Back to the Past (Newsies)

20. Super Bass

Kit slipped into the lodging house quietly, saying goodbye and thank you to David for walking her home. He gave her a shy smile in return. David was wise beyond his years, and his skills of observation and perception shocked Kit. He saw through her like a kaleidoscope, but her true reason for why she acted not completely like herself around the newsies was still distorted, and she hoped she could keep it that way.

Kit was proud of herself for convincing Jack to stay at the Jacob's house a little while longer because she knew he needed it. He may seem carefree and whimsical on the outside, but Kit knew him well enough that beyond that facade was a boy who had to grow up too quick and has been through too much. He had the toll of living by himself for a while now and toll of being the leader for the Manhattan newsies and taking care of others the way wished he was taken care of.

The inside of the lodging house's lobby was dark and quiet. Kloppman wasn't at the desk, and Kit concluded that he must've been gone to sleep already, which signalled that it was pretty late in the night. Kit quickly signed in the old musty book on the desk, still lost in her thoughts.

"Kit?" a voice said, quickly breaking Kit back into reality and out of her head.

"Holy Shit." Kit exclaimed as she jumped at the voice. She turned around and saw a body get up from one of the couches in the lobby

The figure emerged from the shadows and stalked towards her. Once the stranger moved closer to Kit, she could discern the face.

"Geez Blink, ya scared me. I almost had a heart attack." Kit said, holding her chest in relief, but smiling still from seeing him.

Before she could say anything else Blink quickly closed the space between them and engulfed her in a warm hug.

"Oh Kit I was so worried." he said. "I'se was scared dat somethin' bad 'appened to ya like wit' de Delanceys. I'se finished sellin', an' came back 'ere an' couldn't find you'se."

He rubbed her back soothingly, and Kit couldn't tell if he was doing it to soothe himself or her, but either way, his actions comforted her and filled her with warmth.

"I'm sorry, Blink. I'se didn't mean tah worry ya." Kit said, however her voice was muffled by his chest since he hugged her to him so closely.

"I 'ad dinnah wit' de Jacob's. Cowboy took me dere by su'prise. I woulda told ya if I'se knew." Kit continued once she was able to pull her head back and speak clearly.

Blink still locked her in his arms.

"S'okay, as long as you'se safe" He said, which made Kit smile.

"Did ya walk back 'ere by you'se self??" Blink questioned immediately, causing his brow to furrow. "Where's Jack?? He let ya come back widdout him?? What was he thinkin?!"

Kit placed a hand on his cheek to calm him down.

"Don'cha worry ya pretty 'ead. I'se wanted to leave a bit earliah than 'im tah hang out with you'se, so I let him stay at the Jacob's, an' David walked me home. " She explained.

He slowly let her out of his hold, shock and distaste written on his face

"Cowboy let David walk ya home?" Blink said, "Dat walkin' mouth couldn't even soak a Scabbah dat was blind folded an' tied to a pole."

Kit shook her head, "Now dats not very nice, mistah." she said as she poked his chest gently. "David is a sweet boy an' I'm sure he could 'andle himself if need be. He's been selling' on da streets fah a lil' while now"

"Yeah, yeah. I'm sure he could talk a bad guy tah death." Blink responded presumptuously

"Aw, shuddit." she said as she glowered at him.