A/N: The next few chapters will be about other people and their
relationships. It all happens over a time period of about a month to a
month and a half. Thanks to everyone who reviewed!! I feel so loved!!!
Also, Lacrosse is starting school and we're getting into the harder times
at school. Then our major choir concert is coming up, where we have four-
hour rehearsals for a week straight and then finals! So I'm not promising
anything about when I'll update next! I really will try though! I'm
listening to Justincase's CD right now, they are so good!! I really
recommend them!!
Bess: Thanks a bunch! Ace: Thanks for your persistance! Falco: I loved your reviews!!Especially the first one! SpiderChick: Thanks!! The story is far from finished, there's going to be a sequel. Irish Fury: Thanks! Tiger: Thanks! Moth: Hehe. You'll get him soon like next chapter or so. But how do you want to get him? I need some ideas cause I sure don't got any. Hehe..Could you tell that English is my best subject? Classic: Thanks! And its not done and there will be a sequel. Rae Kelly: MORE OF YOUR STORIES!!!!! Vix: Thanks! Laura: Thanks! Chaci: Sure, I'm not sure where I could fit you in or if I even could; but send me your stuff anyways. Fastdancer: Thanks so much!! Hehe, it wasn't a novel, more like a short story lol. Anna Belle: Thanks! Drama Queen: Send me your stuff!!! My computer is stupid and deleted it. Hurry cause Cecile's best friend is going to come into play soon!!
A Thousand Meanings
"Is that the dress you're wearing Bella?" Sullivan asked, picking up the white silk dress that lay on Cecile's bed at Irving Hall. He let the soft, silky material run through his fingers and held it up.
"Yes. Do you like it? Medda surprised me with it yesterday when she found out that Jack and I were a couple." She responded, eyeing herself in the mirror as she put up her curly, blonde hair. "Does my hair look okay?"
"Your hair looks great. I like it and I'm sure it will look great on you, but isn't it a little low cut?" He skeptically asked, holding the dress next to her.
"Who do you think you are, my brother?" She teased, turning back to the mirror and pinning her hair up.
"Well..no..I just don't want anyone to get the wrong idea." He said, placing the dress back on the bed.
"I think most of the Newsies, except for Jack, are smart enough to stay away from me. Otherwise, they'll have half of Brooklyn on their tail. Sullivan, as much as I love you, could you please leave while I change?"
"Do I have to?" He asked, playfully pouting.
"Yes." She said, shoving him out of the room. As Sullivan went out, Caitlyn came in.
"What was that all about?" She asked.
"He was just leaving. What are you wearing to the party tonight?" Cecile asked.
"I'm not sure. Is this your dress?" She asked, picking up the dress that Sullivan had just put down. Cecile nodded.
"This is gorgeous. Where did you get it?" She asked.
"I had Medda make it for me and take it out of last week's salary."
"That's nice."
"What are you going to wear tonight, Caitlyn? Isn't there a certain curly- hair boy you'd love to impress?" Cecile asked, smiling mischeivly. "I'll probably just wear this tonight." She said, pulling out her plainest blue dress. "And as for that boy, he's not going to be impressed. I'm sure he's never thought of me more than just his friend, good old Caitlyn." Caitlyn said dejectedly.
"You don't know that for sure. And I happen to know that he is currently seating at a booth at Tibby's eating his lunch. Go talk to him and tell him how you feel. Then, come back here and I'm going to dress you up for the party tonight." Cecile commanded.
"Do you really think I should tell him how I feel?" Caitlyn asked.
"Yes. That's the only way to make you feel better. Now go!" Cecile shouted, pushing her out the door. "Good luck!"
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Caitlyn turned off of Broome Street, headed towards Tibby's, wondering what she should say to Crutchy.
She stopped in front of the restaurant, looking at Crutchy who was talking and laughing with Jack and Blink.
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"Crutchy, look! There she is now." Jack said, nodding his head slightly in the direction of the window.
"What should I say?" The boy asked nervously.
"Just tell her how you feel and then ask her to the dance tonight at Medda's. I did it with Charlotte and look where it got me." Blink advised.
"What if she doesn't like me like that?" Crutchy asked, staring at the beautiful girl whose face was pressed up against the glass.
"Then just be friends and show her what she's missing out on." Jack advised before he and Blink left the restaurant. Crutchy stared into his cup of ice water, hoping she would come in.
