-By Zonin' Chapter One Her deceiving boyish look didn't attract nearly as much attention as she'd expected. Under her knitted cap her hair was tucked, one or two ringlets peeked out. Nothing obvious was revealed though. Except no matter how well her disguise looked, it wouldnt throw the bulls off her trail. Shed ducked behind a corner and hid herself as the whistles droned. They werent close yet she needed to catch her breath. She couldnt even describe how scared she was. She hadnt meant to get herself into any trouble; but like her brother, she had a natural knack for it. Yet again it didn't matter. She was running now and all she had to do was get through Manhattan and she knew she'd be safe on Brooklyn grounds. However that was just as difficult as it sounded. She wasnt used to the towering buildings or crowds of people jammed so closely together. However, being pulled from her thoughts the viscous whistles rang in her ears. She heard the bulls growing close. She hadn't actually realized how close the bulls were until she forced herself on. They were hot on her trail and closing in very quickly. She tried to run faster, she was quite relived shed decided to where the knee high pants with dark tall socks rather the thick denim ones she remembered her brother always wore. But it was her old faithful shoes that caused her to slip on the old cobblestone ground. She felt her head hit the pavement, but ignored completely the pain and thick gooey liquid that seeped down her cheek. As quickly as she could. She pulled herself up and kept running. She was more than half way across the Brooklyn Bridge when her dizziness grew almost unbearable. She hadn't realized that a little more than half way across the bridge; the bulls had given up on her. Not being able to focus on the sites just in front of her she ran right into a tall figure. "Timid?!" she heard, looking up into a beautiful pair of green beige eyes. "Heya Spot" she smiled. Suddenly she coughed harder than she ever had and collapsed into his arms. -- Opening her eyes slowly, she sat up as the blood rushed from her waist to her head. Standing up and feeling the cold under her feet, pain shot up through her legs. She remembered how cold the bunkrooms grew at night during the winters. But she knew right away it was Spots room she was in. He always preferred his privacy. Walking toward the door she removed the note that was sticking to it: "Don't leave da room!" It read. Rolling her eyes and pushing the door open she realized why Spot had told her to stay in. It was time for the boys to be getting themselves ready for the day. However how they all stood before her gawking is something she realized even faster. "Damn Spot!" she heard from somewhere in the room. "Was he keepin her in der foreeva?" came from another direction. Suddenly they were all hovering down from every angle of the room. Sick humor and comments shed rather not think of. But she knew when Spot had entered. He demanded why everyone was still standing around and realized where all their attention had been pulled to. "I told ya not ta leave da room!" "I wuden't gonna stay in der foreva, Spot!" she hollered back. "You was gonna stay for as long as Ise say you was gonna stay!" Laughter abrupted from behind him and he turned shooting them all warning glances. "I don't find nuttin funny fellas!" he spat, everyone shut up. "Spot, whos dis goil?" "Yeah Spot," circled around the room. "You neva let one o ya goils talk to ya like dat. Eva." "Yeah, well whateva toughts you may be thinkin', you betta get outta ya head!" Turnig back to Timid, Spot gave her a scowling glance. He watched her as she snapped up her suspenders and pulled on her hat, leaving her hair flowing. "Where ya think ya goin'?" Spot hissed. "I tought ya was gonna help me Spot! But I ain't gonna waist my time!" rolling his eyes he plopped down on his bed as she scurried to find her shoes. "So where's ya gonna go?" Spot smiled as Timid looked ridiculous in her boy get up. He didnt see the tears in her eyes though. He didnt know the trouble she was in. "Why should I tell ya?!" "Cuz I asked!" "Yeah well too bad." Spot quickly stood in front of the open threshold and stopped her from leaving. Once again the other Newsies stopped and listened. "You ain't leavin!" He demanded. "I ain't one o yer boys Spot!" A tear trickled