Notebook and Tiger walked along the cobblestone streets, they had sold all of their few papes and were eager to get some fresh air.
"Takoda, I've been wanting to ask you something' Notebook said, turning to him.
"What was that something?' Takoda replied, his arm round Notebook's waist.
"Stop that!' Notebook chided gently, "I can't think when you do that' "Well, what does your name mean?'
Takoda paused, "It means 'friend to everyone'
"Suits you' Notebook replied, absentmindedly. "Takoda…what's it like to—nothing'
"Tell me' he incited softly.
"Later' she told him.
Takoda laughed but let the question pass "Notebook?'
"Yes?' she replied.
"You worry me sometimes, you seem so secretive, as if your hiding something from me' "I feel lost, knowing you are troubled by something I can't fix' "I want to help, but I can't without invading your privacy' Takoda sighed.
"Lost?' "He knows I'm hiding something from him' "But what am I hiding?' Notebook thought. Aloud she said,"What am I hiding?'
"Feelings and emotion…I sometimes hear you at night crying' "I want to dry those tears' he replied.
Feeling embarrassed Notebook turned away Takoda brushed her arm. "Please…' he plead.
Notebook faced him. "I keep having this nightmare…of us being forced to leave—and then returning to find you've found someone else to love' Notebook quickly brushed the forming tears from her eyes.
Takoda then wrapped Notebook in his arms in a loving embrace. "Never will I betray you like that' "And if you feel like being quiet, if ever you need to speak your mind' "I will listen and be here' "If you ever need to cry, you can cry on my shoulder' "And when the mirror tells us we're older, I'll hold you and be here for you' "I will tell you everything you are to me and always I will be here for you…' he vowed.
"You don't—' Notebook began but was cut off as Takoda replied: "No. Don't talk, just listen'. Notebook fell silent. "I keep feeling this peculiar urge for you each morning and every time we leave I feel an ache deep in my heart' "I've realized that I desire to be a part of you' "I love you, Madelaine Johnsons…'
Notebook looked stunned. She had seen an odd spark in his eye that day, one she had never seen before. It was there now.
Takoda looked at Notebook's shocked expression and mistook it for guilt. That misjudgment broke his heart. "You are hiding something Notebook'
"No' "I'm not hiding anything, Takoda' she said, startled that he would make that accusation.
"Don't deny it, Maddie…' Takoda slowly turned and walked away leaving Maddie to stand in the street alone. Maddie ran to catch up with him.
"Takoda' she said, falling in step with his long strides.
"I gave you my heart, Maddie' "Does that mean anything to you?' Takoda replied his voice cold.
"Takoda, It means everything to me!' Maddie replied her voice strained.
"Oh, so your trying to win me back so you can break my heart a second time?' Takoda wheeled around to face her, Maddie shrank back, suddenly afraid.
Takoda turned away and continued his walk down the street.
"No' "Please listen to me…' "Takoda I'd give you my life' "I'd take a bullet to the heart for you' "Just please listen!' Maddie cried, her voice choking over with grief.
Takoda looked back at Notebook, he saw a beseeching look in her eyes, asking him to love her again. His heart twisted and he walked back to her and embraced her tightly.
"I'm sorry' he apologized, "Truly I am' ever so slowly he eased his mouth over hers in a kiss, he savored the taste of this kiss for it told his heart that she had nothing to hide and that made his heart swell with thankfulness and love.
"I love you too, Tiger' Notebook whispered after breaking the kiss.
"For that I'm glad' "I could never leave you here alone…' Tiger murmured in her ear, the tone in his voice was sincere making Notebook shiver delightfully.
"He told you loved you!" Star exclaimed quite astounded, meanwhile they discussed their day as they sat in the bunkroom. "Yes he did, and can you please keep it down!" Notebook replied in a hushed tone. Unsuccessfully, the Newsies overheard Star and Notebook's conversation, "No worries Notebook, we already heard da news." Jack replied. "Well I suppose the news was going to come out one way or another." Notebook scowled. "News travels fast when you're a Newsie." Sarah said lightheartedly. "Carry in da banner!" The Newsies chanted merrily, appreciably accommodating the joke.
