Chapter Five
(Three Weeks later)
Unfortunately, Stretch had stuck. Yes, that's right, I was officially known as Stretch. Jaws really wasn't that bad though. He was a really nice guy, bugged the shit out of me, but other than that, pretty decent I guess. I had accomplished a lot over the three weeks too. The Newsies were a bunch of drunks who tried to nail everything that moved, nor were they completely respectful. It only took five examples to get it through their heads that I did not take shit from anyone. I was proud of myself.
"Hey Stretch!" I heard Jaws' voice up the narrow stairway.
"What!" I yelled back, annoyed he had awoken me.
"You've got guests."
"Stop shouting damn it," I muttered, hitting the last step.
"They're outside," he stated and I rolled my eyes.
"You're like five." I could see that he had a retort but he kept it to myself and I smiled. I had trained him well. Aww!
"Stretch, this is Racetrack Higgins," he pointed at Race who I nodded out, wondering if he'd recognize me.
"Nice to meet you," he smiled warmly, spitting in his hand. I did the same and we shook hands. Idiot.
"And," Jaws continued, "this is Spot Conlon." The first thing I saw were a pair of icy blue eyes. They literally didn't have any emotion in them.
"You've shaped up Queens pretty well," the frozen man stated, nodding at me.
"Brooklyn huh?" I asked and he nodded; I stifled a laugh.
"What?"
"Nothing, just expecting someone taller."
"Yeah, well we were expecting someone less feminine," Spot growled. Oh, had I hit a nerve. I stepped closer, glaring at him, up slightly because he was slightly taller than me.
"Are you calling me a girl Conlon?"
"So what if I am?"
"Well it's good to know you're not completely stupid, ya mule," I grinned, waggling my eyebrows. Pulling off my hat, I laughed at their surprised faces.
"Sydney-Rae! I told you not to get involved," Racetrack yelled but I glared at him, "Oh don't even try, I've known you so long, I'm freaking immune to that look!"
"Higgins, this ain't your territory," Jaws growled, stepping in front of me and I rolled my eyes. He had also taken on the role as honorary Patrick, it was a nice thought, but the protectiveness was something I could do without.
"Shut up Jaws," I muttered, walking past them. I heard them following me and lead them to Carter Eats. Piper grinned, yanking me into a hug.
"Long time no see, Miss Queens."
"Yeah," I sighed, wrinkling my nose. She gave me a look of concern but I shook my head, "We need a table."
"Oh," she raised an eyebrow in question but her eyes lit up, "Oh."
"Yeah," I laughed, knowing she had seen Race. He smiled at her and she tinted pink, leading us to a table. "You are such a girl!"
"I don't see how that's an insult," Race grinned, kissing Piper, "How're you?" I rolled my eyes at the couple, turning to the Brooklyn leader, Spot, nodding.
"So what're you doing here exactly," I asked, sitting down, "Something tells me it's not because of the change in leadership."
"Well, looks and smarts, you might make it after all, girl."
"Stretch, Conlon," Jaws corrected and I rolled my eyes, smacking him upside the head.
"I can fucking handle my own affairs, get the hell away if you're going to be like this, I'm not fourteen anymore," I growled annoyed. He shook his head, mumbling something about being outside, and left. I looked at Spot expectantly and he had a hint of amusement in his eyes.
"As you've prolly started to realize, Harlem is growing into a bigger problem than anyone thought, I told the other Leaders that Harlem, Knuckles specifically needed to be stopped but no one listened."
"They've started picking on Newsies, a couple of my boys have been soaked pretty badly and Crutchy lost part of his ear in a fight, prolly woulda lost more if Jack hadn't been coming back from work."
"Just like Jack," I smiled slightly, "So how come we haven't been getting trouble from Harlem."
"Beats me," Spot muttered.
"Trust me Syd, soon as Knuckles finds out you're Queen of Queens, he'll be after you like that," Piper snapped her fingers.
"Uhg, yuck, Knuckles," I grumbled, shuddering.
"You two know him?"
"You have a lot to catch up on, Brooklyn," I smiled small. He gave me a slightly blank stare, meaning, I knew there was something going on in his mind, but I didn't know what.
"Maybe he can at the poker game?" Race suggested.
"Why would he-?"
"It's a tradition, Syd, you're kinda obligated to go." I made a face, along with Piper but Racetrack laughed.
"Fine," I mumbled, "Manhattan, right?"
"It's been moved to Brooklyn," Spot answered, looking between the three friends, "You're-."
"Close, odd, stupid," Syd suggested, "Yeah, we know."
"I was going to say, late, but those work too I guess," he smirked at Race.
"When am I ever on time?" I sighed, "Don't even answer Piper!"
