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. W00t w00t!! THANKS SO MUCH!!! You Goils ROCK my SOCKs!!! So many REVIEWS!!!
And there were alot of NEW REVIEWERS too! Very Cool!! Honestly, though, THANK YOU!!
I just LOVE checking my email and seeing so many REVIEW alerts. It's GREAT! w00t!
Onto Chapter the Next! BTW, the poem in this play is from "The Dream Within" by Lara
Fabian! Great Song!!! We're SOOOO CLOSE to 100!!! Come on goils, let's break that big
ol' number in 2 chapters! We'se can do it!!
*SportyChik425: Ya don't like Spot? Hahaha, at least your honest. So do tell me, darlin',
who is your favorite character? : ) Thanks so much for the review! I hope ya like this
new chappie!
*babesthe1: Hmm, you really think Jack and Snap should be together? *thinks* I dunno...
We'll have to see how they run the course. You might not feel that way after this
chapter...or any more of the chapters involving Snap for that matter. : ) But I'll
keep your request in mind in case I end up not liking my storyline. Thanks so much for
the review!!
*Rhapsody: w00t w00t! Yet another fan for my boy Runner! You have excellent taste, darlin'
: ) By the way, I love your name. In one of my original fics, Rhapsody is the name of
the main character, a Celtic Elemental. But anywho, thanks for the review! I love new
reviewers!! Hahaha! Hope ya like this chapter!
*Trek: Pish Posh, I think Snap is getting on everybody's nerves. Especially mines. Players
are only cool if their names are Spot Conlon, Jack Kelly, or Racetrack Higgins. Oh yes,
and dear lil' Runner of course. Heehee. Well anywho, sit back, relax, and enjoy chapter
11!
*Snuggles: Well, I'm glad your birthday was still fun, I love that build-a-bear place!
I've built like 3 or 4 bears there. Cowbear named Jack, of course. Hahaha. Yea, you
can come here and soak SNap anytime you want. She's crazy. Have you talked to ERic yet?
Heehee!
*racesgurl52787: Aww, a fellow horse lover. Actually, I've never ridden a horse unless
you count the pony rides at carnivals. LoL! But I wanna buy a ranch one day and own a
few. Thanks for reviewing! Enjoy Chapter 11!
*Lanen: Hahaha, Snap=Evil. She's not neccessarily (did I spell that right?) trying to
start a War, though I wouldn't be surprised if she did. Heh. Becca's situation is a bit
more complicated and it might be a while before Race finds out what the deal is, and as
for Runner and Mallory, well that's only all the more complicated. But I hope ya keep
reading and reviewing! Hahaha!
*Apollonia: Heehee, Runner is a sweetheart, no? *huggles Runner* Ah, Snap makes yet
another appearance in this story and yes, she definitely is quite the player in this
chapter. Muahaha. Giving the guys a taste of their own medicine. : )
*Bottles: YaaaY, new Reviewer!!! And guess what, Runner! She says I do a wonderful job
of complicating everything!! w00t w00t! *dances around her chair* Awww, poor Race indeed.
But don't worry. Hopefully, he'll win Becca's trust again. Snap? This chapter starts out
with her. You be the judge of whether she's lying or not. Hahaha. : ) Thanks again!
*Angel: LoL! WoWzerZ, I never had a reviewer who got so upset because theu forgot to
review a chappie! It's OKAY! Hahaha! Yea, Snap is a female Dog, no? Well, dear Becca
was just blwoing off steam, don't worry. She doesn't HATE him or anything...least I don't
think she does...YaaaY, I'd fall for Runner!! OMG, actually, Runner's character is based
on this guy in my school...well, his appearance I should say. I actually don't know this
guy from beans so I couldn't judge whether he's anything like Runner. Ah, enough rambling!
Onto the next chapter!
*Drama-Queen: Well I'm Glad that You're glad to have found out now. : ) And don't worry,
doll, I'll keep writing. : ) Have fun with Chapter 11!