Suddenly the door swung open and in walked Takoda. "Hey, look who it is!" Crutchy called from a bunk. The room then erupted in an array of cheers and murmurs and pats for a job well done. Looking around the roomed baffled at the scene, he turned to Notebook who shrugged, and gestured her hand towards the jovial Newsies. Getting the hint of the gossip he glared at the Newsies, but unable to keep a straight face, a smile tugged at his mouth.
The chatter continued. As hours crawled by, silence and darkness enclosed the city of enthralling Manhattan, as the Newsies, went to bed. Shopkeepers and merchants closed their shops for the night and headed home where families awaited them.
"Maddie!' Sarah whispered, climbing quietly down to her friend's bunk, and placing herself to sit near Notebooks pillow.
"What now?' Notebook grunted. "Sarah, it's late and I've had a long day' Maddie chided.
"But this is important' Sarah replied.
"Oh alright' Notebook sighed, shifting into a more comfortable position to talk to her friend.
"It's about Spot. When I'm around him butterflies fill my stomach. It's a pleasurable poison surging through you veins. When he looks at me, I feel like I'm soaring through the sky like a bird, like anything's possible. But at the same time drowning, unable to swim and breath, because my breath gets caught in my throat, it's a surprising emotion. A giddy feeling you experience in the pit of your gut, just like how you explained it. It's a wonderful desire, and something I never felt before.. I'm afraid I have fallen into his charming trap" Star continued to whisper, and said "I explained it to him, I told him the way I felt about him…but I'm unsure if he feels the same.' Star replied concerned.
Notebook nodded in understanding, "I know exactly how you feel, you took the words from my mouth. I feel the same way, not knowing for sure if Takoda loves me or not' Maddie replied. "Star, I've seen the way Spot looks at you, that certain spark he saves only for you. If I know that look I'd say it's love, one day you'll get the hint. I can see why this couldn't wait till morning, now go back to bed." Notebook replied yawning.
As Starlight obediently crawled back into her top bunk, she whispered. "Thanks Maddie." She was grateful for her friend's wise, and reassuring advice. "Save the thanks for tomorrow, you'll most likely need it again, can I sleep in peace now?" Notebook asked ironically. "Yes" Star replied quietly giggling.
"Good, now go to bed" Notebook grumbled.
The two finally collapsed into a world of dreams, where their imaginations soared, until the morning's golden glow graced the skies with a new day…
The next morning the Newsies woke up and did their regular routine of carrying in the banner, while Starlight headed to Medda's to practice for the show.
Notebook was in for a surprise, because Takoda had something else planned, he had decided to tell Notebook something.
Takoda and Notebook walked along the street selling papes when they could and discussing headlines when they had run out of topics to talk about.
"You know how I like to do woodworking?' he asked.
"Yes, and dare I say it you're very good at it too' Notebook praised.
"Well I was thinking of opening my own wood shop' he replied. "Put my talents to use'
"That's great!' Notebook cried, a smile brightening her face.
"Only one problem: I have no idea how to start one' Takoda said. But I'll get to that later, right now I want to do something special for you tonight'
"Nonsense! You don't have to do that for me' Notebook said.
"I want to' Takoda insisted. "I want to take you out to dinner, anywhere you want'
"Oh alright if you insist' Notebook sighed.
Later that evening…
Notebook paced the floor as she wrung a handkerchief, timidly twisting it nervously in her hands.
"Can you stop pacing back and forth, it's driving me nuts!" Star called from her bunk, briefly viewing her costume sketches for the show.
"Pacing helps me think!" Notebook replied back.
"Did you at least find something to wear?" Sarah asked inquisitively.
"No, I haven't." Notebook answered.
"Well we gotta definitely do something about that." Starlight said tossing the sketches to the side, and jumping down from her bunk.
"What have you got in mind?" Notebook inquired.
"Well you don't want to exaggerate your outfit to much, you're not going to a ball!" Star giggled.
"That much is true, I don't want to make him uncomfortable." Notebook agreed.
"I suggest you wear something simple with class. Perhaps a nice white blouse, this pale green skirt with the embroidery, to bring out your eyes, and the necklace he made for you." Star recommended, pulling out the clothes from the luggage.
"That seems nice." Notebook contemplated aloud.
