DISCLAIMER: These characters do NOT belong to me unfortunately. I tried to kidnap
them from Disney and was unsuccessful. Go figure. However, Runner and Mallory are
MINE, and so is Josephine, Aunt Patricia, and Daisy! Muahahaha! So take that, Mickey!!
OoOogles! I almost forgot Becca and Snap. They's mine too!! BleH! : ) Ah, the list just
goes on, there's Mr. Carter too of course. And Vixen...
A.N. HOLY DUCK!! You guys are professionals at this reviewing thing now!!! WOWZERZ!!
10 Reviews for that last chapter!!! I'm very very very HAPPY!!!!! THANK YOU!!!!
A chapter with all the characters in it! Oh NO!! Love Triangles aren't pretty when
people realize they're being played. *snickers* THANKS AGAIN!!!
~~~LONG CHAPTER AHEAD!!!~~~
*Deanie: So many possibilities. : ) I love it too. I haven't even decided who everyone
will end up with. Heehee. Runner is your favorite!?!? *high fiver!* He's my favorite
too! Shh, but don't tell Spot that. Ha! Actually, I just like the fact that Runner is
a goody-goody at church and school, but a hardcore bad@$$ when he's a newsie. lol!
Thanks for the review! New reviewers rock my socks! w00t w00t! Enjoy this chapter!
*Raeghann: No, I don't think you've reviewed this story yet, but I like how your name's
spelled so it's all good. lol! I'm glad you like this story so much! I love Runner too!
Hahaha, : ) As I've been telling alotta people, he's my fave. Awww, you want one of
your own? Haha, hmmm...well, you can kidnap my Runner whenever you want. lol. Ah, you'll
find out about Runner and Mallory in the next chapter. : ) Thanks for reviewing!
*racesgurl52787: w00t w00t! Race! Race is one of my favorite newsies, I just love his
lil' dance in King Of New York ontop the table. *sigh* Well, ya asked for more Race,
here's more Race! A whole section with him! YaaaY! OoOgles, and I'll put your story
on my 'To Read' list. : ) Thanks for reviewing!
*Trek: As a matter of fact, Spot could probably get even more adorable. : ) I bet he's
just holding back on us, ya know? Haha. The Conlon charm mustn't stop there!! Ah, Runner
and Mallory. Heeheehee. We'll find out more about that case in the next chapter. But
lookie, everyone's going to Medda's! Spot + Snap + Mallory + vixen + Jack = Trouble!!
*SportyChik425: Concerning Runner's name, wow, I never even realized his name fit because
he was always running into Spot. lol! That's majorly cool! Actually, you'll find out the
real reason behind his name in a later chapter. But I'll add that into the equation! Ha,
running in on Spot, love it! Jack and Snap, ohhh, there's quite a scene with them in
this chapter. : )
*bl33ding p03t: Ha! Thanks! Short and sweet, gotta love your reviews! : )
*Angel: OoOogles, Spot is a sext beast! Muahaha. I would probably melt into a puddle
of goo if I ever knew him. lol. I'm confused about hooking everyone up too! Hahaha.
I had originally planned an ending for this, but I might have to change it around.
Speaking of hooking up, I was just thinking how in the world is Hermione going to stop
hating Spot! I must know! Write more soon!
*Drama-Queen: Haha, everyone wants to know how Runner knows Mallory. I was almost
persuaded to include the scene that reveals that in this chapter, but I decided it would
work best in the next one. So patience, don't soak me! : ) I'll write as fast as me
wee lil' fingers can type. Thanks for reviewing!
*Snuggles: Yes, Spot is good at finding dark corners...heehee. OOO, Happy Birthday!!!
16 or 17?? w00t w00t! Go Amy! Eric is single, nice. Real nice. I hope you'll start
talking to him soon, hmmmm??? Muaha! O goodness...who wears a dress when its freezing!?
I'm tellin' ya, ya gotta steal Brian back. : ) Glad stopped by your house, btw. Haha.
Erk, the Brunette-wannabe was at that church thingy? *shivers* That's freaky. She's
officially a stalker. Haha. At least Brain doesn't appear to be into her I guess. Ya
know, I think I'm going to give up on Andres, he doesn't want a relationship. *rolls eyes*
Guys these days. Grrr. Hopefully things are going better on your side of the fence. : )
Happy Birthday Again!!!
*Shortie: Mallory doesn't deserve Runner? Hahaha. *sniff* Do I smell...jealousy? : )
OoOogles, a driving test? WowZerZ, I still haven't taken mines. I think I will over
spring break or something. Even though its late, Runner says 'good luck'. Yea, Snap
has a lil' tricky in store for Jacky Boy. What?! Jack Jacobs?! You've been studying too
hard! Muahaha. Watch you crash the car into a cone...tsk tsk tsk. Get that license,
Shortie! Then you can take Runner for late night cruises, though I don't know how much
driving will actually be done. : )
Just A Little Bet
~*~*~*~*~ Race officially deemed Sundays his favorite days of the week, and probably
the best days in his whole life. On these days, Sheepshead was closed but Becca always
invited the newsie down to the tracks to help her bathe and groom Mr. Webster's horses.
In a way, he knew she only wanted help with the manual labor and he often felt as if
she were putting him to work she was hired to do, but Race cherished the moments
nonetheless; it was all in good humor.
Granting his wish, the girl always wore her hair loose during these times, even when
it was a great hinderance unto her, as the long strands tended to blow into her face and
get in the way of her tasks. And in turn, Race always bought her a complimentary issue
of the morning edition so that she could be up to date with current events of the world.
There were quite a number of moments in which they both would be combing opposite sides
of a horse's mane, stealing glances at eachother every so often and smiling bashfully
when the other caught their gazes. Becca found it an interesting adjustment to adopt
a new friend into her life. She was so use to dealing with animals, never expecting to
be answered when she spoke and never awakening within her a dormant need for human
companionship.
"Jumper's ready fer another rinse," Race said as he patted the horse's soap-covered
side. "And ya better hurry 'cause I'se dont think he's enjoyin' his bath."
Becca laughed and carried two pails of warm water to the horse, where she gently set
them on the soft dirt of Jumper's stall. "One pail should be enough to wash off the suds
on his back."
"Then what's the other one fer?"
"This!" She raised one of the pails over his head, tipped it over, and giggled as the
water rushed out and poured onto Race's surprised face.
He rubbed the droplets out his eyes and combed back his drenched hair, trying to keep
a serious disposition, though his sudden burst of laugh contradicted this. "Ya gunna
get it!" He chased her throughout the stables, never seeming to come even within a
yard of the girl until luck sided with him and in one bound, he had grabbed her around
the waist and tackled her down into a pile of hay at the stable's corner. They landed
softly side by side and reveled in the childish joke.
"That was great!" the girl exclaimed in between giggles. "You weren't expecting a thing!
