You Don't Know Me
By: Stubby the Newsgirl

Chapter 2: How Can You Mend a Broken Heart?

"So what made you choose the life of a newsie? Most girls get jobs at the sewing mill or doin' laundry, or you know, girly things," Blink said.

"Well, I'm a little embarrassed to say," Poke blushed.

"Aw, come on, you can tell me anything. I won't tell a soul," he winked at her.

"You promise you won't tell?" she asked.

"Cross my heart, and hope to die," he answered.

"Stick a needle in your eye?" Poke tested him.

Blink laughed. "Yeah, stick a needle in my eye… maybe then I'll really need this patch," he joked, as she laughed with him.

"So… what's the story?" Blink asked.

"I like reading the comics. Now that I'm selling, I can read them for free, and know what's going on before anyone else does. It's stupid, I know," Poke admitted.

"That ain't stupid at all! I think the comics are the best part about The World," Blink said reassuringly.

"Really?" Poke asked. She was practically beaming; she'd felt stupid telling him, but he didn't think it was stupid at all.

"Really." Blink said. "You should smile more, you've got a beautiful smile," he said.

"You're just saying that," Poke said modestly, yet she couldn't help but blush.

"I'm serious, it's gorgeous," Blink said.

Poke didn't really know what to say after that. "Um, thanks," she mumbled.

"So, is there any guy that you're sweet on?" Blink asked.

Poke shook her head "no," but she was beginning to really like Blink. He was funny, and good looking, and very charming.

"I think you're lying. I think that you like someone, but you just don't want him to know," Blink said.

Poke shrugged. "Maybe."

"Well, there's a girl that I'm starting to get sweet on," Blink said.

Poke felt a little uncomfortable. She always got a little uncomfortable whenever all the newsboys would begin talking about girls that they were seeing, but this was just weird. She really didn't want to hear about the girl that he liked.

"Well, don't you want to know who she is?" Blink asked.

Poke shook her head "no," and began to walk faster, soon she was ahead of Blink.

Blink caught her shoulder, and whirled her around.

"Her name is Poke, you might know her. She's kinda shy, but I think she's sweet on me too. Do you know if she is?" Blink asked, pulling her close.

Poke nodded. "I like you too, Blink."

Blink pulled her close and kissed her, right there in the middle of the street. Poke felt like she was dreaming. Just earlier that morning she had been wishing for a love of her own, and just as soon as she wished it, it was happening. She felt like the luckiest girl in Manhattan.

It was a long, unfruitful day for Skittery- he beat his lowest record, selling only ten lousy papers. He'd spent most of the day brooding and coming up with what he would say to Kid Blink. The rest of the time, he'd been thinking about how he could tell Pocahontas of his love for her. As he approached the Newsboys Lodging House, he adjusted his cap and opened the door. He made his way over to Kid Blink's bunk, and stood menacingly over the patch-eyed creep.

"Oh, heya, Skittery, you ain't looking so good. What's the matter?" Kid Blink asked.

"Look, I don't want you hanging around Poke anymore," Skittery said.

"Hold it, now. I know that you feel a bit protective of her because you met her first, but I would never do anything to hurt her; I think I'm in love, Skitt! And the craziest part is she likes me just as much as I like her!" Blink said happily. He had the look of a man in love. For the first time, Skittery actually believed that Blink might be in love.

"So you're sure she feels the same way?" Skittery asked behind clenched teeth.

"We kissed! And when she kissed me, it felt like my heart exploded- like fireworks!" Blink said euphorically.

Skittery wanted to grab Kid Blink and smash his face in. He wanted to pulverize him. But he didn't do it.

"Well, great, congratulations," was all that Skittery could manage to say as he walked back to his bunk and collapsed on it. What else could he have done? Poke kissed Blink, which meant that she liked Blink, and not him. Skittery didn't want to force her love either. Unlike Blink's exploding heart, Skittery felt like someone had ripped his heart out, ate it raw, crapped it out, and stomped on it.