down her cheek. "That's right! You me sista! Now you ain't leavin!" "Lemme go Spot." She said coldly. "I can't do dat Timid." Chapter Two Timid wasn't usually so hateful she didn't even want to think about the past few days. So how was she going to tell people the truth? She most definitely didn't want to tell Spot. He would go ballistic and take things into his own hands. They may show a passionate hate for one another on the outside, however when it really came to it, Spot was the big brother she had always dreamed of. If only he was that dream more often. "Yer waistin yer time Spotty!" she barked. "Why you so eager to leave Timid? Whadya get ya self into?" "Nothin of yer concoin! You gonna lemme go owhat?" Spot didnt move. She didn't want to inflict force; she knew he'd win anyways. Closing her eyes she could feel his burning into her. "Timid if you just-" she cut him off. "No Spotty. It ain't what you think. I can't stay here. And I ain't gonna let you keep me here. Im leavin." Attempting to push past him he caught her gently by the arm. Looking at him she actually regretted parting with him this time. "If you leave now I can't promise I'll be der for you if you come back." She understood what he meant. Not that he wouldn't help her but that he may be helping himself. He was getting to old to stay a kid. He was growing up and he couldn't be a newsie forever. "Take care oyer self Spot." -- Timid was exhausted. Still emotionally drained from her encounter with Spot earlier that day, she couldn't help think how far her and her brother had grown. They used to be happy. One big family. That was until her mother died and their father left for bread one night and never came back. Timid remembered that night too clearly. She had been six and Spot was eight. They'd been sent to their grandmothers after that and stayed there for about three years. But when she too died, leaving them alone too, Spot took her to their aunts and he left a short time after. He once in a while came home for dinner and then left again that night. She'd never seen him more than three hours when he'd come. That was when she was twelve, she finally figured out what he was doing. He had become one of Brooklyns newsies. But what happened next was what really coursed their lives to how they were now. Their aunt died when Timid was nearly fourteen. Spot refused to let her patrol the street corners with other Newsies. He wouldn't even let her sell with him. But then of course from there Timid mostly jumped from orphanage to orphanage. When she knew she wasn't under her brothers watchful eyewhich was hardly ever, she joined in on selling the papes. However that wasnt enough she got a job that turned into a total down hill drop. She didn't even want to think about what had happened. Taking a deep breath she realized how much she really missed Spot. But she couldn't let this distract her now the bulls had to be off her scent now. Taking a step off the bridge she made her way through the thick city. She recognized the streets. Did that mean people recognized her? She walked faster down the street, beginning to feel quite paranoid; she quickly tied her ringlets up and covered her head with her cap. Sure enough her bad luck hadn't ran out. As she began to run down the street the memories of the night before flocked into her head. Tears streaked her face as she yelped in pain and hit the ground. Looking up from her back she stared into the solemn face of one the bulls that looked down on her. Looking at the clipboard in his hand he looked her over twice. Her heart almost stopped her mouth gaped he recognized her. She watched him raise the whistle to his lips and began to blow as his face turned red. The sound she always seemed to fear was once again howling for her. Turning and jumping up she sped as fast as she could around the corner as the bull chased her. His whistles call, called others and more than two could be heard from different parts of the streets. She had to run faster. Shed make herself. She ran around yet another corner. Stopping when she saw a small group of three boys, she new right away were newsies, she looked behind her and new the bulls would be there any second. Turning back she ran full throttle and attempted to turn down one of the broken streets that could possibly hide her. That was at least until one