"Are yoah shoah yoah daddy likes his little goil fightin' doity like that?" i felt like a huge boulder just hit me square in the face. I forgot that papa might be out looking for me right this instant. Probably hired some men to privately find me so he can kill me.
My breathing slowed down when reality set in. I can't possibly hide from my own father. What will everyone at school say? What will.. What will he do to me if i show up at his front door step? He probably already has a knife waiting for me at his home, sharped and everything.
"Don't got one." suddenly, at a moment like this, i just felt like i wanted to crumble into a million tiny pieces and disappear from this life. I didn't want to be alive, why should i anyway, when papa is just going to kill me in the end?
"Oh, yeah?" he said, squinting down at me. I looked him straight in the eye, not a trace of lie across my face, and whispered "Yeah." he cocked his eyebrow in thought.
"So yoah tryin' ta tell me that last night when yah was talking-no. Sorry, screaming in yoah sleep about 'Papa! No! Don't, please! I've learned my lesson! Please, why are yah doin' this?!' " he mimicked me with a little girl voice. "That was yoah not havin' a fatha?"
I clenched my teeth, clearly he was pissing me off. I wanted so badly to pounce on him like a mad cat and tackle him to the ground. I wanted to pound his face in until he'd shut up! If only he knew what hell i went through every night and day.
"What? Rich goil got notin' ta say now don't cha? Now, why don't ya just go prancin' on back ta yoah poifect little life while we newsies try an' sell ta ya rich folk friends of yoahs." he wasn't kidding.
His face show'd no sign of emotion. He really didn't want me here. "Why, Conlon? Can't take me? The big King of Brooklyn scared he can't control little ol' me?" i squinted my eyes at the sun behind him before turning around. "Fine, i'll go."
Right when i was about to walk away, two boys approached, talking and laughing. Something i haven't seen or done in a long time for real. Laughing.. That glint in those boys' eyes. I've always envied people who could laugh like that. No one ever made me laugh like that.
The taller boy was wearing a cowboy hat that was tied behind him and a scarf around his neck. The other boy looked Italian. He was chewing on the cigar in his mouth and wearing a newsies cap, shuffling cards in his hands. He was half a head shorter then the boy with the cowboy hat.
The Italian boy took off his hat and bowed, the boy in the cowboy hat did the same as i curtsied smoothly. "Now, tell me why such a pretty goil is in Brooklyn in such a fine mornin'?" i laughed and turned back to Spot, who was heading toward us.
"Well, boys, i was just about to leave, thank you." i smiled brightly at them as Spot shuffled next to me. "Oh, yeah, what was yoah name again? Ya nevah got da chance to introduce yoah self." my face returned to that irritated one again, which Spot has had the specialty to do.
I scoffed in an unfriendly way. "In your dreams, Conlon." his fists were white from gripping his cane that was tucked in suspenders. I raised an eyebrow "Now, you wouldn't try and hit me with that cane, will you, Conlon?" i said rather sweetly.
I heard two separate laughters come from in front of me. Both Conlon and i twisted our heads to the direction of the two other boys. "Woah, Spot, how'd yah pick this one up?" Spot scowled at me then gave the same look to the boys "Wit me own two hands."
But, me being a sass, said "I'm not 'one' i'm Evelyn, thank you very much. Evelyn Rose. And you gentlemen are..?" i smiled, twinkly eyed. The boy who looked like a cowboy hesitated "Well, i be Kelly, Jack Kelly. Or Cowboy. And this be Race track. Or Race fo' shoat." i nodded and shook hands with each of them.
From the corner of my eye i could see Spot glaring down at me, but he quickly changed his expression to his old one, which was expressionless. "Yes, Evelyn was just about ta leave." Cowboy and Race looked from Spot to i and i to Spot again.
"Nonsense! Evelyn heah, can join us, can't she? We was just bout' to go eat," Race said happily and put an arm around me. "Yeah!" Cowboy chimed in. "How bout' it Spot?"
Cowboy put an arm around me too. But Spot didn't seem to like the idea. "No." my eyes glinted. Just to annoy him.. I said "Oh, come on, Conlon, let me come with you!"
He turned around already annoyed. "No." he said firmer and started walking. "Dun' worry bout' Spot." and off we went. Cowboy, Race, Spot, and i walked off, to who knows where.
15 minutes later, we were across the Brooklyn bridge, Cowboy and Race not stopping for one second to ask me a question about myself, occasionally Spot gave comments, or insults.
"So where do yah live?" asked Cowboy who almost walked into a person selling bread, but dodged him swiftly. I wasn't sure if i should say where i lived, but i didn't want to lie to them much. "Queens."
"Oh? Well that's kind-a far away from Brooklyn ain't it?" not when you're running for dear life, it isn't. "So what were yah doin' in Brooklyn?" Race was still chewing on his cigar, but interested on my life. I was thinking for an excuse when Spot already butted his way in.
