Brooklyn's Heart
"Sellin' Papes"
CH 2
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Kayla arose that morning to the rays of the shining sun through the blinds. She sat up, stretching her arms over her head, yawning greatly. She was pleased; an immense smile gracing her lips with sparkles glistening in her honey-colored eyes, her tanned skin glowing from unwavering happiness. I wonder from what though? she thought. She was never happy lately, not for the past six years. Maybe it was finally having a home. Maybe it was the feeling of belonging. Maybe it was.
A pair of shocking blue eyes.
Whoa, wait, she considered, thinking about this thoroughly. I can not be having reverie's about him and actually enjoy them' But deep inside, she could feel the bliss, the pleasure, and the contentment. Seemed as if it was, truly, an excellent dream. She quickly jumped out of bed, shaking her self as if a dog would of raindrops, muttering the words gross and icky.
Wrapping her arms securely around herself, mentally scolding for acting like a youngling, she walked to her window and looked out across the already busy street. The demanding market day had begun, customers and sellers beginning their challenging workday. Kayla sighed, watching the day unfold silently, holding herself tightly.
She looked beautiful in the sunrise glow, her coffee colored hair kissed with golden highlights shined in the dawning glaze. Her eyes, radiating with honey, though darkly rimmed, held much understanding, though, with a turn, innocence was of course seen. Her petite figure wasn't conspicuous as others, due to old clothes and grime, though, wasn't clearly lacking either. She was clearly a grown, though young, woman. Beautifully attractive, exotic, and as it seemed, didn't take shit from the male species or anyone for that matter.
Though Kayla did not consider any of that, or did not think it was true. She believed she was too slim, her arms and legs without muscle. Her nails, once manicured and cared for, were small and dirt. And her distinctive hair, she assumed it to be dead; limp without a washing in a extensive time, and the shade to be boring and plain hideous. Her nose was too small, her chin excessively stubborn, and her cheeks, in addition, too blush able.
But she was all-wrong. Everything she believed to be accurate was almost the exact opposite. Her body was developed, muscles seen due to being on her own, walking and running far distances. Her nails were rather exceptional, and her hair, was also the one thing everyone who saw her desired, the color exclusive and the length adored.
Newsie life maybe wont be so bad.
And a voice inside her mind replied, yea if a certain pair of blue eyes is there.
Kayla's eyes widened and she hastily shook her curls, her hands flying around her head and peeped, "EEEk!" and ran out the room in a hurry, trying to discern the voice from her ears, as she yelled inside her mind no ..no ..no! I do not have an attraction for this Spot Conlon. I do not, simple as that.
Sure, advise yourself that, and we shall see how far you will get.
Fine.
Fine then.
Whatever.
It is Acceptable.
All right.
You're lying to yourself then.
Groan.
It certainly couldn't be true ..could it?
---------------
Kayla tiptoed quietly into the dark bunkroom, the sunlight barely shinning through the open windows. The boys and men were strewn across their beds in every direction, some starting to fall off, some tangled in their blankets and some sleeping on other newsies. And a thunderous blare of snoring was heard in the room.
Kayla giggled as she made her way into the main bathroom. She had to hurry though for the men could wake any moment and walk in during her bath time. Kloppman, the head superior of the lodge house, had specifically informed her that if she wanted to get cleaned up in the morning ever, she had to rouse early so her privacy wouldn't be interrupted. And she planned on doing just that.
The boys were just getting up as she walked out of the main bathroom, so all of them were able to see her cleaned and washed. As she walked by them on her way to her room, they stared, frozen, mouths agape. She was ..extravagant. Her face rinsed away of grim, her chocolate sun kissed hair shiny & full, her clothes fitting and spotless. Kloppy must have given her a new pair of clothes it seemed. Gone were her shapeless pants and shirt, now replaced with black slacks with matching suspenders over a white plaid unbuttoned shirt. All together, to the boys, she looked spectacular.
Races cigar fell out of his gaping mouth as Mush toppled out of his bed while Kid Blink grinned as Skittery whistled to himself.
Their shocked states went unnoticed by her as she walked by but she stopped at the door, resting her hand against the frame and called, "You boys can closes yer mouths now."
And they did just that, only very quickly and began talking simultaneity, trying to hide their embarrassment, though one thing said by a loud newsie stopped Kayla.
"Damn! Why does Spot get her for himself taday and we can't?"
Kayla turned slowly around and barked, "What!?"
They all stopped yet again and glanced everywhere uncertainly except on the fuming Duchess until all their eyes laid on Jack. He fretfully began to feel his neck, raking a hand through his hair till he got enough nerve to look her in the eye. The newsies around him pushed him forward and he glared menacingly at them before turning back to her, gulping.
"Ya see, Duch, the thing is your gunna be selling papes today. We would find you a selling partner, but Spot Conlon has already put in his claim to sell with you today."
Kayla slowly folded her arms, narrowing her cold eyes at him, "Oh ..really?"
