Chapter 16

"I'm surprised Medda was so okay with having all the newsies come take over her theatre all night," David said to Heather as they walked hand in hand back to the Lodge House.

"I'm actually not surprised. She loves all of us like we're family," she replied. "There's nothing she wouldn't do for us. And you now."

"Oh really? Am I one of you now?"

"You've been one of us since day 1."

They continued lightly chatting, just enjoying being with each other. But then they crossed paths with Delilah, and they saw she had her arms crossed while wiping her eyes and sniffling.

"Dee, are you okay?" Heather asked, dropping David's hand and going to her friend.

"Um...no-nothing. I'm fine. Did you find out about the theatre?"
"Yeah, we got it. And no, you are not fine. You're crying. What happened?"

"Um..." Delilah hesitated, flickering her eyes to David. Heather got the message and turned to him.

"Dave, I think you should head home. Delilah needs some girl time."

"Of course. I understand."

"Thanks. I'll see you tomorrow?"

"Absolutely." They quickly kissed goodbye, and he turned and left, leaving the two girls alone.

When he was gone, Heather brought Delilah over to a bench and they sat down. "So tell me what happened."

"So, remember how you kept telling me over and over that Spot liked me, and I didn't believe you?" Heather nodded. "Well, it's true." Heather's jaw dropped and her eyes went wide.

"What?!"
"And I like him too," she added quietly.

Heather squealed. "So what's the problem?"

"Well, we went back to Brooklyn to talk because I wasn't feeling great. And we were in his room, and I told him what was wrong and he ended up kissing me, and confessed to me, and I did too, and we ended up kissing. But he kept pushing it further and further, until he tried to go too far and I pushed him off and told him off. And I stormed off. I mean, I had just finished telling him about how guys just use me for sex and then leave me, not really wanting me in the right way, and then he tries that on me! I just can't believe I fell for a guy again."
Heather just wrapped her arms around her friend and hugged her. She had never been in this situation herself, so all she could think to say was, "I am so sorry. Men can be such dicks."

"Except yours and Daisy's boyfriends. You couldn't have found better guys, and I am just destined to be alone forever."

"Don't say that! Don't you dare say that! You are going to find a guy that worships the ground you walk and treat you like a princess. Please know that I am on your side with this, but just hear me out. Maybe you should give Spot a chance to talk. Did he just let you walk out?"
"No, he chased after me."

"Then he did want to tell you something, so you should hear him out. Maybe he has an explanation for his behavior. Because I know he really likes you."
"How do you know that?"
"Because that night I went to Brooklyn's party and got drunk, I, um, tried to move in on him and he pushed me away because he didn't want to ruin his chances with you." Delilah had so many thoughts running through her head, and she didn't know which to listen to. She wanted to think that he had genuine feelings for her and had a reason for doing what he did, and actually wanted to talk to her. But she couldn't help but wonder if he really was just like the rest of the guys she had liked. "Dee?" Heather brought her out of her trance. She didn't realize she had been zoned out for so long. "What are you thinking?"
"I don't know. I don't know what to think. I mean, I really like Spot but...I'm scared it's not going to work out. Again."

"Well, if you really like him, you should listen to him and see if you still do after you hear what he has to say."

"Look, I don't know. I really have to just think and figure out how I'm going to act around him now. I don't wanna be just another girl that falls for him just because of his charms."

"Why don't we head back to the Lodge House and meet up with Daisy. She's good at this kind of stuff." But before they even stood up, Jack and Daisy came towards them. "Hey, we were just heading back to the Lodge. Where are you coming from?"

"De Lodgin' 'Ouse," Jack answered. The other two girls looked confused.

"Snyder's there," Daisy told them. Heather went pale.

"Does-does he know Jack and I live there?" she asked quietly.

"I think he's just scoping it out. Kloppman will never rat you guys out."

"Well, how long until we can go back?"
"I don't think we'se sleepin' dere tanight Lace," Jack said. "We dunno 'ow long he'll be dere for, or if he'll be watchin' it."

"Great. So, where do we go? A bench? An alley?"

"I gots an idea. 'Ow do ya feel of payin' ya boyfriend a visit?"

"Jack, no. I'm not taking advantage of our relationship and invading his home."

"Well den whadda you suggest?"

"We can go to David's, but why don't we sleep on the fire escape? That way in case anything happens, I will take advantage of our relationship and invade his apartment. But also, we won't be disturbing them."

Jack looked at her like she was crazy. "It's better than Central Park, Jack," Daisy told him.

He took a breath, and said, "Aftah you," gesturing to go ahead. Heather and Delilah stood up, and Jack said to Daisy, "I'll see ya tomorrah." He kissed her on the cheek. He and Delilah switched places.

"Talk to Daisy," Heather subtly mouthed to Delilah. Delilah nodded, and Jack and Heather left.

"So," Jack started saying as the two walked, "I nevah got ta congratulate ya poisenally on ya new relationship."

"Aw, thanks Jacky."

"Ya knows if he hoits ya, I'll kill 'im."

"Yes Jack. I am fully aware."

"And if he tries ta go too far wid ya, you let me know and, again, I'll kill 'im. Ya 'ear me?"
"Um, ye-yeah. I hear ya." She tried not to tense up so he wouldn't figure it out. They walked in silence for a while. The Heather spoke up, "Do you think Snyder's gonna find us?"
"We've been able ta run from 'im dis long."
"But are we gonna be able to keep running before he catches up? I mean, I have a lot to lose. If David find out about what happened, he'll-"

"Wait, wait. You 'aven't told 'im dat?"

"Of course not."

"Ya need ta tell 'im. Why 'aven't ya?"

"If he finds out, he's gonna look at me like trash. Not the girl he could one day fall in love with, marry, and have a future with."
"He won't care. He will care though if anyone but you tells 'im."

"That's what Daisy and Delilah told me."

"It's da truth."

"It's never gonna come up, so he never has to know."

"But Lace-"
"Can we drop it, please?"
"Sure." They walked the rest of the way without talking.

It was dark by the time they arrived at the Jacobs'. They quietly made their way up the stairs to the balcony outside of David's room. The lights were off, so the two figured everyone was asleep. They got into a position where they were sitting next to each other, shoulder to shoulder. Heather laid her head on Jack's shoulder. Soon, she could hear him snoring quietly, so she knew he was asleep. But she had a harder time falling asleep. What Jack, Daisy and Delilah called "the truth," she knew was the truth. She knew she needed to tell David what happened with her, and if she didn't, and he did hear from someone else, he would lose his trust in her. But another part of her thought that if he accidentally find out, she could easily get that trust back; and if she told him directly, she was scared she would lose so much more. She was scared she would lose him forever, even though she knew this was a very stupid thing to think. She couldn't help it though. She just hoped she would never have to bring it up.

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