking to him. It was something else at all. She was comfortable.

Suddenly a cold breeze of air passed by, causing Leah to shiver and wrap her hands around her arms more tightly. She peered at him as her auburn hair flew past her eyes. She hated this silence. Then, she realized that he was still there, standing right in front of her, not to far away. It would only take a push for them to be in each other's nose. She wanted to run over to him and hold him in her arms, but she held her place. She didn't want to be easily wrapped around his finger. She was still her own person.

"You cold?" he whispered as he slowly turned and walked towards her, and bent down, now eye-level with her.

"I…" uttered Leah. She couldn't bring herself to say anymore as she stared back at him. She had never seen this side of him before… soft and caring. He was always tough and demanding, his emotions masked by his determination to lead the others. Who would've thought there was a person underneath all of it?

She felt his hands slowly circle her waist as he moved forward. She closed her eyes, feeling his warm breath across her cheek and his lips slowly move across her skin, not kissing her, just feeling. His scent slowly circled her, his sweat and body mixed with the smell of cigars, beer, and the salty water from the docks. This was it. This was Brooklyn. She trembled as she felt him give her a little peck on the cheek.

"You know I could always get you warmed up…" he said as he pulled away and glanced at her to see her reaction. Her eyes were full of longing and wanting, her auburn hair flowing past her shoulders, her skin glowing beneath the moonlight. His eyes suddenly glazed over, seeing this person before him, he moved his face forward, desiring just one kiss.

But she quickly put her hand over his mouth. She wouldn't let this happen too fast. Not like this. She didn't want to be like the others.

"No," she firmly stated. "Nice try… I ain't gonna be like the other girls you leave around crying their hearts out. I don't want to be like that." She saw him take a step backward, letting go of her.

"Aw, why'd you have to go? It was just getting fun," he retorted as he saw her walking away from him

"Ya can't always get what you want," replied Leah.

"Oh yeah?" he asked, grabbing her hand. She suddenly felt an odd feeling in the pit of her stomach. Fear? Wanting? It was all too new to her. She tugged at her hand, finding him still connected to her. She gave him a threatening look and tried her best to wrench her hand away. But he remained there. Geez, he had the strength and muscles of a god.

She slyly smiled and walked towards him, seeing him suddenly beamed with pleasure. "You want more?" she whispered as she leaned into his ear. She didn't need this. Out of all the things she was feeling, it was annoyed. He replied with a nod, and with her fist curled up into the ball, she used all her might and punched him in the stomach. He stepped back with a choking sound as he looked up at her, clutching his stomach. He was caught off guard… and by a girl, too.

"That enough for you?" She said, as she looked down at him. With her face held high, she walked away and gripped the handle of the fire escape, as she blinked and glanced back at him.

"You don't even know my name…" whispered Leah.

With that, she stepped down the fire escape and climbed back to her bed, her heart breaking within her. Why did she just let that happen? He was there… but… why? She let him go. But she had her morals… her thoughts. She sighed as she wrapped herself in her blankets and closed her eyes. She was going to dream, for that was the closest she can get to him. To the most beautiful and strongest person in all of Brooklyn. Spot.

~*~

He sat down, his hand still clutching his stomach, and sighed. She was different… that one. Nobody talked to him like that. Or even punch him… he smiled inwardly as he recalled her aroma. Strawberries.

He watched her as she climbed down the fire escape, her hands holding on to the rails. He could see her head, the copper and auburn color bouncing off her hair. Then, with a flash she was gone. What just happened? He shook his head as he ran his fingers through his hair and looked about him. He was alone.

"Leah…" he whispered as he stared up into the cloudless sky.

~*~

*frantically hands out chocolate and muffins to everyone* i luv you all! lol! ^^ thanks so much for the reviews! i honestly wouldn't have continued if all of you told me to! and you know what? i had fun writing this conversation. sorry it took FOREVER, i still had the play and exams that week, but now, everything is slowly going back to normal, and i'll hopefully have the next chap up sometime soon.

other than that, i may hold a small CC just for now. i need three girls (two friends for leah and spot's sister)... now, this isn't first come first served, i'm going to pick those that suit my story. what i need are: nickname, personality, looks, quirks, what you think of spot, what you think of leah... that's about it for now. so start sending them in! just leave it in a review, k?

Shout-outs

Runaway: thanks! yup, gonna have to agree that the best writing comes outta nowhere! btw, the play that we're doing is Smokey Joe's Cafe.

Gretch: ^^ you'll see!!!

Irish Flare: hahah, thanks! aren't ya happy i'm writing? *wink*

Lookout: heya! haven't seen ya in a while! ^^ lol, sometimes dark stories win our hearts!

Chelsea: LMAO! hey racey!!!! *waves* and guess what? you're right! hahah! i wasn't sure on who it was on first, but it just ended up as him anyway. lol. but hey, you still gotta love mush! *hugs mush* hehhe.

Luna: you demanded... you got! heheh ^^

Emu: *hands muffin* there you go.

Brooklyn Bridgette Conlon: hey joizey! thanks for the review! this is my first vamp newsie story, so i'm probably gonna be asking you for help! dya have YIM? aahh, i'm gonna need to talk to you! lol. *jumps* where can i email you?

Raeghann: wow, that was really unexpected to see you review one of my stories! i always loved your ffs! ^^ i couldn't really leave it as a one shot anymore since all these ideas started shooting out of my head... lol. hope you like!