Disclaimer: I don't own any of the original characters from the Disney movie, "Newsies." The only character in this story that I claim ownership over is Shadow.
Helllllooo. And how is everyone? Good? Good. I am so tired lately it's crazy. Seems however much sleep I get is never enough :( But, still counting down, only 3 more finals left to go. Alright. Enough of reality. Manhattan, NY in the early 1900's is just so much more interesting.
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Since Blink and I decided to linger behind the rest of the group a little, we arrived later. Blink led me by the hand into the huge building. I could hear a loud drone of voices coming from the theater.
When we walked in, I was completely taken by surprise. I had never seen so many newsies in one place before. I assumed it would just be the Manhattan newsies, but looking around I saw the infamous Spot Conlon with his boys. Along with them, there were others from all around New York City.
The building was teeming with boys. A few girls were scattered within them, but the boys outnumbered them 10 to 1. Blink pulled me across the crowded wooden balcony and down the stairs. He stopped at a large round table that had two empty seats.
Sitting at the table was Racetrack and Mush, along with two girls seated next to them. Skittery and Grace were also there.
"Heya, Blink, Shadow... Take a seat." Race yelled over the noise, motioning to the two empty chairs. Blink sat next to Mush and I took the last chair. It happened to be next to Skittery.
Since I thought it wasn't a good idea to start a conversation with Skittery, I tried to look at anyone but him. Guessing by the girl on Racetrack's arm, I assumed he had gotten his date. The two of them were chatting happily. Racetrack introduced me to her as "Anne." Mush was sitting next to a girl, too, which I guessed was Anne's best friend. Her name was Sophie.
Her chin was resting in her hand and she looked really bored. Sophie didn't talk to Mush and he didn't talk to her. Mush stared longingly at Grace, who was talking to Skittery.
Grace looked pretty. Much prettier than me. Her long hair that was usually tied up was hanging over her shoulders. Unlike me, she had dressed up. She was wearing a simple but beautiful white dress that went down to the floor.
"You sure you'se alright?" Blink whispered in my ear, breaking me out of my thoughts. "Hmm? Oh, yeah. Jus' a bit tired is all." I said back. He nodded and put his arm around my shoulders.
The stage was empty although bright lights were shining on it. "Attention everyone. Introducing Miss Medda Larkson, the Swedish meadowlark!" The red curtains parted in the middle and the newsies went crazy.
She smiled and took a bow as the boys waved their hats above their heads and cheered her name. Even though I had heard a lot about her, I had never seen her before. She wasn't old, but I thought she would be a little younger.
Medda had on a pale yellow gown. It dragged on the floor in the back, but it got shorter in the front so it was just above her knees. It had short sleeves with lace that puffed out. She had a matching yellow feather in her hair fastened into her bun.
She started singing and the newsies cheered even louder. They all seemed to know the words and sang along. After the first song, Blink turned to me. "You like da show so far?" he asked, grinning. I nodded. The truth was, I hadn't really been paying that much attention. The singing and noise faded into the background because I had been in deep thought.
Grace and Skittery seemed to be having a good time. She did most of the talking and he was pretty quiet, but he seemed happy enough to be with her. I sighed and looked towards the stage as Medda started her second song.
She wasn't a bad singer. I tried to concentrate on the music, but I just couldn't focus. I got as far as something about her "sticking out her chest" when I started to zone out again. Under other circumstances, I probably would have enjoyed the show. But I had too much on my mind to pay attention.
I felt someone touch my hand that was lying on the table. I thought it was Blink, but when I looked over it was Skittery's hand. Butterflies started to form in my stomach. Realizing he had accidentally placed his hand beside mine, he pulled it back. "Oh, sorry... 'bout dat. Wasn't payin' attention to what I was doin'..." I pulled my hand back as well. "No, it's okay... I wasn't either..." I replied.
We both turned away and our faces turned a dark pink color. I glanced at Racetrack. He had a smirk on his face, but when he saw me looking at him his facial expression went serious. He quickly turned towards the stage and pretended to be focused on the show.
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I woke up with the biggest headache I've ever had. In addition to the loud cheering I had to listen to all night, the show ended sometime around 1:00 AM. Kloppman was yelling his wake-up calls throughout the bunk room by 5:45.
The boys rolled out of bed, looking completely exhausted. Mush rolled out of bed, too. Literally, resulting in a loud crash because he had a top bunk. He got up from the hard wooden floor and rubbed his head. Mumbling "ow" over and over again, he stumbled into the washroom.
There was no way in hell I was getting out of bed. I groaned and rolled over, bringing the blankets up over my face. "Come on, Shadow. Get up! Get up, goil!" Kloppman said, standing next to bed. "No way..." I muttered, putting my pillow over my head. "Yes way. Let's go. Gotta sell da papes." Kloppman began poking me annoyingly in the back.
"Fine! I'm up..." I said, sitting up in my bed. Kloppman chuckled to himself and walked away, shaking his head at me. "Dat guy's nuts..." I mumbled to myself when he was out of earshot.
So I had to get out of bed. But I didn't have to sell papers. Over the past week I had saved up enough money that I could skip a day and not fall behind in profits. I told the guys I would meet up with them later and walked the opposite way of the circulation desk.
I wasn't planning to go anywhere in particular, but I ended up near Tibby's. To my surprise they had already opened. I rarely got a chance to have breakfast since we were already working by sunrise. I figured it would be nice to stop in and have something small to eat or drink.
The place was basically deserted except for a few workers who were helping to open the store. I sat in a small booth near the windows. I looked through the menu basically for the sake of passing the time.
"Skittery isn't here, if that's who you're looking for." I looked up to see Grace standing by the table. The last I had seen of her, Skittery was walking her home the night before. God knows what happened when they were alone during that time... That thought made me feel uneasy and I had lost my appetite.
Now her hair was in a ponytail like always and she was back in her waitress apron. "I ain't heah for Skittery..." I said, confused.
"Oh... Alright. Then can I take your order?" She asked, taking out her notebook. "I'll jus' have a coffee I guess." I said. She nodded, wrote it down, and walked away.
A few minutes later she placed the coffee down in front of me. "Thanks..." I muttered, picking up the spoon to stir it. I could still sense her standing next to the table. When I looked up she was staring at me with her hands on her hips. "What?" I asked.
She sighed and shook her head, sliding in the booth across from me. "You don't have to be upset about Skittery and I." She responded. I arched an eyebrow at her. "I don't see what you'se gettin' at..." I said. "You're upset and I can tell. But I can also tell when I'm not a guy's first choice." She replied.
It was quiet for a second while I stared at her, confused. "I still don't get what you're tryin' to say." I said. She sighed again. "Look, I like Skittery. I really do. But I know I was simply there to make another girl jealous. And Skittery couldn't keep his eyes away from that girl the entire night." She got up from the table before I could respond.
"Grace, hold up a second!" I called after her. "What are ya talkin' about?!" I said. Before she walked through the kitchen doors, she said something over her shoulder. "I basically spelled it out for you. If you don't understand it now then you never will."
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Thanks for reading and please review if you have comments or criticism. I'd like to know what you guys think.