Chapter 13

The End

I won't burden you with having to read all the happenings of what went on in the long year I spent in that New Jersey town, but I'll write them quickly, in a summary.

Firstly, I was enrolled into a school. Naturally, I made new friends and new enemies, but that is really no new concept of teenage life. There were some fond memories in the school that I will surely treasure, but I have to admit I hated every minute. Learning about ancient Europe seemed pointless unless I was in ancient Europe with Blink. I tired as hard as I might to focus on my studies, and I did get good marks. This pleased my mother tremendously. Also, much to my horror, my mother found a new 'male companion.' It wasn't the character of Albert Redding that I didn't like; it was the fact that mother could move on so readily. The thought to this day makes me sick and queasy, but Albert did make mother happy, and I'm sure that's what father would have wanted.

We got a puppy, named Luna, and she helped me get through the worst of days- mostly the days when I didn't get any mail from Blink. She was a sweet thing, and always had energy. She curled up on my bed at night and slept with me, even when she had gotten to be her grown size. The thought of her cold nose still comforts me to this very day.

Blink didn't write me everyday like he had promised. He letters quickly dwindled to thrice a week, then twice, then once, and then to thrice a month. And then...to barely any. He complained of many things, time, money, food. They were all excuses, and I bought them. When you are so much in love with someone, you'll do anything to imagine them perfect. I wrote him as much as I could, which was about three times a week when things weren't busy. I suppose we both didn't keep up our side of the bargain, but we tried- at least I did.

When the day did come that mother presented me with a train ticket to New York City, I packed right away, even though it wasn't due to leave in a week. Mother wasn't coming along, she said it hurt too much, and I nodded along. She had nothing to go back for. Albert was going with me instead. He and mother weren't married yet, but he spent a lot of time at our house, and what I liked most about him was that he didn't try to be a father, he was just my friend.

He came to gather my stuff Monday morning. We were going to be there for two weeks. It seemed so short, but I was happy with anything we got. Albert took the trunk of clothes I had packed and hauled it in the back of the carriage and we were off. We talked about nothing in particular to our way to the train station. He asked a little about Blink, and I answered the questionsquickly. When we boarded the train Albert took out a book. I wasn't as lucky as last time to fall asleep, and I stayed awake most the trip. A young girl who was about 8 was sitting across from me. Her name was Liza and she was going to visit her aunt for the winter holidays. I helped her finish sewing a doll, read her part of a book I brought with me, and shared her sandwich. She was the sweetest girl I have ever met. Our short friendship really has no relevance to my story; other then I wish I would have gotten her address.

When the train stopped, I had fallen asleep with Liza resting her head on my lap. Albert awoke us both, and I said my goodbye to Liza and left with Albert. He, never being to our house, had no idea where it was. Although I hadn't walked to my house in over a year, I still knew how to get there, and the short cuts were fresh in my mind. I kept my eye out for newsies of any kind, but alas it was late in the night, and they were probably all done for the evening.

Once we arrived at the house, Albert grabbed our trunks and pulled them up the stairs to the front door. I pulled the key out of my pocket and unlocked the door. Everything was the same as it had been the day we left. It took a lot not to break down into tears, but then again, I was so happy to be back, it was easy. Albert helped me pull my trunk to my room, and he put himself in one of the guestrooms. I supposed, since nothing had moved no one had rented the house, which was fine with me. I didn't care for the thought of having strange people living in our house. I unpacked a few clothes items, and then collapsed onto my bed, and just laid and ran over the thoughts in my life. I secretly hoped and wished that Blink was climb up my fire escape like he had done so long ago, but there wasn't a sound outside beside the normal hussle and bussle of the New York night.

When I awoke the next morning, I changed my clothes, fixed my hair and wondered downstairs. Albert was cooking breakfast in the kitchen. He had cooked for mother and I on numerous occasions, and every time he fixed something great. This time was no different. He brought out eggs, fresh juice, and small little cakes. I asked him how he got the food, and he said he had gone shopping when I was sleeping. I nodded and ate up. I thanked him kindly for the great breakfast and excused myself to go find my friends in the city. He nodded as he opened and began to read the newspaper. I walked off and turned around to ask him for some money, but I was interrupted. For a split second, he looked like my father sitting there. I let out a rush of air.

"Are you okay, Dacey?" He asked glancing up.

"Yes, quite well thanks." I lied. I wanted to leave the house immediately and find Blink, but I needed money. "Do you by any chance have some of that money mother gave you for me?" He nodded and tossed me a small bag heavy with change. I thanked him and quickly left.

The site before me refreshed and made me feel wonderful. My city was wide awake and moving quickly before my eyes. Everything was moving too fast to rest your eyes on one thing for too long. I hadn't bothered writing Blink about me coming up to New York, I'd rather surprise him. There was just the slight problem of finding him in the large city. I spotted a Newsie selling at a far corner. I ran over to him, nearly getting myself ran over in the process.

"Excuse me, do you by any chance know where Kid Blink is?" I asked. The Newsie nodded.

"Yeah, I'se think he's over by the Lodgin' House." He said and walked away continuing his paper selling. I stood for a moment trying to remember where the Lodging House was exactly. Once I had a pretty clear picture of where I was heading and walked off in the direction of it.

I walked slowly and peeked in every alley, I wanted to make sure I didn't pass him up on my way. It was a long process and gained me a few odd looks. When I finally saw the familiar sign of the Lodging House, I let out a small squeak and headed over. There was a Newsie sitting on the steps in front of the building. I walked over to him. He didn't notice me. He had fluffy brown hair, and chocolate eyes. I remembered him, he was Mush.