"Found er' layin' unconscious in front o' the lodging house this mornin'. I was comin' back from Medda's and she was all covered in er' own blood."
"Woah! Why were yeh covah'd in yeh own blood?!" i looked from Cowboy, Race, and Spot who stopped abruptly in front of a restaurant called Tibby's. Cowboy and Race looked intrigued, but Spot looked relaxed, though i could swear he wanted to know real badly, too.
"Let's just say i had a bad night, alright?" and i walked threw the boys. Before i touched the door handle, a strong hand had already grasped it and pulled it open, waiting for me to walk in. I looked up and saw a boy about 17, dark haired, light brown eyes, and quite taller then me, so was Cowboy, but wasn't as tall as him.
I beamed at him before saying "Thanks." as soon as i walked in, the smell of hotdogs and smoke swirled by my nose. The heat in here warmed my face as i stared around, finding a combination of newsies everywhere and the occasional old man sitting, grumpy, slurping soup.
"Heya mouth," i heard Spot say to the boy that opened the door for me. "Heya Spot, how's Brooklyn doing?" i completely ignored their little conversation as i was led by Cowboy to a table full of newsies. "Heya Cowboy!" said a boy with a an eyepatch over one of his eyes.
"Blink! How was the mornin' edition?" i ignored that conversation too as a boy asked "And who is this?" a boy with big eyes full of happiness and joy. He had one crutch leaning on the booth. I just smiled sweetly as Spot explained, yet again.
"Just a dame i found." I raised a questioning eyebrow at him as he took a seat next to me. "Yeah, and i regret being found." i did quotation marks with my hands. I rolled my eyes and turned my attention at the boys who stared at me in confusion and awe.
I saw smirks coming from some boys as Spot's eyes squinted, his lips curled into a straight line and he glared at me with eyes of fire. I looked forward even though his eyes burned at the side of my head. I knew i would freeze if i looked into those icy grey eyes.
"So, what's yoah name, sweetheart?" i cringed. "Don't call me that." i said quickly yet softly, so it wouldn't hurt his feelings because one glance at him and it was like he had puppy dog eyes, i couldn't help it. Spot was still glaring at me, as i started a conversation with the whole group, who was also quite interested in me.
"So where yah from?" a boy with dark brown curly hair and smiling brown eyes asked. "Queens. I- uh- had some business in Brooklyn last night." i was praying Spot wouldn't tell the whole story about how i was covered in my own blood, unconscious in front of the Brooklyn lodging house.
"Yoah a newsie foah Midnight den?" the boy in the eyepatch, as i later learned his name was Kid blink- or Blink for short, said in disgust. "Uh- erm- um.." i couldn't think of anything to say because the newsies soon gave me some wrong looks.
But Spot jumped in after a very pregnant pause. "She ain't a newsie Kid, dun' worry. But i am curious of why yah was covered in yah own blood, knocked out in front o me lodgin' house." i sank down in my chair, but used the lie i thought of a long time ago, perfect for this scenario.
"Alright, alright." all of the boys leaned in to hear what i had to say as i whispered "Nun of your business." and then they all leaned back in complete disappointment. Spot didn't look surprised though, he didn't have an emotion planted on his place what so ever.
"Oh come on!" said Crutchy, as i later learned was the crippled boys' name. I turned to Spot, whose eyes had a glint of determination. Like he knew that i would tell him 'my business', though i did have a feeling that i would… Eventually. But i hoped it wouldn't be for a long time. Or ever.
"Yah know, i bet cha yoah motha' is as pretty as you." Blink has been sweet-talking, non-stop ever since i didn't tell them 'my business'. I raised a questioning eyebrow at him. I, in no way, have i ever thought of myself as pretty. If only he knew what i hid under all my clothes. Bruises and cuts. It's all over.
"Yah know," i imitated him with his New York accent "I'm still not going to tell you, Blink, regardless. And i don't got a mother." i smiled sweetly at him, as i thought up an idea. "But," his eyes gleamed with anticipation. I gazed over the menu and found the cheapest lunch he could probably afford.
"If you buy me a bowl of soup, i'd consider it." it was only 5 cents, which i prayed to God, he had. I was only joking, but a little of me, hoped he really would buy me a bowl of soup because i was starving and almost penniless. He smiled with his front teeth, his eyes never leaving mine, as he called the waiter over.
"One bowl of soup for the princess heah." i broke the eye contact first and turned my head to stare out the window at all the newsie still selling, or busy people scurrying along. I overheard a little girl right outside the window. "Daddy, it's my birthday today!" the man ignored her.
He was too busy reading his newspaper to pay attention to his attention-thirsty daughter. "Huh? Oh.. That's great hunny." he put his hand in his pocket, took out ten dollars and shoved it in her face, his eyes never leaving the paper. "Here, take this, buy whatever you want. Be home by 5 tonight, though."
