Chapter Fifteen

"Can you believe it, Spot? I'm actually in charge…" said Jack as he paused to stop and look at his friend. He noticed something different about him nowadays, a change or shift about his attitude. Ever since Hammer and Mackie left Jack had seen the Brooklyn newsies running around doing exactly what Spot had said. But he had known it all along; Spot had the makings of a leader.

"It was going to happen anyway… but hey, it does have its perks, doesn't it?" exclaimed Spot, his eyes still remaining on the cards in his hand. It was something the two friends had done while talking, playing cards. Oddly enough, it worked for them. If it were anybody else, they would be distracted, not able to keep their focus on the game. But they still had enough mentality to listen to each other and play at the same time. It wasn't odd. It was just the way things went.

Jack shook his head and ran his fingers through his hear. "Honestly, Conlon…"

"But at least everything's better than what it used to be… the newsies are actually selling without turning their backs and running every time they hear something coming."

"Yeah… that's true… ain't nothing ever gonna be the same, huh?"

Spot nodded and placed his newsie hat on his forehead, looking about him with determination. "No more pretending… its real now, we gotta look out for them."

Jack chuckled softly, glancing at Spot then back at the table before him. "Geez, Spot, you sound like we're fathers about to start a revolution. We ain't gonna be that great… we're just two kids out to make sure that everything's going alright with the newsies. We're nothing."

"You never really know until you take a chance…" said Spot, still eyeing his cards.

"Will you quit talking like that? You're getting all… weird…"

Spot scoffed and glanced at Jack. His face remained calm and emotionless as he looked at his cards. He could see Jack tense and fidget under his seat as he shuffled his cards around.

"Ready, Conlon?"

Spot nodded and his lips curved into a smile as he looked at the deck of cards in his hand and placed it on the table. "I win."

~*~

Anthony replied with an understanding nod to Sapphy as he looked over to the entrance of Tibby's and saw Sapphy walk in with Strider right behind her. She promised him that she was going to talk to her about it today. That she would "butter" him up. Anthony couldn't understand what was happening, but his emotions were slowly moving towards Sapphy. Not that there's anything wrong with that, of course. Sapphy's great, but wasn't it Strider that he was just thinking about?

"So, Race, any good bets today?" asked Mush as he took a seat next to Anthony and hungrily took a bite out of his chicken.

Anthony's new nickname quickly circulated around the Manhattan newsies. He couldn't believe how fast the news traveled with such a big group of people, but hey, guys talk too.

"Nah, I haven't even been there today… been trying to finish selling my papes," Anthony smiled inwardly as he recalled talking to Sapphy about what they were going to do. "I might go tonight, anyway."

"Where? The races?" questioned Blink.

"What'd you expect? A ball?" answered Anthony sarcastically. Day by day, Anthony had been slowly getting comfortable to the big hustle and bustle of the boys around him. He couldn't believe that he was actually enjoying himself being with them. He could even manage a few jokes here and there without getting soaked. Life was good.

"Yeah, and we're gonna see Sapphy and Strider in those really nice dresses!" teased Mush as he looked over to the two girls who were animatedly chatting with each other at a separate booth.

"Looks like they didn't hear you, Mush!" shouted Jack who was sitting on the other end of the table and talking to Skittery.

Blink made a sarcastic gasp as he shook his head and said, "They ignored Mushy-boy! Looks like he can't have all the girls' attention, eh?"

"You know that they can't hear, but that doesn't mean I can't hear you!" answered Mush as he raised his eyebrow at Blink.

"Isn't this fun?" said Anthony. "Knowing who can hear and who can't?"

"Yeah, well, we just need a bit of reminding sometimes…" answered Crutchy.

~*~

"So what's your point, Sapphy?" asked Strider as her brow furrowed in confusion.

"Um…" started Sapphy anxiously. "What dya think of Race?"

"He's alright, I guess. Not that bad from the other boys, really… why you asking?"

Sapphy glanced around Tibby's to see Anthony give them quick glances from time to time. She sighed and made up her mind. If he was watching them, then she should just get on with it.

"Did you know that he's from Italy?"

"Err… yeah…" answered Strider uncertainly. "Sapphy, what's going on? You got a thing for Race, don't you?" said Strider as her eyes widened with excitement.

"No!" retorted Sapphy as she rolled her eyes. "Of course not!"

"So then WHAT IS IT?" asked Strider impatiently.

"Alright, alright… would it kill you if you went out with a date with Race for just one night?"

Strider blinked as she looked at Sapphy, her face fully showing her emotions, wanting to know whether or not she will say yes. She had known Sapphy all her life, and it wasn't like her to do favors like this. Well, for the guys anyway. It was usually Strider who was asking Sapphy these questions and trying to pair people up together. Now, this?

"Well…" said Strider slowly.

"Well, what?" replied Sapphy. "Yes, no? Si, no?"

"If you help me sell my papes tomorrow, then sure," responded Strider as she gave Sapphy a smile.

"That's it? Tonight then… here at Tibby's. You and Race."

~*~

Anthony's eyes widened with amazement as he looked at Sapphy. Her strawberry blonde hair looked disheveled and her big blue eyes seemed clouded over. But Anthony didn't take notice; he thought that she was just tired. Selling papes can get a lot out of you. At that moment, however, whatever Sapphy looked like, to Anthony's eyes she was an angel.

"You can quit gaping now…" said Sapphy as she tilted her head to look at Anthony and snickered. "You look like a fish, you know."

Anthony blinked and sat back up as he faced Sapphy. "Do you know how happy I am right now?"

