46Chapter 13 The Note
The sun light spilled through the window as it always did in the morning. Feister's eyes fluttered opened to see the bright rays casting into her little bedroom. The small girl groaned and turned to the other side of the bed to get just a little more sleep before - "RISE AN' SHINE SLEEPIN' BEAUTY!" Race's voice rang through the air.
"SHUT UP AN' LEMME SLEEP IN FOR ONCE YA WALKIN' BLUEBERRY!" Feister shouted back as she pulled the covers over her head to drown out the noise.
"IF I'S SAID IT ONCE, I'S SAID IT A THOUSAND TIMES! GET OFF YER LAZY LITTLE BUM AN' GET A MOVIN'!" Race yelled back before walking away to wake up the other boys. Feister mentally slapped Race for waking her up a peaceful sleep (again), but, nevertheless the news girl rolled out of bed and starting getting ready for the day. Feister grabbed her torsos and put them on. The familiar feeling of having her legs separated by the two holes put Feister at ease. While it was nice feeling like an actual girl for once, she realized it was much better being a scrappy news girl than a proper young lady. Anyways, Feister pulled up her suspenders and adjusted them before throwing on her flannel shirt. She quickly braided her hair and slapped her cap on before tucking the two bundles of hair under it. Smiling to herself, Feister walked out of her room just in time to see the morning's chaos.
"This is what you get for runin' my dream!" Albert shouted as he ran around the room with none other than Race's cigar in hand. "Mornin' Feisty!" the redhead greeted as he ran past the younger girl.
"A leg of lamb dream ain't that deep ya tomato!" Race yelled back. "Heya sunshine! Glad ta see you'se decided ta show yer pretty face," Race said as he ran past Feister, who couldn't help but laugh. It was like that every morning. No matter what the boys were doing, whether they were walking past, chasing the other, or in the middle of a heated augment, the boys always said "morning" to Feister as they past her room.
"There's my favorite goil," an all too familiar voice chirped.
"Heya Mush brains," Feister replied as she turned to face Mush.
"So, how'd ya sleep?" Mush asked while leaning his shoulder on the door frame with a little smile on his face.
"On my back," Feister replied in a sweet voice and a smirk across before she walked over to the sink.
"Yer a tease Feister Johnson," Mush called as Feister walked off. Feister looked back and gave him the most innocent look as if to say, "who me? Never". Feister then laughed before grabbing a washcloth and some soap so she could wash up for the day.
"We's all knew ya got it real bad for little Feisty. So just give up while yer ahead," Kid Blink said as he walked past his (hopelessly in love) best friend.
"Whatever," Mush grumbled with an eye roll as he walked to the sink. When he got there Feister splashed him a bit while laughing as a playful look came into her eyes. "Yer lucky I love you," Mush said deadpanned. But secretly he was smiling to see Feister so happy, plus, a little water wasn't going to ruin his good mood. Last night had been amazing, Mush got to take Feister out on a date, and though it did rain, he wouldn't change anything if he could.
"I'm lucky?" Feister asked with that look on her face. "Yer lucky I haven't soaked yer sorry little butt yet. An' trust me. There has been many times when I coulda done that." though Feister had fun last night, she was still the tough news girl who ran her mouth. Plus, where was the fun in being a goody good?
"One day yer gonna ruin my reputation," Mush replied.
"Since when do ya have a reputation Meyers?" Feister asked while crossing her arms. She knew she had him there because he didn't say anything. "Whatsa matter?" she asked sweetly. "Cat got yer tongue?"
"Face it kid, ya walked right into that one," Jack said. The other boys started to snicker as Feister stood there looking at Mush with that fire in her eyes and a smirk across her face. "I hope yer happy," Mush grumbled.
"Very," Feister replied happily before quickly kissing his cheek, then ran off to the bunk room where Buttons and Sniper were playing keep away from Romeo.
"Ya know what's worse than gettin' called out by a goil? Jojo asked. When no one answered he said, "Gettin' called out by yer goilfriend." this made the other boys burst out into laughter, and Mush just rolled his eyes in annoyance. This definitely wasn't the first, nor would it be the last time the boys would teased him about Feister. Even with all the teasing and taunting, it wouldn't change the fact that Mush was finally able to make a move on Feister Johnson, the tough girl with walls stronger than bricks. And, amazingly, he was able to break down those walls and get to know the girl behind all feistiness.
When everyone had their laughs, and Romeo got his cap back, the newsies headed out for another day's work. As usual they got some breakfast from the nuns before heading to the Distribution Center, and waited for the gate to be unlocked. Some of the boys were playing catch with an old baseball, while others ran around, and the rest sat about and talked. The sun was shining brightly over the streets in Manhattan, it was a warm day, but the boys and Feister could tell that the summer heat was starting to fade away. So they were going to enjoy the warm weather while they still could.
