Disclaimer: Sadly, we do not own Newsies. Disney has that special privilege, but if we did own it . . .
Author's Note: Here we go kiddos, chapter 5. This chapter is dedicated to Rae Rae, because we wuv her and the pit is what bwings us togevvah. Enjoy! (and don't forget to review!)
"NO! VIOLENCE ONLY BEGETS MORE VIOLENCE!" Fifi shouted as she threw herself between Spot and KP.
"Get outta my way, goil." Spot moved to shove Fifi out of the way, but Jack stopped him by putting his hand on his shoulder.
"Spot, she's right. Maybe we should all just calm down and go to bed." Spot glared at Jack, considering whether or not to soak him for getting in the way. He shrugged Jack's hand off roughly but decided to take his advice anyway. Jack was a smart guy, one of the only people Spot respected. He gave Jack a slight nod before turning an icy glare to KP.
"Don't tink dat dis is ovah, cuz it ain't." With that he left the room slamming the door behind him. KP stood stock still, staring straight ahead, trying to figure out what had just happened.
"Thanks for stepping in, Jack," Fifi said as she turned to him, shakily.
"Yeah, well, I didn't wanna see anybody get hoit." He turned to KP before adding, "You bettah loin to watch what ya say around him, because one a dese times nobody'll be there ta stop him."
"Come on KP, let's go to bed." Fifi grabbed her arm leading her toward the door. "Obviously you'll be staying with me now. You don't mind do you, Blink?"
"Uh, no, dat's . . . dat's okay." Blink managed to get out a partial response, stumbling over the words and kicking himself mentally for not being able to articulate an actual sentence.
"Thanks," Fifi replied as the two exchanged a smile. Everybody began meandering to their rooms after that. There was very little conversation as everybody settled down into bed.
The only conversation beyond casual 'good nights' took place in Skittery's room as he and Mush were getting ready for bed.
"Hey, Skitts?"
"Yeah Mush?"
"Did ya write dat song fuh Bumlets?"
"Yeah, I did," Skittery replied, his voice becoming heavy and distant.
"Ya know," began Mush as he crossed to Skittery, putting his hand on his shoulder, "he's doin' a lot bettah now." Mush rubbed Skittery's back a bit before pulling his hand away. Skittery turned to face him, his eyes glistening with the threat of tears.
"I know that, Mush, but doin' bettahisn't the same thing as doin' good." Skittery sighed as he pulled back his blankets and climbed under them. Mush watched him, wanting to comfort him, but not knowing how. Instead, he made his way to his own bed and got comfortable. The room became silent and Mush's eyes began to close.
"Mush?"
"Yeah?" His eyes opened up and he turned toward the sound of Skittery's voice.
"Thanks anyway." Mush smiled as he drifted off to sleep.
Fifi rolled out of the bed and onto the floor. She struggled to her feet and glanced around the room. It was dark and it took a moment for her eyes to adjust. She stared at KP, still sleeping in the bed and gave her a llittle shove. KP mumbled something indecipherable and rolled over. Fifi sighed trying to think up the most annoying way to wake KP up. She climbed onto the bed, and standing, removed the blanket she had put up in the window the night before to block out the sun.
The light poured into the room full-force, blinding Fifi completely. The brightness was so intense she lost her balance, toppling down on top of KP then crashing to the floor, bringing down a lamp in the process.
"Ow," Fifi muttered flatly from the floor as KP looked at her from over the edge of the bed.
"What happened?!" Blink jumped out of bed and hi eyes shot across the room to KP and Fifi. KP was still on the bed but now was laughing hysterically at her friend who was still on the ground. Fifi was clutching her stomach and her face was bright red, but she wasn't making any noise. Blink couldn't tell if she was laughing or crying. He shuffled from foot to foot, unsure of what had happened, and what he should do now. He watched Fifi as the color in her face began to return to normal and her body relaxed. She lay in a heap on the floor, unmoving, as she looked up at the ceiling.
"Damn, Fif," said KP getting off the bed. "I can't believe you did that."
"Well it woke your lazy ass up, didn't it?" Fifi teased in a last-ditch effort to save face.
"Yeah, yeah it did. BATHROOM'S MINE!" KP ran into the bathroom, laughing as she slammed the door behind her.
"You bitch" Fifi yelled in mock anger. She sat up slowly and raising her eyes, noticed Blink standing there awkwardly. Her face reddened a bit. "Oh, hey. Sorry about all of that."
"It's okay," Blink stammered in response. "What happened?"
