11July 1890
The sun was shining brightly, the day was hot with a clear blue sky. Since it was the Fourth of July the newsies didn't have to sell any papers, it was one of the few times they got a day off. And since it was their day off and the Fourth of July, the Lower Manhattan newsies were heading over to Brooklyn to celebrate. Though the morning to get there had been rather crazy. Half of the boys had been excited to go, the other half not so much. A few of the older newsies had tried to scare Mush and Feister about how big and bad the Brooklyn boys were. And while the pair didn't seem phased in the slightest, they were pretty scared on the inside. While Wolf was busy trying to get Finch out of the bathroom, Jumps had told the boys to knock it off, then told Mush and Feister there was nothing to worry about.
On another note, Feister had obviously proven that she can sell the papers just as good as any of the boys, so she was allowed to stay as the first girl newsie of Lower Manhattan. Not only did she get to stay with the newsies, but she also found a best friend during her short time there. With Mush also being a new kid they both learned how to sell together, and quickly formed a bond that no one saw coming. Though it was shocking that two kids who were ready to soak each other became close friends. Between the two of them, Feister was the trouble maker, and Mush was who either kept her calm, or was the one responsible for setting off the firecracker. But, what the boys found stranger was while Mush is the one who gets Feister mad half the time, he's also the one to calm her down. While it was a little weird, it was also really cute watching them together.
When the finally got to Brooklyn all the boys head to the docks with Jumps, while Wolf told Mush and Feister to stay with him for a little bit. The two little newsies didn't question it and went about the talking. Or rather Feister talked. "You'se been pretty quiet, what gives?" little Feister asked Mush as she tried to keep up with him. She found it quit odd that her best friend had been silent all day long. All Feister heard come out of Mush's mouth was, "Mornin'," before he scurried off to get ready for the day.
"Maybe I's don't wanna be here," Mush mumbled in response as he stuffed his hands into his pockets and quickened his pace to avoid the little news girl and her game of a million questions. But, Mush had his reasons.
"Scaredy cat," Feister teased as she ran up to Mush with a smirk on her face. "Yer just a big lump of a scared little baby kitten that don't know how ta 'meow' yet," the young girl stated in a serious tone while crossing her arms.
"Real mature Feisty," Mush said in a unamused tone. He had to hold back from laughing at her statement about him being scared. It was cute how this little girl was trying to act so tough. However, Mush knew that would all change once Feister stepped into Brooklyn and see just how scary it can be. Especially some of the newsies there. If Mush had to guess, the Brooklyn boys would have Feister shaking in her boots once she got a good look. Well, his day just got a lot more interesting.
"I's six!" Feister protested. "Whaddya expect me ta say?! But I's do have a point bout you'se bein' scared." Mush just shook his head and continued walking.
"Yer right Wolf, they's are handful," the two little newsies were startled by the sound and quickly turned to see where it was coming from. They were met with a giant boy with green eyes and blonde hair. He was wearing a bright worn out red shirt that had no sleeves, and tan trousers. Dirt smudges, and some scratches covered his tanned arms, and to top it all off, a newsie cap sat on top of his messy blonde locks. "How much trouble do they get in?"
"Too much for their own good," Wolf replied with a slight groan. The moment Wolf finished talking, Mush pointed to Feister as if to say, "it's mostly her" to which Feister proceeded to punch Mush in the gut to shut him up. "Mush, Feister, this is Blaze, leader of the Brooklyn boys. An' this is second in command Rocky, " Wolf said. Mush and Feister glanced at each other before looking at the very tall boys with wide eyes, and confused faces.
"So, these are yer new kids," Rocky said while crossing his arms and looking them over.
"Yup, Mush came back in June, an' Feisty came along two days after," Wolf explained. "Even though they's fightin' with each other now, they's like two peas in a pod."
"Sadly," Feister mumbled.
"Hey!" Mush exclaimed.
"Yer so easy ta mess with that it's actually sad," Feister replied with a laugh. Which caused Mush to grab her and start to playfully rough house a bit.
"They's do this all the time," Wolf replied before Blaze or Rocky asked. "They's a handful alright, but they's look out for each other." after the leaders talked for awhile, Jumps came back and Mush and Feister were free to go with the other boys. When they got to the docks. Feister wasn't sure what to think because let's just say that The Brooklyn boys are well...ten times bigger and more rowdy than The Manhattan boys. There were so many boys that she somehow got separated from Jumps and Mush. To make matters worse, she couldn't find any of the Manhattan newsies, and it also didn't help that she's super small. She then stood up on a crate and looked around.