"Well, here's my chance." Caitlyn thought, walking into the restaurant.
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"Hello Crutchy." He looked up to see Caitlyn walking towards him.
"Heya Showgirl." He grinned, ruffling his curly brown hair. "How are you?"
"Good, and you?"
"I'm pretty good." He said as she sat down in front of him.
"Actually, I have a lot on my mind right now." Caitlyn added, shyly glancing at him through her long, dark lashes.
"Wanna talk about it?" He asked.
"If you don't mind..See, there's this guy that I really like a lot. He's sweet, nice, cute and funny; everything I've always wanted in a guy. But, I don't think he likes me like that. What do you think I should do?"
"I knew it! She doesn't like me at all! I knew she was too good for me." He thought sullenly as he stared at his empty plate. "Well, I think you should tell him how you feel. That way, it gets out in the open and then you find out how he feels about you. You might even be surprised and find out he likes you too." She breathed a sigh of relief.
"I was kinda hoping you'd say that. See, the guy that I really like: well, that guy is you Crutchy." She looked into his eyes, hoping for a positive reaction. He just stared at her blankly, not processing what she was saying. She tapped her fingers nervously on the table. "Umm..it would be nice to have some kind of response from you. Even a bad one." After a few seconds more of silence, tears filled her eyes and she slowly left the table. "I'll see you tonight. Goodbye." She managed to get out before walking quickly away before any of the other Newsies could see the floodgates opening.
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"And then, he just stared at me blankly; not saying anything. It grew so horrible that I left and then came back here." Caitlyn said, a fresh batch of tears falling down her face.
"Oh, honey, I'm so sorry. I would never had told you to tell him how you felt if I had known that was how he would have reacted." Cecile said, sitting down next to her and giving her a hug. With a decisive and made up look in her eyes, she pulled Caitlyn to her feet. "C'mon. We're going to make you look so gorgeous for the party tonight so that Crutchy doesn't know what hit him."
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"Where are they?" Jack asked impatiently, tapping his foot.
"Goils always take a lot more time to get ready then boys. A few facts of life you gotta know ta get by in dis woild."
"I already know that, but goils should at least be reasonably late. NOT forty-five minutes!" Jack said, right as the door leading upstairs opened.
"Sorry to keep you boys waiting, we had some extra things to take care of." Eronn said, coming down the stairs.
"Woah, Dream. Ya look fantastic!" Race breathed, coming up behind Blink and Jack.
"Thanks, Race. Wadda ya say we go and join the party?" Eronn said, inwardly laughing at the way that Race was acting just because she looked especially nice.
Jack and Blink looked up to see the remaining three girls left on the stairs. Charlotte came down first, dressed in a soft lavender dress. Her brown hair was curled and let to flow freely about her shoulders. Next, was Cecile; she came down the stairs smiling widely when she saw Jack waiting for her. She was wearing the white silk dress that Medda had made for her, with her light blonde hair piled on top of her head with some curls framing her face. (AN: That's how I'm going to look for Homecoming!! I'm so excited!!!) Caitlyn paused for a second at the top of the stairs, looking at the couples pairing off below her. She wished that Crutchy had felt the same way about her. (Another AN: That's how I've been feeling this week. Ugh.. Boys!!!)
Jack's jaw dropped open when he saw the girl coming down the stairs. Wow, was she gorgeous.
"Wow, Caitlyn. You look gorgeous." He said, his eyes following the transformed girl down the stairs. Her unruly auburn hair had been curled and wasn't frizzy like it normally was. She had on a deep green dress, which brought out her emerald colored eyes.
"Hey!" Cecile said, lightly punching Jack in the arm. He looked at her, a panicked look on his face.
"Not that you're not gorgeous either." He covered himself quickly. "In fact, you're more than gorgeous. You're stunning, a star in my sky."
"Give it up, Jack." Cecile said, smiling at his metaphor.
"I was only saying that Caitlyn looked gorgeous because I'm not used to seeing her like this. She looks different usually." Jack said, still attempting his apology.
"It's alright. She does look gorgeous, she better because Charlotte, Eronn and I did everything." Cecile commented, looking over her work.
"Shall we, ladies?" Jack said, offering an arm to each of the girls. They graciously accepted it and proceeded to go to the party. They entered the main auditorium, already crowed with Newsies and their girls from all over the city.
