Bound To Rain

Elmer's Recap

(A/n: This next chapter or two is going to be Elmer's view of the recent events. Just wanted to save the confusion.)

During Questions and Commands.

"Let's play Questions and Commands." I suggested.

I wanna learn more about Olive. I thought to myself.

"Who wants ta first?" I asked, looking around. Racetrack raised his hand, cradling Honeybelle in the other. "Okay, go."

"Olive." He turned to the girl on my right. "Question or Command?"

"Question." Olive chose.

"Is ya sista hot?" The blond boy asked.

Olive rolled her eyes.

Hopefully she's not interested in Race?

"Couldn't tell ya." She smiled. "Buttons, Question or Command?"

"Command." Buttons decided. He had to take Race's cigar. "Elmer! Question or Command?"

"Question."

I am not about to do anything to Olive.

"Is Olive's sista hot?" Buttons grinned.

"She ain't my type." I did something stupid. I put my arm around Olive's shoulder. "Olive howeva..."

She tensed up and the boys made teasing sound. I quickly drew my arm back. Olive's face was super red. I'm sure mine is too.

I spent the rest of the game thinking.

Why the hell did I do that? It's not like she'd welcome it, she's surrounded by boys. She probably likes Jack or Racetrack. Or even Crutchie. She doesn't like me though. Am I just kidding myself? I haven't got a chance.

After an agonizingly long time, I fell asleep. I woke up from a nightmare, a nightmare in which I couldn't save Olive from a fire that I started. When I opened my eyes, she was right there.

"Olive?" I panted. I was painfully aware of the fact that my hair was probably a rats nest. Her hand was resting on my chest. My heart stopped.

"Nightmare?" She asked, taking her hand away.

Does she actually care? Maybe she wants me to be quiet so she could sleep. When she took her hand back I got a little disappointed. So I carefully grabbed it and put it back. Holy crap. Why did I do that?

"Yeah." I nodded stiffly.

"What's it about?" The girl asked.

"It's kinda hard to explain." I lied. It was actually very simple.

"We's got all night." She shrugged.

"Can ya lay down?" I asked. She smiled and laid down beside me. I pulled the thin blanket over her.

Ugh. That sounded so weird.

(A/n: You've probably already read these bits in Olive's POV, so I'm not going to go through them all over again. There's just going to be bits and pieces with Elmer's thoughts.)

I told her some of it, but made up the part with the Delancey's soaking me. The only part that really scared me was not being able to save Olive.

"You's was really freakin'out." Olive told me.

"I was?" Of course I was.

"Yeah." She nodded. "You's also talkin' ta yourself."

"What was I sayin'?" My heart dropped.

"I dunno. I's couldn't catch anythin'."

I breathed a sigh of relief. "Probably for da best."

"Ya tired?" The Newsie asked.

"Nah." I yawned. When my eyes closed, she started getting up. "Please stay."

"Okay." She laid back down. A few minutes later, she relaxed. So did I.

"Elmer." It's morning time.

"It aint the Mornin' Bell." I muttered, eyes still closed.

"Nah." She smiled. "But ya still gotta get up."

"Don't wanna." I rolled over.

"C'mon!" She pulled my arm. I subtly flexed, but didn't move. So she took the blanket off of me.

"It's cold!" I cried.

"Then ya might as well get up." The girl reasoned. I turned over.

"Have ya met Spot Conlon?" I asked.

"No." She told me.

"I's gonna take ya ta meet him today." I decided.

"Today?"

"Yup."

We decided to go after selling, and before we start any more conversation, Jack yelled for everyone to get up. Boys asked Olive if her sister was hot as we walked out side. The headline was just as boring as yesterday's. The day was slow.

"To Brooklyn?" Olive asked after we'd finished selling.

"To Brooklyn." I nodded, linking arms with her. We made small talk while walking across the Bridge. At the end, Spot saw us. I went forward to meet him and the other, muscles flexed and jaw clenched. I wanted to make myself seem stronger than I actually am.

"Elmer." Spot greeted.

"Spot." I responded, then looked at the boy standing beside him. "Reed."

Spot looked past me to see Olive. "Who's this?"

"Olive Robinson." She replied flatly.

"A goil Newsie." Short boy stepped close to her, about a foot away. I walked closer to Spot warningly. Reed did the same, staring at me. Spot looked at me smugly. "Oh, Elmer. Is she your goil?"

"So what if she is?" I crossed my arms, and the Brooklyn boys backed up.

"Is ya his goil?" Spot asked Olive. I looked at her pleadingly.

Just say yes, I thought. He'd sweep you off your feet if you said no.

"Uh, y–yeah." She answered, gaze flicking across me, Spot, and Reed.

"Ain't you sure?" Reed didn't believe her.

"Course I's sure." She glared at him.

The Brooklyn boys stopped talking about it.

If she'd said no, Spot would've asked her out. Then he would've had Jack transfer her to Brooklyn, and I'd lose her.

So we went back to the Lodging House.