CHAPTER THREE
Feeling the sun assaulting my eyes, I registered that it was morning but had the strong urge to throw something out the window, in hopes of hitting the cursed source of light. However when I told Medda of this plan, she simply laughed, telling me I was her own personal show.
"Where are you going?" she asked, still laughing.
"Away from you," I muttered, making my way towards the stage. Sitting down, in the center, I began eating my breakfast.
"Your Majesty, you have a guest," I heard Medda yell poshly and I looked up, about to retort but saw Spot, vaguely remembering he was my escort for the day.
"Hey," I mumbled, my mouth full. He grinned, jumping on stage, with his hands shoved into his pockets. "You hungry?"
"Nah, I ate," was all he said, shaking his head.
"You can sit you know," I teased, drinking some orange juice then adding in a strong British accent, "I wont bite."
"Ha!" I heard Medda puff shortly.
"Eaves dropper!" I yelled as she smiled and I stuck out my tongue. Shaking her head, she left me with Spot, on stage. We were pretty quiet, mostly due to the fact I was eating, but it wasn't awkward at all. For me at least, I found I enjoyed his company.
"Oh dear, Royal, I'm so sorry I'm late," Sarah gushed, out of breath. "My boss was lecturing us on some odd fact. Honestly, that man!"
"I'm guessing he isn't exactly for woman working," I inquired, raising an eyebrow.
"That's an understatement." I laughed and got up, walking into the kitchen. After I washed off my plate, we set off to explore. Well, I explored at least. "Royal?"
"Hm?" I turned to see her watching me. "Sorry, were you talking?"
"No," her head shook as she smiled but she glanced back at Spot, who seemed preoccupied. "Royal isn't your real name, is it?"
"God no," I laughed. "Katerina is. Medda insists on calling me Royal because my family is convinced that I act like a complete noble."
"And you don't?" she asked amused.
"I wear pants," I grinned. "I think that's illegal. My parents tried to change me into a lady though, did they ever, but I'd come home from school and rip off the dress the minute I walked through the door."
"No," she gasped, smiling as she did.
"Oh yes, every time," I nodded. "My brothers knew I was home because of it. They'd walk through the door and yell about the doorway being a mess."
"Do you miss them?" she asked softly and I bit my lip slightly, nodding.
"Going to boarding school for so long doesn't change the fact that they're my family and I love them," I told her. "I miss 'em where ever I go. What about you? Do you go to, uh, what's it called, because you work?"
"Night school?" I nodded. "No, Davey's the only one we can afford to send to school and even then, he-."
"What?" I asked when she didn't finish. Shaking her head, she smiling gently and I sighed, looking forward once more. Tilting my head, I squinted somewhat before pulling myself up onto a wooden railing. "What's this?"
"Warehouse," she said, but there was uneasiness in her tone and when she looked back to make sure Spot was there, I knew there was more. My curiosity got the better of me. Ducking under the top wooden rail, I leant forward only to have myself held firmly in place. Furrowing my eyes, I looked back to see Spot, holding my waist, and he looked like he was waiting for me to dismount the rail but instead, I placed my hand over one of his and swung my left leg over so I was straddling the rail.
"What is it," I repeated, watching Spot lean against the fence next to me and he folded his arms, looking at Sarah.
"It's dangerous," she told me, her eyes behind me. "Certain Warehouses just are. The boys have all agreed not to go near them. We aren't allowed either."
"Why're they off limits for us though?" I questioned slowly, looking back at the seemingly abandoned building.
"Ask Jack, he wont let me go anywhere near them," Sarah chuckled softly, with an adorable look on her face. Obviously she cared for Cowboy.
"It's cause of the other newsies." I looked at Spot, slightly surprised. He hadn't spoken for the past hour and a half.
"Other newsies?" I repeated, raising an eyebrow
"Stanley and the Delancey brothers," he muttered, nodding towards the warehouse.
"Who?" I tilted my head, confused but he sighed, starting to explain it to me.
Jack's POV
(Earlier that day)
"Y'all better run before I whip some ass!" I yelled after my mattress had been tipped, causing me to fall out of the bed. The newsies scattered and I looked over at the bed where Spot was supposed to be sleeping. "Where's Conlon?"
"Check the roof," Racetrack suggested, pulling on his boots. I nodded, making my way up the stairs and onto the roof.
"Spot?"
"Yeah," he turned to face me. He looked as if he hadn't gotten any sleep.
"Y'alright? You've been awful quiet."
"Got a lot on my mind," he shrugged, looking back out at the view.
"Anything in particular?" I asked, adding with a smile. "Anyone?" His head dropped but he glanced up, smiling slightly. "Royal, right?"
"I dunno, Cowboy, she just seems different. That's all I know."
"Spot, that didn't make sense," I grinned, knowing the lack of sleep effected even the King of Brooklyn, but looked back out at the view. It was a good place to come and think. It was peaceful and quiet. He shrugged again but got up.
"I got to go," he muttered, shoving his hands in his pockets.
"See ya Spot," I waved, brushing myself off as I let out a long yawn. Watching Spot walk down the street towards Medda's theater, I found myself hoping to hell this girl wouldn't break his heart. I knew him more than he'd like to admit.
Royal's POV
(Back at 'Present')
"That's stupid," I muttered after Spot told me that Jack's newsies and, the guy from last night, Stanley's newsies, were fighting. I thought it, as I so bluntly stated, completely stupid.
"It's all a matter of papers," Sarah sighed, flicking a bug off her sleeve. "It also probably has something to do with ego and someone stealing someone else's girl but I don't want to attempt to understand it. It's a waste of energy."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Spot demanded annoyed, glaring at her. She'd insulted his ego, oops.
