I was jostled awake the next morning and hauled unceremoniously out
of bed by Bourbon and Pistol. Swearing and throwing a few punches I
sprawled on my back on the hard wooden floor and glared up at them.
"What's the big idea?" Bourbon gestured to the window where sunlight was filtering through.
"It's late that's the big idea. You could sleep through a parade or some shit. Get the hell up." Pistol slapped my butt as I stormed by and I yelped and shook a fist at her. She laughed and gathering up her red hair thrust it up into her cap as she disappeared downstairs.
I combed my fingers through my hair and twisted it up underneath my bowler hat, a few strands hanging down the sides of my face. Slapping my cheeks a few times I took a smoke that Bourbon stuck in front of my eyes. Pounding my shoulder she jostled me in a friendly way which resulted in a shoving match on the stairs and me laughing and leaping the last few stairs into the lobby. Unfortunately I landed on someone who was standing at the bottom of the staircase unaware. I grimaced as I stood up and looked down to see Racetrack lying on the floor.
I stuck my hand out to help him up, but he pushed himself up and stood, brushing off the seat of his pants. Not even looking twice in my direction he about faced and walked outside. I felt my face turn bright red in embarrassment as many pairs of eyes looked at me curiously. Angrily holding on to my bowler hat I ran out the door.
Spying Racetrack walking swiftly up the street towards the Distribution Center I hauled ass after him. Grabbing on to his sleeve, I almost fell on my face as he ripped it out of my hand.
"We gotta talk Race," I panted.
"Don't wanna," he said around the stub of his cigar. Rolling my eyes I puffed furiously on my cigarette and lengthened my strides to keep pace with him. He was almost out-walking me which was a laugh seeing as how he wasn't too much taller than I was.
"Don't be an ass, Race," I spat.
"Don't be a slut, Misery," he retorted. My mouth dropped open and I got in front of him and slammed a hand against his chest.
"Excuse me?" I said in indignation, squinting up at him. He finally looked at me and I wanted to look away at the naked hurt that shown freely back at my eyes. Trying to walk around me, I met him at every angle.
"I'm not a slut and you know it," I stated quietly but firmly. He looked down at me again and shook his head slowly. Flinging the stub of his cigar into an alleyway he sighed deeply before taking me by the shoulders and setting me to one side.
"Looks can be deceiving then," was all he said before going on his way. To my shock I felt tears stinging at the corners of my eyes and I blindly dashed them away before running across the street away from the D.O. I heard people yelling my name asking me where I thought I was going, but I didn't care. I headed for the park, the river, anywhere I got first. It happened that I reached the park and I collapsed onto a bench, sobbing brokenly into my hands.
I think I stayed on that bench for most of the day, crying on and off, cursing, smoking cigarette after cigarette until I was out of them. When that happened I hit up another grocer's store different than the one I had gone to with Race. Sniffling pathetically and berating myself for it the whole time, I ran into Blink and Pistol.
Blink seemed oblivious to what was going on, but because Pistol was a female and therefore graced with our highly over-sensitive genes, she offered to buy me lunch at Tibby's a restaurant the newsies often frequented. I agreed because not only was I hungry, but because of today's outburst I was lacking in funds. As we walked along, I let out a hiccupping sob and coughed. Blink started violently and looked at me with concern widening his one good eye.
"Oh Jesus are you cryin'? I'm allergic to cryin' girls." Stammering he held up his hands and looked about with an almost wild expression on his face. I think if he had reacted any differently I would have burst into tears all over again. But I couldn't help but laugh which made him relax considerably. I suppose that to see me laughing up at Blink didn't help things in other situations because Racetrack was standing outside Tibby's a scowl smeared across his face. My laughter cut off almost instantly and I glowered at him.
"Let's go," Pistol grabbed my hand and forced me to walk past Race through the entrance. I didn't break eye contact with him as I swept by and I shook my head angrily muttering as we sat in a table away from the boisterous newsies who occupied the tables in the middle of the room.
"Listen," Pistol hissed as I snapped open a leather-bound menu and perused it, my eyes not even seeing the words clearly.
"This shit's got to stop, Misery. Race's been here a lot longer than you and if this keeps up Jack WILL ask you to leave. He can't have the sanity of the whole lodging house compromised by you two. If you're not getting along and it lasts too much longer then he will be forced to act." I defiantly raised my eyes to hers. They were blue, like Spot's, and almost as bright and intense.
"Spot said I could stay with him." Pistol snorted an unpleasant sound as she lit a cigarette. I heard the bell on the door ring and saw Racetrack slide into a seat next to Crutchy and Blink at one of the tables. Bourbon was there as well, and I could see her watching Pistol and I, a worried expression in her normally guarded eyes.
"You really think you'll like it in Brooklyn? I know you're from there and all, but those kids in that house they're something else. I'm amazed Pokey is still there to this day and I don't understand how Meesh can stand it. She didn't even stay there when she was with Spot. Those kids are cold as ice and meaner than a disturbed viper. They don't take shit from anybody." I almost mumbled 'except my brother's' but decided against it at the last minute.
