Author note: Ah, I am in a better mood today: Yippie! Anyways, I hope you enjoy this chapter, seeing as I am writing it early.
I awoke the next morning alone. I turned over to find Spot wasn't there. I wiped at the sleepiness in my eyes and sat up, glancing around the empty room.
I sighed deeply, remembering what today was. I hate July first! I hate it so much!
I rose from the bed and, to my amazement, a rose lay on the lonely nightstand. I tilted my head and picked up the piece of paper beside it.
Happy Birthday, Sage.
-Love Spot
I smiled and smelled the rose. It smelled fresh, like Spot just bought it or something. I laid it back down onto the nightstand and walked out of the room. Nobody seemed to be around – must be selling.
I quickly washed up and put my rose in a vase beside Spot's bed. I felt lonely not having Chance around…it was quiet. I sighed to myself and ate a quick breakfast. I was surprised Spot left me alone, seeing as how the Harlem boys have stalkers everywhere.
I wonder if Spot has spies in Harlem. I mean, I wouldn't be surprised. I walked into the living room and pulled a book out of the bookshelf.
"Romeo and Juliet," I read out loud. I plopped down on the couch and tucked my feet under me, Indian style. I then opened the book and began to read.
I was on the third chapter when the front door opened. Spot walked in, and saw the book that I was reading.
"Hello, Juliet," he said, holding, yet, another rose. I smiled and took the rose.
"Hey, Romeo," I replied. Spot grinned and took a seat beside me.
"Happy birthday," he said.
"Thanks," I said gloomily.
"Something wrong?" Spot asked, furrowing his eyebrows.
"No," I said, reading over a line. "Everything's perfect. Where is everybody?"
"Oh, ya know, out and about," Spot said, reading over my shoulder. "Dat's gotta be a borin book."
"Actually, I find it to be quite interesting. William Shakespeare is the best writer of all times," I said. Spot shrugged,
"Whoever he is."
"You don't know who Shakespeare is?" I inquired.
"No," Spot said. "But I'm guessin dat he's da one who wrote dat book," he nodded at the book in my hands.
"Correct," I said, returning to the most romantic book of all times.
"Uh, Sage," Spot said.
"Hmmm?"
"Will youse come with me?" Spot asked.
"Go with you where?" I asked, never taking my eyes off the book.
"Jus' somewhere…it's a surprise." I closed the book and smiled.
"Sure."
I followed Spot outside of the Lodging House. The streets weren't as busy, and I let out a depressed sigh. Spot looked back at me with a questioning look as he took my hand in his.
We soon made it to a dock, but not Spot's dock. This one didn't smell of fish, which was quite surprising. The water glistened as the sun's rays beamed off of it.
Spot sat on the edge, and I followed suit, hanging my legs off the side. One of Spot's legs hung off, as the other was propped up in front of him, his arm resting on it.
"So, why are we here?" I asked, glancing over at Spot. His facial expression looked relaxed and serious.
"How old are youse, Sage?" he asked out of the blue.
"Well, I turn eighteen today," I said, looking down. Stupid birthday…I hate it! Spot switched his gaze over to me and smiled. The hat on his head kept the sun out of his face, which made him look less intimidating.
"What's yer favorite color, Sage?" Spot asked. I furrowed my eyebrows, but answered,
"Green…Why do you want to know?"
"Because I know nothin 'bout youse…" I tilted my head. It was true; we knew nothing about each other. I sighed, and leaned back slightly.
"The river is beautiful," I changed the subject. I brought my fingers up to the locket around my neck and smiled to myself.
"Yeah," Spot said. "It is." He then reached into his pocket, and pulled out a small box and handed it to me.
"What's this?" I asked, taking it.
"Open it," Spot said. I pulled the box open, and stared down, with wide eyes, at the ring.
"Spot…" I said, just above a whisper.
"It's a promise ring," Spot said, trying not to make eye contact. The ring had a small gem in the middle of it in the shape of a diamond. The band was silver, making it look even more beautiful.
"It's beautiful," I said, still amazed. A smile found its way to Spot's lips as he took the ring and slipped it onto my left hand. I grinned down at my ring, and then brought my eyes back up to Spot.
I then leaned into Spot, and locked my lips with his. I could feel Spot smiling and he put his hand behind my head and kissed me back.