After scanning the sea of boys she found a head full of messy blonde curls. So without even thinking twice she ran over to the boy. "There ya are Racer, I's thought I's never find you'se." When he turned around Feister saw that this boy wasn't Race. While he has blonde curly hair, he didn't have blue eyes. And it was at that moment she realized that this was one of the Brooklyn boys. "Sorry, I's thought you'se was someone else," Feister said before backing up to walk away, but then she bumped into someone else. She jumped and turned around to see another tall boy. Now, even though Feister didn't act scared of the Brooklyn boys, that was before she knew that these kids were actually huge compared to her, not to mention they all looked really strong and could soak her in a moment. But she was going to stand her ground no matter what would happen. At least that's what she told herself.
"Yer Manhattan's new kid, aren't ya?" The blonde boy asked. When Feister nodded he said, "I's Snaps an' he's Hot Shot." Feister looked up at Hot Shot to see he had dark hair and eyes like her, only he was much taller.
"What's yer name kid?" Hot Shot asked.
"Feister," she replied in a sure tone.
"Well Feister, try an' catch this." with that being said Hot Shot grabbed her cap, which caused her braids to come tumbling down. This of course shocked the two Brooklyn boys. They stared at this tiny little girl with wide eyes that this was actually a -"Goil?! Yer a goil! Hot shot exclaimed in shock.
"A goil newsie," Snaps said under his breath as two more Brooklyn boys came up.
"I's thought Smalls was the only goil," another Brooklyn boy pointed out.
"You'se has two eyes, use 'em fore yourself," a short one snapped.
"Oh just shut yer pie holes already!" Feister snapped in a sassy tone. There was no way she was going to let these bummers get under her skin.
"I's can see why they's call ya Feister," Hot Shot said with a smirk. Feister wasn't in the mood for any of this, so when she tried to grab her cap back Hot Shot pulled it away. "Give it back!" Feister yelled while jumping up to get her cap back so she could go find the Manhattan boys. But Hot Shot held it over his head. He then started to laugh as Feister tried to jump up and grab it.
"Shot, just give 'er cap back."
"Shut up Spot" Hot Shot snapped. Feister kept jumping up, but she was nowhere near to getting her cap back. "You'se should shut up an' give me my cap back or I's gonna-" Hot Shot leaned down so he could look her in the eyes. "Gonna what? Are ya gonna go cry?" he asked before laughing.
"My fist is gonna meet yer face!" Feister yelled while looking him dead in the eyes.
"No yer not," Hot Shot scoffed with a smirked. "Yer just a goil-" before Hot Shot could finish he felt a fist hit his nose making him stumble back again. "Did you'se-" But, Feister didn't let him finish since well...long story short the next thing she knew was that they were on the ground going at it. This wasn't just about the cap anymore. It was about her getting called out for being a girl...again. Well, that wasn't going to happen anymore. Feister didn't even notice the crowd of boys around them as they fought, but she also didn't care. "Hey what's goin' on!" a voice rang through the air. The next thing Feister knew was that she was being pulled apart by two strong arms. The moment Feister was on her feet she noticed that Jumps was the one who was holding her, and the one holding back Hot Shot was Rocky.
"What's goin' on!" Blaze asked Hot Shot who didn't answer. So, when he turned to Feister he was shocked (just like all the other Brooklyn boys) that he, is a she. "Yer a-"
"I's wouldn't say that Blaze, she'll punch ya in the nose," Hot Shot snapped while sending a glare to Feister.
"All that, was the one who started it!" Feister snapped back while trying to get out of Jumps' grip so she can give Hot Shot a nice shiner in his eye that'll match the other one. But Jumps held her back.
"Rocky, Jumps, go get 'em cleaned up while we's talk," Blaze said. "Jack, Spot." said boys stepped up. "You'se two are in charge, make sure no one, an' I's mean no one gets into anymore trouble."
"Yes Blaze," Jack and Spot replied. With that being said and done Jumps and Rocky led Feister and Hot Shot back to the Lodge. It was a little ways away from the docks, but that's where the medical supplies were so the two newsies to be cleaned up. Jumps and Rocky took Feister and Hot Shot to the kitchen. To keep another fight from happening Feister sat on the counter and Hot Shot was at the table, which were a few good feet away from the other. Feister stayed quiet as Jumps cleaned off the dirt and what little blood stained her skin. There was a bruise on her right cheek, some on her arms and her legs felt a little sore. She also had a little scrape on her left cheek and a small gash on her right temple. The right part of her upper arm also had to be wrapped, but compared to what she gave to Hot Shot she got off easy. But the thing that was bugging her the most was that Jumps hadn't said anything. Actually no one said anything.