Bet you didn't think I was capable of pulling that one off, huh?"
Race shook his head and smiled. "Youse is just full a' surprises." Their eyes met and
suddenly they were locked into a confusing stare, neither understanding the feelings
that were passing between them. "Becca..." he paused, unsure of what he was doing, but
driven to do it either way. "Would youse come wid me tah Medda's tonight?"
"I really shouldn't. I've an inventory to go over still, and more chores than just
washing up the horses." She looked away from him and focused on a string of hay.
"Couldn't youse give all those things a rest just fer one night? I mean, it aint everyday
that the newsies gots somethin' special goin' on. I would really like ya tah come."
Her eyes never left the ground. "Why?"
"Cause, well, cause we'se never spend time wid eachother outside the stables. I'se
always gotta come heah tah see youse."
"Well you don't have to come at all if it bothers you so much!" She crawled to her feet
and walked up to Jumper, picking up the pail at his feet to continue rinsing his coat.
Race sighed and stood to his feet. "That's not what I'se meant. It's just that I'se
thought it'd be nice if we get a change in scene once in a while. Not tah say there
aint nothin' romantic about the stables, it's just that we'se always heah, and we'se
always do the same things. Have ya ever gone out just tah dance and meet new people?
It's alotta fun, and I really wanna share it wid youse this time around."
Becca turned to face him. "These are the perimeters of my world, Racetrack. Webster rents
out an apartment for me just across the street. That's all I do, walk from my house
to Sheepshead back to my house again! I don't care to meet new people! What's the use?
They're only going to end up letting me down somewhere down the road. I have all the
best friends I need right here. They don't judge me, they don't force me to do anything,
and they love me unconditionally. I was gambling with fate when I decided to befriend
you, Racetrack. And look, I was disappointed once again, because here you are going off
about how I should change my life!"
"I wasn't tellin' ya tah change anything about ya life! I was only sayin' youse should
give more things a chance. Whaddya gots tah lose?"
"My heart!" She threw Jumper's grooming brush into the now empty pail and unfolded a
towel from atop some crates. "I don't want to go, okay? Can't we just leave it at that?
It was a great day, let's not mess it up."
Race nodded and tried to eradicate the matter from his mind, but everytime he looked
at Becca for the remainder of the hours they shared together that Sunday, he kept
thinking abut her words. Who had disappointed her painstakingly enough to scare her
away from new experiences? Why was she so scared to take a leap of faith? He knew
prying in her business would only madden her, so he decided to wait until a later date.
* * * * *
"Is this seat taken?"
At first, Mallory hadn't even heard the question. She was too busy intertwining her
fingers through the coils of her hair, staring at her reflection through the small
mirror she had brought with her to Medda's. This was actually her first social event,
or at least her first in terms of not being escorted by a parent, and she wasn't quite
sure how she was supposed to look. She knew a ballgown was much too formal, not that she
owned one anyways, but everyday skirts and blouses wouldn't do at all. In the end,
after seeing to it that her father had taken his medication and was peacefully asleep,
she had decided on a gold oriental dress that went well with her complexion. As for
makeup, she wore light blush and varely visible eyeshadow as to not make a dramatic
appearance. But one thing was still missing from the equation to enjoy the night. Where
was Spot?
"Mallory, is someone sittin' heah?"
The girl looked up at last and smiled when she saw the person to be Jack, with Race
behind him. "Oh! I'm so glad you both came, I was afraid I might have to spend the
night alone!" She gave them each a hug and then sat with them at the table she had been
occupying.
"Ya look amazing, sweety." Jack smiled at her, the grin growing wider when she blushed.
Race's eyes were fixed on the performace on stage. A trio of blondes in sequin-covered
blue dresses were singing and dancing, their energy fueled by the excitement of their
audience. Except, Race wasn't taking part in the fun. It was as if he were reflecting
on more important concerns. Mallory noticed this and spoke up about it. "What's wrong?"
She said aside to him, not wanting to draw Jack's attention. "You look saddened."
"Nah, I'se alright." He feigned a smile, but she could see the pain yet linger in his
eyes.
"Race, you can tell me. I promise I won't ever tell anyone. What bothers you?"
He only shook his head. "I'se really aint in no mood tah talk. But heya, don't worry
'bout it. Maybe tomorrow we'se can hang out at ya place and I'll feel bettah." His words
were meant to sound sly, but his monotonous voice ruined the effect. Just as well, he
didn't care. All he could think about was Becca and how she had gotten so offensive by
his debates with her.
"Heya, stop hoggin' all the attention," Jack interrupted. "Mallory, youse wanna dance
wid me?"
"I would love to! But first, excuse me for a moment. I need to refreshen myself in the
ladies' room." She begged their pardon and disappeared into the dancing masses.
Jack clasped his hands behind his head and beamed. "One more point fer the cowboy!" Race
tried to laugh, but it would require him to wipe the frown off his face and his heart
wasn't exactly ready to abandon its sadness yet.
Less than three minutes later, the two boys were joined by a favorite amongst the newsie
scene. "Heya fellahs!" Runner took the cigarette out his mouth to spitshake with them
before seating himself. "What's crackin'?"
"Nothin' woith conversation. By any chance, has youse seen Snap?" The girl had finally
conviced Jack to meet her at Medda's for a date, but as far as he knew, she hadn't
even shown up!
Runner furrowed his forehead. "Who?"
"Snap."
"Who?"
The Manhattan leader groaned with impatience. Either the music about was louder than
he thought or Spot's cousin was going deaf. "Ya know, the goil who kissed the hell
outta youse the other day at me lodgin' house? The anti-social?" Runner looked even more
confused than before. "Ah, figures. A Conlon wouldn't even remember the face of a goil he
slept with nan hour ago!"
"C'mon, at least make it two hours! Ya make us sound like horny dogs." He smirked and
inhaled the fumes of his cigarette. "But on the subject of lookin' fer people, either
of youse seen that goil Mallory?"
"Whaddya want wid her?" Race asked absentmindedly.
"Is that a yes or a no?" Seizing control of the situation seemed to lead Runner more
into an interrogation and he had to find a way to be inconspicous. If Jack or Race
began to have the slightest suspicion of his interest in the girl, they would let Spot
in on it, and that wouldn't lead to a pretty outcome. An explosion of giggles having
caught his ear, he looked back then but saw nothing out of the ordinary, only an assembly
of five or six girls who scanned the crowds as if looking for someone. He thought he
recognized one as Vixen, but turned back to Race before he could fully see her face.
"Vixen, ya gotta be serious wid us! Is youse and Spot really a couple?"
Vixen stuck her bosom out proudly and flaunted the dress she was wearing. "Yea, how
many times do I gotta tell ya goils 'fore youse believe me? We'se spent the whole night
together, why wouldn't we'se be a couple?"
