Hey All! *waves* This is a good chapter. Finally! No more of that bad
crap. This is a chapter JUST for Tag! *Waves to Tag*
Now to SO's.can't forget them!!
Tag Along - Did you pull ALL of your hair out yet?? I hope not, I hope I saved a few hairs on your head.LOL. I have to tell you how much trouble I had with this chapter. LOL. Yes, not that much trouble, but I didn't want to make you sound like stupid. I wanted to make you sound like a.well you know what I'm sayin' don't you?!? Ahh I can never describe what I mean. Anyway, this chapter is officially written for YOU dearie! Hehe. I hope you enjoy! LOL. Thanks for reviewing!
Splashy - Thanks for reading and reviewing all of the chaps.hehe.
Sapphy- LOL! I love your reactions!! LMAO! Oscarly! What a word!!! Geez, he is sooo "special" he gets his own word, right?!? Thanks again!!
Seno - you are so sweet! Thank you so much for reviewing! I'm glad you like it so far!!
All the readers and non-reviewers - Thanks for reading!!
Now on to chapter 5!!!!!!! My lucky number!
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Chapter 5: The Plan
Itey yawned slowly as he kicked his feet, expecting to hear the shout and groan of Liz. He heard nothing. He wrinkled his forehead without opening his eyes as he felt around the other side of the bed with his feet. He kicked Snitch's back, although not waking him. *Where is she?* He thought. He heard Kloppman yelling at the other boys. He waited a while thinking that Liz would yell at him eventually, where ever she was. No high pitched voice came, just the low old sounding voice of Kloppman. Itey was forced to open his eyes and when he did, he saw that no one was there, except Snitch. The bed had been as it was before he went to sleep. It had been untouched. He blinked a couple times, wondering if he was just seeing things. He let out a big yawn and said "Snitch, get up!" Snitch didn't move, as usual. He crawled over to Snitch and beat on his back a few times. Snitch just grumbled and went back to sleep. "God, dis is Liz's job. Not mine!" He grabbed his pillow and started beating Snitch over the head with it. "Get up you lazy bum! Get up!" He shouted as Snitch sleepily tried to get the pillow out of Itey's hands.
"Stop!" Snitch grumbled as he grabbed the pillow and started beating Itey over the head. Snitch looked over his shoulder, expecting Liz to be there beside him. His eyes popped open as wide as his mouth. "Where's Liz?" He said a little louder.
"I don' know. She ain't heah. I don' know where she went." Itey answered back. He took the pillow and laid it back down on his side of the bed.
Snitch jumped out of bed and threw his clothes on as quickly as he could. Itey jumped out of bed and put his clothes on too. Snitch pulled his shoes on and tied them as fast as possible.
"Ain't ya gonna wash up foist?" Itey asked, trying to beat Snitch in the 'dressing the fastest' contest.
"No way, she could be anywhere out dere. Oscar could'a.well, ya know." Snitch answered back as he ran down the stairs and out the door.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Specs awoke at the stirring of all the newsboys. He reached over on the table beside his bed and picked up his glasses and put them on. *Why didn't anyone wake me up?* He wondered. He shrugged it off and slowly hopped out of bed. He stretched remembering the talk he had with Liz last night. *I hope she forgot. I don't want to do this* He walked into the wash room and fixed his hair so that it looked extra good today, he wanted to give a good impression to Tag, if Liz didn't forget. He looked at himself in the mirror and frowned. He combed his hair once more hoping that it'd get better.
Racetrack was beside him combing his hair too. He gave Specs a weird look, because Specs never spent THIS much time on his looks. "Who's da goil?" Racetrack asked as he nudged him.
"What goil? I don' know no goil. You don' know what you're talkin' 'bout. I'm jist tryin' things." Specs lied.
Racetrack laughed and nodded. "sure, sure." He said as he walked away.