*Deanie: Yea, Runner is a sweetie when he wants to be. *pinches Runner's cheeks* Thanks
so much for the reviews!! Hope ya like this chapter! More Runner with his poetic ways!
Heehee!
Just A Little Bet
~*~*~*~*~ Spot sat on a crate with his back against a pier, overlooking his boys as they
spent their lunchbreak enjoying anything but the crude realities of their borough's
realm, forgetting they were newsies for once and taking back the freedom of their
adolescence. Some were gambling on the docks, and others were off with their girls in
a more calm area, but most were taking their chances against the chilly weather as they
swam in the waters below, splashing about like restless children. The Brooklyn leader
shook his head at the immaturity some conveyed, and would have yelled at them were he
in the mood, but the sight of Snap fastly approaching the lodging house with swinging
hips and a self-assured grin returned to him his suave nature.
"Heya, sweetface. Come tah tell me youse involved wid another man?"
"Spot, so me and Jack had somethin' goin' on, alright? But after I'se was wid youse, I
intended on endin' it wid 'im, so why ya gotta be all bitchy 'bout it? If you'd like tah
know, I'se broke it off 'tween us yesterday, so we'se clear." It was a bold move. She knew
the boys were close and that one slip of words from a messenger to another could end her
up in big trouble. But she was willing to take the risk.
He patted his lap, motioning for her to make herself comfortable. "Convince me," he said
simply.
She sat with her back up against his chest and sighed. "I dunno, Spotty. If ya wanna get
some from me, it gotta be more than this one night stand shit. I mean, shoah I'se like
tah fool around and all, but I'd rather settle down wid someone fer once. Ya think youse
the poifect man fer the job?"
"How 'bout we'se go tah me room and find out?" He started to rise but she wouldn't budge
and instead turned around so that she was straddling his lap, her hands now combing
through his hair.
"See, if it was all 'bout that, I wouldn't mind comin' heah every now and then fer a
fling. But Jack was willin' tah gimme a relationship and I won't hesitate tah run back
tah 'im if youse aint that type."
Spot looked at her confused. He wasn't use to the girls asking him for more than a
lust-filled night, because when dawn broke in the morning he was out of his room before
the doll would think the earlier events between her and the Brooklyn leader actually
meant something. "Don't ya think it'd get borin' after the foist few days if youse stick
around fer so long as me goil?"
"Not at all," she replied as she pulled him into a kiss. "I'll make it so that youse
would wish we had met sooner."
"Oh yeah?" Spot raised his eyebrows at that. This would be interesting, he thought. Girls
trying to impress him was nothing new, but Snap wanted to prove that a longterm
relationship between them would be worthwhile and he knew he would have fun with her
all the while. So why not go for it? "So when do we'se start?" He kissed her again,
sliding his tongue over her lips and then pulling away to hear her answer.
"The sooner, the better!" And suddenly she was hoisted into the air as the Brooklyn
leader rose to his feet with her in his arms and carried her to the second floor of the
lodging house where they would remain for the rest of the afternoon.
* * * * *
Father Romanik tried his best to make the early American history lessons as interesting
as humanly possible but the class of students before him only seemed to drift off to
boredom all the more. The youth were either passing letters back and forth, scribbling
illegible sentences into their notebooks, or resting onto their folded arms, developing
red marks on their foreheads. He sighed and focused on the hunched figure of Lucas Conlon
who was obviously busy writing away yet another poem for his creative repetoire.
"Master Conlon, must I order you to pay attention? This is not poetry class and your
being off task is not appreciated!" The man snatched the paper from Runner's desk and in
efforts to embarass the boy as a warning to the others to prevent future disobedience,
he read the poem aloud.
"Free the Dream Within
The Voices Calling
A Song, a Prayer
From Deep Inside You
To Guide You
"Be the Dream Within
The Light is shining
A Flame On The Wind
Salvation Begins
"Look Beyond
Where Hearts Can See
Dream In Peace
Trust Love....Believe.