"So, whaddya wanna do after sellin'?" Mush asked as he wrapped his arm around Feister. "We's can take a walk in the park, an' maybe get a little snack an' go ta our favorite tree."
"Sounds nice," Feister replied as she laid her head on his shoulder. She closed her eyes and sighed as she took in the sweet little moment. Feister felt a soft kiss being pressed to her temple, as a smile spread across her face at the warm feeling that was swirling in her stomach. Her eyes fluttered opened as she started to lace her fingers with his. Her hands were a lot softer and smoother than Mush's were, and though Feister never understood why, she went with it.
"Two little lovebirds sitting' in a tree, k-i-s-s-i-n-g, first comes love, then comes marriage then comes Mush with a-"
"Shut up!" Mush cut the other boys off before they could finish. Feister's face turned redder than a tomato. Not knowing what else to do, she punched Mush's arm and scooched away from embarrassment. Feister then started to wonder if she was going soft. Though, the more time she spent with Mush, the more she realized that it wasn't bad to show her softer side every now and then. But that was something she was going to keep to herself. The boys laughed before going back to what they were doing. "Can't get a moment alone," Mush mumbled under his breath.
"Never had in the past," Feister replied with a small shrug. "But that's never bothered us before," she said as she gently placed her hand on top of his. When Mush opened his mouth to say something Jack called everyone over to the square since the headline was about to be put up. Soon enough, the headline was written on the board in white chalk, and, the headline was actually good for once. The Delanceys came to unlock the gate, and of course, the usual taunting and smart remarks were made. "An' here I's was thinkin' that smell was the rottin' garbage," Feister teased with a smirk as she crossed her arms.
"Shouldn't ya be smashin' yer face with lover boy's?" Oscar asked in annoyance.
Feister took one look at Mush and tried not to smile at his deep red cheeks. But, that does not mean she's letting the Delanceys make fun of him. After all, that's her job. Feister looked right at Oscar and shrugged as she said, "Eh, been there, done that. But what I's would really like ta do now is smash my fist with yer face, an' yer idiot brudda as well."
"Yer walkin' on thin ice!" Morris growled as he clenched his fists together. Which caused the newsies' blood to start pumping. If something was about to go down, there was no doubt they'd jump right in and help Feister before any damage was done.
"Ya could go ahead an' soak me. But, let's all be honest here, I's could take both of ya down with my eyes closed, an' do you'se really want word ta get out that you'se got yer sorry little bums beat by a tiny goil that's a lot younger than you'se?" a small pause. "Yeah, that's what I's thought," Feister said with a satisfied smile as the Delanceys walked away without another word.
"Our goil is back boys!" Race shouted while the other newsies were all smiles. Because it was in that moment they knew that Feister had finally healed. And with that, the newsies went inside, and lined up for their papers. Jokes were cracks at Weasel and at the Delanceys. After getting the papers, the newsies all headed off into separate directions to start another day carrying the banner. Mush and Feister walked to their selling spot hand in hand while talking about things, cracking jokes, and maybe a little teasing here and there. By the time they got to their selling spot the sun was shining brighter than ever, there were a few fluffy clouds in the sky, and there were some puddles from last night's rain storm. But all in all it was a nice day to be out and about in The Big Apple.
It was another night in the bunk room as the last of the newsies piled into the Lodging House for a good night's rest. Mush had just climbed into his bunk and grabbed his deck of cards that was hidden under the mattress. As usual he and Feister were going to play their nightly game of war, but at the moment she needed to use the little girl's room. So to pass the time, Mush took the deck of cards and shuffle it while he waited. Wanting to get a little comfy he laid down on the bed. But when he laid down on the pillow he heard what sounded like paper? Putting the cards back into the box Mush quickly sat up and slid a hand under his pillow and, sure enough he felt a folded piece of paper. He pulled out the white sheet and his name was on it. After a few moments He unfolded it and what he saw on the page was kind of a shock.
There's somethin' bout the way the street looks when it's just rained,
There's a glow off the pavement, you walk me to the lodge, and you know I wanna ask you to dance, right there, In the middle of Central Park.
We're walkin' down the road, I wonder if you know, I'm tryin' so hard not to get caught up now, but you're just so cool, run your hands through your hair, absentmindedly makin' me want you
Cause I don't know how it gets better than this, you take my hand and drag me headfirst fearless
And I don't know why but with you I'd dance, In a storm in my best dress, fearless
Well you stood there with me in the doorway, my hands shake, I'm not usually this way but, you pull me in and I'm a little more brave,
It's the first kiss, it's flawless, really something, it's fearless.