Jack nodded vigorously, "Um ..yea.. That's what yer gunna have to do today."
Jack was surprised as she shook her head firmly and boldly. "No. Foist of all, I don't need nobodies to show me how to sell papes. And seconds of all, out of all the people that I'd let show me the last would be Brooklyn. That's it. Final."
Jack visibly paled. He tried again, "See, Duch, ya kinda have to sell with him, since as you said, he's Brooklyn. And, he's, uh, the best instructor your is gonna get if yous wanna be a head newsie, and he already said you were selling with him."
As much as she wanted to respond to that last bit, she controlled herself, giving the excuse it was too early to be opening problems, and said with a grimace on her face, "Alright but just for taday. And if he attempts any clever business I'm knockin him out."
"Well then, that is acceptable," said Jack, relief on his face.
---------------
As Kayla walked out of the distribution center she heard a voice behind her purr, "Hmm, you look beautiful taday."
She rolled her eyes as she turned around, placing a hand on her hip. She had a scathing remark hot and ready, letting it about to burn and blaze, but she was not ready for those eyes, those blue orbs. It was as if they haunted her dreams for years, this familiar royal blue color sparkling at her. She gave a small gasp as she stared into those depths, those radiating blues. Oh, how much she didn't want to drown in them, but she knew she was falling for their power fast and surprisingly ..had already accepted that. She then tried to hide her embarrassment of letting just eyes catch her off guard and replied hotly, "Can it Conlon. I ain't got time for your lousy talkin."
Spot arched an eyebrow as he folded his arms. "Lousy? How it lousy when your gonna be having the best teacher with you today?"
Kayla snorted. "And that would make it not lousy, how?"
Spot narrowed his eyes, but chuckled nonetheless. "Watch it pretty face. You don't know how far I'm gunna let ya go till I do something about it."
Kayla rolled her face from one side to the other, her honey eyes gleaming disbelief. Spot laughed at it. "You couldn't do shit. Just because you bribed the newsies to let ya be Brooklyn Leader, don't mean your anything special."
Spot scrunched his face, narrowing his eyes, tapping his gold caped cane to the ground. "Ooo, ya got spunk goil, I'll give ya that when daring talk to Brooklyn that way. But none do. So ya know what that means? You could be in big trouble."
Kayla arched an eyebrow, tapping her chin, thinking, "Yea, I don't know why many don't though. Must be chicken shits if they actually think you could be dangerous."
Spot then burst out laughing vigorously, grasping his stomach at the hilarity of it; a reaction she wasn't expecting. He turned her around, placing his hand in the middle of her back, guiding her away. "Ya sure are a funny one, pretty face. Now come on, we gots selling ta do."
-----------------
"Dammit, Brooklyn! I told ya once and I'll tell ya again; Don't touch my ass!"
"Oh, I'm sorry pretty face. That was your ass I was squeezing? Oh, I do apologize-"
"Conlon, I'se suggest ya don'ts squeeze again. Next time ya try, I promise ya, I'll soak ya for sure." With a proud manner around her, she sharply turned her back on him, and continued on her way. Spot chuckled, following her, his eyes twinkling with satisfaction. It was too much of entertainment setting off this outspoken beauty and including the fact of having too much pleasure seeing how many times he could see those soft cheeks swiftly become crimson. He rubbed his hands together in eagerness as he got glimpse of her rear again, and smirked. It was too easy.
He drawled in a husky voice, "You can do what ever you wants to me, pretty face, don't matter as long as I get to look at that very exceptional-"
Kayla swiftly smacked her hand back behind her, fully anticipating it to met him across the cheek for hard meaning but it was caught suddenly in Spots grip. She gasped in shock at such a fast move, not expecting it, as she was turned around to his glowing eyes. Spots face had a look of wonder as he glanced at her delicate hand then her shock written face. He unconsciously pulled her closer, making her gasp yet again, her uncertain eyes gazing at their nearness then to his amusing eyes.
As if wrapped in a mysterious mist, they became closer still, gazing into each others orbs, reading each others emotions, their vulnerable windows to their locked souls, hidden till now. No one had ever gone this far in their lives, to truly know their thoughts. Spot, the king of Brooklyn, did not even let anyone dare come near him enough to see his true side. It was how he lived, how he was raised. Never becoming close; it was how he survived in such a dreadful world. It made leaving effortless and, if need be, destroying was less..unchallenging.
It was as if her inner being was stripped. All of Kayla's emotions were seen, read, analyzed, and then all of them turn out to be not her own. Her mask of coldness disappeared even as she scrambled for it, ineffectively, trying to not lose cover, and hid behind it forever. Her life was now an open book to him and only him. It frightened her, knowing he had this much control with just a look. But, her heart would have no other way, though yet her mind had to find this out still. She was on her own till she finally came to her senses and surrendered.
So here they went again. It was happening all day. He would make a rude yet sexual comment and she would retaliate and have her say, yet each time they would both get caught up and stare, motionless and utterly helpless. Oh, how much she would want to look away, but both would become trapped until either something or another would break the spell.