"Um," Fifi began, not wanting to tell him and look like an idiot, but not awake enough to make up a good lie, "I took a little bit of a spill . . . "
"Are you okay?" Fifi blushed at Blink's blatant display of concern.
"I'm fine, thanks," she replied. Summing up her courage, she took a bold move and extended her hands out to him. "Help me up?" He blushed, but took a step forward and grabbed her outstretched hands. He gave a pull and she came quickly to her feet and face to face with him. Blink gulped, they were so close to each other and neither one of them was moving. It was like time froze for a moment, and all either of them could do was stare.
"Your turn, Fif," said KP as she re-entered the room. Fifi broke her mind from the moment and turned toward the door. Blink stood for a moment before turning toward his dresser. KP hadn't noticed the moment she had interrupted, but she had noticed the flustered look on Fifi's face, and the dazed expression on Blink's. 'I wonder what I walked in on,' she thought as she crossed to the bed and sat down.
"Heya Blink, how'd ya sleep?" asked Mush cheerily as he bounced over to his friend.
"Fine Mush." Blink smiled as Fifi and KP entered the cafeteria behind him.
"Yeah but he had a bit of a rude awakening this morning, didn't he Fif?" KP laughed as Fifi glared at her and shoved her into the wall roughly before heading toward the kitchen. "What's her problem?" KP asked rubbing her shoulder.
"It seems like ya pissed her off," Mush responded lightheartedly.
"Maybe just a little," Blink muttered sarcastically under his breath.
"What?"
"Well," Blink began in response to KP's question. He hadn't meant for his comment to be heard, but since he had to explain himself now, he was going to make it count. "You haven't stopped makin' fun of her since we left the room. I mean, at first it wasn't a big deal, but ya just wouldn't shut up about it. Ya really need ta loin when ta lay off somebody." KP stared at him, a little taken aback at his coming to Fifi's defense like that. Blink turned toward the kitchen door, intending to go and check on Fifi.
"Wow," said KP incredulously, turning to Mush. "I'm impressed." After a moment she added, "He so wants her."
"Either that or he just really doesn'tlike you," Mush teased. "But yeah, he definitely does. I wonder if he'll actually be able to get out a complete sentence once he's in there with her."
"Damn it! I know I saw that soup yesterday. Where did it go?" Blink overheard Fifi talking to herself as he quietly came up to the pantry door. He swung it open and unknowingly stepped into the line of fire.
"Ow!" He staggered backward, his hand going to the top of his head as an unidentified projectile flew over Fifi's right shoulder, hitting him before he could duck out of the way.
Fifi turned around quickly, her expression changing from startled by the sound of the new voice to horrified at the realization of what she had just done. She ran over to him quickly, her hand going immediately to his head to check how much damage he had done.
"Oh my gosh, Blink. I'm so sorry I hit you. I didn't know anybody else was in here." She led him into the main part of the kitchen and sat him down on a counter, the nurturing side of her coming out full force. "Wait here," she ordered before running to the freezer for something cold. She surveyed the area and settled for a bag of frozen vegetables before hurrying back to where she had left her victim. He dropped his hand from his head and held the bag there. "I'm so sorry Blink. Are you okay?" she asked, concern coming through in her voice. Her hand still held the cold bag gently in place. She searched his eyes, looking for any sign of a concussion.
"I'll be fine" he responded, staring back into her eyes. Neither one of them dropped their gaze. "I've had much worse happen before, this is nothing." Fifi looked at him startled, trying to hide her amazement at the fact that he had actually gotten out a real sentence without stumbling over his words. 'Wow,' she thought to herself guiltily, 'I must have hit him harder than I thought.'
"So, why were you coming to the pantry anyway?" she asked, just trying to make conversation so she wouldn't have to deal with the unbearable awkwardness of silence.
"I wanted to make sure you were okay," he answered nonchalantly. "KP was being pretty brutal and it just got to be ridiculous. She just doesn't know when to shut up." He paused for a moment before continuing. "That's what I said to her at least." Fifi looked at him, an expression of surprise on her face and a small smile gracing her lips.
"You actually said that to her?" She stared at him, but he only nodded in response to her question. "I'm impressed, Blink." That seemed to tweek a nerve in his brain and he started, his usual nervousness beginning to creep back.
"Really?"
"Yeah," Fifi's smiled broadened. "That was a really cool thing to do. Thanks." Blink's face reddened a bit. He suddenly realized how close they were and for the second time that morning time seemed to slow down.