Specs raised his eye brows as he watched Racetrack walk away. He continued to fix his hair.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Snitch ran out of the LH as fast as he could yelling Liz's name. Liz quickly awoke and tried to stand up. She was afraid, but she knew Snitch's voice. She knew it was him. She was too afraid and ashamed to tell him what happened. She knew he would get mad at her.
"Liz, where are you?!?" Snitch yelled in fear.
Liz shut her eyes tightly as she hollered back "I'm right here, Snitch." She stood up from the barrel she was hiding behind. "I'm right here." She climbed over it, as Snitched walked over and helped her get over the barrel.
"Where were you? What happened?" Snitched asked worried.
"I'm fine, Snitch. Really, I jist needed tah get outtah dere." Liz answered back, avoiding the question.
"Why didn't ya wake me up? You shouldn't a gone out dere by yourself, I mean what if Oscar." He paused as tears started to well up in Liz's eyes. "Liz." He said gently. "What happened? What did Oscar do tah you?" He put his hands on her shoulders as a tear streamed down her face. She didn't say a word. "Liz, please, tell me what happened." Snitch begged.
"You'll get mad at me." Liz cried.
"I ain't mad at you! I'm jist glad dat you're okay." Snitch said.
"But, ya will be mad at me. I jist know it."
"No I won't! I promise, jist tell me please." Snitch begged. He shook her shoulders "Please."
"Alright, alright." Liz answered back as she took a deep breath. "Well, I was jist on da roof thinkin' las' night an' Kloppman came up an' yelled at me. He made me real mad so I left an' ran off. I don' know where I went, an' I didn't care. I jist ran as far an' as fast as I could. Den Oscar came." She stopped.
The rest of the Newsies started coming out of the LH and headed toward the paper distribution center to buy their papers.
"I think we should go." Liz said as she tried to get away from Snitch.
"No! Let dem go an' tell me what happened." Snitch demanded.
"I don' wanna talk about it, Snitch!" Liz yelled. "I'm alright, an' dat's all dat matters."
"You're right, but I want tah know what happened." Snitch demanded again.
"Okay, we both did stupid stuff las' night, we both don' need tah know what happened. It's all ovah an' we don't need tah talk about it." Liz hollered.
"If I tell you what happened with me las' night, will you tell me what happened?" Snitch asked trying to make a compromise.
Liz sighed. "Yeah." They did a spit shake. "You have tah tell me foist."
"No! We need tah finish what happened tah you." Snitch teased.
"No! Ya promised dat you would say foist."
"Liz, come on, please. Jist tell me what happened." Snitch begged.
"Forget it. I already told ya what happened. An' dat's what happened." Liz said, getting a little upset.
"No, ya jist said dat you saw Oscah. So, what 'bout him?"
"Well, 'e jist asked me what was wrong, I didn't tell him an' he talked tah me about stuff. I insulted him an' he punched me an' chased me around da city." Liz said, "improving the truth".
"What did 'e talk tah ya 'bout?"
"Stuff." Liz shrugged.
"What kind'a stuff, Liz?" Snitch got a little irritated.
"Stuffy, stuff, stuff." Liz joked.
"Be serious Liz. Why did you insult him?" Snitch asked.
"Snitch, you ain't me muddah..." She stopped, remembering what Specs had said to her last night. "Look, Snitch. I-I-I" She stuttered. "He- he." She stuttered even more.
"What?"
"He was tellin' me personal stuff an' I yelled at him an' told him dat I hate him an' I always will an' I was real mean tah him!" Liz screamed at Snitch as she started to cry again. "An' he punched me an' I ran away. Den he caught up wid me an' den he started beatin' me up, an' den he." She paused as she covered her face with her hands, ashamed.
"What did he do, Liz?" Snitch asked, gently.
"Umm." She said quietly. "He. He punched me again." She lied.
"Dat's all 'e did?" Liz nodded. "Why did you leave Liz? You could'a been killed or somethin'." Snitch yelled at her.
"I thought ya said dat ya weren't gonna get mad at me!" Liz yelled back, as Snitch began pacing.
"I ain't mad at ya!" He screamed.
