Extra, Extra! (A Newsies fanfiction)

Brooklyn's Here--- Esther

"NO!" I burst awake from the worst dream I've ever had.

Jack, Spot, Race, me and some other newsies were on trial for some reason. We were allowed to leave but Jack was sentenced to the Refuge until the age of twenty one.

"Woah, Esther. Are you alright?" I forgot I was with Race.

I lean back into him, my head on his heart. I'm pressing myself against him so hard that I can hear his heart beating. I didn't want to leave. I couldn't leave. He wraps his arms around me and we snuggle for a bit.

"Yeah, just had a bad dream that's all." 

Race looks at me and smiles sadly. "That horror show can really scar a person, huh?"

I point to my back. "You're telling me." We both make a noise that's supposed  to be a laugh, even though The Refuge is no laughing matter.

"Are you ready?" He asks.

"Ready for what?"

"The ralley. It's today." Excited, I spring up, stretching a few of the cuts on my back. I wince and Race stands up next to me.

"You need help getting down?" He asks, genuinely worried.

"I'm fine." I say, slowly starting down the ladder. Race comes down after and we enter the Lodging House.

Mush is wrestling Tommy Boy and Elmer is cheering them on. Finch is tying his shoe. Smalls is still snoring. Albert is fixing his hat. Specs is polishing his glasses. Henry is making a sandwich. Romeo is singing loudly from the bathroom.

"Shut up!" Albert yells. Romeo immediately stops.

Davey and Les are here too. Jojo and Buttons have their hands over their eyes.

"Why do we have our eyes closed?" Les asked.

"They told us it was a surprise. Be patient, Les." Davey fires back.

"Speak for yourself." Les says and I snicker. Buttons sees us walk in and he taps Jojo on the shoulder.

"One, two, three." The two counted in unison and they removed their hands.

Davey and Les open their eyes. Davey's jaw drops. Les is beaming from ear to ear.

"KICKS!" Les runs and jumps into my arms. I spin him around then I rest him on my hip.

"Hi Les!" I say.

"Esther? I thought you were...how did you...are you alright?" Davey ran over and pulls me into a hug. Les is still attached to me so he puts one arm around Davey and the arm in the sling on my shoulder.

"I missed you guys." I told them and Davey let go.

"We did too. Now Les, she may be in pain from...her recent experience, so you should give her some space." Davey says. Les pouts for a minute and I let him down.

"Davey, I'm fine." I say.

"How did you escape?" Les asks.

"I had some help." I say, not wanting to give away too much.

"Ohhhhhh, Oscar!" Les says. I nod.

Race seemed to be uncomfortable by this and left my side. "I'm going to see if Romeo is done in the bathroom."

He walked away quickly. I turn back to Davey. "Was it something I said?"

Davey sighs. "When we were at the deli, the day you got interviewed, Race made a confession. He told he liked you more than a friend. He was hopelessly in love with you. But when we learned about you and Oscar....he fell apart."