The little girl couldn't have been more than 7! But she took the ten dollars anyway, stared at her dad. For a second, i thought she was about to cry, but she sucked it in and dragged her feet away.
For a little bit, i saw the little girl that i used to be. Papa never payed much attention to me. It felt as though he didn't even love me. Now that i look on it, it felt as though he was forced.
I looked away, a tear almost falling from my eye. "Here is your soup, miss." i nodded a great big thank you towards the nice waiter who looked quite fatigued. I took one sip of the soup and instantly felt warm.
I spent about 5 minutes slurping down the soup, Blink watching me with eyes of excitement. And he still thinks i'll tell him. But all the other boys looked at me too, thinking i'll tell him and he'll tell them. "Wow, thanks Blink! That was delicious. Well, look at my wrist, gotta go now." i wiped my mouth after i finished and was going to slip out.
I looked at Race and held up the 5 cents i stole from his pocket just mere minutes before. "And thanks again Race!" his eyebrows knitted together and his hand swept to his pocket, which he had found that no coins were in there.
"Wait! Evelyn! You said you'd tell me!" yelled Blink from across the restaurant. "I said i'd consider it. And i consider not to! Thanks for the soup though! Bye bye boys!" Race looked playfully mad. I saw him curse under his breath when he realized. In which i had had a good laugh. Laughing. Something those boys could easily make me do.
Back when i was in school, everybody were all prissy brats and i didn't feel the need to converse with them. All the bratty boys would always bother me and try to seduce me, which i found quite an annoyance. "So yah just were gonna leave without even a mere' thank yah?"
I jumped and, out of instinct, elbowed the voice behind me. I turned around, ready to pounce on the person until i realized it was Spot. "What was that foah!?" he yelled, crouched over in pain, or maybe it was surprise. I shrugged, calming down before answering. "Sorry, it's a habit." i said nonchalantly.
"Yoah lucky you'se a goil." i laughed as we started walking to no where in particular. "So the great Spot Conlon doesn't hit girls? What a gentleman." he smirked widely, walking confidently beside me. I don't know how.. Or why but when i'm with him, i feel a sense of security. Like i felt on edge with him, but at the same time, felt almost.. Protected.
"Thank you.. By the way." he clicked his tongue and shook his head. "Ain't it too late now, sweetheart?" i gave him dagger eyes. "Don't make me take it back. And don't call me that." he reflected the same eyes back at me. "Or what?" I gave him a sly smile. "Or i'll kick you in the groin so hard, it'll fall off."
He clicked his tongue again and put a hand threw his hair. "Ooh. I like a girl that's feisty." he winked down at me as i blushed, thinking of what he did back at the Brooklyn lodging house.
Those lips that trailed up from my neck and grazing my lips, but just slightly. His body against mine, my body heat growing more and more when i anticipated for the kiss that never happened.
I had to fight to keep my hands from touch my neck. But i so badly wanted to feel those lips again. Wait. What am i saying? No i don't. I never want to kiss him. Ever. He smiled even more when he caught me staring at him. At his lips. Those melting, kissable lips.
I looked away and closed my eyes, trying to calm myself. Trying to slow down my heartbeat that just won't cooperate. I quickly brushed off all my thoughts, clearing my mind of anything Spot related. That was always something i was good at.
"So, yoah headed back to Queens i'm guessing?" i stopped abruptly. I didn't think of what i was going to do next yet. But i was definitely not going back to Queens. Never am i ever going back there again. He looked at me lazily, like he wanted to keep walking, but i was keeping him waiting.
"About that," i forced the words out of my mouth. Hesitantly, i quickly said, "May i be," i closed my eyes and started walking, took a deep breath and finished "May i have the pleasure to be your news girl?"
I clenched my teeth. Even though i hated the option, it was the only thing i could think of at the moment, and when i think of something, i usually just go with it.
"The pleasure is not yoahs." he said not hesitating for a minute. "What? Why?" i spat, getting annoyed already. "Sorry, but goils can't be newsies." he said like it was obvious. I blew my hair from my face. "Well that's a stupid rule." he stopped, pushing me towards the brick wall, behind me.
"Listen goalie. I've been nothing but nice to youse today. Don't criticize me way of runnin' things, or me rules." this was getting old, my back getting hurt even more. I nodded slowly, thinking of a solution. "Okay, but what if i earn being a newsie?" he looked at me and took it into consideration.
"Fine. Tomorrow morning. When the sun is just at it's peak, i'll tell you what you need to earn to be a me newsie. But if youse even a second late," he took a step forward, putting his face into mine, his newsies' hat shading both our faces now.
"Youse out." his eyes told me he something big in store for me, something challenging. Something he probably thinks i won't be able to pull off. But since i got nothing to lose, might as well, right?