"Well then where is he?" Another girl asked, anxious to finally meet this Spot Conlon
she had heard so much about. Vixen was the only newsgirl amongst them, the others worked
at factory mills, and so was the only one with the possible opportunity of meeting the
so called King of New York. "You've talked endlessly about him but haven't shown us
proof of the relationship!"
"What, ya callin' me a liar now!?" The brunette stared down her friends and then continued
her search for Spot Conlon. He had to be here somewhere! The Brooklyn leader would never
miss a dance at Irving Hall, and besides, he had told Vixen he would be coming. "Wait! I
think I sees him!" She squinted her eyes, trying to make out the figure of the person
who sat between Race and Jack. It certainly looked like Spot, but the way he turned his
hat's front over his ear blocked her from seeing his side profile.
"Well, where is he?"
Vixen thought about it and decided to make the assumption. "That one over there!" She
pointed with a smile. "The one next tah the cowboy. Follow me! I'll introduce youse!"
But as she neared the table, that self confident smile instantly dropped from her face.
Runner turned again at that instant and their eyes caught eachother. "Runnah..." she
whispered under her breath.
The other girls didn't notice her discomfort. "Oh! You're Spot Conlon!? My, Vixen, he's
hotter in person than what the coffee shop gossip describes. Your girlfriend has been
talking about you all day! Spot Conlon this, and Spot Conlon that!" Squeals of laughter.
"You two make the most adorable couple! Vixen, he's so charming!"
"Uhm..." Runner looked from the girls to Vixen and arched an eyebrow.
"Spot, can I talk to you for a minute?" Vixen grabbed Runner's hand, yanked him from his
seat with a force that made his elbow sore, and dragged him across the dining area with an
attitude he didn't understand. "Listen, Runnah. I think youse is a jackass, and youse
thinks I'se a bitch. Let's look beyond all that, huh? I kinda told the goils back there
that youse were Spot, being the blind fool that I is. It wouldn't look too great if
they knew I was mistaken 'cause, well, how often does a goil mistake some scab fer her
boyfriend?"
"Hold up, youse and Spot is goin' out?"
She gave him a stupid look, belittling him for not knowing what she apparently thought
was obvious enough. "So do me the favor, huh? I'se gots me friends over there tah impress."
"Forgive me if I'se mistaken," Runner said, "but I kinda missed the part where that's me
problem. Anyways, aint it ya day tah be woikin' at the whorehouse?" He was quick enough
to grab her hand in the air before she slapped him.
"I'll give ya anything youse wants, alright? Just do this fer me? I have no idea where
Spot is and they's already think youse is him. Please?"
He halfsmiled. "Anything I wants? As temptin' as that would be were I into sluts, I'se
gunna have tah decline on account that Spot would kick me ass if he saw me playin' wid
his goil. But being the nice guy I is, I'll overlook the rewards and just do the favor."
"Oh, forgive me fer not worshiping ya kindness." She looked back at her friends and then
returned her eyes to him. "I'se told 'em youse were...I mean, that Spot was always kissin'
me..."
"Ya torturin' me heah."
They joined hands and started walking back to the table. "Just no tongue, alright?"
"That shouldn't be a problem," he whispered into her ear. "I'd sooner stick my tongue..."
And though she wanted to soak him until he was dead when those last words were uttered,
she had to keep the smile stretched upon her lips. Runner laughed and happened to glance
to his right. "Shit!" He pulled his hat farther down his face and hid in the shadows
it cast onto him. Spot was mere yards away from him, flirting with some doll in a
secluded corner. Runner focused straight ahead and prayed that his cousin would not
catch him.
Spot had no intentions of looking at anything else but the sight before him, fortunately.
"So lemme get this straight. That lil' act youse pulled off when we foist talked was just
that. An act?"
"Shoah," Snap replied. "I'se had tah look after me reputation."
"I'se admire that. It sounds like somethin' I would do." He studied her face and let his
eyes gradually fall to the rest of her body.
"Why, Mr. Conlon! It aint an admirable thing tah be starin' at goils!"
Spot smirked and rested his hands on her hips, pulling her close to him. "Depends on
what ya starin' at." Not sure yet whether he could trust her, he stole a kiss from her
and was taken aback when she didn't shove him away as she had done before. "And depends
on what ya see."
Her lipstick had smeared onto his own lips and she smiled at this. "What d'ya see?"
"I see a sexy woman who needs a real man that knows how tah give 'er what she wants." He
kissed her again. "Who knows how tah woik her body." He combed her hair back as she
wrapped her arms around his neck. "Who knows how tah fulfill her fantasies." He barely
had finished the sentence before Snap leaned in for another kiss, parting his lips with
her tongue, moaning into his mouth in hopes that she could drive him crazy with lust.
"Hello Newsies! What's New!?"
Spot opened his eyes, pulling away from Snap. He couldn't see the stage from where he was
but he recognized the voice as that of Medda's. Her appearance meant the main event of
the night was about to begin. "Why don't we'se join the others?"
"No!" She said, a bit too quickly. The Brooklyn leader gave her a funny look. "I want,
I want tah stay heah wid youse!"
Medda went on. "You all look spectacular tonight!" And then she began calling out each
borough's name, so that the newsies representing that territory could roar with pride
and applaud their leader. "Manhattan! Staten Island! The Bronx! Queens! Midtown!
"Brooklyn!" Brooklyn always made the loudest racket, and each of its boys anxiously
looked around in search of their leader but could not find him. Runner wished he
could join his comrades in the fellowship, but Vixen was currently sitting on his lap,
and all he could do was glare at her backside and grumble.
When she and the other girls weren't looking, Race gestured for Runner's attention and
nodded to the back of the room. Runner followed the direction of sight to its end and
realized Mallory was nearing the table. Mouthing thanks to his friend, the young Conlon
gently nudged Vixen off his lap and stood to his feet. "Uh, dollface, I'se gotta go see
about somethin'."
"Well let me go wid youse!"
"No! I mean...uh, I wouldn't want youse tah miss the, uh...Medda's show." The girls cooed
at the consideration and Runner rolled his eyes, allowing himself to be kissed on the
cheek and then hurrying off before Vixen decided to do anything else with him. Now he
could finally be alone with Mallory. He sighed. Knowing she was in the same room as him
was enough to make his heartbeat quicken. He still thought it a miracle that they had
been reunited after so long a time.
"Runnah!"
The boy turned around at Jack's voice. "Those goils is scarin' me. I left Race there
cause I thought they's could cheer 'im up, but I just couldn't take it anymore! I felt
like I was receivin' a preview of hell!"
"Ya tellin' me!" Runner laughed. "Heya, come join me fer a few drinks?"
Jack nodded. "Shoah." They started for the bar when a couple accidentally bumped into
the Manhattan leader's side. "Heya, watch where youse is goin'!" He would have put the
two in their place, but their identities froze his actions. "Spot?" A long pause passed.
