Star began to walk down the street, a sprint in her step; she wanted to get to Brooklyn quickly to see what the night had in store for her. She reached the Brooklyn Bridge and recognized a boy who looked about nine, as one of Spot's newsboys. She smiled and asked, "Have you seen Spot lately? I've come to bring his—"
"Well I was just headin your way but I'se see ya beat me to it." Star whirled around to see Spot standing there, hands tucked in his pockets, and smirking suspiciously, he looked cleaner then usual and in his eyes was an odd sparkle.
"Well I was coming to bring back your clothes, since I won't be needing them any more." Star replied handing them over to Spot.
Spot continued to stand there arms crossed as he replied with a broad grin spreading over his face. "Dats to bad, I loved seein ya in me clothes, ya looked damn good in dem too." Star giggled as she playfully threw the clothes in Spot's face. He caught, and tossed them to the small newsboy Star had noticed a few moments before, and replied "Kicks, take dis back ta me room, and don't touch anytin, ya got dat? Me and me lady's got's a date."
With that the little boy scurried off.
"A date?" she replied bemused at Spot's comment.
"Can't a man show his goil a lil love and affection?" Spot replied smirking positively, and walking off leading the way.
"He must really need to show the way he feels about us, either that or he's gone crazy…whatever it is I'm lovin it." Star then giggled aloud, at the thought and ran to catch up with him.
"So where are we going?"
"Dats for me ta know and youse ta find out." Spot replied taunting her.
"Well now would be a good time to find out, don't you think?" Star said a bit aggravated that he wouldn't tell.
"Da time for ya ta find out ain't gonna come any faster." Came the reply.
"But—"
"Would ya stop ya worryin! We's almost dere." Spot replied cutting Star off before she could say another word.
Star then took a deep breath, and decided she'd trust Spot's intentions. They walked in silence for a few minutes enjoying their time together, the sun was just setting and spilling orange across the streets as people bustled by, the moon was beginning to show, just a sliver of white against the darkening sky.
"We'se here." Spot replied grinning widely, at Star's reaction when she realized where they were. They reached the 'Lyceum' theatre. Across the billboard it read "Florodora"
. Star's eyes sparkled with delight, as she lunged at Spot and hugged him amorously. Pulling back to gaze at his gleaming eyes she exclaimed, "How did you get these tickets?"
'I got my ways." Spot answered smugly.
Star laughed and hugged him again. "Thanks so much Spot this means the world to me." "And you'se mean da woild ta me." He whispered. She tilted her head up to look at him, and gently placed a kiss on his lips, Spot pulled her closer and was more then happy to return the kiss as he deepened it.
"Come on move along!" someone called from behind them. They then pulled apart chuckling and began to walk over to the ticket vendor, handing him their tickets. Spot placed his arm around Star and together they headed in.
On each side of the Lyceum, the colours were mostly compsed of browns, reds , and yellows, with much of the walls and ceiling relieved by silver stenciled-and-painted classically inspired designs.A large hanging light fixture was a pear shaped globe of opalescent glass swung by silver wires, it dominated the space. . The balcony seats were filled with the first-class sitting up prim and proper, dressed for the occasion. Below, rows of seats sat many of the middle-class and those who had managed to afford a ticket. The huge stage stood at the far end of the room, with long beige velvet curtains hiding the set. Noise of chatter and laughter filled the theater and gave the place an atmosphere of excitement, almost as if status didn't matter when it came to the arts.
Star and Spot finally found their seats in the middle row and sat down, "I remember when when my foster-parents would take me to go to a theatric event thinking I'd find a fine suitor." Star replied chuckling.
"Well looks like ya found him." Spot replied smirking.
"Yes and a fine one to." Star replied cuddling up against his side. Spot grinned contentedly and placed his arm around Star's shoulder. She sighed blissfully as she rested her head on his shoulder, and replied,
"Little did she know that instead of watching, I wanted to be part of the act." Suddenly the lights dimmed, and the chatter stopped as the orchestra began the opening chorale. The large crimson curtains separated and 'Florodora' began.
"Oh tell me pretty maiden, Are there anymore at home like you?" "There are a few sir, but simple girls and proper too."
"Then tell me pretty maiden what these simple girlies do?"
"Kind sir, their manners are perfection, and the opposite of mine." The audience then erupted into a burst of laughter.
The play continued on, into the depth of night and finished with a tremendous success.
Spot and Star, then headed out and walked along the streets, "That was a great surprise." Star said, smiling.
Spot smirked, "Aint I just full of surprises?"
The pair hadn't noticed the dimming clouds or the drizzle of rain that fell on them, until the drizzle became a downpour. The moon peeked through the blanket of dark clouds. Star grinned and, without hesitation, she grabbed Spot's hand and began dancing through the rain. Spot then twirled her, dipped her, showing her a few moves of his own. Taken aback Star replied " Wow I never knew you could dance like that."
