Joining Forces
Chapter Two
Disclaimer: Nope, we still don't own newsies, but do have some claim to some characters, for instance, Kelli, Bridget, Snow White, and Shackles (though we don't think he will show up in this chapter)
Kelli had already found the room and approved of it. Her and Bee had returned to the table where the boys were waiting for them. Jack dealt them in.
"Any openin' bets ladies?" Race asked them, smiling through his cigar. Bee laid down a nickel. Feeling challenged, Kelli stole Mush's hat and placed it on the table.
"Can she do dat?" Mush asked, bug eyed.
"Sure." Jack replied, not looking up from his cards. Mush rolled his eyes, making Bee laugh.
Their game dragged on for hours, but in the end, Racetrack came out victorious. Most of the newsies had lost the money they had made that day, except for Boots, who had not played. Mush lost his hat, but Race graciously gave it back to him. Kelli was actually laughing at one of Kid Blink's antics, when she was distracted by something out the window. She saw dark figures running past the window, some were holding torches, and others were whooping at the top of their lungs. She stared intently, but her gaze was interrupted by a hand on her shoulder. She looked over at it. It belonged to Racetrack, who was staring in horror out the window. His grip on her shoulder tightened. At first she could tolerate it, but soon it became unbearable.
"Do you mind?" She asked, irritated. He looked at her, almost as if he just realized that she was there. He smiled weakly, then turned to the other boys, who were oblivious to the whole situation.
"Jack, Jack betta come heah." He called him over. Naturally, half the lodging house followed him. There were a few gasps in the group, but mostly there was silence. Bee managed to pull Kelli out of the group and ushered her upstairs. Kelli was looking rather shaken up.
"Does this normally happen?" She asked, exasperated.
"Not usually." Bee said with some uneasiness. She took in a deep breath and started to explain the whole situation. "Those were da Harlem boys. Dey ain't happy wit Spot now, or Brooklyn fer dat mattah. I ain't sure why; I don't tink nobody is. Anyway, dey 'ave been threatenin' ta declare war on Brooklyn. Jack has been all worried bout it, he says he don't wanna help either side; too dangerous. It hasn't officially started yet, but as ya can see, it sure looks like it will." She looked down at her feet, distressed.
"A war?" Kelli exclaimed. She paused, letting it sink in. "This isn't a game at all. Why, they'll get hurt." For some strange reason Bee smiled.
"You care?" She laughed half-heartedly. Kelli shot her a dangerous look.
"Sure I care."
"Spot is from Brooklyn. Da leader too." She hinted. Kelli suddenly became aware of her cousin's foul little game.
"I don't give a care in the world for Spot Conlon." She spat, venom dripped from every word. Bee looked rather upset at this. Kelli noticed right away. "You ok?"
"I guess so." When she lifted her head up, tears were streaming down her face. Kelli instantly knew she had said something wrong, and knelt down next to her friend.
"No you're not." She told her, waiting for a reply. For awhile though, Bee only sniffed back her cries.
"Kel, I love 'im. I am in love wit Spot Conlon. An' he knows it. We was gonna go steady sometime, but now I jus' ain't so sure. I am scared fer 'im." A new set a tears burst out of her eyes and fell down her face. Kelli patted her on the back.
"Does he know?" Kelli wanted to know.
"No, I neva told him. I don't want 'im ta get hoit. I'se so scared."
"I'm sorry, I didn't know." She held back her own tears as someone knocked on the door.
"May I come in?" Jack Kelly asked. Kelli looked at Bee, who wiped her tears away and nodded.
"Yeah." Kelli answered. She still didn't really know any of the boys, and was uncomfortable around them.
"We tink it's happened." He announced. Bee bit her lip, trying to hold back her tears. "I will be goin' ta Brooklyn ta see wha' all happened. Dey probably ain't dere yet, but dey will be soon." He said gravely. Kelli intervened.
"But I have heard of Brooklyn. They'll be alright." She said with doubt in her voice.
"Dey 'ave no clue it's comin'." Jack reminded her. "Bee, could ya come downstairs fer awhile?" Bee nodded to him. "Uh, Kelli right? Anyway I tink it would be best if ya sleep. You've had a rough journey." He led Bee out the door and closed it behind them. Kelli huffed over to a bed in the far corner and collapsed onto it.
"Bumble, you okay?" Jack asked, concerned. Ever since Bridget had become a newsie, Jack had taken care of her, teaching her how to sell, sticking up for her. He was like her big brother.
"Yea. I'se fine." Bee said, wiping her eyes once more.
"No ye'se not. But Bee, I need ta talk ta ya."
"About wha'?"
"Brooklyn. I know how ya feel, but please don't get involved. Just stay in 'Hattan for a couple of days." He pleaded. Bee felt a spark of anger.
"Don't get involved? Why not? He's my best friend! I care about him! And you don't want me to get included cause yer goil, Bimbo is a Harlem newsie."