of the boys got in her way. "Move ya dumby!" she hollered and lost her balance as she slid around the corner, as if she were running to a plate on a baseball field. But before she realized it a bull was headed toward her. Her eyes widened and she reversed her steps. However just as she had done in the first place, she skid back around the corner and fell to the ground in a puddle of dirty water. She couldnt get up; she was too tired, she'd run too much. Pulling herself to a dry spot she lye there in a fetal position waiting for them to find her. She could hear the pounding footsteps of the bulls running. They were getting closer and closer when they passed her. Had they not seen her lying there next to a puddle?? Uncurling herself and looking up she saw three faces looking down on her. "Heya", she winced her eyes as the sun shown brightly. "Heya your self", the one with the cigar in his mouth mumbled. "Well what'd you do that for?" she asked referring to their kindness in hiding her. "Well we wasnt sure if you had the bulls chasin ya intintianlly, so we figured wed help youse out." Said the one with curly hair. "We can call dem back if ya want?" the last one with the patch over his left eye looked down the alley way and opeded his mouth. "NO!" Timid jumped up and knocked the boy over. She began to wrestle with him as he pushed her off and she jumped back on. She may be a girl, but she wasn't stupid. She knew how to fight, and fight dirty if need be. "Ok Ok come on. We aint gonna callem back" cigar boy called pulling Timid off of Patch. "Fiesty fella arent ye?" Curly laughed. 'Fella? Fella', they thought she was he. "You dont understand!" Timid yelled. "Well till we do, Im Racetrack, dis be here Mush, and youre already new best friend, Kid Blink." "Now, who are you?" Asked Blink. "Dey call me Timid." She said softly. Mush laughed. "Dont see why!" Chapter Three "Ye, well thanks for da help. But I'se need to be gett'in off." Tipping her hat she turned to leave when she felt a hand on her wrist. Turning quickly she saw Mush back away a bit. "Ye can't just leave like dat," he said. "Whatchya talk'in about?" "Well wese helped you out." "And?" "And, well, nows ye need to help up us out," Mush looked a little nervous. He saw something in her the other two didn't. But he couldn't place it, she could see it in his look. "I ain't da ginv'in type," she smiled and fixed her hat without taking it off. "Well you gotta be some type, cuz you can't just waltz in from wherever and think youse gonna pass through Manhattan grounds fo free," Racetrack looked at her as if she were stupid. "So what are ye sayin?? I gotta sell papes?" The three nodded. "No way. Not wit a bunch like you. You can barely handle yo' selfs." Kid Blink laughed. So did the other two. "Ok, so we don't carry ourselves well, but ya really might wanna re'think dat since, you was da one wit da bulls chasin ya!" Kid nudged Mush. Timid walked closer to him and right away he stopped laughing and closed his mouth. "Laugh all ya wants. But wedder yer balls'll end up where der supposed ta be when I'm drough wit ya, is up ta da way you decide youse gonna play da game!" Kid gulped. Racetrack however did not seem threatened. He lit another cigar and looked at Mush with a genuine smile. "Dis is'uh fighter. Potato sack'em." Mush's mouth gapped. "You do it Race!" Race looked at Blink and Mush as Blink nodded vigorously in agreement. The three began to argue uncontrollably when Timid decided that was when she needed to make her escape. Coyly, she turned around and began skipping away. But to her unfortunes, they weren't as stupid as she'd hoped. They watched her leave and began shouting after her. Timid rolled her eyes and began running as she felt Mush catch up to her. He was right on her and she could feel the stomping of his boots less than a few feet away. When she came into a clearing with a huge statue in the middle, she glanced back to see how far shed gotten from the three. When she saw Mush stop and stare with a sort of smirk she knew she had out run him. She knew she was faster than she was... Yet when she turned around she saw a group of boys gather around in a group in front of her. She turned to the right and then the left, but another group assembled on both sides. "Good job ye doofus!" she yelled at herself. Turning in a full circle she