When Jumps and Rocky finished cleaning Feister and Hot Shot, they were free to go back to the others. While Hot Shot was out the door in a split second, Feister just sat on the counter with her eyes on the ground. "You'se ok Feisty?" Jumps asked, but, the small girl refused to not only answer, but also not make any eye contact. "Too bad ya got hurt, means ya can't go swimmin'. An' it's such a nice day ta do it too. But you'se can still put yer feet in the wada, or play with the fellas. You'se love doin' that. An' later tonight, there's gonna be fireworks," Jumps said trying to cheer Feister up, but she remained quiet. "Do ya wanna stay here?" Feister nodded her head slightly. "Want me ta stay?" she shook her head. "Ok. I'll send one of the boys over in a few minutes in case ya change yer mind. Don't want ya wonderin' round in a place ya don't know." and with that being said, Jumps left Feister alone in the Lodge. He didn't want to leave her alone, but could sense it was the best choice for now.
After a few minutes Feister heard the door close and when she looked up she was the only one in the room. The reason Feister didn't go back to the docks was because she didn't want to face everyone after what happened. Even more so she didn't want to face Wolf and Blaze, who would probably yell at her for soaking Hot Shot. But she wasn't sorry about what happened. Feister was lost in thought for who knows how long because she then saw a little grey cap sitting on her lap. When she looked up and saw a pair of blue eyes looking at her, and a soft smile. She smiled back before putting her cap back on and tucked her hair under it. "When I heard ya say you'se was gonna punch 'im in the face, I's didn't think you'd actually do it," Mush said with a small laugh.
"Is everyone mad?' Feister asked quietly.
"Nah," Mush replied before taking a seat on the counter next to Feister. But the truth was that the Manhattan newsies and the Brooklyn boys were having a pretty big fight. The Brooklyn boys blamed the Manhattan newsies for letting a girl into join them. While the Manhattan newsies, blamed the Brooklyn boys for being responsible for what happened. At one point, it looked like a turf war was going to happen, until Jack and Spot managed to calm down their brothers and separated them to cool off until further notice. All the while Mush had managed to snatch up Feister's forgotten cap and found her sitting in the Brooklyn Lodging House.
Feister nodded, she was just glad that Mush wasn't mad at her. Since Feister didn't really feel like going back out, Mush stayed in the Brooklyn Lodging House with her. They found a deck of cards and played who knows how many rounds of War. Before they knew it Jack came in and told them that the fireworks were about to start. But Feister wasn't sure if she wanted to go. Though she was feeling better, she still didn't want to go out and face everyone.
But Mush talked her into it and the next thing Feister knew, she was walked back to the docks while staying as close to Jack and Mush as possible. She passed by a few Brooklyn boys who gave her the stink eye. But some of them smiled at her, which she thought was weird, but she shook it off. Before long the three of them got to the docks and settled themselves on the wooden boards. While it was hot and maybe even a little sticky, it was still a beautiful night. The sound of the water could be heard moving and swaying while the far off lights from the buildings danced in the waves, as a light summer breeze kissed the air.
Just then there was a big boom in the air that made everyone stop what they were doing and look at the night sky. Then a small rocket shot through up and into the sky and then it burst into and brightly colored sparks that filled the air. This happened a bunch more times as the Brooklyn boys and the Manhattan newsies watched in aw. Feister forgot all about what happened with Hot Shot and was captivated by the fireworks. She smiled and without thinking very much she laid her head on Mush's shoulder while keeping her eyes on the night sky.
Mush looked down and smiled since in the little time he's known Feister, he's never seen her look like this. Instead of yelling and being the most crazy person he knows, she was calm for once. Mush didn't know what made him wrap his arm around her, he just felt like doing it for some reason. Feister looked up at him and her smile widened. They then turned back to the fireworks and watched in awe.
Author's note
This chapter goes out to everyone who has asked me "what happened with the Brooklyn boy". Here's the answer two years and a few days later. In all honesty I did have some idea of what happened, but I didn't know how to cover it since I was still new to being writer and knew that something like this would have to wait until I understood both Feister and my writing style a lot more. I ended up putting this idea in the scrap pile for the longest time until now. In the end I love how this chapter turned out. Feister being the little fireball she is and there were a few sweeter moments with Mush. But that doesn't mean she's not in the "get close get hurt" mind set. She's still a kid that needs to let herself go and have some fun. I hope everyone had a nice 4th of July weekend, thanks for reading and I'll see you next time!
