King of the City (Bellarke Edition)

Chapter 10

Clarke stretched, the bunk room was unusually quiet. She opened her eyes to see Monty and Jasper joking around on one of there bunks. She must have slept through the guys leaving.

Once her feet hit the floor she had their attention.

"Morning Clarke" They smiled.

"Good Morning Boys" she replied, heading to get cleaned up. She looked up getting ready to wash her face, the deep shade of purple on her lower neck causing her to blush. The though of everyone seeing it mortified her, and would definitely blow secretive out of the water. She was glad to see once dressed the collar of the shirt covered it completely.

The boys sat quietly looking at a book when she came back in the room.

"How about you two go get us some food and I'll read the book to you when you eat?"

They hopped up obviously excited for that and took the money from her heading out the door. They were on there way back when they told a few of the other younger newsies sitting on the sidewalk. By the time they came back in the bunkhouse two boys multiplied into seven boys. Clarke seperated the food between all of them as they sprawled out on the floor. She sat on the floor leaning against a bunk where they could all see her. She held the book up high, reading enthusiasticly, the boys mesmerized by the story. They laughed when she attempted to change her voice for every character.

Bellamy and Murphy stopped at the boarding house to check on her. They both stopped at the top of the stairs seeing the scene in front of them. Clarke and the boys were so into the story they never even heard them. They watched for a few seconds before heading back down. Bellamy was happy the boys loved her. She obviously reciprocated the feeling. She was taking the time to give the boys what they needed. A female figure to care for them and nurture in ways he couldn't. He was just afraid to think what was going to happen when she left, whether by choice or forced, they couldn't hide her in one place for to long. These boys all had a female figure at one time or another, what was going to happen when another one disappears from there life. He had too much time to think, noticing Murphy was still next to him.

"So what's on your mind?" Bellamy asked Murphy who had been quiet most the morning. Murphys feet hit the sidewalk next to his.

"Clarke, and you, Your not as quiet as you think."

"You alright with that?" he inquired.

"Hearing it, definitely not! I'm alright with it as long as she doesn't get hurt by it"

"Good to know"

"I'm serious, don't play with her like you do the others."

"I have more respect for her than that" he replied. Murphy nodded satisfied with that reply.

They spent the day selling papers returning with the majority of the guys. The bunkhouse was spotless, like eat off the floors spotless. Everyone's bunks had new sheets on them, all the old ones hung on lines on the roof.

Clarke made the last bed as they walked in.

Murphy's whistle caught her attention. She looked up and sent him a smile.

"Figured I should earn my keep" she smiled.

"I'd say you did that and then some" She couldn't help but smile as the boys all filed in admiring her work. They looked happy and she was even happier they liked it.

"Thanks"

"Here I grabbed us some food" Murphy pushed a container into her hands, guiding her towards the window. They sat on the roof eating quietly.

Murphy broke the silence.

"So you and Blake huh?"

"I , Uh, did he tell you that?" she fumbled over words tugging the collar of her shirt higher to make sure the mark was covered.