"Yes, ya are! You're yellin' at me."
"Well, dat's cause you're yellin' at me!" Snitch screamed even louder.
"Don't be mad at me!" Liz screamed in his face.
"I'M NOT MAD AT YOU! I'm happy dat you're okay. I'm glad dat you're okay! I am not mad! See? If I was mad I would be yellin' an' I ain't yellin'!" He yelled.
"STOP YELLIN' AT ME!" Liz pushed him away.
"I'm not yellin' at you!" He ran right back up to her. "I'm yellin' at da wall! Yeah!" He walked over and pushed the brick wall. "Do ya heah me! I ain't mad at Liz! I ain't yellin' at her! I'm yellin' at YOU!" He kicked the wall and grabbed his foot. "Oww! God damn wall! Ahh!"
Liz ran over to him and grabbed his arm. "You're actin' like a crazy person! What's wrong wid you?" She said.
He calmed down a bit before saying, "I'm sorry Liz. I ain't mad at ya. I jist got scared." He sighed. "Look, jist don't go out dere by yourself no more, okay. I mean, jist talk tah me or somethin'. I'm always here tah listen."
"But, were you las' night?" Snitch dropped his head.
"Liz, I'm sorry, I jist..."
"We don't have tah talk about it. I already know." Liz said.
"I'm sorry, Liz. It was stupid, I know, but if you would have been dere." Snitch tried to explain.
"C'mon. We're not gonna get any papes." Liz said as they started walking to the PDC.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"Hey Specs! What are ya doin'?" Dutchy asked, as he held his 50 papes under his arm.
"I'm jist waitin' forah Liz tah get heah. Den I'll buy my papes." Specs answered as he looked around.
"Why are ya waitin' forah her?"
"Because she." He stopped. "Listen don' worry 'bout it, alright. I'se still gonna sell wid'chu. I'm jist gonna be a little late, dat's all." Specs explained as he paced around.
"See ya." Dutchy said. The blonde haired boy walked away from Specs and over to talk to Itey, who was still in line to get his papes.
Specs was awestruck as he saw Tag Along coming. *There she is; the girl of my dreams.* He thought. *Where's Liz? I can't do this. She's going to think I'm a loser! I have no chance with a girl like her*
Tag Along walked up to Specs, she smiled at him as she got in line to buy her papes. She started talking to some of the guys in line as Specs watched her. Specs heard a high pitched loud laugh that resembled a chipmunk. He knew Liz was coming. He knew that laugh, everyone and their grandmother knew that laugh. *I hope she forgot! I hope she forgot!*
"Hey, Specs! Thanks for waitin', ya still on?" Liz asked as she tugged at his shirt.
*Damn. She remembered* "Uhh yeah sure. I guess." Specs said nervously.
Liz pulled him over to the side. "Now remember the plan, you're gonna ask her how da headlines are, introduce yourself, shake her hand and den do some improv." Liz said confidently.
"Improv.?"
"Yeah, improvising." Liz answered. "Hey, dere she is. She's almost ready to get her papes. Pretty as evah. You can do it, Specs!" She assured him.
"Nah, Liz I don't think I can." Specs said back. Tag just got her papes and was heading this way.
"Now is your chance, Specs! Go!" She said as she pushed him over to Tag.
Specs stood right in Tag's way, she just stood still staring at him. Silence. Specs looked at her, admiring her beautiful face.
"Specs!?!" Liz yelled quietly.
"Umm. I was.ahem. I was just wondering, how are the headlines today?" He said, trying to sound sophisticated.
"Dey're alright I guess. Dey could use some improvin', but dey're good." She laughed. "Oh, do you need money tah get some? I could give ya some."
"No, I'm fine. Really." He said stopping her from giving him money. Tag smiled making Specs blush a little.
"So, Specs, umm why don't you go get some papes?" Tag asked.
*She knew his name?!? She knew his name?!? Did I just hear that?!?* Liz thought.
"I-was-I." He stuttered. "I was just wondering how the headlines are today." Specs lied.
