I twisted the piece of string tightly around my finger, and watched the tip of my finger turn dark reddish purple. I released the string, watching it slowly uncurl, leaving white dents in my finger. I was just sitting on the curb, sweating in the late afternoon sun, not doing anything in particular. I tossed the string aside, deciding there were better things to do than play with it. I started to stand up, but then dropped back down on the ground. I could hear familiar voices nearby. I held very still, straining to hear the conversation. I'm observant and I often listen to conversations. It's not like I do it intentionally, it just sort of happens. I just listen.
"Say, Jack, we haven't been seein' you ‘round dese parts so much, eh?" a nasal male voice said jokingly. Laughter followed along with some scuffling of feet. I leaned forward, although it probably didn't help make the voices sound any clearer. "Yeah, ya been kinda busy lately, huh?" another male voice, higher this time, mocked. "Whadya you been doin' Blink?" a voice shot back. I recognized it as Jack's. I could hear more laughter and scuffling. "Yeah, we all know Jack's been too busy to see us." the first voice taunted. There were many voices talking at once but one voice managed to yell over the others. "'e's been spendin' all ‘is time with-" I blushed upon hearing that comment. "Angel-la!" chimed in all the voices. Then they all burst out laughing. I grinned to myself in embarrassment, although in way I was kind of pleased...
I noticed the laughter growing louder, coming closer. I didn't want them to see me and know I had been listening. I jumped to my feet, and glanced around trying to find a place to hide. I wiped my sweaty palms on my skirt, feeling a sick feeling rising in my stomach. I could tell they were only a few feet away, just down the alley. I turned as Jack burst out of the alley, followed by half a dozen other newsies. He came to an abrupt halt in front of me, the smile on his face replaced with surprise. I sucked in my breath, feeling the rush of wind sweep past my face. We looked at each other, surprised and embarrassed. The other guys were crowded behind Jack, snickering amongst themselves. I glanced at them and them looked back at Jack. Race whispered something to Blink who laughed to himself. Race then turned to Jack. "We'll just, ah, leave you two alone." he said, and slapped Jack on the arm as he walked away. Jack glared at Race. The other newsies followed him, chuckling to themselves.
Part Two
"So, I guess ya heard everythin' back dere, huh?" Jack asked sheepishly, looking down at his feet. I couldn't help but smile a little. "Yeah." I said, just as sheepishly. He looked at me and grinned. Jack has this smile that just makes you want to smile right back at him. It's a real genuine smile; it makes you feel good. He took my hand and we started walking down the street. We walked in silence for a few seconds then Jack stopped short and turned to me. "Hey, whata you doin' down in dese parts anyways?" Nope, no delayed reaction there. I just shrugged. "I was bored, I guess... I-I," I struggled for words, growing self conscious, "I like it here." I finally admitted. Jack looked at me searchingly. Then, quietly, he asked, "Why?" I sighed. "It's just different. Different from...what I'm used to." Jack chuckled. "The goyl who ‘as everything likes it ‘ere in da slummy parts a New York." I smiled and we kept on walking.
I was kind of lost in thought, not really paying attention to anything. Suddenly I noticed that, well, I was cold. I felt kind of stupid for not even noticing the weather. I was also wearing a lightweight dress and although it had been hot earlier, with the setting of the sun it was growing colder out. "You cold?" "Huh?" I had been so lost in thought I hadn't heard what Jack said. Jack smiled. "Are ya cold?" he said, slower this time. "Oh. Yeah. Yeah, I am." I replied, still in a bit of a daze. "Here." he said, slipping off his jacket and handing to me. That was so nice of him. I smiled at him. "Thanks." I slipped the jacket on. Of course it was too big but it was warm from Jack.
"Ready?" he asked. "Yes." I smiled. He smiled back and held out his arm. "C'mon, I'll walk ya home." he said as I took his arm.
"Hi, Jack." called a singsong female voice. Jack froze and I could feel his entire body tense up. I looked at him, questioningly. "Uhh, ‘scuse me a minute." Jack mumbled, sounding uneasy. He slowly turned around. I glanced around but didn't turn. I turned to my left and stepped next to a pile of crates sitting in front of someone's store.
Partially hidden, I peeked around the corner to see what was going on. Farther down the street a tall girl with long, nondescript brown hair was talking animatedly to Jack. She was wearing plain clothes, a cream blouse and brown shirt, and there was a basket full of fabric next to her. I leaned forward to get a better view. Doilies? Yes, that was it. She had a basket full of doilies. I couldn't see Jack's face but it was obvious by his body language that he was uncomfortable and wanted to leave. I strained my ears but couldn't make out what they were saying. I finally gave up and decided to just wait it out.
