Seize The Day
By BekahNicole
Disclaimer: I sadly do not own anything associated with the Newsies franchise and/or Broadway. Disney owns that, and I in no way shape or form am trying to infringe on that. This is merely for fun. Of course, I do own some OC's in this which if you know the franchise, can quickly pick them out. I do appreciate feedback but not hateful criticism. With that being said, I encourage that you review my work with positive and helpful suggestions. Thank you, enjoy.
Chapter 4: Strange Feelings And Strange Meetings
The next morning, I awoke to the sound of newsboys running around and yelling. I was starting to get used to it only after a day of living with them. I tried to keep my eyes shut as long as possible, reluctant to let go of the amazing rest I had. I was abruptly shaken awake however by strong hands grabbing my shoulders. My eyes bolted open and saw chocolate brown eyes staring back at me. There was that infamous smirk. Racetrack. Why was I always on the receiving end of that smirk?
"Hey dere sweetheart, since youse me pahtner it's me job ta make shoah ya make it out ta da distribution centah. So get up ya bum!" I gave him a glare and he held up his hands in defense. He moved into the group of boys in the washroom, getting ready for the day. I rolled out of bed and followed them in. I pushed my way to a sink and washed my face. I braided my hair again, seeing as how that proved to work yesterday, and waited for most of the boys to run downstairs before grabbing a stall to change into my work clothes. After I was done, I remembered to grab my new hat off of the table next to my bed before I ran downstairs to meet Racetrack.
He was waiting for me by the door. I practically ran into him as I was rushing out to meet up with everyone. "Are youse gonna make dat a habit?" He asked referencing how we had first met. I punched him jokingly in the arm before we set out for the distribution center. It was quiet for most of our walk. We made small talk, pointing out random things along our way.
We reached the line for the center and waited patiently to buy our papers. Since I was feeling more confident in my selling abilities (thanks to Racetrack's teachings) I bought 50 papers instead of 30. He eyed me before giving an approving nod. I happily walked out of the center's gates to the curb and waited patiently for him. Once he made it back to me, we read over the stories in the paper, scowling at how bad they were. Just my luck, I'd be courageous the day the stories stunk.
"Remembah Rose, headlines don't sell papes. Newsies sell papes!" he said seeing my frustration. Taking another look at the stories, he however, said, "But in this mornin's case, I'se suggests we'se do somthin new. I'se nevah tried dis bafoah with a pahtner, but we'se gonna have ta con our way ta sellin." Confused as to what exactly he was thinking, I just followed him as he looked like he was on a super important mission. I thought it was best not to disturb the self-proclaimed master at work. I heard from some of the other boys that Racetrack was street smart and knew how to trick the public into any con. I'm not gonna lie, I'm actually intrigued as to what he is going to have me do.
We walked back to our spot from yesterday, and he laid out the plan to me. After making me tell it back to him more times than I could count, he walked away satisfied and signaled me to start our charade. I waved one of my papers in the air and yelled as loud as I could, "Extra! Extra! Scandal in da city offices! Big complications for da city!" that headline alone got the attention of a few passerby's. I sold maybe 4 papers before a figure strode towards me. "What da ya think youse doin little goil! Dis heah is me territory! Scram bafoah I make ya!"
I looked at the figure of Racetrack who was pretending to be an angry newsie out for trouble with me, the sweet innocent girl. I made the saddest eyes I could before saying, "But, dis is da only place left dat's safe foah me ta sell. An if I don't get enough money fer me faddah, I'se gonna get beat again!" I started to fake cry at this point. I subtly glanced around and noticed a small crowd standing off to one side watching this "skirmish". I was inwardly screaming with excitement.
Racetrack grabbed my arm and pretended to slap me. Which, in doing so he accidently made some contact with the side of my cheek. I hissed in surprise and his face looked shocked for a fraction of a second before "throwing" me to the ground. I was now "crying" as the mean Racetrack ran away somewhere down the street a ways. I made it look like I was having a hard time standing up and gingerly brushed off my clothes. I looked up with my sad puppy dog eyes and quivering lip at the crowd. Immediately people came to me wanting to help me out with my "abusive father."
Before too long, I had sold nearly half of my papers from the stunt. I waited about 5 more minutes after the crowd died down and left before I headed back towards where Racetrack had fled. I looked around the street not seeing him. Then I spotted him on the corner on the other side from me. He was making some sales and seemed to have gotten rid of a good amount of papers since we were separated. I walked towards him and waited patiently behind him until he had finished selling a paper to an older gentleman.
He then quickly turned around with a concerned look and exclaimed, "Ah geez Rose, I'se didn't mean ta actually slap ya! Dat was an accident honest!" I couldn't help but feel flattered. He sincerely looked troubled by the fact he accidentally hit me. I just smiled and said, "I know ya didn't Race. I ain't mad at cha. Besides, I sold nearly half a me papes!" I jostled my pockets showing off the jingling coins. I could tell he still felt bad.