"Spot!" Cecile called, instantly spotting her brother and Rae in the center of the room. Cecile dragged Jack off to talk to her brother and Caitlyn was left standing alone. She sighed and went over to the bar.
"A glass of water. With a lemon please." She said. "Thanks John." She sat at the bar watching her friends dancing and having a good time. She wished that things might have been different between her and Crutchy so that she could have at least had some companionship tonight.
"Hey good lookin." A blonde boy said, coming over to her. "Wanna dance?" Caitlyn managed a small smile.
"Let me just finish my glass of water Dutchy." The boy blinked at her.
"How didja know who I was?" He asked.
"I've known you for two years." Caitlyn responded. The boy blinked twice and then stared at Caitlyn as if she might disappear any second. She shifted, uncomfortable by Dutchy's scrutiny.
"Showgirl?" He finally asked. She nodded slowly. "Wow. You look different. I mean, you're gorgeous. I mean you look a lot different then how you normally do." Caitlyn smiled.
"Thanks. Now how about that dance?" She said, standing up and holding her arm out to Dutchy.
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"Rae, you look great! How did you end up going with some person like my brother over here?" Cecile gushed, walking over to her brother and his girl.
"I'm not quite sure of that either." Spot said, as Rae punched him in the arm. "HEY!! For someone who looks like a lady tonight, ya sure don't act like one."
"Yeah, well you ain't exactly a gentleman either. And at least I could pass for a lady, if I really wanted to." Rae retorted.
"Who is everyone here?" Cecile asked Jack.
"Well that one over there is Harlem, the leader of the Harlem Newsies and his girl Star. You know Tyrant and then the one next to him is the leader of the Staten Island Newsies, Navy." He said, pointing out the various Newsies.
"C'mon." She said, taking his hand. "Let's go make some rounds."
"Rounds?" Jack asked confused, before being dragged around the room.
"Crystal!" Cecile called. "Hi Crystal, David!" She said, giving Crystal a hug. "You look great!" Crystal was wearing a purple dress with her long, brown hair curled around her shoulders.
"Thanks! I borrowed this dress from my cousin over in Harlem." Crystal said.
"Hey David. How's it going?" Jack asked, igniting a spit shake with David despite the dirty look that Cecile was shooting him.
"Pretty good, after all I'm here with one of the prettiest girls in all of New York." David said, tightening his grip around Crystal's waist. She smiled up at him.
"We'll see you guys later." Jack said, taking Cecile's hand and leading her away.
"Oh, Jack!! There's Samantha and Snitch, we have to go say hello. I haven't talked to her in forever." She said, pouting. He sighed and started towards them.
"Hey Samantha! Snitch." Cecile said, as Jack spitshaked with Snitch, causing another disapproving look from Cecile. "I didn't know you two were coming." Cecile continued.
"Well, I didn't know about it until this afternoon and Snitch offered to take me." Samantha said.
"Aww..that's so sweet Snitch!" She said smiling at the now blushing boy.
"Cecile, let's dance. I love this song." Jack said, as the band started to play a slower song. She said her good-byes and Jack led her onto the dance floor. She lay her head on Jack's shoulder and put one hand into his and the other around his neck.
"You look great tonight Cece." Jack said.
"Thanks. She murmured. She turned her head towards his, "What did you call me?"
"Cece."
"Hmm.I like it." She replied smiling. "Ugh..Jack, there's something wet on your hand." He examined it.
"Oh, its just a little bit of spit left over from our encounter with Snitch." He wiped it on his shirt. "Nothing big."
"Jack, that's disgusting." Cecile said, pulling away from him. "How does everyone do that horrid spit shake? Think of all the germs that you get and then you don't wash your hands." She shuddered. "It's revolting. Especially since I'm holding your hand." She reclaimed her hand and looked at it with disgust.
"We've always done spit shakes and you've seen us! You've never had a problem with it before!" Jack protested.
"Well, I've never had to make contact with the spit before." Cecile said, her voice raised.
"You don't have to hold my hand, Cecile!" Jack said angrily. "Sarah never had a problem with it." Cecile backed away, looking as if she had just been slapped. Her eyes were like little pieces of flashing ice.
