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...
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Chapter 41
"No sign o' Mush, Race. Ya pockets are safe fo' now." Girry's voice preceded him. Race panicked and looked back over his shoulder, sighing in relief that the portal was gone. That was two less things to worry about, Girry seeing the portal, resulting in him asking questions Race didn't have answers to, and Kit trying to leave without fully thinking about the repercussions.
As Girry unsuspectedly turned the corner, he froze at the sight of Race and Kit sitting on the ground. "What's wrong?"
Kit let out a sigh and tried to fortify herself. "Heya Girry." she replied weakly.
Without hesitation, Girry sat himself down next to her. She appreciated that he gave her the space for silence without bombarding them with noise. Race was less than appreciative, and threw Girry an unhappy glare, upset that he ruined the moment between the pair. Race wasn't done talking about Kit's problem and her trying to go back to the future, and there was no way he could talk about it now. Begrudgingly, he kept his hand on her knee while Kit stared off into the distance.
After a short while, the boys gave each other a questioning look, wondering who will break the silence.
Kit sighed and rubbed her hand over her face. She felt Girry's place a comforting hand on her shoulder, his large hand covering her entire shoulder and upper back. She looked up to him and Race, observing how their reactions mirrored each other. The two newsies were worried over her, and Kit felt her heart melt towards them.
"You'se can tawk tah us. I'm real good at secrets, remembah?" Girry prodded. Kit cocked her head at him, having no idea what he was referring to. "Remembah? I'se kept our secret o' who you'se got da sweets for?"
Despite the reminder of her feelings for Blink, Kit felt a small smile tug at her lips. She had confided in him about her crush on Blink after she had just met Blink at Tibby's and their walk back to the lodging house that sparkled with the potential romance and new beginnings. That moment felt like it was years ago. Other than Messenger and Jack, Girry was one the first newsies she befriended when she was on bedrest in the Brooklyn lodging house. She had barely known the Manhattan newsies at that point.
Race puffed at his chest. "And you'se don't need a remindah dat I," Race pointed a thumb towards himself, "am also a real good secret keepah." He wiggled his eyebrows at her, as if she needed any more hints towards what he was talking about.
To the utter surprise of Race and Girry, Kit let out a laugh.
"You guys are too much." She shook her head. "But, really. I'm fine. Jus' goin' through some lady time emotions." Kit shrugged off. She plastered on a smile and made a move to get up.
Girry placed his hands on her shoulder and softly pushed her back down. She fell back on her bum. Kit glared at him and crossed her arms, leaning back on the wall behind her.
"Kit, be serious. I know you'se lyin' an' dat somethin's wrong. I'se know you didn't want tah tawk 'bout it yestahday at da dock, an' I'se wanted to give ya time. But, it hoirts to see you'se hoirting. We jus' want to help." Girry vocalised in a soft tone. Kit's glare softened.
"Yeah, we'se jus' wanna help." Race echoed, "Dats what we're here for. An' I'se bet 2 bits dat tawkin' tah us will help ya feel bettah."
Kit shook her head, but let out an uneasy and nervous chuckle. Race and Girry's combined confrontation wore away at her already weakened resolve. Her smile quickly morphed into a sullen look, and she dropped her head into her hands.
"I'se messed up real bad." Her wavering voice was muffled by her hands.
"Dere's no judgement here at all. God, if ya hoird half o' mah crazy stories, you'd want ta become a nun. " Race prodded.
"We'se ain't exactly saints, Kit, an' we ain't da nunnery eidah. We'se would nevah judge ya."
She glanced back at the boys who were patiently waiting for her to divulge. Race was right, the pair had quickly become like family to her, and their worry over her really cemented that for her. They truly cared about her.