Feeling someone's gaze on me, I looked past Pistol's capped head to catch Racetrack watching us, no expression on his face. He looked tired, and unhappy. My heart lurched as I met his gaze and he silently raised an eyebrow before ripping his eyes away from mine. Pistol snapped dirty fingers in front of my face impatiently.
"How satisfied are you that Spot just doesn't want you to sleep with him?" I shrugged, wary. How well could I know that? I had just met the kid, I didn't know the in's and out's of his mind. I knew that he was a legendary Romeo of Brooklyn, and like the popular Shakespeare play most of his relationships ended in tragedy. At this juncture in time I was almost not willing to care anymore. If Jack kicked me out I would go to Brooklyn and stay there. As unwise an idea as that was. I would have nowhere else to stay.
The bell jingled again and the newsies rose up, welcoming cries on their lips as a tall, brown-haired man sauntered towards them. He wore a finely tailored suit and had his hands in his pockets. He was clean, and his hair was brushed nicely off of his forehead. A warm smile encompassed all of the kids as he turned a chair around backwards and flopped down next to Jack.
"Who's that?" Pistol glanced over and shrugged.
"That's Brian Denton, he writes for the Sun. He helped out during that big newsie strike and he's been a friend ever since. We know we can go to him for anything." Wheels started turning in my head as I looked the man over.
"Anything, you say. He got connections?" Pistol grinned.
"Yeah he does, the ever-so-famous Teddy Roosevelt for one." My eyes must have widened for Pistol laughed.
"Jack and Spot met him and Spot got a ride back to Brooklyn in his carriage with him." I was thinking so fast that I thought for sure smoke was pouring out of my ears. I didn't care if Race was over there, I had to meet this man and talk to him. If the other kids could trust him, than so could I.
"Introduce me," I said pulling my bowler hat off and letting my hair fall around my shoulders. Smoothing my clothing the best I could to which Pistol scoffed and remarked that Denton didn't care about nice clothes, just the kids, we made our way over to them.
"Pistol, so nice to see you! Who's your friend?" I found myself looking into the warmest brown eyes I had ever seen (besides Crutchy's or Racetrack's that is) and a smile just as welcoming. Sticking out my hand I smiled shyly.
"I'm Misery," I said. Denton's eyes faltered for a second before he winked at me and chuckled.
"Just miserable or a misery to be around?" Grinning I shrugged.
"Probably both, right Race?" Race almost choked on the sandwich he was eating and glared at me as Mush and Blink snickered. Denton looked at the both of us curiously before turning his attention back to me.
"So I hear you help kids out if they need it and it's in your power." A serious look came into Denton's eyes as he nodded firmly.
"Yes I do Misery, if it's in my power. Is there something I can do for you?" I nodded back and looked at him just as gravely.
"Can I set up a time to come talk to you somewhere more, err..Private?" Denton shook his head yes and gave me a small card with neat writing engraved on it. The card had his name, position at the paper and the address of the building included. I clutched the card to me and looked at him, hope flaring briefly in my eyes.
"Let's say you come by later, around four o'clock. I won't be leaving the office till five, so it gives us an hour to talk. Sound good?" I shook my head up and down mutely. Denton went on to drink a cup of coffee and catch up with the boys as well as girls who had joined the lodging house after the strike. I noticed while Pistol and I were standing there, that Racetrack answered his questions tersely and to the point. It seemed to bother Denton enough that he took Race outside to probably ask him a few questions.
Sticking my hands into my pockets and rocking back and forth on my heels I cheekily stared at the other kids as they looked my way. I knew they were wondering what was going on with me and Race for him to be this upset. I got the impression that he was normally happy-go-lucky and a sarcastic little shit who they depended on for laughs. I was sorry that I had been the one to make him dip into this foul mood. Tapping my bowler hat onto my head, I whistled as nobody said too much.
"Well this is fun and all, really. But I think I should probably get heading. Money to make and all." Sauntering out of Tibby's, I wasn't surprised when a hand caught my shoulder. Jack stood behind me, his eyes masked.
"We need to talk, Misery." I shot a look over to where Racetrack was standing with Denton, shaking his head emphatically denying that anything was wrong with him. Sighing, and feeling myself deflate I nodded and let Jack lead me down the street to a low stone wall where we parked ourselves.
Jack started to speak, but I held up a hand. I saw shock cross over his features before he settled back.
"Pistol already told me the deal. If I don't shape up you're booting me. Or are you just going to go ahead and boot me?" Jack didn't answer so I kept prattling on.
"I don't want Race to be mad at me, but he doesn't like it that Spot has an eye on me and that I can't help but have an eye on Spot back. Is it wrong to like two guys at the same time?" Still no answer.
"So what is it Cowboy am I out?" Jack lit a cigarette and offered me one. I took it and waited for him to strike another match. Inhaling we sat quietly for a second or two before he started chuckling to himself.
"Well you just answered all the questions that I knew were out of my bounds to ask you, but no Misery I'm not going to kick you out. What I wanted to know was what is it you need Denton for?" My breath caught and I coughed out a lungful of smoke. Nervously picking at a hangnail I sputtered before sighing.
