Author's note: Hey everyone! this is my first story and i hope you all like it! pleasssseeee comment, i dont care if it is mean. I also dont have a title. So i am holding a contest for the title of my fanfic. If you win i will send you a virtual hug and cupcake. Yes so i hope everyone loves my story and think of a good name!

Disclaimer: I only own Barbie, Wendy, and Grandma Winnie. I do not own any of the characters from Newsies. Disney owns them.

Chap. 1: Loss and gain

Manhattan, NY: July 1, 2010

"Madelyn, Ms. Rider will take her tea now." Chauncey told me as I waited outside with a tray in hand.

"Okay." I walk into the glorious gold and red room where Ms. Rider lived. Ms. Winifred Rider is one of the richest old-and single-ladies in Manhattan, New York. She hired me as her personal maid when I was 13. For the three years since then she has treated me like a daughter, spoiling me like the one she never had: and the mother that is always wanted. My mom is always working and my dad ran away with another woman. So I am naturally alone most of my time. But Grandma Winnie helped me never be lonely (mushy as that may sound) and become the stubborn, independent woman I am. But, about two months ago, a doctor came and told her that her health was starting to decline. No one in her personal staff expected this because just a few weeks before, she was starting to get better. I couldn't stop crying when I heard the news. Grandma Winnie (as she let me call her) was dying and no one could do anything about it.

Blinking back tears and holding in my emotions, something I did very well, I poured Grandma Winnie her tea.

"How are you today?" I glance up, looking into her bright green eyes. Grandma Winnie at first glance is a withering old woman who has had a good life, until you look into her eyes. In her eyes, she is still a 20 year old girl in love with life.

"I'm fine, thank you…Barbie." I smiled as she called me my nickname. I don't know why everyone calls me that but I think it is because I always dream big. "How about you?" she asks jadedly

"I'm happy to see you Grandma Winnie. Here is your tea," I handed her the cup. Even though it is tiring, Grandma Winnie wants to sit up during the day in her bed. I want to know everything that is going on, how can I do that lying down? I laugh to myself as I recall her scolding her doctor (who is a grown man by the way). I sit on her bed and get ready to ask her the routine questions to keep her memory from fading.

"Grandma, what is the date?" I begin.

"July 1, 2010."

"What is the day of the week?"

"Sunday."

"What is my name?"

"Madelyn 'Barbie' Leveen…Rider." She giggles at adding the last part. I have never heard any old woman other that Grandma Winnie giggle. Sighing I continue.

"Where are you?"

"My apartment in Manhattan, New York."

For about 5 minutes we go back and forth like that. It's tedious-especially when Grandma Winnie cracks jokes-but I always do it, because I want her to keep up with the times. I look up after the last question and she looks at me with a mischievous glint in her eyes.

"It is my turn to ask a question."

"Alright, go ahead." I wonder what she has come up with this time. I think smiling.

"Well it is common knowledge, but I don't think anyone wants to admit it. But, Madelyn," I look at her, wondering why she has to be so serious sometimes. "You know I am dying, right?" Shocked, I look at her. Why would she ask that? Sighing, I realize how straight-forward Grandma has always been.

"Um…yes. But I know you will get better! You always do! You have to…please…" I answer trying to shove the truth from the room. We were always so happy, why does she have to go? Out of nowhere I begin crying, sobbing on Grandma Winnie's shoulder.

"Ssshhhh…there, there. It's alright." She says gently. I try to stop but I can't. Lying there I remember all the times I have cried on her like this. It takes a lot for me to cry, but there is now hiding my emotions around Grandma Winnie. "You don't have to cry because I know I am dying. And you know what? I am fine with it." I look at her, hiccupping from my tears, wondering how she can say this so…so…nonchalantly.

"I want you to have this." I push myself up to face her, finally seeing-and hating it-the withered, old woman that I have oblivious to for the past 3 years. Grandma Winnie is holding a necklace that looks like Jareth's necklace from Labyrinth.

