Disclaimer from Chapter 1
Yay you guys! Thank you so much for all the reviews, I was so excited when I signed in and saw I had like five new ones. Please keep reviewing, they do make me so happy. Okay, this is actually the start of a huge-ass chapter that has been taking me forever to write, so I decided to post the first part. I hope you enjoy it.
David unlocked the door then held it open for the other boys. Mush, Skittery, Race, and Blink all shuffled in with Jack brining up the rear. It was Tuesday; every Tuesday Lily would make a big lunch for them all, and they would spend the afternoon with her at the Jacob's apartment.
It had been almost a month and a half since the first meeting with Blink, and Lily had met many of the other Newsies in that time, but these were the ones she knew best. At first it had been very uncomfortable, while Lily got used to having new people around she grew more bold and self-confident. But really it was several weeks until she was truly okay with the other boys. In the beginning she would need to have Jack or David next to her the entire time. Then slowly, as she learned to trust the other boys, she would be fine as long as Jack or David was in the room. Now she could be alone with Blink, Mush, Race, or Skittery, and feel safe. There were, of course, limitations. She wouldn't let any of her new friends touch her or come too close unless she felt truly safe, and she only felt that way in the presence of the Jacobs family or Jack.
Also, they hadn't told anyone else about Lily's past, or her father. Most of the boys knew that Lily wasn't her real name, but they also knew better than to ask what her full name was. Jack was actually quite proud of how Lily handled herself when Race had asked her about it.
It had come up during one of the boys' afternoon visits:
"You mean Lily ain't your real name?!" Race exclaimed.
She just fixed him with an icy look, "you mean Racetrack isn't your real name?" she asked, sarcasm dripping from her voice.
"Well, no, but . . ."
"Well, we all have our little secrets then, don't we?"
And that had been the end of it. All of the boys knew of Lily's fighting skills, even if they hadn't met her. She usually never resorted to physical violence, because she didn't need to. Lily, was quick witted with a scathing tongue, and had no qualms about cutting even her best friends down to size.
By now the summer had fully settled over the city and it was sweltering. The smog and heat were oppressive, and the boys were happy to just be inside. But Lily would do more then just let them sit in the cool apartment she would also fix them lunch and freshly made lemonade once a week. This was not to say that the apartment was actually cool, just cooler than outside. Really even inside it was still upwards of eighty degrees.
Today as the boys entered they could her singing coming from the kitchen:
". . . . Or would you rather be a mule? A mule is an animal with long funny ears, he kicks up at everything he hears, his back is brawny but his brain is week, he's just plain stupid, with a stubborn streak, but, by the way if you hate to go to school, you may grow up to be a mule . . . ."
They all exchange curious looks, then headed for the kitchen. Inside Lily was singing to Les, who was sitting on the counter. She had hair piled up into a messy bun, which left little tendrils of reddish brown hair falling about her long, elegant neck. Sweat glistened on her pale skink, and as she turned and danced around they could see that the first few buttons of her blouse were open. As she danced about she was fixing sandwiches from the leftover ham from the night before.
". . . Or would you like to swing on a star, Carry moonbeams home in a jar, And be better off then you are? Or would you rather be a pig? A pig is an animal . . . . . ."
Les looked up and saw the group of boys standing at the door. He was about to bring them to Lily's attention when David rased his finger to his lips in a "shhhh" motion. Les just grind at his older brother and went back to putting mayonnaise on the bread for the sandwiches.
". . . . And all the monkeys arn't in the zoo, every day you meet quite a few. So you see its all up to you, you could be better than you are, you could be swinging on a star!"
As she finished the song applause broke out from the doorway. Lily gave a little jump and turned to face them. Her already flushed face turned a deeper shade of pink as she blushed at them.
"Lil!" Mush exclaimed, "dat was great. Where'd you learn to sing like dat?"
"Uhh, thanks guys, but its not much. I just do it for fun. My mother taught me," she answered. "If you guys want to go wait in the living room this," she motioned to the food." will be ready really soon."
