8 Days, 8 Letters; Spot Conlon

Roof Top Talk

A/N: Hi everyone. Please enjoy the next chapter of 8 Days, 8 Letters!

Present Day: July 1899

Jaime's POV

"I know it doesn't make ip for the lyin', but I hope you'd could find it in your hearts to forgive me," I said.

"Of course we forgive you," Race replied. "I'd just can't believe you's went through all that."

"Thank you," I answered. "I'm alright. It was a long time ago. I'm better now thank to you guys."

They smiled.

"Does anyone have questions?" I said.

"Why exactly did you not tell us, was it because it was hard to talk about?" Skittery asked.

"Kinda. It's not the easiest to talk about, but I guess we thought the less you knew, the safer you'd be from Snyder."

"You's don't have to protect us," Blink responded.

"I know, but I'm your leader. It's kinda my job."

"But we should also be protecting you. It's how we work. It's what you've been teaching us," Mush said.

"Yeah, I mean we ain't Brooklyn," Race commented.

"Hey!" Spot yelled.

I laughed.

"Alright ya bums. You should head to bed. We gotta a long day tomorrow. That is if you're up for it."

"Yeah!" they shouted.

I laughed again.

"Well then in that case get some shuteye. You guys are gonna need it."

The 'Hatten newsies headed to bed, while Mac, Ace, and Spot left for Brooklyn.

A slight sadness came over me.

I brushed it off and focused on my newsies.

Once they left I made sure most of them, especially the younger ones, were sleeping.

I decided to head to the roof to think.

The night air always seemed to help me think clearer. Thanks Mamma.

Did I want him to stay? Why would I want him to stay? Why was I longing for his company?

I looked out at the night sky and the city lights. It really is "the city that never sleeps."

The smell of smoke filled the air. It seemed too close to be from the city.

"Hey Race," I said.

"How did you even know it was me?" he exclaimed.

"It's the smell of smoke and a little Italian man with a gamblin' problem."

"Hey! I don't have a gamblin' problem! And I'm not even that short!"

"Whatever you say," I laughed.

He hit me in the chest while laughing.

"Shut it."

"What are you's doin' out here?"

"I could ask you the same thing."

"Well I asked first."

He rolled his eyes before answering.

"Needed a smoke and hiding from Snipe."

"What did Snipe do?"

"He was trying to attack me for my cigars. I'm tellin' ya that kid has a problem."

"If he has a problem then what is it you's have?"

"Okay," he laughed. He put the cigar back in his lips before pulling it back out and blowing the smoke into the cold night air. "So why are you's out here."

He put the cigar back in his mouth, taking another puff.

"Needed ta think."

He pulled the cigar back out of his mouth, putting it out on the cement wall.

"Everything. But right now my mind keeps going back to Spot no matter how much I try to avoid it."

He laughed.

"Sounds like you's got it bad for Brooklyn. I've been waiting for this day."

"I do not! Also what do you mean you've been waiting?"

"It's obvious you too just wanna marry each other. I'm just suprised at how long you guys have gone without elopin'."

"Look I don't got it bad. This strike is just bringing up weird feelings to make everything more complicated."

"More like your heart's just sick of ya brain ignoring what you feel."

"Which is?"

"That you have completely fallen for the King of Brooklyn. I mean clearly he's the only thing besides books and the strike you's can think about."

I rolled my eyes before looking back in the distance.

"It's not just Spot. It's a bit of Jack and the strikes. But it's also Crutchy. I miss him. Everything's gotten so difficult since he went and I need him."

Race stood closer to me before putting his hand on my shoulder.

"Yeah I get it, especially today. When you left and Denton had told us he was leavin', I just wanted Crutchy to tell me everything was gonna be alright."

A comfortable silence followed.

I leaned my head on his shoulder and we sat like that, staring at the night sky.

No matter what happens tomorrow, I know it'll be okay.

This day was one of the worst days we had ever had and even it had some good moments.

Just like this one.