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

Living in Suburbia

Starring: Patrick 'Spot' Conlon, Nathaniel 'Kid Blink' O'Connor, Jeremy Conlon

Chapter 9

—Spot's PoV—

Amidst the panic to catch my brother's wrongdoer came another distraction. I never would have guessed it, but when Kid Blink appeared at my door around seven in the evening, I had to believe it.

Skittery has been Skittery's best friend for quiet a while. There were six boys spread over three years. Racetrack and I, Skittery and Kid Blink, Specs and Jack. Race and I were friends off the bat and soon, after getting a few angry calls from the school about Jack and Specs' behaviour towards each other, they too were inseparable. For Skittery and Kid Blink it took a while longer.

Kid Blink was an awkward, one-eyed kid, with no father and a large house he shared with his mother.

"I will not remarry," declared Marguerite O'Connor indefinitely. "As long as I am living in my dead husband's house I will be sworn to him and him alone."

Marguerite was a beautiful woman around the time of her husband's death, and still possesses that aged beauty. She is thin with very long, sandy blonde hair and the hugest, bluest, roundest eyes you will ever see. Mrs O'Connor is around the height of my father, but he is a short man, so average height for a woman. She is caring and soft-spoken. And very proud of whom she is and what she has.

"Where's your daddy?" Skittery asked Kid Blink on the first day they met. Kid Blink, thinking Skittery was trying to be smart, plunged at his, fists ready and feet flailing. Unlike Jack and Specs though, this was not the recipe for friendship.

Skittery had a few bruises and a black eye while Kid Blink had a scraped knee and a grounding.

"Never use your fists Nathaniel!" scolded Marguerite. Blink sniffed and wiped his eye with his fists.

It wasn't until the beginning of high school that either of them began to like each other.

Skittery is a handsome boy. He is tall and chiselled, with a charming smile and a heart-leaping laugh. Girls like him. They don't like Blink who is missing an eye and is constantly serious around them. Skittery didn't know what it was like to be Kid Blink until he spilt the kettle on himself and burned his upper neck and lower chin.

Immediately Blink took to him.

"It will be fine," he assured and swollen and scabbing Skittery.

Skittery tried to smile, but flinched instead. "Are you sure?"

Kid Blink nodded.

So they have yet to return to before. Sure, Skittery's burn has vanished, leaving the prints of a vague scar on the side of his neck, but Kid Blink and Skittery and best friends too, something that makes everyone's parents happy and content.

And this is why I had to believe Kid Blink. Since he punched out Skittery for asking about his father, he has not hurt his physically or emotionally, even when they didn't like each other.

"Spot, can I come in?" asked Blink awkwardly.

I nodded and moved aside to allow him inside.

He looked around carefully before continuing. "We—uh—went to see Specs today," he said.

My breathing slowed.

"And they," he laughed nervously. "They almost wouldn't let us in. We weren't family. But they did because—uh—of Skittery..."

He trailed off uncertainly. I knew what he meant, but at the same time, I didn't want to.

"What do you mean, 'because of Skittery'?" I asked. My mouth was dry.

Blink rubbed his arm and shifted his feet. "Spot, Skittery is your half-brother," he whispered.

I really wanted his to tell me he was joking or to shake his head and say he was mistaken, but he didn't. He just stood there. He just stood there. Watching me. I swallowed a few times. And I thought about it.

"Skittery doesn't look a thing like Gerald, does he?" asked Mrs Higgins.

"No, not at all," said my mother.

"Do you ever think Scarlet...you know?" asked Mrs Higgins.

"Are you two brothers?" asked a man of Specs and Skittery.

Specs laughed. "Nah, just friends."

"What did you say your name was?" asked the high school schedule manager of me in grade nine.

"Patrick," I said.

"Oh, Bardot? Yes, your brother Philip is in my English class."

"No, it's Conlon."

I shook my head, trying to blast out the memories. Kid Blink looked uncertain of what to do.

"Just leave," I said, my throat clenching and fighting back the tears.

"Listen, Spot, I'm really sorry about—"

"Blink, just leave. I don't want to talk about it."

I slammed the door after him. My father came running.

"Patrick, what are you doing?" he asked.

I glared. "Nothing, sorry Dad."

End Chapter

I think that was kind of short, but I hope no one minded. I actually liked that chapter; I am hoping everyone else did too. Please review.

I am very sad. School starts tomorrow.

Shoutouts:

Lyra/Erin go Bragh—no one knows because they haven't told anyone. As you can see (and was foreshadowed in the first chapter) some people suspect that Mr Bardot isn't Skittery's real father, but no one asks about it. Would you? I mean, just walk up to a woman and say 'hello there, I was wondering if you sleep around because your husband looks nothing like your son'.

Icanreadncount—a few people have already punched each other. In flashbacks, at least. However, I know who is going to punch who. I wasn't going to put it in, but I will because you mentioned it.

Madison Square—school starts tomorrow for me and I'm not looking forward to it. I am, for now, just enjoying Labour Day weekend as long as possible so that school seems farther away.

Utopia Today—I'm really no good at remembering families and stuff like that (names, last names, who's friends with who, etc.) so I have made a little chart at the top of my word document. This way I just scroll to the top if I forget!

Jacky Higgins—are you talking about Alexandre Despatie? I don't remember. Anyways, there's this picture of him for Bell that looks really stupid because he looks squished, but the picture in the Star was OK.

C.M. Higgins—I can just sneak on...shhh! The computer's in my room, but last time I got caught. Fortunately, my dad for got about it, unfortunately, we're moving the computer to the basement.

Strawberri Shake (and her SIX reviews)—thanks for reviewing all the chapters.

(Chapter 3)—yes, Lacrosse is the national sport of Canada. Most people, like you, think it's hockey. I'm not sure where lacrosse or hockey were invented, I assume Canada, but basketball was also invented here. However, we're not very good at it and that embarrassing. I would hate to be stranded senior year if my nest friend left. This year, though, I am. Though I am not a senior.

(Chapter 4) I would make Dutchy a family, but I'm not sure how I would work them in.

(Chapter 5) yeah, it does suck, being slash free and all. However, I am working on a butt-load of stories, all of which but one are slash-tastic! I always pair Race and Itey up as cousins or friends or something. It just works.

(Chapter 6) yeah, I'll have to include the mayor in later chapters. Right now I am not sure how (as with many other aspects of this)

(Chapter 7) I don't like Denton. He combs his hair in grease and is sleazy and icky! THEY DELEATED SWEET HOW CAROLINA!????? HOW COULD THEY??? THAT WAS ON MY FAVOURITES LIST!!! That makes me sad.

(Chapter 8) I didn't really realize the quadruple S thing, but it works. Cool!