My Ray of Sunshine

Chapter 6

"Raya," I smiled, doing the typical Newsie handshake.

"Great to meet ya," the ginger girl grinned, blue eyes sparking as Race hugged her tightly.

"Sooooo, who belongs ta who?" I grinned, folding my arms over my chest.

"Rose is my goilfriend," Race grinned.

"Stars is mine," Mush explained, face lit up like a Christmas tree.

"And I's Stars' brudda," Elmer chided, messing up the brunette's hair.

"Good ta know," I sighed, glancing at Jack.

"You got any siblings?" Rose asked, blue eyes wide.

"Yeah..."

"Who?"

"Jack."

"You don't act like it?"

"It's complicated."

"Oh?"

"Okay, well, who wants ya go to the beach?" Albert asked, clapping his hands together after a a few moments of an awkward pause.

"Eh, why not?" I shrugged, following the others out and down to the beach. Jack came up next to me, ruffling my hair.

"What's up, Tiny?" He laughed, draping an arm over my shoulders.

"Don't call me that," I grumbled, pushing his arm away.

Albert turned around, giving me a thumbs-up before continuing on his merry way to the beach. "C'mon, I's just having some fun," he chuckled lightly.

"I'm not," I growled, folding my arms over my chest.

"Look, I's getting the feeling that you's thinking I left ya for myself. I did do that, twice, but don't you dare think I wasn't trying my hardest to get ya out of that crap pit. I'm not expecting you to jump back into being the little sister you were-"

"You're only two minutes older than me!"

"Still little sister. Anyway, I am asking you to try and forgive me, to allow me to try to fix the damage I've caused and help you when you need it. You know, like a brother would do?"

I sighed, "okay."

"Yes!"

Jack spotted the water, running ahead with everyone else. I trailed behind, watching the ground instead of the person I just ran into, just now. "Jeez, Sunshine, you seem on edge. What's on yer mind?" Albert grinned, pulling me into a small hug. I didn't return it; I didn't know how. "You just gotta put your arms around me like...so."

He slowly moved my arms to embrace him before placing his hold around me again. "This is....nice."

"Told ya," he laughed, placing his chin on my head.

"Albert! Raya! C'mon, you're missing the fun!" Mush yelled, eyes glittering with mischief.

"C'mon!" Albert grinned, grabbing my hand and pulling me along. We were at the water in no time; Albert picked me up, draping me over his shoulder.

"Albert, put me down!" I demanded, pounding on his back (not super hard, I didn't wanna hurt him).

"You sure?" He asked.

"Yes!" And he dropped me into the water where I couldn't touch the sand with my feet. I was now flailing around in a panic. I didn't know how to swim, and was inhaling sea water. "Al...Albert," I coughed, finding myself tired and unable to keep my head above water. The other Newsies were racing down the beach, all of them, even the girls.

At this point, I had given up on trying to stay up, I didn't think Albert was anywhere near me. And everything was black.

Albert's POV:

I had lost Sunshine. I noticed her hand disappear into the water and immediately went in after her. After what felt like hours of searching, my hand hit her. I quickly wrapped my arm around her, pulling us both up to the surface and to the shore. We were still where the water washed over our legs and I couldn't see any of the other Newsies.

"Sunshine?" I asked, shaking her.

No response.

"Sunshine, wake up, please," I sighed, moving her wet hair from her face. I then initiated CPR, breathing a sigh of relief when she rolled over, coughing and spitting out water.

"I can't swim, you idiot!" She hissed, pulling her knees to her chest and rocking a bit.

'I's sorry, I didn't know," I sighed, pulling her into me and playing with a piece of her hair.

She sighed, shoulders slumping, "thanks."

"For?"

"Pulling me out," she smiled up at me. That perfect smile that she only showed occasionally.

"Anytime, Sunshine," I grinned.

Raya's POV:

"Anytime, Sunshine," he smiled. I loved that smile, as much as I hated loving it, I loved it.

"Jack asked for my forgiveness..."I sighed, resting my head on his shoulder.

"And?"

I took a breath, "I'm going to try."

"That's great!" Albert grinned, squeezing my shoulders.

"I guess."

"You don't seem thrilled about it."

"I's not."

"Why?"

"It feels forced. I don't wanna disappoint him, but I'm not ready to jump right in. He left me twice," a choked sob escaped my mouth.

"Thanks for at least giving me a chance," he breathed. The ginger boy stood up, holding his hand out to me. I reluctantly took it, ignoring the unwanted feelings shooting through my body as his fingers laced through mine.

"I need a nickname for ya," I laughed.

"So ya like the one I gave ya?"

"Course." He shot me his signature smile; I couldn't help but smile back. 

"Sooo...." He started, rubbing his thumb across the back of my hand. I figured he was nervous.

"What?"

We stopped and Albert turned to me; he took in a sharp breath, "would you maybe...wanna go to Jacobi's with me?"

"Hmm...let me think." I paused, acting like I was thinking. Truth is, I really really want to go with him. What if he's just pitying you? What if he's only trying to make a fool of you?....If he was, why is he so nervous then? Just go with him. He seems genuine though, I don't think he wants to hurt you. My internal sighed, "yes."

"Really?" His whole face lit up like a Christmas tree as I nodded. He then pumped his fist into the air, when he landed, he pulled me closer to him and pressed his lips to mine.