to kiss a girl..

3. evening paper here!

☆ Race ☆

The sun was peaking above the horizon. I lay in my bed, always staring at the same spot in the ceiling. I suddenly hear a muffled cry. I sit straight up and look around. The only other figure is Ophelia. She looks around panicked, with the same fear I had earlier that night. Her tear-stained cheeks were bright red, her whole body shaking. 

I immediately rush over to her. "Hey, hey." I sit next her to and start tracing her spine with my finger.  "What's going on?" The tears started forming back in her eyes. 

"It's not that big of a deal." She sighs and starts fidgeting with her hands.

"Do want to talk about it?" I ask, keeping my voice gentle. She shakes her head and slides over, giving me room to lay next to her. 

"Can you just stay with me...please?" She whispers.

"Of course. You've got about two hours until the morning bell rings, try to get some rest." I tell her. She slowly nods as she relaxes back in her bed. I make myself comfortable next to her and move a bit closer. Her eyes flutter shut. As her breathing stays heavy, I run my fingers through her hair to calm her down. Feeling her strawberry blond hair in my hands helps me relax as well. I never thought I would be able to get this close to anyone after the incident. As she drifts back off to sleep, her breathing starts to level out again. A few moments pass and suddenly she switches her body to face me and hugs my chest. I flinch back, quickly moving away. Cuddling is not my favorite thing, at least not before tonight. I guess it can't be that bad. I think. Eventually, I give in, placing my arms lightly around her. I look at her peaceful face, now realizing it didn't look like that a minute before. Also noticed a slight smile like she knew what was happening, even though she was completely asleep. As we settle into each other's arms, it's almost like our hearts are beating as one. I never wanted this moment to end. I couldn't help but smile to myself, mentally taking a little credit for helping her calm down. And with Ophelia in my arms and my thoughts completely gone, I fall fast asleep.

☆ Ophelia ☆

I hear a loud ringing in the distance. Dong Dong Dong. I would assume that is the morning bell. I open my eyes to find Race still fast asleep, despite all the newsies moving around. The bright sun coming through the window shines perfectly on his face. I would rather not wake him, but I have to. I slightly brush the hair away from his face. "Race," I nudge him a bit. "The bell rang, time to get up," I say softly. His eyes slowly open and as soon as he sees me, a smile cracks on his face.

"Good morning." He yawns. His voice was a few octaves deeper than it was the night before. 

"Whoa!" I hear from across the room. Albert comes running over to where we are lying. "What happened here?" A smirk appears on his face.

"Oh quiet down, would you? Nothing happened!" Race responds, nervously.

"Oh come on, you're blushing!" Albert teases. As Race turned back towards me, I noticed his ears painted red. "Well get a move on, we've got papes to sell." And with that, he turns and walks back to Romeo. I hear them laughing as they walk out of the room.

"I guess we have to go." He sighs.

I pull him closer to me and snuggle into his chest. "Why?" I ask.

He tries to move but I hold onto him. "Let's go, come on." He says.

"Fine." I groan. We both get up and get ready to get our papers. Once we get there, we meet up with the other newsies waiting for the gate to open. 

"Hey, Race!" A boy in blue shouts. I hadn't met him the night before. "Who's your little friend?" He tilts his head.

"Oh yeah. Jack, this is Ophelia. Ophelia this is Jack." Race says.

"The best newsie in town!" A young boy with a crutch adds in. 

"And that's Crutchie." He finishes. Then, he points over to an older boy, standing with who I'm assuming is his little brother. "The older one is Davey and the little one is Les. And I think that you've met everyone else." I take a moment to process everything. 

"It's nice to meet everyone," I say. I look around at all the newsboys in disbelief. Who knew that one step outside my front door could lead me here? The gate opens and after a few moments of Jack and Race threatening the Delancey brothers, we finally get in line. As we get up to the window I stand close to Race's side.

"Would you look at that, a new kid! Aren't you too nice to be out on the streets young lady?" The man says. I turn my head away from him, he scares me.

"Cut it out, weasel. Just give me 50 papes and we'll be on our way." Race says firmly. The man stays silent; Race pays for the papes and we walk away. "I'm so sorry about him."

"It's fine," I mumble. I avoid eye contact as we walk out to the spot Races sells in every day, as he tells me.

"Now, here's how it works." He grabs a paper out of his bag and folds it in half. "You hold the paper like this and exaggerate. For example, you see that man walking by? Check this out." He clears his throat and steps forward. "Extra! Extra! Terrible storm hits Midtown! Many forced to evacuate!" The man he pointed out came rushing towards us, placed a few cents in his hand, took the paper, and rushed off. 

"Is that even what the paper said?" I ask. 

"Not entirely... It talks about rainstorms in Midtown though. Close enough, am I right?" He jokes. "Now you try!" He says while handing me a paper. "Do what I taught you."

"Here goes nothing," I whisper as I step forward. "Extra! Extra! Tornado rips through Queens! You heard it here!" A woman stops and places the coins in my hand I give her the paper. As she walks away a huge smile appears on Race's face. "How was that?" I ask.

"Incredible!" He puts down the stack of papers in his hand and wraps his arms around me tightly, picking me up and spinning me around. "Your very first sale! I'm so proud" He says while still hugging me. "Let's keep going."

We end up walking a lot around Manhattan throughout the day. We spend the whole morning selling, finishing up at around noon. 

"We did it!" Race says. 

"What do we do now?" I ask. 

"Since we finished early, can I take you somewhere? It's nothing bad I promise." He answers. I nod my head. He reaches out his hand. "Follow me." I stay next to him, taking little glimpses at him now and then. He looks so happy, with his cheeks tinted pink and his eyes brighter than the sun. He leads me down a trail that has beautiful grass and flowers surrounding it. My eyes light up. "What do you think?"

"I think it's beautiful." I look at all the flowers, it reminds me of home; the good parts at least. We continue walking for a while, looking at the beauty that surrounds us.