Hey guys! So I am officially done with school! AHHH! (: Be expecting more writing soon (;

Chapter 8: Crossing the Bridge

Spot wasn't kidding when he told me he walked fast. I practically was jogging to stay relatively close to him. The pace wouldn't be terrible if I hadn't just been through stitches and surgery. But now, after twenty minutes of jogging, my stomach was aching in agony, begging for me to stop. To sit down and breathe. But I didn't, instead, I kept going and pushing on, fighting through each agonizing step.

Most of the walk was quiet, except for the few times Spot would tell me to 'hurry up'. Most of the time though, he wouldn't even grace me with words. He would just simply shoot a glance back for enough amount of time for me to give a smirk and pretend like I am okay, even though, I know tonight is going to be hell.

After another ten minutes, at the very tip of my sight, I saw what my eyes had been begging to see. Before us was the Brooklyn Bridge and just about four blocks on the other side, was the Brooklyn lodging house. I felt the corners of my mouth turn up in relief as I let out a sigh as well. Right at the end of the bridge, Spot stopped suddenly, causing me to run into him.

"Okay, yeah cause I totally wasn't walking right behind you." I mumbled, readjusting my bag on my shoulder. As I did so, Spot spun around to face me, taking me by surprise when our faces nearly touched. He grabbed my wrist and pulled me even closer.

"Alright, sweetheart, listen up," he whispered sternly. "You think your funny, well you aren't. You aint in Hattan anymore, so stop with the smart ass comments. Jacky boy may put up with it, but not me. I will not put up with you calling me shrimp or little king…"

"What about Spotty boy?" I asked, allowing the sarcasm drip from word. I really did not want to be commanded by him, and I wanted to let him know that. In a matter of fact, when I said this, his entire body tensed and his face turned stern.

"Especially not that," His face began to pink and slowly went to red and he his shoulders started to shake. He dropped his cane, and it bounced against my ankles. Suddenly, I realized I had hit a nerve that shouldn't have been touched. And I realized, he was still holding, tightly, on my wrist. I tried to pull away but his grip got even tighter.

"Spot, let go," I shouted, feeling my heart race. Every time I tried to pull my wrist away, he would grip it tighter. He was looking down at the ground, and mumbling to himself. Out of the corner of my eye, through the mass of people, a young cop was staring at us. I thought about screaming for him but then I caught something in the corner of his eye. A small droplet of water, forming into a tear. My heart sank deep into my chest because Spot, in the middle of the city, was going to cry over a simple nickname.

As the cop started to make his way over to us, I put my free hand gently over Spot's on my wrist. His face shot up and his blue eyes stared at me in pain. "Spot, please let go." I asked gently. He did so and his hand dropped to his side, not taking his eyes off of me. "Thank you." I whispered rubbing my wrist. I examined it, noticing only a few bruises, not that big of a deal. His face changed to horror when he saw my wrist as well.

"Is there a problem ma'am?" the cop asked when he came up next to us. I quickly put my wrist behind my back and flashed a huge smile.

"No, officer. Everything is alright, thanks though." I said in an extremely girly voice. He looked over at Spot, who was still looking at the ground. Then back at me.

"If you say so," I nodded. "Alright, have a good day ma'am." He tipped his hat and walked away. I looked back over at Spot and let out a deep breath of relief.

"I'm sorry…" he whispered like a child, begging their parent for forgiveness.

"It's okay," I said gently again. Sure, I was mad that he almost broke my wrist but there was something telling me to just let it go and to act like it never happened. Which is apparently how he wanted to take it too because mere seconds later, all traces of water was gone from his eyes and he returned to the normal Spot as he bent over to grab his cane.

When he stood up, he bit his lip and adjusted his hat. "How bout we call a truce?" He said, cocking his eyebrow.

I let out a single breathy laugh with a smirk gracing my lips, "Sure, why not?" We didn't shake on it or anything. Just simply gave a single nod towards each other. Yet, somehow, in that second, I felt our relationship change slightly, but I wasn't sure in what way yet. Just that it already seemed different. We started over the bridge, but he slowed down slightly and walked closer so I could hear him.

"Alright, so before we arrive at the lodging house, there are a few rules I wanna lay down for youse. First off, when youse are selling for the first few days I want youse to be either with me or my second, Blitz, at all times, kay?" As I nodded, he took a cigarette out of his pocket and swiped a match off the side of the bridge. I sneered at the cigarette, finding the habit disgusting. "Good, cause Brooklyn aint exactly the safest place for someone like youse."

"Someone like me?" I asked slightly offended.

"I didn't mean that offensively." He said through his cigarette, which rested gently between his lips. "I meant that youse a goil and youse could use some protecting."

I chuckled, "Okay, whatever you say."

"Just for a little bit," He threw his cigarette of the bridge and let out the final puff of smoke. As we walked past a fruit cart, while the carts owner was helping another customer, Spot snatched an apple and took a large bite out of it. I lifted my eyebrow at him and he glanced over at me. "What?" he said with his mouth full of half chewed apple bites.

