Why me? Why do I always get stuck with the last person I want to me stuck with?
I was walking to the distribution apparatus, my hand in the crook of Jack's elbow, listening to him give me the four-one-one in being a newsie.
Like I haven't memorized it already.
"Headlines don't sell papes. Newsies sell papes," Jack lectured to me. I rolled my eyes.
I imagined how the conversation would go if I could talk.
Me: Must we go through with this?
Jack: What? You're not enjoying this? You're not ready to swoon at my feet?
Me: …no, not really.
Jack: …
Me: Do most people?
Jack: Well…I mean, some probably do…
Me: coughDavvycough
Jack: What was that?
Me: Nothing.
But, of course, since I can't talk, my sarcasm is wasted. It's frustrating.
So, instead of shutting him up with my all-powerful tongue of doom—
No, not like that, you sick-minded fiends.
—I had to listen to him babble. Tuning out…now!
Hmmm…She will be loved…She will be loved…I love that song…That makes me think of Tyler and Taylor. Sad…
Okay, need something happier, lest I be in a pissy mood for the rest of the day. Um…I've become so numb. I can't feel you there. Become so tired. So much more aware.
Ah…Liking Park is good…It's like I'm paranoid, looking over my back. It's like a whirlwind inside of my head. It's like I can't stop what I'm feeling within. It's like a face inside is right beneath my skin.
Hey…Didn't I write a songfic to that song? Ah, well. Let's see…What's another fun song?
In the heart of little old New York, you'll find a thoroughfare…It's the part of little old New York that runs into Times Square…A crazy quilt that Wallstreet Jack built…If you've got a little time to spare, I want to take you there…
Turn on channel 7 at a quarter to eight, you see the same damn thing it's just a different day, and no one really knows why this is happening, but it's happening. People always saying this is part of the plan, that God's got everybody in his hands and I can only hope that God is listening. Is he listening? You come into this world…And we are all the same…And in that moment there's no one to blame…But the world is black…And hearts are cold…And there's no hope…That's what we're told…And we can't go back! It won't be the same. Forever changed…by the things we did…
Sad how all my "happy" songs are really depressing. But really, I mean, the REAL happy songs are just bloody annoying!
Whoa. British moment.
Let's see…What's the happiest song that I actually like? OH!
I just wanna live! Don't really care about the things that they say! Don't really care about what happens to me! I just wanna live! Just wanna live…Just wanna live…Just wanna—
"Two-Bits?"
WHAT?!
"We're here." Oh. Fine…Just interrupt my one-girl concert, why don't ya? Jack led me to the line, I presume, and I could feel myself brushing against a few people. Newsboys, actually. I planted my feet, firmly, and yanked back.
"What the—" Jack stopped, which is a good thing, 'cause I was about to fall over, as I have no body strength whatsoever. "What's the matter?" I shook my head and dragged him in the opposite direction, towards the end of the line, running my fingers along the shoulders of the newsboys until the felt air.
"What's your problem? Let's get our papes and go!" I shook my head and folded my arms over my chest.
Now, don't get me wrong. I'm not all righteous, or whatever. I'm not putting on a holier-than-thou attitude, or anything, but it seriously pisses me off when someone cuts me in line, and I don't intend to sink to their level.
"Alright, fine. You can wait here, but I ain't waitin' for you!" He left, I assumed. I grinned, rather triumphantly to myself, then realized that I had no way of knowing if the line was moving. Praying that I wasn't behind Boomerang, I reached forward and put a tentative hand on the shoulder in front of me.
"What?" Thank. God. It was Skittery. "Oh, hey Two-Bits." I smiled at him. "Didn't wanna skip with Jack?" I rolled my eyes and shook my head, in a way that would convey to him that I don't think very highly of their fearless leader. Skittery laughed. "Yeah, I know. Well, I suppose you can sell with me. Since you don't talk. I think I'd go insane selling one more day with Slider and Tumbler. Those two talk a mile a minute!"
I was a bit surprised, actually. This was the most I'd heard Skittery ever say. Well, okay, so I'd only ever heard him say what he says in the movies, and 'Two-Bits.' I laughed, remembering the charades.
Anyway, I kept my hand on Skittery's shoulder and followed him as the line moved up. I passed Skittery some money, which Jack lent me, and he bought my papers.
"Let's see…Anything good today?" Skittery asked, opening his paper. I gave him a look that said, 'Like I can tell.' "Oh, right. Okay, well, I guess we'll just have to play our customers." He removed his hand from my arm, and I didn't move, wondering where he's gone. Then he rubbed gritty fingers across my cheeks. Gritty, cold fingers. I jumped, a bit. "Calm down! If you're going to be a poor, pathetic, blind girl, you've gotta at least have some dirt on you!" I shivered, and pulled on my sweater, zipping it up. Now I wouldn't look quite so odd. They don't have much fishnet around here.
It was fun experiencing selling for the first time, especially since we had an angle. Some were pretty thickheaded and passionate.
"Extra! Extra!" Skittery called, taking my arm once more. He handed me my papers, and I held one out, blindly, trying to look pathetic. "Excuse me, sir. Spare a penny?"
"What's wrong with her?" grunted an older man. Skittery placed a hand on my shoulder, and sniffled, a little bit. I widened my eyes, trying to look innocent.
"This here is my sister, sir. She's blind, has been since she was born. My pa died, and my ma don't have a job. We're trying to get money so we can afford to teach her Braille. She don't speak, neither."
"Poor thing," said a woman voice. "Give them some money, Charles," she ordered. "Please take this. I hope your mother can find a job, and you can teach her Braille!" she said.
"Thank you, ma'am! Have a good day!" Skittery said, cheerfully. "Two-Bits, this might actually work! They gave us a dollar! They must be pretty rich. Come on!"
Others were not so passionate…
"Hey! Watch where you're going, you mangy whore!" shouted a younger, gruff, angry man. I backed away. I had accidentally hit him, since I'm blind, and all. Skittery pulled me back a little, stepping up.
"Don't you call her that! My sister's blind and mute, sir! She couldn't see three millimeters in front of her, much less see you!"
"Well, the blind shouldn't be wanderin' around! Lock 'em up, I say!" I glowered at him. This man was this close to getting kicked. Really hard. Where it hurts.
"Come on, Bits. Let's get out of here. It's almost one, anyways. The boys should be at Tibby's by now." Glaring at the direction where I thought the man had gone, and fuming, silently, I allowed Skittery to lead me to the diner.
Besides, I was hungry.
YAY! Food! Man, now I'm hungry. Anyways, I promise the next chapter will come soon. i had,like, seven chapters written out, but, unfortunately, they're at home, and I'm at my grandma's place for the holidays! Review!
Shoutouts!
Faerie-Meyers-Parker: Heya! Nice name! I hve a feeling I can guess about it! :) Anyways, thanks for reviewing! I'm sorry yours got killed!
Erin Go Bragh: Okay, deep breaths...deeeeep breaths...Ha ha. It's okay, really. Thanks for reviewing!
koodles4you: Your penname makes me giggle...Anyways, I love Cheerios too! Honey Nut, anyway! Thanks for reviewing!
TheAngryPrincess13: Thanks!
My Dog Ate My Penname: Lol...Killer poodles...Thanks! Absolutely right! Lovely, lovely, lovely newsies make everything better!