"Lucas, this is extraordinary! Is it finished?"
"No sir." He wasn't in the least bit daunted. Try as his teachers did to reprimand the
boy, they only succeeded in favoring him a higher degree than before.
Father Romanik smiled. "Students, this is exactly what I've been telling you about for
weeks now! You've all been blessed with special gifts to use in life that you must apply
whenever you can!" He placed the paper on his own desk and tapped three fingers upon it
in thought. "St. John's will be comprising a scholarship for young people who excel in
both the arts and academics. The scholarship will cover tuition, boarding, and other
student necessities. Our board members have decided to start receiving applications next
week, so be sure to make the young scholars throughout the city aware of this opportunity."
However, he didn't realize beforehand that his students rearely left the campus to mingle
with other youth, as they were usually caught up in their studies or extracurricular
activities even through the weekends.
"May I have my poem returned please?" Runner asked in the most gentlemanly tone.
"Oh no, Master Conlon. I'm sure your father would love to see what his son has been so
diligently working on during class session."
"What do you mean?"
"Didn't you know?" Father Romanik smiled. "The church expects the early return of your
father any day now. Apparently, the mission trips went well."
The boy nearly choked. His father wasn't supposed to come back to New York until a month
from now! In his absence, Runner had been able to refrain from the serious over-achieving
attributes the man would order him to maintain and instead had exchanged them for a
laidback relaxed life. But now with his father's return, he would once again have to put
on a venerable air and strive to impress the entire congregation in every possible way.
And that was something he could imagine himself running away from again.
* * * * *
"Darn thing!" Sitting on a three-legged stool, Becca couldn't quite manage to free a
small pebble from one of Jumper's hooves despite her constant maneuvers with the hoof
pick. She threw the silver object down with a loud groan and rested the horse's leg down.
Just then, the door to the stables opened and in walked Mr. Webster in a checkered suit
with a young man behind him. "Becca, I'd like you to meet Charles Hutton. Since you have
so much trouble achieving your time-consuming chores, I've hired some help. He's a
bright lad and should lessen your burden."
He certainly didn't look bright in Becca's opinion, though. With curly hair the color of
her own and attentive hazel eyes, he looked more the part of a snooty arisocrat too
busy scouting out his bride to be than to pay heed to the troubles around him. He was of
medium built, but she doubted he had ever completed hard labor before.
"G'day, miss. How d'ya do?" His accent was the rude mixture of an Irish dialect with a
rough New Yorkan lingo. He held out his hand.
"It's been hell, and you?" She didn't bother wiping her dirty hands on the pants of her
overalls, but he received her handshake anyhow, the smile never leaving his face.
"Heavenly, thanks. Mr. Webster's been telling me about ya love for the horses. I look
forward to working with ye."
"Well then," Mr. Webster said, "I best be on my way. You kids have fun." He tipped his
hat to Becca, nodded to Charles, and showed himself out.
Becca sighed angrily. Her complaints to Webster were not in hopes to receive an aid to
assist her, they were simply meant to lessen her work! She loved working with the horses,
yes, but only when she was alone. Another stranger in the stables would only prove to
be another mistake. "What are you doing?!"
"Petting the horse," Charles answered as he stroked Jumper's mane, slightly taken aback
by the girl's panic.
She pulled him away from the animal and stood between them. "That's not your job! If you
want to be useful, rake out some hay from that there cart and fill up the horses' stalls.
But when it actually comes to handling the animals, I can do it myself! They're already
use to me."
"You're rather protective of them, ay? I wasn't going to hurt the bloody thing. Mind ye,
I was raised on a farm, we treated the animals like family. I'd never do harm to them."
Becca studied his face and immediately felt sorry for her accusations. Lately she had
been jumping to conclusions so recklessly ever since her run in with Race and the
girlfriend he had been hiding from her for who knew how long?! It seemed as if everytime
she had begun to accept someone new in her life, she was erasing their name from her
memory mere weeks later. Of course, Webster had proven a kindly man. He wasn't exactly
what the girl would call the fatherly type, but he had provided her with a home and
job and to that she was grateful.
