Hey guys! I am typing this on my sisters computer, uh...don't tell her that, and I AM IN LOVE WITH IT! It is so light and the keyboard is quiet and so easy to type on...uh, sorry. I'm obsessed with this computer.
So anyway, thank you all so much for the response this story has been getting! It makes my day to see someone review/read this!
Thanks guys! Review and Read On!
- Emily
The pair left the lodging house in silence. Jack tried to crack a few jokes, but Braid only smiled. Okay, to be honest they weren't really that funny, but that's not the point. She couldn't shake the King of Brooklyn out of her head. He just seemed so demanding! She wasn't sure what to expect from him.
"Braid? Look, don't mind Spot. He actually is a really nice guy, but being the leader of Brooklyn he has to carry that 'tough guy' personality, you know?" Jack said. Braid shrugged her shoulders.
"High-Brow can be like that. He always has his braniac personality." Braid sighed.
"You know, you talk about Queens a lot. Are you sure your loyal to us?" Jack asked, glancing over at her. The question caught Braid of guard.
"What? Yeah, of course. It's just hard for me, okay? I grew up in Queens. I was never a fan of this turf war anyway." She said. It wasn't a total lie. She never did favor turf wars. Jack nodded and they continued walking. They passed a few newsies, who would stop to talk for a few minutes, but for the most part they continued walking in what seemed like a never ending straight line.
"Mush!" Jack called out, startling Braid. Mush jogged over.
"Yeah, Jack?"
"Can you come with us to Medda's? I need someone to stay with Braid while I talk to some of the leaders about Queens." Mush looked confused.
"But...won't she be with Medda? Why do you need me to watch her?"
"Medda will be performing, idiot." Mush nodded, understanding.
"Fine, but I'm not an idiot. That is Blink's label." Mush sold his last paper and the trio walked up to a decent looking building. Outside was a sign that read:
Medda Larkin
Swedish Meadowlark
"Oh, Medda? Yeah, I've heard about her!" Braid said, remembering all the times Scrunch had told her how he was destined to marry her.
"Well if you haven't you have been living under a rock, sweetheart!" Mush joked, walking past them and opening the door. They walked into the theatre and Jack lead them backstage.
"Medda?" He called up the stairs.
"Jack? Is that you?" Said a voice that sounded like it could melt butter. The door squeaked open and out stepped the most beautiful woman Braid had ever seen. She wore a gorgeous pink dress with ruffles and a small white fan with pink roses on it. Her red hair was done so perfectly it almost looked like it was a wig.
"Miss. Medda you look beautiful as ever." Jack said, kneeling down and kissing her hand. She smiled.
"Jack Kelly, you must get your sweet talk from your dad. Now, what brings you here?" She asked.
"A few leaders are meeting up to discuss some problems between the boroughs. Plus, we got ourselves a new girl newsie, so I figured you would want to meet her." Jack said, motioning Braid over. Mush took her arm and lead her over beside Jack.
"Medda, meet Braid. Braid, this is Medda." Mush introduced.
"My pleasure. My, you're a pretty girl, aren't you?" Medda smiled.
"Thank you." Braid said, blushing.
"Quiet, aren't you? I'll fix that up in no time! I'm kidding, dear." Medda joked. Braid smiled, looking down at her feet.
"So, would you mind if Mush and Braid stay backstage while I go and talk with the other boys? I swear they won't cause any trouble." Jack asked.
"Hey, speak for yourself! Braid and I had some pranks up our sleeves, didn't we?" Mush laughed, playfully elbowing Braid in the side.
"Maybe." She said. Jack rolled his eyes.
"Behave." He said, then looked back at Medda, who chuckled.
"Of course, Jack. Now, go off to your meeting. I think I can tame these wild beasts."
"I'm not the mastermind, here. If anyone needed tamed it would be Braid!" Mush said, crossing his arms.
"Says the one who won't shut up." Braid said, laughing a little.
"Oh my goodness! The girl talked! Someone get a camera!" Mush exclaimed. Braid stepped on his foot and he yelped, apologizing and shutting up long enough for Jack to leave. Medda sighed and turned to the pair.