"It would look great, try it on." Star suggested.
Notebook headed toward the stall to change. Once the lock was secured, she stuck her hand up in the open roof stall and said, "Skirt, please' Star passed her the skirt and, and a moment later Notebook's hand popped up again, "Stockings and blouse please' Star passed her the stockings and blouse.
Within five minutes she emerge from the stall, fully dressed and ready. Noticing Notebook's usual un-kept braid, Star stood and eyed her and said, "We gotta do something about your hair."
"Just fix the braid I guess." Notebook replied with a shrug.
"No, we're gonna let it loose!" Star said comically.
"It's gonna get all frizzy." Notebook complained.
"Okay then, let's put it half up, and half down. We'll hold some of your hair back with this hair ornament." Star pulled out a butterfly shaped, silver hair trinket, fixed with tiny emeralds from Notebook's jewelry box.
"It's perfect." Notebook remarked.
Starlight carefully unraveled Notebook's braid, allowing long locks of golden-blonde, to cascade down to the middle or her back. She then gently brushed out the knots, and carefully grabbed a portion of Notebook's hair and placed in the trinket to keep the hair in place.
"You look great!" Star exclaimed.
"Thanks Sarah." Maddie replied.
"Save the thanks for tomorrow, you'll most likely need it again!" Star giggled, getting Notebook back from a couple nights ago.
"I most likely would." Notebook replied honestly. "Oh and before I forget, have you seen Spot lately?'
The sound of Spot's name flowed through Star's mind it sent chills down her spine. "No, he's in Brooklyn doing some business of his, but I'm thinking of paying him a visit tomorrow.'
"Oh" was all Notebook said as she waved goodbye to Star.
Opening the door to walk outside, she felt the air's slight chill. Ignoring it, she walked quietly along the street. Notebook looked around at the normally bustling streets and sighed. "Its so peaceful and quiet here now" she whispered breathing in the crisp air.
She heard another voice behind her, "Yes, like a forest at dusk" "And you a quiet luntook walking along a path."
Notebook turned and was greeted by Takoda's warm smile. "Hello" she whispered, grinning. "What exactly is a luntook?"
"It's what I call a deer" "You look different tonight" he noticed. "More like a lady of the forest then a newsie"
"Is that good?' Notebook asked also noticing his change in appearance. He wore a shirt that seemed to be made from buckskin; pants of the same fashion and his black hair seemed to be damp from a recent wash. As he pulled her into an embrace she also smelled soap and a faint spicy smell of fresh wood and pine, She like that scent.
"No matter what you wear or how you look, you'll always be beautiful, it's what's inside that counts' Takoda replied grinning, and softly brushing a kiss over Notebook's cheek.
Notebook sighed. "Shall we continue?'
Takoda nodded and led Notebook to a nearby restaurant, in Little Italy.
Once seated, a lanky, young Italian waiter dressed in a clean white shirt, black pants and an apron round his waist came to the table.
Placing a wine bottle on the table, the waiter addressed them in a thick Italian accent " 'ello, my name is Luigi and I will be your waiter" "what can I get for you on dis bella notte?"
Takoda motioned for Notebook to order first.
"I'd like spaghetti please" she replied.
"Good choice. Lasagna for me" Takoda told Luigi.
Luigi nodded, "Alright, lasagna for you and spaghetti for the bella ragatsa' he then turned at the sound of a crash.
Suddenly they heard a smash like the smashing of a plate and Italian yelling, and cursing, coming from the kitchen. Someone was obviously angry.
A plump chef waddled out of the kitchen doorway, shaking a ladle in his pudgy fingers and shouting something in Italian. "Luigi, get your butt down 'ere boy" "A cursed plate has fallen and I need someone to pick up the pieces!"
"Excuse me a minute something's troubling my boss" Luigi then hurried towards the kitchens.
As they waited, Takoda and Notebook discussed the weather and other common things.
"I like it here, its very nice" Notebook replied glancing around the small Italian restaurant. The clean tables were covered with sheer white tablecloths, polished silverware and in tiny candleholders, the candles flickered offering their light to the dim atmosphere. The music played, as the mirth from the music echoed around the room it give the atmosphere a cozy, romantic feel.