Next thing I knew his face was back to being concerned as he moved his hand to my cheek. His thumb rubbed the side of my face and I winced in pain. "I think youse gonna have a bruise by da end a da day." I returned my gaze to him and my eyes met his deep chocolate ones. For a second I swear I felt my stomach drop. I never realized how good looking he was. I mean seriously, he's Italian. At least he looked it with those deep brown eyes and olive skin. And the sight of the random dark brown curls peeking out from under his hat made me want to run my hands through his hair. Wait…what? This is Racetrack I'm thinking about. Racetrack, the annoying, cocky, know-it-all that I can't stand.
I shake the thoughts out of my head and quickly move my face out of his hand. As if noticing where his hand had lingered, Racetrack withdrew his hand from where it was left in the air and cleared his throat. He shuffled his feet awkwardly before saying, "So, uhh let's head ta a new place and finish sellin. Dat way we'se can make it ta Tibby's ta meet da udders." I nodded my agreement and followed him as he had turned back down the street.
The rest of the day was awkward to say the least. Neither of us could understand why we had felt the way we had when Racetrack touched my cheek. We tried our best to avoid contact. That made it more awkward considering we still tried to keep the conversations going in between selling and yelling headlines. It took us about another 4 hours before the both of us had sold out and headed to the diner where all of our friends were waiting.
Once we made it to Tibby's we walked in to the door and spotted our friends at the same table as yesterday. We made our way through the crowd of newsies to the table and sat down next to each other. If we had it our way, we would have tried to sit on opposite sides of the table, but our friends had moved over for us to sit in those seats. The awkwardness died down a little bit now that we had other people to talk to. But the feeling was still there nonetheless. Racetrack and I ordered our food and ate it as if it would disappear any second once it was brought out to us. I think the others could feel the tense air around Racetrack and I. They kept looking at us strangely but never said anything if they did think that. For that I was grateful. I had no idea what I was gonna say if they had mentioned our awkwardness. However, it didn't take too long for one of them to notice the bruise forming on my cheek.
"Ha! Rose did you an Race have anuddah one a yer fights or somethin? Ya got a bruise formin on yer cheek." For having an eye patch over one of his eyes, Kid Blink was rather observant. I inwardly winced as I realized where this conversation could go. I fake chuckled before stating, "Well yer half right dere Blink. Race an me didn't have no fight. But he did gimme dis heah bruise." The look Racetrack got from the boys around the table made me laugh aloud. Racetrack got death glares and shocked faces from everyone at the table.
"What da hell Race!?" exclaimed Jack punching Racetrack roughly. Racetrack gave me a glare before putting in his piece. "Why doncha tell em da full story dere Rose! Look fellas it was an accident. We was playin one a me cons and I pretended ta slap her across her face. Well, I actually ended up hittin her pretty good but I swayah it was an accident! I would nevah hoyt her like dat!" The boys around the table looked at me for confirmation.
I sighed before confirming Racetrack's story, "He's tellin da truth boys. It was an accident. I just didn't get ta tellin dat part yet." The death glares disappeared as I said this and the conversation was thankfully dropped. My mind, however, kept going back to that split moment where Racetrack was touching my cheek. I don't know what to think about the whole situation, but I do know that I'm no longer angry at him for whatever it was I was mad at him for. I mean truthfully, I can't even remember what it was that set me off on him. As far as I'm concerned, him slapping me was evening out when I had slapped him. To be honest, I feel bad about that now. I'd never slapped anyone before. I let my temper get a hold of me and before I knew it my arm was thinking for me.
The time we spent at Tibby's couldn't have dragged on longer. It felt as if we had been there for half the day. Which in reality we had arrived at Tibby's around 4. We only stayed 3 hours, mingling and eating with our friends. However, I just wanted to get back to the lodge house and catch up with my brother. I haven't seen him today except in line getting our papers. He was old enough now that he could take care of himself on the streets. Especially since he had 2 other boys with him along with 12 year old Boots.
Once we had arrived at the lodging house, I went straight upstairs and grabbed my sleep clothes. I changed before a lot of the boys had made it up the stairs and went to sit on my bed waiting for Gabe. He finally walked through the door behind most of the newsies. He looked absolutely exhausted. But at the same time, he looked happy. I motioned for him to sit next to me on my bed. He complied and we sat there for another hour talking.
"So did ya sell all ya papes taday Pockets?" I asked using his new name. He seemed rather proud of his name. Every time I called him by his nickname, he got the biggest and cutest smile. It made me remember the good ole days with our whole family, dad and brother included. It seemed like it had been a while since I saw him this happy. I knew then that we made the right decision to follow Racetrack here 2 days ago.