"Okay, so why don't you too go grab a seat somewhere. The show is about to begin!" Medda said. Mush nodded and grabbed Braids' hand, leading her to the audience. They found a seat near the front and sat down just as the light dimmed and the spotlight shot onto the stage. Medda swayed on with such elegance that the room erupted with applause before she even said a word. She smiled, and began to sing.
Braid was amazed. The woman had a beautiful voice! Now she could see why Scrunch was so obsessed with her, but she was way out of his league. After about an hour Braid stood up.
"I'm going to try to find a bathroom." She said to Mush, who was to absorbed into the show to notice she was slipping away. She made her way backstage without being noticed and walked down the first hallway she could find. She passed many doors, but couldn't hear any voices. She turned the corner and walked down the stairs. Suddenly, she could make out the faint sound of discussion. She silently inched closer to the sound until she could make out what as being said.
"Wait, so you're keeping a Queens in your borough, Jack? How stupid can you be!" Said a voice Braid didn't recognize.
"What was I supposed to do! Race said she was getting soaked by High-Brow and Scrunch! Besides, she harmless. She barely even talks." Jack said.
"It's true. I talked to her earlier today. She told me that High-Brow and Scrunch didn't want her getting involved with the war, so they didn't tell her anything." Spot said.
"That doesn't prove a thing. Maybe she lied." Said another voice.
"Maybe, but if we learn she did she will wish she was still getting soaked by Queens. We know how to deal with spies and liars in Brooklyn." Spot said.
"Whatever. I want to meet her. She is here, right?"
"Yeah, she is with Mush watching the show." Jack said.
"Go get her." Spot said.
Dang it! Braid thought, taking off running as quietly and as fast as she could. By some miracle she made it back to Mush before Jack.
"Are you okay? Your breathing kind of hard." Mush asked.
"Yeah. I'm fine." Braid gasped. Jack walked up to the.
"Braid, the leaders want to meet you. Do you mind?" He asked. Braid sighed.
"Do I have a choice?" She asked. Jack laughed and motioned for her to follow him. They went down the hallway and to the room where she heard the voices. Inside she saw Spot sitting next to an empty chair, which must be Jacks. A boy with sandy blonde hair and a big forehead sat across from him.
"That is Robber, leader of the Bronx." Jack said, pointing to him. Robber nodded his head stiffly. Beside him was a boy with dark red hair and a lot of freckles.
"That's Jig. He leads Staten Island." Jack introduced. Jig only stared at her. Jack guided her over to a chair beside him and they sat down. Braid was tense and bit the inside of her lip.
"So, your Braid?" Jig asked. She nodded.
"Your from Queens?" Robber asked. Again, she nodded.
"Then tell us something only someone from Queens would know." Jig said. Braid squinted her eyes.
"But if it's something only Queens knows, then how would any of you know if it's the truth or not?" She asked. Jack laughed.
"She has you there, Jig." He said. Jig muttered something under his breath and slouched down in his seat.
"Your real quiet, aren't you?" Robber observed. Braid shrugged.
"For the most part, I guess." She said.
"Jack, I still don't think I trust her. This is something High-Brow would do, send over someone like her to gather information." Jig said. Jack groaned.
"Jig! I told you! Why would she be spying for Queens if they were the ones who threw her out of the borough?"
"I don't know! Ask her!" Braid straightened up.
"Jig, your being ridiculous. Does she seem like a spy to you?" Spot asked.
"I need proof." Jig said, shaking his head and crossing his arms. Spot rolled his eyes.
"Fine, if it means so much to you then I will assure you she won't be spying anytime soon." Spot said, standing up. He walked over to Braid and stood her up.
"I'm sorry about this." He said. He drew his fist back and sent it flying towards her face, connecting beside her eye. She fell and hit the floor with a thud. Spot sent his foot into her stomach and she gasped for the air she had lost.
"There is your damn proof." Spot said, shoving the chair out of the way and storming out of the room. Jack kneeled down beside Braid and helped her up.
"Are you okay?" He asked. Still not having enough air, she nodded. Jack sighed and wrapped his arm around her waist.
"Come on, I think we are done here." He nodded to Jig and Robber and helped Braid out of the room.
Whoo! Okay, when I started this chapter I had no clue where it was going, so then I deleted it and ta-da! This was written! I hope it's too to...
Review and tell me what you think! Thanks for reading!
- Emily