"I'se a man wit many talents." Spot notified. Star laughed aloud, and stepped back.
"Maybe you overestimate yourself." Star taunted.
"Maybe youse underestimate me." Spot allured.
"Yet ya can't even give a girl a decent kiss." Star replied challenging him.
Spot sneered, and said "Now you'se pushin it."
Star suddenly kicked up water splashing him, and taking a leap away from him so he couldn't get her back. An astounded expression crossed his face, and suddenly his eyes turned cold, alarming Star. His expression was quickly replaced with a deceitful smirk. Recognizing that smirk, she knew he was up to no good.
Without uncertainty, she began running down the streets laughing joyously, as Spot chased her with haste. He caught up to her, grabbed her waist, and turned her around to face him. It seemed as though time froze as they gazed at each other, raindrops fell from their already- soaked hair and clothes. As Spot kissed her there, the passion they felt for one another broke free, and nothing else mattered, except being in each other's arms.
Once they broke the kiss Star smiled and replied "Perhaps you are a man with many talents." Spot smirked " Ya but you need a little work." He teased.
Star laughed as she pushed him, causing him to chuckle at her effort to shove him. "You say that now but it's funny how you keep coming back for more." Star mocked.
"Well somebody's gotta teach ya." Spot joked.
"Oh and I suppose, you think you can do that?" Star questioned arching her eyebrows defiantly.
"Ya got dat right doll." Spot said purposely provoking her as he began to walk away.
"Well, that's it no more for you! I'll be sure to kiss someone else who benefits from them." Star taunted fallowing behind him.
"Well to bad you's already in love wit me." Spot replied smugly smirking, but before Star could retort he continued "and I couldn't bare seein you wit someone else.
"Neither could I" Star responded smiling, content at what he had said. He wrapped his arm around her waist. "What time is it?" Star suddenly asked fretfully.
"I'se guessin around midnight." Spot answered as if the time didn't matter.
"Star eyes went wide with shock. "Midnight! We have to get back!" Star shouted as she grabbed Spot's hand and began running down the puddle filled streets. He chuckled while shaking his head as she dragged him to the Manhattan lodging house a few blocks down.
"Ya know runnin dere aint gonna solve anytin, eida way we'se still gonna be late." Spot said composedly.
Star then stopped her running, and dropped his hand as she turned to face him "I'm guessing you've been late many times before, since you're so positively calmed about the situation." Star presumed, as she continued to haste.
" Ya youse could say dat, it really aint dat big of a deal." Spot said trailing behind. Star rolled her eyes, and decided to slow down, after all he did have a point. Star felt a shiver down her spine, and by now she was soaked to the bone. Noticing this, Spot realized how cold he was too and approached Star from behind. He suddenly placed one hand under her legs, and the other around her back as he picked her upand ran to the lodging house as fast as he could, carrying her the entire way.
Once they reached the lodging house Spot turned the knob, and still inhis arms Star kicked open the door. The two entered with laughter full of blithe.
"So how was the theater?" Maddie replied standing in front of the door with a glass in her hand.
"It was amazing…Wait you knew about this?" Star asked quite astonished, as Spot placed her down.
"Yupp, I was informed of the surprise earlier today, and I figured you two would be out late, so I left the door unlocked, since Kloppman, and the Newsies are fast asleep." Maddie responded.
"So that's why you were questioning me about Spot earlier today, and that's why you weren't concerned about being late." Star said to the two, putting all the info together.
Maddie nodded, and Spot smirked and said "Well looks like I'se bunkin here for da night, I'se sure Jackey-boy won't mind."
Maddie gave them a strange look. "You two are soaking wet! Come in close the door, you're letting in the cold air."
The three went upstairs, Star and Spot changed into dry clothes and quietly crept into bed, "Goodnight Spot." Star whispered "Goo'night Star." Spot mumbled into his pillow.They fell asleep almost instantly, joining the rest of the Newsies in a peaceful slumber.
Three days passed since that unforgetable night, and it was the day before the show, and Starlight's big performance she had been working for. She had to put in all her energy, to perfect her last practice.
As the day went on, Sugar had been wondering if Spot had reconsidered his decision and decided to have her back, but no her eyes had betrayed her once again, the way he had looked at Star… "He can't be falling for her! She's a hoity-toity goil just looking for trouble!' Sugar thought, "Well if trouble is what she wants she's gettin' it!' she hissed.
About an hour later, Sugar looked up from the pape she was reading and saw Sarah amble along the cobblestone street, Sugar gathered the few of her papes and followed Star, "How ya been?' Sugar asked, trying to begin an innocent conversation.
