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 8: Preparation
After my fight with Racetrack, things seemed to slow down for me. For instance, the days dragged on longer and it made me feel as though they would never end. I guess without a friend, your days become really drawn out and there's really nothing to enjoy about them. I wouldn't admit it, but I was really starting to miss Racetrack. However, my pride kept me from doing anything about it. He is the one who called me weak. He is the one who embarrassed me in front of all my friends. He is the one who messed. Therefore, he should be the one to apologize first. Right? I'm not so sure anymore. However, seeing him every day, he didn't act as though anything changed. Besides not talking to me, he went on his normal schedule he had before I came along. This really irked me. I mean, he wasn't even pretending to be upset.
Whatever, I guess we'll never be friends again. I'm resourceful though and I feel confident that I can make a new one. Or maybe even more than one! That ought to show Racetrack who needs who more. Shoot. The more I think about that, the more I realize I need him way more than he needs me. He was my only truly close best friend. He has like 15 best friends. This is way harder than I thought.
Well, these long days dragged on for days. This then turned to weeks. And before I knew it an entire month had gone by and Racetrack and I had not once said anything to each other. However, I did find myself spending more time with Jack. He seemed understanding enough. And I also spilled my brother problem to him. He is the one and only other person than me to know about that. I made him swear not to tell anyone. Especially Gabe, knowing he'd want to go find him. I told him not to worry, and that I did plan on letting him in on it eventually. But I wanted things to simmer down.
However, I had a deep feeling that things weren't going to settle down like I hoped. The month was up. Shadow is expecting our answer to whether or not Jack is handing over Manhattan to him. Of course Jack isn't, but we need to somehow formally tell Shadow. And, seeing what he is capable of first hand, I'm definitely afraid of what's to come. And it only makes things worse knowing Nick is running with him. I can't help but feel slight apprehension in this whole situation. The last thing I want (or need for that matter) is for all the newsies to know who my brother is. That would definitely put a damper on the whole friend thing.
Though, Jack doesn't seem too set back with the whole threatening war brewing. He seems confident in that we don't have to worry much. He mentioned something about a "King of Brooklyn" coming to our aid. Whatever that means, I hope Jack knows what he's doing. Or at least this "King".
The day finally came when we heard from Shadow.
Well, we didn't really hear from him. He pegged a note to the lodge. He was pretty much ranting the entire note. But the gist of it was that he intended on opening a full out war between his gang and the newsies of Manhattan. And that he better watch all his newsies cus he didn't want "something" to happen to them. We all know this meant a pretty bad soaking. However, even at this Jack didn't seem too thrown. Apparently he's been going to these leader meetings with all of the boroughs to discuss this matter. He has full support of all the boroughs. Brooklyn, however, offered man power in case a war does break out.
That was the sort of "good news" of this whole ordeal. The bad news was mainly directed towards me. I was to have an "escort" at all times and I had a curfew of 10 o'clock every night. And on top of all that, Jack was personally giving me fighting lessons. He said it was "in case dere's moah den one a da bummahs and I needed ta protect myself." I rolled my eyes at him and scoffed when he told me that. Sure, I'm a horrible fighter. But what I do have going for me is my speed. The boys soon found out I could run my heart out. And I was fast too. Plus, since the month I've been a newsie, I've learned all the back alleyways and shortcuts for a quick escape if need be. Jack wouldn't let me count on my speed alone though and insisted on teaching me.
One day when I was walking to my fighting lesson with Jack after a long day of selling, I was met with a surprise. Jack had decided to bring a guest with him. I bet you can't guess who he decided to bring. Yeah, Racetrack. He was standing next to Jack, obviously just as annoyed as I was seeing as how he had a crinkled face and crossed arms. When I saw the two of them standing there, I turned on my heels and tried to walk away. I heard hurried footsteps behind me then a sudden pull at my arm. I turned around to face Jack.