And these interactions would just not quit.
It was happening frequent now, even sometimes only a mere minute would pass and the other would be entrapped and ensnared by the other. If only their eyes didn't hold so much..power, emotion, feeling, darkness and light, everything and yet nothing. It was all there, no matter how much they tried to deny, muttering the other held no control over them, declaring their independency would hold forever and their deceptive need to stand alone strong and exact, it was true. Their eyes did indeed have that much control.
It was expected in the busy streets of Brooklyn to be hit and nudged while walking by but it was clearly unforeseen as a passerby knocked into Kayla, making her gasp as she fell into Spots arms, him catching her instinctively. They quickly chanced a fleeting look into each other's eyes but nervously looked away as they uneasily stepped apart from their sudden contact.
"So um..." Spot began casually, trying to drive away the uneasiness. He placed his arms behind him and locked his hands at his neck. He looked at her expectantly trying to decide what to say but his voice was lost as her beauty yet again caught him, making him immobile.
She placed a fingernail in her mouth, as she glanced around, her other hand holding her elbow. Fall was just beginning, so the winds of the east were now showing. Her long wavy hair flew in the air, the length of it going down to her mid back. It was absolutely beautiful. But the color of it got him more riled. He had never seen such a color, or he had just never seen it around her. It was as though chocolate ran down her hair, making it sparkle and sweet. Though, at the top it was as if it was kissed by the sun, stripes of gold running down part way. Oh, how he wanted to run his hands through it, spend hours playing with and touching it delicately.
He would have to say her hair was the favorite part of her he treasured but that was until he partook in seeing her eyes. Oh, now that was a glory all in it's own.
They were almost as though cat eyes; vibrant and strong yet in a blink of an eye showed everything. They looked to be of brownish color, but Spot knew better. They were honey. Brilliant however shadowy, sparkling dark rimmed gold. Yes indeed, that was what they were. Oh, how he could stare into those forever. But, he couldn't bear doing that for he loved how these sunshine eyes would flash every time he would bait her. They would flare, as though snapping and she would slowly turn her eyes to his and glare as flames erupted behind them. When she became this raged it was as if looking into hell, the fire spitting and flaming in them. And he would take this tormenting punishment any day.
He shook out of his stupor and said half grinning, "So, pretty face, want to take that pretty rear of yours to Tibby's now?"
He muttered a surprised 'whoa' as he ducked.
Kayla had taken her finger away from her lips and swung her clenched fist around at him but, alas, unfortunately he had moved. She rolled her eyes as she strolled by him, calling, "Conlon, enough with the shitty compliments, they obviously don't work well."
As she sauntered by he replied huskily, "Obviously they do or your cheeks are just rebellin' and blushing on their own. Which one do you think it is?"
Kayla stopped, instinctively raising a hand to her warm face then mentally scolded herself. Dammit. She just, without her own consent, answered his damn question with that reaction. But she wouldn't go down admitting it.
"I don't know what your talking about Brooklyn."
Spot touched her cheek tenderly from behind, making her stiff. He ignored it though, "Well, I say you do."
Kayla bended her head down, away from his finger, her blush becoming even more noticeable. Lacking any words, she began walking, without seeing if he was following or not. It was undeniably time for lunch as Kayla heard her stomach grumble. Tibby's sounded wonderful. A sandwich, yum, and a nice cold drink, ah, now that sounded-
"Uh, pretty face?"
Kayla stopped and grumbled as she turned around. She placed her hands on her hips and tapped her foot aggravated. "Conlon, if you say another damn word about my ass-"
Spot chuckled. Instinctively his eyes roamed her body, apparently much to her annoyance due to her glowing face, he interrupted with a smirk, "Pretty face, as much I would love to, I thought I might just tell you ..Tibby's is that way." he motioned a thumb behind him.
Kayla gasped an "Oh," nodded and continued on in the right direction. Spot followed in suit, matching her pace perfectly. But soon Kayla was bothered by the fact that he was behind, so stopped and waited for him to resume beside her. No more ass watching for tonight.
They continued on in silence, both lost in their own thoughts, and basked in it. No tension was between them, well sexual was but that was ignored, as they made their way wordlessly together in the streets of Manhattan.
Spot had bought a hundred papes between them, his usual amount he had arrogantly added, and had shared it as they spent the day learning and teaching. Spot had given her all his knowledge on being a low class newsboy, and she had accepted it, turned it inside and out and reserved it inside her reference for future selling; she wanted to be a great newsboy, well girl, seller, and planned on learning all she could from him, without openly admitting it. As if.
---------------
"Duchess!"
"Conlon!"
"How's it goin'?"
"What was your foist day like, Duchess?"
"Hey Brooklyn, come over and lose your money."
"Hey Duchess, Mush wants you to sit by him!"
"Brooklyn, I bet ya five cents Specs here would whoop yer ass in chess. Ya in?"
