Chapter 4
A/N: Well it took me a long time to write this! Authors have writer's blocks! grunts -- I hope dat you'se enjoy dis chapter! I hope that I really got in the boy's head in the last chapter! 6 You finally get to find out the boy's name! I so excited!! Squeals girlishly
ME132- Thank you so much for NOT READING THE THIRD CHAPTER!!! You're such a nice sister! No I'm cool with it cough not cough just please review it! Love ya sis! Hope mom and you are cool now!
Liams Kitten- WHAT THE HELL!! Last time I talked to you, you were typing the chapter and now you haven't updated for a month and a half! I'm dying!!!
Shadow Dreamer- dude I love the update chant and the gothic/creepy voice that says NOW I'm so happy you like my story! I don't know if I SHOULD eventually kill the kid or not I mean you can't kill him before you even find out his NAME!!! He He
BlinknSkater- You're awesome! You would actually make up an exaggeration and say that you'd think about him! I so happy! Squeals girlishly (AGAIN!)
Lanen1- Thank you so much for being a new reviewer! That's so cool! And thank you for putting my story on your favorite list! I want to read one of your stories so post soon!!!
Zelda-chic04- First of all you have a really cool name! I loved it how you IMed me too! I'm really sorry but I haven't had the time lately because of school grunts! We all hate school! DOWN WITH SCHOOL!!! Hyperventilating Thanks again for reading my story and I know that Newsies is not your thing but THANK YOU!!!
Missa32189- Why haven't you read and reviewed the 3rd chapter?
KatFightOnSkiis- Why haven't you read and reviewed the 2nd chapter?
Chapter 4
"Urgh!"
Race was straddling a chair at the boy's bedside, waiting for him to awaken from his deep slumber. He heard the moan and woke up from his half- sleep. He watched the boy lift his heavy hand to lay it on his sweaty forehead. He then brought his hand back down to rest on his stomach. Race picked up his head to see Jack pacing back and forth apprehensively by the bunkroom door. He was obviously deep in thought and oblivious to Race's continuous stare.
"Jack!" Race called. At the call of his name, he looked up from his trance with a confused and questioning glance. "He stirred and he mumbled something!" Race reported.
Feeling he'd done his job, he turned back to the card game he was playing on the empty chair next to him before he'd fallen asleep. At Race's good news, Jack marched over to the bed and leaned over the limp body. Seeing it was motionless again, he plopped down on the chair next to Race.
"JACK!" Race wined boyishly, "ya sat on me cards! Git up!"
Jack hadn't heard a word Race had said because he was listening intently to the sounds coming from the boy's pastel pink lips. He was talking! Jack got up in an instant, spilling the cards everywhere on the wooden floor.
"JACK! This ain't 52 pick up!" Race yelled in frustration.
Jack hovered over the body as he watched the boy, unaware he was being watched, lift his hand again and rub his eyes. He let out a relaxed sigh and cracked his heavy eyelids open. Sensing no danger about him, he opened his eyes fully. Chocolate eyes mixed with cobalt ones in a captivating spell.
"Jack! JACK!" Race barked, making Jack turn his attention to him as he continued, "What do ya want me to do?"
"Uh... go git a wet towel, git the things needed to make a bed for the kid, and git Kloppman up here!"
Race nodded understandingly and left without delay, eager to do his leader's will. The two watched him go and then Jack turned back to face the boy. He was glancing around curiously at the empty bunkroom around him.
'Where the hell am I?' he questioned himself. 'I'm lying in a bed! I haven't done that in a while it seems! How come Jack's still looking over me? Did he bring me here?'
At this thought, he made an awkward face at Jack. He gathered up his confused head and decided to ask this cowboy a couple of questions.
"Where the hell am I?" he asked.
"You're in Manhattan —"Jack started.
"I know that!" he interrupted impatiently. 'There's no time to waste! I gotta git outta here so I can set things right! I can't put Jack in anymore harm than I already have! They'll be looking for me! I'm sure of it!'
