Charlotte Ocompo was a normal 21st century teenager from Queens, hopeful for a kickass summer ahead of her. However, nothing could have prepared her for when she stumbles into a portal that sends her back in time to the Manhattan newsies lodging hou...
((See gif below for how I felt writing this chapter ))
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Chapter 35
Inside the lodging house lobby, Kit was met with a furiously pacing Cowboy. His head whipped to the sound of the door opening. His face morphed through a whirlwind of emotions. He first looked shocked, then relieved to see her, then worried, and then had a look that showed she was about to get scolded.
He unleashed an endless barrage of questions, relentlessly shooting one right after another. "Are you'se ok? Where did ya go? What happened? Are you'se stupid? . . ."
Kit stopped listening to his incessant questions. Once she entered the threshold, she felt all the emotions of worries, heartbreak, and sadness fall back onto her shoulders. Being in the lodging house reminded her of all the moments she shared with Blink that were quickly tainted by his infidelity. She didn't have the energy to deal with Jack fretting over her.
As soon as Cowboy took a breath in his interrogation, Kit quickly interrupted him.
"I'm fine, Cowboy." She walked past him towards the stairs, but he quickly caught her by the crook of her elbow.
Jack's voice took on a softer tone once he took in her rigid stance and realized that something was wrong.
"Kit... stop. What 'appened?" Kit yanked her arm out of his grip, but she didn't make a move to leave him.
With her back still facing him, she took a moment to recollect herself. She wasn't ready to talk to anyone about what happened, even Jack.
"I - I'se jus' needed ta get outta Manhattan fo' a bit." Kit confessed.
Jack gave her a look, beckoning her to continue and asking for more information. Kit let out a soft sigh. He didn't deserve the cold shoulder. He was just showing how much he cared for her.
"I went ta visit Brooklyn."
"Ya went to Brooklyn? by you'se self!? Are you'se crazy? Did ya get hoirt?"
He placed his hands on both of her shoulders and spun her to face him. He held her in place arms-length away as his eyes raked over her as he examined her for any bruises, cuts, or injuries. Kit had stuffed her bandaged knuckles in her pockets. She was glad that Johnny only got her good with his kick to her ribs so that her shirt covered up the inevitable bruise that was forming. Her side groaned in pain if she moved too much.
"I told you'se already. I'm fine." She didn't want to burden him with her fight with Johnny. It wasn't important and was the last thing on her mind at the moment.
After scanning for surface injuries, Cowboy took in the girl before him. The sadness and pain swirling in her eyes didn't match the words she was saying. She held herself tall, but still looked utterly defeated. He wanted to pry, but decided it was probably better to give her space for at least tonight. But he couldn't help but question if he was doing the right thing when it came to her.