"I can't tell you just yet Jack. I wish I could, but.It's my business and its better you guys don't get involved." Jack patted my hand and I looked up at him.
"If you need any help, just ask." Knocking my hat off of my head playfully, he darted away laughing as I surged to my feet swearing. He ran off his feet seeming to barely touch the sidewalk. Shaking my head in disgust I almost crawled out of my skin when a new voice caught me unawares.
"So Misery you wanna go see a show tonight or somethin'?" I looked up at Skittery who was scuffing the toe of his boot against the sidewalk. Narrowing my eyes I glared at him.
"I ain't easy, Skittery so if that's why you wanna do somethin' get bent." Skittery snorted a laugh and leered at me. My breath caught in my throat as a familiar voice spoke up.
"Get outta here bum, and quit yer jawin'." Racetrack slapped Skittery across the face in a playful yet forceful manner that left Skittery yelping and holding up his hands in defeat. Tapping ash off of his cigar, he turned to me as Skittery retreated. Grasping my elbow firmly he lifted me up from where I was sitting and frog-marched me across the street. I smacked him on the arm to let me go after we narrowly missed getting hit by horse manure a passing team of lively-stepping horses were kind enough to let loose.
"Where are you taking me?" Race stuck his cigar into the corner of his mouth and looked at me. His eyes weren't as cold or unfamiliar as they had been this morning.
"Misery, I just wanted to apologize. It ain't like me to be so rotten to people, especially females. I just..was upset over seein' you with Spot last night is all."
"Are..Are you still mad at me?" His gaze sharpened into something so fierce and intent that I took a step back. Blushing, he dropped his eyes and shook his head. Putting a hand into the small of my back he started walking with me instead of forcing me to walk. Once again I was hit with how right it felt to be with him and my stomach plummeted. I was acting worse than a bitch in heat, something which was totally unfamiliar to me. Either I got over my strange attraction to Spot or my comfortable easy attraction to Racetrack. Bitterly I told myself that either way it wouldn't matter if shit hit the fan.
"For some god-awful reason I can't stay mad at you no matter how much I want to. I'm madder at Spot believe it or not." I shook my head and crossed my arms.
"You shouldn't be it's not his fault." Racetrack snorted mirthlessly.
"He knows when a guy takes a fancy to someone; he can keep his hands to himself if he chooses. Unluckily for me, I happened to end up liking a girl who was more a match for him than me." I missed a step and would have fallen if he hadn't stopped me.
"What's that supposed to mean, I could be with you just as easily as him," I said softly. Race smirked at me, humor lighting his features into the boy he had been when I met him just a few days ago.
"Who said I was talkin' about you dollface," he deadpanned before I punched his shoulder. Laughing and surreptitiously rubbing his arm he slung a forearm around my shoulders pulling me close to him.
"I'm glad we're friends again," I voiced this opinion honestly and almost as quietly as before. Race squeezed my shoulder in response and nodded at me.
"Me too kid, me too. You're a tough person to be mad at. Actin' all tough one minute and then as innocent as a nun in church the next." I blushed and poked his side roughly to which he bent forward, dragging me with him. We almost fell on our faces and started laughing. The rest of the afternoon I sold with Race until all our papers were gone. My heart felt light and I was smiling happily by the time we trudged back to the lodging house. My smile faltered a bit when I saw Spot sitting or rather lounging on the front steps. I saw Racetrack tense as Spot rose languidly and stretched.
Approaching us, Spot looked at Race his blue eyes cool. No one said a word for a few moments until Spot cuffed the side of Race's head and took a few fake swings at him. Apparently this was something they did often for Race ducked and jabbed a few false punches at Spot's midsection before the two clasped hands and shook.
"Good to have you back ya bum," Spot said lighting a smoke. I knew that he meant back from the dour mood that I had put him in. My face turned sour and I looked down at the ground before Spot stuck a finger under my chin and lifted it up so that I was looking into his eyes.
"What's yer problem?" I shook my head silently. My skin felt charged where his fingers touched it, and he caressed my chin briefly before dropping his hand and turning his attention back to Race.
"Look, just to show there are no hard feelings, there's going to be a poker game tomorrow night in Brooklyn and you're invited. I'm even going to let you win most of the hands." Racetrack clapped a hand to his knee a few times and laughed.
"Sure Spot, funny. You know I can clear you and your boys out no problem." Spot sneered, yet in a friendly manner.
"Ooo-kay Race, whatever you say." They stood guffawing at each other until I cleared my throat, snagged Spot's smoke away from him and entered the lodging house.
"'Ey scabbah where the hell d'you think you're goin'?!"
"Got a date with a man who writes for The Sun!" I hollered back at Spot's enraged voice and charged up the stairs almost mowing down Blink who thrust his hands out and steadied me so I wouldn't fall.
"Jesus Misery, calm the hell down, the house ain't goin' nowhere." I stuck my tongue out at him and chuckled as he laughed and went down to the lobby. Whirling like a spinning top into the girl's room I almost took out Flinch who shrank down so far I thought she was going to lie on the floor. Stomping my foot I made her stand up straight.
