Disclaimer: Same as before...me hands are empty.
AN: Did you read the prologue again! Did ya, huh, huh? Cause I made some adjustments. Minor maybe to some...but details are important to the feel of the story, dontcha agree? So go back, read it again, savor in the arrogance that is Jack Kelly...cause that's what I'm going for here.
It's a little hard, if have a tendency to romanticize the man.
Anyway, now that you've read the prologue again...yes you...continue with the story.
Chapter 1
I'm sorry miss. I noticed you reading but I just couldn't wait a minute longer. Those penetrating brown eyes bent so that they were level with her own. I just had to speak with you.
She looked to Anna, because if Jack had made the effort to come all this way to their table it certainly wasn't for her benefit. But Anna, presently blushing as Spot slid into one of the two open chairs opposite the girls, seemed preoccupied. Besides, when Eppie turned back to that voice, those eyes, his whole body posture, was pointing towards her.
Right then and there, watching him follow Spot's lead and slip into the final empty chair, she wanted to pick up her book and blend into the pages, disappear between the lines and words so that she wouldn't have to have this conversation.
Instead she stuttered,
Jack smiled, obviously amused by this girl's discomfort. He attributed it to her adoration—she wouldn't be the first to swoon in his presence. Noticing her picking at the pages of her open book he reached for the object. What are you reading?
She released the book easily, watching as he skimmed through and closed it to look at the blank cover. Uh, Pride and Prejudice, she couldn't help but notice that he'd lost her place. by Jane Austen.
His motive for taking the book, and then leaning his elbow on it, was to take away any distractions. Explanation also for Spot's presence. He glanced momentarily at his friend, happy to see that the other girl was thoroughly interested in Spot's blue eyes. My name's Jack
I know. Jack inwardly cheered. This girl would be easy to seduce, and watching as she blushed further, Jack relaxed.
You come in here often? No response besides the wide-eyed nod. Thought so. I do too, you've probably seen me around. Another nod. He rested his chin on his elbow, tilting his head to the side so that a small portion of hair fell across his forhead. Eppie resisted the urge to reach up and push it away. Surprised I haven't seen you though. I mean, you going to St. Mary's and all. I know some goils from dere.
He reached into the back pocket and pulled out a cigarette, lighting it without even asking whether or not Eppie would mind. Her mother's voice filled the inside of Eppie's head, lecturing about how inappropriate it was for a man to smoke in the presence of ladies without asking or offering. She tried to subtly wave away the smoke that was blown in her face, breathing in slowly through her mouth and out her nose.
You'se know Louisa Savings? Eppie grimaced involuntarily, either from the smoke or from the mention of Louisa or from the slight headache resulting from her awkward breathing pattern. Mostly it was Lousia. The girl was an acquaintance of Eppie's and the expert in the field Bitch101. It was no coincidence that her last name was Savings', her father owned most of the neighborhood that Eppie lived in, not to mention the largest insurance firm in the Business District. Added to Louisa's large bank account was her prim face and fancy clothes, making her the most sought after date at St. Mary's. Every Monday morning she was who the girls rushed to first, looking for a good story from her weekend adventures.
So it surprised Eppie that Jack laughed at her uncommon reaction. Yea, we ain't on good terms either. Smoke escaped through his nostrils and at this distance she noticed the wrinkles forming around his eyes when he laughed. Such an old face.
Oh no, I don't really know her.
Jack seemed to shift inwardly in his chair, curling away from his more open and inviting position that he'd first showed Eppie. A word of advice, He inhaled deeply on his cigarette before stubbing it out in the provided ashtray.
Eppie nodded, spinning the straw in her orange juice to distract some of her nervous energy. She'd overheard Louisa speak of Jack and their seesawing relationship. This new information made Jack's presence even more strange, and Eppie even more curious. For a second her fear of embarrassment became overpowered by her questioning. We don't really mix with the same crowd.
Jack turned back to the girl, her hair curling out from underneath the clips she pinned behind her ears. That's too bad, He hoped his half-smile would do the trick, looking up at her open face from underneath lashes. 'Cause there's a party next week, just a couple people getting togetha and I was hoping I'd see you there.
Eppie paused in surprise, she'd never considered any sort of invitation and her lack of knowledge in the field of anything male related made her stumble over her words. A perfect opportunity for Anna to jump in, and jump in she did, batting her eyelashes more at Spot while answering Jack's question. Oh, we just love parties. In fact
That's great! Exclaimed Jack and Spot, telepathically patting each other on their back.
But Eppie, feeling her stomach turn with the pancakes she'd had for breakfast, found her voice again. Oh no. She shook her head, steadying herself by resting one hand out in front of her on the table. I'm not—not going to any party. Her eyes were wide with fear as she looked between Jack's puzzled expression and Anna's pleading eyes. The whole morning was ruined, a comfortable situation and place had been turned upside down and she began to hyperventilate.
Making matter's worse was Jack's persistence. He continued with the whole suave routine, reaching out and grabbing Eppie's hand between two of his own in an effort to soothe her with his charm and sparkling brown eyes. But at his touch she jumped back, knocking the table with her knee from underneath and scurrying to her feet.
I, I— She looked at Anna who had stood also. We're going to be late. As she scrambled to pick up her coat and hat, throw down enough money for her breakfast and remember her school things, she noticed the newsies who had been sitting with Jack begin to laugh. It was obvious enough what they were laughing at, or more specifically who they were laughing at, and the embarrassment of the whole situation caused her to trip past the standing Jack.