With every word that was read his smile grew a little more. This was without a doubt written by a certain little news girl. Well...that and Mush would know this hand writing anywhere. Maybe Mush has finally rubbed off on Feister just a little bit. Even if she isn't usually the type of girl who gets all sappy and has a little trouble expressing her more vulnerable side. Either way, it was sweet knowing she took the time to write this just for him. A little smile spread across Mush's face as he read the little poem over and over again to the point it was engraved in his brain.
"Whatcha readin'?" a voice asked, which made Mush jump. He quickly hid the note behind his back as he looked up to see none other than a small and feisty news girl was sitting in front of him with a tiny smirk.
"Nothin'," Mush replied playing dumb while stuffing the note back under the pillow for safe keeping. He knew Feister well enough that she wouldn't walk to talk about it. Plus the fact one of the boys could over hear and have another reason to make fun of them being lovebirds, it wouldn't end well on all parts.
"Looks like somethin' ta me," Feister replied as her smirk grew. "What is it?" she asked in an innocently coy tone. Even though Feister knew exactly what was going on. She had hid the little note there that morning so nobody else would find it. And while it would be easier to just hand it to Mush, Feister knew she would probably be a nervous, blushing mess. Plus, one of the boys would most likely steal it, read it out loud, before teasing her. She'd get all embarrassed and then...well...it wouldn't end well.
"Just a note that says I'm the biggest idiot alive," Mush replied with a coy smile."It's ain't funny Blink!" he shouted, knowing if he did that, the other boys would be less tempted to try and sneak a peek at the note.
"What's I do now?" Kid Blink asked in a confused tone.
"No, seriously what is it?" Feister asked.
"Nothin'," Mush replied playing along.
"It better be nothin'," Feister spat while crossing her arms and glared right into Mush's eyes. "Cause if that's from anudda goil I's dunno who's more dead meat. You'se, or 'er," Feister said in the most serious tone she could. While on the inside she was trying to hold back her smile.
"Ya don't hafta worry bout nothin' cause yer the only goil for me Johnson," Mush said with a love sick smile. Even though they were just playing around, Mush knew there was some truth in what Feister said, yet, it was still cute how protective she got for those few seconds. "You'se can be a pain in the butt sometimes, but that's what I's love bout you'se." as he spoke, Mush saw Feister's eyes were both soft, and so done with his sappiness. When, in reality, she's the one who started it with the note.
"You really are mushy, aren't ya," Feister replied while lightly punching Mush's shoulder. "But, I's love ya anyways," she added with a little smile.
"That's a relief," Mush said with a sigh. "I's wouldn't want my goilfriend hatin' me or nothin'." and with that being said, Feister went in for a hug. It wasn't all that shocking to Mush since Feister's always hugging him in moments like this. He smiled while wrapping his arms around her. Mush removed Feister's cap from her head, causing her messy braids to come tumbling down as he kissed the top of her head. Feister didn't mind this of course and only pulled herself closer as she listened to the familiar sound of his soothing heart beat. Feister felt so safe at that moment, and her heart was content as can be.
Now, Feister has been called a lot of things, but never "girlfriend". It a little odd, but she wasn't going to complain. Her smiled grew the more she thought about it, and she couldn't help but let out the smallest giggle at the thought of no longer being in the friend zone. Mush glanced down and saw the corner of Feister's little smile. And when she looked back up at him, a light pink color dusted her cheeks. "I's love ya," Mush whispered tenderly.
"I love ya too," Feister replied quietly before leaning up and pressed a small kiss to his lips. When she pulled back she laid her head on his heart and let out a soft sigh. It was in that moment Feister realized that after all the craziness she's been through that, she was finally his. His girl.
Author's note
Wow, I can't believe this story is already over! Last time I checked I questioning everything that was happening. But I gotta say that this story has grown on me a bit, even if hurt/comfort isn't what I'm best at, I still enjoyed watching these characters grow and hearing you're thoughts on it. It makes me really happy to know you've enjoyed I'm Fine. Not to worry though, this is not the end of Feister's story, there's still more to come. But for the meantime I've got a little something planned for October, so keep a look out. The little poem thing is the song Fearless by Taylor Swift, all rights go to her for the song. If you were wondering, yes, I had to change a few words to fit into the story, (as I always do). Last of all, big thanks thank you to everyone who read and reviewed this fic! And once again, I hope you enjoyed the final chapter of I'm Fine, thanks a bunch for reading! and I'll see you all again soon.
Disneyfan10