"Don't call 'er dat! Her name is Angel and it's got nuthin ta do wit her!" Jack replied angrily. "I'm just tryin ta protect ya. But if ya wanna go and get yerself killed, fine by me" he shouted and left irritably. Kelli came out of the room as Jack had rounded the corner. "Guess things didn't go well, huh?" she asked.
"Ya think? That shit head won't let me leave Manhattan. He don't even wanna help Brooklyn. And it's all cuz of dat damn Angel." Bee replied, furious.
"Angel? Who's that?" Kelli asked, confused.
"Angel is a Harlem newsie and the reason Jack won't go help Brooklyn whoop Harlem's ass. She's his goil. I don't even see what he sees in her. He desoives betta."
"Come in here. You need your sleep." Kelli said, ushering her younger cousin into the bedroom. Once comfortable, Kelli began talking again. "What's happening? And don't try to sugar-coat it." Bee sighed resignedly,
"Fine. I'll tell you. But don't tell Jack, cause he don't want you ta know." She began her tale. "Tings have been pretty tough between Brooklyn and Harlem. We don't really know what's da matta wit Harlem, but they have kept invadin Brooklyn. Spot's been tryin to keep peace, but no, I guess, Harlem is gonna go ahead wit a surprise attack."
"Wow. So, there's no reason for this? And how come, what's-his-name won't help?"
"Not dat we know of, no. And Jack's bein an asshole. He knows how close we are wit Brooklyn. He should remember da strike. But, no. He can't 'elp cuz his goil is in Harlem. She is such a bitch. I can't stand her." Bee said, getting angry.
"Calm down, Bree. Come on, let's go to sleep and we'll see what we can do in the morning.
"I'll go ta sleep alright, but I won't wait till morning. I'm goin tanight." Bridget vowed.
"Tonight? That's dangerous! We'll go in the morning." Kelli insisted.
"I don't care what ya do; I'm goin as soon as Jack's asleep." Bee replied, combing her hair. When she looked in the mirror, she saw Kelli's hurt face.
"Bee, I'm just trying to help you. New York is dangerous. Especially at night. It's safer in the morning when there are police officers out." Kelli said, her eyes brimming with tears. Bee sighed.
"Look, Kell. I know yer tryin ta help, but I need ta go. And don't worry; I'll be safe. I can take care of meself." When Kelli still didn't look convinced, she continued, "Spot's taught me everything I know. No one who tried anything will think twice bout crossin me path."
"Fine. I'll let you go." Kelli said, looking away.
"Kelli, don't try to lie to me; I've been lied to by a professional. No offense, but you can really tell." Bee laughed, braiding her hair in two braids.
"Fine. I'm coming with you though." Kelli decided, grabbing a jacket from her bag. Bee grinned and pulled on a pair of pants. Suddenly, Bee looked solemn.
"I'm not going ta keep ya from coming, but I don't know what we gonna see. Livin on da streets, ya see some pretty bad tings. Come if ya want, but it's not gonna be appealing." Bee said suddenly. Kelli looked up.
"I don't care how it looks. If anything bad happened, I want to be there with you. So, when are we leaving?"
"In a couple minutes. There are a couple of things I gotta do first." Bee said, leaving the room. Going into the bunk area, Bridget found the boys all over, playing or talking. She stood on a chair and put her hands on her hips. "Okay, boys! Bedtime! Come one!" she shouted. All the boys looked up at her and grinned. Mush stood up, pulled her off the chair and twirled her around.
"Ya gotta tuck us in first." He grinned, putting her down. He pulled of his shirt and pulled off his shoes, socks, and pants. Then he got into bed and grinned again. Bridget smiled and pulled the blanket over his long frame.
"Good night, don't let the bed bugs bite." She said, kissing his head and ruffling his hair.
"Night" he replied, turning around. Next, Bee went to give Race his water and fixed Blink's eye patch. She purposely forgot to say goodnight to Jack. Instead, Bee went back to her room.
"Alright. Done. We can go now. Wha?" she asked, seeing Kelli's look.
"What did you just do?"
"I tucked em in. What's wrong wit dat?" she asked.
"Nothing. I just can't get used to your ways." Kelli said. Bee laughed.
"Come on, let's go. But be quiet. We're goin out the fire escape. It's easier." Bee said, climbing out the window. Kelli followed quietly and soon they were both standing outside the Manhattan Lodging House.
"Come on. I wanna get der as fast as I can." Bee said and began jogging away. Kelli ran to catch up with her.
a/n
Hello again! Thanks big time to our reviewers, it really meant a lot to us! Hope you all liked this chapter, now we are really getting some action!
Shoutouts:
Spot's Gurlie - Thanks soo much for the review! Glad you like the story so far. Can't tell what's gonna happen with the pairing..hehe! Hope you liked this chapter!
Dreamless-Mermaid - Wow! Thanks a lot for the review! Glad you like it so much! Hope you like this one!
Strawberri Shorti - Thanks a ton for reviewing gurlie! Glad ya liked it! Hope you like this one lots too!