"Look Rose, I know ya two are still mad at each udder but trust me, dis is fer a good reason." He tried to coax me into giving this a chance. However, seeing as how I had zero choice in the matter I decided to just get it over with quickly and be done with it. I was definitely not ready to face Racetrack with our fight. And he seemed the same way. I pulled my shoulders back and held my head up a little higher, though, as I neared the much hated newsie.
"Alright, Rose, youse gonna spar with Race heah." He said with an unnecessarily big smile plastered on his face. Both Racetrack and I gaped at him then looked at each other with disgust and back at Jack. Both of us opened our mouths to complain but were stopped by the sudden hand Jack raised to stop us. We knew that that meant he wasn't playing and that whether we wanted to or not, this was going to happen. I let out a sigh before fixing my stance Jack had been working with me on. I had my feet slightly apart one, a little in front of the other. I also held up both of my hands which were balled up into fists covering my face. I had a deathly cold stare and I know both boys could feel it.
I half smirked at knowing it bothered them. Racetrack complied and got into his own stance. We started to circle each other as the 'fight' commenced. Jack stood back to the side a ways to give us room and to direct me when I needed it.
We danced for a moment before I saw Racetrack make the first move. I easily dodged it and felt a sense of pride swell within me. Jack was just too kind to crush it. "Race how bout ya actually try next time. She ain't gonna loin unless she gets da real deal." Racetrack rolled his eyes. I won't lie, that succeeded in intimidating me. I don't know if it was meant to or not but it did nonetheless. We continued to circle, and I decided then to make a move. I gave my best version of a right hook into Racetrack's shoulder. He easily dodged it and with great speed returned with a swift punch to my open stomach. I faltered for a moment but returned to my stance promptly.
I swear I saw a hint of amusement when he made contact with my stomach. If that's how he's gonna be, then so be it. This is serious now. And he just made it personal.
Racetrack was the next to make a move which I dodged and jabbed at his side. I made contact but it was miniscule to what it could have been. Jack noticed and made sure to call me out on it. I rolled my eyes and continued giving Racetrack my worst glare I could muster. He always seemed to be bothered by my glares. He moved again, this time going for my stomach which I swiftly moved to the side to avoid the hit and prompted to land a punch right into his face when he wasn't paying attention. I smirked to myself in my triumph. I felt a sense of enjoyment knowing I got a punch in to his face. However, again, it was a miniscule punch. It didn't do too much damage.
I think that sparked something in Racetrack. Just then he let loose on me. I didn't go full out force on me, but his speed and aim was remarkable. He jabbed at me and punched in a furry. Each one landing its target perfectly. I had absolutely zero chance. He finally landed a jab to my face and I fell onto my back. Once I gained my composure, I opened my eyes to see Racetrack offering a hand to help me up. I swiped aside his hand and got up myself. Clearly agitated at my rejection, Racetrack stomped away back towards where Jack was standing.
"Dat was good fer ya foist time Rose. Don't worry dough. Race heah is da best fighter undah me a course. He ain't me second in command fer nuthin!" Jack said this a little too cheerfully in my opinion. I only sneered at the two. "Are we done heah?" I asked coldly. Jack's cheer disappeared and was replaced by slight sadness. "Ya…I guess so Rose. Ya can go if youse want." I nodded my thanks and went on my way back to the lodge. There was no way I was staying any longer than I needed to. I hate that I lost to the one newsie I was livid with. I didn't plan on spending any extra time with him than what I had to.
It didn't take me long to realize that for the first time in weeks I was walking alone. I had no 'escort' and I for once felt my age. I think Jack is just trying to keep me safe, but in a way, he's just reiterating what Racetrack had said. I'm weak and I need protection. I most certainly did not need any help from nobody. I was a strong, independent, and resourceful girl. I know how to take care of myself without some boy babying me every second of the day.
Ironically, just as I finished thinking this, a pair of hands covered my mouth, and grabbed me across my shoulders. I tried my best to wriggle free of the grip, however, the person was too strong for me to handle. Gosh, karma and I do not get along. I was ushered into an alleyway and then put up against a brick wall of one of the buildings. It was then that I saw the face of my attacker.