Kayla heaved a sigh as she heavily sat down next to Jack in one of the back booths. Jack grinned at her, as well as Kid Blink and Crutchy who were sharing the table with him, and scooted down, making room for her and Spot, ruffling her hair and asked gently, "Hard day bein' a newsie so far?"
Kayla scoffed at him, giving him a hard look, "You got no idea. I'm tired, I'm hungry and not just that. My ass now just happens to hurt."
Once Spot had sat down, he took Jack's coke without him seeing and took a big gulp. But when Kayla had said that, he choked, spewing his swig all over Kid Blink, who had unfortunately been sitting across from him. Spot, now embarrassed, mumbled a small apology as he took a napkin and gingerly wiped away the excess drink on Blink's steaming face. But after a moment, Blink knocked his hand away and sat in a temper, folding his arms and glaring at him.
Spot waved his hands in a surrendering manor, exclaimed, "Jeesh, just tryin to help."
Blink didn't answer.
Kayla giggled watching the scene as it played out. Jack tapped her lightly on the shoulder and she looked at him. Grinning, he asked, "Uh..what was that ass thing about again?" At Spot's and Kayla's similar color of cheeks, Jack chuckled as he guessed, "Ah, so Conlon over there has been-"
But Kayla stubbornly intercepted, raising a deadly finger. "Don't ..finish that sentence Cowboy. Or your gunna be a dead man riding a horse by nighttime."
Spot had taken another sip of the drink when Kayla had threatened Jack, and, not expecting it, sprayed it yet again of the already wet Blink. Blink stood up in a rush and looked at his drenched self and threw his hands down in the last straw, "For Christ's sake!" and strode out the door.
Spot watched Blink leave, then slicked his tongue over his teeth and turned to Kayla and Jack innocently, "So ..what's eatin' him?"
----------------
Later that night, the boys of the Manhattan Lodge house were gathered together again and were playing a heated game of poker.
Spot, who hadn't left for Brooklyn yet, sat in a corner bunk and watched, with hunter's eyes, at all that surrounded him. His blue orbs leisurely scouted around the room, sometimes lingering on faces and also passing others.
Sitting on a bottom bed he rested his arm on his bended knee, his swift fingers playing with an unlit cigar. It was twirled and thrown into the air and caught with ease. But no matter how much that cigar was abused it didn't take away Spot's uneasiness. In his gut a deep feeling had sprouted and was not anytime soon he bet going away. Something in the air called to him, sending shivers all day down his back. Something bad was going to happen soon, but he didn't know what, and some of him did not want to find out anyway. Someone was in pain at the moment; someone was hurting inside, but he didn't know whom. But he did though.
His fast eyes swerved to Duchess, narrowing with thought. Watching across the room, he saw her laugh with everyone, look somewhat happy as she joked around with them. He followed her with dark eyes as she would within an instant become nerved if any boy came too close. Her moves were carefully analyzed from afar with his glazed stare as she listened hard to stories of old newsies. And with these significant blues even from a distance saw it was all an act.
Spot scratched his chin in thought. Duchess was sad. He clearly saw it ever time her eyes would come to his. All night her cat orbs would purposely seek out his, and, if only for scanting glance, it did not matter, they could just not hide under his gaze. He saw all that flew past the glittering honeys; saw all the emotions no one noticed. As much as she tried, her mask would not work against him.
Spot identified the hurt from within her, the pain that emitted from her. It almost broke his insides and just about captured every breath he tried to take. It was that strong. And he also noticed that she did not smile much. And even when she did, it was really as though just a curl of the corners. Yes, she did laugh, but unlike anyone else, he observed that it seemed somewhat..forced. Her soul cried out for comfort, it begged for a home; a safe place from what the world poorly offered.
The now silver eyes closed painfully for a moment, wishing, no dieing for a way for her soul to be free, a way out of her bondages. His own soul pained seeing her captured with so much damage. But what shocked him also was no one, no one, seemed to notice. Only he did. His distressful eyes opened slowly to clash with hers. There was indeed a connection between them. It was why he could see past her façade and see the darkness and the pain.
And it was all going to end. God help if need be, the honey eyes gazing back troubled to the sad silvers, would be free. They would once again be truly happy.
And the silver gaze would be the reason why.
----------------
Two hours later the moon reached mid high into the sky signaling midnight, but the newsies of Manhattan still went strong.
"Please." His lips tightened as he gazed some time at her. His arms slowly opened as he stated, "I just want to help." Kayla glanced down, and looked back to his honest eyes; there was no mischief within in them, no messing around, no hidden motives. He was just truly being kind. As Kayla softly played with her thumb nail in her mouth her questioning finally surrendered as she nodded gradually. Softly compiling a small "Alright," she walked sheepishly into his grip, her cold arms becoming caught against his warm chest.
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For you new readers.. These two chapters, Ch 2 & 3 were deleted, so I am rewriting them, for they were not saved in backup. SO they may be different for some of you and that is the reason why there is no Ch. 3.
