brooklyn nights

chapter twelve

care;

3rd person POV

Joan and Spot went back to Brooklyn. Their hands separating as they got closer to the Brooklyn lodge. As the warm feeling around her hand left, a shiver went over the girls body. The walked across the footboard, hurt newsies sitting on the ground. Some of them only had light cuts, others were crying out in pain. Joan looked at Spot, who was walking towards Butterfinger. She on the other hand got on her knees next to the first boy who was seriously hurt. He had a piece of glass inside his leg. "How'd you manage that?" He laughed a little as the girl touched his skin around the wound. "We threw some glasses the the bulls, I got thrown into the bar and a bottle of whiskey shattered on me leg." She smiled and ripped some of her blouse to create a kind of bandage. "Tell me 'bout yourself." He looked at her confused but nodded. "Me name's Peter but everyone just calls me Beetle, don't ask." Both of them laughed as he continued. Joan slowly started pulling on the glass whilst putting pressure on the leg. "Ouch. Well, I've been with the newsies for some years. Me brother, Jake, he's here as well." And without warning, she pulled out the glass, pressing the piece of fabric over it. A quick glimpse at the boy showed her, he was biting his fist trying not to scream. "You's got this, Beetle." She wrapped the fabric around his leg, tying it with some pressure to stop the wound from bleeding. "Keep pressure on it. If it doesn't stop bleeding' in two hours, come find me." She send him a warm smile, softly patting his leg before getting up. On her way towards the lodge, Snappy stopped her from entering the hallway. The two of them stood next to each other, looking down the hallway. "Spot's talkin' to Butter right now. Wouldn't go in there if I were you's." Just after finishing his sentence, a wooden box flew from Spots room, against the wall across it. "They's goin' to pay." Spot came out of his room, his face red. You could tell by the way he walked that he was more than just angry. He pushed himself past the girl, not making eye contact with her.

"Hey, Spot, wait up!" She pulled him back by his shoulder. "Let go off me, Joan." He tried shaking off her hand, but the grip got stronger. "Where are you goin'?" As she saw him calming down, her hand slowly let go of him. The boy took a look around, stepping away from her. "I think it's better for you to leave." She scoffed and looked around to see some of the hurt boys sitting on the ground, watching the pair. "What's the matter with you's, Spot?" Uncomfortable silence took over and the two of them looked at each other. "What's the matter with me? What's the matter with you's!?" His voice got louder, causing Joan to take a step forward. Some of the newsies around them started laughing softly. She reached out for his hand, which he pulled away. "Don't act like you care. Ain't like you's a Brooklyn newsie. Ain't like you are a newsie at all." Walking backwards, the girl bumped into Butterfinger who was watching everything that was going on. "Ay, Spot, c'mon." His voice was soft as he laid his hands on the girls shoulders. "No, Butter." Spot walked up to the two of them and he laid his hand on Joan's cheek. She looked him in the eyes but couldn't see the warmth she used to see. His eyes were as cold as ice. "What happened to the Spot Conlon I used to know ?" She pushed his hand away as the grip around her shoulders got tighter. "Well, I dunno. Maybe there's two of us. But I ain't puttin' no goil before me newsies." He looked around with a smirk on his lips. The girl took a deep breath, pushing herself past Spot. As their shoulders connected, she took a last look into his eyes in hope, that the old Spot would still be there. "You's a fake. I wish I never laid me eyes on you." Ignoring the urge to just break down in tears, she walked past everyone, going back to Manhattan.

As she finally reached the lodge, a loud discussion was held in the boys' room. Wiping away her tears, she entered the room with a faked smile on her lips. "Joan!" Race wrapped his arm around her, pulling her into a tight hug. "Where's Conlon?" He held her by her shoulders as she shrugged. "He's done." Mutters went trough the group which were stopped by Kid. "Look, we's going to get Jack. Davey and Les are waitin' for us." He walked up to Joan as some of the others got ready to go. "I'm sorry 'bout how I was actin'." She gave him a soft smile before pulling him into a hug. Surprised, he wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her closer and hiding his head in her neck. "I just don't wanna loose you's." She nodded and grabbed his hand, placing a kiss on his cheek. A weird feeling in her stomach made her frown. "You alright, doll?" She shrugged it off and smiled. "Just want this to be over already."