"Get up ya lousy bums! Ya got papes to sell! Get up!! Up up up!!!!" Kloppman yelled at the Newsies. With a loud grumble the boys slowly crawled out of their beds and got ready for the long day ahead of them. When they were all dressed and ready they waited at the bottom of the stairs. They talked about what they were going to do that day, and where they were going to sell, but when they saw a figure standing at the top of the stairs, they were all instantly silent. With one sweeping motion all their caps were off and they said as if in one voice

"Good Morning Sunshine".

"Good Morning boys," she replied back. She walked down the stairs with her usual smile on her face, the one that seemed to spread past her cheeks and on to whoever happened to be standing near her. It was that infectious. To the boys Sunshine was more than a fellow newsie; she was a best friend, a sister, and a mother all rolled into one. No newsie could ever remember not seeing a smile on her face, which is why they called her Sunshine; she was a constant form of happiness to all of them, and this small ritual was their way of showing her their appreciation. A silent vow that they would never leave her behind, never leave without her. After their morning ritual all the Manhatten Newsies left the lodging house together. They got to the distribution office and got into their usual order. Jack, Dave, Racetrack, Crutchy, Mush, Sunshine, and everyone else behind them. After Mush bought his papers Sunshine stepped up the window,

"Good Mornin' Mr. Weisel. Fifty papes plase." she said cheerfully. And as much as the old man wanted to hate her because she was a newsie, he could never bring himself to say anything rude to her like he did to the other newsies. Because when she wished him a good morning, he believed that she honestly hoped his day was going well. Oscar and Morris on the other hand were completely different story.

"Hey a sweetheart" Morris whispered, "How about you and me's walk down to Queens tonight? I know a great lil' spot we can go to. Where we can be all alone."

Now Sunshine might be a girl, and a pretty girl at that, but she wasn't stupid, and certainly wasn't a priss. She hated fighting, but knew that she could take care of herself if she needed too. Jack had taught her everything he knew. Sunshine was just about to respond with a clever remark when Jack jumped in.

"Blow it out your ear Delancy, she's ain't interested," he said through gritted teeth.

"This ain't none of your business Kelly," Morris sneered back.

"Her business, is my business, and if you don't watch yourself, it's gonna be the business of forty other Newsies." With that Jack grabbed Sunshine's arm and pulled her away from the window.

"Jack, I can take care of myself ya know. Ya don't need to save me every time some guy talks to me. Especially when its an idiot like Morris." She sounded angry but her eyes said otherwise. They still had the same spark in them.

"I know Sunshine, but the Delancy's are no good and one day they're gonna try somethin' with ya. I was just given em' fair warnin'." He smiled than wrapped her in a big hug and they walked off together carryin' the banner. The truth was Jack really was concerned for her. Ever since she had turned 12 about a month ago, Jack had noticed the rude glances Sunshine had been getting when they walked down the streets together. Even though he treated the Delanceys like they were buffoons just like everyone else, he knew first hand what they were capable of.

It was 3 o'clock by the time Sunshine had sold out. She usually sold alone because years on the job had taught her that a young girl alone attracted a lot of sympathy from wealthy customers. Today had been no different, a wealthy young woman had given her a dime for the one paper she had bought. More than satisfied with the day's sales Sunshine decided to stop by Tibby's to see if any one else had finished selling. Just as she had hoped only two newsies could be seen in the restaurant. Jack, and Spot, visiting from Brooklyn. She walked in and sat with them at their booth.

"Hey ya boys" She said smiling.

"Hey Sunshine" they answered together, and then resumed to the quiet conversation they were having. Uninterested in what the boys were talking about, Sunshine began making mental preparations for Jack's birthday which was coming up in about six months. While deciding between a chocolate cake with vanilla icing or vanilla cake with chocolate icing a familiar voice interrupted her thoughts, "So how was yer day Sunshine?"

"Not too bad Spot. Some lady gave me a dime for one paper! Can you believe that!? But what brings you all the way over to our territory?"

"Jacky boy here told me he had important news ta share wid me."

"Oh yeah? Whats the important news Jack? Did Sarah smile at ya again?" Spot chuckled at her joke, it had been a month since Jack and Sarah had shared their big kiss, but he still hadn't gotten the courage to ask her out on an official date. He often went to Sunshine and Spot for advice.

"Why don't ya tell her what ya told me Cowboy." Spot replied, giving his buddy an encouraging nudge.

"Yeah Jack, you've been awful quiet since I've gotten here. What's wrong?" She tried to get his eyes to meet hers and when they did she flashed him a smile. Immediately Jack's usual grin was back on his face, which had been formally been occupied by a look of worry.

"Well, uh, Sunshine. Someone came by the lodgin' house lookin' for ya. Well actually for the both of us. It was Pop." As soon as Jack said this he knew he should have prepared her for the blow. She sat completely still staring at Jack, the smile immediately erased from her face.

"He got out?" Jack nodded, and took her hand in his.