I removed my arm from around Blink's shoulder as the Sister's came into view. I felt a moment of shame, and as we approached them I felt as if they could see into my soul. I didn't fear them on normal days, but with him standing next to me I grew nervous.
We sat down near the gates to the church and ate our food. The slice of ham tasted good, though halfway through eating it I could feel my stomach churning. I thought about discarding it at that point, but I fought the feeling off and forced myself to finish the meat and cheese. The bread I had no qualms about passing off to another boy. When Kid admonished me for not eating it, I quickly turned to Jumper and tried to look busy writing while asking him what I should say to Blink.
I hated to turn my attention from him for even a moment, but just as I was ready to give in I heard the bells begin to chime and we headed to buy our papers. While waiting in line, Blink offered me a bite of his breakfast. I had to admit that I hadn't had a sweet like that in a while, and when I watched him open his mouth wide to take a bite, my heart jumped. I looked at the offending pastry in his hand and then back at him. I wanted to pull him close and kiss him right there. I felt myself leaning towards him, my mouth opening involuntarily as I came closer. Blink shifted, his hand moving upwards as he moved closer to me. My heart was racing as he drew closer; and suddenly I realized I was standing there with a chocolate pastry hanging out of my mouth and a dumbfounded look on my face.
He laughed and told me to finish it. I forced myself to swallow what I had bitten off while waiting for him to buy his papes. I felt my stomach rising as I quickly bought a stack of 100 papers. As we stepped back out onto the streets I looked at him and felt weak. I handed him my papers and mumbled something about needing to relieve myself. I quickly downed another bite of the sweet, knowing that it would have the desired effect. It was almost an immediate reaction, and I leaned over a sewer grate in the alley. A moment later I felt my head clear as my body felt clean again. I straightened myself out and returned to where Blink was waiting.
I was excited when he told Mush he was going to sell with me today. We strolled down the block selling papers together, a large crowd forming around us as the morning went on. He sold most of his off in the first two hours and then took over selling some of mine. Every few minutes he'd glance over my way and smile.
As we wandered down a side street, I saw him heading for a group of ladies that I recognized. He seemed oblivious to their status. He tipped his hat and began talking to them. They smiled at him and passed glances at each other. A bolder gal began flirting with him, placing her hand on his arm in an attempt to win his attention back from one of her friends. Blink just flashed a grin at her, and went on conversing with them all. I sat back across the street watching them. I could feel heat rising in my cheeks, I was jealous beyond reason and fought the sudden urge to haul him away, or just leave. But just as I was about to lose my control a cop approached them.
"Is this hoodlum giving you ladies any trouble?"
They quickly shook their heads and handed Blink money for the papers he held. He sold five papers to them and made 37 cents. I kept my mouth shut as we darted back into the crowd, away from the watching eyes of the cop.