Dear you by Bridget Kathleen (best short novels TXT) 📖

his brother sitting on the bed, playing with some cards.

Spot’s mother followed him in and asked again what was wrong.
Spot turned and said. “The world raised the price in papes t’day. There’s a huge crowd fully of police and newsies over by the Brooklyn Bridge.
His mother’s face turned white. “What? Are you sure?” Spot nodded. “How much more?”
Spot shrugged. “Don’ know, but I’m gonna find out.” He was about to head out again, seeing that his little brother was safe, but his mother grabbed his arm.
“Hold it right there,” she said. “You’s stayin’ inside till it settles down, a’right?”
“You kiddin’ me?”
She shook her head. “I don’ need my oldest son getting’ beat up. Besides, ya gotta get ready to pick up Evelyn. I’se already startin’ to cook and you need to clean ya self up.”
Spot nodded twice and walked to the kitchen sink to wash his face and hands and damp his hair down. He felt silly, dressing up and trying to look presentable for a girl he hardly knew. A beautiful one though, he reminded himself once again. The whole ordeal with the newsies would have to wait till tomorrow. Besides, he was sure enough that either Racetrack or Kid Blink would come rushing over to him to tell him all about it.

When it came time to pick up Evelyn Spot took a few breaths and headed outside. He walked and walked thinking about how he would knock on the door. Should I knock three times? Or four? Or ring the bell? And when someone would answer the door how would he explain to them that he was there to pick up Evelyn? When he came to the door he cleared his throat and knocked on the door four times. When no one came he rang the bell. Within a few seconds Abigail came to the door with a faint smile on her face. “Oh. Hello, Spot Conlon. What brings you hear?”
Spot was surprised and glad at the same time to see someone he knew a little. “Abigail? Uh, yeah…Is Evelyn here?”
Abigail’s little smile faded and she said. “Sorry. She won’t be going anywhere tonight.”
“…Why?” he asked.
“She told me not to let anyone bother her tonight. Not feeling well, I guess. Perhaps tomorrow?”
Spot’s heart fell to the bottom of his stomach. “Ah…nah. Don’ worry ‘bout it, Abi. Jus’ tell her I stopped by. Please? Can ya do that at least?”
Abigail nodded and the little smile returned to her face. “Yes, of course.” With that Abigail closed the door and Spot was left to walk home alone, heavy hearted and down in the dumps. He sure felt like he was dumped. Did Evelyn even remember? Did she even care? Maybe she liked Charles better. He furrowed his eyes at the thought and kicked an empty box of peaches. He stuffed his hands in his pocket and cursed to himself. Maybe she really didn’t care.

The next day Evelyn trailed behind Bianca and Sybelle as they shopped around the market. She noticed that the cries of the Newsies was quieter than usual. Just then she saw Spot walking the streets, his head down and hands stuffed in his pocket. Her heart raced and fluttered, but then she remembered that last night was the night she was suppose to meet his mother. Abigail had told her that he stopped by but she didn’t listen very well. Her head was still hurting but not as much as the day before.
“Bianca!” she said.
Bianca turned and looked to her friend. “What is it?” Evelyn pointed over to Spot and got a pleading look on her face. Bianca rolled her eyes and smiled. “Don’t blame me if you get lost in the mess of people. I’ll Sybelle know you where you are.”
“Thanks!” Evelyn gave her friend a quick hug and ran to catch up with Spot.

“Spot! Spot, wait! Stop!” she called out to him. He didn’t seem to hear her though from the heavy talk of people walking around her. She pushed through crowds of people, almost losing sight of Spot. Finally she reached him and held out her arm. Her finger tips brushed against the back of his shoulder and he suddenly stopped, making Evelyn bump into him.
“Evelyn?” he said, a little surprised.
“So glad I caught up with you. You know, you walk pretty fast.”
“What do ya want?” he said.
Evelyn straightened her back, took a breath and said, “I’m so terribly sorry about last night!” Spot didn’t say anything. “Are you mad at me?”
Spot shrugged. “Nah. Not really. But ta be poifectly honest…I’m a little disappointed.”
Evelyn got a look of shame slapped across her face. “Oh…I’m really sorry, Spot. Last night I---“
“Last night don’ mean nothin’ anymore.” He said quickly with a little bit of irritancy in his voice.
Evelyn bit her lower lip. “I…don’t know what to say.”
“Don’ say nothing’.” He told her.
“You really are mad at me, aren’t you?”
Spot scoffed and started to walk away. Evelyn grabbed his shoulder, trying to make him turn around. “Don’ touch me!” he spat. Evelyn was a little shocked by his attitude. “Stop being so pissed off at me! You think you’re the only one who had a hard a time last night?” Spot stayed quiet, listening. “Last night that Charles guy asked me to marry him! I was so upset about this I almost told them that I’m in love with someone else…And besides that I haven’t been feeling all that well. My head has been killing me. And now you’re angry with me?”
Spot sighed and looked to his feet for a second and then looked at Evelyn. “Well…Princess, the world isn’t fair. But I see your point. I don’ much like Charles either. You know that, but what you did last night…I mean, you could have at least came down ant told me yourself.”
Evelyn wrapped her arms around herself. “I know I’m selfish at times and hide from my own problems, but last night was a complete mess and total accident. You HAVE to believe me!”
Spot nodded. “Oh I believe ya.”
“So you’re not mad…anymore?” Spot nodded slowly. Evelyn felt better and so did her head, but just a little.
“So uh,” started Spot. “Whoes dis guy ya like? He a good guy?”
Evelyn blushed. “Y-yeah. He reminds me of someone I once knew.”
“Who?”
“My boy---I mean, my dead boy friend.”
Spot raised his brows. “Oooh. Yeah…right. Sorry.”
Evelyn shook her head. “No, don’t apologize.”
“So what’s he look like?” he asked her. “Maybe I know him? And I doubt you’se would give me his name so this is why I’m asking.”
Evelyn was unable to control the giggle that escaped her mouth. Spot’s stomach flipped and he almost blushed at this. “He’s got dirty blonde hair, loves to wear a hat. He’s Irish, lives in Brooklyn and has very pretty eyes.”
Spot thought for a while. “Hmmm…It’s not ringin’ any bells.”
Evelyn bit down on her lip, trying not to smile. “Well…maybe you’ll get it later? But…I should probably head back with Evelyn and Bianca.”
“Uhm…yeah. See ya, I guess.”
“So…everything’s clear about us?” Spot nodded. Evelyn turned by Spot stood still watching her leave. She stopped suddenly, turned around and ran up to Spot, giving him a quick hug and then running off for sure this time. Spot was left totally flabbergasted by this and didn’t know what to think. He got a whiff of her sweet smelling hair and felt her soft body press up against his for a moment before running off. And Evelyn’s heart fluttered as she ran to catch up with Bianca and Sybelle. She did it. She finally did it! Even though it was short she enjoyed that moment of wrapping her arms around the person she loved once again.
Chapter 15: The Note Book

