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.
(A/N: Tell me what ya'll think about Jules…I'm not sure how I want her character to impact the story yet)
Chapter 10: The Meeting
A week has gone by since Jules arrived. She's a really sweet girl and I enjoy having her around. When she's not with me, she usually spends her time with my brother and their little gang of trouble makers. And when she isn't with either of us, then she tags around with her brother. However, with the looming problem with Shadow becoming more serious as time goes by, he's been busy with Jack being his second in command. So, she's been hanging with the Davies siblings quite a lot.
To my regret, Pockets has been showing Jules his expertise on how he got his name. Every day the two come back with something new they had swiped from some poor unsuspecting person. I kept telling them to stop before they get caught. But of course why would a 9 and 10 year old listen to me? I know nothing. Being the responsible older person that I am, I informed all of the older newsies to keep close tabs on the two problem makers to make sure they won't get caught.
One day, however, things started to pick up around the lodge house.
Much to my regret, Jack walked up to me with one of his 'I have something important to tell you' looks.
There it is. He's getting right to the point I see. So, this must be pretty important since he's not beating around the bush or anything. "Go fer it Cowboy." I replied, bracing myself for what he was about to say.
He sighed deeply and proceeded. "I called a meetin with all a da borough leadahs. Da only thing is…we gotta tell 'em bout ya bruddah. It's da only way ta make shoah he ain't hoyt anymoah den necessary. Dats what ya want right?" He asked with a mix of seriousness and concern. I thought for a minute before nodding that I did. He nodded himself and looked away into space for a moment before starting again.
"I need ya ta come with me and Race. Ya know, ta tell 'em ya story bout getting attacked and threatened." There it was. The catch he was trying to lead up to. I groaned at the situation. I really don't want to tell a bunch of other newsies what happened. I just got over it myself. Now Jack's asking me to re-live it when I tell a bunch of boys I've never met before about one of my most vulnerable moments. This is crazy. But seeing Jack's pleading look he was giving, I rolled my eyes and glared at him. "Fine." I said crossing my arms annoyed. He smiled broadly and leaned forward to peck my forehead in a brotherly way. He gave his thanks and walked away. But he turned around as if he remembered something.
"Oh an by da way da meetin's ta-night!" He started to run away as I bolted straight up from where I was casually sitting on the ground. "Ya tricked me Kelly! Ya bettah run away I'm gonna soak ya good!" I waved my fist in the air at him threateningly. He laughed as he ran out of my sight. I stopped running after him and angrily crossed my arms and let out an exasperated "UGH!" This was going to be a long and interesting night.
Later that night, I met at the bottom of the stairs with Jack and Racetrack. Both boys had a seriousness about them that bothered me. Especially Racetrack. I'd never seen him be serious like this before as long as I have known him. He's always cracking some joke or sarcastic comment about something. That's another thing I've missed this month and a half since the two of us have been fighting.
Jack nodded at me in acknowledgment and started to walk towards the door. Racetrack let me step off the stairs in front of him before following me out the door. My mind started wandering immediately. This was never good. I started picturing the different leaders and their seconds. The things my mind came up with truly scared me. An uneasy feeling slowly began to envelope me.
Racetrack noticed my nervousness and sped up his walking to become in check with me. I regarded him out of politeness but went back to my thoughts. He was quiet for a few minutes but broke the silence eventually.
"It ain't dat bad I promise ya. All ya gotta do is tell da udder guys what happened an den ya can leave da room if ya want." He was trying to make me feel better. That's strangely kind of him. I looked him in the yes and saw the sincerity there. He wasn't making fun or jabbing at me; he was honestly trying to help get rid of my nerves. I gave a half smile before turning my gaze back in front of me. Jack was about 3 feet in front of us walking with long strides. He looked as if he was on a mission.
It was about 10 more minutes before we reached our destination. It was on old, abandoned, rickety building that was at one point some kind of store. It looked like it had been long since abandoned. The glass windows were clouded with a thick layer of dust and had a few breaks here and there. The wood on the building was rotten and didn't give off a safe environment. I felt as though the roof would cave in any minute. But, seeing Jack and Racetrack advance towards the door, I reluctantly followed close on their heels.
We were the last to show up for the meeting. I looked around the room and saw that every eye was on me, intently inspecting me. To say the least, I felt uncomfortable. I stayed on Jack and Racetrack's heels closely so not to get caught behind. I didn't want any extra attention drawn to me.
