Star Shopping

7 0 0

by thedayhasbeenseized

by thedayhasbeenseized

January 1st, 1900

It was midnight of New Years. Normally, it wouldn't be such a big deal. But it was a new century now, so it was a slightly bigger deal. Okay, New Years was really just an excuse to stay up and do whatever it was broke kids do. The sounds of shouting, laughing, and talking filled the newsies lodging house that night. Everyone was playing or smoking or both and just having a great time overall. Although, it was getting too loud and cramped in there so Speedy snuck off to the fire escape and climbed up to the rooftop for a smoke.

Speedy sat on the roof with a sigh, her legs dangling off the edge. She took a drag from her cigar and watched the sun slowly set behind the tall buildings of New York. A part of her was starting to regret going up there alone with only her thoughts. Her mind was a scary place at times.

"This seat taken?" She heard a raspy voice ask, causing her to look over. It was Racetrack, an unlit cigar between his teeth and usual smirk that could catch any little broads eye. She was slightly relieved to see someone here to tear her from her thoughts.

"Nah, go ahead." There was a moment of silence as he sat beside to her, taking out a lighter. "I thought you's was playin' poker with the guys?"

"Yeah, I'm tryin' not to lose all my money in one night." He muttered, getting a light chuckle out of Speedy. He put his cigar in his mouth again before putting the lighter back in his pocket.

"Well look at you's, bein' all responsible." She replied sarcastically. Though, it definitely was a rare sight to see Racetrack Higgins able to control himself when it came to gambling and such.

Racetrack rolled his eyes playfully with a smile, blowing smoke into the city's nighttime air. "What're ya doin' out here by yerself anyway?"

"Just comin' up for a smoke." She half-lied, remembering the cigar sitting between her index and middle fingers. She didn't like smoking all that much but she did it to calm her nerves and used it as an excuse to get away from crowds often. "You?"

"Same." He took a drag of his own cigar. Sure, that wasn't the only reason he came up but he wasn't about to just go out and admit it. Neither of them were looking at each other as they spoke, but at New York's lit up buildings spread out before them instead. They sat in comfortable silence, simply basking in each others presence.

"Ya know any constellations?" Speedy asked, finally breaking the silence. Racetrack gave her a weird look.

"Now I dunno what a constination is."

Speedy laughed at his inability to pronounce the word. "Constellation." She corrected, saying it slower as if talking to a child. "Y'know, the pictures in the sky from the stars."

"Those things have names? Ain't they all just lights?" He asked, still completely lost as to what she was rambling on about.

"Here, I'll teach ya a few." She stifled a laugh and looked up at stars above them. She pointed up once she found an easy one, the newsboy's confused eyes following her finger. "That one's the Big Dipper or also known as the Big Bear. See it? The box looking thing with the handle?" She traced the shape with her index finger so he could see where it was easier.

"Oh yeah... It kinda looks like Albert's nose."

Speedy chuckled at his comment, playfully nudging him. "No it doesn't! Don't be mean!" She scolded, though she didn't mean it and found it funnier than she'd like to admit.

"Oh don't run from the truth, Speeds." He nudged her back, laughing along with her.

Speedy showed him a few more while he made occasional jokes and calling her a nerd a couple times. They both laughed as they pointed at stars until their necks hurt from looking up. She looked over at the boy, seeing that sparkle in his eye that he always had. But she never thought much of it until now.

~ LOOK AT THE SKY TONIGHT, ALL OF THE STARS HAVE A REASON ~