"Necessary Deceit"

Chapter Two

By: Novahlie Bea/Mouth

Novahlie followed her filthy guide in silence as he told her about his adventures as a newsie with Jack and David and Spot Conlin of Brooklyn. Novahlie knew these names- she respected them- they'd been the instigators of the strike that closed down Esmeralda's. Even if it had put her out of a job, Novahlie knew that she wouldn't have had the courage to leave herself. Only one girl had ever left Esmeralda's, and she came crawling back starving and sick. Esmeralda turned her out.
"...and that's how the strike got started in the first place. I was barely makin' a livin' as it was, so I was glad to have it." Said the newsie as he came to a stop and faced her.
"I remember seeing you in the paper," replied Novahlie.
"Yeah, I guess you could say I'm kind of famous!"
Novahlie laughed. He wasn't famous- she didn't even know his name- but she respected him nonetheless, because he'd had the courage to fight alongside Jack Kelly in the strike against Pulitzer.
"Well if you're so famous, it might do me well to know your name," said Novahlie.
"'Course," laughed the newsie, "Name's Skittery. Now you can say you knew me when!"
"Yep!"
"Surely you'll be famous one day as well."
"Why would I be famous?"
"Cause everyone loves to see a pretty face."
Novahlie didn't know what to say. She just blushed and tripped up on the sidewalk, falling into him.
"I, um... I'm so sorry..." she apologized profusely.
"It's alright," laughed Skittery, "Know we've nearly walked over each other!"
The two stood staring at each other, blushing and giggling for a moment until Novahlie caught herself and asked, "Is this the place, then?"
"Yeah," said Skittery, "It's the Newsboys lodging house.
"It's the what? I can't... I'm not a..."
"I know, but I got connections, don't worry," he said with a smile as he held open the door for Novahlie.
Novahlie walked in, but stayed off to the side. She was nervous, for some reason, and was doing her best not to trip all over herself. She looked around the hall, her eyes finding rest on the staircase. There, sitting on the staircase, was Jack Kelly. Novahlie gasped, and Jack looked up with a pompous grin on his face.
"Ma'am," he said.
"I... um... I was just..."
"Perusin' the merchandise?"
Novahlie blushed, appalled that he thought she was 'in the market'.
"Excuse me. That came out wrong. Name's Jack Kelly."
"I... I know who you are."
"Really? Well, most people do, I mean... After the strike..."
"Yes... the strike... It was really such a noble thing."
"Well, it woulda been noble if it wasn't for me own benefit- but mostly, miss, it was."
"How many humble pies have you been eating?" laughed Novahlie.
"Yeah, well... Novahlie... you wanna go see about a room?" said Skittery with a jealous edge on his voice. Jack raised his hands, like he was surrendering.
"Sure, Skittery. I mean, that's why were here, after all," replied Novahlie as she took his arm to settle him. He blushed and guided her right into a wall, knocking her out.
Novahlie awoke in a small, dark room in a bed with soft white blankets. It was still daylight, she could tell by the sunbeams on the hardwood floor. Her shoes were off and her hair had been let down from it's ribbon. She looked to her right, and saw that someone had carefully placed her teddy bear next to her. They must have found it in her suitcase. Novahlie looked around the room to her left. It had bare, white walls and dark flooring and the white gauzy drapes blew gently from the open window. Novahlie looked to her right, and nearly fell out of the bed. There in one corner sat Jack Kelly and in another Skittery, and in the door frame several newsies she'd not yet met. They were sleeping, as if they'd fallen that way while waiting for her to wake up.
A sharp pain shot through Novahlie's head as she turned it. She reached up and felt a small cut on her forehead. Ah yes, she'd run into the wall. In remembering her encounter with the doorframe, her cheeks grew hot and she blushed, feeling silly. 'Oh, what Skittery must think of me now', she thought.
"She's awake! She's awake!" came a small voice from the group of newsies in the doorframe. A small boy of maybe ten came forward, holding his wooden sword. "Wake up, Cowboy! She's awake! Skittery!"
"...I didn't do it..." came Skittery's familiar (although sleepy) voice from the corner. "Oh! He said shooting up, "She's awake!"
"Yes, yes, I'm awake. What's the fuss? You'll wake the dead shouting like that," said Novahlie, embarrassed such a fuss was being made over her self-inflicted injury.
Skittery rushed to her bedside, and stood awkwardly, shifting his weight back and forth.
"I'm really sorry Novahlie... I was trying to show off... It's all my fault..."
"No, it's my fault. I startled you by seizing your arm like that. I wasn't watching where I was going," she replied.
The two of them laughed, realizing that they both felt terrible and dumb.
"Aww. Isn't that cute," came Jack's voice. "Come on kids, out!"
"Hi, I'm Les!" said the small boy with the sword, completely ignoring Jack. He didn't get to finish introductions, however, as Jack yanked him by the shirt collar and pulled him out the door, closing it behind them.
Skittery and Novahlie blushed and averted their eyes from each other. Neither knew what to do now that they were alone. Novahlie pulled back the blankets and began to stand. Skittery jumped to her aid, and helped her out of the bed.
"Really, I'm quite alright," said Novahlie.
"I'm not," said Skittery.
"Well you haven't any lesions on your forehead! Why shouldn't you feel alright?" laughed Novahlie.
"I'm feelin' sick"
"Sick?"
"Yeah..." he whispered as he brushed the hair out of Novahlie's face, and kissed her.

Author's Note: Ooooooh hoo hoo hooo. This is juicy. More very soon! Sorry it took so long for this chapter to come out, but I couldn't think of a way to make chapter two exciting. Found it. Hahaha. Please Review! I love reviews!!