Humbling Spot Conlon (A Spot Conlon Love Story)

Ch. 7: Newsboys Rally

In the morning I made my way to Medda's place. I decided to head to the rally early. Like, really early. Okay, I didn't actually want to go to the rally early. I actually just wanted to get away from the boys for a little while.

When I got there I was greeted by none other than Medda herself. "Hey, girl. How was yesterday after the show with that boy?" She winked, which I tried to dismiss but I found myself rolling my eyes.

"Terrible," I answered honestly, "I punched 'im."

She nodded, like she wasn't surprised. "Boys can be frustrating."

"Yeah, he's a jerk." I crossed my arms and glared at nothing. "He was treatin' me different just 'cause I'm a girl. He refused to punch me back." Now Medda looked confused. She raised her eyebrows, looking very concerned.

"Are you ready for the rally?" She asked. I was glad that she was changing the subject.

I thought about it. I wasn't ready for any of this. I was kind of against the strike idea. I liked to avoid conflict. But I nodded anyway.

Medda squinted at me. "You're a mess." I would've been offended if it weren't true. "Let's get you cleaned up."

She brought me to her dressing room where she had me wash my face off. I didn't see a reason for this but she insisted. She brushed through my hair, which I hadn't cut in a while. I was trying to hold off on it. It now fell halfway down my neck.

She had me change. She suggested I wear a dress but I just gave her a weird look. Instead she just gave me pants that fit better than the ones I had, and a nicer shirt. I wore suspenders with that, and my cap. Now I just looked like a newsie with slightly nicer, less dirty clothes.

"Thanks for helpin' me clean up, Medda," I said when she was done.

She nodded. "O' course. You gotta look nice for the rally," I raised an eyebrow. I didn't really have to look nice for the rally, but okay. "So, you and that Spot boy..."

"Let me stop you there," I interrupted, "That ain't happenin'. Ever. He's the most arrogant person I've ever met. He thinks he's better than everyone else. He ain't so great. Also, I hate his guts."

She nodded. "I thought the same thing when I had my first crush."

"Medda, no." I was losing my temper. I didn't like Spot. I would never like Spot. What was even going on in her head. "I don't- Why are you even suggesting- Ugh!"

She gave me a knowing look. As if she knew anything. "Are you just sayin' that?"

"Goodbye, Medda." I slammed the door on my way out. Why was everyone being so annoying? I couldn't get a moment in the day when someone wasn't making me mad.

I stormed down the streets. I just needed to blow off a little steam, then I'd head back to Medda's when it was time for the rally.

As I was walking down the street I saw the girl I'd met a few days ago. I was pretty sure her name was Beth. She kept glancing over at me, so I decided to go say hi.

"Hey, there," I said, "I'm pretty sure I met ya a few days ago. Beth, right?" She nodded, smiling widely. I waited for her to say something but she just stared at me. "So, how's it goin'?"

She snapped out of whatever trance it was she was caught in. "Oh, it- it's going pretty well. How about you? I heard the newsies are going on strike." Her green eyes peered intently into mine.

"Uh, yeah. The strike is goin' okay." I shifted uncomfortably. I found her stare slightly unsettling.

The conversation was pretty one sided. She did most of the talking while I tried to keep her out of my personal space, which she was invading a lot. I wanted to just tell her that I was a girl so she would leave me alone.