"Then go back to her, Jack Kelly." She snapped, walking away. Jack mentally punched himself and walked over to where Blink, Crutchy and Charlotte were.
"What happened between you two?" Blink asked. "Did you two have your first lover's quarrel?" He teased.
Jack sat down and put his face into his hands. "Yeah."
"Do you want to talk about it?" Charlotte asked, rubbing his back comfortingly.
"It's really stupid. It started over spitshaking. She said how disgusting it was and how she had to hold the hand that had spit over it. Then I said that she didn't have to hold it. And then, I did the stupidest thing, I said Sarah never had had a problem with it. Then, she stormed away." Jack sighed. "God, I've messed things up before they ever really started."
"That wasn't the smartest thing to do Cowboy." Blink said. "You have to talk to her and apologize. But for future reference, never compare your current love interest with a past flame."
"Thanks, Blink." Jack said, sarcastically. "Hey Crutchy, what happened between you and Caitlyn this afternoon?"
"She told me that she liked me." Crutchy said.
"No way! That's great! So why aren't you dancing with her?" Charlotte asked.
"But," Crutchy continued, "I was so shocked when she said that she liked me that I was speechless. I guess she thought that I didn't return her feelings so she rushed out of there before I had the chance to say something."
"What!" Blink exclaimed. "You have to go and talk to her and tell her how you feel!"
"Here's your chance." Jack said. "She's coming over here."
"Hey Jack, Blink, Crutchy, Charlotte." Caitlyn said, sitting down at the bar and ordering some water.
"Charlotte, do you want to go dance?" Blink asked, leading Charlotte onto the dance floor and winking at Crutchy.
"I have to go find Cecile and apologize." Jack said, gulping down his drink and heading off.
"So, Crutchy, how are you enjoying the dance?"
"It's fun. How do you like it? I saw you dancing with Dutchy."
"It's ok." Caitlyn said, taking a sip of her water.
"Listen, about this afternoon.." Crutchy started.
"Yeah. I've been meaning to talk to you about that." Caitlyn interrupted.
"Me first." Crutchy said. "When you told me that you liked me, I was so shocked that I couldn't speak. It was something that I had wanted for so long that when it came true, I didn't know what to do."
"You like me?" Caitlyn asked, a bit taken back. Crutchy nodded. She gave him a hug.
"And now, because I didn't get to ask you this afternoon; Caitlyn, will you be my girl?" Crutchy asked.
"Yes, Crutchy I will." She said, smiling. "Dance with me."
"Umm..I can't dance with this thing." He said motioning to his crutch.
"Yes you can." Caitlyn said, she took his hands and led him onto the dance floor.
"No, Caitlyn. I can't dance." She ignored him and joined their hands, placing one of hers on his neck.
"Yes, Crutchy, you can." She said, swaying to the music.
"I can!" Crutchy exclaimed.
"I told you so." Caitlyn said and then she kissed him.
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"Cecile, I need to talk to you." Jack said, coming up to the roof. She turned away. "We need to talk, Cecile."
"Just say what you have to Jack and the please leave." She said, her voice cracking.
"Cece, I am so sorry. I should never have compared you to Sarah. It just slipped out."
"It doesn't mean you can take it back, Jack." Cecile said, as Jack sat down next to her. She made a complete ninety-degree turn away from him.
"Please listen. I'm sorry. I know I can't take it back, although I wish I could. It's not fair to compare you two. You both are so great but so different and I think I like you a lot better than I ever did Sarah. But please believe me when I say it was completely unintentional." Jack pleaded.
"I don't forgive you, but I am sorry for making such a big fuss about the whole spit shake deal, even though it is disgusting. I just completely overreacted." She said, still facing away from him. Jack cupped her chin in his hand and turned her head towards him.
"I'm sorry, Cece." Jack said, kissing her.
"You still aren't forgiven." Cecile said, a smile playing at her lips.
"How about now?" He asked kissing her again.
"You're getting closer." She said, smiling slightly. He shoved her playfully and then kissed her again.
"Mmm..now you're forgiven." She said softly as he engulfed her body within his arms and pulled her towards him so that her body was pressed closely against his. He kissed the side of her head.
"C'mon." She said, getting up. "Let's go dance." Jack got up.
"Ok. Just as long as you promise no fighting." Jack said, jokingly. Cecile sighed, disappointed.