I wish I didn't think so much. But I do. I really do. I'm always analyzing things. Well, Jack talking to another girl was doing a number on me. All of a sudden I was extremely jealous. I mean, after all, Jack was mine. Ok, so he really wasn't mine but... Well, in a way he was mine. Wasn't he? He cared about me, right? I cared for him a lot. So much it hurt in fact. But what if he didn't feel the same way? Was I just another ‘fling'? No, I couldn't be. Could I? I poured my heart out too him and this is how he repays me? Cheating on me? Was that it? Seeing that, that girl behind my back? How dare he, that little pig....
I shook myself, my mind reeling. Hold up, Ange, how do you know he's been cheating on you? You don't. You have no evidence whatsoever. This was Logic talking here. Besides, spoke up Vengeance, how do you it's not her? Maybe she's trying to seduce Jack even though he has you. Ok, now I'm really getting out of hand. Stop drawing conclusions. Just wait until he comes back..
I turned and looked back over at that girl. I narrowed my eyes and glared. Either way I decided I didn't like the look of her. I know I shouldn't go and do that, I don't even know her. But on the other hand, no one can stop me from hating her privately...
When I looked up again then girl had turned away and Jack was coming toward me. Jack kind of blushed and apologized to me about the delay. I smiled weakly. "Oh, that's ok." I managed to say. It was forced and Jack knew it. I couldn't help it. It wasn't ok. Jack sighed. We walked down the street in a tense silence.
"So, who was she anyway?" I finally blurted out. I looked at Jack, frowning. Jack sucked in his breath and squirmed a bit. "Sarah. Sarah Jacobs. She's Les and Davy's olda sista'." He looked at me, his eyes wide, worried. I nodded, accepting the answer.
"It ain't what chu think, Angie." Jack looked into my eyes, in a desperate searching way. I searched his face, trying to find out if he was being truthful. "It aint'." he breathed, sounding despondent. I opened my mouth but no sound came out. Finally I just nodded.
Part Three
"Hey, Angela, we're starting dinner." I really didn't feel like facing my family or even food. "I'm not hungry." I said sullenly. My brother stared at me. "Really?" "I'm not hungry." I repeated, growing a bit annoyed. Johnny shrugged. "Fine. Suit yourself." He turned and walked off, shaking his head. "Angela not hungry...huh. Something bad must've happened..." I overheard him muttering to himself. Johnny was right. Something bad had happened and even my friend, Food seemed no longer appealing.
I slowly ascended the stairs to my room and laid down on my bed. I didn't even want to think about sorting out my feelings. I just felt exhuasted. Ok, first off, I was madly jealous of that Sarah girl. I don't know what's going on between them, if anything . However, if there was I knew I would be devasted. Ok, so maybe I'm overreacting. Maybe it's no big deal. I mean I know Jack, but do I really know him? How well does he know me? I squeezed my eyes shut and groaned.
After mulling over things a bit I had come to several conclusions. One, I couldn't conclude anything about this Jack and Sarah thing so I should just stop obessing. Two, it was obvious that Jack didn't want me to think that there was something going, so hopefully there isn't. And three, Jack didn't seem to want to volunteer any information about this Sarah girl so I would have to find out about her from outside sources.
Well, I really didn't feel like asking David or Les about their sister. I don't really know them and it would be uncomfortable. Someone must know something about her. Well, there was always Lynn. We were on ok terms now, but it wouldn't be easy. Well, it had to be easier asking a girl about it...
Part Four
"Up early this morning, I see." I jumped. I spun around, my heart racing. "I'm sorry," my father apologized, "I didn't mean to scare you."
"Oh, I'm all right." I gasped, trying to catch my breath. I reached over and grabbed a muffin off of the platter in the center of the table, and headed out the door.
"Angela."
"What?" I whined, expecting to be questioned next. "Look, I'm going for a walk ok? I need to talk to someone. My, uhh, friend. Ok?"
"I'm glad to see you're making friends. Go ahead. Have fun! Be home in time for dinner!" he called after me. Hmm, that was interesting, he let me go...
I shifted my weight from one foot to the other. I had gotten to the Lodging House early and had watched each and every newsie come out, except Lynn. I grumbled to myself and kicked at a rock, sending it skittering down the sidewalk. What was taking her so long? Finally, Lynn sauntered out of the Lodging House, stifling a yawn. "So Lynn, how'd ya sleep?" I asked, doing my best New York accent. She rolled her eyes at me and grinned.
"So, what brings you out ‘ere? Lookin' for Jack?" she teased.
"Umm, I kinda need to talk to you about something." Lynn looked at me surprised. "I need to know anything you can tell me about Sarah Jacobs." I had been trying to hold it in but the truth was I was extremely curious.