"Wh-what is it?" I stumble through my words, taking the necklace. It is actually quite beautiful; an upside down crescent moon shape with little jewels decorating it in the perfect places.

"It has been in my family for; oh…I don't know, ages probably. The mother always gives it to the daughter. Since I don't have a daughter of my own, I decided to give it to you." That familiar young glow came back and my worries were blown away. Tears of joy began streaming down my face, replacing the sorrowful streaks my old tears left behind.

"I…I…I…" I am at a loss for words.

"Madelyn, you don't have to say anything. I am glad to give it to you, and not one of my stuck up relatives." She laughs and looks at me, "You may think I am a crazy old bat, but this necklace grants wishes." I didn't even try to suppress my oncoming giggle. She rolls her eyes and continues, ignoring my snorts, "Every woman who has worn this has lived a happy life. Well all except for one." I looked at her quizzically, "She wished for money and power."

"What happened?"

"She got it, and everything that comes along with it; including greed." Grandma Winnie gave me a stern look that came out once in a blue moon. Seeing the moral of the story I made a mental note: No wishing for money or power got it. "If you want to make a wish, put it on and wish with your heart." Cheesy…but cute.

"I promise I will make a thoughtful wish." She laughed a dry laugh. Leaning in I give her a hug. "I have homework to do, but I will come tomorrow." Getting up I walk to the door and as a whim I turn around, "Grandma Winnie," She looks at me, I absorb her for one last time, taking in every little detail. Stopping at her eyes I continue, "I love you."

"Thank you. I love you too." Grandma Winnie doesn't look sad, but happier than I have seen her since we got the news. I leave, walking towards the elevator to exit the building. I'm gonna miss this place…I think sadly because after today I won't work here anymore. Since Grandma is dying, they don't need me anymore. Sucking up the tears I grip the smooth metal crescent moon in my hand tighter, remembering what Grandma Winnie told me about a year ago: You are my moon, I asked her why the moon and not the sun, she said, because the sun is too bright to look at, but the moon lights up the darkest of nights.

Brooklyn, NY: July 1, 1900

"Really? Youse is dumpin' a goil like meh? I can't believe you Spot!" the girl who had been Spot Conlon's girlfriend for a record 3 days screamed in his face, stomping her feet like a 5 year old.

"Yeah…you gotta problem with dat?" He is getting frustrated, she was yelling in front of all his newsies. People started snickering in the background. He shot them a glance to shut them up immediately. "I saw youse with dat odda guy."

With that she just stopped and stared at him, obviously trying to look appalled that he would accuse her of such a thing. Spot found himself chuckling. This girl couldn't even defend herself because he had seen her and she knew it was the truth. Huffing, she stomped and walked off down the docks. Anodda one down da drain…Why can't any of dese girls get der head screwed on straight?

"Another notch on your cane Conlon?" Gent, his second-in-command, joked.

"Youse bedda shut your trap. You ain't no ladies man eida." Spot kept walking, looking off somewhere in the distance. Gent and his newsies knew he was in a bad mood, so everyone glanced down and kept on with their business. Gent'll neva learn to shut dat mouth of 'is.

Spot Conlon is not a big person, but he's tough and his newsies respected him and never dared cross him. Only a handful of boys could get away with cracking jokes like that. But girls are a different story. It's looked down on if a boy hits a girl, but if a girl cheats on Spot Conlon, he can do something much worse. If a girl like that comes along-and many have-and does a thing like that, she was usually shunned by any other Brooklyn guy who came her way. Smiling, he ran a hand through his messy brunette hair, and began walking back towards the Lodging House.

Maybe she wanted me to wish to have a better life…I thought to myself. My best friend Wendy is painting my toes while I lay on my bed contemplating, well, life in general.