"Fifi?" Race came bounding through the kitchen door. Fifi jerked back into reality at hearing her name. The moment was lost again and Fifi sighed as she turned to Race questioningly. "Where is the food and how do I cook it." Fifi just stared at him blankly. Race continued, frustrated at having to embellish, "KP said dat if I wanted food I hadda cook it myself, because she 'damn well wasn't gonna do it foah me.'" Race finished. Then turning his attention to Blink, he mused. "What happened to you?" He smirked as he indicated the bag of vegetables Fifi was still holding to his head. Blink just shrugged, not really caring to tell the whole story.
"Come on, Race. I'll help you figure out something for lunch." She turned to Blink adding, "Hold this here for a little longer," indicating the bag of veggies.
"Oh . . . uh . . . um . . . yeah, yeah sure," he responded, placing his hand over the bag as she slid hers away and headed for the pantry, Race hot on her heels.
'Great,' she thought to herself. 'Once again he can't get out a coherent thought around me.'
Once Race, Fifi, Mush, Blink, and KP had finished making their own food, they all seated themselves at a table and ate their separate meals, engaging each other in insignificant conversation.
"Hey, Blink?" Mush turned to his friend, "are you feelin' okay, ya lookin a little pale."
"Yeah," Blink replied rubbing his head. "I just have a little bit of a headache. I think I'll just go upstairs and take a nap or something." He rose to his feet shakily and had to grab the table to keep himself from losing his balance. Mush put his hand up to steady Blink.
"I betta make sure ya make it up dere okay." Mush stood and ushered Blink slowly toward the door, turning to wave goodbye to the three left at the table.
"So . . ." Race turned to the girls. "What are you dolls gonna do today?"
"Well, actually," Fifi started, trying to figure out how to word what she wanted to say so that Race would understand. "We were kind of wondering if, well, if you had a . . . a –-"
"—A pit." KP finished for her, succinctly.
"Whadda ya mean like and armpit?" Race asked a little taken aback by the strangeness of the question. He raised his arms above his head before adding, "Yeah, I'se got two of em." The girls burst out laughing and Race just stared at them for a bit before lowering his arms. "What?" he asked defensively.
"Oh, Race, not an armpit, just, a pit. It's like a nook of sorts, a small room that's kind of off the hallway, set back in a low-traffic area. A quiet, cozy place where a few people can just go and hang out undisturbed," Fifi responded.
"I don tink we'se gots one of dose," Race replied, still a little confused as to what the girls were talking about.
"Well," said KP a little disappointed, "I guess we're just going to have to go exploring."
"YAY! I love adventures," Fifi squealed before turning to Race. "Care to join us?"
"Sure," Race answered as he joined them hooking each of his arms through the arms of the girls. KP and Fifi giggled and the three headed out the door talking animatedly and laughing, excited about their mission to find anything that could serve as a pit.
They wandered around the halls not really sure where to look. As they turned down a dimly lighted hallway they saw a figure approaching from the opposite end. The threesome stopped and watched as the figure came closer. Whoever it was, they were whistling a light tune and swinging their arms about spiritedly.
"Hey . . . Itey?" Race said, the first to recognize him.
"Hello young Racetrack," Itey replied simply, nodding to the two girls.
"Whatcha got dere?" Race queried, pointing to the wrench Itey held in his hand. Itey looked from Race to the wrench, and then back to Race again. He threw a glance to KP and then a glance to Fifi. His face contorted into an expression of shock as he dropped the wrench on the floor and bolted past the threesome and dashed down the hall at top speed. The three stood there dumbfounded by what had just happened. They all turned to each other.
"Wow," began KP, "could he be any creepier?" Fifi just shook her head, speechless and Racetrack shrugged his shoulders. They walked on for some time after that. KP and Fifi began to get discouraged.
"We've been looking everywhere and we haven't found one spot that's pit-worthy," Fifi complained as they came to a stop at the end of a hallway.
"Hey, we haven't looked down this hall yet," KP stated. The three turned left and there it was before them, in all its glory. KP and Fifi stood in the entranceway and looked over the room in awe.
"It's just like the one in our school," Fifi breathed out, her eyes glistening. KP could only nod, too pleased for words. Race stared blankly at the small room.
"Uh . . . goils? I hate ta interrupt dis moment you'se two seem ta be havin', but I'm failin ta see why dis place is so special. All I see is small cramped room wit a dingy old carpet and some recyclin' bins." Fifi and KP turned to Race, shock on their faces as to how he could fail to see the beauty in their beloved pit. They didn't know how they could even begin to explain its splendor and magnificence to him, but they would try, for the sake of the integrity of the pit. KP switched the light on and then back off again.