"Why? Headlines don' sell papes, Newsies..."
"Sell papes." They both said in unison as they laughed in unison also.
A moment of silence passed by. *My name?!? I have to tell her my name!* Specs thought, not even realizing that she already knew his name. "I'm Specs." He said as he held out his hand.
Tag laughed for a moment before saying "I'm Becky or Tag Along. Which ever one." She took his hand and shook it. Specs didn't want to let go and kept shaking her hand for what seemed like two minutes. "Um, you can let go now Specs." Tag laughed.
"Oh, yeah." Specs said letting to of her hand. "Sorry." He said, his cheeks got rosy red.
More silence followed, but it wasn't awkward, as most silences are. It was like they wanted the silence. Specs looked into Tag's deep brown eyes as she looked into his. They just stared and smiled at each other.
Liz smiled as she leaned on the wall. She knew there was sparks and everything, even though they never kissed. She knew that Tag liked Specs. She was happy for both of them, because she knew how much Specs adored Tag, she was so glad that it was working out, so far.
Specs swallowed. "So, umm. When I get my papes...er...I mean papers." He took a deep breath. "Could I sell with you? Or you could sell with me?" He asked, before rambling on. "Or maybe you have a boyfriend, nah you probably do. I'm sorry for asking, I mean I'm not sorry but."
"Specs?!?" She said. "Yeah. Of course ya can' sell wid me." She assured him.
"Okay." He laughed. "Let me get my PAPERS and then we can go to your selling spot."
"That sounds great." Tag added as she let Specs walk by her and she walked over to the wall with Liz.
Specs stopped, a thought slipped his mind. He wasn't sure if he told her his name yet. He forgot that he already did. "Becky! My name is Specs!" He yelled at her.
Liz slapped her head and Tag just laughed. "Thanks Specs." Tag said back to him, giggling.
"Hey." Tag said to Liz, who was mumbling to herself. "How are you?"
"Hey, Tag. I'm good, jist a little tired. An' yourself?" Liz replied back.
"I'm good too. You an' Specs friends?"
"Yeah. Well, not real good friends, but we're alright."
"Oh." Tag nodded.
"Oh, sorry. I'm Liz."
"Yeah, I know." Tag laughed as she watched Specs talking to Itey.
"Oh, you know everybody." Liz laughed.
"Nah, not everybody. See, I'm friends wid Itey. He tells me a lot 'bout you guys." Tag explained.
"You're friends wid Itey?" Liz asked.
"Yeah. I met him when I foist became a Newsie an' he kinda showed me da ropes, ya know."
"Itey? Helpful? I'd nevah see da day." Liz joked.
"He really is, ya know. He's a nice guy an' everything."
"Yeah I know. I sleep..never mind." Liz stopped herself. "So, what do ya think of Specs?"
"I don't know." She thought for a minute. "He's a real nice guy an' dat's all I'm gonna say, cause I know you'll tell him."
"Me? Tell Specs? I nevah would, if ya tell me not to, I won't." Liz said, noticing that Specs got his papes and was heading down to them, a frown on his face. He thought that Liz was telling Tag what he said about her. "Hey! Dere's Specs. I guess you'se two bettah go now. Ya don' wanna be late." Liz laughed.
Specs smiled nervously at Tag. They stood there as Liz came walking by and whispered to Specs. "Go get 'er Tiger!" She joked. "See ya latah!" She said to both of them as she walked away.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Specs laughed nervously. "So, where we headed to?"
"Central Park alright?" Tag asked.
"Central Park is poifect." He said, not noticing his accent. He tried not to have an accent, but he forgot. "Umm, do you want me tah get your papers forah you?" He asked, as a gentleman.
"Thanks, Specs." Tag said as he took her papers and put him under his arm. "Now don' steal any of 'em!" Tag joked.
"I won't. I promise." He said as they walked continuing to talk. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Yay! Finally finished! Geez, you will not believe how many times I've deleted things, added things, took things out. Gah! But, it's all good I guess. Well, yeah, enjoy!