"Ok. Les why don't yous come wit me and de guys and we can tell you about what da Dalancys did dis morning." Jack said as he held out a hand to Les, who hopped of the counter, said a quick goodbye to Lily, then ran after the older boys.
David was the only one who stayed in the kitchen with Lily. As he walked up behind her his stomach gave a huge growl. She turned and gave him a weird look. He just smiled back at her and kept walking towards the counter. When he was standing right next to her he leaned down and whispered into her ear.
"Could I have just a little bit now, I'm really hungry." Lily jumped a little bit at his closeness, but didn't make him back away. He took this as a good sign.
Then she turned and fixed him with an angry look. David stopped to consider it, he was beginning to think he could catagorize her looks. This one definitely said "what do you think I am, stupid?"
"Nooo, you can not have some. Then every one will want some, besides its rude to eat before your guests."
He leaned over her a little more, "Oh come on. Please?" He asked, opening his eyes really wide and trying to look cute and pitiful. This didn't work as well as he wanted it to. Lily burst into a fit of laughter. When she had calmed down enough to listen to him again he said, "well then, I will just have to take some on my own."
Lily reached over and grabbed a large serving fork and brandished it at him. "You will have to go through me first boyo!"
David seemed to think this over for a minute. "Hmmm, that can be arranged," then he attempted to step around her.
Lily was fast, and managed to keep him away from the food, but the kitchen was small and at one point she turned her back to him. He seized his opportunity and started to tickle her from behind. She immediately doubled over with laughter and started trying to bat his hands away.
He loved her laughter, it was almost musical, and in his opinion she didn't do it nearly enough. He looped his left arm around her waist then lifted her off the floor and pressing her back into his side. He then picked up a piece of ham with his right hand and started eating it.
"David Jacobs, you put me down this instant!" she squealed. "Are you eating that ham?" He made a yummy noise to tell her he was. "Ohhhh, I will get you!" She started struggling with renewed vigor. In reality, she could have probably gotten out of his arms and had him on the ground wincing in pain in a few seconds, but she didn't want to hurt him. He knew this and took it as a very good sign.
When he finished the ham he set her back on the ground in front of the half made sandwiches. He leaned over her shoulder to whisper in her ear again.
"Thanks Cate, I feel better already." Then he leaned in just a bit more and placed a soft kiss on her cheek. Then started to walk to the living room.
Lily turned and looked at him. She was so stunned that she couldn't force her brain to form a coherent retort until he was almost gone.
"Don't call me that." She yelled after him. He just gave her a wink and a grin, then went to join the other boys.
As they all sat eating Mush brought up the subject of singing again.
"I'm tellen you Lil, you could sing on stage or something."
"Oh please, I like to sing, but I'm not that good!"
"Yes you are," Race insisted. "You know, I bet you could sing for Medda." Lily scoffed at the idea, but the other boys started agreeing with Race.
"I heard that Medda's looking for a new act," Skittery informed the group. "Lily, you should go and audition."
Jack jumped in. "Yeah, yous been dying to get out a da apartment. And at Medda's they got people to look aftah de singers and stuff."
"Ha ha boys, this is all very funny, but totally unrealistic. I mean, I haven't been out of this apartment in almost five months, and now you want me to go perform on stage? I don't think so." She stood up and started gathering the dishes.
"Oh, come on Lil, give it a try!" "You can't stay in here forever, you know!" "It'll be good for you!" Came the calls from the table.
She turned around to face them, "No!" Then continued into the kitchen. The guys jumped up from their chairs and followed her.
"Come on Lily, just audition, you nevah know, you might like it." was the only part of what Jack said that could be heard over the din of the others.
"Thats it! Out all of you, I don't need this. I have another meal to prepare, so if you don't mind . . ." And with that she started shoving them towards the door. "And take Les with you!" she yelled at them.
The last one out the door was David, who gave her a little squeeze on the shoulder then left without another word. Later that night David walked up onto the roof. It was really late, and his mother had sent him to bring Lily down. He saw her sitting on the edge of the roof. She was singing again, but this time much softer. Her hair was blowing gently around her face, and the same breeze carried the sound to his ears:
"There's been a change in me, a kind of moving on, though, what I used to be, I still depend upon, but now I realize, that good can come from bad. That may not make me wise, but, oh, it makes me glad.
