How cold.
It's December already, and New Yorks's streets are very cold.
But now it's colder. Too cold. Freezing. I almost can't move.
It only takes a second though, cause a pair of hands rescue me from the semi-frozen lake.
- Y/N! – I can hear Davey's worried voice, and soon realize I'm in his lap. I only see his beautiful eyes watering and then pass out.
***
When I open my eyes again, I'm back at Newboys Lodging House, lying on my bed, a lot warmer. Davey is sitting on the bed, beside me, and sighs in relief when he sees me. Les is sitting on the bed by my feet. Jack, Albert and Crutchie are standing a bit further.
- See, she's not dead... Ouch! – Albert gets slapped across his nape by Jack.
Albert rubs his neck and frowns, then looks at me. – I didn't think ya'd be stupid enough ta do it, ouch! Cut it off!
Jack slaped him again.
That's what happened. Albert challenged me to "ice skate" on the frozen lake, and smarty me tried to. The ice broke on my first step, and I fell down the freezing water at once.
- Who's stupid idea was it, huh? – Jack says – And yeah ya was stupid for doing it, Y/N, why did'ya?
He's also frowning, but soon relaxes. – Are you okay?
- I am... I... I'm sorry Jack... Sorry for worrying you guys... atchoo!
- God bless ya – Crutchie says, still looking worried.
Jack squeezes his nose in between his eyes and sighs – Stay 'ere and rest, ya have to warm up...
Now that he said it... I'm underneath the blankets, but I don't feel the clothes wet as they should be. I peek under the sheets and see that I'm using Romeo's pants, Finch's undershirt and Jack's shirt.
- Where is my cloths? – I ask, feeling my face warm.
Davey and Crutchie widen their eyes, getting red all the way to their ears. Jack and Albert glance away, slightly blushing, and only Les, who's still a child, anwsers me.
- They're drying by the fireplace, did you want to keep'em soaking?
I'm quiet, processing what might have happened.
- A-hem – Jack cuts the akward silence out – Let's go, boys, we 'ave papes ta sell
- I-I'll saty with her... To make sure... – Davey doesn't face me as he talks.
- Kay, les'go Crutchie, Albert... Oh, Y/N, ya papes are gone... I'll see if I can get ya some nickels
The boys leave. Damn, I still had bout 10 papes to sell... There goes todays cents. I'm taken back to reality with Daveys warm touch, when he holds my hand.
- Yo-you're still cold... Les, go get Race's blanket, please
- Why me? You go, and I'll stay here
Les crosses his arms and frowns. Davey seems irritated, he twists his lips but gets up and goes to the other room.
- Atchoo! – Damn, I'm gonna get sick...
- God bless you – Les seems half troubled, half amused.
- Here – Davey comes back and puts another blanket over me.
- Tha-Thank you, Davey
The boy looks at me lovingly, but soon frowns, displeased: - What were you thinking? You could have gotten yourself killed, you know that?
- I-I...
- These boys have the most absurd ideas! It's 30 degrees outside! You could have... I... was just so worried...
- I'm so... so sorry – I whisper. Davey is very caring and loving, he's just usually too proud to admit it... Course I want him to care bout me, worry bout me, I have a thing for him. But this time I might have gone too far, he seems real mad.
Before he could anwser, I sneeze again – Atchoo!
- Oh – He sighs – Here, take this – And hands me his handkerchief.
I take the little white wiper, and bring it to my nose – Thank you... – The handkerchief smells just like Davey... Sweet and gentle... Holding the fabric to my face, I glance at him, batting my lashes (couln'd help it), as he keeps watching me, now with a tiny smile.
- A-hem – Les breaks the silence, he's standing with his arms crossed – So what are we goint to do now? If you get sick, you won't be able to sell your papes...
- Don't worry, Y/N... – Davey holds my hands once again, gently – I'll sell them for you, you won't have any losses. How many papes do you usually sell in a day?
- Ha! You can't even sell your papes, Davey! And you're gonna want to sell hers too? – Les sounds cruel, I've never seen such a big frown comming from him; He's usually a very joyful child.
- Les! We'll work it out, okay?
The boy shrugs, and his older brother looks back at me.
- I... I'm sorry, Y/N... I don't know what's gotten into him...
- I don't got anything! She's the dumb one who's gonna end up sick!
- Les! What's your problem? She's our friend! – Davey gets up, gently holding his little brother by the shoulders, in a lower tone.
- I know... But now we just have to be here, we'll lose today's sales and-
- You can go, Les! I didn't ask you to stay...
- There, see? Since when do you like her better than you like me?
Realizing it was just jealousy, Davey relaxes and chuckles. I also relax.
- I don't like her better than you... I-I mean! You're both important to me... But she needs the extra help now, okay? And... You're right, I'm not a good seller, but you are... Can you sell the rest of my papes? Someone gotta keep an eye on her, but I'm sure you can sell these real fast and come back when you're done
Davey gets his cloth bag, still kinda full, and hands it to his little brother, who nods his head, smiling. Davey messes up Les' hair, they both chuckling.
- Atchoo! – Dang, I ruined the moment!
They both look at me, and Davey comes to sit by my side again, instintively grabbing my hand once more. Les frowns.
- I will, Davey, I'll sell all your papes. And I'm the one selling yours too, Y/N, got it? Davey could never...
Davey grins at me, amused, since Les can't see his face. – Thank you, Les!
The little boy walks towards the door, but before leaving, he stares at my hand, holding on to Davey's.
- Atchoo!
- God bless you – Davey says with loving eyes.
- You better get well soon, Y/N, or we'll have to call the doctor and he's gonna give you an injection! – Les finally leaves, stomping about.
Davey still chuckles, shaking his head to his jealous brother. I look at him with questioning eyes.
- Don't worry, I'll take care of you... A-and you'll soon be back to selling your papes... – Davey seems a bit more embarraseed now that we're completely alone.
- Thanks, Davey... I'm sorry for worrying you... and for ruining your sales
- N-no! It's okay! Really! – He squezees my fingers – I was just scared you could... you know... and before I had the chance to... a-hem... well...
- I was dumb, I know... I won't do it again... Achoo! – I use his handkerchief to pat my nose.
- I sure hope so, you really scared me! – He thinks a bit – Well, us...
- Thank heavens Les is gonna take care of my papes... I can't lose a day's worth of sales... But if ya want, ya can go, so you don't lose yours too...
Davey caresses my fingers lovingly, a shade of blush on his cheeks.
- Don't worry... Les is goint to sell everythingin half the time I would take... Besides – he uses his other hand to pet my hair– I'd rather be here with you anyway