The circulation bells rang and Racetrack and his Friend, Finn Reardon went to the distrobution center to get their papes. Older kids like Kid Blink and dave Simons pushed their way to the fornt of the line and their papes first. When it came time for Racetrack to get his papers her plunked down 60 cents. "For the life of me, "he said, "I can't figure out why ten cents means so much to millionaires like Hearts and Pulitzer." Ractrack could have complained all he wanted to. But it wasn't going to do him any good.
"It's not personl, kid. It's business." said the man who wore a name tag that said, Mr. Needle.
Racetrack scowled. "It feels personal."
Then the man named mr. Needle blew his whisle, shouting, "Next!"

Racetrack said good-bye to Finn as they went to their selling spots. A lot of the newises around New York had stopped buying papes so there was always plenty to go around. There was talk of some people getting a strike together. It just wasn't fair! If there was going to be a strike, Racetrack would certainly join. Just as Race was half way done with selling his papes he saw the most prettiest face and very familiar. "Bianca!" he shouted out. She turned her head and smiled when she saw him and walked over right away.
"Hi, Racetrack!" her pretty blond hair bounced at the last step she took towards him.

Racetrack grinned and handed a paper to her. "Need a pape?" he asked.
Bianca rolled her eyes and laughed a little. "Is that the reason why you had me come over here?"
"Nah!...Well kinda," he inched the paper closer to her.
"Desperate much?" she asked him.
Race laughed. "Hey, Ima a newsie! We newsies have been cheated!"
"Cheated? Oh right! I heard about the papers. How much did they raise it again."
"I don' know. Buy my pape and find out." he teased. Bianca half smiled, rolling her eyes as she handed Racetrack a penny. "Pleasure doin' business with ya ma'm!" he tipped his hat.
"Oh! Now I remember," Bianca said suddenly. "They raised it ten cents. Thats nuts!"
"Ya tellin' me! And I'm the one that's gotta sell 'em!"
"Any luck?" she asked him.
Racetrack shrugged his shoulders. "I get buy. Less than before though."
"I'm sorry." Bianca gave him a sad look.
"Hey, don't sweat, sweet thing. I'm tough!"
Bianca blushed and burst out in laughter. When she stopped she looked down at Racetrack and said to him, "Sweet thing?"
"What? I say somethin' wrong?"
Bianca shook her head. "No. It's just, I've never been called 'sweet thing' before."
"Foist time for everythin', right?" he said.
"Aparantly." agreed Bianca.
Before Bianca was to turn away and walk home Racetrack called out to her. "Bianca! Say...there's a show goin' on t'night at the Ivering Hall in Manhattan. Some newsie boys an' me will be goin'. Wanna join?"
Bianca thought for a while. "Umm. It's a school night."
"So?"
"So? I take my education seriously."

This time Racetrack rolled his eyes. "Ya don' need to go everyday. 'Sides, ya could still go to school tomorrow."
"I don't wanna be tired is what I'm saying. And shouldn't you be going to school too?" she asked him.
"Who? Me? School? I'm smart enough already."
"Is that so?" Bianca tilted her head to the side.
"It is so." said Racetrack. "I'm so smart you would hardly believe it!"
"Really?"
"Really, really." He said.
Bianca sighed and placed her hands on her hips. "I'll think about it."
Racetrack looked a little surprised. He didn't he'd get this far. "Promise?"
"Promise. Cross my heart and hope to die. I'll try to make it."
"That's a pretty big swear, but ok.