The three of us found our seats at a table with the leader od Brooklyn. Spot Conlon. At least I knew his name. I heard Jack and some of the other newsies talk about him and describe him. This guy certainly fit their description. He had icy-blue eyes that could bare down your soul. He had blonde hair that tucked under his dark gray cabbie hat. He wore a light checkered button up that bared his open chest. He had dark brown slacks that were held up by bright red suspenders. His gold-tipped black cane swung loosely at his side along with his wooden sling shot tucked in between his pants and side.
Our eyes met for a moment and I felt myself cave under his fierce gaze. He smirked to himself before turning his attention to the meeting. Jack got up to stand where he was at the table and began to speak loudly for all the boys to hear. "Hey fellas, so I called dis meetin cus it has come to me knowledge dat Shadow is back an he's askin fer trouble." I inwardly cringed at the mention of Shadow. I was still getting over my attack. "Dis time, he attacked one a me goils at da lodge house. She's new so she don't even know who Shadow was befoah he attacked her. He soaked her and had her bring me a message dat he was back an he was aftah me territory and leadah position." He paused as he looked around the room to make sure everyone was following what he was saying. "I brought me goil with me tanight so she could tell youse fellas bout it herself." With that, Jack held out his hand for me to stand up.
I complied and stood up and peered around the silent room. All eyes were on me. This time for an all new reason than before. These boys were curious as to what happened and they wanted to know why they should be concerned. I took a deep breathe before beginning my story. "Da whole thing happened bout a month an a half ago. I was walkin ta Tibby's by meself aftah sellin with Racetrack heah an didn't notice some guys in an alley. Dey pulled me in an started pummelin me good. Aftah da beatin, da leadah said his name was Shadow an he wanted Jack ta step down an hand him his territory or else he was gonna make real trouble fer us." I took a moment to look around. Some boys were shaking their heads in disgust at someone who would beat up a girl. Some, like Spot Conlon, remained icy-glared and had no emotion whatsoever on their face.
I looked at Jack for help. "Tell 'em who else ya saw Rose." He egged me on. I took another deep breath before summoning all of my courage. This could very well mean the end of my newsie career. These boys may decide to kick me out just because I have family running with Shadow's gang. However, its a chance I'll have to take if it means keeping my friends safe. "Me older bruddah was one a da guys dat beat me." This granted me a chorus of gasps and whispers around the room. However, I continued. "I haven't seen him fer ovah 2 yeahs an he didn't even recognize me da foist time. Da next time, I was walkin with Racetrack back to Tibby's an both a us got attacked by Shadow again an me bruddah. Racetrack hit Shadow square in da jaw and was shoved against da wall by me bruddah. I stepped in front a da two befoah anything happened an me own bruddah slapped me. Had me a bruise fer 2 weeks aftah. I did it cus I wanted dem ta stop fightin. I noticed Shadow starting to advance on Race an just wanted us ta get outta dere." I stopped at this and quickly, without looking around the room, sat down and stared at my feet.
I felt a gentle yet reassuring squeeze on my shoulder and saw Racetrack looking sad. I hadn't told him about my brother being with Shadow and I guess now he knows why I stopped him from soaking Shadow and my brother. He clearly looked awful and I knew he felt bad. I had another feeling that we were going to have a long conversation later about this. Besides Racetrack, I also noticed Spot Conlon looking at me. However, it wasn't with that icy-glare of his. It was more of a determined, 'I'm gonna kill an S.O.B' look. I knew he was protective of Brooklyn but here he was looking at me like I was one of his own newsies. I felt it strange but was glad at least he didn't want to kick me out of the newsies.
Jack continued talking to the other leaders about plans and who he could count on if things with Shadow escalated into a full out war. Brooklyn, Midtown, and the Bronx all agreed to help out if necessary. Queens told Jack they didn't want to wrap themselves into any trouble. Something about just getting things in Queens back to normal after their own problem. No one could blame them much.
The meeting finally ended and the three of us waited for the rest of the boroughs to clear out. We were the ones who called the meeting therefore had to make sure everyone left before we could. All of the leaders had gone except Conlon. He even sent his second on ahead of him back to Brooklyn. He apparently wanted to discuss some things.