Sorry.
erinsailorditz
"Sellin' Papes"
CH 2
---------------
Kayla arose that morning to the rays of the shining sun through the blinds. She sat up, stretching her arms over her head, yawning greatly. She was pleased; an immense smile gracing her lips with sparkles glistening in her honey-colored eyes, her tanned skin glowing from unwavering happiness. I wonder from what though? she thought. She was never happy lately, not for the past six years. Maybe it was finally having a home. Maybe it was the feeling of belonging. Maybe it was.
A pair of shocking blue eyes.
Whoa, wait, she considered, thinking about this thoroughly. I can not be having reverie's about him and actually enjoy them' But deep inside, she could feel the bliss, the pleasure, and the contentment. Seemed as if it was, truly, an excellent dream. She quickly jumped out of bed, shaking her self as if a dog would of raindrops, muttering the words gross and icky.
Wrapping her arms securely around herself, mentally scolding for acting like a youngling, she walked to her window and looked out across the already busy street. The demanding market day had begun, customers and sellers beginning their challenging workday. Kayla sighed, watching the day unfold silently, holding herself tightly.
She looked beautiful in the sunrise glow, her coffee colored hair kissed with golden highlights shined in the dawning glaze. Her eyes, radiating with honey, though darkly rimmed, held much understanding, though, with a turn, innocence was of course seen. Her petite figure wasn't conspicuous as others, due to old clothes and grime, though, wasn't clearly lacking either. She was clearly a grown, though young, woman. Beautifully attractive, exotic, and as it seemed, didn't take shit from the male species or anyone for that matter.
Though Kayla did not consider any of that, or did not think it was true. She believed she was too slim, her arms and legs without muscle. Her nails, once manicured and cared for, were small and dirt. And her distinctive hair, she assumed it to be dead; limp without a washing in a extensive time, and the shade to be boring and plain hideous. Her nose was too small, her chin excessively stubborn, and her cheeks, in addition, too blush able.
But she was all-wrong. Everything she believed to be accurate was almost the exact opposite. Her body was developed, muscles seen due to being on her own, walking and running far distances. Her nails were rather exceptional, and her hair, was also the one thing everyone who saw her desired, the color exclusive and the length adored.
Newsie life maybe wont be so bad.
And a voice inside her mind replied, yea if a certain pair of blue eyes is there.
Kayla's eyes widened and she hastily shook her curls, her hands flying around her head and peeped, "EEEk!" and ran out the room in a hurry, trying to discern the voice from her ears, as she yelled inside her mind no ..no ..no! I do not have an attraction for this Spot Conlon. I do not, simple as that.
Sure, advise yourself that, and we shall see how far you will get.
Fine.
Fine then.
Whatever.
It is Acceptable.
All right.
You're lying to yourself then.
Groan.
It certainly couldn't be true ..could it?
---------------
Kayla tiptoed quietly into the dark bunkroom, the sunlight barely shinning through the open windows. The boys and men were strewn across their beds in every direction, some starting to fall off, some tangled in their blankets and some sleeping on other newsies. And a thunderous blare of snoring was heard in the room.
Kayla giggled as she made her way into the main bathroom. She had to hurry though for the men could wake any moment and walk in during her bath time. Kloppman, the head superior of the lodge house, had specifically informed her that if she wanted to get cleaned up in the morning ever, she had to rouse early so her privacy wouldn't be interrupted. And she planned on doing just that.
The boys were just getting up as she walked out of the main bathroom, so all of them were able to see her cleaned and washed. As she walked by them on her way to her room, they stared, frozen, mouths agape. She was ..extravagant. Her face rinsed away of grim, her chocolate sun kissed hair shiny & full, her clothes fitting and spotless. Kloppy must have given her a new pair of clothes it seemed. Gone were her shapeless pants and shirt, now replaced with black slacks with matching suspenders over a white plaid unbuttoned shirt. All together, to the boys, she looked spectacular.
Races cigar fell out of his gaping mouth as Mush toppled out of his bed while Kid Blink grinned as Skittery whistled to himself.
Their shocked states went unnoticed by her as she walked by but she stopped at the door, resting her hand against the frame and called, "You boys can closes yer mouths now."
And they did just that, only very quickly and began talking simultaneity, trying to hide their embarrassment, though one thing said by a loud newsie stopped Kayla.
"Damn! Why does Spot get her for himself taday and we can't?"
Kayla turned slowly around and barked, "What!?"
They all stopped yet again and glanced everywhere uncertainly except on the fuming Duchess until all their eyes laid on Jack. He fretfully began to feel his neck, raking a hand through his hair till he got enough nerve to look her in the eye. The newsies around him pushed him forward and he glared menacingly at them before turning back to her, gulping.
"Ya see, Duch, the thing is your gunna be selling papes today. We would find you a selling partner, but Spot Conlon has already put in his claim to sell with you today."
Kayla slowly folded her arms, narrowing her cold eyes at him, "Oh ..really?"