"I don't know who hurt you honey, and I don't care. I'd kill 'em either way. But you gotta stop actin' like they're breathin' down your neck because you have thirty kids who would murder'em in a second if they came after you again."\
Shaking her slightly until she nodded at me with a dazed expression in her eyes, I let her go and flew to my bunk, shedding my dirty clothing and begging Pistol to let me use her dress again. I wanted to make a good impression with Denton so he wouldn't think I was crazy and turn me away.
"It doesn't matter if you dress up nothing is going to hide the fact that you ARE crazy." I squinted at Bourbon who laughed into her hand and slapped the back of my head as I tried to sway by, my nose stuck into the air. I hurried into the washroom and splashed water onto my face and dried it off with a dirty towel I found. It stunk but I didn't care. I was just leaving the washroom when Race and Spot came up the stairs. Spot was looking at me like I had grown another head, until Race explained that I was going to a meeting with Denton about some issue. Spot looked at me thoughtfully.
"Mind if I come along, girlie? We can do something after." I mumbled something that must have been acceptance for ten minutes later I was striding along the sidewalk, Spot matching my pace easily alongside of me.
"Shit, Misery where's the fire?" I darted my eyes down and turned red as Spot chided me gently. He put his hand on the back of my neck, halting me to a stop. Putting an arm around my waist he kissed me thoroughly, leaving me quite breathless. As he pulled away I noticed that his eyes, normally a light, icy blue color had darkened to an almost violet.
"I've wanted to do that since last night when ya left," he stated simply before taking my arm and starting us off once more. I was certain that I was at least four different shades of red but shrugged it off, enjoying the scandalous looks that we had gotten from people walking down the street. It seemed that we reached the building where Denton worked in no time. I took a deep breath and tried to steady my nerves. When no one had been looking I had snagged my diary from underneath the mattress of the bunk I slept in.
Spot lit another cigarette and studied me for a moment before kissing me quite passionately again. Every part of me seemed to tingle and I relished the moment before a vision of Race's smiling face broke through my thoughts and made me feel like shit. Spot ended the kiss and massaged my lower back before pointing me in the direction of the building's lobby through some glass-plated doors.
"Knock 'em dead, Misery. You sure just knocked me out with that one." My eyes darted to his to see if he was kidding me, but he looked quite serious, his lips slightly swollen. I felt my stomach churn in indecision. I was growing quite tired of the whole Race/Spot thing and I knew that if I was, then they were certainly doing the same thing. Squaring my shoulders I flipped my braid over my shoulder so it hung squarely down my back and made my way into the building to start the conference with Denton.
A/N - ACK! Jesus is she starting to look like a ho, because I REALLY don't want her to look that way.
SHOUT OUTS!! *dances* I love this part;
Pokey - Yes I'm feeling quite better now, thank you. I have a nose full of boogies but who doesn't during this season? I'm glad you liked how your character herded all the Brooklyn newsies together; I figured that would be something she'd do. I think I'm going to keep you guys guessing, I don't think you'll figure out what I plan for the ending. I got the idea watching the Sopranos sooo. *grins* ; )
Maybe I Don't Wanna Go - DAMN BROTHERS! I have two of 'em and someone else can have 'em if they want..heheh. I STILL haven't decided who Misery is going to end up with. I know, I SUCK!. Ah well. Hopefully you forgive me and you keep reading. If it's any consolation Spot is definitely my favorite. Although like Misery Racetrack keeps bumping that thought out of my head..That's probably where I'm getting this from. I can't decide so she can't decide. Damn me to Hell. ; )
JustDuck - Oh to quote '10 Things I Hate About You' "the shit hath hitteth the fan-eth.." At least in the next chapter it will. I know what you mean about sleeping I think I slept for two days straight when I wasn't trying to breathe. I'm glad the characters seem to fit in with how I'm writing them. All this reading about Mary-Sue's in other people's stories and I'm afraid that my character's might be mimicking them. (God I hope not)
Erin Sailor Ditz - Do not envy the fact that I can update so fast, it mean's simply this; I HAVE NO LIFE!! Ahaha..okay so maybe I have a SLIGHT life. But thank you so much, you made me turn all sorts of red! I hope you keep reading.
Chelsea -- Spot is sitting here giving you evil eyes for trying to hit him but he's letting you get away with it since you're just a lowly 'goil'. I love Elvis and other fifties music with a PASSION. I love the Offspring too. Dood, Race did the voice to Jak and Daxter? I had no idea. Seriously you give me such the trivia I'm going to end up stalking the poor Casella lad.. *blinks* Okay so maybe he'd welcome it. And I love video games although my favorites are Final Fantasy and Grand Theft Auto/Vice City. Go figure. The fantasy and the organized crime. *shrugs* I loooooooooooooooooooooove luff luff your reviews!!
Cabby1 or should I say Meesh - Her brother's surely are evil and you haven't even met 'em....yet.*duh duh duuuuuuuuuuuun* I'm trying to make this not just about love because well, that would be damn well like a lot of other people's stories! And I'm trying not to feed the elusive yet ever- present Mary-Sue fire with my characters. *ducks frying pan* Watch where you're swinging that thing, sweetie ; D
"What's the big idea?" Bourbon gestured to the window where sunlight was filtering through.