"Hello Sugar' Star said turning to face the redhead, "I'm doing good"
"This is gettin' nowhere!' Sugar thought she then changed the subject. "I hear they call ya Star' now' she stated.
"Yes…' Star answered, Star had a feeling where this 'blameless' conversation was headed, but she chose to ignore the creeping sensation at the back of her mind.
"Intrestin' "Spot fancies you, but I bet you're just another goil on his list' Sugar said, inspecting her nails.
"List? What list?' Star asked, "I knew this was a troubling conversation from the start' Star thought and yet she listened intent on Sugar's answer.
"Well…Spot has this list ya see, he has the names of every goil he's made love to, your most likely another one of his flavors of the week …if you know what I mean.' Sugar told her, looking smug.
"Where is this list?' Star asked sarcastically.
"Well…ah…he has it hidden, I discovered it once, and that's when the trouble started." Sugar fibbed.
"Sugar, Get over him! There are so many other men out there that you can have a relationship with! Nothing you say or do can come between us!" Star retorted, with that she spun on her heel and walked off, leaving Sugar fierce with rage.
"You asked for it Sarah I'll get Spot back whether you like it or not!" Sugar cunningly plotted to herself.
Starlight walked taking her time to ponder, thoughts of Sugar's words buzzed around her head like angry bees. Suddenly those thoughts vanished as she un-expectantly felt arms wrap around her in a warm embrace from behind.
"Hey, gorgeous.' a familiar voice uttered soothingly in her right ear, causing chills to slither down her spine. Startled Star turned around to see Spot's blue eyes gleaming with anticipation.
"What's a matter?" Spot questioned, when he saw Star's startled expression.
"I wasn't expecting that" Star replied a bit discomfited.
"Youse was expectin somebody else to do dat?" Spot questioned teasingly, causing Star to laugh.
"That's not what I meant " Star said giggling, and continued to wander. He then ran to catch up to her, glanced at her, and noticed a troubled expression on her face.
"You'se ok?" Spot asked concerned.
"I'm fine." Star replied shrugging her right shoulder unsure of whether or not she should tell him the news about Sugar. Star refused to look him in the eye, because she couldn't bare the thought of lying to him.
No matter what she said, Spot could tell that something was bothering her. Spot shook his head in disbelief, grabbed her arm, and turned her to look him in the eye.
"Look Star, you know I don't like being lied to, why don't ya jus spit it out, you know yous can trust me' Spot replied assuring her.
Star had to tell him the truth. "I saw Sugar, and she told me…" But before Star could continue, she was interrupted by Spot's angry reply.
"What! What da hell is she doin here!" Spot replied, trying his hardest not to yell.
He then glanced around cautiously to be sure no one had heard his recent remark, grasped Starlight's hand and pulled her into an alleyway where they could talk privately.
With Star against the alleyway wall, Spot stood directly in front of her, with a glower, alarming Star. "What did she say to you?" Spot asked trying to control his temper. He was eager to get the information. "She told me you had a list, and on it was all the girls you made love to, and that I was another one of you 'flavors' of the week. Star said glumly.
Spot looked both shocked and infuriated, then took hold of Star's shoulders, stared into her worried eyes and said, "Star, youse know I would never do anytin ta hurt ya. Youse my shinin' Star. And nuttin will eva change dat!' "And don't ya forget dat!' There was a note of pleading in his voice. Spot continued, "You're amazin' Sarah, I'se neva met anyone like ya before, I…I I's love you." Realizing what he had just said he glanced down awkwardly, he was still slightly unsure she felt the same way.
Spot loosened his grip on Star's shoulders, and dropped his arms to his sides. He had just poured his heart out to the girl he thought he surely loved.
Star smiled lovingly, and tilted Spot's head up to link his gaze with hers, at first his eyes remained downcast upon the cobblestone lane. His eyes shifted gradually from the floor to Star's amorous eyes. Her eyes gleamed like the sparkling stars above, slowly as Star pressed her lips to his, in a kiss of understanding and care.
Spot, thrilled at her reply, began to kiss her back first gently then full with a passion so rich in adoration. Their kiss was like the first signs of the blooming rose, vibrant on a spring day. Spot slid his hands over Sarah's body; a hot electric feeling of passion seemed to send an odd tremor through his hands wherever they touched. Star broke the kiss and whispered, "I know I love you, Spot Conlon' "Which is why I trusted you…' Star said, reminding him of that night on the fire escape, when he had told her to trust him, with her most horrifying secret. Star continued, "I told Sugar that nothing she says or does can come between us, no matter what."
Star knew she had a very special place deep inside this mysterious Brooklyn leader's heart. She finally knew that he truly loved her, and he knew she loved him right back. These were confessions of their hearts…