"I thought you would" Takoda smiled.
Feeling calm and drowsy, Notebook sighed and propped her elbow on the table and rested her cheek against her hand. Her mind drifted as she looked intently at Takoda's face and the way the candlelight cast strange shadows on his deep brown eyes, turning them black and making them sparkle. "This is certainly a night. I wonder what the future will hold" "A home, children…Wait! Maddie be reasonable, you're barely sixteen! It's not the time to be thinking such thoughts!"
Notebook shook her head to clear it and asked. "Takoda, what was your past like?"
Looking at her, Takoda answered, "My past?" "Well, during my childhood I lived near the forest, in a small home with my father and younger sister" "My mother died in childbirth with my sister"
Notebook looked down; shamefaced "I'm sorry to bring up painful memories"
Takoda shook his head. "I'm glad to get them off my chest" he continued. "I was taught how to fish and track down animals" "Much like my ancestors." "My father would often tell me I was like Askuwheteau, one of the founders of my family." "A few years after my mother's death, my father showed evidence of his depression. When I was ten, my sister was seven at the time, he told me he didn't think he could live like this…" "When I was sixteen my father told me I should go off and pursue my own life. My younger sister left to live with a dear aunt of mine in the country and I went to see if I could make a living. I havn't seen both my father or sister since then and it's been almost another year…"
"Oh…What is your sister's name?"
"Mapiya" "It means sky"
"It's beautiful" "Why was she called that?"
"Because she was always looking to the sky, the color of her eyes. Looking into the future and not worrying about the present"
"What about the past?" Notebook asked.
"She made stories out of the past, a great young storyteller she was," Takoda chuckled, "I remember she told me one of a woman who was searching for her sibling and when she found him, she also found friends and a home…that's the only story I remember the most of. Then she left for my aunt's home, telling me to not forget her stories and to come back home someday…and that was it."
Luigi then cut in. "Am I interrupting something here?"
"Oh no, please go on" Notebook absently replied, thinking of what Takoda had just revealed and how painful it must have been to leave both home and family and to not hear from them in almost one full year…
"Sorry about all the mess, it's cleaned up now!" "Hope it didn't trouble you"
Seeing as Notebook seemed distracted, Takoda shook her head and answered. "No trouble at all."
"Well the good news is, your food is ready." Luigi smiled.
As the warm food was placed on the food, and the waiters had retreated to the kitchen, Takoda continued his story, Notebook drifting back from her daze and listening.
"I didn't know where I was going to make a new life, so I traveled from one place to another, following my heart, much like you did, and went where my footsteps took me. They led me to the best place in the world."
"What place was that?" Notebook asked, quite curious.
"Right here, with you" Takoda answered, taking her hand and kissing her knuckles, his eyes sparkling.
Notebook tried not to blush but failed and ducked her head in embarrassment. "I'm flattered."
Soon after they finished and left, the couple walked along the street. "Thanks for the wonderful night" Notebook said.
"You're welcome" Takoda whispered, the heat in his voice sending cold shivers down Notebook's back. "It's a popular night for lovers" "Wonder if he'll …No! Bad thoughts, very bad thoughts!" "My love life seems to be filled with bad thoughts lately!"
After a long pause, Notebook took a deep breath and folded her hands, trembling a little, finally she took his hand and as he faced her, the words caught in her throat. Finally, she settled for the simple question. "Can I tell you something?"
"Sure. Anything." he replied, noticing her shaking. "You're trembling, love. Something wrong?"
She grinned and ducked her head so he couldn't see the joyful tears she shed. Taking a deep breath she lifted her head, and whispered, "I love you, Tiger."
Deep in her heart she knew she loved him and nothing could change that. Takoda edged closer and kissed her forcibly, cradling the back of her head in his hands and feeling Notebook gasp and slowly relax. Breaking the kiss, she smiled at him, "So Tiger, what am I to you now?"
He laughed, "You are who you've always been, nothing changed, though this night has played with my eyes and made me dizzy with love."
Notebook laughed. "It's New York, that's all!" "It's New York and love…" she kissed his cheek and took his hand, running and laughing along the empty street. "Come on!"
He knew she spoke the truth. Love had gotten to them all…