"Snap?"
"Jacky-boy!" Spot made his arm comfortable on Snap's shoulders and smirked. "Me and
Manhattan's thorn finally got acquianted!" He turned the girl's face and kissed her
in front of his friend, unaware of the ties Jack and Snap had made the day before.
"Snap, what the hell is goin' on?!"
"Jack, I just had a change of heart. Spot kissed me and I'se..."
"Youse kissed her!?" The Manhattan leader's face reddened with anger. "How could ya
do that tah me, Spot?! I thought we'se were friends! Ya joik! Ya think youse can play
every goil that walks under ya roof and then have the audacity tah come tah me place
and steal me own goil!?"
Spot was beyond lost, but before he could request a clarification, Snap stepped forward.
"Jack, I aint ya goil! Remember, we'se agreed we'se would talk foist? It aint me fault
youse were afraid tah make a move!"
"Wait a damn minute," Spot raised his voice. "What the hell is I'se missin' heah!? Jack,
what's ya problem? Ya jealous youse can't win over a goil as fast as I can?"
Runner slowly backed away, not wanting any part in the whole confusion. But as bad luck
would have it, someone from behind pushed him forward and yelled at him. "Runnah, youse
done seein' whatever the hell youse came tah see?!" It was Vixen. Things just seemed to
be getting worse.
She looked past Runner and upon seeing another girl all over Spot, she shrieked with
dread and marched forth. "Spot, what is that tramp doing!?"
"I am lost!" One of Vixen's friends exclaimed. "If he's Spot, then why was this young man
making out with you at the dining area?"
Runner's eyes widened at the question. Leave it to one of those clueless broads to add
the final blow to the situation. "Uh, Spot, it aint what youse thinks it is."
"Then what exactly is it, huh? D'ya have a death wish or somethin'?!"
Jack stepped in. "Like youse should talk, Spot. Get ya doity hands off me goil!!"
"She aint yours so long as she's in MY bed!!"
And in less than a second, the small crowd became a rioutous disorder of thrown punches
and kicks, fearsome yells and jealous screams. Runner was smart enough to stand aside
and simply watch. He shook his head and laughed, wishing he had a cigarette to smoke as
his eyes took in all the events of the fight. Vixen had made him put out the last cigarette
for fear that he would burn her. If only he could burn her! Ah well, he thought, hell
will take care of that for her.
More and more newsies began to join the sidelines of the fight, rooting the
leaders on and delighting in the mayhem. That's when Runner saw her again. Mallory. She
had been sitting on a table top the whole time, crying all the tears out of her eyes.
He didn't understand her pain, however, or why it would distress her. Until it dawned
on him. Spot had caught her fancy, and seeing him with two other girls had ruptured her
emotions. As she slid off the table and landed on her feet, he felt magnetized to her and
couldn't see her go so sadly without consolation.
Mallory was none the wiser. So Spot had used her only to add her to his vast collection
of prized girls. She might have known were she not so blinded by his kindness. Crying
in public only lowered her self-esteem, and it was late in any case, so she decided it
time to head home. Making her way through the throngs of newsies was the hardest part.
They were so enthralled by the fact that Manhattan and Brooklyn were practically at war
with eachother over a girl that they blocked the exits and slammed into eachother
violently. Mallory thought she would never navigate a safe route out.
To her surprise, and fear, someone beside her grabbed her hand of a sudden and pulled
her through the crowds, dodging this way and that to avoid bringing harm to her, and
finally leading her safely to one of the many exits of Irving Hall. In the dim lighting,
Mallory found herself face to face with a smiling boy. "Lucas!"
"I thought I'd give you a hand back there," he said. "No pun intended."
She had to smile. Even when her world felt like it was crumbling onto her, she had to
give him some form of gratification. "Thank you so much! I appreciate your help." She
pushed open the door and looked outside at the dark streets of Manhattan. "I should get
home before it's much too dark."
Runner followed after her. "I'll walk you. A lady as gorgeous as yourself shouldn't be
walking on her lonesome any time of day. Not everyone in New York has respect in their
face."
"That's polite of you, but I would prefer to be alone."
"Sorry, I can't let that happen," he replied. "If something were to happen to you, I
would take the complete blame."
Mallory sighed. "You needn't do that."
"And you needn't walk alone if I'm here to escort you."
That was enough to quiet her. In fact, she was touched by the boy's willingness, until it
reminded her of the same persistence Spot had shown when courting her. "Lucas, can I
ask you a question concerning your cousin and expect an honest answer?"
"Sure."
"Does he always cheat on girls?"
Runner hesitated to answer. Saying yes would give him a better chance with the girl, but
would one day lead to another one of Spot's rampages and soaking sprees. When he considered
it harder, he realized saying no would probably make Spot even more mad, as the Brooklyn
leader was rather protective of his reputation. "Well, I'll put it like this. He's never
been in a serious longterm relationship, so technically, it's not considered cheating."
"Of all the ones I must fall for," she complained, "it had to be Spot Conlon! Why?!
There's millions of men across the nation, but no, I have to admire the one who plays
with the hearts of girls for sport! I don't understand it and never will! I wish this
feeling would go away." The tears were still marking her face on their vertical pathways
across her skin to the streets below.
"Don't cry, Mallory." He reached over to wipe away the tears, but when she flinched at
his touch, he pulled his hand away. "Sorry."
"No, it's not you. I'm so sorry! But..." her voice choked and she buried her face in her
hands. "I thought he was interested in me!"
Runner gently lifted her chin up with his thumb and looked into her eyes. "Mallory,
don't let any guy ever think you're not worth their time. Spot saw something special in
you, but he was too stupid to chase after it and now it's his lost. Don't cry over him.
As a matter of fact, let me give you some advice. Stay away from Spot Conlon. No matter
how charming he might appear to be, stay away from him. Okay, Mallory?"
"I, I don't know what to say!" She dried her eyes with a handkerchief and smiled sadly.
"Thank you, Lucas. I don't know how I would've coped throughout this night without your
comfort." She embraced him. "I've more crying to do now, if you'll excuse me." She
started up the doorsteps of a victorian house.
Runner hadn't even noticed they had reached her house already. How time passed! As she
passed through the doorway, she looked back at him and bid him a goodnight with a wave
of her hand. "Sweet dreams," he said in return, and while she closed the door shut, he
could have sworn he saw her blush.
* * * * *
*FALLs Out The Chair And Dies From Exhaustion* What A Friggin Long Chapter!!!! That
definitely deserves like a bucket of reviews, don't ya think? PLease?! *puppy eyes*
You guys were supier duper great last time with the revews! C'mon, pleeeeeeeease!!?!?!?
REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW!?!?!?!? REVIEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEW!!!!!
More Reviews=Faster Updates!!!! WOOOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOO!!!!! PLEASE SUBMIT A REVIEW!!!
