Brooklyn *Spot Conlon Love Story*

Chapter 6: Gilbert

"All rise. All rise. Court is now in session. Judge E.A. Monahan presiding," a man says. But, I'm too scared to be paying much attention to him. Too frightened about what is at stake. My brother. The one person, other than Race, I knew I can count on for my whole life. But, will that be a possibility anymore? It's too soon to say.

I feel my head spinning. The events of last night, from Spot kissing me to Jack's arrest, were all a bit of a blur. Except the kiss. That kiss was as vivid as a bright light on a dark night. And I'm Spot's girl now. It might be a thing of pride, and it is for me, but it's not like I can tell anyone. Jack would kill me. Excluding the fact that we're at his trial.

I mean, last night was a mistake. The rally just gave them the opportunity to arrest Jack and make a big deal about it. And Old Man Pulitzer, he was behind the big blow out arrest. That much is obvious. If I ever get my hands on that rotten scum, he'll wish he'd never been born. I could do it too. I have enough hatred, enough motivation. I could kill him if I had half a mind to. And, I do.

My head pounds against my skull, my heart rate quickening. I haven't started crying yet, but God knows I will if Jack is sent back to that nasty, rat-infested place. I run through last night in my head, hoping something didn't match up, that maybe I was just in a really horrible dream. Besides Spot. I think he's the one keeping strong through this.

Flashback:

"Spot, that's him, I see him!" I said frantically. Spot's expression hardened and I didn't know if it was because I was panicking or because Snyder is just a devil of a man and is hated by every Newsie.

Spot's thin lips formed into a scowl. Lips. Spot's lips. Spot's lips that had been on mine just moments before. Just moments before my brother had become in great danger. Moments before any anger or annoyance I had been feeling toward Jack disappeared and was replaced by an overwhelming need to protect him.

I grabbed Spot's upper arm, feeling his muscles tense under my touch. My heart was going a mile a minute and I couldn't think clearly.

"What do we do?" Spot asked. I looked at him and took a deep breath, trying to stay cool and composed.

I tried too soon, because just then, the Bulls came pouring into the building, blowing whistles and I watched in horror as the Newsies scattered. Jack took Sarah's hand and pulled her through the crowd to the entrance, where she was able to get out of this mess. I spotted Racetrack bringing Medda to safety and I started clawing my way through the crowd to get to him. Spot chased after me, yelling about how I should focus on getting myself to safety. I ignored him obviously.

"Racetrack!" I screamed. His head snapped to me and he found me weaving my way through the crowd.

"Jaylinn!" he yelled back.

In that split second Race took to look at me, a huge man kicked Racetrack in the stomach and punched him in the face. My blood boiled as Medda started screaming and broke away from her maid. She ran up to the man and slapped him straight across the face. Her maid came back and grabbed her, dragging her out.

"No! No! For God's sake! He's just a child! Can't you see that? Racetrack!" Medda was screaming.

Medda was pulled back and Racetrack was being dragged away. Anger rose in me and I wouldn't let that man hurt my friend. I went up behind him as he was dragging Race away. I tapped him on the shoulder, fists clenched, ready to sock him. When he turned around, I punched him straight in the face, his nose bleeding on contact and a tooth falling out. Spot's blue eyes widened in surprise at the fact that I do fight. And I that I very well. Jack taught me how.

"Help me," I ordered. I grabbed Racetrack's arms and Spot got Race's legs. We carried him back to the dressing room where Medda was sitting, mascara running. She was crying.