ended in the same spot as she had began. Only this time she felt her gut tighten and her knees grow weak. It was only just now she realized the chill in the autumn air. Walking toward her was a boy that looked like he was in charge. Timid felt her cheeks flush but quickly fixed that. "I hear ders trouble in da city." He smiled down at her. "I ain't trouble, unless dat is you started it," she snapped. "Fast mouth 'ya got der. Whatchya colled?" "Timid!" Racetrack shouted running up to the boy. "Heya Track," the boy said spitting in his hand as Racetrack did the same and smacked them together. Timid grijmaced at the thoguth of having to do it. "Picked em up pn 4th. Da bulls was afta em." "Whatchya do?" Timid shrugged. "Be careful Cowboy. Dis one bites." "Bites? Really?" "Dats right Cowboy, now is der a reason yer draggin dis meetin on? I gots places ta be!" Timid looked at both Race and Cowboy as they began laughing. "Ye whats so funny?" "Well, its Manhattan," Cowboy said as if that were supposed to mean something. "And?" "Well, dis be our city. Da News Boys of Manhattan. Jus like der's da Newsies of Brooklyn. Im Cowboy, da leada. Yer on our terf, so youse gotta help if ya want ya way drew!" "You haffta be kiddin me!" Timid glanced them both over. "No kiddin. You wanna a place to stay for da winta, yer welcome heah, but you need to pay yer way drew!" "I never says I was stayin for da winta!" "Ye well trust me, if you'se don't, don't think yer gonna be seein Manhattan eva again!" Chapter Four Timid hated the fact that Cowboy was right. She couldn't leave New York while the winters were on their way and expect to still have a place to call home for a while. Her best bet was to stay as best she could in Manhattan until at least springtime was near. Rudely agreeing to the deal, Timid tried to continue to pull off her boy disguise when Cowboy held out his hand, full of spit. "I don't do dat," she pushed his hand away. "Well ya gonna start, take my hand." "No!" "Take me hand!" Timid was going to refuse again, but she didn't want to draw attention to herself. Spitting in her own hand she went grabb his and clammed her eyes shut as hers grew nearer to his. However when they touched she attempted to ignore the warm rush that went up her arm. "Grosse!" She shouted and wiped her hand off on her pants. The boys' around her laughed and she gave them dirty looks. "Dis is da routine:" Jack began as she followed him to the Lodging House. "Every morn'in we wake up at 6 and get dressed. Afta dat we go to da coiculation desk where we pick up our papes and sell dem to people... You got dat?" Timid nodded looking around. "At lunch time we all meet at Tibby's for a drink, den we sell da rest of our papes. Sometimes we go to Medda's at Oiving Hall, but mostly we go to Tibby's for a poka game or back to da Lodging house to get more sleep." Timid looked around the grungy little room with all the bunks. Her and Cowboy were alone now. The other boys had to go finish selling their papes. However Timid couldn't hold back her frustrations. She kept seeing the faces of her past everywhere. She missed Spot, she missed her family, and she wished the past few days had never happened! She hadnt even realized she'd started to cry. There was no way she could stay in this room. Not with a bunch of boys'. They'd remind her too much of Spot, too much of her brother... too much of the nights she'd already feared. "Why are ya cryin?" Cowboy asked now concerned. "Nothin!" wiping her tears quickly she looked at him red eyed. "I can't stay heah." "What are ya talk'in about?? We already had dis discussion." "I know dat. But Cowboy I can't!" "Call me Jack, and why can't you!" She had to let the cat outta the bag. She had to make things go the way she wanted them to. "I ain't who you think I am!" "What do you mean? Yo name ain't Timid?" "No it is, but I ain't all dat I appeah to be." Jack laughed. "What like you'se a goil o'somethin. Won't dat be a " But he quickly silenced himself as she looked down and slowly removed her cap. Her long ringlets and shoulder blade length hair fell from underneath it. It beamed a red so bright it hurt his eyes as her hair stuck out like a soar thumb. "Welldat makes all da difference!" Jack shot. "What are ya talking about?" "I can't keep you heah. No goils! NO! Too many worries, you cant do so