| "Jo" Gwen tapped her on the shoulder. "But Gwen!" Magic whined, tugging on her dress. "Jo said she wanted ME to make her food now!" Gwen pushed her away and continued with her mission, setting a tray down on Jo's trunk. "Here Jo, Magic and I made you breakfast!" Jo didn't know wha tto do. She obviously wasn't going to let Gwen get away with what she was planning but she had had little time to produce a plan of her own. One thing she knew however was that when it came to survival Jo was still #1. So, needing to stall for time (to come up with a plan) she had to think fast. "Thanks." She said, mind going a mile a minute, she didn't want to confront her yet, she had to wait till the opportune moment-and she need to keep her in check till then. She could only think of one thing-as she reached over to her trunk she "clumsily" knocked over the entire tray. "Shit" Cursed Catch. "Uh...I mean...oops...that's ok Jo I'll just go get you a fresh bowl and glass." Just as she finished cleaning up the mess however Spt's head appeared through Jo's window, he didn't look happy. "You ready yet goil?" he spat, not yet even looking in Jo's direction, though his face looked a bit contoted as though he could feel the dagger like eyes Jo was currently stabbing him with. "Git down stairs, I'll be dere in a minute." Catch shoved the mess of a tray into Magic's hands and marched down the stairs. Spot knew he was in a bind, he not only broke his word to Jo but also was afraid he was developing feelings for Catch. He climbed over Jo and sat on her bad facing her but looking at the floor. Jo wanted to tell him about Gwen but she was also furious with Spot for letting that minx get to him, she felt bad for what she was about to do but went ahead with it anyway, she wanted to catch him and her in their lies. "You didn't come back heah last night." Spot sort of sheepishly looked at her for a moment then looked back away as he spoke. |
 |
"I...I guess I jist taught it'd be bettah for ya if I let youse sleep. Ya need yer rest if yas gunna git bettah." Jo was infuriated, he was just spitting back what Gwen had said, but she managed to outwardly keep her cool and continue to squeeze out any info. "Ah, and youse didn't care dat you was breakin a promise?" Spot rubbed his face with both hands looking exasperated-Jo was beginning to wish she had just started out with the trust, this was Spot after all, they had been through so much, she should know she could trust him. All the same it was too late to turn back. "Look Jo, Ise sorry." He paused again exasperated. "Look I'se promise dat tonight I'll be a joik and wake youse up when I drop Ca-" he caught himself, as far as he knew Jo knew nothing about Gwen's new Newsie nickname "Gwen off." Jo couldn't take it much longer, tears began to form. "It ain't about youse bein' a joik Spot!" she ylled, her voice feeling stronger as her strenght was slowly returning. This caught Spot bu surprise, but Jo didn't notice she had burst into tears. "Its about youse breaking yer promise!" She managed to say between sobs. Then she did somthing totally uncharacteristic of herself (other then the crying) she spoke aloud her feelings and to Spot. "Yer visits are da only tings getting me tru the day." She pulled her knees up and buried her face in them using her arms as side shields around her face. Spot sat there stunned, not knowing what to do first; be thankful he meant so much to her or be horrified at Jo's obvious breakdown. Instinct took over however and he wrapped his arms around her resting his head gently on top of her so shaken head. "Jesus Jo, don't cry." he whispered. "You don't know how bad it hoits ta see youse like dis." Then Spot did something considered uncharacteristic of himself. "I'll stay wid youse toaday if youse want me to." Jo's sobbing suddenly ceased as she processed what he said, her heart jumped into her throat, YES! She wanted him to stay with her, as much as she'd hate to admit it to anyone even herself she wanted nothing more then for him to stay with her there all day and hold her and talk with her and silentely watch her as she slept. "No" her answer was muffled and barely audible. "What?" it has startled him and he sat up again with his head and arms off hers she too sat back up looking at him with her tear stained and blanket dented face. "You can't affored ta not seel yer papes. I'se can't let youse do dat." She now looked sheepishly down, she couldn't see it but knew inherently that it was there, the look of hurt mixed with confusion and frustration on Spots face. "Fine." He said coldly. "Catch is waitin." he stumbed over to the window, this time Jo moved to avoid his touch, "I'll sees ya." he stated plainly as he stepped out onto the landing, he continued down the steps without looking