Now to SO's.can't forget them!!
Tag Along - Did you pull ALL of your hair out yet?? I hope not, I hope I saved a few hairs on your head.LOL. I have to tell you how much trouble I had with this chapter. LOL. Yes, not that much trouble, but I didn't want to make you sound like stupid. I wanted to make you sound like a.well you know what I'm sayin' don't you?!? Ahh I can never describe what I mean. Anyway, this chapter is officially written for YOU dearie! Hehe. I hope you enjoy! LOL. Thanks for reviewing!
Splashy - Thanks for reading and reviewing all of the chaps.hehe.
Sapphy- LOL! I love your reactions!! LMAO! Oscarly! What a word!!! Geez, he is sooo "special" he gets his own word, right?!? Thanks again!!
Seno - you are so sweet! Thank you so much for reviewing! I'm glad you like it so far!!
All the readers and non-reviewers - Thanks for reading!!
Now on to chapter 5!!!!!!! My lucky number!
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Chapter 5: The Plan
Itey yawned slowly as he kicked his feet, expecting to hear the shout and groan of Liz. He heard nothing. He wrinkled his forehead without opening his eyes as he felt around the other side of the bed with his feet. He kicked Snitch's back, although not waking him. *Where is she?* He thought. He heard Kloppman yelling at the other boys. He waited a while thinking that Liz would yell at him eventually, where ever she was. No high pitched voice came, just the low old sounding voice of Kloppman. Itey was forced to open his eyes and when he did, he saw that no one was there, except Snitch. The bed had been as it was before he went to sleep. It had been untouched. He blinked a couple times, wondering if he was just seeing things. He let out a big yawn and said "Snitch, get up!" Snitch didn't move, as usual. He crawled over to Snitch and beat on his back a few times. Snitch just grumbled and went back to sleep. "God, dis is Liz's job. Not mine!" He grabbed his pillow and started beating Snitch over the head with it. "Get up you lazy bum! Get up!" He shouted as Snitch sleepily tried to get the pillow out of Itey's hands.
"Stop!" Snitch grumbled as he grabbed the pillow and started beating Itey over the head. Snitch looked over his shoulder, expecting Liz to be there beside him. His eyes popped open as wide as his mouth. "Where's Liz?" He said a little louder.
"I don' know. She ain't heah. I don' know where she went." Itey answered back. He took the pillow and laid it back down on his side of the bed.
Snitch jumped out of bed and threw his clothes on as quickly as he could. Itey jumped out of bed and put his clothes on too. Snitch pulled his shoes on and tied them as fast as possible.
"Ain't ya gonna wash up foist?" Itey asked, trying to beat Snitch in the 'dressing the fastest' contest.
"No way, she could be anywhere out dere. Oscar could'a.well, ya know." Snitch answered back as he ran down the stairs and out the door.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Specs awoke at the stirring of all the newsboys. He reached over on the table beside his bed and picked up his glasses and put them on. *Why didn't anyone wake me up?* He wondered. He shrugged it off and slowly hopped out of bed. He stretched remembering the talk he had with Liz last night. *I hope she forgot. I don't want to do this* He walked into the wash room and fixed his hair so that it looked extra good today, he wanted to give a good impression to Tag, if Liz didn't forget. He looked at himself in the mirror and frowned. He combed his hair once more hoping that it'd get better.
Racetrack was beside him combing his hair too. He gave Specs a weird look, because Specs never spent THIS much time on his looks. "Who's da goil?" Racetrack asked as he nudged him.
"What goil? I don' know no goil. You don' know what you're talkin' 'bout. I'm jist tryin' things." Specs lied.
Racetrack laughed and nodded. "sure, sure." He said as he walked away.
Specs raised his eye brows as he watched Racetrack walk away. He continued to fix his hair.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Snitch ran out of the LH as fast as he could yelling Liz's name. Liz quickly awoke and tried to stand up. She was afraid, but she knew Snitch's voice. She knew it was him. She was too afraid and ashamed to tell him what happened. She knew he would get mad at her.