"It's late that's the big idea. You could sleep through a parade or some shit. Get the hell up." Pistol slapped my butt as I stormed by and I yelped and shook a fist at her. She laughed and gathering up her red hair thrust it up into her cap as she disappeared downstairs.
I combed my fingers through my hair and twisted it up underneath my bowler hat, a few strands hanging down the sides of my face. Slapping my cheeks a few times I took a smoke that Bourbon stuck in front of my eyes. Pounding my shoulder she jostled me in a friendly way which resulted in a shoving match on the stairs and me laughing and leaping the last few stairs into the lobby. Unfortunately I landed on someone who was standing at the bottom of the staircase unaware. I grimaced as I stood up and looked down to see Racetrack lying on the floor.
I stuck my hand out to help him up, but he pushed himself up and stood, brushing off the seat of his pants. Not even looking twice in my direction he about faced and walked outside. I felt my face turn bright red in embarrassment as many pairs of eyes looked at me curiously. Angrily holding on to my bowler hat I ran out the door.
Spying Racetrack walking swiftly up the street towards the Distribution Center I hauled ass after him. Grabbing on to his sleeve, I almost fell on my face as he ripped it out of my hand.
"We gotta talk Race," I panted.
"Don't wanna," he said around the stub of his cigar. Rolling my eyes I puffed furiously on my cigarette and lengthened my strides to keep pace with him. He was almost out-walking me which was a laugh seeing as how he wasn't too much taller than I was.
"Don't be an ass, Race," I spat.
"Don't be a slut, Misery," he retorted. My mouth dropped open and I got in front of him and slammed a hand against his chest.
"Excuse me?" I said in indignation, squinting up at him. He finally looked at me and I wanted to look away at the naked hurt that shown freely back at my eyes. Trying to walk around me, I met him at every angle.
"I'm not a slut and you know it," I stated quietly but firmly. He looked down at me again and shook his head slowly. Flinging the stub of his cigar into an alleyway he sighed deeply before taking me by the shoulders and setting me to one side.
"Looks can be deceiving then," was all he said before going on his way. To my shock I felt tears stinging at the corners of my eyes and I blindly dashed them away before running across the street away from the D.O. I heard people yelling my name asking me where I thought I was going, but I didn't care. I headed for the park, the river, anywhere I got first. It happened that I reached the park and I collapsed onto a bench, sobbing brokenly into my hands.
I think I stayed on that bench for most of the day, crying on and off, cursing, smoking cigarette after cigarette until I was out of them. When that happened I hit up another grocer's store different than the one I had gone to with Race. Sniffling pathetically and berating myself for it the whole time, I ran into Blink and Pistol.
Blink seemed oblivious to what was going on, but because Pistol was a female and therefore graced with our highly over-sensitive genes, she offered to buy me lunch at Tibby's a restaurant the newsies often frequented. I agreed because not only was I hungry, but because of today's outburst I was lacking in funds. As we walked along, I let out a hiccupping sob and coughed. Blink started violently and looked at me with concern widening his one good eye.
"Oh Jesus are you cryin'? I'm allergic to cryin' girls." Stammering he held up his hands and looked about with an almost wild expression on his face. I think if he had reacted any differently I would have burst into tears all over again. But I couldn't help but laugh which made him relax considerably. I suppose that to see me laughing up at Blink didn't help things in other situations because Racetrack was standing outside Tibby's a scowl smeared across his face. My laughter cut off almost instantly and I glowered at him.
"Let's go," Pistol grabbed my hand and forced me to walk past Race through the entrance. I didn't break eye contact with him as I swept by and I shook my head angrily muttering as we sat in a table away from the boisterous newsies who occupied the tables in the middle of the room.
"Listen," Pistol hissed as I snapped open a leather-bound menu and perused it, my eyes not even seeing the words clearly.
"This shit's got to stop, Misery. Race's been here a lot longer than you and if this keeps up Jack WILL ask you to leave. He can't have the sanity of the whole lodging house compromised by you two. If you're not getting along and it lasts too much longer then he will be forced to act." I defiantly raised my eyes to hers. They were blue, like Spot's, and almost as bright and intense.
"Spot said I could stay with him." Pistol snorted an unpleasant sound as she lit a cigarette. I heard the bell on the door ring and saw Racetrack slide into a seat next to Crutchy and Blink at one of the tables. Bourbon was there as well, and I could see her watching Pistol and I, a worried expression in her normally guarded eyes.
"You really think you'll like it in Brooklyn? I know you're from there and all, but those kids in that house they're something else. I'm amazed Pokey is still there to this day and I don't understand how Meesh can stand it. She didn't even stay there when she was with Spot. Those kids are cold as ice and meaner than a disturbed viper. They don't take shit from anybody." I almost mumbled 'except my brother's' but decided against it at the last minute.