"Fine. But I love fighting, especially the making up part." She said. Jack put his arms around her shoulders kissing her one last time before they headed back downstairs.
AN: Ugh,..I hate writing the mushy parts. Anyways, here's the chapter! Finally done!
Bess: Thanks a bunch! Ace: Thanks for your persistance! Falco: I loved your reviews!!Especially the first one! SpiderChick: Thanks!! The story is far from finished, there's going to be a sequel. Irish Fury: Thanks! Tiger: Thanks! Moth: Hehe. You'll get him soon like next chapter or so. But how do you want to get him? I need some ideas cause I sure don't got any. Hehe..Could you tell that English is my best subject? Classic: Thanks! And its not done and there will be a sequel. Rae Kelly: MORE OF YOUR STORIES!!!!! Vix: Thanks! Laura: Thanks! Chaci: Sure, I'm not sure where I could fit you in or if I even could; but send me your stuff anyways. Fastdancer: Thanks so much!! Hehe, it wasn't a novel, more like a short story lol. Anna Belle: Thanks! Drama Queen: Send me your stuff!!! My computer is stupid and deleted it. Hurry cause Cecile's best friend is going to come into play soon!!
A Thousand Meanings
"Is that the dress you're wearing Bella?" Sullivan asked, picking up the white silk dress that lay on Cecile's bed at Irving Hall. He let the soft, silky material run through his fingers and held it up.
"Yes. Do you like it? Medda surprised me with it yesterday when she found out that Jack and I were a couple." She responded, eyeing herself in the mirror as she put up her curly, blonde hair. "Does my hair look okay?"
"Your hair looks great. I like it and I'm sure it will look great on you, but isn't it a little low cut?" He skeptically asked, holding the dress next to her.
"Who do you think you are, my brother?" She teased, turning back to the mirror and pinning her hair up.
"Well..no..I just don't want anyone to get the wrong idea." He said, placing the dress back on the bed.
"I think most of the Newsies, except for Jack, are smart enough to stay away from me. Otherwise, they'll have half of Brooklyn on their tail. Sullivan, as much as I love you, could you please leave while I change?"
"Do I have to?" He asked, playfully pouting.
"Yes." She said, shoving him out of the room. As Sullivan went out, Caitlyn came in.
"What was that all about?" She asked.
"He was just leaving. What are you wearing to the party tonight?" Cecile asked.
"I'm not sure. Is this your dress?" She asked, picking up the dress that Sullivan had just put down. Cecile nodded.
"This is gorgeous. Where did you get it?" She asked.
"I had Medda make it for me and take it out of last week's salary."
"That's nice."
"What are you going to wear tonight, Caitlyn? Isn't there a certain curly- hair boy you'd love to impress?" Cecile asked, smiling mischeivly. "I'll probably just wear this tonight." She said, pulling out her plainest blue dress. "And as for that boy, he's not going to be impressed. I'm sure he's never thought of me more than just his friend, good old Caitlyn." Caitlyn said dejectedly.
"You don't know that for sure. And I happen to know that he is currently seating at a booth at Tibby's eating his lunch. Go talk to him and tell him how you feel. Then, come back here and I'm going to dress you up for the party tonight." Cecile commanded.
"Do you really think I should tell him how I feel?" Caitlyn asked.
"Yes. That's the only way to make you feel better. Now go!" Cecile shouted, pushing her out the door. "Good luck!"
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Caitlyn turned off of Broome Street, headed towards Tibby's, wondering what she should say to Crutchy.
She stopped in front of the restaurant, looking at Crutchy who was talking and laughing with Jack and Blink.
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"Crutchy, look! There she is now." Jack said, nodding his head slightly in the direction of the window.
"What should I say?" The boy asked nervously.
"Just tell her how you feel and then ask her to the dance tonight at Medda's. I did it with Charlotte and look where it got me." Blink advised.
"What if she doesn't like me like that?" Crutchy asked, staring at the beautiful girl whose face was pressed up against the glass.
"Then just be friends and show her what she's missing out on." Jack advised before he and Blink left the restaurant. Crutchy stared into his cup of ice water, hoping she would come in.
"Well, here's my chance." Caitlyn thought, walking into the restaurant.
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"Hello Crutchy." He looked up to see Caitlyn walking towards him.