He reached for her elbow to help her, one of his few genuine gestures, because in actuality she was frightening him into politeness. I'm sorry. It was nice meeting you Clutching all her things to her chest she turned one more time to look him in the face, her vulnerability capturing him in a new way.
He too noticed Blink, Skittery and Mush's loud laughter and as she weaved in and out of the tables, Anna in tow, he regained his composure. Wait! What's your name?
Pulling her eyes away from the cloud free sky, Eppie turned to a roomful of faces. Eponine, you've been very distracted today.
Looking up at the four-eyed, large-nosed, moth ball smelling Sister Germaine, Eppie sighed. I'm sorry Sister. I've just been battling a cold lately. In reality, the gaunt appearance of her cheeks was a direct result of her replaying that morning's escapade within her head. After rushing out of Tibby's she'd felt weak and lightheaded for the rest of the day. And Anna wasn't faring much better.
This close, she'd muttered during the walk to school. He'd been this close to asking. Eppie tucked her head and walked faster, trying to ignore Anna's obvious disappointment but her friend pulled her out of the way of morning foot traffic. I don't understand, she threw up her hands, not necessarily in anger but in confusion, you just froze up! It had surprised Anna to see her friend so frazzled. Eppie was known as being in control, as being practical, calm, anything but the person who had rushed out of Tibby's only a moment ago.
Eppie sighed, deciding to defend her actions with unnecessary anger. What did you expect me to do?
Not your hit and run routine, that's for sure. They began again towards the looming bell tower of St. Mary's congregation, Anna shuffling in Eppie's wake. I mean, do you know who that was?! Do you know how many girls would
I know. Eppie stopped abruptly, coming nose to nose with Anna. I know who that was. And that's just the thing. Why would either one of them want to talk to me! She continued again, buying an apple from Mrs. Dower without breaking her explanation. There's a catch. There has to be some reason, some reason.
Stop being so cynical.
She bit into the apple before offering it to Anna who refused and impatiently waited for the fruit to be swallowed. Maybe Louisa made him do it. It was a stretch although. Eppie prided herself on being able to read people and Jack had been legitimately pissed off while talking about Ms. Louisa Savings.
She spun on her heel, popping the half eaten apple to the little boy who was sitting in the corner alley. Anna glanced behind her at the poor child before realizing what a horrible neighborhood she'd ventured into. She would have stopped to explore but Eppie's bouncing red trim was growing distant in the crowd. She called, maybe Louisa is really trying to win the biggest bitch of the month award but could you just have humored me? Please, cause I was speaking with THE Spot Conlon, Brooklyn's number one bad boy.
Responding with nothing else than a snicker, Eppie continued down the street. Spot was also notorious around St. Mary's and the information Eppie had overheard ever since attending the school had been enough to keep her updated with the littlest Conlon. He'd left Fiel street only two years before Eppie had been offered the scholarship to St. Mary's. Mrs. Richards had always asked Eppie about Spot. Their mothers had been friends, and it was a rare occasion when Mrs. Conlon didn't stop by the humble book store, some sort of baked good in her arms. Eppie loved how she always smelled of fresh bread. After a hug from Mrs. Conlon there was always the small layer of flour on your cheek.
Spot entered the Richards bookstore with more force than his mother did, usually chasing after one of his older brothers. He was only a year older than Eppie, was only slightly faster than her in a sprint and had attended the same Sunday school with her until refusing to return. But every Sunday he'd waited to walk her home. It was a sad day for Eppie, that morning coming out of church and having to endure the snickers of the other boys all alone. He was the closest thing to a sibling she'd ever had.
It was no surprise that he didn't recognize her. She'd changed quite a bit since the age of eight, shooting up a couple inches and growing curves her mother hid beneath billowy dresses. He hadn't stopped by the store since his mother's death, after all his brother's had married and his father just refused to leave the apartment. But every spring, right around the same time of year, he'd stroll through the old neighborhood, papers stacked on his small shoulders. And her mother would stop and watch, wringing her hands in anxiety as if he were her own son, and ask Eppie how he was.
So it was then Eppie began to write her stories. Little fibs about his influence among the newsies. The strike had provided a little more excitement and her father had helped by reading the stories from the paper, acting out parts he made up to entertain his wife and daughter.
He'd stayed in the thoughts of the Richards' and Eppie couldn't help but wonder if they'd stayed in his.
She decided for the moment to keep the news to herself, there was no telling how Anna would react and news traveled fast in the part of the city they journeyed. She didn't want word getting back to Spot. He'd worked hard to forget his past and if he wanted it dug up again he'd make the first move.
Spot Conlon.. Anna mumbled, taking the steps up to the church two at a time. She turned at the top, faced the open square and threw her arms wide, head hung back.
Eppie slipped by, providing her only laugh of that day, and said, You're nuts.
I'm in love.
No you're not
Well, maybe I would be, Anna raised her eyebrows in pointed blame. if someone hadn't freaked out on me.' With that said, she climbed the stairs to morning mass, leaving Eppie to join her own class.
It was around tea time, after moving by routine through all of her classes, that Eppie decided how she'd handle the situation. She'd just continue as normal. If this Jack fellow returned his invitation, then Eppie would bear through it for Anna's sake. If not, then she'd congratulate herself for seeing through whatever scheme he'd been planning and ignore the little bit of romance within her that continued to whisper of the possibilities.
She'd pushed those possibilities away long ago.
AN: Was that too short? I'm having with Jack-as-the-asshole' character. It's stunting my dialogue. If you have any help, any idea whatsoever, drop me a little review. Mucho appreciated.
MEMO: For all of those who received coal this year, reviews show Santa that you deserve to be on the nice' list...just thought I'd drop the hint.