It was Nick. He seemed to be searching my eyes. He kept up his stare for what seemed like forever until he finally relented the intensity and let up on his grasp. I let go a little breath I had been unknowingly holding in, and rubbed the part of my arm he had been clenching while holding me up against the hard brick. "Look, don't scream or anythin. I ain't gonna hoyt ya okay?" He looked at me intently to see if I would comply. I nodded my head slightly and he proceeded to slowly remove his hand.
I didn't dare scream. Who knows if the rest of Shadow's gang was hiding somewhere? It could be a trap to lure Jack or even Racetrack seeing as how they are the heads of Manhattan. Also, I vaguely remember a threat given to Racetrack from Shadow himself. I returned my brother's gaze, daring him to do something.
"Is it you? Is it really you? I've missed ya guys so much!" He said this almost too believably. Skeptical at what Nick's real intentions were, I decided to go along with it.
"Ya…an it's you right Nick?" I asked trying to mask my anger. He nodded his head excitedly as I recognized him. He let go of me completely now, letting me back away from the brick a little. I leaned against the brick, however, crossing my arms trying to figure out what his true intentions were. He saw my behavior and immediately caught on. His face fell and he looked at me solemnly, "Rosabella, I'm real sorry I hit ya. I didn't know it was you, honest!"
"Well, why a you hangin with Shadow anyways? He's threatening me an my friends Nick. And I can't even tell my friends because I'm afraid dey'll kick me an Gabe out cus a you bein friendly with Shadow!" I couldn't help blurting it out. 'Way to be tactical Rose.' Nick continued his saddened stare before answering me. "Look, I ain't got enough time ta fill ya in yet. But I ain't friendly with Shadow. In fact I'se tryin ta get out. But it's hard ya know…" he trailed off not knowing what else to say. I guess that makes sense. I mean, if you're dragged into a gang, usually they won't let you out unless you strike up a deal. Or they kill you. I shudder at the last thought. Even though I haven't talked with Nick for over 2 years, I still don't wish him dead. It's funny to think I always thought he was dead. Now seeing him here, standing face-to-face with him is almost unreal.
Suddenly he pulls me in for an intense hug and lets me go. He winks before he makes a fast escape. It wasn't until I heard the voices of Jack and Racetrack walking by the alleyway that I understood Nick's reasoning. I was about to call to them and maybe walk back with them when their conversation sparked my interest.
"Ya Cowboy, I dunno what ta do anymoah. I mean, I'se tried, honest I have, but nuthin I seem ta say or do will make her foahgive me!" Race exclaimed dropping his arms at his sides. He was slumped over while walking beside Jack. Jack seemed to ponder this before giving Racetrack his advice.
"I say ya bettah just apologize ta her. She won't admit it but she misses you just as much as you do her. An when I say apologize I mean fer real dis time. Don't go beatin round da bush or nuthin. Just come right out an say it. An fer good measure I'd be extravagant with it. Like get on yoah knees or somethin. She needs ta know dat youse honestly feel horrible foah what happened an dat you want ta go back ta bein friends and sellin pahtners at that." I couldn't help but smile. Jack knew exactly what would make me feel better. He really was like my second brother. Well…now I guess a third brother? Nick has some serious making up to do, but I'm willing to patch things up if he's serious about leaving Shadow's gang.
"I guess youse right Jack…damn my pride. I mean ya'd think seein her cryin cus a me I'd get da picture I really messed up. I dunno if I'll evah foahgive myself foah makin her cry." I thought about this for a moment. So, Racetrack thinks he's made me cry the past few times that I have? Hmm, I am definitely going to milk this as much as I can for my benefit. Call it evil or cruel, but I'm a victim here. He deserves to feel a sliver of guilt for making me that way.
Deep inside, however, I know I'm going to forgive him. That is, if he even does what Jack's proposing he should. Feeling as though I've overheard enough, I decided to cut through some alleyways to beat the boys back to the lodge. I want to be ready for this so called "apology" All I can say, is it better be good. Although, I think what I'm most excited about isn't the apology itself. It's the fact that I'm getting my best friend back.