----
Why is
it no one understands me? Everyone treats me like I'm evil...Like I'm
a demon... Like I have no heart or feelings.
And frankly, I don't
... or at least...I didn't...until I met her...
---
Hey! I
think I'm gonna update since Kiki is threatening me...
And,
Okay, I'll admit, I know what everyone's thinking... "Oh no,
she's back! ((cries))" Yes, I am back. here with the next
chapter of this story. I'm sure you're all getting sick of me and my
pathetic writing by now but... You'll have to bear with me if you
actually like this fic. haha!
So, I'm not gonna waste valuable
writing time with my pathetic authoresses stuff.
---
Disclaimer:
I
do not own Newsies. ((glares at lawyers)) Are you happy! Can I
proceed!
Yes.-Lawyers
---
Penni-
I was woken up the
next morning by the most unpleasant voice.
"Get up! Get up,
C'mon! Everybody's sleepin'! SELL A PAPE! SELL A PAPE!" the
voice was yelling. I must admit I wasn't used to the rude awakening
at... FIVE IN THE MORNING! I rolled over onto my left side and shut
my eyes tight. They couldn't pay me to get up this early. I was too
tired to even think about it. Last night was so hectic...between
Racetrack's sleep talking and Boots' snoring, I hardly got any sleep.
And, apparently, neither did anyone else. No one was even moving to
get up yet.
I looked at the bed to the right of mine. It was
Jack's bed. And it was empty. I leaned over the side rail and
whispered to Irish who was in the bunk below Jack's.
"Irish!
Irish! Where's Jack?" I asked. Irish opened one eye and looked
at me.
"He's on his bed. Now go back to sleep." Irish
instructed, putting her back to me.
"He isn't there, Irish."
I whispered. She got up and looked at the empty bed. She turned to
Kid Blink who was sleeping soundly on the bed below mine.
"Blink!
Blink! Jack is gone!" she exclaimed, shaking him
fiercely.
"What? What?" he asked, his blonde hair all
messed up.
"Jack's gone." Irish repeated.
"Did
he leave a note?" Kid asked.
"No." Irish retorted.
"If he had I wouldn't be flipping out."
"Ask
Kloppman if Jack gave him one." Kid suggested, shutting his eye
and trying to go back to sleep. Irish sighed and ran over to
Kloppman.
I watched as she talked quietly with vivid hand motions
and a worried look on her face. I hoped everything was
okay...
---
Irish-
"Kloppman, did Jack give you a
letter?" I asked. I was so worried. Jack never gets up early.
Unless it's absolutely necessary. Kloppman shook his head.
"No,
but Dodger gave me one from Spot to Jack."
"Can I see
it?" I asked, eager to know if Jack was okay. Kloppman handed me
the letter and in a messy script it said:
Jack-
I need to talk
to you. It's important. Come to Brooklyn as soon as you get this
note.
Spot Conlon
What was wrong? I wondered as I walked back
to my bunk and sat down. Spot never calls for Jack unless it's a life
or death situation. Penni watched me eagerly.
"So, where's
Jack?" she asked me.
"Umm... He's visiting some
relatives in Queens for the day." I lied. What was I supposed to
say? 'Oh, Jack is going to see Spot because something is very
wrong!' No, that wasn't going to work. I shoved the note into my
pocket and headed into the dressing room. I could hear all of the
boys in the washroom yelling, singing, whistling, and talking.
Normally, I could hear Jack above them all...
---
Penni-
I
knew Irish was lying to me. She wouldn't look me square in the eye. I
pretended to believe her, and nodded understandingly. I waited
patiently while everyone slowly got up and got changed. Kid Blink
gave me one of his newsie hats. I reluctantly wore it. I can't say I
really liked them all that much...
After everyone was ready, they
got into groups and headed towards 'Newsies Square.' I followed them
from the back of the group.
When we had got there, everyone lined
up to buy papas and I stood on the sidelines.
"Heya, Penni,
wanna sell with Racetrack and me down at Sheepshed?" Gamble
asked. I smiled.
"Sure..."
---
Gamble-
"Good!"
I exclaimed, grabbing Penni's hand and dragging her over to where
Racetrack was reading his paper. "Penni is going to come sell
with us." I told him.
Race nodded. "Fine. I just have
tah finish readin' da papah and..."
"We have to go now
if we want to catch a ride with Benni." I interrupted.
"But
I haven't finished readin' me papah!" Race complained.
"Would
you rather walk?" I asked. Racetrack jumped up and picked up his
stack of papers. "Let's go find Benni!"