And I, I never thought I'd leave behind, my childhood dreams. But I don't mind, I'm where and who I want to be. No change of heart, a change in me.
For in my dark despair, I slowly understood, my perfect world out there, had disappeared for good. But in it's place I feel, a truer life begin, and it's so good and real, It must come from with in.
And I, I never thought I'd leave behind, my childhood dreams. But I don't mind, for now I love the world I see. No change of heart, a change in me.
No change of heart, a change in me."
As her voice died, David approached her. She must have heard someone coming because she turned to look at him. When she saw who it was she just settled back into her seat.
He came up and sat next to her. "You know, you really are very good," he said after they had sat in silence for a few minutes.
Lily sighed, but never stopped looking out over the city. "That is very nice of you to say, but we both know that it isn't true. I'm ok, but nothing special"
He looked at her profile as she watched the city. She was so beautiful, but she looked a little sad. After a few more minutes he spoke again. "Cate, who told you that you were not good at singing?"
She looked at him for the first time since he had come onto the roof. She seemed to study him for a minute, the gave him a small, sad smile. "My father, and don't call me that."
"But I like to call you by your first name, it is a very pretty name."
"Ha! I hate it. I hate the way it sounds when I say it, or even when I think it. I just . . . . . hate it."
"You know, Cate," he said accenting her real name, which earned him a sharp look, "your father lied to you a lot. You shouldn't believe the things he told you."
She sighed and looked at the view again. "I have to believe him David, I have to."
"But, why?"
"He and mother were the only ones who ever told me they loved me. Well, them, and Morgan."
"Who is Morgan?"
"Morgan was my only cousin. He lived with us when we were both young, he was only a year older than me. Father hated him, so Morgan ran away. That was ten years ago, he is probably dead by now, but I do miss him."
"Oh, Cate, I'm really sorry I . . ."
"Don't be David, I'm tired of people feeling sorry for me. Anyway, with Morgan and Mother gone, Father is the only person alive who has ever told me he loved me, and if I believe he lied to me then I will have to believe that was a lie too. I can't do that, I just can't."
"You know, Jack, and the guys, and well all of us, we love you, right?
"Thank you, but it isn't the same, not like when someone hugs you and says 'I love you' and you just know that they really mean it. That they really, truly love you. And that even though its silly, you feel safe and care for, like nothing could hurt you. "
David desperately wanted to make her feel that way, but he didn't say that, he knew she wouldn't believe him just then. But maybe in the future he could convince her that he really, truly loved her.
"Well, you know how to make people stop feeling sorry for you?" He asked, trying to lighten the mood. She looked at him and shook her head. "Go out there and do something," he said motioning to the city. "Go to Medda's and audition, if for no other reason other than, to take the next step in rebuilding your life."
"This audition thing really means a lot to you guys, doesn't it?"
He took her hands in his, "No, you moving on with your life means a lot to all of us. We want to see you happy." She looked into his eyes and he noticed that they were more grey in the dark.
"Do you promise that I will be safe?"
"Of course! None of us would let you go if we thought it wasn't."
"And will you and Jack come with me?"
"If thats what you want."
She sighed again, "Ok then, next week, in the afternoon, so you guys can come too."
"I will talk to Medda tomorrow and set up a time. Don't worry Cate, this will be good for you."
She nodded a little absently, her gaze wondering out to the other buildings again, then she looked back at him. "Don't call me that," she said with a little smile.
He smiled back. "Come on," he said using her hands, which he was still holding, to pull her to her feet. "Mama, will be worried. And it will all be fine."
"Let us hope so," she said as they started down the fire escape.
It was going to be a hard week.
Some more disclaimers:
I don't own "swinging on a star" or "a change in me". The first is a children's song, I'm not really sure where it came from, but I have known it for as long as I can remember. The latter is from the stage production of Beauty and the Beast, therefor written by whoever the hell wrote that.
