Author note: I'm surprised that you guys actually liked the last chapter; I didn't like it all too much. I think I went too far with burning down the Irving Hall. Oh well, nothing much I could do about it…
Images of Medda's place burning down flashed through my mind. It was just a few days ago, and it still scared me a bit. Even Art kissing me was a bit too much for my liking, and to be honest it didn't mean much to me. But to him it meant the world, so I couldn't tell him that.
I kept my distance from the boys the following days. I talked to them from time to time, but I was too afraid to come out in the open. Spot would disappear throughout the day, and return late, late at night. I even thought he was drunk at one time, but it could've just been my mind playing with me.
I crept down the steps in the middle of the afternoon, glancing around to see if the boys were anywhere nearby. I sighed in relief when I realized nobody was here, and lazily made it to the bottom.
"Sage," came a voice. Dammit! I turned around and smiled at Art, trying to look as if I were happy to see him.
"How are youse?" he asked, walking up to me.
"I'm fine," I told him. He kissed my cheek and grinned down at me. I bit my bottom lip. Did he think I was his girl?
"So, where have youse been lately?" he asked, making me walk with him out of the Lodging House. I sighed,
"Everywhere." I don't think he could hear the frustration in my voice. He simply laughed and grabbed my hand.
"Hungry?" he asked.
"No," I replied bluntly. I wanted to talk to Spot. For some reason he's been avoiding me, and from what I heard he's also been ordering the boys around much more lately. They would come back to the Lodging House stressed to death, arguing with each other.
"Do you know where Spot is?" I asked, pulling my hand away. Art seemed to be a bit disappointed.
"No," he said, scratching his head. Art's bangs fell loosely in his face, and his eyes looked stressed.
"Oh," I replied, turning away and walking. Art shrugged and jogged up beside me.
"Are youse okay?" he asked me. What's with everyone and asking me if I was okay?
"Yes," I sighed, walking in front of a moving carriage. It stopped before I could get pounded by the horse's hooves. The Driver didn't say anything; instead he decided to glare, sensing the frustration repelling off of me.
"Whoa, Sage, are youse trying ta get killed?" Art said, pulling on my arm. I shook my head and turned to him.
"What do you want?" Art looked surprised, but regained his handsome features.
"I jus' wanted ta ask youse somethin." I crossed my arms over my chest and waited impatiently for him to ask his question. He didn't say anything.
"Are you going to ask your question or not?" I asked. Art sighed and shook his head,
"Maybe I will when youse is less tense!" he growled, pushing me aside and walking away. I glared at his back. How dare he be rude to me! I shook off the thought and continued walking. I didn't know where I was going, but anywhere was better than here. I walked by the restaurant that the newsies always ate at, and saw a familiar face. I opened the door and walked in, sitting right across from Spot.
"Hey," I said, less angry than I was before. He glanced over at me, and looked back down at his drink. I gave him an odd stare.
"What's wrong with you?" I asked.
"Nothing," he muttered. I sighed inwardly and shook my head.
"Don't look at me like I'm pathetic!" Spot hissed, glaring up at me. I tilted my head in confusion.
"What?"
"Quit botherin me!" He got to his feet and stormed out of the restaurant. I blinked a couple of times before I left too.
I walked through the streets of Brooklyn, wondering what to do. Spot was mad at somebody, and just took it all out on me. Now I know how his newsies feel. Damn, I was such a jerk to Art.
I made my way to the docks to look for Art, to apologize for being an ass. I spotted him talking to one of his friends; Chip I think.
"Art!" I called out. Art glanced over at me, and instantly ignored me. I sighed and grabbed his shoulder, turning him to face me.
"Go away," he muttered, turning back around.
"I'm sorry," I said, feeling guilty. Art turned around and looked down at me with what looked like a smile.
"Really?"
"Really." He then grinned, and nodded.
"Apology accepted." I smiled to myself and gave him a quick hug, and headed for the Lodging House. As I was making my way off the docks, somebody forcefully pushed me out of their way. I looked to see who it was, and seen a tough looking boy making his way over to Spark.
"Where's da leadah 'round here?" he asked, giving Spark an icy look.
"Dat depends," Spark said, standing up and giving the boy the same icy glare. "Who's askin?" I then decided to get a better look at this boy and slowly walked near them.
"Da names Skip," he said. "I'm here ta become a newsy." Spark laughed and crossed his arms over his chest.
"Well, Skip, youse hafta be Brooklyn material ta become a Brooklyn newsy." Spark seemed to have gained some stress from Spot, too. Skip growled and took off his hat to show brown, almost black, hair. It almost look like Jack's, except for the color.
"I am Brooklyn material," he hissed, shoving Spark. I could see fire in Spark's eyes. He instantly shoved Skip back.
"Watch who youse is dealin with!" Spark warned, fixing his hat. Skip chuckled.
"So, is youse da leadah or what?"
"He's not here right now, so come back later when youse become useful!" Skip held his head high and his eyes bore into Spark.