"Whatcha thinkin'?" Wendy always knew what I was thinking. I swear, we have telekinetic powers or something. I think it started in 2nd grade when some guy took her crayons-yeah I know- and he was being a real jerk, so I went up to him and told him to stop. He said no, so I did what any normal 7 year old did. I round-house kicked his face (I am a black belt in tae-Kwan-do). Later that day, his mom came to my house and demanded to know who kicked her "pretty-little son's" face. When Wendy and I stood at the door with our pig-tails and dress up clothes on, the woman simply turned and walked away. Ever since then we have always had each other's backs, and we tell each other everything. And yes this even means when Wendy lost her virginity, she told me about it, and guess how awesome of a friend I am…I threw her a party. Then when the dick of a guy dumped her afterwards, we burned all his pictures and memorabilia. So, naturally I told her about Grandma Winnie and the necklace.

"I don't know what to wish for…" Wendy looked up from her handy work, finished. She is always good at girly things like hair and nails. Examining my feet, we stood and I looked at Wendy, who is dead serious.

"Wish for some sexy guy to meet you and fall desperately in love." She tried to make a seductive face but we both just keeled over laughing.

"I told Grandma Winnie I would make my wish thoughtful. A sexy guy doesn't exactly strike me as a thoughtful wish. But…" I made a face that I always unconsciously make, my thinking face. (That's what Wendy and my friends called it)

"I like buts…" Wendy looked at me curiously. Giggling I patted her back and she sat on my bed, still with those eyes boring into me.

"But wishing for true love isn't wasteful. Maybe I'll do that."

"Yeah, especially since Matt dumped you." Wendy said hazily, then seeing my face she quickly tried to make up for ribbing out my heart and stomping on it. "OH MY GOD! Barbs I am sooo sorry! I wasn't thinking, but maybe it would be good for you to meet a guy."

"Ugh…well I guess you're right. I mean, it is still summer." I rub my finger over the smooth metal moon hanging around my neck, staring at the floor.

"Yeah! Let's go out tonight!"

"What?"

"Yes, yes, yes!" She drags me up to my feet; glumly I stare back at her excitement. Where does she get all this energy? Out of the two of us, everyone says I am the "chill, athletic, easy to be around but stubborn, nerdy" one, and she is a "girl with more energy than the energizer bunny". But everyone says we are so funny together, and I agree.

"Okaay, but I am still questioning about where and when." For about half a minute she stood where she was, then darted off to my closet. Clothes started flinging out of my closet, making a small pile on my floor. "Gee, thanks for throwin' my clothes everywhere…" I stood with my hands on my hips until she emerged.

"Pick something really cute out." She was about to leave my room when she turned, "Wear that outfit that you wore to Mikes party."

After an hour of getting ourselves made-up and ready to go out, we are girls. I put on my most comfortable pair of jeans; dark-wash skinnies from Gap. I could run a mile in these jeans. Also, I have on a white v-neck short sleeved shirt with a gray vest over it, and my red Chuck-Taylors. Wendy made me wear it because she thought the outfit would look great with this hat she picked up a couple of days ago.

"It's like an old-fashioned newsboy cap. Gray tweed, it might be a little big, but that means you could wear it side-ways. It was really weird though, it was just sitting there on that barrel." She explained while she blew out my short, dirty blonde hair. (I can never get it to do that flippy thing Wendy can do.)

In front of the mirror I put on the hat. Kinda cute, looks like a boys cap though. Without thinking my hand automatically slipped down to the metal moon around my neck. Maybe I could…I glance around seeing that Wendy is still preoccupied with her long, silky black hair. It's now or never, darlin'. My conscience whispered in my head.

Closing my eyes, I brought up a picture of Grandma Winnie in my mind's eye. I let her optimism about the wish fill my whole body. Gripping the moon I wished: I wish to find true love. Staying in my stance for a minute, not moving my body, I slowly opened my eyes.

"Hey Barbie...Barbie? Barrrrrbbbiiiiieeee?" I heard Wendy's call but I could only see black, her voice becoming more and more faint with every call. Wendy…What...The last thing I remember is a soft thud with a picture of Grandma Winnie smiling in my head.