It seemed like forever until we pulled away, and it lasted for a lifetime as I searched his eyes.
"I love you, Sage Matthews," Spot whispered. I wasn't expecting Spot to say that, and it made my heart skip a few beats.
"I love you too, Spot Conlon," I whispered back.
Spot and I sat there for forever, and enjoyed the scene of the river. I didn't want to leave when I noticed the sun was setting. We had gotten there that morning, and stayed there until dusk…amazing.
Spot got to his feet and held his hand out to me. I took it, and allowed him to pull me to my feet.
"Ready ta go back?" Spot asked. I nodded and followed Spot back to the Lodging House. I still felt horrible about my birthday, and I wanted to cry.
Spot turned the knob of the Lodging House door, and pushed it open. Once they entered, a light turned on and a cheer of: "Surprise!" echoed off the walls.
I flinched and nearly jumped ten feet, and stared oddly at the Manhattan and Brooklyn faces.
"Happy Birthday, Sage!" Scout exclaimed as she pulled me into a bone-cracking hug.
"Thanks," I said, prying myself away from her. I was ushered to a table in the middle of the room and Scout made me sit down. Spot took the chair beside me.
"Okay, on behalf of yer birthday, Sage…we Manhattaners are goin ta entertain youse with a song!" Scout said. I blinked a few times and laughed. Scout stood up in a chair and held a stick in her hand like an instructor.
"Ahem. Will everyone please take yer places?" Scout asked. The Manhattaners came forth and stood in front of Scout, facing me, and they began to sing a song.
I laughed through half of the song. Race and Jack sung to the top of their lungs, their arms draped over each other's shoulder. Scout sung like an angel, just like at the reception.
After the song was over, Scout threw the stick into the air, and it landed on Race's head.
"Owe!" Race whined. I grinned as Scout jumped down from the chair and bowed. I clapped, and listened as the other's joined. Spot adjusted the hat on his head and sighed.
"Idiots," he said. Everybody gave me presents, and I was surprised when Scout brought out a puppy…a German Shepard puppy.
"He's adorable!" I said.
"He's ugly!" Spot exclaimed. I sent Spot a playful glare as I pet the puppy.
"His name is Spot!" Scout said. I burst out laughing when I saw the look on Spot's face. It was also funny because the dog was pure brown…he didn't have a spot on his body.
"Dat's a horrible name for a dog," Spot said. I grinned at the present Jack and Race gave me. It was a picture of the two, looking stupid.
Art gave me a drawing…of me. It was very lovely, but it lacked something. Or should I say someone. I got other neat gifts, such as bracelets, poems, necklaces, and somebody even gave me a photo of Spot and I. It was amazing, actually. I remembered that day.
The picture was of me and Spot, sitting down at the table in the old Lodging House, playing war. It was a very good picture, actually.
Then somebody brought out cake, but I didn't feel like eating, so I just let everybody else enjoyed it. Jack then stood up, and held his hands up to silence everyone.
"Okay, okay, everyone shut up!" he said. "Alright, we's jus' wanna say happy birthday, Sage," Jack said, pointing from him to Race. "But we noticed somethin…we can't leave Spotty out." Jack then pulled something out of his back pocket, and placed a pink bonnet upon Spot's head.
The whole room burst out in laughter, even me. Spot growled and glared up at Jack. He tore the bonnet off of his head and threw it at Jack.
"Aw, but it matches yer eyes," Scout said. I smiled, but soon frowned when I remembered I was celebrating to most horrible day of my life.
"Shut up!" Spot said, giving his sister a glare. I watched as some of the newsies enjoyed glasses of alcohol. Wow, these people really love parties.
It had gotten dark, and everybody seemed to have lost track of time. Everybody – who didn't live in the Lodging House – left after telling me happy birthday or bye.
"So, did ya have fun?" Spot asked as I followed him upstairs.
"Yeah," I lied. Spot then stopped, and stared at me.
"What's buggin youse?" he asked.
"Nothing," I lied.
"Yer lyin, Sage. Tell me what's wrong." I glanced down at the floor, and then back up at him.
"I just hate my birthday," I said.
"Why?" Spot asked.
"Because it's hard to celebrate the day of my mother's death…"
Author note: Well, that's it for this chapter. Hope you enjoyed it. LONG LIVE SPOT AND SAGE!