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/U: I am extremely sorry for taking so long in updating. At first it was just school getting a little hectic, but it turned into me developing chronic bronchitis…needless to say I was so exhausted and weak I couldn't do anything but sleep. But I'm better now and am able to update. I will do my best to get these next chapters out as quickly as I can! Thanks to all my loyal readers.)
Chapter 13: Repercussions
I woke up the next day by the gentle shake of my shoulder. I raised my head slowly and peered around the room to get my bearings. Once everything came rushing back to me, my head jerked down to look at the still unconscious form of Racetrack in bed. His outward appearance didn't look any better, which is to be expected since it's only been a night. If I could have, I would have started to cry again. However, my eyes were so red and dry they were unable to form anymore tears. I then became aware of the presence of someone standing patiently behind me. The person who shook me awake.
I turned around and met the gaze of Jack. Of course it would be Jack. He was practically another brother to me. He gave my shoulder a reassuring squeeze and a light-hearted smile before he began to speak. "Rose, ya gotta get up. Its awready noon…he's still gonna be heah aftah ya clean yaself up. Promise." I wanted to tell him to shove off and leave me alone with Racetrack. I never wanted to leave this spot until my best friend came back into the world of consciousness. I wanted to be there for him and be the first face he sees when he comes back to reality. But, I knew he was right. I needed to clean myself up and get some food. There was no need in getting myself sick worrying over Racetrack who wasn't needing any special attention anytime soon.
Reluctantly, I let Jack lead me into the washroom. He watched me like a hawk as I ran cold water and washed my face. I smoothed out my hair a bit and tidied up the braid I had from yesterday. Feeling somewhat refreshed, he guided me downstairs to a waiting group of Davey, Blink, and Mush. I couldn't manage even a smile to my friends. Jack left me with the group for a moment to tell Kloppman to watch over Racetrack until they got back.
After that business was settled, the boys led me to Tibby's for some food. Knowing I hadn't sold anything that morning, Jack paid for my sandwich without a moment's thought. I silently scarfed down my food, feeling empty without Racetrack's wise cracks and motor mouth running a mile a minute. It's weird how you never notice how much you miss something until you actually don't have it anymore. That's how I felt now. I would always complain and pester Racetrack about how he couldn't shut up for a mere second's thought, but I now missed his endless rambling about anything and everything. I realized I would much rather hear his incessant talking than go another second of this deafening quietness.
As soon as I finished eating my sandwich I silently pleaded with Jack to take me back to the lodging house. I knew he wouldn't let me go anymore by myself anymore. It was now an unstated rule that I was to have an escort at all time from now on until this God-forsaken war was over. Jack solemnly complied with my silent pleas and personally led me back to the lodge where I instantly ran up the stairs and occupied my previous seat next to Racetrack's bedside.
I stayed put all day. I not once moved and even refused to leave to get dinner. Blink kindly took it upon him to buy my food and brought it back to me to eat so I didn't have to leave the ill Racetrack. Nobody could get a word out of me. I wouldn't reply to anything anyone said to me. I was just not interested in anything other than Racetrack's well-being. Even Jack couldn't get a peep out of me. That's when he turned to the big guns so to speak. My brothers.
Gabe came ambling in with surprisingly Nick who had come with some "urgent" news for us newsies. They sat on the bunk behind my chair and were quiet for a few minutes before Gabe finally broke the silence. "Rose, ain't ya gonna tawk ta us? All a us guys are worried about ya." I won't say his words had no effect on me, because they did. They made me feel horrible that I was treating my family like they weren't there. However, I remained taciturn. I can picture Gabe's face now. Without looking at him I knew he had the saddest face he could make. With his normally wide eyes now small and withdrawn and his smug, mischievous grin now replaced by a sad and crestfallen frown. It honestly broke my heart.
Nick however took it upon him to finally speak up. "Look, Rose. I know ya ain't too happy with me fer runnin' out on you an Gabe an mom. But right now, it ain't da time ta be shuttin' down. I came heah with some news bout Shadow an his crew. Dey'se plannin on attackin tanight. Da newsies are countin on ya ta watch da youngah kids. Dey know youse da only one fer da job. But if ya only sit heah an worry over Race you are lettin every one a yer friends down. Even Race. He wouldn't want ya worryin over him like dis. He would want ya ta focus on protectin all a da youngah newsies heah an makin shoah nuthin happens ta dem durin dis fight. Sides…ya gonna be in dis room so ya can keep an eye on him while ya protect da kids. Please Rosebud ya gotta do it."
She smiled slightly at the use of her childhood nickname Nick used to call her. Only he called her Rosebud. It was a special name he had come up with and was reserved for him and only him to use. She sat there for a moment letting everything Nick had told her sink in. It all made perfect sense to her. He was completely right. She was entrusted a long time ago with protecting all of the younger newsies who were unable to protect themselves once the big fight finally came around. She remembered having that same conversation with Jack and Racetrack. They told her she was a horrible fighter, but once it came to the younger kids, she was a warrior. She had laughed off that comment then but she realized now that they were right. She wouldn't let any of Shadow's boys do any harm to any of the kids. Even if she had to fight them herself.
Feeling that she had no other option, Rose slowly turned around and looked into her brother's eyes. With small, quiet words she said, "Awright, I'll do it." With that answer, Gabe and Nick grew the biggest smiles she had seen them make since her family started to break apart. They each gave her a tight hug and lingered there for a minute before Nick pulled away. "Awright Rosebud, I gotta head back ta Shadow's gang so deys don't get suspicious of me two-timin dem. See ya tanight." With that he left and did exactly as he said and headed back to Shadow.
Rose got up from her seat beside Racetrack and took hold of Gabe's small hand. She led him down the stairs and into the lobby area where most of the Manhattan boys were congregated. They all looked up at her surprised that she was actually not beside Racetrack. She gave everyone a weak smile before moving to a space on the couch. With that mere action, all of the boys were instantly enthused for the oncoming fight that night. It was as if her mere presence had sparked their hearts to defend Manhattan for Jack and for Racetrack and even for themselves. They knew then that this was serious. If they lost this fight, Manhattan would belong to Shadow's gang. And Jack would either be ran out of the city or killed. There was no getting around the fact that they had to win. There was no room for failure. The fate of Jack Kelly and Manhattan was riding heavily on whether or not the Manhattan newsboys will win tonight.
"Runnah, go an get Brooklyn. Tell 'em da fight's tanight, an ta be ready ta kick some ass." Said Jack in a menacing sneer. With those two sentences, Jack managed to get a loud cheer out of every newsie in the room. Tonight was the night. And whatever the outcome, there was no turning back.
(A/N: Yes, short chapter. But this is only meant as a filler chapter. I promise the next chapter is going to be so much longer and will have you on the edge of your seats! I will most definitely have it updated within the next 2 days.)