"I shoah did! I even went by Irving Hall and got some candy from one a da clown's dere! Don't worry it was free. And den da boys and I went to Central Park and played dere for a while. Den we met up with everyone else at Tibby's den we'se came heah." I chuckled at how he had just told me his entire day so quickly and excitedly. I ruffled his hair and sent him to the washroom to get ready for bed. I laid down on my bed and tucked both of my arms behind my head getting comfortable while I was in deep thought. I didn't notice that eventually the whole room had fallen fast asleep. I sat up and stared at the boy who was invading my thoughts all that day. He was fast asleep, gently snoring. I smiled to myself before closing my eyes, letting sleep take over.
The next morning went as usual. Loud boys, being shaken awake by Racetrack, and avoiding getting run over by overexcited newsboys. It is quickly becoming my daily routine. Racetrack, however, decided that today he was going to head to his favorite place to hang out after work. He told me about how Sheepshead seemed to bring him the most happiness at the end of the day. He even told me how he would sometimes bet on the horses if he felt they were worth it. Though, most of the boys at that point teased that he's yet to win big gambling on his so called "hot tips."
I made sure to sell my papers as quickly as I could so Racetrack could have enough time to head to the racetrack and enjoy himself. We sold all of our papers in record time which turned out to be around 1 in the afternoon. This was apparently a rarity and Racetrack couldn't have been more excited. We counted our earnings for the day and split them equally amongst the two of us. Before he left for the tracks, however, he couldn't help but make sure I was going to be okay.
"Youse know yer way back right? If I need ta I can escort ya back ta da lodgin' house." He looked serious as he asked me this. I gave him a curt smile before replying, "I'm shoah Race, we'se gone da same way everyday. I remembah da way poyfectly!" He eyed me suspiciously, making sure I wasn't just trying to be nice. Once he felt satisfied I was telling the truth he gave a small goodbye and turned towards the tracks. I didn't know what to do with myself now that I was alone for the rest of the day. I eventually decided to just make my way to Tibby's and see if anyone was already there waiting for others to arrive. I walked along the usual route to the diner before I got a strange feeling. I subtly looked over my shoulder I swear I saw someone bolt into an alley right behind me.
My senses were on high alert as I realized I was being followed. I made up my mind that once I hit the next street corner, I was gonna make a run for it to Tibby's. I held my breathe getting ready for my mad dash. I was just about at the corner when I felt a hand cover my mouth and another strong arm wrap around my shoulders. I struggled to break out of my attackers grasp but was forcefully thrown into one of the sides of the buildings in an alley. I felt the cheek I had not bruised get scraped from rubbing the brick. I slowly got up, but before I could get my feet underneath me, I felt a heavy kick in my side. I doubled over in pain and grabbed at my side as if it would make it stop hurting. I stayed on the ground and peered up at my attacker.
It was then that I noticed my attacker was actually 4. One of them seemed to stand out and I assumed he was the leader. He had red hair and menacing green eyes. He wore dark clothes that seemed to help him blend into the shadow of the alley. Ironically, it was then that he told me his name.
"Hello darlin'. I'm afraid we haven't met befoah. Da names Shadow." he said eerily, snickering at me. I was completely confused right now. Why was this guy, whom I've never seen or heard of in my life, attacking me randomly in the middle of the day?
"What's da big ideah den? I'se Nevah met youse befoah, so why a youse attackin me?" I couldn't stop myself from blurting out. I was rewarded with another swift kick before the leader, who couldn't have been any older than Jack, hissed at me.
"Look doll face, don't tawk unless I says youse can. Got it?" I nodded my head quickly, not wanting another kick. He smiled evilly before moving to stand beside where I was curled up on the ground. He bent over to where his mouth was right by my ear. He whispered, "I'se got a message fer yer leadah, Jack Kelly. Tell 'em his ole pal Shadow is back. And I ain't happy. Tell 'em I'se decided I'se wants ta run the Manhattan Newsies from now on, an if he don't back off we'se gonna have some trouble."
With that, he jerked his head at the boys standing behind him. The three of them moved towards me and started doing whatever they could to get in a few hits and kicks. I let out cries of pain that I had been holding in. A few tears had escaped, and were rolling down my cheeks. I looked at my attackers, just as they let up on their hits and noticed one of them faltered for a second. I looked closer at him as best I could from my swelling up eye and decided he somehow looked familiar. However, I couldn't place it. But what stunned me was his eyes. They were a sparkling hazel. They looked so recognizable but before I could pinpoint exactly where I knew them from, he backed away with the rest of his gang.
"Be shaoh to relay my message doll face." said Shadow before the four of them quickly vanished.