She sighed again, this time in apology. "Do you ever feel as if they're the only ones
you can tell your secrets to?"
Charles smiled. "All the time."
* * * * *
Jack reclined onto his bunk and nodded as Racetrack went on about the immoralities of
seducing an innocent girl like Mallory simply for the glory of winning a bet. "So youse
throwin' in the towel, Race?"
"It seems like the right thing tah do. 'Sides, I gots this goil I'se tryin' tah get wid
and it wouldn't be cool tah be playin' them at the same time, ya know?" Naturally, Becca
was his main reasoning for retiring from his life as a player for up until meeting her, he
would have welcomed in any bet that had to do with charming girls with shallow words. There
was just something mysterious about Becca, something intriguing that he wanted to learn
more about.
"Youse a good man, Race. I should be droppin' out too since I'se gots Snap and all."
The Italian smiled. "So I'se hoid. Who'da thought youse would hook up wid 'er, huh?" He
looked around the bunkroom laughing. "Wheah is she, by the way?"
"Ah, she said somethin' about meetin' up wid some old friend." There was an uncomfortable
pause before he continued. "She said Spot forced her into doing those things at Medda's.
I believe 'er too. I mean, I think this goil really likes me, and I like 'er back. So
things should woik out, right?"
"If only things were that easy, Jacky-boy."
* * * * *
YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE HAW! : ) The end of yet another chapter!!! Ya'll Know what
that means, right!?!? REVIEW TIME!!!!!!!!!!!! *game show music* C'mon, goils! Step right
on up and submit those reviews!!!! You favorite characters are waiting to hear from
youse! w00t w00t!!! REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW!!! PLEASE!!! Let's take one step closer to
BREAKING 100!!!!!!! YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY!!!! 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. W00t w00t!! THANKS SO MUCH!!! You Goils ROCK my SOCKs!!! So many REVIEWS!!!
And there were alot of NEW REVIEWERS too! Very Cool!! Honestly, though, THANK YOU!!
I just LOVE checking my email and seeing so many REVIEW alerts. It's GREAT! w00t!
Onto Chapter the Next! BTW, the poem in this play is from "The Dream Within" by Lara
Fabian! Great Song!!! We're SOOOO CLOSE to 100!!! Come on goils, let's break that big
ol' number in 2 chapters! We'se can do it!!
*SportyChik425: Ya don't like Spot? Hahaha, at least your honest. So do tell me, darlin',
who is your favorite character? : ) Thanks so much for the review! I hope ya like this
new chappie!
*babesthe1: Hmm, you really think Jack and Snap should be together? *thinks* I dunno...
We'll have to see how they run the course. You might not feel that way after this
chapter...or any more of the chapters involving Snap for that matter. : ) But I'll
keep your request in mind in case I end up not liking my storyline. Thanks so much for
the review!!
*Rhapsody: w00t w00t! Yet another fan for my boy Runner! You have excellent taste, darlin'
: ) By the way, I love your name. In one of my original fics, Rhapsody is the name of
the main character, a Celtic Elemental. But anywho, thanks for the review! I love new
reviewers!! Hahaha! Hope ya like this chapter!
*Trek: Pish Posh, I think Snap is getting on everybody's nerves. Especially mines. Players
are only cool if their names are Spot Conlon, Jack Kelly, or Racetrack Higgins. Oh yes,
and dear lil' Runner of course. Heehee. Well anywho, sit back, relax, and enjoy chapter
11!
*Snuggles: Well, I'm glad your birthday was still fun, I love that build-a-bear place!
I've built like 3 or 4 bears there. Cowbear named Jack, of course. Hahaha. Yea, you
can come here and soak SNap anytime you want. She's crazy. Have you talked to ERic yet?