"Oh, well you'se in the Newsboy's Lodging House! You'se been here for two days!" Jack replied proudly.
"Two days?" he repeated to himself. 'I wonder if the boys know where I am. Those rotten Delancey brothers probably told them I'm here!' "So what happened to those goons I'se was fighting? What did ya call them? Oscar and who?"
"Oh, the other one's Morris! They're the Delancey brothers. Anyways, we took care of them before you woke up. You really know how to fight, I can tell. I saw that you was bruised up pretty badly before hand though so you had no strength to fight those assholes!"
"How did ya know that?" the boy asked curiously.
"Are you kidding? Oscar and Morris couldn't do that to you! They don't know their fist from their feet. I could tell you were beaten from before!" Jack laugh amused.
The boy shook his head and dismissed the last comment Jack had made, moving onto his next question. "That guy playing with those cards after you came over here, is that Race?"
"Yeah, that's Race alright!" Jack replied with a laugh.
"Why was he watching me before?"
"I ordered him to watch over ya while ya slept. Actually just about everyone's watched over you but Race has watched you the most. He's taken a liking to you, just like I have. I wanted to talk to ya as soon as ya woke up. I need to know some stuff about ya. Staying here costs money and our landlord, Kloppman, needs the money. Me, Race and a few others pulled our money to pay for your meals and rent for the past two days."
The boy's serious eyes suddenly turned sympathetically, screaming a silent thank you to Jack. Just as he was about to open his mouth to ask another question, Jack cut him off.
"Enough questions. It's my turn to ask you a couple."
The boy gulped nervously and he swore Jack could hear it. He thought that Jack could taste the boy's fear of unveiling his secret identity like you could taste the sour in lemon juice. He wouldn't answer any questions he didn't want to. He knew he owed him some answers but not everything.
"First of all, what's your name so that I can actually call ya something?"
"Me name's Red!" he replied simply.
"Where are ya from?"
"Doesn't matter!" Red retorted sharply.
Jack gave him a wiry look and decided to forget it, "You'se gonna sell with us, Red?"
Before he could answer, the door slammed open. They switched their attention to the door to see Race and two other guys walk over the threshold with the things Jack asked for compiled in their hands. They walked over to the bed on Red's left and set the things down. Moments later as they were assembling the bed, Kloppman walked into the room.
As he staggered over to Jack, he asked, "He got a name yet?"
"Yeah, his name is Red and he'll be staying with us as one of me Newsies." Jack replied announced.
"Oh, good, good! I'll go and make the arrangements!" Kloppman rejoiced and left without another word.
While the two boy's Red didn't know quickly made the bed, Race gave Jack the wet towel to clean Red's face. He lingered on the fading bruises and held the cloth there to help the swelling to go down. He barely looked at what he was doing as he stared into Red's sparkling eyes.
"So, uh, you'se gonna sell with us tomorrow?" he asked
"Do I got anywhere else to go?" Red retorted sarcastically.
Jack took that as a yes and smiled. "You gotta learn to lose that attitude, Red!" he warned with a hint of amusement in his voice.
"You gotta learn that I don't get pushed around Cowboy!"
"Woah! I think we've got some competition here! I like you kid!" Race chimed in.
"I'se no kid!" He corrected.
"Sorry, Red!" he laughed uncertainly.
Seeing that he was being sincere, Red let his face relax. He noticed that as he looked at this boy, his smile was warm and inviting.
"I'se Racetrack but everybody calls me Race!" he introduced, breaking the comfortable silence. "I always sell down at the Sheepshed Racetrack. If ya wanna learn how to sell papes then you can come along with me tomorrow. I can show ya how it's done!"
Red was right, Race was warm and inviting. He would make an excellent friend and I can see why Jack chooses favor for him. "Actually, I'se been selling for years. I'd like to learn from the best so who is he?"
"That'd be me!" Jack answered.
"Oh great! I'm stuck with you tomorrow?" he joked.
"Haha. Looks like it!"
"Hey Red. I'se Mush and this is me best friend Kid Blink!" he greeted, lightly slapping Blink on the back encouragingly.
