A Different Path

Chapter 48 - The Final Straw

Criticism spot! :)

This will be a longer entry, as I'd like to end this book with 50 chapters!! <3

Crutchie's POV

I was laying against Jack, patiently waiting for the bell to ring. I had been awake for an hour already, unable to fall back asleep after my fourth nightmare of the night. Thankfully, only my first one about my aunt had woken Jack, allowing him to get some sleep. Eventually, the bell rang, waking Jack. He pushed my hair from my face, smiling.

"Morning," his voice was raspy as it always was in the morning, making me smile too.

"Morning," it was clear he had noticed my tired eyes, his smile dropping.

"Did you not get a lot of sleep?" I debated lying for a moment, not wanting to stress him out. Of course, I realized it'd make things far worse if I wasn't honest, and I sighed.

"I had a few more nightmares and I couldn't get back to sleep," I admitted, glancing away from him for a moment.

"How long have you been awake for?"

"Only an hour, not super long." He didn't hide his worry, smiling again.

"Why didn't you wake me, hun?" I couldn't help but blush a little, adoring how Jack would be extra-sweet when he knew I wasn't okay.

"I wanted to let you sleep," he sighed, still messing with my hair.

"Were they bad nightmares?" I thought for a moment, unsure.

"I mean, they definitely weren't anywhere close to the worst ones I've had. I think that if my reaction to it didn't wake you up, then it wasn't too bad." He nodded, agreeing.

"Still, I'd rather you have to wake me up instead of letting me sleep." I looked away from him, feeling guilty. "I'll get you some clothes, okay? Just stay here." I backed away from him so he could stand, sitting up and rubbing my eyes. 

After we had gotten dressed we went about our normal schedule, heading to the square with Race, Romeo, and today we also had Specs. I couldn't help but feel dread overcome me as we waited in line for our papes, not knowing how I'd react if Oscar said something. Eventually, my turn came, and I greeted Weisel kindly as always. 

"Say, when was the last time you even sold for an entire week?" Oscar spat, causing me to tense up.

"Shut it, Oscar," Jack said, rolling his eyes.

"I'm just worried 'bout my dear friend Charlie is all," he continued, only making Jack angrier. He began to storm over, but I stopped him by grabbing his sleeve. 

"Oscar, I truly mean this from the bottom of my heart," I began, catching both of them off guard. "Go fuck yourself." Jack smiled wide, looking almost like a proud parent. Oscar went silent, turning back to the next person in line.

"Wow, did I really just hear the Crutchie swear in front of everybody?" Race teased, wanting to loosen the tension. It worked, and we all laughed for a moment.

"Yeah yeah laugh it up," I said, jokingly rolling my eyes.

I was able to start selling with a smile on my face, proud of myself for what I had said. Part of me felt a little bad, but I kept reminding myself of how awful the Delancey's were to me, which would make the guilt immediately disappear. Somehow, I managed to sell my papes quicker than normal, and I beat Jack home. I waited at the bottom of the ladder for him, my face lighting up when he turned the corner.

"Hey!" He said, smiling back at me.

"Hey," I stood up from the ground, adjusting my shirt.

"I was thinking maybe we could eat dinner at the theatre, I just have to put some of the final touches on this backdrop for Medda." I smiled even more, happy I'd get to watch him paint.