Heehee!
*racesgurl52787: Aww, a fellow horse lover. Actually, I've never ridden a horse unless
you count the pony rides at carnivals. LoL! But I wanna buy a ranch one day and own a
few. Thanks for reviewing! Enjoy Chapter 11!
*Lanen: Hahaha, Snap=Evil. She's not neccessarily (did I spell that right?) trying to
start a War, though I wouldn't be surprised if she did. Heh. Becca's situation is a bit
more complicated and it might be a while before Race finds out what the deal is, and as
for Runner and Mallory, well that's only all the more complicated. But I hope ya keep
reading and reviewing! Hahaha!
*Apollonia: Heehee, Runner is a sweetheart, no? *huggles Runner* Ah, Snap makes yet
another appearance in this story and yes, she definitely is quite the player in this
chapter. Muahaha. Giving the guys a taste of their own medicine. : )
*Bottles: YaaaY, new Reviewer!!! And guess what, Runner! She says I do a wonderful job
of complicating everything!! w00t w00t! *dances around her chair* Awww, poor Race indeed.
But don't worry. Hopefully, he'll win Becca's trust again. Snap? This chapter starts out
with her. You be the judge of whether she's lying or not. Hahaha. : ) Thanks again!
*Angel: LoL! WoWzerZ, I never had a reviewer who got so upset because theu forgot to
review a chappie! It's OKAY! Hahaha! Yea, Snap is a female Dog, no? Well, dear Becca
was just blwoing off steam, don't worry. She doesn't HATE him or anything...least I don't
think she does...YaaaY, I'd fall for Runner!! OMG, actually, Runner's character is based
on this guy in my school...well, his appearance I should say. I actually don't know this
guy from beans so I couldn't judge whether he's anything like Runner. Ah, enough rambling!
Onto the next chapter!
*Drama-Queen: Well I'm Glad that You're glad to have found out now. : ) And don't worry,
doll, I'll keep writing. : ) Have fun with Chapter 11!
*Deanie: Yea, Runner is a sweetie when he wants to be. *pinches Runner's cheeks* Thanks
so much for the reviews!! Hope ya like this chapter! More Runner with his poetic ways!
Heehee!
Just A Little Bet
~*~*~*~*~ Spot sat on a crate with his back against a pier, overlooking his boys as they
spent their lunchbreak enjoying anything but the crude realities of their borough's
realm, forgetting they were newsies for once and taking back the freedom of their
adolescence. Some were gambling on the docks, and others were off with their girls in
a more calm area, but most were taking their chances against the chilly weather as they
swam in the waters below, splashing about like restless children. The Brooklyn leader
shook his head at the immaturity some conveyed, and would have yelled at them were he
in the mood, but the sight of Snap fastly approaching the lodging house with swinging
hips and a self-assured grin returned to him his suave nature.
"Heya, sweetface. Come tah tell me youse involved wid another man?"
"Spot, so me and Jack had somethin' goin' on, alright? But after I'se was wid youse, I
intended on endin' it wid 'im, so why ya gotta be all bitchy 'bout it? If you'd like tah
know, I'se broke it off 'tween us yesterday, so we'se clear." It was a bold move. She knew
the boys were close and that one slip of words from a messenger to another could end her
up in big trouble. But she was willing to take the risk.
He patted his lap, motioning for her to make herself comfortable. "Convince me," he said
simply.
She sat with her back up against his chest and sighed. "I dunno, Spotty. If ya wanna get
some from me, it gotta be more than this one night stand shit. I mean, shoah I'se like
tah fool around and all, but I'd rather settle down wid someone fer once. Ya think youse
the poifect man fer the job?"
"How 'bout we'se go tah me room and find out?" He started to rise but she wouldn't budge
and instead turned around so that she was straddling his lap, her hands now combing
through his hair.
"See, if it was all 'bout that, I wouldn't mind comin' heah every now and then fer a
fling. But Jack was willin' tah gimme a relationship and I won't hesitate tah run back
tah 'im if youse aint that type."