back once. She didnt watch him leave, she just layed back and covered her face with the blanket. Now in a sorse mood then he had been he stalked off toward Manhattan with Catch hot on his heels. They did not speak till they arrived at Medda's. "You tink youse can remembah da way heah?" Spat Spot as he wrenched the door open and let Catch walk in. "I...uh...I think so..." He had caught her a bit off gaurd. "Good. Den from now on you cen walk heah yerself sos I can git back ta sellin in me own territory." He let go of the door and it closed on Gwen's face. She didn't know what to do...Spot was her way into the Newsies circle and she needed to stay close to him. So she opened the door and ran after him. She saw him not even half a block away. "Spot! Wait!" she yelled after him. He heard her and stopped but without turning around. "Are you going to be back today to walk me home?" He rolled his eyes a bit. "Ya fine, whatevah." He said reluctantly, and then stalked off again. Gwen was a little hurt and walked slowly back to the backstage door. As he heard the creak of the door opening however Spot slowed up and glanced back. Gwen too looked up to watch him walk away, he quickly brought his head back about when she turned hers toward him but it was too late she had seen him looking. Catch smirked and walked inside triumphantly. Jo continued to lay in bed with her face covered with her blanket covering her face when she heard the tip-toe of little boots enter the room and stand beside her bed. "Jo?" whispered Magic. "I got you some more food...should I just leave it here for you?" Jo uncovered her face and looked up at Magic. Magic looked down at here smiling faintly, not knowing what else to do. "Thanks Magic." Jo sat up and took the tray from her. Magic's smile spread across her face and sat down next to Jo as Jo patted the mattress next to her. Magic was still uncharacteristically quiet, "What's the matter?" jo asked. "It's just...I'm afraid you and Spot won't be friends anymore...and...I...don't want to see you sad and sick anymore. I know he's your best friend Jo, you need him...and..." Magic trailed off. Jo looked at her and almost started to cry again. "Oh Magic, it's alright really. Spot and I fight all the time, it's nothing...really." However Jo said this more to try and reassure herself then Magic. It was true she and Spot had fought before but it was different this time, they were both genuinly hurt by each other. It was no use, Jo couldn't convince herself everything was alright...nor did she convince Magic. Not another word was spoken however, Jo simply looked back down at her slop and did her best to eat it. Magic stood up and left the room. Jo was feeling even better (physically) after breakfast then she had when she woke up. So she got up and got cleaned and dressed herself, surprised at how much easier it was to walk today. Walking back toward her bed Jo noticed an old newspaper on Sammy's bedside crate and picked it up as she walked by. She was feeling better but still didn't think it a good idea to venture out into Brooklyn, she was not yet in top form. Try as she might to keep her mind off Spot with the aid of the pape she couldn't help but think of him. Even though she had no luck with that the time still went by rather quickly and her stomach began to rumble...Magic should have been there with lunch by now. The door to the hallway opened with a bang, the girl had kicked it open with her foot because her hands were full with the tray for Jo. "Sorry I'm late Jo, I should have brought you this before I ate. Magic told me to...but I forgot." Little Mary looked embarassed as she held out the tray for Jo to take. Jo just looked at her, puzzled. "But...Mary? Where's Magic?" Jo took tray and sat it down on the trunk without taking her eyes off Mary, waiting anxiously for her answer. Mary didn't seem too thrilled about relaying the information. "She....ugh...well..." Mary played with her skirt and pushed some dust around the floor with her scrappy boots. But she finally quickly and suddently spat it out "She went to go find Spot!." Short pause. "She said that you needed Spot to feel better so she had to get him for you and make everything all better again." With this Mary fled the room and could be heard tramping down the stairs. Jo's stomach now churned even more, but this time not due to hunger. Magic was only a small girl, how could she survive out there in Brooklyn, or even Manhattan? How would she even know where to find Spot? Magic hadn't been outside a three block radius of the orphanage since she was brought here as an infant. Jo's mind raced, she didn't know what to do but she knew she couldn't do it sitting there. Quick as a rabbit Jo was out and downt he fire escape, so no one would know she had