much..." "You prick!" She screamed. "What did you call me?!" "What!? Jus' cuz I can't carry as many papes, or jus' cuz I can't run as fast or jump as high or sing as loud or get away as good as you'se and da uder boys yer gonna kick me out?!" "No! I'm kickin ya out cuz yer a goil! And Newsies can't have goils stayin in der lodgin' house!!!" Timid mockingly laughed at him. "I don't think that's da case Jack I'se think you scared cuz you know da boys' may like me!" Jack turned quickly and grabbed her shoulder. "I don't think you have any idea what you're talkin' about!" "Well, I think I do." "The reason I ain't gonna let you stay is cuz a goil will ruin everythin'! A goil-- you, will be too distracting! Now take whatever you brought with you and leave!" Timid stood there and stared at Jack. His finger still pointing to the door as his breathing calmed and his dark brown eyes cooled. "Did you hear me Timid?" "I don't have nothin' Jack. I don't have a job, I don't have no money, I don't even have a place I can call home. What I may be runnin from is what's savin me. That's whats keepin' me movin Jack. Keepin my hopes up of finding somewhere safe. If you jus lemme stay, I'll do da most I can! I'll give you whateva money I make, I jus need somewhere someone'll lemme sleep at and somewhere someone'll keep me safe!" Jack couldn't stay angry. His eyes softened as she said all this. His heart opened too easily to her. Dis ain't good, he thought to himself. He knew she could be nothing but trouble. But she was just like the rest of the boys. All she wanted was a family and a bed to sleep in. Someone to act like she belongs. "What are ya runnin from Timid?" Jack asked and he knew it had to be just as bad as he thought. Her head went down right away and she couldn't even bare to look at him. "Just ya know..." she mumbled. "Somethin' worth runnin' from." "Somethin' like..." "I stole some stuff. Some stuff from da factory I used ta woik at... I obviously don't woik der no more... but instead of firein' me, dey tried to arrest me... and well, if dey did dat dey'd send me back to da orphanage I came from... I don't wanna go back der jack... you don't understand how bad it is der!" Timid began getting worked up... that was only partially the truth, she didn't lie, she just didnt tell him everything. She didn't even go into what really mattered... the life and death part of her story... she wouldn't be around long enough for anyone to find out...she was going to make sure of it. Chapter Five "If you'se stay ye don't stay out afta dawk!" Timid rolled her eyes. "Listen ta me! Don't stay out afta dawk unless you'se wit me o'wanna da uder newsie boys. I don't want ya on da North side o'da city and don't go in'ta Brooklyn! Not wid out me, period!" "Trust me, no problem der!" Timid said under her breath. "I don't hav a bunk fo' you'se ta sleep in, I'm shoy one oh'da boys'll give up ders. O'you can sleep in mine till we can get Kloppman to get ya one." Jack promised patting his bunk. "Jack, trust me, I've slept on woise den da floor! Jus' gimme a pillow and blanket--" A bell rang in the distance and Jack started walking toward the door with Timid following. "Dats da coiculation bell... Ya know what dat is right?" Timid nodded, he didn't nneed to explan more. Glancing at her as the sun shoce on the front of the building, he grew a little disappointed when he realized she'd pulled her long hair back into her cap. In silence they walked toward the desk. "You don't tawk much for such'a quick mowt," Jack smiled to her. "Ye well I don't usually gots much to say." Timid shrugged and played with her finger. "Well expect a bunch o'questions at lunch time. Da boys' always love it when ders a new news bouh...yeah..." Jack scratched his head and wiped the sweat that was forming around his neck. "Jack, don't worry aboud it. I'll tell' em." -- Even though Jack liked the upper hand and enjoyed the roll of leader, he was going to be in for a good time. Timid wasn't going to let anyone push her around. Jack bought her, her first set of paper and she slipped away to sell them before anyone could talk to her. By 1130 she had them all sold. Remembering Jack had told her about Tibby's at lunchtime, she didn't want to go. Instead she let her feet take her where they wanted. She found herself on the Manhattan side of the Brooklyn bridge. Tears