Hidden Romances

Chapter Ten

"So, you're going to the Bowery, where's Jack going?" I asked, knowing he was the leader.

"He and Dave ah goin' to Brooklyn. Nobody else wanted ta go there," he said, emphasis on 'there'.

"Why? What's so bad about Brooklyn?" I asked, raising an eyebrow. It's just a place. What could be so bad about a place?

"Obviously youse nevah hung around Brooklyn. It's not the place itself, but da people in it," he explained.

"Like who?" I asked smartly. He couldn't know anyone that dangerous.

"Like Spot Conlon. He's da 'King of Brooklyn'," he said.

"Do you know him?" I asked.

"I'se nevah' met him, I'se nevah' been in Brooklyn ta have da satisfaction," he started sarcastically, "but I know people who know 'im. And none a' dem has much ta say 'bout 'im dat's nice" he finished.

"He can't be that bad," I muttered, "is he a newsie?"

"Yeah, he's probably da toughest newsie in all ah New York. Everybody's scared of 'im. Dat's why Jack an' Dave had ta go an' talk to 'im," he explained.

"I bet I wouldn't be scared of him," I stated bravely. How scary could a newsie be? He can't be any older than Jack.

"Yeah, well I don't wan' ya ta find out. He's bad news."

***

"Well that was a total bust! Why does everything have to be about Brooklyn?!" I said exasperated. The leader of the Bowery's newsies doesn't want to join the strike unless Brooklyn joins.

"Because, Brooklyn's stronger dan all of us, if dey join, we'll be unstoppable."

Mush hadn't let go of my hand at all on the way to the Bowery, and the whole time he was talking to their "leader" I was just a short distance behind him. We were still holding hands as we walked to the distribution center.

"Woah, check it out, fellas. Looks like Mush got himself a rich goil!" One of the newsies shouted. I finally became aware that he still had my hand in his. I quickly pulled my hand away and pushed the hair in my face behind my ear. A chorus of laughs came from the rest of the boys and Mush waved them off.

"Ah, put a sock in it," he said, though I was sure I saw a light blush on his cheeks... Weird... My thoughts were interrupted when Jack strided up next to me.

"Hey, Jack, so where's Spot?" Race piped up. Jack scratched the back of his neck.

"He was concerned about us being serious, can you imagine that?"

"Well, Jack, maybe we ought to ease off a little.
Without Spot and the others, there ain't enough of us Jack," Race reasoned. I looked at Mush, who rubbed his hands over his face.

"Yeah, maybe we're moving too soon. Maybe we ain't ready, ya know?" Mush spoke up. I shook my head at him worriedly.

"I definitely think we should forget about it for a little while," Skittery said. Jack glared at him and looked to Davey for help.

"Yeah, without Brooklyn... Ya know?" Race said.

"Spot was right, is this just a game to you guys?" Jack yelled. I put my hand on his shoulder to calm him down. Davey stood up and put his hands on Les's shoulders.

"Guys, we can't be afraid. We can't let take our rights away here,"

"Yeah, guys, if you back down, nothing is going to change if you don't do something, if anything, it'll get worse. But if you start standing up now, and you don't back down, then Brooklyn will join and you can win this," I said. Once the newsies agreed to strike, Jack stood up on the statue and started yelling to anyone who would listen.

"What are we gonna do about it?!" He yelled as the circulation bell rang out through the square.

A chorus of "soak em's!" rang out from the newsies. They ran into the center, soaking anyone who tried to stop them. I stayed near the gate and watched the riot unfold in front of me. Until Oscar stalked up behind me and pulled me away from the whole scene.

"Whoa, ow! Oscar let go of me!" I pulled my arm out of his grip and glared at him.

"I wonder what your parents would think if they found out that you were hanging around those low lifes" he threatened. I took a step back and my eyes widened.

"You wouldn't actually tell my parents, would you?" I asked in surprise. He chuckled, rolling his eyes.

"Believe me, I would. Your parents already love me, how much more do you think they will when I tell them that 'saved their daughter from those dangerous, awful newsies',"

"What's the gain here, Oscar? What do you have to win?! All that would happen is I get in trouble!" I exclaimed.

"Well, I'm sure that I'll get a hefty little prize for 'saving' the mayor's oldest daughter," he glanced over my shoulder and smirked, "Oh yeah, and things like that happen," he pointed over to the distribution center, which was now empty of all newsies except Crutchie.

Morris and another scabber had attacked Crutchie, kicked his crutch to the ground and dragged him away. "Crutchie!" I yelled. I began to run to the center but Oscar grabbed me by the waist and pulled me back. "Stop! Let me go! Oscar! Where are they taking him?!"

I'm baaacckkk!! Sorry it's been so long! So I've finally updated and I need your opinion on a couple things!
1. Would you guys wanna read like a little filler chapter where it's Ellie at school or something? I don't know I think something like that would be nice character developmentXD
2. Who do you guys picture as Ellie when you read this? I'm not sure who I want to portray as Ellie but I know that she is fifteen so...
Anywayyy, I hope you enjoyed this!! Love you!
xoxo