Your Review Matters to Me!!! Muaahahaha! love ya all!
them from Disney and was unsuccessful. Go figure. However, Runner and Mallory are
MINE, and so is Josephine, Aunt Patricia, and Daisy! Muahahaha! So take that, Mickey!!
OoOogles! I almost forgot Becca and Snap. They's mine too!! BleH! : ) Ah, the list just
goes on, there's Mr. Carter too of course. And Vixen...
A.N. HOLY DUCK!! You guys are professionals at this reviewing thing now!!! WOWZERZ!!
10 Reviews for that last chapter!!! I'm very very very HAPPY!!!!! THANK YOU!!!!
A chapter with all the characters in it! Oh NO!! Love Triangles aren't pretty when
people realize they're being played. *snickers* THANKS AGAIN!!!
~~~LONG CHAPTER AHEAD!!!~~~
*Deanie: So many possibilities. : ) I love it too. I haven't even decided who everyone
will end up with. Heehee. Runner is your favorite!?!? *high fiver!* He's my favorite
too! Shh, but don't tell Spot that. Ha! Actually, I just like the fact that Runner is
a goody-goody at church and school, but a hardcore bad@$$ when he's a newsie. lol!
Thanks for the review! New reviewers rock my socks! w00t w00t! Enjoy this chapter!
*Raeghann: No, I don't think you've reviewed this story yet, but I like how your name's
spelled so it's all good. lol! I'm glad you like this story so much! I love Runner too!
Hahaha, : ) As I've been telling alotta people, he's my fave. Awww, you want one of
your own? Haha, hmmm...well, you can kidnap my Runner whenever you want. lol. Ah, you'll
find out about Runner and Mallory in the next chapter. : ) Thanks for reviewing!
*racesgurl52787: w00t w00t! Race! Race is one of my favorite newsies, I just love his
lil' dance in King Of New York ontop the table. *sigh* Well, ya asked for more Race,
here's more Race! A whole section with him! YaaaY! OoOgles, and I'll put your story
on my 'To Read' list. : ) Thanks for reviewing!
*Trek: As a matter of fact, Spot could probably get even more adorable. : ) I bet he's
just holding back on us, ya know? Haha. The Conlon charm mustn't stop there!! Ah, Runner
and Mallory. Heeheehee. We'll find out more about that case in the next chapter. But
lookie, everyone's going to Medda's! Spot + Snap + Mallory + vixen + Jack = Trouble!!
*SportyChik425: Concerning Runner's name, wow, I never even realized his name fit because
he was always running into Spot. lol! That's majorly cool! Actually, you'll find out the
real reason behind his name in a later chapter. But I'll add that into the equation! Ha,
running in on Spot, love it! Jack and Snap, ohhh, there's quite a scene with them in
this chapter. : )
*bl33ding p03t: Ha! Thanks! Short and sweet, gotta love your reviews! : )
*Angel: OoOogles, Spot is a sext beast! Muahaha. I would probably melt into a puddle
of goo if I ever knew him. lol. I'm confused about hooking everyone up too! Hahaha.
I had originally planned an ending for this, but I might have to change it around.
Speaking of hooking up, I was just thinking how in the world is Hermione going to stop
hating Spot! I must know! Write more soon!
*Drama-Queen: Haha, everyone wants to know how Runner knows Mallory. I was almost
persuaded to include the scene that reveals that in this chapter, but I decided it would
work best in the next one. So patience, don't soak me! : ) I'll write as fast as me
wee lil' fingers can type. Thanks for reviewing!
*Snuggles: Yes, Spot is good at finding dark corners...heehee. OOO, Happy Birthday!!!
16 or 17?? w00t w00t! Go Amy! Eric is single, nice. Real nice. I hope you'll start
talking to him soon, hmmmm??? Muaha! O goodness...who wears a dress when its freezing!?
I'm tellin' ya, ya gotta steal Brian back. : ) Glad stopped by your house, btw. Haha.
Erk, the Brunette-wannabe was at that church thingy? *shivers* That's freaky. She's
officially a stalker. Haha. At least Brain doesn't appear to be into her I guess. Ya
know, I think I'm going to give up on Andres, he doesn't want a relationship. *rolls eyes*
Guys these days. Grrr. Hopefully things are going better on your side of the fence. : )
Happy Birthday Again!!!
*Shortie: Mallory doesn't deserve Runner? Hahaha. *sniff* Do I smell...jealousy? : )
OoOogles, a driving test? WowZerZ, I still haven't taken mines. I think I will over
spring break or something. Even though its late, Runner says 'good luck'. Yea, Snap
has a lil' tricky in store for Jacky Boy. What?! Jack Jacobs?! You've been studying too
hard! Muahaha. Watch you crash the car into a cone...tsk tsk tsk. Get that license,
Shortie! Then you can take Runner for late night cruises, though I don't know how much
driving will actually be done. : )
Just A Little Bet
~*~*~*~*~ Race officially deemed Sundays his favorite days of the week, and probably
the best days in his whole life. On these days, Sheepshead was closed but Becca always
invited the newsie down to the tracks to help her bathe and groom Mr. Webster's horses.
In a way, he knew she only wanted help with the manual labor and he often felt as if
she were putting him to work she was hired to do, but Race cherished the moments
nonetheless; it was all in good humor.
Granting his wish, the girl always wore her hair loose during these times, even when
it was a great hinderance unto her, as the long strands tended to blow into her face and
get in the way of her tasks. And in turn, Race always bought her a complimentary issue
of the morning edition so that she could be up to date with current events of the world.
There were quite a number of moments in which they both would be combing opposite sides
of a horse's mane, stealing glances at eachother every so often and smiling bashfully
when the other caught their gazes. Becca found it an interesting adjustment to adopt
a new friend into her life. She was so use to dealing with animals, never expecting to
be answered when she spoke and never awakening within her a dormant need for human
companionship.
"Jumper's ready fer another rinse," Race said as he patted the horse's soap-covered
side. "And ya better hurry 'cause I'se dont think he's enjoyin' his bath."
Becca laughed and carried two pails of warm water to the horse, where she gently set
them on the soft dirt of Jumper's stall. "One pail should be enough to wash off the suds
on his back."
"Then what's the other one fer?"
"This!" She raised one of the pails over his head, tipped it over, and giggled as the
water rushed out and poured onto Race's surprised face.
He rubbed the droplets out his eyes and combed back his drenched hair, trying to keep
a serious disposition, though his sudden burst of laugh contradicted this. "Ya gunna
get it!" He chased her throughout the stables, never seeming to come even within a
yard of the girl until luck sided with him and in one bound, he had grabbed her around
the waist and tackled her down into a pile of hay at the stable's corner. They landed
softly side by side and reveled in the childish joke.
"That was great!" the girl exclaimed in between giggles. "You weren't expecting a thing!
Bet you didn't think I was capable of pulling that one off, huh?"