Kid Blink turned his attention to Jack and asked seriously, "Hey Jack, you want us to go down and tell the boys he's awake?"
"Good idea Blink! I'll be down in a minute. I gotta give the kid—"he noticed a fixed glare coming from the boy and quickly corrected the name he had called him, "I mean Red the ground rules!"
"You got it Jack!" Race replied and led the other two out the door and down the stairs.
Red pulled the covers off his sweaty body and let his legs breathe the warm spring air. He turned his body to the side of the bed and let his legs hang over the edge. He slowly let his bare feet touch the wooden floor and stood at his full height on shaky legs. He bent over slightly to balance himself and Jack rushed over to help. He held out an inviting arm but Red refused it. He carefully led the way to the door and walked over the threshold.
There were two ways to go. On his left, another staircase was there going downwards. On his right, was a short hallway that was a dead end. At the end, a staircase that led upwards was barely visible on the left wall. Jack noticed Red had turned right as he shut the door behind them. He quickly ran to catch up and put both hands on Red's shoulders to stop him.
"Not that way, Red. That leads to the roof!"
Jack kept his hands on Red's shoulders as he guided him the opposite direction, all the way to the foot of the staircase that lead to the common room. As they looked over the sea of heads, Jack yelled, "Hey, everybody!"
At once, silence flooded the room and all eyes were on Jack. Once he'd grabbed everyone's attention, he continued in a softer voice, "This is Red!"
With a light cheer, Jack led Red down the staircase to the awaiting crowd. As Red looked around at the happy faces, his heart swelled with pride. He might actually find a home with these boys. Sure they weren't like the one's he was with before the big fight but they were here with open arms for him and he knew he was home!
A/N: Well, that got to me! Wasn't that so fluffy in a non-slash way that is acceptable? I promise you people. There might seem like there's slash in here already but you'll find out why. Trust me it won't turn into a slashy fic. I'm not against it but I'm not gonna put it in here.
Many loves to all who reviewed! I LOVE YOU ALL!!!
Red
A/N: Well it took me a long time to write this! Authors have writer's blocks! grunts -- I hope dat you'se enjoy dis chapter! I hope that I really got in the boy's head in the last chapter! 6 You finally get to find out the boy's name! I so excited!! Squeals girlishly
ME132- Thank you so much for NOT READING THE THIRD CHAPTER!!! You're such a nice sister! No I'm cool with it cough not cough just please review it! Love ya sis! Hope mom and you are cool now!
Liams Kitten- WHAT THE HELL!! Last time I talked to you, you were typing the chapter and now you haven't updated for a month and a half! I'm dying!!!
Shadow Dreamer- dude I love the update chant and the gothic/creepy voice that says NOW I'm so happy you like my story! I don't know if I SHOULD eventually kill the kid or not I mean you can't kill him before you even find out his NAME!!! He He
BlinknSkater- You're awesome! You would actually make up an exaggeration and say that you'd think about him! I so happy! Squeals girlishly (AGAIN!)
Lanen1- Thank you so much for being a new reviewer! That's so cool! And thank you for putting my story on your favorite list! I want to read one of your stories so post soon!!!
Zelda-chic04- First of all you have a really cool name! I loved it how you IMed me too! I'm really sorry but I haven't had the time lately because of school grunts! We all hate school! DOWN WITH SCHOOL!!! Hyperventilating Thanks again for reading my story and I know that Newsies is not your thing but THANK YOU!!!
Missa32189- Why haven't you read and reviewed the 3rd chapter?
KatFightOnSkiis- Why haven't you read and reviewed the 2nd chapter?
Chapter 4
"Urgh!"
Race was straddling a chair at the boy's bedside, waiting for him to awaken from his deep slumber. He heard the moan and woke up from his half- sleep. He watched the boy lift his heavy hand to lay it on his sweaty forehead. He then brought his hand back down to rest on his stomach. Race picked up his head to see Jack pacing back and forth apprehensively by the bunkroom door. He was obviously deep in thought and oblivious to Race's continuous stare.