"Oh nothing, just thought you know, that stealing was illegal." I said in a know it all voice. He simply shrugged and took another bite. I waited for him to finish so he could finish the rules. Finally about half way across the bridge, he threw the thin core over his shoulder into the Hudson River.

"Next off, there is only one bedroom in our lodging house and that belongs to me. So I hope you don't mind sleeping in a room full of teenage guys." I probably should be more concerned than I really was, but to be perfectly honest, it wasn't that big of a deal. But to give him satisfaction, I gave a small grimace and he smirked.

"Third of all, you aren't allowed to fool around with any guy from the lodging house." This one shocked me a little. But he continued, "You're the first goil we've had for…" he paused for a second, letting his eyes downcast. But just as quickly as the fell, they were back up, "For a long time. So they aint used to having one around, and they may try to, you know, get a little friendly. Don't let them, and if I catch you fooling around with any of them, you're gonna be outta there in a matter of minutes. Is that clear?"

"Crystal." I said with a smile. On the inside, I was laughing because what guy in their right mind would try to kiss me or even like me. It hasn't happened yet in my lifetime and I don't think they would start now.

"Perfect. Now, what else…" he held his finger up to his chin as if in deep thought.

Then he gave a small snap as we stepped over the end of the bridge into the city, "Oh yeah, curfew is whenever the sunsets for the lil ones and ten for us."

"Y'all have curfew?" I asked, feeling that it was kind of childish.

"Yeah, of course we do. You aint never been in Brooklyn at night, it's not something you want to be out in." And I could see why. Because after a few steps off of the bridge, I can already tell that the streets are far more packed than Manhattans. You couldn't even see in front of you, just someone's back. I looked around in terror and felt myself get closer to Spot.

"Stay really close to me," he whispered into my ear. Then he did something that blew my mind to the moon and back, he held out his hand out to me. I hesitated to grab it.

"Trust me?" He said, but I could tell he was nervous about it too. Somehow, this made me feel slightly better. I slid my hand into his. It was big, my hand only was about half the size, and it was rough from the many days of hard work. I wondered if this is what Zach's hand would feel like.

I was pulled from my thoughts when Spot began pulling me through the large group of people. He didn't pause to say excuse me or sorry when he pushed someone, he just ran as fast as he could, pulling me along. If I thought the jogging was bad, well let's just say running felt like someone stabbed me sixty times. After a few seconds the pain was so bad I felt my head get light.

"Spot," I called out urgently, feeling my breath get short.

"Don't worry Lucky, we are almost there!" he called back. My palms started to get sweaty and my hand started to slip from his grasp.

"SPOT!" I screamed. Just as I did, Spot stopped abruptly in front of a large brick building. He released my hand and my body immediately doubled over. The pain was now radiating through my entire body. My eyes started to well up with tears, begging God to take the pain away. I bit my lip to stop the scream that formed.

"You okay?" I heard Spot ask. He came over and put his hand on my back. As he does, I shoot straight up, adding to the pain. I wince but then I look over at him, I can tell he feels bad in a way. So I slapped on a smile and put my hands on my hips.

"I'm okay, let's go!" I grabbed his hand and started to jog away, even though my stomach rejected the idea. But I felt a tug on my arm and I turned back to a smirking Spot.

"Where ya going?" he asked.

I turned to face him, confused. "Well to the lodging house, that's where we are going right?" I asked pointing over my shoulder. He started to laugh and turned towards the brick building we stopped in front of.

"You're already here." He said pointing to a sign. I looked up and saw what he was talking about. It read BROOKLYN NEWSBOY LODGING. I felt my cheeks go pink and out of the corner of my eye, Spot's smirk doubled in size. I rolled my eyes.

"Okay wise guy, you gonna let me come in?" I asked in a flirty slash jokey tone. He rolled his eyes in response walked up the steps with me close behind. He stopped half way up and I stopped a few steps down. "You okay.." I asked this time. His face was down and he looked over his shoulder a little at me.

"Do me a favor…" he whispered. "And pretend like you hate me. That we aren't friends." Just when I felt that I could finally maybe start to like Spot, he wants me to hate him. I was more confused now than I have been since I arrived in New York. I opened my mouth to speak, but he cut me off when he turned on the step to face me. "Please, I gotta keep up an image in front of my boys and everyone else and I can't be seen with…with a friend that's a goil."

I bit my lip and looked down towards the steps. I caught a glimpse of my wrist, the bruises were small but visible. As much as I wanted to hate him for them, I couldn't. I don't know why, but I don't want to do what he asks me. But instead, I scratch my arm and look up at him. "Yeah, sure I can do that. Won't even be that hard, you know, cause you're kinda an ass." He gave a small sad smile and I met with my own.

"Thanks Lucky," I nodded and he turned back to the door and continued up the rest of the steps. He gripped his cane and grabbed the door handle. I looked at his back go up and down as he let out a sigh. When I reached the top step, I jumped at the sounds I heard. Screams and laughter mixed together on the other side of the door and Spot smirked.

"Welcome to Hell." He said as he threw the door open.