Feeling someone's gaze on me, I looked past Pistol's capped head to catch Racetrack watching us, no expression on his face. He looked tired, and unhappy. My heart lurched as I met his gaze and he silently raised an eyebrow before ripping his eyes away from mine. Pistol snapped dirty fingers in front of my face impatiently.
"How satisfied are you that Spot just doesn't want you to sleep with him?" I shrugged, wary. How well could I know that? I had just met the kid, I didn't know the in's and out's of his mind. I knew that he was a legendary Romeo of Brooklyn, and like the popular Shakespeare play most of his relationships ended in tragedy. At this juncture in time I was almost not willing to care anymore. If Jack kicked me out I would go to Brooklyn and stay there. As unwise an idea as that was. I would have nowhere else to stay.
The bell jingled again and the newsies rose up, welcoming cries on their lips as a tall, brown-haired man sauntered towards them. He wore a finely tailored suit and had his hands in his pockets. He was clean, and his hair was brushed nicely off of his forehead. A warm smile encompassed all of the kids as he turned a chair around backwards and flopped down next to Jack.
"Who's that?" Pistol glanced over and shrugged.
"That's Brian Denton, he writes for the Sun. He helped out during that big newsie strike and he's been a friend ever since. We know we can go to him for anything." Wheels started turning in my head as I looked the man over.
"Anything, you say. He got connections?" Pistol grinned.
"Yeah he does, the ever-so-famous Teddy Roosevelt for one." My eyes must have widened for Pistol laughed.
"Jack and Spot met him and Spot got a ride back to Brooklyn in his carriage with him." I was thinking so fast that I thought for sure smoke was pouring out of my ears. I didn't care if Race was over there, I had to meet this man and talk to him. If the other kids could trust him, than so could I.
"Introduce me," I said pulling my bowler hat off and letting my hair fall around my shoulders. Smoothing my clothing the best I could to which Pistol scoffed and remarked that Denton didn't care about nice clothes, just the kids, we made our way over to them.
"Pistol, so nice to see you! Who's your friend?" I found myself looking into the warmest brown eyes I had ever seen (besides Crutchy's or Racetrack's that is) and a smile just as welcoming. Sticking out my hand I smiled shyly.
"I'm Misery," I said. Denton's eyes faltered for a second before he winked at me and chuckled.
"Just miserable or a misery to be around?" Grinning I shrugged.
"Probably both, right Race?" Race almost choked on the sandwich he was eating and glared at me as Mush and Blink snickered. Denton looked at the both of us curiously before turning his attention back to me.
"So I hear you help kids out if they need it and it's in your power." A serious look came into Denton's eyes as he nodded firmly.
"Yes I do Misery, if it's in my power. Is there something I can do for you?" I nodded back and looked at him just as gravely.
"Can I set up a time to come talk to you somewhere more, err..Private?" Denton shook his head yes and gave me a small card with neat writing engraved on it. The card had his name, position at the paper and the address of the building included. I clutched the card to me and looked at him, hope flaring briefly in my eyes.
"Let's say you come by later, around four o'clock. I won't be leaving the office till five, so it gives us an hour to talk. Sound good?" I shook my head up and down mutely. Denton went on to drink a cup of coffee and catch up with the boys as well as girls who had joined the lodging house after the strike. I noticed while Pistol and I were standing there, that Racetrack answered his questions tersely and to the point. It seemed to bother Denton enough that he took Race outside to probably ask him a few questions.
Sticking my hands into my pockets and rocking back and forth on my heels I cheekily stared at the other kids as they looked my way. I knew they were wondering what was going on with me and Race for him to be this upset. I got the impression that he was normally happy-go-lucky and a sarcastic little shit who they depended on for laughs. I was sorry that I had been the one to make him dip into this foul mood. Tapping my bowler hat onto my head, I whistled as nobody said too much.
"Well this is fun and all, really. But I think I should probably get heading. Money to make and all." Sauntering out of Tibby's, I wasn't surprised when a hand caught my shoulder. Jack stood behind me, his eyes masked.
"We need to talk, Misery." I shot a look over to where Racetrack was standing with Denton, shaking his head emphatically denying that anything was wrong with him. Sighing, and feeling myself deflate I nodded and let Jack lead me down the street to a low stone wall where we parked ourselves.
Jack started to speak, but I held up a hand. I saw shock cross over his features before he settled back.
"Pistol already told me the deal. If I don't shape up you're booting me. Or are you just going to go ahead and boot me?" Jack didn't answer so I kept prattling on.
"I don't want Race to be mad at me, but he doesn't like it that Spot has an eye on me and that I can't help but have an eye on Spot back. Is it wrong to like two guys at the same time?" Still no answer.
"So what is it Cowboy am I out?" Jack lit a cigarette and offered me one. I took it and waited for him to strike another match. Inhaling we sat quietly for a second or two before he started chuckling to himself.
"Well you just answered all the questions that I knew were out of my bounds to ask you, but no Misery I'm not going to kick you out. What I wanted to know was what is it you need Denton for?" My breath caught and I coughed out a lungful of smoke. Nervously picking at a hangnail I sputtered before sighing.
"I can't tell you just yet Jack. I wish I could, but.It's my business and its better you guys don't get involved." Jack patted my hand and I looked up at him.