"Liz, where are you?!?" Snitch yelled in fear.
Liz shut her eyes tightly as she hollered back "I'm right here, Snitch." She stood up from the barrel she was hiding behind. "I'm right here." She climbed over it, as Snitched walked over and helped her get over the barrel.
"Where were you? What happened?" Snitched asked worried.
"I'm fine, Snitch. Really, I jist needed tah get outtah dere." Liz answered back, avoiding the question.
"Why didn't ya wake me up? You shouldn't a gone out dere by yourself, I mean what if Oscar." He paused as tears started to well up in Liz's eyes. "Liz." He said gently. "What happened? What did Oscar do tah you?" He put his hands on her shoulders as a tear streamed down her face. She didn't say a word. "Liz, please, tell me what happened." Snitch begged.
"You'll get mad at me." Liz cried.
"I ain't mad at you! I'm jist glad dat you're okay." Snitch said.
"But, ya will be mad at me. I jist know it."
"No I won't! I promise, jist tell me please." Snitch begged. He shook her shoulders "Please."
"Alright, alright." Liz answered back as she took a deep breath. "Well, I was jist on da roof thinkin' las' night an' Kloppman came up an' yelled at me. He made me real mad so I left an' ran off. I don' know where I went, an' I didn't care. I jist ran as far an' as fast as I could. Den Oscar came." She stopped.
The rest of the Newsies started coming out of the LH and headed toward the paper distribution center to buy their papers.
"I think we should go." Liz said as she tried to get away from Snitch.
"No! Let dem go an' tell me what happened." Snitch demanded.
"I don' wanna talk about it, Snitch!" Liz yelled. "I'm alright, an' dat's all dat matters."
"You're right, but I want tah know what happened." Snitch demanded again.
"Okay, we both did stupid stuff las' night, we both don' need tah know what happened. It's all ovah an' we don't need tah talk about it." Liz hollered.
"If I tell you what happened with me las' night, will you tell me what happened?" Snitch asked trying to make a compromise.
Liz sighed. "Yeah." They did a spit shake. "You have tah tell me foist."
"No! We need tah finish what happened tah you." Snitch teased.
"No! Ya promised dat you would say foist."
"Liz, come on, please. Jist tell me what happened." Snitch begged.
"Forget it. I already told ya what happened. An' dat's what happened." Liz said, getting a little upset.
"No, ya jist said dat you saw Oscah. So, what 'bout him?"
"Well, 'e jist asked me what was wrong, I didn't tell him an' he talked tah me about stuff. I insulted him an' he punched me an' chased me around da city." Liz said, "improving the truth".
"What did 'e talk tah ya 'bout?"
"Stuff." Liz shrugged.
"What kind'a stuff, Liz?" Snitch got a little irritated.
"Stuffy, stuff, stuff." Liz joked.
"Be serious Liz. Why did you insult him?" Snitch asked.
"Snitch, you ain't me muddah..." She stopped, remembering what Specs had said to her last night. "Look, Snitch. I-I-I" She stuttered. "He- he." She stuttered even more.
"What?"
"He was tellin' me personal stuff an' I yelled at him an' told him dat I hate him an' I always will an' I was real mean tah him!" Liz screamed at Snitch as she started to cry again. "An' he punched me an' I ran away. Den he caught up wid me an' den he started beatin' me up, an' den he." She paused as she covered her face with her hands, ashamed.
"What did he do, Liz?" Snitch asked, gently.
"Umm." She said quietly. "He. He punched me again." She lied.
"Dat's all 'e did?" Liz nodded. "Why did you leave Liz? You could'a been killed or somethin'." Snitch yelled at her.
"I thought ya said dat ya weren't gonna get mad at me!" Liz yelled back, as Snitch began pacing.
"I ain't mad at ya!" He screamed.
"Yes, ya are! You're yellin' at me."