Jack nodded vigorously, "Um ..yea.. That's what yer gunna have to do today."
Jack was surprised as she shook her head firmly and boldly. "No. Foist of all, I don't need nobodies to show me how to sell papes. And seconds of all, out of all the people that I'd let show me the last would be Brooklyn. That's it. Final."
Jack visibly paled. He tried again, "See, Duch, ya kinda have to sell with him, since as you said, he's Brooklyn. And, he's, uh, the best instructor your is gonna get if yous wanna be a head newsie, and he already said you were selling with him."
As much as she wanted to respond to that last bit, she controlled herself, giving the excuse it was too early to be opening problems, and said with a grimace on her face, "Alright but just for taday. And if he attempts any clever business I'm knockin him out."
"Well then, that is acceptable," said Jack, relief on his face.
---------------
As Kayla walked out of the distribution center she heard a voice behind her purr, "Hmm, you look beautiful taday."
She rolled her eyes as she turned around, placing a hand on her hip. She had a scathing remark hot and ready, letting it about to burn and blaze, but she was not ready for those eyes, those blue orbs. It was as if they haunted her dreams for years, this familiar royal blue color sparkling at her. She gave a small gasp as she stared into those depths, those radiating blues. Oh, how much she didn't want to drown in them, but she knew she was falling for their power fast and surprisingly ..had already accepted that. She then tried to hide her embarrassment of letting just eyes catch her off guard and replied hotly, "Can it Conlon. I ain't got time for your lousy talkin."
Spot arched an eyebrow as he folded his arms. "Lousy? How it lousy when your gonna be having the best teacher with you today?"
Kayla snorted. "And that would make it not lousy, how?"
Spot narrowed his eyes, but chuckled nonetheless. "Watch it pretty face. You don't know how far I'm gunna let ya go till I do something about it."
Kayla rolled her face from one side to the other, her honey eyes gleaming disbelief. Spot laughed at it. "You couldn't do shit. Just because you bribed the newsies to let ya be Brooklyn Leader, don't mean your anything special."
Spot scrunched his face, narrowing his eyes, tapping his gold caped cane to the ground. "Ooo, ya got spunk goil, I'll give ya that when daring talk to Brooklyn that way. But none do. So ya know what that means? You could be in big trouble."
Kayla arched an eyebrow, tapping her chin, thinking, "Yea, I don't know why many don't though. Must be chicken shits if they actually think you could be dangerous."
Spot then burst out laughing vigorously, grasping his stomach at the hilarity of it; a reaction she wasn't expecting. He turned her around, placing his hand in the middle of her back, guiding her away. "Ya sure are a funny one, pretty face. Now come on, we gots selling ta do."
-----------------
"Dammit, Brooklyn! I told ya once and I'll tell ya again; Don't touch my ass!"
"Oh, I'm sorry pretty face. That was your ass I was squeezing? Oh, I do apologize-"
"Conlon, I'se suggest ya don'ts squeeze again. Next time ya try, I promise ya, I'll soak ya for sure." With a proud manner around her, she sharply turned her back on him, and continued on her way. Spot chuckled, following her, his eyes twinkling with satisfaction. It was too much of entertainment setting off this outspoken beauty and including the fact of having too much pleasure seeing how many times he could see those soft cheeks swiftly become crimson. He rubbed his hands together in eagerness as he got glimpse of her rear again, and smirked. It was too easy.
He drawled in a husky voice, "You can do what ever you wants to me, pretty face, don't matter as long as I get to look at that very exceptional-"
Kayla swiftly smacked her hand back behind her, fully anticipating it to met him across the cheek for hard meaning but it was caught suddenly in Spots grip. She gasped in shock at such a fast move, not expecting it, as she was turned around to his glowing eyes. Spots face had a look of wonder as he glanced at her delicate hand then her shock written face. He unconsciously pulled her closer, making her gasp yet again, her uncertain eyes gazing at their nearness then to his amusing eyes.
As if wrapped in a mysterious mist, they became closer still, gazing into each others orbs, reading each others emotions, their vulnerable windows to their locked souls, hidden till now. No one had ever gone this far in their lives, to truly know their thoughts. Spot, the king of Brooklyn, did not even let anyone dare come near him enough to see his true side. It was how he lived, how he was raised. Never becoming close; it was how he survived in such a dreadful world. It made leaving effortless and, if need be, destroying was less..unchallenging.
It was as if her inner being was stripped. All of Kayla's emotions were seen, read, analyzed, and then all of them turn out to be not her own. Her mask of coldness disappeared even as she scrambled for it, ineffectively, trying to not lose cover, and hid behind it forever. Her life was now an open book to him and only him. It frightened her, knowing he had this much control with just a look. But, her heart would have no other way, though yet her mind had to find this out still. She was on her own till she finally came to her senses and surrendered.
So here they went again. It was happening all day. He would make a rude yet sexual comment and she would retaliate and have her say, yet each time they would both get caught up and stare, motionless and utterly helpless. Oh, how much she would want to look away, but both would become trapped until either something or another would break the spell.