Please review, and expect and update in the next few days! estrellalily
Yay you guys! Thank you so much for all the reviews, I was so excited when I signed in and saw I had like five new ones. Please keep reviewing, they do make me so happy. Okay, this is actually the start of a huge-ass chapter that has been taking me forever to write, so I decided to post the first part. I hope you enjoy it.
David unlocked the door then held it open for the other boys. Mush, Skittery, Race, and Blink all shuffled in with Jack brining up the rear. It was Tuesday; every Tuesday Lily would make a big lunch for them all, and they would spend the afternoon with her at the Jacob's apartment.
It had been almost a month and a half since the first meeting with Blink, and Lily had met many of the other Newsies in that time, but these were the ones she knew best. At first it had been very uncomfortable, while Lily got used to having new people around she grew more bold and self-confident. But really it was several weeks until she was truly okay with the other boys. In the beginning she would need to have Jack or David next to her the entire time. Then slowly, as she learned to trust the other boys, she would be fine as long as Jack or David was in the room. Now she could be alone with Blink, Mush, Race, or Skittery, and feel safe. There were, of course, limitations. She wouldn't let any of her new friends touch her or come too close unless she felt truly safe, and she only felt that way in the presence of the Jacobs family or Jack.
Also, they hadn't told anyone else about Lily's past, or her father. Most of the boys knew that Lily wasn't her real name, but they also knew better than to ask what her full name was. Jack was actually quite proud of how Lily handled herself when Race had asked her about it.
It had come up during one of the boys' afternoon visits:
"You mean Lily ain't your real name?!" Race exclaimed.
She just fixed him with an icy look, "you mean Racetrack isn't your real name?" she asked, sarcasm dripping from her voice.
"Well, no, but . . ."
"Well, we all have our little secrets then, don't we?"
And that had been the end of it. All of the boys knew of Lily's fighting skills, even if they hadn't met her. She usually never resorted to physical violence, because she didn't need to. Lily, was quick witted with a scathing tongue, and had no qualms about cutting even her best friends down to size.
By now the summer had fully settled over the city and it was sweltering. The smog and heat were oppressive, and the boys were happy to just be inside. But Lily would do more then just let them sit in the cool apartment she would also fix them lunch and freshly made lemonade once a week. This was not to say that the apartment was actually cool, just cooler than outside. Really even inside it was still upwards of eighty degrees.
Today as the boys entered they could her singing coming from the kitchen:
". . . . Or would you rather be a mule? A mule is an animal with long funny ears, he kicks up at everything he hears, his back is brawny but his brain is week, he's just plain stupid, with a stubborn streak, but, by the way if you hate to go to school, you may grow up to be a mule . . . ."
They all exchange curious looks, then headed for the kitchen. Inside Lily was singing to Les, who was sitting on the counter. She had hair piled up into a messy bun, which left little tendrils of reddish brown hair falling about her long, elegant neck. Sweat glistened on her pale skink, and as she turned and danced around they could see that the first few buttons of her blouse were open. As she danced about she was fixing sandwiches from the leftover ham from the night before.
". . . Or would you like to swing on a star, Carry moonbeams home in a jar, And be better off then you are? Or would you rather be a pig? A pig is an animal . . . . . ."
Les looked up and saw the group of boys standing at the door. He was about to bring them to Lily's attention when David rased his finger to his lips in a "shhhh" motion. Les just grind at his older brother and went back to putting mayonnaise on the bread for the sandwiches.
". . . . And all the monkeys arn't in the zoo, every day you meet quite a few. So you see its all up to you, you could be better than you are, you could be swinging on a star!"
As she finished the song applause broke out from the doorway. Lily gave a little jump and turned to face them. Her already flushed face turned a deeper shade of pink as she blushed at them.
"Lil!" Mush exclaimed, "dat was great. Where'd you learn to sing like dat?"
"Uhh, thanks guys, but its not much. I just do it for fun. My mother taught me," she answered. "If you guys want to go wait in the living room this," she motioned to the food." will be ready really soon."