Spot looked at her confused. He wasn't use to the girls asking him for more than a
lust-filled night, because when dawn broke in the morning he was out of his room before
the doll would think the earlier events between her and the Brooklyn leader actually
meant something. "Don't ya think it'd get borin' after the foist few days if youse stick
around fer so long as me goil?"
"Not at all," she replied as she pulled him into a kiss. "I'll make it so that youse
would wish we had met sooner."
"Oh yeah?" Spot raised his eyebrows at that. This would be interesting, he thought. Girls
trying to impress him was nothing new, but Snap wanted to prove that a longterm
relationship between them would be worthwhile and he knew he would have fun with her
all the while. So why not go for it? "So when do we'se start?" He kissed her again,
sliding his tongue over her lips and then pulling away to hear her answer.
"The sooner, the better!" And suddenly she was hoisted into the air as the Brooklyn
leader rose to his feet with her in his arms and carried her to the second floor of the
lodging house where they would remain for the rest of the afternoon.
* * * * *
Father Romanik tried his best to make the early American history lessons as interesting
as humanly possible but the class of students before him only seemed to drift off to
boredom all the more. The youth were either passing letters back and forth, scribbling
illegible sentences into their notebooks, or resting onto their folded arms, developing
red marks on their foreheads. He sighed and focused on the hunched figure of Lucas Conlon
who was obviously busy writing away yet another poem for his creative repetoire.
"Master Conlon, must I order you to pay attention? This is not poetry class and your
being off task is not appreciated!" The man snatched the paper from Runner's desk and in
efforts to embarass the boy as a warning to the others to prevent future disobedience,
he read the poem aloud.
"Free the Dream Within
The Voices Calling
A Song, a Prayer
From Deep Inside You
To Guide You
"Be the Dream Within
The Light is shining
A Flame On The Wind
Salvation Begins
"Look Beyond
Where Hearts Can See
Dream In Peace
Trust Love....Believe.
"Lucas, this is extraordinary! Is it finished?"
"No sir." He wasn't in the least bit daunted. Try as his teachers did to reprimand the
boy, they only succeeded in favoring him a higher degree than before.
Father Romanik smiled. "Students, this is exactly what I've been telling you about for
weeks now! You've all been blessed with special gifts to use in life that you must apply
whenever you can!" He placed the paper on his own desk and tapped three fingers upon it
in thought. "St. John's will be comprising a scholarship for young people who excel in
both the arts and academics. The scholarship will cover tuition, boarding, and other
student necessities. Our board members have decided to start receiving applications next
week, so be sure to make the young scholars throughout the city aware of this opportunity."
However, he didn't realize beforehand that his students rearely left the campus to mingle
with other youth, as they were usually caught up in their studies or extracurricular
activities even through the weekends.
"May I have my poem returned please?" Runner asked in the most gentlemanly tone.
"Oh no, Master Conlon. I'm sure your father would love to see what his son has been so
diligently working on during class session."
"What do you mean?"
"Didn't you know?" Father Romanik smiled. "The church expects the early return of your
father any day now. Apparently, the mission trips went well."
The boy nearly choked. His father wasn't supposed to come back to New York until a month
from now! In his absence, Runner had been able to refrain from the serious over-achieving
attributes the man would order him to maintain and instead had exchanged them for a
laidback relaxed life. But now with his father's return, he would once again have to put
on a venerable air and strive to impress the entire congregation in every possible way.
And that was something he could imagine himself running away from again.
* * * * *
"Darn thing!" Sitting on a three-legged stool, Becca couldn't quite manage to free a
small pebble from one of Jumper's hooves despite her constant maneuvers with the hoof
pick. She threw the silver object down with a loud groan and rested the horse's leg down.
Just then, the door to the stables opened and in walked Mr. Webster in a checkered suit
with a young man behind him. "Becca, I'd like you to meet Charles Hutton. Since you have
so much trouble achieving your time-consuming chores, I've hired some help. He's a
bright lad and should lessen your burden."
