Brooklyn *Spot Conlon Love Story*

Chapter 15: Popular

Jay's P.O.V: 

 "Heart tones are normal, respiratory system is in check," Doctor Lambart rambles, checking up on various places of my body. "Yes, so be careful with that head for a week and watch your ribs closely, but those should've already healed by now." 

 "Thank ya so much, Doc," Jack says from his chair in the waiting room. I've been in the hospital a little over a week and Spot hasn't shown once once. Not that I care. Okay, maybe I care a little.... Fine, I care a lot. "How much?" 

 "Four hundred and fifty dollars. You can pay at the front desk when you leave," Doctor Lambart replies. My hear crawls into my throat. We don't have four hundred and fifty dollars? Where are going to get money like that. "I hope you make a healthy recovery Jaylinn." 

 "Thank ya," I mumble, sliding off the bed. Jack wraps an arm around me. I look up at Jack. "Let's go." 

He nods and we head out of the hospital room. Just outside, Jack's other arm wraps tightly around my shoulders and he hugs me. I wrap my arms around his torso and lay my head against his chest softly. 

 "I'm glad you're okay," Jack whispers, kissing the top of my head and rubbing my forearm with his hand. 

 "Thank you for being there for me, Jack," I tell him. It it was a nightmare and probably would've been worse had it not been for Jack. Curly visited occasionally, but mostly because Tick was in the same hospital. Race and the Manhattan Newsies came almost every other day after they got done selling, but Jack stayed the whole time. Nobody could get him to leave the room, so Race would bring meals up to him and the papes so he could read them. Jack stayed with me and I couldn't be more grateful for my older brother. The most surprising visit I had was from someone I would've never guessed would visit me. Doll Smith. 

 Flashback: 

 "Jay?" Doctor Lambart asked, opening the door to my room. I turned my head slightly to look at her. "There's someone her to see you." 

 "Let 'em in," I told her, thinking Jack is back from the food court. She nodded and opened the door. Doll walked in and Doctor Lambart shut the door behind her. I tried not to gape at her as she approached my bed. She writhed her hands and refused to look me in the eye. 

 "I can't help, but feel like this is my fault," she mumbled, still looking down. When she looked up, I winced. She had a black ring under her right, my left, eye, and bruise on the bridge of her nose, and a purple and red lip. "And, I jus wanted ta say I'm sorry." 

 I nodded, as did she, and then she turned to leave. I stopped her just as her hand hit the door knob. 

"I'm sorry too," I said and she turned back around with a small smile on her face. "For beatin' ya up. It was real immature a me." 

 "Thanks," Doll says, sitting on the edge of my bed. "I don't like Spot anymore." 

 "Ya don't?" I asked in shock. She was really smitten with him. "Why not?" 

 "Because it's no use tryin' when he clearly still has feelin's for you," Doll told me. I scoffed and then, she continued. "Plus, I couldn't do that ta a friend." 

 "Friend?" I asked with a small smile on my face. "Ya don't hate me anymore?" 

 "Long as you don't hate me," Doll laughed. I nodded. "Then, we'll be okay." 

 "Friends?" I asked her. She nodded and held her arms out to me. 

"Friends," she confirmed, hugging me. We sat there in silence until she broke it. "Me real name's Glinda."