"Well, dat's cause you're yellin' at me!" Snitch screamed even louder.
"Don't be mad at me!" Liz screamed in his face.
"I'M NOT MAD AT YOU! I'm happy dat you're okay. I'm glad dat you're okay! I am not mad! See? If I was mad I would be yellin' an' I ain't yellin'!" He yelled.
"STOP YELLIN' AT ME!" Liz pushed him away.
"I'm not yellin' at you!" He ran right back up to her. "I'm yellin' at da wall! Yeah!" He walked over and pushed the brick wall. "Do ya heah me! I ain't mad at Liz! I ain't yellin' at her! I'm yellin' at YOU!" He kicked the wall and grabbed his foot. "Oww! God damn wall! Ahh!"
Liz ran over to him and grabbed his arm. "You're actin' like a crazy person! What's wrong wid you?" She said.
He calmed down a bit before saying, "I'm sorry Liz. I ain't mad at ya. I jist got scared." He sighed. "Look, jist don't go out dere by yourself no more, okay. I mean, jist talk tah me or somethin'. I'm always here tah listen."
"But, were you las' night?" Snitch dropped his head.
"Liz, I'm sorry, I jist..."
"We don't have tah talk about it. I already know." Liz said.
"I'm sorry, Liz. It was stupid, I know, but if you would have been dere." Snitch tried to explain.
"C'mon. We're not gonna get any papes." Liz said as they started walking to the PDC.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"Hey Specs! What are ya doin'?" Dutchy asked, as he held his 50 papes under his arm.
"I'm jist waitin' forah Liz tah get heah. Den I'll buy my papes." Specs answered as he looked around.
"Why are ya waitin' forah her?"
"Because she." He stopped. "Listen don' worry 'bout it, alright. I'se still gonna sell wid'chu. I'm jist gonna be a little late, dat's all." Specs explained as he paced around.
"See ya." Dutchy said. The blonde haired boy walked away from Specs and over to talk to Itey, who was still in line to get his papes.
Specs was awestruck as he saw Tag Along coming. *There she is; the girl of my dreams.* He thought. *Where's Liz? I can't do this. She's going to think I'm a loser! I have no chance with a girl like her*
Tag Along walked up to Specs, she smiled at him as she got in line to buy her papes. She started talking to some of the guys in line as Specs watched her. Specs heard a high pitched loud laugh that resembled a chipmunk. He knew Liz was coming. He knew that laugh, everyone and their grandmother knew that laugh. *I hope she forgot! I hope she forgot!*
"Hey, Specs! Thanks for waitin', ya still on?" Liz asked as she tugged at his shirt.
*Damn. She remembered* "Uhh yeah sure. I guess." Specs said nervously.
Liz pulled him over to the side. "Now remember the plan, you're gonna ask her how da headlines are, introduce yourself, shake her hand and den do some improv." Liz said confidently.
"Improv.?"
"Yeah, improvising." Liz answered. "Hey, dere she is. She's almost ready to get her papes. Pretty as evah. You can do it, Specs!" She assured him.
"Nah, Liz I don't think I can." Specs said back. Tag just got her papes and was heading this way.
"Now is your chance, Specs! Go!" She said as she pushed him over to Tag.
Specs stood right in Tag's way, she just stood still staring at him. Silence. Specs looked at her, admiring her beautiful face.
"Specs!?!" Liz yelled quietly.
"Umm. I was.ahem. I was just wondering, how are the headlines today?" He said, trying to sound sophisticated.
"Dey're alright I guess. Dey could use some improvin', but dey're good." She laughed. "Oh, do you need money tah get some? I could give ya some."
"No, I'm fine. Really." He said stopping her from giving him money. Tag smiled making Specs blush a little.
"So, Specs, umm why don't you go get some papes?" Tag asked.
*She knew his name?!? She knew his name?!? Did I just hear that?!?* Liz thought.
"I-was-I." He stuttered. "I was just wondering how the headlines are today." Specs lied.
"Why? Headlines don' sell papes, Newsies..."