"Hey Jacky Boy. Sorry bout yer snake problem." He said spitting into his hand and holding it out for Jack to take. Jack mimicked Conlon's spitting and took hold of his hand shaking it. "Ya, as long as we can count on Brooklyn ta be dere fer us I think did whole thing will blow ovah soon enough." Spot nodded understandingly. He turned his gaze to me. My eyes got wide as I realized he was staring at me again an I felt the comfortableness return. Spot smirked to himself before speaking.
"So what's yer name doll face?" I ignored his pet name for the time being and decided to play it sweet. If I had looked to my right, I would have seen Racetrack glare at Conlon with annoyance at his name for me. "Me names Rose." I replied slightly quiet. He tipped his hat and bowed slightly before saying, "Well, nice ta meet ya Rose. Sorry bout yer run in with da bummah Shadow. I promise ya dat if I see him I'll poisonally take care of him." I nodded my thanks. Racetrack continued giving Spot his worst of glares, clearly bothered that another boy was being flirty with me. However, I immediately thought of something. "Just make shoah ya don't hoyt me bruddah. I know he's with Shadow, but I don't think he's dere fer himself. It just don't make sense ta me why he'd be doin this." Spot's face grew serious as he pondered what I had said. "Alright doll face, but if he tries ta hoyt or moydah any a me newsies I can't promise ya nuthin." I nodded my head solemnly.
With that Spot Conlon left us. Now that all of the newsies had gone, the three of us could now journey back home. It was quiet most of the walk. None of us were really in the mood to talk. We were either too tired or in my case didn't want to hear either of them kick me out of the newsies. I should have known better than to think I'd be kicked out. The Manhattan newsboys have become like brothers to me. Of course Gabe will always come first, these boys have proven themselves to me time and time again that they care about me and Gabe.
We finally reached the lodge house and I was following Jack into the house but stopped when I felt a hand grab mine. I turned around to look at Racetrack standing outside of the door giving me that sad face from earlier. I shot him a questioning look before he gently pulled me outside once again. "Can I tawk to ya Rose?" He asked me. I nodded my head, ready for whatever he had in store.
"Why didn't ya tell me it was yer bruddah?" I looked deep into his chocolate brown eyes and tried my best to come up with an answer. "Because I didn't want either of ya to hoyt each other. I wouldn't know who to go aftah." That was the best I could come up with. It was the truth but I didn't know how to say it. After a while of silence Racetrack finally looked me in the eyes.
"I'm so sorry Rose. Fer everything. I shouldn't have said what I did in Tibby's an in front of all da fellas. I'm sorry I hoyt ya feelins so bad. An I'm sorry yer bruddah is caught up with Shadow. I know it must be hard on ya. But, I promise dat from now on I'll help ya. No moah silent treatment or ignorin each udder. I wanna go back ta how we was befoah dat day we was attacked. I wanna help ya an I hate seein ya mad an upset all da time. I know its all me fault fer getting mad at ya dat day an I know it's askin a lot from ya but I hope ya can foah-give me." He looked at me dead serious and concerned. I could tell he meant every word he spoke.
I felt tears begin to streak down my cheeks as I finally felt a month and a half's worth of sadness and emotion spill out of me. All I could do was shake my head yes. He looked confused at first and I noticed. I laughed a little between my tears thinking of what I must look like. "Yes-I foah-give ya Race. Dat's all I evah wanted ya ta say." With that I saw his face turn into a broad smile. He opened his arms to me and I gladly walked into his arms. I cried for a few moments before I stopped. I sniffled as I pulled away from his chest.
Smiling to himself, he whispered just loud enough for me to hear him say, "I'se missed ya Rose." I smiled to myself seeing him smiling again. And he was smiling at me. I felt as though a lot of weight had been lifted up off of my shoulders. I could finally breath in the night air without worrying about not having my best friend around anymore. "I missed ya too Race, moah den youse know."
He put his arm around my shoulder as we started to walk into the door of the lodge house. Our faces were lit up with our newly found friendship back in order. We looked up as we closed the door behind us to see a Jack Kelly standing on the bottom step of the stairs, smirking down at us. Racetrack and I look at each other before returning back to Jack and giving our best fake smiles. Jack chuckled aloud and said, "It's bout time youse two made up." With that he twirled around and ran up the stairs. Racetrack and I laughed at him and started up the stairs after him. Things were finally starting to look up for me.
At least for now.