And these interactions would just not quit.
It was happening frequent now, even sometimes only a mere minute would pass and the other would be entrapped and ensnared by the other. If only their eyes didn't hold so much..power, emotion, feeling, darkness and light, everything and yet nothing. It was all there, no matter how much they tried to deny, muttering the other held no control over them, declaring their independency would hold forever and their deceptive need to stand alone strong and exact, it was true. Their eyes did indeed have that much control.
It was expected in the busy streets of Brooklyn to be hit and nudged while walking by but it was clearly unforeseen as a passerby knocked into Kayla, making her gasp as she fell into Spots arms, him catching her instinctively. They quickly chanced a fleeting look into each other's eyes but nervously looked away as they uneasily stepped apart from their sudden contact.
"So um..." Spot began casually, trying to drive away the uneasiness. He placed his arms behind him and locked his hands at his neck. He looked at her expectantly trying to decide what to say but his voice was lost as her beauty yet again caught him, making him immobile.
She placed a fingernail in her mouth, as she glanced around, her other hand holding her elbow. Fall was just beginning, so the winds of the east were now showing. Her long wavy hair flew in the air, the length of it going down to her mid back. It was absolutely beautiful. But the color of it got him more riled. He had never seen such a color, or he had just never seen it around her. It was as though chocolate ran down her hair, making it sparkle and sweet. Though, at the top it was as if it was kissed by the sun, stripes of gold running down part way. Oh, how he wanted to run his hands through it, spend hours playing with and touching it delicately.
He would have to say her hair was the favorite part of her he treasured but that was until he partook in seeing her eyes. Oh, now that was a glory all in it's own.
They were almost as though cat eyes; vibrant and strong yet in a blink of an eye showed everything. They looked to be of brownish color, but Spot knew better. They were honey. Brilliant however shadowy, sparkling dark rimmed gold. Yes indeed, that was what they were. Oh, how he could stare into those forever. But, he couldn't bear doing that for he loved how these sunshine eyes would flash every time he would bait her. They would flare, as though snapping and she would slowly turn her eyes to his and glare as flames erupted behind them. When she became this raged it was as if looking into hell, the fire spitting and flaming in them. And he would take this tormenting punishment any day.
He shook out of his stupor and said half grinning, "So, pretty face, want to take that pretty rear of yours to Tibby's now?"
He muttered a surprised 'whoa' as he ducked.
Kayla had taken her finger away from her lips and swung her clenched fist around at him but, alas, unfortunately he had moved. She rolled her eyes as she strolled by him, calling, "Conlon, enough with the shitty compliments, they obviously don't work well."
As she sauntered by he replied huskily, "Obviously they do or your cheeks are just rebellin' and blushing on their own. Which one do you think it is?"
Kayla stopped, instinctively raising a hand to her warm face then mentally scolded herself. Dammit. She just, without her own consent, answered his damn question with that reaction. But she wouldn't go down admitting it.
"I don't know what your talking about Brooklyn."
Spot touched her cheek tenderly from behind, making her stiff. He ignored it though, "Well, I say you do."
Kayla bended her head down, away from his finger, her blush becoming even more noticeable. Lacking any words, she began walking, without seeing if he was following or not. It was undeniably time for lunch as Kayla heard her stomach grumble. Tibby's sounded wonderful. A sandwich, yum, and a nice cold drink, ah, now that sounded-
"Uh, pretty face?"
Kayla stopped and grumbled as she turned around. She placed her hands on her hips and tapped her foot aggravated. "Conlon, if you say another damn word about my ass-"
Spot chuckled. Instinctively his eyes roamed her body, apparently much to her annoyance due to her glowing face, he interrupted with a smirk, "Pretty face, as much I would love to, I thought I might just tell you ..Tibby's is that way." he motioned a thumb behind him.
Kayla gasped an "Oh," nodded and continued on in the right direction. Spot followed in suit, matching her pace perfectly. But soon Kayla was bothered by the fact that he was behind, so stopped and waited for him to resume beside her. No more ass watching for tonight.
They continued on in silence, both lost in their own thoughts, and basked in it. No tension was between them, well sexual was but that was ignored, as they made their way wordlessly together in the streets of Manhattan.
Spot had bought a hundred papes between them, his usual amount he had arrogantly added, and had shared it as they spent the day learning and teaching. Spot had given her all his knowledge on being a low class newsboy, and she had accepted it, turned it inside and out and reserved it inside her reference for future selling; she wanted to be a great newsboy, well girl, seller, and planned on learning all she could from him, without openly admitting it. As if.
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"Duchess!"
"Conlon!"
"How's it goin'?"
"What was your foist day like, Duchess?"
"Hey Brooklyn, come over and lose your money."
"Hey Duchess, Mush wants you to sit by him!"
"Brooklyn, I bet ya five cents Specs here would whoop yer ass in chess. Ya in?"
