A/N: Well, you guys wanted me to continue this, so I did! I hope you guys enjoy this chapter as well. It has a little bit of drama, but it does start out with some humor as well.
I didn't bother looking behind me as I continued running. I had gotten a head start on Spot, who I knew was probably coming after me. If I looked behind me, I would automatically slow down, and I couldn't afford to. As I dodged people, I kept an eye out for Racetrack. He was the reason I chose to run to Manhattan, rather than stay in Brooklyn. As I ran, I stuck Spot's slingshot into my belt so I didn't have to hold it anymore.
Turning a corner, I rammed into someone and started to fall. A pair of arms went around my waist to stop me. Looking up, I saw Racetrack, a smile on his face.
"Well, if it ain't the prettiest newsie I've ever seen," he said, keeping his arms around my waist. Then his brow furrowed. "Why are you all wet?" I started laughing.
"Because…Spot…" I couldn't get the words out, I was laughing so hard, clinging to Racetrack so that I wouldn't fall down.
After I finally started calming down, I straightened up, wiping my eyes and trying to catch my breath.
"I'm sorry. It's just the look on Spot's face…" I trailed off. "Maybe I should start at the beginning," I said, seeing the slightly confused look on Racetrack's face.
"Did you really take Spot's slingshot?" he asked after I finished telling him what had happened and why I was soaking wet--and getting cold, now that I thought about it.
"You better believe it," I said, going to pull it out of my belt so I could show Racetrack that I wasn't kidding. My eyes grew wide and I looked back towards my hip only to confirm my suspicions: the slingshot was gone. I looked back up at Racetrack, trying not to panic.
"I've lost his slingshot!" I said, struggling to keep from shouting. "What am I gonna do? I can't tell Spot! But I'll have to. He'll find out sooner or later. But he's gonna kill me! Race, what am I gonna do?!" I cried, grabbing him by his vest. He reached up and took my hands, gently prying them off.
"It's okay, Bookworm," he said. "I'm sure that…"
"It's not okay!" I yelled. "How am I supposed to tell the King of Brooklyn that I've lost his slingshot? Spot's gonna kill me! He's gonna kick me out of Brooklyn! He's…"
"Right behind you," came an all-too familiar voice.
"Pourquoi moi?" I groaned. (AN: pronounced por-qua mwa. Translation: Why me?) I slowly turned around and screamed in surprise, automatically ducking behind Racetrack. Spot was standing there, slingshot locked and loaded…and aimed directly at my head.
I cautiously peered over Racetrack's shoulder. "I see you've found your slingshot," I said, somewhat shakily, ready to duck back behind Racetrack at any moment. After a few moments, Spot lowered the slingshot and stuck it in his belt.
"Say goodbye to Racetrack, Bookworm," he said, crossing his arms over his chest. I looked at Spot confusedly.
"Why?" I questioned, not really liking where this was going.
"Because you're not gonna see him for two weeks." I started laughing.
"Yeah, right, Spot. What makes you think that I'm going to stay in Brooklyn for two weeks without coming to Manhattan to see Race?"
"Well, as punishment for that little stunt that ya pulled back on the docks, and for takin' my slingshot, I'm confining you to Brooklyn for two weeks." I smirked.
"Fine with me. Race can just come to Brooklyn," I said, glancing at Racetrack, who nodded. Spot grinned, and I got a bad feeling that he was about to say something that I wasn't going to like.
"I'm afraid that won't be possible," he said. "Racetrack is hereby banned from Brooklyn for the next two weeks."
My jaw dropped. No way. He can't do that…can he? "You can't be serious!" I cried once I found my voice.
"I'm completely serious," Spot said. "Now say goodbye." I fought back sudden tears. This really wasn't my day.
"Can you give us a few minutes?" I pleaded. I knew better than to argue with Spot. If I did, he would simply extend my punishment, and I certainly didn't want that. Two weeks would be hard enough. Spot thought about if for a few moments. Then he sighed.
"You've got two minutes," he said, walking away. "I'll be just around this corner." After he left, I turned to Racetrack.
"I'm sorry," I said quietly. "This isn't fair to you. I should have thought before…" I was cut off by Racetrack putting a finger to my lips.
"Don't worry about it, Bookworm. Let's just enjoy the time we've got left, okay?" Without waiting for me to reply, he leaned over and kissed me. I automatically wrapped my arms around his neck as he wrapped his arms around my waist, pulling me up against him. I didn't even try to hold back the few tears that made their way down my face. The kiss ended all too soon for me, and I'm sure the same went for Racetrack as well. He reached up and gently wiped the tears away. "It'll be alright, Bookworm. It's not like you're never gonna see me again. It's only two weeks."
"It'll feel like a month," I said, laying my head on his shoulder, my arms still around his neck. We just stood there, with his arms around my waist, and his head on top of mine. Before I knew it, I heard Spot's voice behind me.
"Let's go, Bookworm." I slowly straightened up and stepped away from Racetrack.
"Je t'aime," I said. (AN: pronounced zja tem. Translation: I love you.) Racetrack smiled.
"Same to you," he said. "I'll see ya in two weeks, and not a day more!" he promised. I tried to smile.
"I look forward to it," I called as Spot started dragging me away by the arm. Right before we turned the corner, I glanced back at Racetrack one last time. He smiled and waved, then disappeared from view as Spot and I rounded the corner.
A/N: Don't worry--there's more coming. I don't know how soon, but hopefully within a week. Hope you liked it! And thanks to Pockets for once more helping me out with the French.