~ Six ~

My night with Jack ended quickly to a Saturday morning with nothing but getting shoved by all the little Newsies in the lodging house. Jack dragged me out to Tibby's for breakfast paid for by Miss Katherine Plumber.

I can't blame Jack for his interest in this girl. She is pretty. I was so bored throughout the entire morning. Most of it wasn't even an interview, it was more like their first date. I can't believe Jack talked me into coming with him. I sat in the corner, eating a muffin. His elbows on the table, crossing his arms, a smile on his face. The last time I saw him like this was... when we were fifteen years old, sitting at this same table. We were teased by the other Newsies because of our closeness. I couldn't help it, Jack was my rock. My best friend. First love. It hurts to see him like this.

Sitting across from another girl.

It was a relief to get out of that little café. We both shook Katherine's hand and I darted out of the wooden door, happy to be on my feet again. I ran to Davey's side, we hugged and Jack walked slowly behind me.

"Are you ready for tonight?" Davey asked me.

"Yeah. I can't wait," I smiled at him. I looked at Jack, trying to make him jealous.

"What's tonight?" Jack asked, confused.

"Davey invited me to his dad's birthday dinner."

"Yeah, my family is really excited to meet you."

"Me too!" I paused. "So, I'm guessing I won't be able to just wear this, then?" I pointed to my dirty green shirt and brown Newsie cap.

"I didn't even think about that. You might need to wear something a little nicer..." Davey squinted his eyes.

"This is all I have. And since we're not selling papers anymore, I don't have enough money to get something new."

"Oh. That's not good." Jack shrugged. "Well, I better be off-"

"Jack, wait." Davey stopped him. "Can I talk to you? Just for a second?"

"Yeah, sure, sure." The walked not too far away from me. I wasn't paying attention all that much. Although, I could tell that they were talking about me. I heard my name a few times.

They walked back to me and they both looked a little less enthusiastic than before. We stood in a silence for a few moments until Davey spoke again.

"Well, it's almost noon. I should get back for lunch. I would invite you to come, but you'll be eating with us tonight, so..." He laughed awkwardly and held the back of his neck.

We said goodbye to Davey and I gave him a hug and we were off.

Jack and I were on our way back to the lodging house, but I stopped to look at the dresses in the windows of the shops in the Square. I was eying a lacy white dress with a deep blue bow at the back. Jack turned around to stand with me and let out a little pffftt.

"You don't really want to wear a dress, do you?" I raised an eyebrow at him, confused. "I mean, you'se a Newsie. Wouldn't it be weird to wear a dress?"

"I guess," I shrugged. "But, what's the harm in wearin' one for just one night?"

"Eh, it's just crazy to think about...Cory dressing like a girl?" He laughed.

"I like it." I felt like I should have flipped my hair or something as I walked past him.

~*~

I ended up going to the lodging house after Jack did. I had to stop for a few things. But when I got back, I went to my area that I had blocked off. Otherwise known as the closet, and I found my trunk in the corner left open.

All that's in my trunk is a journal of mine, an old emerald necklace, a drawing from Jack, and a piece of broken glass from a liquor bottle. I walked over to the opened lid and looked inside.

I found something new inside of my small chest. It wasn't anything like all of the other trinkets and things already inside, I was surprised to see it laying on the bottom, underneath my journals, drawings, and broken glass. I pulled a blue ribbon over the green amulet as it fell to the floor, and raised the rest of the fabrics over my head.

It was a dress.

The dress.

There's only one person who knew that I loved this dress. That's, that's

"Cowboy..."

~*~

When the time came to get ready for dinner with the Jacobs family, I wrapped the cloth around my breast and slipped on my dress. It was long and my wavy brown hair hanging on my shoulders. I pulled it up into a bun and left my boots and stockings on. Stockings? I thought. With a dress as nice as this? Let's just hope nobody notices.

I looked into the mirror and noticed the emerald jewel glistening on the wood floor. I knelt down to pick it up until I heard a knock at the closet door.

"Hold on, I'll be out in a second." I said and clenched the necklace in my palm, with a bit of the chain between my fingers.

I opened the door looking down at my dress. "Thank you so much for the dress, Ja-" I looked up to see the Newsie, Romeo, with a smile as wide as my wingspan.

"Hiya, Cory. You'se lookin' beautiful tonight. Where'd you get the dress?"

"Uh, Thanks, Rome...? I don't know where it came from, but I came back here and it was in my trunk." I explained, talking with my hands. The necklace in my hand made a loud thud as it hit the floor. "Oh! Gosh." Romeo picked it up, turned me around, and clasped it around my neck.

"You looks great." There's that smile again.

I followed him out of my closet and found all of the boys either had their backs turned to me, or their hands over their eyes. Naturally, I looked for Jack. I couldn't find him in the crowd.

"Alright, guys," Romeo shouted. "You can look now." They all opened their eyes and turned to face us. Whistles and hoots filled the entire building. I blushed and laughed hoping no one would come in on this.

"So, Cory?" Crutchie called my name. "Who's the oh, so lucky guy?" He smirked and the rest of the boys whistled and filled the air with yelling. I didn't notice, but Jack slowly and quietly walked down the stairs.

"It's actually someone we all know." I smiled as my voice echoed in the air. "Davey." They were all of a sudden not so excited. "Do you guys not like Davey?"

"It's not that," Boots called out. "It's just we were hopin' it would be someone like, like...Jack!"

"What? Why would I-?" I looked up and saw Jack leaning on the staircase. "Well, it, it's Davey. I'm going for their dad's birthday dinner."

"Sounds like a snooze." Jack slid down on the rail. "But, you like Davey, so whatever." He put his arm around Crutchie and they walked out. I sighed and waited for my date to arrive.

~*~

Jack was right. It was a snooze. Davey's sister gave me several dirty looks whenever I talked about my life. His parents constantly asked me questions. And Les, oh gosh. He would not shut up.

After supper, Davey and I went outside to the fire escape, just like Jack and I would have. He told me that I looked beautiful, and it just didn't feel right.

It just doesn't feel like I wanted it to. When Jack and I are together, everything is perfect. But when I'm with Davey, it just doesn't connect.

I thought Davey and I could have been something more than just friends.

But tonight, I was proved wrong.

❤️ 📰 🎵 ❤️ 📰 🎵 ❤️ 📰 🎵 ❤️ 📰 🎵

-Yes! Chapter Six!

-Ok, I'm officially bored with my life and I need a new musical to listen to. Any suggestions? A couple of my favorites are Thoroughly Modern Millie, Bonnie & Clyde, Side Show, Chess, and Beautiful.

-Speaking of musicals, QOTD: What is your go-to soundtrack? Also, are you excited for the Tony's? I AM! #letsgoCheno

-I usually listen to playlists rather than full shows, but if I do listen to a show it's usually TMM or Side Show. My favorite playlists are: Auditions for Girls, Sutton Foster, and my playlist of Dream Roles.

-I know I say it every time, but guys, I freakin love you. 💜

Stay Musical. Hayden Beth 🌹☺️