Skittery watched as race taught royal how to play poker, fighting off jealousy as it approached him. He and royal still hadn't told the other newsies about the feelings they had for each other though they expected it to get out sometime.
Skittery was almost embarrassed by the fact that a relationship between royal and himself had developed so soon. It felt so spontaneous, as if they had given no real thought to the matter.
Finally, having had enough of his reflecting, Skittery stood up and approached the desk that royal was being taught at.
"Hey, race… could I borrow her for a minute?" he asked as indifferently as he could.
"Yeah sure Skits. A fast learner this one is!" race exclaimed proudly pointing to his pupil.
"I'm sure she is." Skittery agreed, motioning royal towards the door.
She followed him into the hallway, a pleasant smile upon her face.
"Hey, hows it rollin'…" she began to ask though was interrupted by Skittery's lips on her mouth. Skittery lifted his lips after a few moments.
"That was…"
"Random? Yeah I know." He said, ruffling his hair with one hand and leaning his other against the wall to his right.
She looked him up and down for a moment before pulling him into a more passionate kiss. She tugged him closer to her body by his suspenders and he puts his hands on her waist, bracing himself.
Suddenly the door to the bunkroom flung open.
"Skits are ya done chit chattin wid me student…" though race stopped abruptly as the couple came into view. Skittery pulled away from royal as he noticed racetracks presence.
"Naw…race…no it ain't…" though race didn't wait for him to explain. He turned around and quickly ran back into the room. Skittery approached the door, still hand in hand with royal.
"Hey you guys! Skits and royal hooked up." Race announced calmly though very loudly to the bunkroom.
The room erupted in murmurs and catcalls as Skittery entered the room, waving his free hand in the air; trying to calm the boys down.
"We knew it was gonna happen sooner or later." Mush called from his bunk in the corner though his voice was drowned out by the other newsies.
Royal pulled Skittery away from his attempts to quiet the boys down, "oh, what does it matter." She yelled to him over the noise of the kids.
Slowly but surely the noise began to die down as each boy continued with their previous engagements and Skittery led royal over to a large group of newsies, most of whom she was not yet acquainted with. Race noticed this as well.
"Well, I know that all dese guys already know who you are but I don't think you know who any of dem are."
Royal shook her head 'no'.
Racetrack went down the line of boys, starting with a tall, blue-eyed boy with curly brown hair.
"Dis is davie," his finger moved to the boy next to him. "les," he contined to move around the group pointing out the boys. "Pie eater, Snoddy, Itey, Bumlets, Boots, Snipeshooter, snitch, Duchy, and Specs."
Royal waved pleasantly to the group, trying to match each face with a name.
"Hey, sorry bout that you guys. It was just kinda a foist reaction." Race chuckled through the cigar that was delicately placed between his lips.
"Jack left already?" Skittery asked, trying to get away from the subject.
"uh… yeah. He's stayin at Dave's for a couple o' nights, just in case another letter comes. Da train leaves on Saturday."
"Think im gonna visit him tomorrow… ya know ta say sorry for explodin' on him like dat." Skittery said, kicking the bedpost softly with his foot.
"Nah, if any one should say sorry it should be me, blink and mush. We were being real goons in tibby's." Race said sullenly, staring unseeingly at the floor.
The door opened widely and Kloppman's head appeared in the frame,
"you kids should be getting off to bed." He announced in his small voice. "Ah… royal would you like me to wake you a bit earlier again?"Royal nodded 'yes'.
"Maybe we'll all go see him." Skittery muttered to the dispersing group.
A murmur of "Sures" was emitted from the group as they each made their way to their respective beds.
"How was your foist day as a newsie?" Skittery asked, once both he and royal were both in their nightclothes and lying down on their beds.
He leaned his head down from the top bunk, causing his hair to stand on end as gravity took its toll.
"Wonderful!" she exclaimed flirtatiously.
"I'm glad" He smiled before putting his head back on his pillows.
"G'night royal." He called from the top bunk.
"G'night skits."
She rolled over on her side as one of the newsies blew out all the lamps leaving the room pitch black with the exception of the light from the street lamps, streaming in through the cracks in the walls.
