Chapter 12

The next morning, Heather woke up to a pounding in her head. She also felt sick. She opened her eyes, and wasn't sure where she was. She looked around and ended on Spot who was asleep next to her. Panic filled her and she looked at herself under the covers. Relief rushed through her when she saw that she was still clothed.

All of a sudden, memories of last night came flooding back. Again panic filled her as she remembered everything she had confessed to Spot. She quickly shook him awake.

"What? What are ya doin'?" he asked groggily.

"Wake up. We need to talk."

The throbbing in her head was back and she let out a low groan as she grasped her head. She looked over when she heard Spot chuckle.

"Ya foist 'angovah. Dis is a beautiful moment."

She glared at him. "Shut up. We need to talk about last night."

Spot's smirk fell. "You-you remembah last night?"
"Yes."

"So, you remembah dat I told ya dat I like…"

"Yes Spot, I remember. But I knew that already. Can we please focus on me for a second?" The raising of her voice caused her headache to get worse.

Okay, quiet voice, she thought.

"Look, everything I told you last night, you can't tell anyone."

"I gotta tell Jack 'bout ya food thing Lace. He's gotta keep an eye on ya when I ain't dere."

"No! If you tell him then he'll tell the girls and they'll go World War III on me."

"Dere's a World War I and II?"

"Not the point right now. Focus. And the David thing? You cannot, I repeat CANNOT, tell a soul."

"But Lace-"

"No Spot!" She held her head again and waited for the pain to die down before she continued, quieter. "You can't say anything. If he finds out…I don't even want to think about what will happen. Even though I don't know how things could get much worse between us. He probably isn't talking to me anymore."

"What 'appened 'tween you two? You'se guys was fine when you'se was in Brooklyn."

"It's a long story, but the point is I don't want things worse. So just promise you won't tell."

He sighed in frustration. "Fine. I won't say anythin'. But you gotta."

"Why would I do that? That goes against everything I just told you. Besides, like I said, he won't give me the time of day."

"Dat don't mattah. You gotta take a chance. Look, 'ow 'bout dis? I'll make a move on Delilah if you make a move on Davey."

"We already made a deal last night. I stop with my eating habits if you make a move."

"Damn it. You remembah dat too. And I suppose you'se is gonna 'old me ta dat."

"You bet."

"Well, da good thing dat'll come out of dis is dat you'll get 'ealthy."

"And you'll get the girl."

"Look, I know I'm good at getting' da goil. I 'ave many times. But wid Delilah, and don't go tellin' nobody I'se sayin' dis. I gots me reputation ta 'old up. But wid Delilah, I don't think I'm gonna get dis one. She really 'as it out for me."

"She just thinks she hates you. That's just how you both show affection. When you fight, it's you flirting."

"So, you're sayin' she likes me?"

"I'm not telling you one way or the other. You gotta find out for yourself."

He sighed and shook his head. "You'se is frustratin' ya know dat?"

"I know," she stated and giggled. "I have to get back. The other 'Hattans and I are planning on confronting the wagon at the distribution center. You and your boys will be there?"
"We'll be scopin' da area and will be dere if you needs us. Ya need me ta walk you back?"
"No, I think I can handle it."

"You know when I say 'Can I' I mean, 'I am'."

"Fine. But remember, you promised not to tell anyone about either thing."

"I swear I won't tell any of me boys or Jack's boys."

"Good. Now lets go."

As they walked down the stairs, they noticed the glances and whispers being made to them and about them. One of the Brooklyns called out, "'Ey Spot, you get some last night?"

"Now dat ain't any of your business now is it?" he scolded.

When they finally made it to the Lodge House in Manhattan, they saw Jack outside. "Dere you are!" Jack yelled, running towards Heather. "I was worried sick 'bout ya Lace."

"I'm fine. I'm fine. Just a little hungover from bad choices last night."

"Speakin' of bad choices," Jack said, turning his face to Spot.

"Don't worry. Nothin' 'appened. I was a poifect gentleman," he assured the newsie leader.

"Good. Cause den I'd 'ave your 'ead."

"Well, I've had enough of this love fest. I'm gonna go to my room. Later boys." She waved at Spot as she walked off.

"You swears you didn't try nothin' on 'er last night Spot?"

"Coise not! She's me friend. I wouldn't take advantage of 'er like dat."

"Just makin' sure. She's Daisy's best friend and practically me sistah , so if anythin' 'appenes ta her..."

"I 'ear ya, I 'ear ya. It's been nice chattin' wid ya Cowboy, but I gots ta be 'eadin'fe back. I 'ear ya gots a busy day ahead of ya at da DC. Good luck." He spit in his hand and extended it. Jack spit in his and shook.

"Thanks Spot. I'll see ya around." The two split and Spot headed off.

As Spot was walking, he still couldn't get the things Heather had told him out of his head. He also couldn't believe that she couldn't see David liked her back. A blind man could see that. He was also wondering what could've happened between them to make her think that David hated her all of a sudden.

Speak of de devil, Spot thought as he turned a corner. He saw David coming out of an apartment building, and he knew that he had to say something. I told Lace I wouldn't tell my boys or Jacky's. Dave ain't neiddah.

"'Ey Dave!" Spot called out. David turned his head and saw the famous Brooklyn king coming at him. David's first thought was to run, but his feet were stuck to the ground.

"Ye-yeah?" he stuttered out.

"We gotta talk." Spot grabbed David by the arm and led him into an alley.

"Wh-what's going on?" David asked, getting nervous.

"We gotta talk 'bout 'Eathah."

David scoffed and looked away. "I don't want to talk about her."

"Look, I dunno what went down 'tween you two, but she was at my place last night cryin' ovah you'se."

David's look of scorn softened. "She was?"
"Yeah. So if she said somethin', which I 'ave a 'ard time believein' she did cause she would nevah do somethin' like dat, she feels real bad 'bout it. So you should forgive 'er." Spot could tell David was letting his words sink in and his mind was racing. But he kept talking. "And 'sides, I knows ya couldn't stay mad at 'er for too long cause ya like 'er."

David's eyebrows shot up. "I what?"

"Look, you like 'Eathah right?"

David's entire face turned bright red. "I-I-I wouldn't say I like her like her. I-I just...well...she's my friend and I care about her, even though we're fighting right now, but..." Spot just gave him a look that said he wasn't buying it. David sighed. "What about it?"

"You'se gotta do somethin' 'bout dat soon, 'fore 'Eathah hoits herself. Or woise."

A look of immense concern drew across David's face. "What's wrong?"

Spot stuck his tongue in his cheek and looked in another direction. "She told me not ta tell anyone."

"Spot, what's wrong with Heather?" There was a tone in his voice that was dripping with something Spot had never heard any of the newsies use before. He wasn't sure what it was, but if he was using it when talking about Heather, then he definitely cared.

Spot turned to face him and said, "Lace doesn't think she's good enough for anyone. She thinks she's ugly and fat. 'Specially da fat. She's been starvin' 'erself and whenevah she does eat somethin' she throws it up." As he was explaining this, he saw the look in David's eyes change from concern to almost anger.

"She's what?!" he yelled, shocking Spot a little. "How could she be doing this to herself? She is the most beautiful girl in the world and isn't not good enough. In fact, she's TOO good for everyone."

"You gotta tell her dat. She won't believe it comin' from anyone else."

"Why?"

"You're smaht. You figuah it out."

I know. It's been a long time since any strike stuff. But that's all coming back in the next chap. So keep reading! And please review!