"Sell papes." They both said in unison as they laughed in unison also.
A moment of silence passed by. *My name?!? I have to tell her my name!* Specs thought, not even realizing that she already knew his name. "I'm Specs." He said as he held out his hand.
Tag laughed for a moment before saying "I'm Becky or Tag Along. Which ever one." She took his hand and shook it. Specs didn't want to let go and kept shaking her hand for what seemed like two minutes. "Um, you can let go now Specs." Tag laughed.
"Oh, yeah." Specs said letting to of her hand. "Sorry." He said, his cheeks got rosy red.
More silence followed, but it wasn't awkward, as most silences are. It was like they wanted the silence. Specs looked into Tag's deep brown eyes as she looked into his. They just stared and smiled at each other.
Liz smiled as she leaned on the wall. She knew there was sparks and everything, even though they never kissed. She knew that Tag liked Specs. She was happy for both of them, because she knew how much Specs adored Tag, she was so glad that it was working out, so far.
Specs swallowed. "So, umm. When I get my papes...er...I mean papers." He took a deep breath. "Could I sell with you? Or you could sell with me?" He asked, before rambling on. "Or maybe you have a boyfriend, nah you probably do. I'm sorry for asking, I mean I'm not sorry but."
"Specs?!?" She said. "Yeah. Of course ya can' sell wid me." She assured him.
"Okay." He laughed. "Let me get my PAPERS and then we can go to your selling spot."
"That sounds great." Tag added as she let Specs walk by her and she walked over to the wall with Liz.
Specs stopped, a thought slipped his mind. He wasn't sure if he told her his name yet. He forgot that he already did. "Becky! My name is Specs!" He yelled at her.
Liz slapped her head and Tag just laughed. "Thanks Specs." Tag said back to him, giggling.
"Hey." Tag said to Liz, who was mumbling to herself. "How are you?"
"Hey, Tag. I'm good, jist a little tired. An' yourself?" Liz replied back.
"I'm good too. You an' Specs friends?"
"Yeah. Well, not real good friends, but we're alright."
"Oh." Tag nodded.
"Oh, sorry. I'm Liz."
"Yeah, I know." Tag laughed as she watched Specs talking to Itey.
"Oh, you know everybody." Liz laughed.
"Nah, not everybody. See, I'm friends wid Itey. He tells me a lot 'bout you guys." Tag explained.
"You're friends wid Itey?" Liz asked.
"Yeah. I met him when I foist became a Newsie an' he kinda showed me da ropes, ya know."
"Itey? Helpful? I'd nevah see da day." Liz joked.
"He really is, ya know. He's a nice guy an' everything."
"Yeah I know. I sleep..never mind." Liz stopped herself. "So, what do ya think of Specs?"
"I don't know." She thought for a minute. "He's a real nice guy an' dat's all I'm gonna say, cause I know you'll tell him."
"Me? Tell Specs? I nevah would, if ya tell me not to, I won't." Liz said, noticing that Specs got his papes and was heading down to them, a frown on his face. He thought that Liz was telling Tag what he said about her. "Hey! Dere's Specs. I guess you'se two bettah go now. Ya don' wanna be late." Liz laughed.
Specs smiled nervously at Tag. They stood there as Liz came walking by and whispered to Specs. "Go get 'er Tiger!" She joked. "See ya latah!" She said to both of them as she walked away.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Specs laughed nervously. "So, where we headed to?"
"Central Park alright?" Tag asked.
"Central Park is poifect." He said, not noticing his accent. He tried not to have an accent, but he forgot. "Umm, do you want me tah get your papers forah you?" He asked, as a gentleman.
"Thanks, Specs." Tag said as he took her papers and put him under his arm. "Now don' steal any of 'em!" Tag joked.
"I won't. I promise." He said as they walked continuing to talk. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Yay! Finally finished! Geez, you will not believe how many times I've deleted things, added things, took things out. Gah! But, it's all good I guess. Well, yeah, enjoy!