"If you need any help, just ask." Knocking my hat off of my head playfully, he darted away laughing as I surged to my feet swearing. He ran off his feet seeming to barely touch the sidewalk. Shaking my head in disgust I almost crawled out of my skin when a new voice caught me unawares.
"So Misery you wanna go see a show tonight or somethin'?" I looked up at Skittery who was scuffing the toe of his boot against the sidewalk. Narrowing my eyes I glared at him.
"I ain't easy, Skittery so if that's why you wanna do somethin' get bent." Skittery snorted a laugh and leered at me. My breath caught in my throat as a familiar voice spoke up.
"Get outta here bum, and quit yer jawin'." Racetrack slapped Skittery across the face in a playful yet forceful manner that left Skittery yelping and holding up his hands in defeat. Tapping ash off of his cigar, he turned to me as Skittery retreated. Grasping my elbow firmly he lifted me up from where I was sitting and frog-marched me across the street. I smacked him on the arm to let me go after we narrowly missed getting hit by horse manure a passing team of lively-stepping horses were kind enough to let loose.
"Where are you taking me?" Race stuck his cigar into the corner of his mouth and looked at me. His eyes weren't as cold or unfamiliar as they had been this morning.
"Misery, I just wanted to apologize. It ain't like me to be so rotten to people, especially females. I just..was upset over seein' you with Spot last night is all."
"Are..Are you still mad at me?" His gaze sharpened into something so fierce and intent that I took a step back. Blushing, he dropped his eyes and shook his head. Putting a hand into the small of my back he started walking with me instead of forcing me to walk. Once again I was hit with how right it felt to be with him and my stomach plummeted. I was acting worse than a bitch in heat, something which was totally unfamiliar to me. Either I got over my strange attraction to Spot or my comfortable easy attraction to Racetrack. Bitterly I told myself that either way it wouldn't matter if shit hit the fan.
"For some god-awful reason I can't stay mad at you no matter how much I want to. I'm madder at Spot believe it or not." I shook my head and crossed my arms.
"You shouldn't be it's not his fault." Racetrack snorted mirthlessly.
"He knows when a guy takes a fancy to someone; he can keep his hands to himself if he chooses. Unluckily for me, I happened to end up liking a girl who was more a match for him than me." I missed a step and would have fallen if he hadn't stopped me.
"What's that supposed to mean, I could be with you just as easily as him," I said softly. Race smirked at me, humor lighting his features into the boy he had been when I met him just a few days ago.
"Who said I was talkin' about you dollface," he deadpanned before I punched his shoulder. Laughing and surreptitiously rubbing his arm he slung a forearm around my shoulders pulling me close to him.
"I'm glad we're friends again," I voiced this opinion honestly and almost as quietly as before. Race squeezed my shoulder in response and nodded at me.
"Me too kid, me too. You're a tough person to be mad at. Actin' all tough one minute and then as innocent as a nun in church the next." I blushed and poked his side roughly to which he bent forward, dragging me with him. We almost fell on our faces and started laughing. The rest of the afternoon I sold with Race until all our papers were gone. My heart felt light and I was smiling happily by the time we trudged back to the lodging house. My smile faltered a bit when I saw Spot sitting or rather lounging on the front steps. I saw Racetrack tense as Spot rose languidly and stretched.
Approaching us, Spot looked at Race his blue eyes cool. No one said a word for a few moments until Spot cuffed the side of Race's head and took a few fake swings at him. Apparently this was something they did often for Race ducked and jabbed a few false punches at Spot's midsection before the two clasped hands and shook.
"Good to have you back ya bum," Spot said lighting a smoke. I knew that he meant back from the dour mood that I had put him in. My face turned sour and I looked down at the ground before Spot stuck a finger under my chin and lifted it up so that I was looking into his eyes.
"What's yer problem?" I shook my head silently. My skin felt charged where his fingers touched it, and he caressed my chin briefly before dropping his hand and turning his attention back to Race.
"Look, just to show there are no hard feelings, there's going to be a poker game tomorrow night in Brooklyn and you're invited. I'm even going to let you win most of the hands." Racetrack clapped a hand to his knee a few times and laughed.
"Sure Spot, funny. You know I can clear you and your boys out no problem." Spot sneered, yet in a friendly manner.
"Ooo-kay Race, whatever you say." They stood guffawing at each other until I cleared my throat, snagged Spot's smoke away from him and entered the lodging house.
"'Ey scabbah where the hell d'you think you're goin'?!"
"Got a date with a man who writes for The Sun!" I hollered back at Spot's enraged voice and charged up the stairs almost mowing down Blink who thrust his hands out and steadied me so I wouldn't fall.
"Jesus Misery, calm the hell down, the house ain't goin' nowhere." I stuck my tongue out at him and chuckled as he laughed and went down to the lobby. Whirling like a spinning top into the girl's room I almost took out Flinch who shrank down so far I thought she was going to lie on the floor. Stomping my foot I made her stand up straight.