Race shook his head and smiled. "Youse is just full a' surprises." Their eyes met and
suddenly they were locked into a confusing stare, neither understanding the feelings
that were passing between them. "Becca..." he paused, unsure of what he was doing, but
driven to do it either way. "Would youse come wid me tah Medda's tonight?"
"I really shouldn't. I've an inventory to go over still, and more chores than just
washing up the horses." She looked away from him and focused on a string of hay.
"Couldn't youse give all those things a rest just fer one night? I mean, it aint everyday
that the newsies gots somethin' special goin' on. I would really like ya tah come."
Her eyes never left the ground. "Why?"
"Cause, well, cause we'se never spend time wid eachother outside the stables. I'se
always gotta come heah tah see youse."
"Well you don't have to come at all if it bothers you so much!" She crawled to her feet
and walked up to Jumper, picking up the pail at his feet to continue rinsing his coat.
Race sighed and stood to his feet. "That's not what I'se meant. It's just that I'se
thought it'd be nice if we get a change in scene once in a while. Not tah say there
aint nothin' romantic about the stables, it's just that we'se always heah, and we'se
always do the same things. Have ya ever gone out just tah dance and meet new people?
It's alotta fun, and I really wanna share it wid youse this time around."
Becca turned to face him. "These are the perimeters of my world, Racetrack. Webster rents
out an apartment for me just across the street. That's all I do, walk from my house
to Sheepshead back to my house again! I don't care to meet new people! What's the use?
They're only going to end up letting me down somewhere down the road. I have all the
best friends I need right here. They don't judge me, they don't force me to do anything,
and they love me unconditionally. I was gambling with fate when I decided to befriend
you, Racetrack. And look, I was disappointed once again, because here you are going off
about how I should change my life!"
"I wasn't tellin' ya tah change anything about ya life! I was only sayin' youse should
give more things a chance. Whaddya gots tah lose?"
"My heart!" She threw Jumper's grooming brush into the now empty pail and unfolded a
towel from atop some crates. "I don't want to go, okay? Can't we just leave it at that?
It was a great day, let's not mess it up."
Race nodded and tried to eradicate the matter from his mind, but everytime he looked
at Becca for the remainder of the hours they shared together that Sunday, he kept
thinking abut her words. Who had disappointed her painstakingly enough to scare her
away from new experiences? Why was she so scared to take a leap of faith? He knew
prying in her business would only madden her, so he decided to wait until a later date.
* * * * *
"Is this seat taken?"
At first, Mallory hadn't even heard the question. She was too busy intertwining her
fingers through the coils of her hair, staring at her reflection through the small
mirror she had brought with her to Medda's. This was actually her first social event,
or at least her first in terms of not being escorted by a parent, and she wasn't quite
sure how she was supposed to look. She knew a ballgown was much too formal, not that she
owned one anyways, but everyday skirts and blouses wouldn't do at all. In the end,
after seeing to it that her father had taken his medication and was peacefully asleep,
she had decided on a gold oriental dress that went well with her complexion. As for
makeup, she wore light blush and varely visible eyeshadow as to not make a dramatic
appearance. But one thing was still missing from the equation to enjoy the night. Where
was Spot?
"Mallory, is someone sittin' heah?"
The girl looked up at last and smiled when she saw the person to be Jack, with Race
behind him. "Oh! I'm so glad you both came, I was afraid I might have to spend the
night alone!" She gave them each a hug and then sat with them at the table she had been
occupying.
"Ya look amazing, sweety." Jack smiled at her, the grin growing wider when she blushed.
Race's eyes were fixed on the performace on stage. A trio of blondes in sequin-covered
blue dresses were singing and dancing, their energy fueled by the excitement of their
audience. Except, Race wasn't taking part in the fun. It was as if he were reflecting
on more important concerns. Mallory noticed this and spoke up about it. "What's wrong?"
She said aside to him, not wanting to draw Jack's attention. "You look saddened."
"Nah, I'se alright." He feigned a smile, but she could see the pain yet linger in his
eyes.
"Race, you can tell me. I promise I won't ever tell anyone. What bothers you?"
He only shook his head. "I'se really aint in no mood tah talk. But heya, don't worry
'bout it. Maybe tomorrow we'se can hang out at ya place and I'll feel bettah." His words
were meant to sound sly, but his monotonous voice ruined the effect. Just as well, he
didn't care. All he could think about was Becca and how she had gotten so offensive by
his debates with her.
"Heya, stop hoggin' all the attention," Jack interrupted. "Mallory, youse wanna dance
wid me?"
"I would love to! But first, excuse me for a moment. I need to refreshen myself in the
ladies' room." She begged their pardon and disappeared into the dancing masses.
Jack clasped his hands behind his head and beamed. "One more point fer the cowboy!" Race
tried to laugh, but it would require him to wipe the frown off his face and his heart
wasn't exactly ready to abandon its sadness yet.
Less than three minutes later, the two boys were joined by a favorite amongst the newsie
scene. "Heya fellahs!" Runner took the cigarette out his mouth to spitshake with them
before seating himself. "What's crackin'?"
"Nothin' woith conversation. By any chance, has youse seen Snap?" The girl had finally
conviced Jack to meet her at Medda's for a date, but as far as he knew, she hadn't
even shown up!
Runner furrowed his forehead. "Who?"
"Snap."
"Who?"
The Manhattan leader groaned with impatience. Either the music about was louder than
he thought or Spot's cousin was going deaf. "Ya know, the goil who kissed the hell
outta youse the other day at me lodgin' house? The anti-social?" Runner looked even more
confused than before. "Ah, figures. A Conlon wouldn't even remember the face of a goil he
slept with nan hour ago!"
"C'mon, at least make it two hours! Ya make us sound like horny dogs." He smirked and
inhaled the fumes of his cigarette. "But on the subject of lookin' fer people, either
of youse seen that goil Mallory?"
"Whaddya want wid her?" Race asked absentmindedly.
"Is that a yes or a no?" Seizing control of the situation seemed to lead Runner more
into an interrogation and he had to find a way to be inconspicous. If Jack or Race
began to have the slightest suspicion of his interest in the girl, they would let Spot
in on it, and that wouldn't lead to a pretty outcome. An explosion of giggles having
caught his ear, he looked back then but saw nothing out of the ordinary, only an assembly
of five or six girls who scanned the crowds as if looking for someone. He thought he
recognized one as Vixen, but turned back to Race before he could fully see her face.
"Vixen, ya gotta be serious wid us! Is youse and Spot really a couple?"
Vixen stuck her bosom out proudly and flaunted the dress she was wearing. "Yea, how
many times do I gotta tell ya goils 'fore youse believe me? We'se spent the whole night
together, why wouldn't we'se be a couple?"
