Attention ~A Newsies Story~

Coffee // Unknown

Jojo disappeared into darkness. Albert shut the door and went to move his phone and he had a text from an unknown messenger.

Unknown: hi. this is not a scam or anything by the way.

Albert was unsure so he just plugged in his phone and went to bed.

His alarm blared early in the morning. Albert groaned, he had forgotten to turn it off. He noticed the notifications on his phone.

*new messages*

*instagram DM from Spot Conlon*

He opened the messages first.

Crutchie: wh yoiss got gooogle eyes 4 (sent at 3:23am)

Unknown: is this Albert? form the ball game?

*from

Albert was puzzled how had this person got his phone number. Was it Race?

Albert: yes this is. Why? Who is this?

Albert got up and threw on clean clothes while he was waiting. A shirt with pride flag colored letters spelling out human, some black jeans and a leather jacket.

Tucking his phone in his pocket he started to walk to the nearby coffee shop.

He noticed his reflection in the windows and he had forgotten to fix his hair. He did his best running his fingers through it. He gave up and went into the coffee shop.

He went inside and noticed it was mostly kids from the college. The barista took Alberts usual order, iced coffee with white chocolate. He tossed a dollar in the tip jar and went to sit down.

Unknown: Race. a old friend of mine gave me your number

Albert was puzzled. What did Race want? Albert didn't even know him that well and vice versa.

His name was called and he grabbed his drink. Just then two people walked in.

"Albert!" One dragged the other over. "Look alive Crutch." Jack pushed Crutchie's head up by the forehead.

"Hey Jack. Hey Crutchie."

Crutchie glanced up at Albert and sat down. He mumbled something like a greeting before not so gently laying face down on the table.

"I warned you before we went to the party last night, kiddo." Jack grinned and ruffled Crutchies hair.

"So, how was Race-watching?" Jack looked towards Albert.

"Unsuccessful. You?" Albert looked at Crutchie to see if he was picking up on the conversation. He couldn't tell.

"He was just waiting on Conlon with hand and foot, he looked under the influence of something. He does good makeup though, couldn't even tell he was beat up."

"Interesting."

Crutchie picked his head up and stared at Albert intensely. Albert was confused for a moment then realized Crutchie didn't have his glasses so probably couldn't see very well.

"You were making googly eyes at Racetrack Higgins!" Crutchie would have been more visibly excited if not for his head pounding with hangover.

"Crutch you should really try a hangover cure."

Crutchie shot a death glare at Jack.

"Ise not gonna drink drain cleaner." Jack laughed and grabbed some ibuprofen from his pocket. Crutchie took them and stole Alberts drink to do so.

"Jack. Ise want to go home." Crutchie said. Albert noticed how tired he looked and miserable. Though his moodiness was quite funny in its unusualness Albert couldn't help but feel bad. It wasn't like the coffee shop was loud nor bright.

Jack must have picked up on this and sighed, "I'll take you home and have Davey watch over you." He glanced towards Albert, "We'll see ya later."

Albert nodded and pushed the coffee towards Crutchie,

"Here."

Crutchie gave a thumbs up and fixed his hoodie strings before leaving with the drink and Jack.

Albert decided to reply to his messages before getting on with his days.

Albert: oh. Do you need something?

He checked the DM for Spot.

Spot Conlon: You talked to my boyfriend? you see who beat him?

what'd he say to you and why were you watching us at the party? Don't think i dont notice

Albert was puzzled, the messages were pretty defensive and nosy.

Albert DaSilva: why is it your business what we talked about? he apologized for bugging me about my hair. I don't even know you two very well i saw nothing of the beating

The reply was almost immediate.

Spot Conlon: Huh. Not the friendly type I see. He never told me about you. Stay away from him.

Albert DaSilva: Why should I stay away? He came up to me and it not like your Mr friendly boss

Albert knew he wasn't the nicest person, but it's not like Spot was some saint of kindness.