Beta Readers: Fang, Idiosyncrasy, Biddy, Twister
Thank you to my Beta Readers for another awesome edit job because I know this chapter would be terrible without ya'll!
Stress – I'm glad you like it so far. Thank you for your review and glad that you're happy for Blink.
Sparrow – I'm so happy you like this fic. I'll try to get the next chapter out as soon as I can.
Beta Reader Award for Chapter Two:
I am proud to present this award to Biddy because of her top marks on pointing out everything and putting up with my bullheaded self! Thank you and much congrats!
Thank you for the reviews everyone and I hope you enjoy this chapter.
Disclaimer: Newsies belong to Disney, not me. Marguerite belongs to me because I created her for this purpose. Stress belongs to Stress because she just does. Anything that seems like the movie, most likely belongs to Disney. I'm not making money off of this.
Chapter 3: Fun at Someone Else's Misfortune
"Where is it, Jake?" a boy yelled at him from under his bunk.
"I don't know. What're you looking for?" Jake replied with his famous mischievous grin. He twirled a newsboy cap on his pointer finger.
Pulling his head out from under the bunk, Dutchy banged it hard on the frame. "Ow!" He looked at Jake as he rubbed his head and cursed at him. "Why can't you grow up for a change?"
Pretending to be shocked, Jake brought his hands to his chest and gasped. "Dutchy, how could you say such a thing?"
"All right then. Why can't you pick on someone else?" Dutchy countered.
"It wouldn't be the same," he said as Dutchy snatched the cap from Jake's grasp.
"I think you could manage at someone else's misfortune." He smirked as he strutted out the door, nearly knocking Blink over. "Sorry," Dutchy muttered. Jamming the cap on his head, he continued down the steps.
Blink walked into the living quarters of the lodging house, climbed on his bunk, and closed his eyes.
"You all right?" Jake asked as he walked over to him.
"Fine," Blink replied as he rolled over and curled up.
Giving a quizzical look to Blink, Jake shrugged as he started to walk out. "You know," Blink began, "I sold a paper to Marguerite Van Wyck—"
"-- I know," Jake said, cutting him off. "You told me the whole story at Tibby's, remember?"
"Yeah," he replied.
"Then what's eating you?"
"Nothing." Blink sat up and swung his legs over the side of the bunk. "I was just thinking that maybe I can sell her a paper every day. I just don't know how I am going to do it."
A smile spread across Jake's face. Maybe Dutchy was right when he said that I could manage some fun at "someone else's misfortune". Here's my chance! Blink is swooning over the mayor's daughter, as always, and I could offer to help him --
"Don't even think about it," Blink interrupted Jake's thoughts.
"What?"
"I don't need your help." Blink answered as he knew what Jake was thinking.
"But you said you didn't know how to do it," Jake tried to say calmly, but made it sound like an accusation.
"I'll figure something out." Blink lay back down and closed his eyes again. Jake opened his mouth to try to persuade him but Blink stopped him. "I don't need it," he said as he put his hand up like he was saying stop.
"Fine," Jake began, trying to tempt Blink. "I won't help then." Jake turned to walk out of the room but stopped. "Why are you going to bed so early anyway?"
Blink looked at Jake with a small hint of annoyance on his face. "It's eight o'clock."
"Exactly," Jake said with a grin on his face like this was the first time he was right about anything.
With a small sigh and a quick deep breath, Blink looked at Jake. "I want to get up early, that's all."
"All right." Jake shrugged and finally left Blink to his early rest. "Hey watch it!" he yelled as Jack ran into him.
"Sorry Jake. I have to talk to Blink."
"I wouldn't even try it. He's trying to get to bed early." Jake said as he half-heartily bounded down the steps.
"Oh well, I promised the boys," he said with a look of curiosity and walked into the room.
Blink moaned and prepared himself for the new annoyance.
"Blink, can I ask you something?" Jack said as he rushed in the door.
"What?" Blink said, without opening his eyes.
"Why are you snapping at the boys?"
"I'm not." Blink sat up and looked at Jack.
"Then what's eating you?" Jack asked as he sat on Snipeshooter's bunk.
"Nothing," he stated calmly.
"Then why are you yelling at the boys?"
"I didn't," Blink simply stated.
Jack looked at Blink and stood up to walk out of the room. "Wait," Blink said with an apologetic tone. "I was just tired of them getting in my business."
"What business?" Jack asked.
"I guess I kind of talked in my sleep." Blink looked down and continued his explanation. "I have these dreams about Marguerite and I've been telling Race about them, but –"
"You know that you and her –"
"-- Just can't be." Blink interrupted Jack and lay back down.
"Sorry. I didn't mean to bother you."
"It's all right." Blink closed his eyes and tried to sleep so he can get an early start on the morning run.
Jack paused before he walked out the door. He wanted to say more to Blink but he gave up and left the room. As he cleared the door, Jack noticed a girl leaning against the wall to the right.
"What are you doing here this late?" Jack asked her.
"Just need to talk to Blink." Stress shrugged and slid past Jack.
"Blink? Can I ask you something?" She sauntered over to him.
Blink opened his eyes and looked at the new intruder. "You just did, Stress. Two of them."
Stress harrumphed.
"Well? Are you going to ask it?" Blink gave in.
"Jake told me that you sold a paper to Marguerite today," she stated.
"That's not a question," he told her as he struggled to keep his annoyance unnoticed.
"Well, did you?"
"Yeah," he replied. With that he rolled over and closed his eyes again.
"That's all I wanted to know," she said with a smile, and left Blink alone.