"Well then where is he?" Another girl asked, anxious to finally meet this Spot Conlon
she had heard so much about. Vixen was the only newsgirl amongst them, the others worked
at factory mills, and so was the only one with the possible opportunity of meeting the
so called King of New York. "You've talked endlessly about him but haven't shown us
proof of the relationship!"
"What, ya callin' me a liar now!?" The brunette stared down her friends and then continued
her search for Spot Conlon. He had to be here somewhere! The Brooklyn leader would never
miss a dance at Irving Hall, and besides, he had told Vixen he would be coming. "Wait! I
think I sees him!" She squinted her eyes, trying to make out the figure of the person
who sat between Race and Jack. It certainly looked like Spot, but the way he turned his
hat's front over his ear blocked her from seeing his side profile.
"Well, where is he?"
Vixen thought about it and decided to make the assumption. "That one over there!" She
pointed with a smile. "The one next tah the cowboy. Follow me! I'll introduce youse!"
But as she neared the table, that self confident smile instantly dropped from her face.
Runner turned again at that instant and their eyes caught eachother. "Runnah..." she
whispered under her breath.
The other girls didn't notice her discomfort. "Oh! You're Spot Conlon!? My, Vixen, he's
hotter in person than what the coffee shop gossip describes. Your girlfriend has been
talking about you all day! Spot Conlon this, and Spot Conlon that!" Squeals of laughter.
"You two make the most adorable couple! Vixen, he's so charming!"
"Uhm..." Runner looked from the girls to Vixen and arched an eyebrow.
"Spot, can I talk to you for a minute?" Vixen grabbed Runner's hand, yanked him from his
seat with a force that made his elbow sore, and dragged him across the dining area with an
attitude he didn't understand. "Listen, Runnah. I think youse is a jackass, and youse
thinks I'se a bitch. Let's look beyond all that, huh? I kinda told the goils back there
that youse were Spot, being the blind fool that I is. It wouldn't look too great if
they knew I was mistaken 'cause, well, how often does a goil mistake some scab fer her
boyfriend?"
"Hold up, youse and Spot is goin' out?"
She gave him a stupid look, belittling him for not knowing what she apparently thought
was obvious enough. "So do me the favor, huh? I'se gots me friends over there tah impress."
"Forgive me if I'se mistaken," Runner said, "but I kinda missed the part where that's me
problem. Anyways, aint it ya day tah be woikin' at the whorehouse?" He was quick enough
to grab her hand in the air before she slapped him.
"I'll give ya anything youse wants, alright? Just do this fer me? I have no idea where
Spot is and they's already think youse is him. Please?"
He halfsmiled. "Anything I wants? As temptin' as that would be were I into sluts, I'se
gunna have tah decline on account that Spot would kick me ass if he saw me playin' wid
his goil. But being the nice guy I is, I'll overlook the rewards and just do the favor."
"Oh, forgive me fer not worshiping ya kindness." She looked back at her friends and then
returned her eyes to him. "I'se told 'em youse were...I mean, that Spot was always kissin'
me..."
"Ya torturin' me heah."
They joined hands and started walking back to the table. "Just no tongue, alright?"
"That shouldn't be a problem," he whispered into her ear. "I'd sooner stick my tongue..."
And though she wanted to soak him until he was dead when those last words were uttered,
she had to keep the smile stretched upon her lips. Runner laughed and happened to glance
to his right. "Shit!" He pulled his hat farther down his face and hid in the shadows
it cast onto him. Spot was mere yards away from him, flirting with some doll in a
secluded corner. Runner focused straight ahead and prayed that his cousin would not
catch him.
Spot had no intentions of looking at anything else but the sight before him, fortunately.
"So lemme get this straight. That lil' act youse pulled off when we foist talked was just
that. An act?"
"Shoah," Snap replied. "I'se had tah look after me reputation."
"I'se admire that. It sounds like somethin' I would do." He studied her face and let his
eyes gradually fall to the rest of her body.
"Why, Mr. Conlon! It aint an admirable thing tah be starin' at goils!"
Spot smirked and rested his hands on her hips, pulling her close to him. "Depends on
what ya starin' at." Not sure yet whether he could trust her, he stole a kiss from her
and was taken aback when she didn't shove him away as she had done before. "And depends
on what ya see."
Her lipstick had smeared onto his own lips and she smiled at this. "What d'ya see?"
"I see a sexy woman who needs a real man that knows how tah give 'er what she wants." He
kissed her again. "Who knows how tah woik her body." He combed her hair back as she
wrapped her arms around his neck. "Who knows how tah fulfill her fantasies." He barely
had finished the sentence before Snap leaned in for another kiss, parting his lips with
her tongue, moaning into his mouth in hopes that she could drive him crazy with lust.
"Hello Newsies! What's New!?"
Spot opened his eyes, pulling away from Snap. He couldn't see the stage from where he was
but he recognized the voice as that of Medda's. Her appearance meant the main event of
the night was about to begin. "Why don't we'se join the others?"
"No!" She said, a bit too quickly. The Brooklyn leader gave her a funny look. "I want,
I want tah stay heah wid youse!"
Medda went on. "You all look spectacular tonight!" And then she began calling out each
borough's name, so that the newsies representing that territory could roar with pride
and applaud their leader. "Manhattan! Staten Island! The Bronx! Queens! Midtown!
"Brooklyn!" Brooklyn always made the loudest racket, and each of its boys anxiously
looked around in search of their leader but could not find him. Runner wished he
could join his comrades in the fellowship, but Vixen was currently sitting on his lap,
and all he could do was glare at her backside and grumble.
When she and the other girls weren't looking, Race gestured for Runner's attention and
nodded to the back of the room. Runner followed the direction of sight to its end and
realized Mallory was nearing the table. Mouthing thanks to his friend, the young Conlon
gently nudged Vixen off his lap and stood to his feet. "Uh, dollface, I'se gotta go see
about somethin'."
"Well let me go wid youse!"
"No! I mean...uh, I wouldn't want youse tah miss the, uh...Medda's show." The girls cooed
at the consideration and Runner rolled his eyes, allowing himself to be kissed on the
cheek and then hurrying off before Vixen decided to do anything else with him. Now he
could finally be alone with Mallory. He sighed. Knowing she was in the same room as him
was enough to make his heartbeat quicken. He still thought it a miracle that they had
been reunited after so long a time.
"Runnah!"
The boy turned around at Jack's voice. "Those goils is scarin' me. I left Race there
cause I thought they's could cheer 'im up, but I just couldn't take it anymore! I felt
like I was receivin' a preview of hell!"
"Ya tellin' me!" Runner laughed. "Heya, come join me fer a few drinks?"
Jack nodded. "Shoah." They started for the bar when a couple accidentally bumped into
the Manhattan leader's side. "Heya, watch where youse is goin'!" He would have put the
two in their place, but their identities froze his actions. "Spot?" A long pause passed.
"Snap?"