"Heya Showgirl." He grinned, ruffling his curly brown hair. "How are you?"
"Good, and you?"
"I'm pretty good." He said as she sat down in front of him.
"Actually, I have a lot on my mind right now." Caitlyn added, shyly glancing at him through her long, dark lashes.
"Wanna talk about it?" He asked.
"If you don't mind..See, there's this guy that I really like a lot. He's sweet, nice, cute and funny; everything I've always wanted in a guy. But, I don't think he likes me like that. What do you think I should do?"
"I knew it! She doesn't like me at all! I knew she was too good for me." He thought sullenly as he stared at his empty plate. "Well, I think you should tell him how you feel. That way, it gets out in the open and then you find out how he feels about you. You might even be surprised and find out he likes you too." She breathed a sigh of relief.
"I was kinda hoping you'd say that. See, the guy that I really like: well, that guy is you Crutchy." She looked into his eyes, hoping for a positive reaction. He just stared at her blankly, not processing what she was saying. She tapped her fingers nervously on the table. "Umm..it would be nice to have some kind of response from you. Even a bad one." After a few seconds more of silence, tears filled her eyes and she slowly left the table. "I'll see you tonight. Goodbye." She managed to get out before walking quickly away before any of the other Newsies could see the floodgates opening.
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"And then, he just stared at me blankly; not saying anything. It grew so horrible that I left and then came back here." Caitlyn said, a fresh batch of tears falling down her face.
"Oh, honey, I'm so sorry. I would never had told you to tell him how you felt if I had known that was how he would have reacted." Cecile said, sitting down next to her and giving her a hug. With a decisive and made up look in her eyes, she pulled Caitlyn to her feet. "C'mon. We're going to make you look so gorgeous for the party tonight so that Crutchy doesn't know what hit him."
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"Where are they?" Jack asked impatiently, tapping his foot.
"Goils always take a lot more time to get ready then boys. A few facts of life you gotta know ta get by in dis woild."
"I already know that, but goils should at least be reasonably late. NOT forty-five minutes!" Jack said, right as the door leading upstairs opened.
"Sorry to keep you boys waiting, we had some extra things to take care of." Eronn said, coming down the stairs.
"Woah, Dream. Ya look fantastic!" Race breathed, coming up behind Blink and Jack.
"Thanks, Race. Wadda ya say we go and join the party?" Eronn said, inwardly laughing at the way that Race was acting just because she looked especially nice.
Jack and Blink looked up to see the remaining three girls left on the stairs. Charlotte came down first, dressed in a soft lavender dress. Her brown hair was curled and let to flow freely about her shoulders. Next, was Cecile; she came down the stairs smiling widely when she saw Jack waiting for her. She was wearing the white silk dress that Medda had made for her, with her light blonde hair piled on top of her head with some curls framing her face. (AN: That's how I'm going to look for Homecoming!! I'm so excited!!!) Caitlyn paused for a second at the top of the stairs, looking at the couples pairing off below her. She wished that Crutchy had felt the same way about her. (Another AN: That's how I've been feeling this week. Ugh.. Boys!!!)
Jack's jaw dropped open when he saw the girl coming down the stairs. Wow, was she gorgeous.
"Wow, Caitlyn. You look gorgeous." He said, his eyes following the transformed girl down the stairs. Her unruly auburn hair had been curled and wasn't frizzy like it normally was. She had on a deep green dress, which brought out her emerald colored eyes.
"Hey!" Cecile said, lightly punching Jack in the arm. He looked at her, a panicked look on his face.
"Not that you're not gorgeous either." He covered himself quickly. "In fact, you're more than gorgeous. You're stunning, a star in my sky."
"Give it up, Jack." Cecile said, smiling at his metaphor.
"I was only saying that Caitlyn looked gorgeous because I'm not used to seeing her like this. She looks different usually." Jack said, still attempting his apology.
"It's alright. She does look gorgeous, she better because Charlotte, Eronn and I did everything." Cecile commented, looking over her work.
"Shall we, ladies?" Jack said, offering an arm to each of the girls. They graciously accepted it and proceeded to go to the party. They entered the main auditorium, already crowed with Newsies and their girls from all over the city.
"Spot!" Cecile called, instantly spotting her brother and Rae in the center of the room. Cecile dragged Jack off to talk to her brother and Caitlyn was left standing alone. She sighed and went over to the bar.
