Call Me Back Home

chapter four: his hope & her words

I wake up before Davey does, so I just stare up at the ceiling. The light is streaming in through the window, casting a line of light across the white ceiling. I look over at David.

His eyes are closed, eye lashes fluttering gently across his cheeks. He has an arm over his head and one over his stomach, brown hair sticking up. Davey looks peaceful, calm, and much like a little boy. He's innocent. I turn to completely face the boy.

I want him to wake up so I can talk to him, and so I can change to go back to the Lodge. Yet I'm content just watching him sleep. But at the same time, I'm contemplating crawling over him to get my clothes and leave.

Then his eyes open.

Hazel orbs stare up at me, closing, but then opening again. He sits up, rubbing his eyes. He drops his hands into his lap, a smirk on his lips.

"I thought i was dreaming last night," Davey tells me. "Or hallucinating."

I roll my eyes, ignoring the tightening in my stomach.

"Right," is all I say, looking away from the boy.

David puts a hand on my shoulder. "Are you okay though, Liz?"

My eyes find his and they lock for a moment as I nod and say, "Of course I am."

Removing his hand, Davey pulls himself off the bed. He reaches down and grabs my everyday clothes... and my cap. He scoops them into his arms and I look at him. I narrow my eyes, my brain trying to process what the hell he is doing.

"What're you doing with my clothes?" I question as he looks down at me.

"You don't get these back until you tell me the truth," the tall boy states, glaring at me. "Are you okay?"

Angered, I get up and rip the clothes from his hands. I turn to leave when I drop my head and stop. I can't do that. I wanted him to barge in like this and demand to make  my feelings felt.

"I'm..." I search for the words. "... tired."

I sigh, turning around to face David. His eyes are lit up, and I can see he's proud that he got me to talk. But then his expression is serious.

"Of?" he continues.

I drop my clothes omg he bed. "Davey..."

"Liz..."

His eyebrows furrow with concern, the expression on his face turning into a worried one.

I run away from him, pulling my hair behind my ears.

"It's complicated," I tell him, making sure my eyes are down. "It's a big mess, Dave."

The tall boy takes mine hand into his, glancing down at our fingers intertwined.

"I'll be here," he says, looking at me. "Always."

"Even after all this time?" I ask.

He would continue to help me, always, even after all of the time we spent apart and all the things I said to him five years ago? Who does that?

It makes me realize...

I missed him. It seems like he missed me too.

I rip my hand from his, wrapping my arms around his waist and pressing my ear to his chest. He embraces me too.

His heartbeat echos in my ear, beating in time with mine.

~

As soon as I get to the circulation building, I see Jack flirting with the new girl, Willow. She throws her head back with laughter as he watches her, smiling. He loves to make beautiful girls laugh.

Looking around I find that all of the newsboys are rolling in slowly. Crutchie enters, limping over to me. He gives me a quick peck on the cheek.

"Mornin' Boidie," Crutchie greets me. He smiles up at me, his face lighting up.

"Good morning to you as well, Crutch," I tell him, grinning back at him.

I watch as his eyes wander to the gates. I follow his gaze to see Davey and Les walking in. Davey spots me and Les darts off toward Jack. The tall boy walks past Crutchie and I, his scent tingling my nose. Fresh laundry and polish. David looks at me, smiling a little, bit then looking away again.

Crutchie looks at me and I look at him. He gives me a look that makes my heart jump.

"What?" I ask, throwing my hands up in defense.

"You smell like him," Crutchie tells me, narrowing his eyes.

I step back in surprise. "No I don't!"

Suddenly Jack appears at my shoulder, sniffing. "Yeah, she does. Young lady-"

"At least I smell better than you!" I yell at the boys, glaring. I can feel my face heating up. "Nothing happened! There was nothing, okay?"

"I wouldn't be surprised though," Crutchie continues, looking me up and down and then to Jack.

"You two seemed to have a thing-"

I cut Jack off, "No. We don't, Jack. There's nothing going on. I don't even like the guy! Just leave it alone."

I tear my eyes from the two newsies when someone clears their throat. I gulp, turning my head to see David and Les standing in front of me.

I can see, in Davey's eyes, his hopes of this friendship working shattering. I just broke his hope.

"Um," Davey starts, trying to avoid eye contact. "Ready to sell?"