"Why you wanna know ‘bout her?" Lynn asked, puzzled.
"Well," I said, sitting down the on the curb, "Jack was walking my home last night and this calls out to him. So, he excuses himself and goes over to talk to her even though it's fairly obvious he doesn't want to. So she's talking to him and she's all smiles and stuff. And when Jack comes back he reluctantly tells me that the girl was Sarah Jacobs and he won't say anything thing else about her. Then he told me it wasn't what I thought it was and he seemed really nervous. So now I need to know everything you can tell me about this Sarah girl." I finished. Lynn grinned. "It's been drivin ya nuts, hasn't it?" I nodded emphatically.
Part Five
"Ok," Lynn began, "Foist of all, Sarah is Les an' Davy's sista'."
"Yeah, I know that."
Lynn nodded. "Ok, good. Now, when Davy and Les became newsies Jack kinda made friends wid ‘em. So that means ‘e also met Sarah.
"Jack had a real thing for Sarah. That's part of da reason why he din't go ta Santa Fe. After da strike was ova' he was gonna leave but ‘e had a little talk wit da mayor and changed ‘is mind."
"So then what happened?" I asked eagerly.
Lynn shrugged. "Not much I guess. ‘E just sorta stopped seein' her I guess, although I don't really know if she took da hint. I hoid she was pretty broken up over da whole thing." I nodded, taking it all in.
"Well, I gotta go sell me papes. I'll see ya."
"Yeah, bye." I said, numbly, as Lynn turned to leave. Ugh. Jack had a history. He was too popular for his own good really. Why didn't he just tell me about her last night? Was he afraid I would get mad? Well, actually I would have been a bit upset. But I would have rather have had him tell me instead of asking someone else. What upset me the most was the fact that he couldn't bring himself to tell me.
As I sat there I suddenly realized what had happened. Jack had fallen off the pedestal that he had been placed upon. I had thought he was wonderful; everything about him had enchanted me. From the way he smiled and his hair to his his street smarts and kindness. But suddenly, Jack didn't seem so great. He just seemed like any other guy, spineless and insensitive. And that's what hurt most of all.
Part Six
I walked sullenly down the dusty streets of New York. There wasn't anywhere to go and there wasn't anything to do. It was late afternoon and the streets were deserted. People were inside, working at desks, doing their jobs. I brushed my hair out of my face, wishing I had pulled in up this morning. Although I was trying not to I kept thinking about Jack and Sarah. Sarah. What did she have anyway? I stopped and stared at my reflection in a window. I really didn't look like Sarah at all. In fact, I really didn't look much like anyone. Sarah was tall with long hair and I was small, with short black hair. Well, whatever had been going on between them was over. That was a more reassuring thought. I kept walking, my head down, watching my feet take one step after the other.
"Ooof." Walking and looking at the ground is not a good idea. I had crashed into someone carrying a basket of doilies. I was now on the ground in a pile of doilies. My shoulder smarted from being hit by the the basket. I didn't even want to look up. I knew who it had to be. I swear, it's like kismet or something. Why me?
"Are you all right?"
"Yeah. Yeah, I'm fine." I answered, a bit disgruntled. I grabbed Sarah's extended hand and pulled myself to my feet.
"I'm sorry about this!" she apologized. Great. She had to be nice too.
"Oh, no, that's ok. It was my fault. I wasn't watching where I was going." I explained. "Here." I said, bending down to help her pick up the doilies.
"My name is Angela. Angela DeLanci." I said, extending my hand. Sarah looked a me a bit surprised. Ok, so I it wasn't normal for women to introduce themselves with a handshake. I was taught how to do it anyway.
"Sarah. Sarah Jacobs." she said and shook my hand a bit unsure of herself. I forced a smile, although I what I really wanted to do was to get out of there as soon as possible. Nonetheless, I was still going to be polite to her. It was the right thing to do, regardless of my feelings towards her.
Sarah studied my face for a second. "I've seen you around here before. Did you live around here?" I shook my head. "I live down on Broadway. My family just moved here."
"Oh." I could see her taking in that information and noticing my expensive clothes. I could tell she was becoming uncomfortable, which in turn made me feel uncomfortable.
"Where did you live before?" Sarah asked.
"Um, Hong Kong." I said reluctantly. Her eyes widened and her mouth opened a little.
"You're kidding." she breathed.
I smiled a little. "It's true."
She shook her head in disbelief. Then she wrinkled her forehead. "Um, I don't want to pry but..." she trailed off.
"No, go ahead, ask."
"Why do I always see you around here?"
I shrugged. "No reason, really. I just like it here." Ok, so I was sort of fibbing....