"Sit," she commanded. He did as he was told and she continued, "Our friends, love them as we do, can get really boisterous at times—" Race looked at her amused at the hypocrisy and she decided to re-phrase. "I know that we too, can be obnoxious, but Fifi and I wanted to have a low-key, relaxing lunch period at school. We needed the time to regain our composure and de-stress before we had to face the rest of the day, specifically, chemistry."
"Anyway," Fifi broke in, "eating lunch with all of those people was becoming much too hectic. There were lots of different people all doing their own thing and having multiple conversations; it was really just too much." Fifi paused and glanced at Racetrack before continuing. "So one day, KP and I were walking around the halls during lunch and we walked down a hall and there it was; the pit. We had some time left in the period so we decided to sit down there until the bell rang. We just sort of chatted and such and we decided to eat lunch there."
"And that's how it all began," KP continued. "Naturally, a few of our other friends join us there from time to time but the pit really just became our sanctuary."
"We went there not only to eat lunch," Fifi picked up, "but for any free time we could manage to snatch up." Fifi and KP stared at Racetrack, searching for any sign of understanding.
"I can unduhstand wantin' a place to just be wit a few friends and no one else," he stated seriously. The girls were a little thrown off by his seriousness but they were pleased with his understanding.
For the next couple of hours the girls and Race sat swapping stories. Race tried to keep his stories about the boys they had met so they could put the names to faces. Luckily enough, KP, who had an obsessive compulsive tendency about keeping her planner with her at all times, just happened to have it with her. On it were pictures of all of her friends so Race looked at the pictures while the girls talked and whenever someone new was introduced he would stop them so they could show him who they were talking about. They spoke of there closest friends, Rae Rae, the third pit member, so to speak, Laney, who unfortunately could not be with them in the pit every day, and Billy, who were the sources of the more entertaining stories.
". . . an Jacky-boy ran back inta da room soakin' wet and completely naked." The two girls broke out into hysterics as Race finished up another story. "Hey, I wondah if da uddahs are awake yet." Race stated.
"I wonder what happened to Mush . . ." KP added.
"Do you guys think Blink is okay?" Fifi glanced at the others worriedly. They each just gave her a look and shook their heads. KP dropped her gaze to her watch.
"Oh my gosh," KP exclaimed. "It's almost 5:30, we've been up here for almost three hours!"
"Oh, wow. We should probably head back toward the cafeteria or something," Fifi suggested. The three stood and Race placed his arms around the girls' waists as they began walking down the hall. As they walked on, Race's hands began to drop, falling lower and lower. "Racetrack," Fifi said, warning clear in her voice, "if your hands go any lower—"
"You'll need somebody to wipe your ass for you, because you won't have any hands to do it yourself," KP threatened with a gleam in her eye and a smirk on her face.
"I can't help it," he said with a chuckle. "You'se just so irresistible."
"Shut up, Race." KP grinned, shoving him and dashing down the hall. Race ran after her at full speed and they disappeared around a corner. Fifi rolled her eyes and continued walking closely along the wall. As she turned the corner she ran right into Blink and Mush.
"Oh, sorry guys," Fifi apologized, "I wasn't watching where I was going."
"Oh, uh, that's, that's okay," Blink managed to stammer.
"What are you guys doing?" Fifi looked at the two, waiting for an answer.
"Well, actually, we'se was lookin for you'se guys," Mush answered, laughing. "Well, we'se found you, but wheas KP and Race?"
"Oh they ran off down the hall in that direction. I decided not to follow, obviously." She laughed before adding, "I was on my way to the kitchen. Care to join me?"
"Yeah, sure," the two replied as they all headed in the direction of the kitchen. When they got there they opened the doors to find KP and Race seated at a table. Race was trying to teach KP how to play poker, using dry pasta as poker chips.
"Oh, hey guys. We're gonna make something 'Italiano' for dinner tonight," KP said enthusiastically.
"Jive! I'm making the bread!" Fifi exclaimed. As they all began making separate parts of the meal, Fifi noticed Mush scuffing the floor with the toes of his shoes. "Something wrong Mush?" she inquired. Mush sighed.
"Well, I was just wonderin' if, well, if maybe we'se could make mashed potatoes or somethin'. I know dey ain't 'Italiano', but I'd really like some." He let his eyes fall to the floor, a little embarrassed about the request.
"Of COURSE we can make mashed potatoes!" Fifi squealed with delight. "I LOVE mashed potatoes."
"Really?"
