Brooklyn *Spot Conlon Love Story*

Chapter 5: What Does This Make Us?

"Medda, I don't wanna wear this!" I protest as one of Medda's costumers forces me into a skin tight, blue dress. I wriggle around uncomfortably, not liking that the dress does even cover to my knees, but about mid thigh.

"Honey, you look gorgeous in it," Medda tells me. "Its just for tonight and then you can go back to wearing your overalls--."

"Suspenders!" I correct. Medda gives me a look. "Its different!"

"Suspenders, whatever. And your cap, but you're a girl tonight, out with a guy, and you need to look like it," Medda tells me. I roll my eyes.

"Fine," I give in. I allow Medda to apply makeup, and do my hair. However, when she tries to give me high heels, I draw the line. "Okay, I ain't wearin' those. Period."

Yet, I'm forced into white heels.

"There," Medda says, satisfied with her work.

"When, you's done torturin' me, I'm turnin' ya in for cruel 'n unusual punishment," I groan.

"Oh, stop with the drama," Medda scolds. "You look beautiful!"

She gives me a little shove toward her door that leads out to backstage. I walk out and collide into Jack, who looks at me with a jaw dropped.

"You ain't wearin' that," he says. I shake my head.

"That's what I said," I tell him. He groans.

"God, Medda jus made me job five times harder," he jokes, chuckling. "Alright, come out on stage ya gorgeous little genius you. We's about to start."

Jack leads me onto the stage. Newsies are gathered outside and inside Irving Hall. Newsies as far as the eye can see. David and Spot are also on stage.

Then, I slowly come to realize you can hear a pin drop and I look up to find every Newsie in Irving Hall staring at me. I know it's because I never wear dresses and mentally curse Medda. I let her do this to me, why? I need someone to remind me.

Jack greets all of them, wanting to take the attention away from me. It makes him really uncomfortable, as an older brother, to know what thoughts are going on about his little sister.

"Carryin' the banner!" he yells.

The once silent Newsies, now stand up and cheer.

"Now, I know some of you ain't able ta recognise me sista here and that's okay," Jack says, pulling me forward. "Everyone, say 'hi' ta Jay!"

The Newsies shout out to me, but I can't really understand what they're saying. The only voice I can make out is Race's yelling, "Heya, Jay!"

I wave slightly to Racetrack, who pretends to faint and I laugh at him. I love my best friend. I spot Skittery in the crowd. He's just watching me closely, assessing the situation, eyes occasionally drifting to Spot.

"Heya, everybody," I call.

"Oh, yeah, that's Jay," a voice, which I'm pretty sure is Race's, says.

"Alright, well, obviously there ain't no fruit throwin' allowed," I say. I hear several groans. "And, afterward, we's havin' a surprise performance."

I hear several cheers, some Newsies having figured out that Medda was gonna perform. The Newsies love Medda, an I've known her forever, so I understand why. She's quite sweet unless she's forcing me into girl clothes.

"Alright, let's turn it over ta my older brother," I say, pointing to Jack. Some of the Newsies cheer and Jack asks me to quiet them. "Hey, put a lid on it!"