"A glass of water. With a lemon please." She said. "Thanks John." She sat at the bar watching her friends dancing and having a good time. She wished that things might have been different between her and Crutchy so that she could have at least had some companionship tonight.
"Hey good lookin." A blonde boy said, coming over to her. "Wanna dance?" Caitlyn managed a small smile.
"Let me just finish my glass of water Dutchy." The boy blinked at her.
"How didja know who I was?" He asked.
"I've known you for two years." Caitlyn responded. The boy blinked twice and then stared at Caitlyn as if she might disappear any second. She shifted, uncomfortable by Dutchy's scrutiny.
"Showgirl?" He finally asked. She nodded slowly. "Wow. You look different. I mean, you're gorgeous. I mean you look a lot different then how you normally do." Caitlyn smiled.
"Thanks. Now how about that dance?" She said, standing up and holding her arm out to Dutchy.
*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*
"Rae, you look great! How did you end up going with some person like my brother over here?" Cecile gushed, walking over to her brother and his girl.
"I'm not quite sure of that either." Spot said, as Rae punched him in the arm. "HEY!! For someone who looks like a lady tonight, ya sure don't act like one."
"Yeah, well you ain't exactly a gentleman either. And at least I could pass for a lady, if I really wanted to." Rae retorted.
"Who is everyone here?" Cecile asked Jack.
"Well that one over there is Harlem, the leader of the Harlem Newsies and his girl Star. You know Tyrant and then the one next to him is the leader of the Staten Island Newsies, Navy." He said, pointing out the various Newsies.
"C'mon." She said, taking his hand. "Let's go make some rounds."
"Rounds?" Jack asked confused, before being dragged around the room.
"Crystal!" Cecile called. "Hi Crystal, David!" She said, giving Crystal a hug. "You look great!" Crystal was wearing a purple dress with her long, brown hair curled around her shoulders.
"Thanks! I borrowed this dress from my cousin over in Harlem." Crystal said.
"Hey David. How's it going?" Jack asked, igniting a spit shake with David despite the dirty look that Cecile was shooting him.
"Pretty good, after all I'm here with one of the prettiest girls in all of New York." David said, tightening his grip around Crystal's waist. She smiled up at him.
"We'll see you guys later." Jack said, taking Cecile's hand and leading her away.
"Oh, Jack!! There's Samantha and Snitch, we have to go say hello. I haven't talked to her in forever." She said, pouting. He sighed and started towards them.
"Hey Samantha! Snitch." Cecile said, as Jack spitshaked with Snitch, causing another disapproving look from Cecile. "I didn't know you two were coming." Cecile continued.
"Well, I didn't know about it until this afternoon and Snitch offered to take me." Samantha said.
"Aww..that's so sweet Snitch!" She said smiling at the now blushing boy.
"Cecile, let's dance. I love this song." Jack said, as the band started to play a slower song. She said her good-byes and Jack led her onto the dance floor. She lay her head on Jack's shoulder and put one hand into his and the other around his neck.
"You look great tonight Cece." Jack said.
"Thanks. She murmured. She turned her head towards his, "What did you call me?"
"Cece."
"Hmm.I like it." She replied smiling. "Ugh..Jack, there's something wet on your hand." He examined it.
"Oh, its just a little bit of spit left over from our encounter with Snitch." He wiped it on his shirt. "Nothing big."
"Jack, that's disgusting." Cecile said, pulling away from him. "How does everyone do that horrid spit shake? Think of all the germs that you get and then you don't wash your hands." She shuddered. "It's revolting. Especially since I'm holding your hand." She reclaimed her hand and looked at it with disgust.
"We've always done spit shakes and you've seen us! You've never had a problem with it before!" Jack protested.
"Well, I've never had to make contact with the spit before." Cecile said, her voice raised.
"You don't have to hold my hand, Cecile!" Jack said angrily. "Sarah never had a problem with it." Cecile backed away, looking as if she had just been slapped. Her eyes were like little pieces of flashing ice.
"Then go back to her, Jack Kelly." She snapped, walking away. Jack mentally punched himself and walked over to where Blink, Crutchy and Charlotte were.
"What happened between you two?" Blink asked. "Did you two have your first lover's quarrel?" He teased.
Jack sat down and put his face into his hands. "Yeah."