"Jacky-boy!" Spot made his arm comfortable on Snap's shoulders and smirked. "Me and
Manhattan's thorn finally got acquianted!" He turned the girl's face and kissed her
in front of his friend, unaware of the ties Jack and Snap had made the day before.
"Snap, what the hell is goin' on?!"
"Jack, I just had a change of heart. Spot kissed me and I'se..."
"Youse kissed her!?" The Manhattan leader's face reddened with anger. "How could ya
do that tah me, Spot?! I thought we'se were friends! Ya joik! Ya think youse can play
every goil that walks under ya roof and then have the audacity tah come tah me place
and steal me own goil!?"
Spot was beyond lost, but before he could request a clarification, Snap stepped forward.
"Jack, I aint ya goil! Remember, we'se agreed we'se would talk foist? It aint me fault
youse were afraid tah make a move!"
"Wait a damn minute," Spot raised his voice. "What the hell is I'se missin' heah!? Jack,
what's ya problem? Ya jealous youse can't win over a goil as fast as I can?"
Runner slowly backed away, not wanting any part in the whole confusion. But as bad luck
would have it, someone from behind pushed him forward and yelled at him. "Runnah, youse
done seein' whatever the hell youse came tah see?!" It was Vixen. Things just seemed to
be getting worse.
She looked past Runner and upon seeing another girl all over Spot, she shrieked with
dread and marched forth. "Spot, what is that tramp doing!?"
"I am lost!" One of Vixen's friends exclaimed. "If he's Spot, then why was this young man
making out with you at the dining area?"
Runner's eyes widened at the question. Leave it to one of those clueless broads to add
the final blow to the situation. "Uh, Spot, it aint what youse thinks it is."
"Then what exactly is it, huh? D'ya have a death wish or somethin'?!"
Jack stepped in. "Like youse should talk, Spot. Get ya doity hands off me goil!!"
"She aint yours so long as she's in MY bed!!"
And in less than a second, the small crowd became a rioutous disorder of thrown punches
and kicks, fearsome yells and jealous screams. Runner was smart enough to stand aside
and simply watch. He shook his head and laughed, wishing he had a cigarette to smoke as
his eyes took in all the events of the fight. Vixen had made him put out the last cigarette
for fear that he would burn her. If only he could burn her! Ah well, he thought, hell
will take care of that for her.
More and more newsies began to join the sidelines of the fight, rooting the
leaders on and delighting in the mayhem. That's when Runner saw her again. Mallory. She
had been sitting on a table top the whole time, crying all the tears out of her eyes.
He didn't understand her pain, however, or why it would distress her. Until it dawned
on him. Spot had caught her fancy, and seeing him with two other girls had ruptured her
emotions. As she slid off the table and landed on her feet, he felt magnetized to her and
couldn't see her go so sadly without consolation.
Mallory was none the wiser. So Spot had used her only to add her to his vast collection
of prized girls. She might have known were she not so blinded by his kindness. Crying
in public only lowered her self-esteem, and it was late in any case, so she decided it
time to head home. Making her way through the throngs of newsies was the hardest part.
They were so enthralled by the fact that Manhattan and Brooklyn were practically at war
with eachother over a girl that they blocked the exits and slammed into eachother
violently. Mallory thought she would never navigate a safe route out.
To her surprise, and fear, someone beside her grabbed her hand of a sudden and pulled
her through the crowds, dodging this way and that to avoid bringing harm to her, and
finally leading her safely to one of the many exits of Irving Hall. In the dim lighting,
Mallory found herself face to face with a smiling boy. "Lucas!"
"I thought I'd give you a hand back there," he said. "No pun intended."
She had to smile. Even when her world felt like it was crumbling onto her, she had to
give him some form of gratification. "Thank you so much! I appreciate your help." She
pushed open the door and looked outside at the dark streets of Manhattan. "I should get
home before it's much too dark."
Runner followed after her. "I'll walk you. A lady as gorgeous as yourself shouldn't be
walking on her lonesome any time of day. Not everyone in New York has respect in their
face."
"That's polite of you, but I would prefer to be alone."
"Sorry, I can't let that happen," he replied. "If something were to happen to you, I
would take the complete blame."
Mallory sighed. "You needn't do that."
"And you needn't walk alone if I'm here to escort you."
That was enough to quiet her. In fact, she was touched by the boy's willingness, until it
reminded her of the same persistence Spot had shown when courting her. "Lucas, can I
ask you a question concerning your cousin and expect an honest answer?"
"Sure."
"Does he always cheat on girls?"
Runner hesitated to answer. Saying yes would give him a better chance with the girl, but
would one day lead to another one of Spot's rampages and soaking sprees. When he considered
it harder, he realized saying no would probably make Spot even more mad, as the Brooklyn
leader was rather protective of his reputation. "Well, I'll put it like this. He's never
been in a serious longterm relationship, so technically, it's not considered cheating."
"Of all the ones I must fall for," she complained, "it had to be Spot Conlon! Why?!
There's millions of men across the nation, but no, I have to admire the one who plays
with the hearts of girls for sport! I don't understand it and never will! I wish this
feeling would go away." The tears were still marking her face on their vertical pathways
across her skin to the streets below.
"Don't cry, Mallory." He reached over to wipe away the tears, but when she flinched at
his touch, he pulled his hand away. "Sorry."
"No, it's not you. I'm so sorry! But..." her voice choked and she buried her face in her
hands. "I thought he was interested in me!"
Runner gently lifted her chin up with his thumb and looked into her eyes. "Mallory,
don't let any guy ever think you're not worth their time. Spot saw something special in
you, but he was too stupid to chase after it and now it's his lost. Don't cry over him.
As a matter of fact, let me give you some advice. Stay away from Spot Conlon. No matter
how charming he might appear to be, stay away from him. Okay, Mallory?"
"I, I don't know what to say!" She dried her eyes with a handkerchief and smiled sadly.
"Thank you, Lucas. I don't know how I would've coped throughout this night without your
comfort." She embraced him. "I've more crying to do now, if you'll excuse me." She
started up the doorsteps of a victorian house.
Runner hadn't even noticed they had reached her house already. How time passed! As she
passed through the doorway, she looked back at him and bid him a goodnight with a wave
of her hand. "Sweet dreams," he said in return, and while she closed the door shut, he
could have sworn he saw her blush.
* * * * *
*FALLs Out The Chair And Dies From Exhaustion* What A Friggin Long Chapter!!!! That
definitely deserves like a bucket of reviews, don't ya think? PLease?! *puppy eyes*
You guys were supier duper great last time with the revews! C'mon, pleeeeeeeease!!?!?!?
REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW!?!?!?!? REVIEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEW!!!!!
More Reviews=Faster Updates!!!! WOOOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOO!!!!! PLEASE SUBMIT A REVIEW!!!
Your Review Matters to Me!!! Muaahahaha! love ya all!