"Ok. Les why don't yous come wit me and de guys and we can tell you about what da Dalancys did dis morning." Jack said as he held out a hand to Les, who hopped of the counter, said a quick goodbye to Lily, then ran after the older boys.
David was the only one who stayed in the kitchen with Lily. As he walked up behind her his stomach gave a huge growl. She turned and gave him a weird look. He just smiled back at her and kept walking towards the counter. When he was standing right next to her he leaned down and whispered into her ear.
"Could I have just a little bit now, I'm really hungry." Lily jumped a little bit at his closeness, but didn't make him back away. He took this as a good sign.
Then she turned and fixed him with an angry look. David stopped to consider it, he was beginning to think he could catagorize her looks. This one definitely said "what do you think I am, stupid?"
"Nooo, you can not have some. Then every one will want some, besides its rude to eat before your guests."
He leaned over her a little more, "Oh come on. Please?" He asked, opening his eyes really wide and trying to look cute and pitiful. This didn't work as well as he wanted it to. Lily burst into a fit of laughter. When she had calmed down enough to listen to him again he said, "well then, I will just have to take some on my own."
Lily reached over and grabbed a large serving fork and brandished it at him. "You will have to go through me first boyo!"
David seemed to think this over for a minute. "Hmmm, that can be arranged," then he attempted to step around her.
Lily was fast, and managed to keep him away from the food, but the kitchen was small and at one point she turned her back to him. He seized his opportunity and started to tickle her from behind. She immediately doubled over with laughter and started trying to bat his hands away.
He loved her laughter, it was almost musical, and in his opinion she didn't do it nearly enough. He looped his left arm around her waist then lifted her off the floor and pressing her back into his side. He then picked up a piece of ham with his right hand and started eating it.
"David Jacobs, you put me down this instant!" she squealed. "Are you eating that ham?" He made a yummy noise to tell her he was. "Ohhhh, I will get you!" She started struggling with renewed vigor. In reality, she could have probably gotten out of his arms and had him on the ground wincing in pain in a few seconds, but she didn't want to hurt him. He knew this and took it as a very good sign.
When he finished the ham he set her back on the ground in front of the half made sandwiches. He leaned over her shoulder to whisper in her ear again.
"Thanks Cate, I feel better already." Then he leaned in just a bit more and placed a soft kiss on her cheek. Then started to walk to the living room.
Lily turned and looked at him. She was so stunned that she couldn't force her brain to form a coherent retort until he was almost gone.
"Don't call me that." She yelled after him. He just gave her a wink and a grin, then went to join the other boys.
As they all sat eating Mush brought up the subject of singing again.
"I'm tellen you Lil, you could sing on stage or something."
"Oh please, I like to sing, but I'm not that good!"
"Yes you are," Race insisted. "You know, I bet you could sing for Medda." Lily scoffed at the idea, but the other boys started agreeing with Race.
"I heard that Medda's looking for a new act," Skittery informed the group. "Lily, you should go and audition."
Jack jumped in. "Yeah, yous been dying to get out a da apartment. And at Medda's they got people to look aftah de singers and stuff."
"Ha ha boys, this is all very funny, but totally unrealistic. I mean, I haven't been out of this apartment in almost five months, and now you want me to go perform on stage? I don't think so." She stood up and started gathering the dishes.
"Oh, come on Lil, give it a try!" "You can't stay in here forever, you know!" "It'll be good for you!" Came the calls from the table.
She turned around to face them, "No!" Then continued into the kitchen. The guys jumped up from their chairs and followed her.
"Come on Lily, just audition, you nevah know, you might like it." was the only part of what Jack said that could be heard over the din of the others.
"Thats it! Out all of you, I don't need this. I have another meal to prepare, so if you don't mind . . ." And with that she started shoving them towards the door. "And take Les with you!" she yelled at them.
The last one out the door was David, who gave her a little squeeze on the shoulder then left without another word. Later that night David walked up onto the roof. It was really late, and his mother had sent him to bring Lily down. He saw her sitting on the edge of the roof. She was singing again, but this time much softer. Her hair was blowing gently around her face, and the same breeze carried the sound to his ears:
"There's been a change in me, a kind of moving on, though, what I used to be, I still depend upon, but now I realize, that good can come from bad. That may not make me wise, but, oh, it makes me glad.
