Disclaimer: I don't own Newsies or any other media references I may make throughout the duration of this fic.

Chapter 11: What We Think About It

Dutchy

My little brothers are surprisingly weak and timid for being so seemingly powerful. They both have an amazing sense of superiority over their peers and loved ones, but deep down they know nothing of what they do. Spot cannot take a single ounce of competition without falling wounded at the side, confused over the change of events. And that's exactly why he called me.

Don't get me wrong, I love the two of them like only a brother can, but I hope that someday Spot wakes up and realizes that the world won't part to let him pass through and take all he wants. It's shocking that he's made it this far without noticing this.

So far I think his roommate, Anthony, has taught him the most about this perspective of life. Spot's a nervous wreck and acts flustered and unsure of himself in a way only those who once owned overwhelming confidence could.

"Anthony and I are in love," he had told me over Phad Thai and vermicelli. "But he has to talk to me ex-girlfriend before he'll…do anything with me."

I'd never met him but I felt that Anthony must have a very strong character to be this mature about it. He was talking to Spot's ex before anything could happen.

"Your ex? Was he a he?"

"No, her name was Cherish. She was Anthony's best friend before they even came here."

So things started to make sense as to the reason of this need for a conversation over my brother. They were best friends. Anthony must receive confidence by the truckload.

"Always be proud of who you are. Hold your head high and don't let people get you down. You're a brave little boy, keep it that way Darren, baby," is what my mother used to say. I've followed her advice to the best of my abilities, such being the reason for my Buddhist beliefs, vegetarian lifestyle, and newly grown dreadlocks.

"They're called 'dreadlocks' because they're the locks that every mother dreads," she'd joked when I told her I was growing my hair into them. Snipeshooter laughed when she said this and I shrugged and ate my breakfast.

In big cities it is easy to do what you want and be your own person. People in the city are so much more open-minded and used to strange phenomenons. I can be who I want to be and no one will think twice about it. That's why I love New York.

"When can I meet Anthony?"

Spot looked up at me, obviously surprised that I wasn't making a big deal about him being gay. "Later tonight, he'll be home. His class ends soon." He signalled for the bill and by the time we'd made our way outside it was growing dark and the air was cold and bitter.

We walked close to the side of a building to shield us from the wind. Spot sneezed and shivered, pulling his jacket around him. It's amazing, the metamorphous between day and night. As soon as the sun goes down everything gets colder and more sinister. Frost forms on the windows under the cover of dusk in the winter seasons, promising a sparkling scene for the next morning.

"Are you cold?" I asked, noticing his barely less than violent shivering.

"How could you tell?" He laughed and sneezed again. "I'm freezing. It was never this cold in Brooklyn. Was it?"

"I don't know. It's been a while since last winter." Maybe the marijuana hadn't warn off yet. I didn't feel especially cold out here and I didn't remember what happened two hours ago, let alone two months ago.

"Do you remember when I used to go out to Brooklyn Bridge in the middle of winter?"

For some reason I did. This memory popped out of my clouded mind like a brilliant streak of yellow amidst the grey. I could picture little Snipeshooter waiting by the window for Spot to turn the corner. Mama would sit at the table, with the kettle on the stove top so Spot could soak his feet when he got in. I would read a book by the fireplace, feeding it to keep the room warm for them. As soon as Spot came in view Snipeshooter would jump up and shout. Mama would pour the water out for his feet and usher him inside. He would take off his pants and put on his pyjamas before settling on the only easy chair and easing his feet into the hot water. He would always ask me what I was reading.

"Will you read it to me?" he'd ask, always knowing the answer before it came.

"Sure." I'd begin to read aloud. Sometimes it was The Swiss Family Robinson, Tom Sawyer, Lord of the Flies, Sherlock Holmes, anything that I read I knew he was listening.

Mama would watch us, smiling. I liked when she smiled like this because we made her forget that we were a screwed up family and that we had what every other family in the world had: love and compassion for each other. She knew that we cared for each other and that made her happier then anything in the world. Even more than getting out of the 'hell hole' that was Brooklyn to her.

Cherish

Racetrack is more confused than I've ever seen him.

"Cherish, what do I do? I thought you loved him."

You thought I loved him? Try I still do! You stole my Spot away! He's gone. Perfect frigging Spot Conlon. My perfect Spot Conlon.

"I did love him. But you matter more right now." I bit my tongue from screaming at him for stealing Spot from right under my nose. How could he have done that? He knew I was in love with Spot, he knew Spot was mine. He introduced Spot to me.

"Cherish, are you OK?"

I knew my eyes must have glazed over, mush like they do when I'm not paying attention in class or when my mom criticizes me. "I'm fine. Have Spot. Just love him, OK? Promise me. Because hell knows that if I find out you don't I'll break your neck."

I know I was being harsher then I should be, but this was my one true love he had stolen. My Romeo. I couldn't let him go to a man who may not even love him. Who may not even now how wonderful he really is. Even though Racetrack is my best friend he can't take what was mine and leave me alone with it.

"Thanks for talking with me," I whispered, grabbing my bag and standing. I rushed out the door of the coffee shop. Sitting on the chair beside me was Racetrack, looking sullen and pale. How could he do this? He knew how I felt and he did it anyways.

As I left he called after me, "Goodnight Cherish."

I didn't answer. For once Anthony Higgins didn't deserve my wishes.

[End Chapter]

((How'd you like it? Tow new PoVs! Tell me what you think of Cherish now, she's a little mad a Race. Well, really mad, but I would be to if he stole Spot from me! On a sadder note, I won't be able to update until AT LEAST the 24th and probably not even. I'm going away to Montreal!!! Then on the 29th I'm going to Florida. Everything is explained in my bio! Please forgive me!!! Ah, and review too))

Shoutouts:

Madison Square- I don't think you can change your middle name, I was joking (I DO think you got that. Unless you're chronically slow or something) But I believe you can add a middle name. And you got Dutchy's reaction. He's too mellow to remember that he's ever had Thai food, remember?

Strawberri Shake- Dreadlocks!Dutchy (in my opinion) is hilarious. I can't picture his with a straight face. His hair is too blonde and all the dreadlocked people I've ever seen have had brown hair. Maybe in this fic he has darker hair…but then where's the Dutchy-Blonde-Loving-ness? Plus, everything I mention in this fic is actually in Toronto. Salad King, the bubble tea store IS right next to the AGO (Art Gallery of Ontario), the Vietnamese store with the train is real, the BBQ pork and cold tea place is real. So is Kensington. It's all real!!!

Uninvisible- (picks self off ground) My favourite is shrimp Phad Thai. If I were to lick Racetrack's ear it would go something like this:

Me: Race, when was the last time you cleaned your ears?

Racetrack: what are you talking about?

Me: when was the last time you cleaned them? Y'know, with a Q-tip or something.

Racetrack: uh...last night…? Why?

Me: Because (licks him) (manic laughter) heh heh heh, YUM!

SparkS- Hon, that had more to do with Les Miserables than it did with my story! It had NOTHING to do with my story! I'm mad at you now!!!

Padfootismyhero- (salute) I will! Soon! Yeah!!! Whoo!…I'm gonna stop now.