"Do you want to talk about it?" Charlotte asked, rubbing his back comfortingly.
"It's really stupid. It started over spitshaking. She said how disgusting it was and how she had to hold the hand that had spit over it. Then I said that she didn't have to hold it. And then, I did the stupidest thing, I said Sarah never had had a problem with it. Then, she stormed away." Jack sighed. "God, I've messed things up before they ever really started."
"That wasn't the smartest thing to do Cowboy." Blink said. "You have to talk to her and apologize. But for future reference, never compare your current love interest with a past flame."
"Thanks, Blink." Jack said, sarcastically. "Hey Crutchy, what happened between you and Caitlyn this afternoon?"
"She told me that she liked me." Crutchy said.
"No way! That's great! So why aren't you dancing with her?" Charlotte asked.
"But," Crutchy continued, "I was so shocked when she said that she liked me that I was speechless. I guess she thought that I didn't return her feelings so she rushed out of there before I had the chance to say something."
"What!" Blink exclaimed. "You have to go and talk to her and tell her how you feel!"
"Here's your chance." Jack said. "She's coming over here."
"Hey Jack, Blink, Crutchy, Charlotte." Caitlyn said, sitting down at the bar and ordering some water.
"Charlotte, do you want to go dance?" Blink asked, leading Charlotte onto the dance floor and winking at Crutchy.
"I have to go find Cecile and apologize." Jack said, gulping down his drink and heading off.
"So, Crutchy, how are you enjoying the dance?"
"It's fun. How do you like it? I saw you dancing with Dutchy."
"It's ok." Caitlyn said, taking a sip of her water.
"Listen, about this afternoon.." Crutchy started.
"Yeah. I've been meaning to talk to you about that." Caitlyn interrupted.
"Me first." Crutchy said. "When you told me that you liked me, I was so shocked that I couldn't speak. It was something that I had wanted for so long that when it came true, I didn't know what to do."
"You like me?" Caitlyn asked, a bit taken back. Crutchy nodded. She gave him a hug.
"And now, because I didn't get to ask you this afternoon; Caitlyn, will you be my girl?" Crutchy asked.
"Yes, Crutchy I will." She said, smiling. "Dance with me."
"Umm..I can't dance with this thing." He said motioning to his crutch.
"Yes you can." Caitlyn said, she took his hands and led him onto the dance floor.
"No, Caitlyn. I can't dance." She ignored him and joined their hands, placing one of hers on his neck.
"Yes, Crutchy, you can." She said, swaying to the music.
"I can!" Crutchy exclaimed.
"I told you so." Caitlyn said and then she kissed him.
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"Cecile, I need to talk to you." Jack said, coming up to the roof. She turned away. "We need to talk, Cecile."
"Just say what you have to Jack and the please leave." She said, her voice cracking.
"Cece, I am so sorry. I should never have compared you to Sarah. It just slipped out."
"It doesn't mean you can take it back, Jack." Cecile said, as Jack sat down next to her. She made a complete ninety-degree turn away from him.
"Please listen. I'm sorry. I know I can't take it back, although I wish I could. It's not fair to compare you two. You both are so great but so different and I think I like you a lot better than I ever did Sarah. But please believe me when I say it was completely unintentional." Jack pleaded.
"I don't forgive you, but I am sorry for making such a big fuss about the whole spit shake deal, even though it is disgusting. I just completely overreacted." She said, still facing away from him. Jack cupped her chin in his hand and turned her head towards him.
"I'm sorry, Cece." Jack said, kissing her.
"You still aren't forgiven." Cecile said, a smile playing at her lips.
"How about now?" He asked kissing her again.
"You're getting closer." She said, smiling slightly. He shoved her playfully and then kissed her again.
"Mmm..now you're forgiven." She said softly as he engulfed her body within his arms and pulled her towards him so that her body was pressed closely against his. He kissed the side of her head.
"C'mon." She said, getting up. "Let's go dance." Jack got up.
"Ok. Just as long as you promise no fighting." Jack said, jokingly. Cecile sighed, disappointed.
"Fine. But I love fighting, especially the making up part." She said. Jack put his arms around her shoulders kissing her one last time before they headed back downstairs.
AN: Ugh,..I hate writing the mushy parts. Anyways, here's the chapter! Finally done!