left. At the bottom she made a mad dash to the Brooklyn newsboy lodging house, thinking that might be the first place Magic might go. But no luck, the building was empty and Magic was no where to be found in or near it. Next she ran to the docks by the bridge, where Spot also liked to hang out and about which Jo had told many stories to the younger girls.When she reached the dock there were many Newsies about. "Hey Spark!" Jo called, seeing the Newsie sitting at the edge of the first dock. He looked up with an awfully surprised look on his face. "You seen Spot around heah taday? Or have a seen a little goil lookin fer 'im?" Spark looked at her dumbfounded seemingly unable to speak, but she had no time to wast. "WELL?!" he snapped out of it. "Jo? Uh...no sorry, no little goil, but Spot well he took Gwen over ta Medda's dis moinin' haven't seen 'im since. spect him back bahfor suppah doe." Jo however had taken off across the bridge after she heard him say Medda's keeping a constant lookout for Magic. Once on the other side she had a quick look at a clock and realized it was 2:15pm she had a few more hours before Spot picked up Gwen however Spot could be anywhere in Manhatten selling his papes...and Magic could be anywhere looking for him. First she headed off to Central Park. She wandered aimlessly for about ten minutes when she heard the faint noise of a little girl crying, it sounded like Magic. Tierd as she was Jo ran full speed toward the sound of the little girl and found Magic sitting at the base of a tree surrounded by a crowd of boys...newsboys. Jo's heart and mind both began to calm down as she slowed into a fast walk as she approached the group. Jack saw her first and his eyes lit up as a smile formed where a worried frown had been before. "Quiet kid, everyone'll think we'se killin' ya!" Race was trying to calm her down with his dry sarcasm and was of course failing miserably. "Heya Jo!" Said Jack rather cheerfully. "I believe she belongs to you..." He gestured toward Magic as the Newsies parted like the Red Sea for Jo, whom they were all very shocked to see there in Manhattan. Once she saw Jo Magic's tears stopped immediately, however she did not know whether or not she should be happy to see her, she assumed it was her own disappearance that prompted Jo to leave her bed thus Jo may be very upset with her. Seeing that Magic was okay however Jo realized what else she had to do while she was over there. Spot had finished selling his papers rather early so decided to stop by Medda's to watch a few shows before he took Catch back home. Unfortunately Catch spotted him in the wings and went to make her move. Spot was sitting on the steps leading up to the stage body turned toward Medda watching her every move. Quickly yet quietly Catch sat down across from him on the top step without looking at him and pretended to be completely captivated by the show. Spot immediately noticed when she sat down and nervously glanced over but his eyes were just as soon back on Medda. Jo had no idea where to find Spot but she figured he'd have to show up at Medda's eventually to take Gwen home. As she headed there it had just hit her...he had called her Catch right in front of her. He had caught himself the first time but said it with no qualms the second time like he didn't care if she found out about her new Newsie nickname. She also couldn't help but think he might like Gwen in some way, sure he would have walked her to Manhattan one time as a favor to her but a second time? Spot would have put his foot down even with herself if it came to walking some girl to Manhattan again...did he have feelings for her? Little did Jo know however that at that moment Catch was making her move. "You seemed upset this morning Spot...anything you want to talk about?" Catch looked over at him cautiously. Spot however did not brush her aside like she was afraid he'd do, he simply gave his little smirk and looked down at the stage flooring below him. "It's nothin' you cen fix. Don't worry about it." He looked back up at Medda but his attention was obviously not completely devoted to her. Then just as Jo reached the backstage door and began to open it Catch gently put her hand on Spot's knee and he looked over into her eyes. Jo looked on the scene and was horrified, the thoughts she considered to be crazy were now coming true in front of her eyes. Then Josephine did what made her infamous, what caused her to demand respect from Newsies all over NY even Brooklyn: she marched right over to them brought back her fist and made contact with that disgusting face now so full of betrayal. Then with no words she left the theater behind and marched off into crowded streets of the city, to where...she did not know. End Part VIII |
| "Catch THIS!" |
 |
 |
|
|
 |