Queens//Newsies

Chapter 7

I paced anxiously across the lodging house. I wasn't sure why I was pacing, except that I just couldn't sit still. I was silently wondering what to do. I had broken whatever sort of friendship I had been forming with Spot, and now my brother knew who I was, but I couldn't speak with him because of what Jack did, not to mention that instead of listening to Manhattan or Brooklyn, everyone was listening to me. I had had at least three leaders by today asking what I was going to do. I told them that I would tell them when I knew.

Oh my god! I groaned, Ladders glancing up at me with concern. Spot, I had totally lied to him. He had asked me on several occasions if the boys in Queens knew and I had denied it every single time. I couldn't believe I had just told him that I hadn't lied.

I was so wrong. I had just destroyed any chance of an alliance because I couldn't admit that I lied.

I nodded, finally coming to a decision. "I am going to Brooklyn," I stated aloud.

Several boys stared at me.

"Why?" Ladders asked, breaking the silence.

"I need to talk to Spot," I told him, before opening the door. "If anyone comes by, tell them I am not here."

I shut the door behind me and began walking off towards the direction of Brooklyn. I wasn't sure how I was going to apologize, only that I had to, and pray that he understood.

I paused outside the door to the lodging house, realizing suddenly that I hadn't tucked my hair up since I had left my hat back in the lodging house, which explained the weird looks I was receiving on the streets.

I knocked on the door and stood, rocking back and forth on my heels as I waited for someone to answer the door.

His second opened the door and blinked in surprise. "Crown? Can I help you?"

"I hope so. Do you know where Spot is?"

Midway paused, seeming like he wasn't going to answer, before sighing and responding with. "Try the Brooklyn Bridge."

I blinked in surprise but nodded. "Thank you." As I turned and walked down the stairs, I began thinking. What on earth was Spot doing on the Brooklyn Bridge during the evening? I shook it off and made my way towards the Bridge.

I stopped at the end of the bridge and smirked, finding Spot watching the sunset. I rolled my eyes and walked along until I had reached him.

I leaned against the railing with him. He raised an eyebrow, but said nothing, instead taking the cigar up to his lips and taking a drag.

"Watching the sunset Conlon?" I asked. "Never thought you could be soft."

"I'm afraid to disappoint." He leaned forwards slightly over the railing. "Did you come here for a reason? Or just to make fun of me?"

I sighed slightly. "I need to apologize."

He rolled his eye. "Damn right you do."

I raised an eyebrow but continued. "I am sorry I lied about not telling the boys, but I didn't trust

you either, what made you think I would tell you?"

He sighed and placed his head in his hands, handing me his cigar. I took a quick drag as he asked. "Nothing really, I still can't believe that all of them didn't let it slip. Did you threaten them all or something?"

I passed him back the cigar. "Leave them out of this," I replied. "They did nothing wrong, and no I did not threaten them. I grew up with the lodging house knowing about me."

He threw his hands up in annoyance. "Why did you threaten me?"

I twisted and turned to face him. "You are kidding me right?" Great, here we went arguing again, all this stupid tension between us because we couldn't agree on simple little things. "Why would I trust you with my biggest secret? I needed to keep you from going and telling everyone who I was. Do you know what would happen to me if the wrong person found out about me? I would be thrown into the refuge for good, and I'll be screwed if I go there again."