streaked her face. "What are ye cryin' for ye sissy!" she heard. Looking on the side of the road she saw a little boy in trousers. A slingshot stuck out of his pants and his eyes were a familiar pair of green beige eyes. As he stood, he looked sown at a little girl with ringlets of golden red. She wiped her eyes and sucked in breath rapidly and in spurts. "I ain't uh sissy!" she beamed punching him in the arm as hard as she coiuld. The boy reached out and grabbed some of her skin, twisting it between his fingers. "Ow!" She screeched in a high-pitched voice, before crying another stream of tears. Timid lightly touched her right forearm and smiled tearfully as she remembered Spot pinching her. "Stop cryin'! You'll neva make it drew life actin' like a little goil!" the boy shouted. "Ye hoit me!" she cried. "Stop cryin'!" he shouted at her again as his eyes squeezed shut and his fists wound into balls. "I-I-I ca-an't." she stuttered, you could tell she was trying to control her words. Timid had remembered this. Something she'd forgotten long ago from her childhood she now remembered. She watched two tears escape the little boy's eyes as his features relaxed. "I'm scared Spotty!" She whispered. What she remembered Spot do next, she remembered it begin the first and last time he'd ever done it. Throwing his arms out and engulfing her in the hugest hug he let it all out himself. "Don't eva say dat again, Timid! You'se da bravest poi'son I know!" Slowly the two figures began to fade away. "No!" Timid cried reaching out for them. But they vanished, only leaving tears of despair on her cheeks. "Spotty... she whispered hugging herself as the cool afternoon air started grow chillier. "I'm so alone." Chapter 6 Timid walked back to the Lodging hose. The outside was dark but she could still see the bunkroom alit. She knew she was in for it. Walking up the steps, she didn't make herself unnoticeable. Clopping him feet and running her hands along the wall and humming to herself. From outside the door she heard the quick footsteps that stopped in front of the door. Putting her hand on the knob she felt it turn, but not by her power. The door flung open and she quickly put a smile across her face as she saw Jack looking at her with anger. Pushing past him she snapped her suspenders and looked at the boys. "Heya Race! Mush, Kid," she nodded. "Heya Timid," They all said quietly. "Wheah were you?" she heard Jack snap. "Arownd...ya know." Timid yawned. She saw the boys eyes widen and look nervous. "What did I tell 'ya!?" "You should know...youse told me!" Light snickers traveled around the room. "Yeah an' I guess others should know'se what I said right, Timid?" "Sure Jacky boy, knock yo'self out!" "Well den' you see now dat's not fair. If I tell dem what I'se said, dey should knowse what you said!" Timids smile fell. The blood drained from her face and she turned to look at Jack, who now had his hands in his pockets and a smile on his own face. If it weren't so gorgeous and he wasn't so good looking, she would have slapped him silly. "What you wanna tell us, Timid?" she heard Racetrack ask curiously. "Yeah, Timid. Tell us." Timid sighed heavily and truned yet again back to her fellow newsies. Slowly, she reached for her hat and ripped it from her head. She felt her hair hit her back and closed her eyes hiding the green brown sparks that were buried within her eyeslids. Gasps and whispers quickly spread around the room. "Yes boys, take a good gandah!" Jack threw his arms down. "Cuz she's leavin." He said loud enough to be heard over the commotion, but remained serious. The boys stopped talking to one another and looked at Jack like he was crazy. Timid was having a hard enough time trying to hide her tears. She wouldn't let herself cry. That's all she'd done all day. She stood there with eher head down and her eyes closed, waiting for her accusation. "But Jack..." he recognized Race's tone. "She's just uh goil!" "Yeah and? She knew what she was 'posed to do. I told 'er everythin, all o' da rules." "Yeah but Jack-" Mush was cut off. "What Mush? You dink she should get ta stay?" "Yeah I do!" Mush snapped. But he'd realized his faulty and backed away a little. Jack wasnt in the mood tonight. "I do too Jack." Race spoke up. "Yeah I mean, even dough she got a gruesome way o' teachin a lesson, she's pretty