Newsies One Shots and Preferences

Forbidden

Word Count: 1269

Like every Thursday, today is no different, I am opening my bedroom window and quietly exiting through the fire escape. If my parents ever knew I was going to be visiting a newsboy I would not be allowed out of their sight. Luckily for me, they do not know and I can escape for a bit without causing any suspicion. Getting a little too cocky I accidentally rip my dress on the way down, a small piece of the skirt tore off on the bottom rung of the ladder. I silently curse to myself knowing that would not have happened if I went down slower, but I continue my journey to the deli.

Racetrack Higgins and I have been visiting each other semi-regularly when my family went to Sheepshead to do a quality inspection. He caught my eye and he stole quick and secret conversations from me throughout the night. Now every Thursday I meet him at Jacobi's diner which is a few blocks down from where I live. No one expects me to be in lower Manhatten so no one is looking for me, it is perfect for our taboo meetings. Of course, nothing funny happens, it is just out of character for a girl of my class to be friends with a newsie. Therefore, all of our meetings must be held in the shadows away from my family's estate. 

I make it to our meeting spot, the alleyway behind Jacobi's as I wait for Race to make his appearance. Eventually, I see a figure walking towards me wearing his signature blue plaid shirt, tucked into his pants, that is three sizes too large and are only being held up by his worn-out suspenders. Also sporting his staple smirk as he approaches me, arms wide, ready to embrace me into his warm hug. As tradition has it I lean into a hug, count to three, and let go. 

Something about how forbidden Race his just makes him lure me in. The first day we meant I was not to talk to any of our patrons, but there he was, stealing me away just to have a conversation. Sneaking around so my family does not find out only adds to the excitement of our relationship. I am relishing in it, and even that is forbidden. When it all adds up, of course, I am pining over him. Just the forbidden aspect alone is enough to draw me in, but it also doesn't help that he is ever so kind. Genuinely.  

People often put on a face to impress me, to use me, but with Race, it is remarkably pure. Even if my family's assets would benefit him greatly, he never once will ask me to use them. Although he does not use me for my wealth I always attempt to give him some. Which he usually denies, so I have to get creative. I often will pay for a meal, or give him new shoelaces- but he will never accept something in cash.

Never the less, after he lets go of my frame he looks down and notices a small piece of my outer skirt missing. His lopsided grin immediately turns into a frown as he can already piece together what is happening.  Reaching up to his own face he pulls the cigar out of his mouth before putting it out at the bottom of his shoe before he begins to speak, "you should not be sneaking around". 

I can't help but let out a chuckle at his hypocriticism, our entire friendship is based on sneaking around. As I chuckle Race tilts his head to the side, letting a few blonde curls loose from under his hat. His lips perk up ever so slightly letting me know that I need to elaborate. "It is just our whole relationship is based on sneaking around. This dress was getting old anyway" I say without thinking and tucking a loose hair behind my ear. How could I be so insensitive, my comment must only emphasize how we are different. 

Class cannot separate us, even if classism runs rampant through the city, I won't let it separate us. However, the look that covers Race's face makes me believe that he thinks the contrary. Race's eyes glaze over with a watery coat as he begins to speak, even though he doesn't dare to let a tear escape, "you have too much to lose. Messing around with me only will hurt us". 

All I can think about is how to reason with him. How do I let him know that I do not care what I will lose? Society cannot drive us apart, when I am around him it is like the pressure on me to uphold my family name dissipates. However, all I can think of is how our situation, is not uncommon, even if we feel like we are the only people to ever do something like this. Everybody risks things, everybody does something that they know they shouldn't do. All I can muster up to say is, "Like you haven't done anything that society doesn't approve of," I begin, "Where did you get that cigar?" I ask, already knowing that he stole it.

My reasoning does not seem to reach him though, all he does is take a deep swallow, the watery glaze threatening to spill out. Race pushes though as he talks in a low tone, "You should not be like me. This should not be happening. I don't want to lose you as a friend, but the longer we prolonge the end the more it will hurt once we get there". 

I know I am not going to be able to handle losing Race at all, let alone now. He is my only outlet in which people do not expect me to be proper, without him I am just another person in upper society. There should not even need to be a separation, it is clear that people outside of my class can make such a big impression on me, why does there need to be a differentiation. Why is my relationship with Race taboo? I cannot lose him as at this point he has become a part of me. 

I take a step towards him making him look at me, I notice a small tear roll down his oily cheek as we just stare at each other. He is clearly waiting for a response but I don't know what to say. All words are leaving my brain, as I am barely able to grasp what is happening. All I know is that I cannot lose Race. However, his eyes plead for a response that I cannot give him. Instead, I reach up to around his neck and pull him closer to me. He is a little taken aback at first but quickly adapts to the sudden closeness. Before I can get rid of the small amount of air between us, Race connects our lips before I can. 

Our lips move together like we are one being, my brain can only comprehend him. The rest of the world fades as he is the only thing I can think about and feel. At some point, it is like I am not even touching the ground. However, reality sinks back in as we disconnect. 

As I take a small step back to look at him I see his lopsided grin take over him face, and that is when I knew everything will work out. No matter is society says this is forbidden, as long as I have Race I know I won't need society's approval.