By: Nightingale
Rating: PG13
Part 4Gin couldn't believe that she had given up the chance at seeing the newsie again. The boy with the crutch was so sweet and she was certain he never noticed the fact that she was clearly in a class above him. That's what she loved about people like that. There was no distinction. Why can't we all be that way? Gin asked herself.
The boy was almost disappointed when he walked away without her going as well. What would she be doing right now had she gone with him? Would she be standing at the bedside of the handsome newsie she had fallen for? Would she have been treated as an outsider? She would never know cause she never went and had no way to get there now. Instead she stood on a wooden box and her maid was trimming the hem of her dress.
This was her wedding dress. She still wasn't prepared for this how could she be? Gin's mother was being unreasonable because she didn't want to lower herself to working. Gin was prepared for that...she had been since her father died.
Gin knew about the debts before he did it. He confided in her one night when he was drunker than need be and couldn't control his tongue.
"Look at you" started her mother, "my perfect little girl going off and become a perfect bride." Her mother's voice broke into her memories.
"Far from perfect mother." Gin commented through the mirror
Her mother ignored the remark as she did many of her daughter's smart comments.
"Finally all of my work coming together." her voice trailed off.
Gin wanted to scream. Your work! Gin thought angrily, So glad you're suffering this great loss for me Mother. Gin felt like she was screaming at the top of her lungs and no one paid attention. Gin's life was slowly falling in around her and there was no way to stop it.
"You don't seem yourself my dear" voiced her mother
"I wonder why." State Gin flatly
"I heard about your argument with Alison."
"Great. What do you have to say about it mother?"
The house cook suddenly burst through the doors of her bedroom.
"Mrs. Lee! There is a emergency in the kitchen."
Her mother never answered Gin just ran out to see to the problem.
"Maybe the house will burn down" commented Gin
"Oh come now Miss Nightingale" cooed her maid
Gin watched her maid's gentle finger weave the needle through the smooth white fabric. Watching her hands sent Gin's brain into motion.
"Sneaks?"
"Yes?"
The maid stopped her work and looked up used to the sudden burst of conversation that always came from Gin. Mrs. Lee was far too strict in her ways to ever talk to a servant the way Gin did and maybe that was why Sneaks listen to Gin and treated her more like a friend instead of an employer.
"I will never please my mother. I'm done trying. I want to please myself." Gin reasoned
"As you should"
"So you won't mind doing me a favor."
Sneaks suddenly realized that Gin was up to something and when Gin was up to something it only meant trouble from the missus.
"What are you planning?" asked Sneaks cautiously
"Help me out of this dress."
"What are you thinking?" she asked again
"Oh come on Sneaks. Please."
Sneaks eyed the buttons of the wedding dress judging her movements before she made them. Her hands went up to the buttons and Sneaks unbuttoned the back of her dress.
Gin quickly slipped out of it. She stood there in nothing but her bloomers.
"Aren't you going to get dressed?" asked Sneaks still wondering about the plan
"This is where your favor comes in."
"Miss Nightingale? What are you planning?"
"I want to borrow some of your clothing"
"You want to what?" she said alarmed
"You heard me Sneaks I know your hearing isn't that bad. Your clothes…just a spare set."
"You don't know what you're doing."
"Have I ever?" teased Gin pulling on the girl's skirt
"You're insane you don't know what it's like out there. You've been so privileged-"
Gin interrupted her with one motion.
"Don't talk to me about privileged. I saw that money come in and I saw it leave. My father wasn't born rich he made himself that way and lost it the same way he made it. I'm doing this."
"If you insist at least go somewhere safe."
"Like where?"
"I have a brother. He's got good standing with the leader of the Brooklyn newsies. If you want I'll go with you and get things set up for you."
"That would be wonderful-you have a brother?"
"Yeah"
"So why are you here?"
"He wanted me off the streets. We saw the add for a maid and…here I am."
"I see"
"I'll go get you the clothes" voiced Sneaks as she slipped from the room.
The comment was said more for a way to get out. Gin was astonished that this girl had such connections. They had never come up before.
"Everyone is entitled to their own secrets" spoke Gin as she took off the remains of the fitting of the wedding dress.