"Mush!" I said loudly, and he jumped up, and looked me over for a minute, then his eyes blazed with recognition.

"Dacey! Oy, what are you doing here? It's been forever!" He said quickly and gave me hug. "Oh wow." He muttered.

"How have you all been?" I asked hurriedly, I wanted to ask where Blink was.

"We'se all been great!" He said happily. "Sellin' has been good, but we'se all missed you."

"Yes, well." I said smiling, and then paused. "Where is Blink?" I asked tilting my head, but still smiling.

"Blink?" He asked. "Oh." Mush's voice suddenly turned resentful and he scratched his head. "He is- well. Why's don't you'se come to Tibby's and wait for him there?" He said hopefully.

"I don't intend to be rude, but I'd really just like to see him now." I said glancing around. "Is he here?" I asked.

"Yeah." Mush nodded. "He's in there." He said pointing to an alley to my right. I hopped off the stairs and onto the sidewalk. "Dacey?" He asked before I turned into the alley.

"Yes?" I asked, turning to face him again.

"Just...uh..... Nevermind." He said and shook his head.

I shrugged and walked into the alley and started peering around for Blink. It was broad daylight outside, but in the alley it was kind of dark and hard to see. I could hear movement, but I couldn't place it with my eyes. I wish right then and there I would have given up the search for Blink and gone back to my house and never seen what I saw. It would have spared me more pain then I think I deserved. But I didn't turn back. I found him.

I should have identified the sound sooner then I did. The sound of snogging isn't a very hard one to miss guess. I pushed myself around a crate and saw Blink against a wall, and a girl leaning over and kissing him. I froze. That girl wasn't me, but that boy was Blink. Blink immediately pushed the girl off him and froze as well. The girl, well I guess she froze too.

"Dacey?" Blink said, his one uncovered eye grew big. "When? W-what...no." He stammered. I had no idea what he was trying to spit out, and I didn't give him the chance to rearrange his words into a sentence. I ran out. Mush shouted my name, but I didn't bother to stop. I just ran.

I had never been an athlete but somehow the emotions of fury and betrayal I felt helped with keeping me run. I ran all the way to my house and opened the door. I slammed it shut and slid to the floor. Albert came running down from upstairs. He asked over and over what was wrong, but I couldn't answer. There tears that streamed down my face were answer enough I suppose. He patted my back, and tried to do as much as anyone in that position could do to help, but eventually he figured it was just best to let me cry and he left. I sat there oblivious to everything for I don't know how long. I stopped crying eventually but I sat there for a while after just thinking.

At first I was mad, furious, and enraged. I told myself I was too good for Kid Blink. He was street trash, and I was part of a higher society. After that I felt that I was not good enough for him and he had to go find another girl to fill his needs. I stuck with that for a long time. But then I figured it wasn't me not being good enough for him, it was simply me being too foolish to realize that love doesn't last forever. I was so silly to think that I could move away, and Blink and I could still love each other. I thought I was insane or eccentric as I went to bed that night. Needless to say I didn't sleep well at all. I woke up every hour thinking about Blink and myself.

The next morning Albert was cooking another breakfast. I just stayed in bed. He brought it up to me and sat next to me on my bed. He felt my forehead. I wasn't sick, and he knew it.

"Dacey, I don't want to press the issue, but if you need to talk about what happened- I'm here." Albert said smiling. That's when I cracked.

I explained everything from the very first day I met Blink, to yesterday. He was very patient as I paused to take bites of food or sips of milk and listened to the whole thing, nodding and laughing when appropriate. Once I was done, he patted my back and nodded. He got up and I didn't think he was going to say anything, but he paused and turned around.

"Do you want to leave tomorrow?" He asked. He knew the soul purpose I was up here was for Blink, and I didn't have him anymore. I nodded. Once he left I began writing Blink a letter, that I later gave to Mush to give to Blink. Mush tried to talk to me, but I didn't feel like listening to anyone anymore. Albert and I boarded the train and I took a last look at New York wondering if I'd ever be back again, or if I'd ever once again fall asleep in Blink's arms, or feel the warm and safe feeling I felt whenever he kissed me. I highly doubted it at all.

---

I told you from the beginning, this was not going to end happily, and I've stayed true to my story. I could have lied, and I said Blink and I lived happily ever after, but contrary to most stories told- no one truly lives happily ever after. There's always something that ruins your fairy tale ending. So I'll end this with the letter I left to Mush, and I pray he gave it to Blink.

Dearest Kid Blink,

Who the girl you were kissing was, I really don't care to know. I'm positive this will sound petty but I cannot believe you would cheat on me like that. I know being so far away from each other was hard, but you could have just told me you didn't want to be together anymore and I would have obliged, because I love you Blink- and I would have done that for you. Besides, it would have been easier on both of us. Perhaps a burden was all that I was, and our relationship a lie.

Sincerely,

Dacey.

P.S. Please tell the other Newsies that I am sorry I couldn't stay longer, but the heartbreak and treason I felt was too much.

(A/N: Wow. My first finished fan fic. This is pretty cool. I just want to thank all my reviewers, the ones who have been here at the start, and those who have just jumped on. Your kind remarks mean everything to me, and without them I doubt I would have gotten past chapter two.

I not exactly pleased with the way this has ended, but I think it's okay. I'm never pleased much with anything I write. I have really enjoyed writing it though. I think it has matured my writing, and improved it greatly. So thanks again for reading. Oh yeah, if I get enough 'yays' I might write a sequel in a bit, if I can gather some stuff together.)