"Jack!" Race called. At the call of his name, he looked up from his trance with a confused and questioning glance. "He stirred and he mumbled something!" Race reported.
Feeling he'd done his job, he turned back to the card game he was playing on the empty chair next to him before he'd fallen asleep. At Race's good news, Jack marched over to the bed and leaned over the limp body. Seeing it was motionless again, he plopped down on the chair next to Race.
"JACK!" Race wined boyishly, "ya sat on me cards! Git up!"
Jack hadn't heard a word Race had said because he was listening intently to the sounds coming from the boy's pastel pink lips. He was talking! Jack got up in an instant, spilling the cards everywhere on the wooden floor.
"JACK! This ain't 52 pick up!" Race yelled in frustration.
Jack hovered over the body as he watched the boy, unaware he was being watched, lift his hand again and rub his eyes. He let out a relaxed sigh and cracked his heavy eyelids open. Sensing no danger about him, he opened his eyes fully. Chocolate eyes mixed with cobalt ones in a captivating spell.
"Jack! JACK!" Race barked, making Jack turn his attention to him as he continued, "What do ya want me to do?"
"Uh... go git a wet towel, git the things needed to make a bed for the kid, and git Kloppman up here!"
Race nodded understandingly and left without delay, eager to do his leader's will. The two watched him go and then Jack turned back to face the boy. He was glancing around curiously at the empty bunkroom around him.
'Where the hell am I?' he questioned himself. 'I'm lying in a bed! I haven't done that in a while it seems! How come Jack's still looking over me? Did he bring me here?'
At this thought, he made an awkward face at Jack. He gathered up his confused head and decided to ask this cowboy a couple of questions.
"Where the hell am I?" he asked.
"You're in Manhattan —"Jack started.
"I know that!" he interrupted impatiently. 'There's no time to waste! I gotta git outta here so I can set things right! I can't put Jack in anymore harm than I already have! They'll be looking for me! I'm sure of it!'
"Oh, well you'se in the Newsboy's Lodging House! You'se been here for two days!" Jack replied proudly.
"Two days?" he repeated to himself. 'I wonder if the boys know where I am. Those rotten Delancey brothers probably told them I'm here!' "So what happened to those goons I'se was fighting? What did ya call them? Oscar and who?"
"Oh, the other one's Morris! They're the Delancey brothers. Anyways, we took care of them before you woke up. You really know how to fight, I can tell. I saw that you was bruised up pretty badly before hand though so you had no strength to fight those assholes!"
"How did ya know that?" the boy asked curiously.
"Are you kidding? Oscar and Morris couldn't do that to you! They don't know their fist from their feet. I could tell you were beaten from before!" Jack laugh amused.
The boy shook his head and dismissed the last comment Jack had made, moving onto his next question. "That guy playing with those cards after you came over here, is that Race?"
"Yeah, that's Race alright!" Jack replied with a laugh.
"Why was he watching me before?"
"I ordered him to watch over ya while ya slept. Actually just about everyone's watched over you but Race has watched you the most. He's taken a liking to you, just like I have. I wanted to talk to ya as soon as ya woke up. I need to know some stuff about ya. Staying here costs money and our landlord, Kloppman, needs the money. Me, Race and a few others pulled our money to pay for your meals and rent for the past two days."
The boy's serious eyes suddenly turned sympathetically, screaming a silent thank you to Jack. Just as he was about to open his mouth to ask another question, Jack cut him off.
"Enough questions. It's my turn to ask you a couple."
The boy gulped nervously and he swore Jack could hear it. He thought that Jack could taste the boy's fear of unveiling his secret identity like you could taste the sour in lemon juice. He wouldn't answer any questions he didn't want to. He knew he owed him some answers but not everything.
"First of all, what's your name so that I can actually call ya something?"
"Me name's Red!" he replied simply.
"Where are ya from?"
"Doesn't matter!" Red retorted sharply.
Jack gave him a wiry look and decided to forget it, "You'se gonna sell with us, Red?"