"SURE! KP, we're going to make some mashed potatoes!" KP looked up from where she and Race were adding spices to the sauce.
"Aw, yeah son, mashed potatoes rock!" Mush positively beamed at the warm reception the mashed potato request had gotten.
"Awesome! I'll go get them right now," Mush offered as he bounded over to the pantry, returning moments later with a bunch of potatoes.
During the preparation of the meal, the others had begun to meander in from the various places they had spent their day. The last platter, a giant bowl of pasta was set in the middle of the table; everybody sat down and began to eat. The meal was rather uneventful apart from the occasional squabbin' between David and Itey. KP was still mad at Spot, and Spot still couldn't stand KP. She kept shooting angry glares at him which he would return with a complacent smirk. When Spot was finished, he got up from his seat, gave a quick "thanks" and left the room.
"Asshole," KP mumbled under her breath quietly; only Fifi and Race picked up on it. The group chatted and laughed for a good while longer. Fifi rubbed her arms, trying to warm them up.
"Hey, guys, is it just me or is it really cold in here?" Fifi rubbed her arms some more, trying to make the goose bumps go away.
"No problem," Jack said nonchalantly. "I'll just toin up da heat." He walked over to the thermostat. "Woah, the thermostat reads seventy degrees, but it definitely feels like it's about forty. Maybe the furnace is broken or something."
"Oh shit," muttered KP, beginning to shiver. "We are all going to freeze tonight."
"Well we have lots of body heat, we could all sleep in one room," Jack suggested.
"But then the girls are still going to be cold. There are only two of them," David pointed out matter-of-factly.
"Well, Davey," Jack began mockingly, "they would be with us." David's face contorted in shock at such a scandalous thought, but he didn't say anything when he saw the look on Jack's face.
"I'm down," Fifi threw in through shivers.
"Yeah," added KP. "We should just get everyone's mattresses and bring them to the chorus room and make like one big bed or something." Everybody voiced and/or nodded their agreement.
"Okay then," Jack announced. "Let's all meet up there." Everybody split up, KP and Fifi went with Jack and Race to get their mattresses. KP and Race took his mattress and headed out to drop it off in the hall. Jack and Fifi headed for Jack's bed. As they lifted his mattress up off the frame Fifi's eyes widened as Jack met her gaze with a devilish grin.
"Damn Jack!" A fire lit behind her eyes as she glared mischievously back at him. "You've been holding out on us."
Author's Note: Well, that was chapter 4. It was kind of a segue chapter but it had to be. Well, hope you enjoyed it and I'll leave you with this . . . Mashed potatoes are yummy . . . REVIEW . . . please?
Shout-outs:
LiamsKitten WOW!!! That was the most awesome, ass-kicking review ever. We feel honored to have received it. Reading it was like diving in a swimming pool of insane happiness. Yeah, they've been lying; there are other ways to cook bacon. HAHA. Love your muses, they're so entertaining. The slash action will come, you just have to be patient. Anyway, hope you liked this chapter, doll, and don't forget to review.
DollarBill So glad this fic makes you happy, and yes, accents are hot. We love Itey too. Glad you like the apology thing, I was worried it was too Mary-Sue-ish, which it was, but oh, well. Glad you liked it, though, hope you liked this chapter. Mush love and much love (haha, I actually meant to type 'Much' the first time but I typed mush on accident). We love hearing you "squee".
Quimby If you want to marry Itey, go for it. You two are like a match made in heaven, except crazy! Much luffels to you and review (haha that rhymes tehe).
That Crazy Kid "my comp was in limbo as we purged all the nasty spirits from its souless depths" - that's just beautiful ::wipes tear from eye:: We're glad you liked the chapter. HAHA It's okay to be confused, we're kinda contemplating the possibilities as well. Don't worry, we won't hurt you. So you disliked the cliffhanger, huh? How are you feeling about the end of this chapter? We'll keep on writing as long as you keep on reading. You have to remain a cool person, but we're not worried about that. ; )
Charbs Yay! I'm so glad you like it, I liked this chapter too, but I think we could have written it a little better. I don't think it flowed as well as it could have. I'm glad you like it though, it makes me feel much better. Yeah, music nerds and drama geeks ROCK!!!! Yeah TECH! and other such jazz as that. Thanks for your support doll! : ) Love ya.
Rae Rae Holy shit newsies arehot, and accents, and Skittery. Sweetie, we're so glad you started reading this and that you enjoy it. We hope you liked this last chapter. We love good times with you in the pit. Where they run around naked, and smiling . . . and NAKED! Love you.