"I don't know who hurt you honey, and I don't care. I'd kill 'em either way. But you gotta stop actin' like they're breathin' down your neck because you have thirty kids who would murder'em in a second if they came after you again."\
Shaking her slightly until she nodded at me with a dazed expression in her eyes, I let her go and flew to my bunk, shedding my dirty clothing and begging Pistol to let me use her dress again. I wanted to make a good impression with Denton so he wouldn't think I was crazy and turn me away.
"It doesn't matter if you dress up nothing is going to hide the fact that you ARE crazy." I squinted at Bourbon who laughed into her hand and slapped the back of my head as I tried to sway by, my nose stuck into the air. I hurried into the washroom and splashed water onto my face and dried it off with a dirty towel I found. It stunk but I didn't care. I was just leaving the washroom when Race and Spot came up the stairs. Spot was looking at me like I had grown another head, until Race explained that I was going to a meeting with Denton about some issue. Spot looked at me thoughtfully.
"Mind if I come along, girlie? We can do something after." I mumbled something that must have been acceptance for ten minutes later I was striding along the sidewalk, Spot matching my pace easily alongside of me.
"Shit, Misery where's the fire?" I darted my eyes down and turned red as Spot chided me gently. He put his hand on the back of my neck, halting me to a stop. Putting an arm around my waist he kissed me thoroughly, leaving me quite breathless. As he pulled away I noticed that his eyes, normally a light, icy blue color had darkened to an almost violet.
"I've wanted to do that since last night when ya left," he stated simply before taking my arm and starting us off once more. I was certain that I was at least four different shades of red but shrugged it off, enjoying the scandalous looks that we had gotten from people walking down the street. It seemed that we reached the building where Denton worked in no time. I took a deep breath and tried to steady my nerves. When no one had been looking I had snagged my diary from underneath the mattress of the bunk I slept in.
Spot lit another cigarette and studied me for a moment before kissing me quite passionately again. Every part of me seemed to tingle and I relished the moment before a vision of Race's smiling face broke through my thoughts and made me feel like shit. Spot ended the kiss and massaged my lower back before pointing me in the direction of the building's lobby through some glass-plated doors.
"Knock 'em dead, Misery. You sure just knocked me out with that one." My eyes darted to his to see if he was kidding me, but he looked quite serious, his lips slightly swollen. I felt my stomach churn in indecision. I was growing quite tired of the whole Race/Spot thing and I knew that if I was, then they were certainly doing the same thing. Squaring my shoulders I flipped my braid over my shoulder so it hung squarely down my back and made my way into the building to start the conference with Denton.
A/N - ACK! Jesus is she starting to look like a ho, because I REALLY don't want her to look that way.
SHOUT OUTS!! *dances* I love this part;
Pokey - Yes I'm feeling quite better now, thank you. I have a nose full of boogies but who doesn't during this season? I'm glad you liked how your character herded all the Brooklyn newsies together; I figured that would be something she'd do. I think I'm going to keep you guys guessing, I don't think you'll figure out what I plan for the ending. I got the idea watching the Sopranos sooo. *grins* ; )
Maybe I Don't Wanna Go - DAMN BROTHERS! I have two of 'em and someone else can have 'em if they want..heheh. I STILL haven't decided who Misery is going to end up with. I know, I SUCK!. Ah well. Hopefully you forgive me and you keep reading. If it's any consolation Spot is definitely my favorite. Although like Misery Racetrack keeps bumping that thought out of my head..That's probably where I'm getting this from. I can't decide so she can't decide. Damn me to Hell. ; )
JustDuck - Oh to quote '10 Things I Hate About You' "the shit hath hitteth the fan-eth.." At least in the next chapter it will. I know what you mean about sleeping I think I slept for two days straight when I wasn't trying to breathe. I'm glad the characters seem to fit in with how I'm writing them. All this reading about Mary-Sue's in other people's stories and I'm afraid that my character's might be mimicking them. (God I hope not)
Erin Sailor Ditz - Do not envy the fact that I can update so fast, it mean's simply this; I HAVE NO LIFE!! Ahaha..okay so maybe I have a SLIGHT life. But thank you so much, you made me turn all sorts of red! I hope you keep reading.
Chelsea -- Spot is sitting here giving you evil eyes for trying to hit him but he's letting you get away with it since you're just a lowly 'goil'. I love Elvis and other fifties music with a PASSION. I love the Offspring too. Dood, Race did the voice to Jak and Daxter? I had no idea. Seriously you give me such the trivia I'm going to end up stalking the poor Casella lad.. *blinks* Okay so maybe he'd welcome it. And I love video games although my favorites are Final Fantasy and Grand Theft Auto/Vice City. Go figure. The fantasy and the organized crime. *shrugs* I loooooooooooooooooooooove luff luff your reviews!!
Cabby1 or should I say Meesh - Her brother's surely are evil and you haven't even met 'em....yet.*duh duh duuuuuuuuuuuun* I'm trying to make this not just about love because well, that would be damn well like a lot of other people's stories! And I'm trying not to feed the elusive yet ever- present Mary-Sue fire with my characters. *ducks frying pan* Watch where you're swinging that thing, sweetie ; D