"Where is he?" Spark looked towards me, and read my eyes. He apparently knew that I had an "encounter" with the Brooklyn leader.
"Why don't we ask Sage," he said, nodding in my direction. Oh great, now he was going to pull me into this conversation.
"I-uh, Spot's not in a good mood right now," I said, stepping back. Skip chuckled,
"Dat doesn't give me much information, little goil," he said. I sent him a cold glare and walked over to him, looking him in the eyes.
"Don't call me that," I hissed. He had an amused look on his face.
"Watchya goin ta do 'bout it, little goil!" he pushed my shoulders, and I stumbled a bit. I brought my fist back immediately, but somebody grabbed it from behind.
"That's enough," came Spot's venomous voice. He let go of my hand when he was sure that I wasn't going to punch the boy.
"Ah, I take it youse is da leadah," Skip said, looking Spot up and down in a disgusted way. "I expected someone tough, and taller," he said, laughing. Spot immediately pushed Skip against one of the posts and held his cane at his throat.
"Don't test my anger," Spot hissed, sending chills up everyone's spines. I could even see a little fear in Skip's eyes, but his expression stayed cold.
"Not bad," he said as Spot pulled his cane away and stepped back.
"What do youse want?" Spot asked, getting straight to business.
"To be a newsy," Skip said.
"Have any experience with sellin papes?"
"Yup." Spot seemed to be thinking, and I was praying that he'd say no.
"Fine; ten cents a night ta sleep in da Lodging House." Spot spit into his hand and held it out to Skip. Probably a test. Skip did the same, passing the first test. Spot then glanced around at his newsies,
"Get back to yer business," he said coldly, giving them all glares. I crossed my arms and glared at him and Skip. Spot turned around and began to walk away. Unlike Skip, he simply walked passed me, without shoving or pushing me out of the way. I turned around and watched him leave, feeling a bit uncomfortable without him here to keep Skip inline.
"So," Skip said. "I'm da leadah when yer boss ain't 'round," he announced. I laughed slightly, and turned to walk away.
"Where do youse think youse is goin?" Skip asked me. I faced him and scowled.
"Away from here," I said. Skip walked towards me and got inches away from my face.
"Did I tell you youse could leave?" I pushed him away,
"I don't need permission to leave from a low class piece of-"
"Sage," I heard Art's voice. He pulled me away from Skip and glared at him.
"Maybe youse should go back to da Lodging House." I looked up at him and nodded. He lightly kissed my lips, and motioned for me to leave. I glanced over at Skip and walked away, holding in the urge to push him in the river.
I stayed up and waited for the boys to return. They would usually come back around nine or ten. The front door open and the tired boys lazily walked into the main room, getting ready for a game of poker. I sat down beside Tick and watched him deal the cards, putting a cigar into his mouth. Skip then entered the room after putting a dime into the jar that sat on the main desk, and sat down beside me. He looked me over, and smirked.
I shuddered, and turned my attention back to the card game. Art announced that he was going to sleep, and left with a simple wave goodbye.
I watched the game for thirty more minutes, until I felt something on my knee. I pushed Skip's hand away, and glared over at him. He gave me a wink, making me feel a bit insecure. I got out of my chair and walked out into the foyer, getting ready to walk up the steps until somebody grabbed my arm and turned me around.
"Leave me alone!" I told Skip, pushing his arm away. He growled and his hand struck my face. Out of reflex I sent him a punch, and hit him in the jaw. He looked surprised at the force of my punch and pushed me against the wall, wrapping his fingers around my neck. My hands pried at his fingers, trying to pull them away from my neck so I could breathe.
"Don't youse ever punch me," he warned, gripping tighter. I let out a small cry and heard the front door open. Skip was instantly pulled away from me and was thrown against the wall forcefully, his nose bleeding from a powerful punch.
"Don't ever touch her or my newsies again! Got it?" Spot growled. I wrapped my fingers gently around my neck and took in deep breaths. Skip nodded and flinched when Spot didn't knock him out cold.
"Youse okay?" he asked me. Dammit! Damn it all! Why did he always have to save me? I turned around without saying a word and ran up to stairs, slamming my door.
"Stupid Spot," I muttered to myself. "Why is he always getting in the way?" I heard a knock at the door.
"What?" I hissed. The door opened and Spot stared at me.
"Lessons start tomorrow," he said. I raised my eyebrows.
"Youse is gonna learn more 'bout fightin."
Next chapter: Spot teaches Sage more about fighting without Scout's help. Can Sage persuade Spot to tell Scout about them being siblings?
Why would Spot let Skip join the newsies when all he was going to do was boss everyone around and try to replace Spot? Or maybe, he was trying to be Spot. What would Spot's reaction be in this mysterious Skip stole his cane?
Spot gives Sage a hint about his feelings. Will she understand?
Author note: I know I'm not too good with writing summaries about the next chapter and what not, but I'm just trying to give you an idea of what to expect. So, here's this chapter!