Before he could answer, the door slammed open. They switched their attention to the door to see Race and two other guys walk over the threshold with the things Jack asked for compiled in their hands. They walked over to the bed on Red's left and set the things down. Moments later as they were assembling the bed, Kloppman walked into the room.
As he staggered over to Jack, he asked, "He got a name yet?"
"Yeah, his name is Red and he'll be staying with us as one of me Newsies." Jack replied announced.
"Oh, good, good! I'll go and make the arrangements!" Kloppman rejoiced and left without another word.
While the two boy's Red didn't know quickly made the bed, Race gave Jack the wet towel to clean Red's face. He lingered on the fading bruises and held the cloth there to help the swelling to go down. He barely looked at what he was doing as he stared into Red's sparkling eyes.
"So, uh, you'se gonna sell with us tomorrow?" he asked
"Do I got anywhere else to go?" Red retorted sarcastically.
Jack took that as a yes and smiled. "You gotta learn to lose that attitude, Red!" he warned with a hint of amusement in his voice.
"You gotta learn that I don't get pushed around Cowboy!"
"Woah! I think we've got some competition here! I like you kid!" Race chimed in.
"I'se no kid!" He corrected.
"Sorry, Red!" he laughed uncertainly.
Seeing that he was being sincere, Red let his face relax. He noticed that as he looked at this boy, his smile was warm and inviting.
"I'se Racetrack but everybody calls me Race!" he introduced, breaking the comfortable silence. "I always sell down at the Sheepshed Racetrack. If ya wanna learn how to sell papes then you can come along with me tomorrow. I can show ya how it's done!"
Red was right, Race was warm and inviting. He would make an excellent friend and I can see why Jack chooses favor for him. "Actually, I'se been selling for years. I'd like to learn from the best so who is he?"
"That'd be me!" Jack answered.
"Oh great! I'm stuck with you tomorrow?" he joked.
"Haha. Looks like it!"
"Hey Red. I'se Mush and this is me best friend Kid Blink!" he greeted, lightly slapping Blink on the back encouragingly.
Kid Blink turned his attention to Jack and asked seriously, "Hey Jack, you want us to go down and tell the boys he's awake?"
"Good idea Blink! I'll be down in a minute. I gotta give the kid—"he noticed a fixed glare coming from the boy and quickly corrected the name he had called him, "I mean Red the ground rules!"
"You got it Jack!" Race replied and led the other two out the door and down the stairs.
Red pulled the covers off his sweaty body and let his legs breathe the warm spring air. He turned his body to the side of the bed and let his legs hang over the edge. He slowly let his bare feet touch the wooden floor and stood at his full height on shaky legs. He bent over slightly to balance himself and Jack rushed over to help. He held out an inviting arm but Red refused it. He carefully led the way to the door and walked over the threshold.
There were two ways to go. On his left, another staircase was there going downwards. On his right, was a short hallway that was a dead end. At the end, a staircase that led upwards was barely visible on the left wall. Jack noticed Red had turned right as he shut the door behind them. He quickly ran to catch up and put both hands on Red's shoulders to stop him.
"Not that way, Red. That leads to the roof!"
Jack kept his hands on Red's shoulders as he guided him the opposite direction, all the way to the foot of the staircase that lead to the common room. As they looked over the sea of heads, Jack yelled, "Hey, everybody!"
At once, silence flooded the room and all eyes were on Jack. Once he'd grabbed everyone's attention, he continued in a softer voice, "This is Red!"
With a light cheer, Jack led Red down the staircase to the awaiting crowd. As Red looked around at the happy faces, his heart swelled with pride. He might actually find a home with these boys. Sure they weren't like the one's he was with before the big fight but they were here with open arms for him and he knew he was home!
A/N: Well, that got to me! Wasn't that so fluffy in a non-slash way that is acceptable? I promise you people. There might seem like there's slash in here already but you'll find out why. Trust me it won't turn into a slashy fic. I'm not against it but I'm not gonna put it in here.
Many loves to all who reviewed! I LOVE YOU ALL!!!
Red