And I, I never thought I'd leave behind, my childhood dreams. But I don't mind, I'm where and who I want to be. No change of heart, a change in me.
For in my dark despair, I slowly understood, my perfect world out there, had disappeared for good. But in it's place I feel, a truer life begin, and it's so good and real, It must come from with in.
And I, I never thought I'd leave behind, my childhood dreams. But I don't mind, for now I love the world I see. No change of heart, a change in me.
No change of heart, a change in me."
As her voice died, David approached her. She must have heard someone coming because she turned to look at him. When she saw who it was she just settled back into her seat.
He came up and sat next to her. "You know, you really are very good," he said after they had sat in silence for a few minutes.
Lily sighed, but never stopped looking out over the city. "That is very nice of you to say, but we both know that it isn't true. I'm ok, but nothing special"
He looked at her profile as she watched the city. She was so beautiful, but she looked a little sad. After a few more minutes he spoke again. "Cate, who told you that you were not good at singing?"
She looked at him for the first time since he had come onto the roof. She seemed to study him for a minute, the gave him a small, sad smile. "My father, and don't call me that."
"But I like to call you by your first name, it is a very pretty name."
"Ha! I hate it. I hate the way it sounds when I say it, or even when I think it. I just . . . . . hate it."
"You know, Cate," he said accenting her real name, which earned him a sharp look, "your father lied to you a lot. You shouldn't believe the things he told you."
She sighed and looked at the view again. "I have to believe him David, I have to."
"But, why?"
"He and mother were the only ones who ever told me they loved me. Well, them, and Morgan."
"Who is Morgan?"
"Morgan was my only cousin. He lived with us when we were both young, he was only a year older than me. Father hated him, so Morgan ran away. That was ten years ago, he is probably dead by now, but I do miss him."
"Oh, Cate, I'm really sorry I . . ."
"Don't be David, I'm tired of people feeling sorry for me. Anyway, with Morgan and Mother gone, Father is the only person alive who has ever told me he loved me, and if I believe he lied to me then I will have to believe that was a lie too. I can't do that, I just can't."
"You know, Jack, and the guys, and well all of us, we love you, right?
"Thank you, but it isn't the same, not like when someone hugs you and says 'I love you' and you just know that they really mean it. That they really, truly love you. And that even though its silly, you feel safe and care for, like nothing could hurt you. "
David desperately wanted to make her feel that way, but he didn't say that, he knew she wouldn't believe him just then. But maybe in the future he could convince her that he really, truly loved her.
"Well, you know how to make people stop feeling sorry for you?" He asked, trying to lighten the mood. She looked at him and shook her head. "Go out there and do something," he said motioning to the city. "Go to Medda's and audition, if for no other reason other than, to take the next step in rebuilding your life."
"This audition thing really means a lot to you guys, doesn't it?"
He took her hands in his, "No, you moving on with your life means a lot to all of us. We want to see you happy." She looked into his eyes and he noticed that they were more grey in the dark.
"Do you promise that I will be safe?"
"Of course! None of us would let you go if we thought it wasn't."
"And will you and Jack come with me?"
"If thats what you want."
She sighed again, "Ok then, next week, in the afternoon, so you guys can come too."
"I will talk to Medda tomorrow and set up a time. Don't worry Cate, this will be good for you."
She nodded a little absently, her gaze wondering out to the other buildings again, then she looked back at him. "Don't call me that," she said with a little smile.
He smiled back. "Come on," he said using her hands, which he was still holding, to pull her to her feet. "Mama, will be worried. And it will all be fine."
"Let us hope so," she said as they started down the fire escape.
It was going to be a hard week.
Some more disclaimers:
I don't own "swinging on a star" or "a change in me". The first is a children's song, I'm not really sure where it came from, but I have known it for as long as I can remember. The latter is from the stage production of Beauty and the Beast, therefor written by whoever the hell wrote that.
Please review, and expect and update in the next few days! estrellalily