"By that look on your face, you didn't even have to tell me," answered Sapphy as they continued walking down the streets.

It was finally afternoon, and only hours before Anthony would meet Strider at Tibby's. He knew that it wasn't much, especially since Sapphy had set it all up. He had regretted that. He should've asked her himself. But it was already too late. Everything was planned and all they needed to do was show up.

The sky was beginning to darken sun was slowly setting, making the sky an array of orange, yellow, and dark blue. People about them were wearily walking back to their homes, tired from work and the activities that they had done that day. For them, the day was finally over. They were going back to their houses, ready for dinner, a talk with their family, and then sleep. But for the newsies, the night was just beginning. Especially for Anthony.

"Oh yeah, something came up," said Sapphy unexpectedly.

"What? Is it about—"

"No, its not about that," exclaimed Sapphy as she rolled her eyes. "Remember that priest from that church we went to with Mush and Strider? Well, their choir's having this… competition thing… next week, and he asked me if I could sing!"

"Wow, Sapphy, that's great!"

"I know! It's kinda weird without Strider though… not really the same. He said that he had to pick only one 'cause one of their members that had a solo got sick or something… and there isn't enough space…"

"So when is this? I can't wait to see you sing up there!"

"I told you, next week! And its gonna be at Medda's… that was the only thing they could afford. Its not like it's a competition for those hoity-toity rich choirs anyway. So it won't be that big a deal."

"It won't be that big a deal? Yeah, right, Sapphy. I'm gonna be right there, front row, and the center, waiting for you to come out," smiled Anthony. "With all the other Manhattan newsies, of course," he added quickly.

"So you promise you're gonna be there?"

"What'd I just say, Sapphy?"

"Okay, okay… but you better be, or else I can't go through with it. And can you come by yourself… I mean, no dates?"

Anthony eyed Sapphy suspiciously, but shook the idea away from his head and grinned widely. "Sure, I'll be a single man that night."

"Thanks," answered Sapphy as she quickly gave him a bear hug.

"So, what do you think I should do tonight?" Anthony cleared his throat and looked at Sapphy. "Hey there… (wink) It's about time we finally got together, eh? Yeah, I know, I look great, don't I?" said Anthony with a deep voice as he cocked his eyebrow here and there.

Sapphy was unable to hold back her laughter as she looked at Anthony. "What is THAT supposed to be? Really, Race… I thought you would be better…"

"What do you mean?"

"Don't you think that you should show her the REAL you?"

"The real me?" asked Anthony uncertainly as he glanced at Sapphy and looked back up at the sunset. "She wouldn't like the real me. You're the only girl who knows the real me…"

"Its better than what you were doing before!"

Anthony stopped in his tracks and took a seat on a nearby bench. His thoughts were swirling about him, wondering whether he should go or not. His emotions didn't seem that ready for what was going to happen, but it was eventually going to happen at one time. Maybe Strider was just a friend. But although he was still thinking that, he couldn't help but think how excited he was to see her. And he thought he was confused before.

"It's not like I'm a ladies man, you know," said Anthony as he looked at Sapphy, who took a seat next to him. "I mean, its not like I know what I'm expecting. Hey, Sapphy, what's that next to you?"

"What?" jumped Sapphy as she looked around her.

"Did you see that bug? It was THIS big!" said Anthony sarcastically as he showed her how big the bug was.

"Race! Stop it! You know I don't like bugs!"

"I'm just kidding… just trying to lighten the mood…" chuckled Anthony.

"Well, that doesn't help when I'm already here helping you and you're just here teasing me," replied Sapphy angrily.

"Aw, come on, Sapphy, I'm sorry. You see, that's why you're such a great friend. You're the type of girl that'll always be there for me…" his looked at her, her bright blue eyes looking back at him. "I can always trust you… you're the kind of girl that won't leave me hanging just like that… that you'll accept me no matter what…"

Everywhere time stood still. Anthony wasn't realizing what was happening, what he was saying and what was coming out of his mouth. Sapphy, however, was taking it all in.

"That's why I can count on you, Sapphy… 'cause I know you won't judge me… 'cause I know you're the kind of girl that I can talk to… 'cause you're the kind of girl that's long-lasting… that you know will always be there. That's why you're so great to me…"

Anthony realized that there faces were only inches apart. Sapphy was in a trance, her eyes staring back at him longingly. He didn't realize that they were slowly inching towards each other. He didn't realize what was going to happen. But then, as if something finally clicked, he remember what he was doing… where he was… and what he was about to do. This was Sapphy. He looked at Sapphy, her eyes closed, her face leaning in towards him.

Anthony cleared his throat and gave a weak chuckle. "Yeah, that's what I'm going to do… right," he said as he smiled and nervously looked at Sapphy, suddenly broken from her position and staring at Anthony stonily. Her blue eyes stared back at him with anger and she could feel her blood rising in her cheeks. She took a deep breath as to make sure to calm herself.

"Next time you use me for practice, make sure to tell me," said Sapphy angrily as she stood up and began to walk away.

Anthony sighed and shook his head as he watched the retreating Sapphy walk away. "That's right, Race. You're just the bestfriend… nothing more…"

He groaned as he pushed himself off the bench and ran to look for Sapphy.

~*~

Aren't you happy that i updated? i know you are! 'cause after days and days of waiting, here it is! lol. i know its not the best chapters i've written so far, but i needed to do this to get the story going. i think in... three, four, or five chapters, this ff will be done. yup, its nearing the end. i need to clear this up anyway, since i'm getting distracted so much lately. lol. no shoutouts for this chap, just glad that you guys are still wanting to read this!