I pulled Penni
with me as we ran to Benson Tack. That was Beni's tack shop. he sold
some decent equipment. Lots of jockeys bought their gear there. Once
and a while, that's where we got our tips for which horses to bet
on.
Today, though, we were only there to get the free rides he
gives Race and me. We got there just in time, he was just about to
leave.
"BENNI!" Racetrack yelled, waving his arms
frantically. Benni smirked, but waited as we ran to his carriage and
jumped in.
"Where to?" he asked mockingly.
"Sheepshed
Bay." Racetrack replied, trying to sound very refined. Benni
smiled outright, smacked the reins on Helena's back, and we started
towards Sheepshed.
---
Penni-
Selling with Gamble and
Racetrack was...interesting. When we got there it was ridiculously
loud. But, that just boosted up the excitement. We sold most of the
papers before we really sat down and got into the races. Selling was
fairly easy. Especially when you play the 'sympathy card.' First, I
posed as a deaf mute child and Racetrack posed as my older brother
trying to get me an education.
Racetrack even let me place a bet
on one of the races. And then he let me place bets for the rest of
the day, because I kept guessing right. Gamble said she'd never seen
Race happier in her life. It was funny, watching Racetrack jump
around, yelling and screaming at the horse I bet on to hurry up.
We
got back to the lodging house at about... 10:30PM. It was deafly
quiet. When we went inside, I saw a shadowy figure sitting on my
bunk. When he stood up, he was short, only 5'3. For some reason, I
knew he was a Brooklyn boy.
"Spot needs to see you." he whispered to me quietly. "C'mon." He grasped my wrist and dragged me out the door. (Everyone seems to be doing that lately!)
"Whaddya think you're doin'!" Race asked the boy who was dragging me away.
"I'm takin' Penni. Spot's orders." he briefly explained. Race frowned and tried to punch the boy. The boy caught Race's wrist in a swift motion, and held it steadily. For such a thin guy, he sure was strong!
"Spot's orders." he repeated, dropping Race's wrist and leading me outside.
---
Okay, end of chapter. I know it was short and it sucked. But this is a neccessary step towards getting the rest of the story up. I have the next chapter almost all typed up, so I'll probably be posting these two together. ;p
By the by,
Everyone go read A Key Around His Neck by Garen Ruy Maxwell. I recommend it cuz I loves it.
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So...
SHOUT OUTS!
Ccat-
Here they are. Your wait is over! lol. R&R!
Lady of Tir Na Nog-
Actually, I love Greek Mythology and history. It just we had a seven page report due on it that was worth half of our grade. then a reallllyy long and difficult test. But I aced the test so its all good! ;p. Your worried about Penni? I am too. And I'm writing the bloody story!R&R!
DoubleHeart-Penni-
Yeah for the review! It's killing you, eh? Well your going to have to wait a little bit longer. I have a few more chapters in store... lol. If you really want her to she can join the circus! So, did you get your license? I hope so! It's the icing on Spot, huh? teasingly What were you thinking about? jk. Hope you enjoy the next chapter! R&R!
MadmButterfly-
I'm not going to tell you. ;p. I'm feeling tons better, thanks. I updated.
Truly is a miracle every time.-Spot
Okay, munchkin. Do you want me to sell you for five dollars? Cuz I will...
That's okay. AND I'M NOT A MUNCHKIN!-Spot
he's still for sale you know...
R&R!
KittyKatGoil1899-
Kitts, you a brat. Trying to write short reviews! Argh. That's not cool. You're my bestest friend and your trying to sneak by with short reviews! jk, dearest. Thankies for the review! R&R! (A GOOD LONG REVIEW!) lol.
Kiki-
My lurvely reviewer! I love your reviews. So wack. lol. HEY! Don't threaten me with whip cream and a feather! Because I can threaten you with chocolate whipcream, sprinkles, AND a feather!hahaha! You'll be a sundae! But, yes I am updating.R&R!
Garen Ruy Maxwell-
Yes, I'd be more than happy to use Whistler! And, UPDATE YOUR STORY! lol, sorry, just a bit excited for the next chappy... R&R!
Lil Irish QT-
YAY FIFTIETH REVIEWER! ((happiness)) If I had some money, I'd give it to you. But I'm broke. Book discusions are always interesting...Would you want to do debate if you time? Just curious! Read and Review!
Hannah:
Thank you! It's good to know some people appreciate my writing! Makes me happy. Thanks for the reviews! R&R!
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---Take the boat and swear to me never to tell the secret you know of the angel in hell.---
---GiNnY---