ok." Kid nudged her. Her eyes opened and she glanced up to him. There was a twinkly in his eye and smile across his face. She knew right away he was a friend for life. It began slowly, but a few minutes later, all the newsies had agreed upon her stay. "Quiet! All of ya's!" They were all quiet. "I gotta think about dis. If she ain't gonna listen, why we gonna keep 'er?" "I'm sure she'll stawt listenin' now Jacky!" Mush laughed. "Besides Jack, you wouldn' put 'er on da streets when wintah's on its way...and no money? O' place ta stay, would ya?" Kid Blink asked. "Ya Jacky Boy!" circled the room. "Fine! She can stay! But if she breaks one mo' rule, she's out!" "Gawd, dat took ya long enough ya retard!" Timid yelled. "Whadya call me?" Jack snapped. Quickly correcting herself Timid tried not to laugh. "I'se said ya knee is hawd!" Chapter 7 After a round of introductions and a few laughs came and went, everyone finally settled down for bed. Timid felt so uncomfortable...her feet were cold, she couldnt feel her fingers, and the floor was hard. She tried to keep her teeth from clattering but was failing miserably. With her back toward Jack she felt something soft hit her. He'd thrown another pillow to her as she clutched it to her body. "Thank you," she whispered kindly to him. "Whateva'," was all he said. He was NOT in the mood for her right now. Timid didn't know how long she'd been lying there. She couldn't sleep, that's all she knew. But the harder she tried the more she caught herself dreaming. She thought she'd dreamt seeing Jack get up fully dressed and leave the bunk room...but when she opened her eyes wider she realized she hadnt been dreaming, she really had seen Jack leave. "Where da hell is he goin?" she asked herself. Sitting up and pulling on her shoes and socks and grabbing her cap she tip toed to the door to follow him. "Timid?" she heard come from behind her. Turning quickly she saw Kid rubbing his eyes and watching her. "Heya, Kid," she tried to play off. "Where d'ya think you'goin?" "Oh, you know'se just goin fo'uh walk." "You ain't posed to leave wid'out no one," he scorned in a soft whisper. "Well den maybe you'se should come wid me." Smiling and nudging Kid's arm, she watched him get up and pull his pants over his knickers and his socks and shoes over his feet. Quietly walking outta the building they both began a shape contest as the air formed little smogs from their breath. Timid, giggling madly couldn't remember when she had done it last so freely. "Awe, Kid, now why don't you'se got a goil?" she asked looking at him. He, though, looked away and stuffed his hands in his pockets. "I dunno, I guess-... I guess I just ain't found da right one yet," he smiled sweetly and looked at the sky. "Enough about me, what about you?" "Me?? Ha, der ain't much to know." "Well, where are you from??" "Brooklyn," she answered hesitantly. "You got family der?" "Ye..." Timid thought for a second...how much should she tell him...that not only does she now know who her brother's best friend is, or maybe even who her brother is all together. "Me brother." "Is he a newsie?" "Yeah...one o'da best," she smiled at the thought of her Spotty. "Really!?" Kid sounded surprised. "Who?? Maybe if you tell Jack, he'll go easiah on you!" "NO!" stopping in the middle of the street she grabbed Kid's hand. She felt the emotions in her rise. "Kid, you have to promise me you won't say nothin' to Jack! If he found out da foist thing he'd do is kick me out but he won't ask for yo' boys' opinion or care to tink twice foist!" She knew she was right, and she knew Kid knew she was right. Lightly she moved her hand off of his and looked away. "Besides...I ain't nuttin but trouble... I gotta watch meself around Jack as it is." "Hey come on...you know dat aint true! All da boys love ya so far..." "Cept Jack." "Don't worry about Jack! You just worry about yo self! You got a friend heah... don't forget it neitha!" Kid took her hand again and smiled a big smile. It was driving her crazy...shed never been so nice or open to anyone. She couldn't stand how Kid made her feel...but she couldn't deny the liking of it either...there was no way she could act like this for anyone other than Kid...Kid opened something up inside her no one else could...and she couldn't explain it. |
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