He certainly didn't look bright in Becca's opinion, though. With curly hair the color of
her own and attentive hazel eyes, he looked more the part of a snooty arisocrat too
busy scouting out his bride to be than to pay heed to the troubles around him. He was of
medium built, but she doubted he had ever completed hard labor before.
"G'day, miss. How d'ya do?" His accent was the rude mixture of an Irish dialect with a
rough New Yorkan lingo. He held out his hand.
"It's been hell, and you?" She didn't bother wiping her dirty hands on the pants of her
overalls, but he received her handshake anyhow, the smile never leaving his face.
"Heavenly, thanks. Mr. Webster's been telling me about ya love for the horses. I look
forward to working with ye."
"Well then," Mr. Webster said, "I best be on my way. You kids have fun." He tipped his
hat to Becca, nodded to Charles, and showed himself out.
Becca sighed angrily. Her complaints to Webster were not in hopes to receive an aid to
assist her, they were simply meant to lessen her work! She loved working with the horses,
yes, but only when she was alone. Another stranger in the stables would only prove to
be another mistake. "What are you doing?!"
"Petting the horse," Charles answered as he stroked Jumper's mane, slightly taken aback
by the girl's panic.
She pulled him away from the animal and stood between them. "That's not your job! If you
want to be useful, rake out some hay from that there cart and fill up the horses' stalls.
But when it actually comes to handling the animals, I can do it myself! They're already
use to me."
"You're rather protective of them, ay? I wasn't going to hurt the bloody thing. Mind ye,
I was raised on a farm, we treated the animals like family. I'd never do harm to them."
Becca studied his face and immediately felt sorry for her accusations. Lately she had
been jumping to conclusions so recklessly ever since her run in with Race and the
girlfriend he had been hiding from her for who knew how long?! It seemed as if everytime
she had begun to accept someone new in her life, she was erasing their name from her
memory mere weeks later. Of course, Webster had proven a kindly man. He wasn't exactly
what the girl would call the fatherly type, but he had provided her with a home and
job and to that she was grateful.
She sighed again, this time in apology. "Do you ever feel as if they're the only ones
you can tell your secrets to?"
Charles smiled. "All the time."
* * * * *
Jack reclined onto his bunk and nodded as Racetrack went on about the immoralities of
seducing an innocent girl like Mallory simply for the glory of winning a bet. "So youse
throwin' in the towel, Race?"
"It seems like the right thing tah do. 'Sides, I gots this goil I'se tryin' tah get wid
and it wouldn't be cool tah be playin' them at the same time, ya know?" Naturally, Becca
was his main reasoning for retiring from his life as a player for up until meeting her, he
would have welcomed in any bet that had to do with charming girls with shallow words. There
was just something mysterious about Becca, something intriguing that he wanted to learn
more about.
"Youse a good man, Race. I should be droppin' out too since I'se gots Snap and all."
The Italian smiled. "So I'se hoid. Who'da thought youse would hook up wid 'er, huh?" He
looked around the bunkroom laughing. "Wheah is she, by the way?"
"Ah, she said somethin' about meetin' up wid some old friend." There was an uncomfortable
pause before he continued. "She said Spot forced her into doing those things at Medda's.
I believe 'er too. I mean, I think this goil really likes me, and I like 'er back. So
things should woik out, right?"
"If only things were that easy, Jacky-boy."
* * * * *
YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE HAW! : ) The end of yet another chapter!!! Ya'll Know what
that means, right!?!? REVIEW TIME!!!!!!!!!!!! *game show music* C'mon, goils! Step right
on up and submit those reviews!!!! You favorite characters are waiting to hear from
youse! w00t w00t!!! REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW!!! PLEASE!!! Let's take one step closer to
BREAKING 100!!!!!!! YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY!!!! Love ya All!!!