Kayla heaved a sigh as she heavily sat down next to Jack in one of the back booths. Jack grinned at her, as well as Kid Blink and Crutchy who were sharing the table with him, and scooted down, making room for her and Spot, ruffling her hair and asked gently, "Hard day bein' a newsie so far?"
Kayla scoffed at him, giving him a hard look, "You got no idea. I'm tired, I'm hungry and not just that. My ass now just happens to hurt."
Once Spot had sat down, he took Jack's coke without him seeing and took a big gulp. But when Kayla had said that, he choked, spewing his swig all over Kid Blink, who had unfortunately been sitting across from him. Spot, now embarrassed, mumbled a small apology as he took a napkin and gingerly wiped away the excess drink on Blink's steaming face. But after a moment, Blink knocked his hand away and sat in a temper, folding his arms and glaring at him.
Spot waved his hands in a surrendering manor, exclaimed, "Jeesh, just tryin to help."
Blink didn't answer.
Kayla giggled watching the scene as it played out. Jack tapped her lightly on the shoulder and she looked at him. Grinning, he asked, "Uh..what was that ass thing about again?" At Spot's and Kayla's similar color of cheeks, Jack chuckled as he guessed, "Ah, so Conlon over there has been-"
But Kayla stubbornly intercepted, raising a deadly finger. "Don't ..finish that sentence Cowboy. Or your gunna be a dead man riding a horse by nighttime."
Spot had taken another sip of the drink when Kayla had threatened Jack, and, not expecting it, sprayed it yet again of the already wet Blink. Blink stood up in a rush and looked at his drenched self and threw his hands down in the last straw, "For Christ's sake!" and strode out the door.
Spot watched Blink leave, then slicked his tongue over his teeth and turned to Kayla and Jack innocently, "So ..what's eatin' him?"
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Later that night, the boys of the Manhattan Lodge house were gathered together again and were playing a heated game of poker.
Spot, who hadn't left for Brooklyn yet, sat in a corner bunk and watched, with hunter's eyes, at all that surrounded him. His blue orbs leisurely scouted around the room, sometimes lingering on faces and also passing others.
Sitting on a bottom bed he rested his arm on his bended knee, his swift fingers playing with an unlit cigar. It was twirled and thrown into the air and caught with ease. But no matter how much that cigar was abused it didn't take away Spot's uneasiness. In his gut a deep feeling had sprouted and was not anytime soon he bet going away. Something in the air called to him, sending shivers all day down his back. Something bad was going to happen soon, but he didn't know what, and some of him did not want to find out anyway. Someone was in pain at the moment; someone was hurting inside, but he didn't know whom. But he did though.
His fast eyes swerved to Duchess, narrowing with thought. Watching across the room, he saw her laugh with everyone, look somewhat happy as she joked around with them. He followed her with dark eyes as she would within an instant become nerved if any boy came too close. Her moves were carefully analyzed from afar with his glazed stare as she listened hard to stories of old newsies. And with these significant blues even from a distance saw it was all an act.
Spot scratched his chin in thought. Duchess was sad. He clearly saw it ever time her eyes would come to his. All night her cat orbs would purposely seek out his, and, if only for scanting glance, it did not matter, they could just not hide under his gaze. He saw all that flew past the glittering honeys; saw all the emotions no one noticed. As much as she tried, her mask would not work against him.
Spot identified the hurt from within her, the pain that emitted from her. It almost broke his insides and just about captured every breath he tried to take. It was that strong. And he also noticed that she did not smile much. And even when she did, it was really as though just a curl of the corners. Yes, she did laugh, but unlike anyone else, he observed that it seemed somewhat..forced. Her soul cried out for comfort, it begged for a home; a safe place from what the world poorly offered.
The now silver eyes closed painfully for a moment, wishing, no dieing for a way for her soul to be free, a way out of her bondages. His own soul pained seeing her captured with so much damage. But what shocked him also was no one, no one, seemed to notice. Only he did. His distressful eyes opened slowly to clash with hers. There was indeed a connection between them. It was why he could see past her façade and see the darkness and the pain.
And it was all going to end. God help if need be, the honey eyes gazing back troubled to the sad silvers, would be free. They would once again be truly happy.
And the silver gaze would be the reason why.
----------------
Two hours later the moon reached mid high into the sky signaling midnight, but the newsies of Manhattan still went strong.
"Please." His lips tightened as he gazed some time at her. His arms slowly opened as he stated, "I just want to help." Kayla glanced down, and looked back to his honest eyes; there was no mischief within in them, no messing around, no hidden motives. He was just truly being kind. As Kayla softly played with her thumb nail in her mouth her questioning finally surrendered as she nodded gradually. Softly compiling a small "Alright," she walked sheepishly into his grip, her cold arms becoming caught against his warm chest.
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For you new readers.. These two chapters, Ch 2 & 3 were deleted, so I am rewriting them, for they were not saved in backup. SO they may be different for some of you and that is the reason why there is no Ch. 3.
Sorry.
erinsailorditz