"What I think she means is, why try to figure something out that can't be fixed," I supplied slowly, my eyes still on the building. "Right?" Sarah nodded, both of us knowing that wasn't really it, and wrapped her shawl around her tighter.
"Just make sure you stay away from there," Sarah reiterated, seeing my curious stare.
"He doesn't scare me," I stated, hopping off fence and starting to walk in the opposite direction.
"It doesn't matter if he scares you or not," she shook her head, pulling me to a stop. "He could hurt you, if you do something to make him mad. Both he and Jack are quite scary when angry." I looked at her, studying her, and her eyes widened, worried. "I didn't mean it like that, he's never done anything to me, I've just seen-."
"I get it," I grinned, taking one last glance back at the warehouse. She smiled relieved and we linked arms, following Spot away. I couldn't help but wonder what he was thinking about. His constant solemn expression sparked curiosity but Sarah's nudge tripped me back into reality. "May I ask you a question, Sarah?"
"Sure," she shrugged lightly.
"What's the matter with David?" I asked, shoving my hands into my pockets. "I don't mean to make it sound like he has a problem per se, but he comes across as if he-."
"Dislikes people?" she finished shortly and I nodded hesitantly, relieved when she smiled. "He is like that sometimes. David's a sweet kid; he's just having some trouble at school. He doesn't really talk about it though; so I don't exactly know what the problem is but when your brother comes home with bruises practically every other day, you know something's wrong."
"Yeah," I murmured, shuddering slightly and she shot me a questioning glance but I shook my head. "My brother, I've got three of them. Smallest one was taking care of a bully when I left."
"Oh," she smiled.
"The other two have me to worry about," I grinned and she laughed softly. "I'm sure he'll tell you."
"I hope so," she sighed. "It's worrisome. We were more close when we were little but now, what with my job and his schoolwork, we just don't have time."
"Make time," I shrugged. "I remember late night talks with my father because I stayed up until he came home. I was determined to spent any time I could with anyone."
"If you can do it," she started, squeezing my forearm, "I have faith I can too."
"I do too," I assured her, lightly pinching her back. Chuckling, she shook her head before we hurried to catch up with Spot, who hadn't seemed to notice we had lagged behind.
"You girls hungry," Spot asked, glancing back at us. His eyes lingered on me but quickly flicked to Sarah before they flicked to the ground. I looked to Sarah, who was looking at me, and shrugged.
"Sure," she smiled. "You know, Royal, I think you and I are going to be very good friends. It's so good to have another girl around."
"Glad I can be of service," I giggled as we followed Spot to Tibby's.
"So I told him if he touches her again, he'll be hearing from me," I heard Cowboy growl as we entered the diner. My eyebrow rose at his tone but Racetrack simply smiled, shaking his head. Cowboy turned in his seat and grinned, pulling Sarah onto his lap, kissing her tenderly. They looked adorable; I couldn't help tilting my head at them.
"Gimme a break," Spot grumbled, flopping down into an empty seat.
"Miss Katerina," a voice from behind me questioned and I turned to see Bailey, holding out the phone, looking blankly around the room. Standing, I made my way over and thanked him as I took the phone. "It's Miss Medda."
"Hey, Med, what's up?" I asked, jumping onto the counter.
"Dear, you will never believe what happened today," she gushed and I shook my head slightly. "I was walking in the square and you'll just never guess what happened."
"You fainted from not shopping in so long," I teased, looking through a dirty glass. Wrinkling my nose, I handed it back to Bailey who laughed.
"Fine," she pretended a sniff. "If you don't care, I-."
"Oh don't even try that with me, Med," I grinned; her acting was almost as bad as mine. "What happened?"
"Well," she sounded as if she had just flung herself into a chair. "I was walking through the square and a horse drawn carriage suddenly stops by me. A man in a long tailed suit steps out and asks if I'm Miss Medda Larkson. I told him if he was looking for me, he could see me at my show tomorrow night but he told me he wasn't, the Mayor was. So naturally I, being the professional I am, asked what prey-tell he was going on about. What the mayor wanted with me. He informs me that the Mayor and his wife would very much like for me to perform at their anniversary dinner-."
"Wait the mayor?" my jaw dropped. "Medda, I don't know too much about Manhattan, but when a person of power asks someone to perform for them back home, it's quite a big deal. That's amazing! When's the show?"
"It's tonight but I didn't feel comfortable about leaving you-."
"Forget me, Medda, do this, it could do so much for your career! Don't let me stop you because I'll be alone, jump for this chance like you've never jumped before! Do it. Do it! D-."
"Alright, Royal," she chuckled, as I regained my breath. "I will, but I need you're help. For the outfit and such. I have no idea what to wear!"
"May I have lunch and meet you at the theater?" I asked, twirling the phone cord in my fingers and she chuckled on the other end.
"Of course, dear, of course."
"I'll be there shortly, Med," I told her before hanging up. Sitting for a minute, I thought everything over before squealing excitedly, getting a few weird looks. Jumping off the counter, I practically skipped back to where the source of the weird looks was coming from.
"You seem . . . happy," Boots's eyebrow rose.
"Medda got asked to perform at the Mayor's," I blew out casually. They burst into a chorus of encouraging cheers and I laughed at the excitement reverberating off of them. Sarah and I quickly finished our meals before rushing over to the theater to help Medda. "We're here!"
--
A/N: eh-oh! :-) I hope you liked it!
Thank you to GDgirl1993, wandofsilver, snake-eyes-16-1884, and NMBC-Sally so far for reviewing!! What I'm gonna try to do is reply to reviews or whatnot on each post...not that that's important for you guys to know...but still...uhm, hope you liked it! Please review, they're love :-D!