A/N I'm back, I'm not dead, and I'm writing for Skittery week! I can promise that this will be finished, but not for a while. But I have next week off, so a good portion of my stories will be updated/ finished. And if your reading my Harry Potter Fic, I swear that I will update. Anyways, back to Newsie land. I don't own, you don't sue. Happy? Good, now on with the story!

Manhattan Orphanage, 1910

"You wanna hear a story about Skittery?" Mush asked, looking at the young orphans surrounding his feet. "Yeah!" they all yelled, excited for another story about their favorite newsie. "Ok, let me get you up to speed on what was going on in his life. Skittery was sad. Ok, so that may be the understatement of the century. Skittery was torn to pieces, there was a gaping, bleeding hole where his heart used to be, he could barely stand to get out of bed in the morning, let alone act cheerful. Now that's getting a bit closer to how Skittery felt." "Wait, how do you know?" Jake, one of his young wards asked. "How do I know? Easy, I was there.

Skittery was always like my older brother. He hung out with me, showed me the ropes, helped me with some fights, you know, the usual stuff your older brother would do for you. Then he met a girl. She was pretty, but not as pretty as some of the girls who had their eyes on him. He said it was love, that he always wanted to be with her. Then he found out she was messing with some guys on the side because Skitts wouldn't play. He did what he had to and left her. Then he was lifeless with sorrow. It got a little better, but not much. Then the strike started, and that's where our story really begins."

Manhattan Lodging House, 1899

"Boots!" Kloppman yelled, waking the young newsie.

He walked over to Skittery's bunk and said, "Skittery, Skittery, SKITTERY!"

"Wha.. I didn't do it!" my pink pajama-ed friend said.

"What do you mean you didn't do it? Will you get up? When you get up, it's time to get up!" Kloppman said, moving on to wake up the other kids.

"Mornin' Skitts," I said, walking over to my friend.

"Mornin' Mu-mu-mush," Skittery replied, yawning so big I'm surprised it didn't crack his face.

"Geeze, did ya get any sleep last night?" I asked, jokingly.

"Yeah, I did. No thanks ta ya and your snorin' dough!" he said, taking the joke well. I was glad, as he was rather serious and it didn't take much to scare him away, thus his name. He started getting dressed for the day, so I decided to go bother Jack like I did every other morning.

"So, how'd you sleep Jack?" I asked the tired boy.

"On me back Mush." He said. Ah, the king of wit always greets me in the morning. Well, two can play at that game.

"Ha ha. Hear that fellas? Hear what Jack said? I asked Jack how he slept and he said 'On me back Mush.'" I said loudly, earning a couple of punches in the gut before moving on.

The morning proceeded as usual, with all of us ending up with our papes. I walked over to Skittery to see if he wanted to sell with me.

"Hey Skitts, wanna sell tagether taday?" I asked.

"No thanks Mush, I think I'm gonna go sell in da park and den find Louise," he said, knowing that I couldn't stand to sell in the park. So off he went, by his lonesome.

I couldn't figure out why he wanted to sell alone, but I gave him space. When we all got back to the Lodge that night, something was wrong with our friend.

"Hey Skitts!" I said cheerfully

"Oh, hi Mush," he said with no emotion in his voice.

"What's wrong?" I asked, worried.

"Nothin'," he said.

"No really, what's wrong?" I asked again.

"I said NOTHIN'! Can't yous all jus' leave me ALONE!" he yelled, tears streaming down his face.

Before I could answer, he ran out the door. That was the last I saw of my friend for a long while.

Manhattan Orphanage 1910

"And that's where our story ends tonight kids," Mush said, standing up.

A chorus of boos and awws answered him.

"Hey, buck up kiddies. Miss Tessa's commin' around tomorrow. She tells da next part best," he said quickly, hushing their pleas.

"Yay! I love it when Miss Tessa comes!" one little girl said excitedly.

"Y'all have ta go ta sleep sos Miss Tessa can come, 'kay?" he asked as he ushered the kids into their rooms.

"Goo' nigh' Mister Mush," several sleepy voices could be heard saying.

"Goo' nigh' little ones," Mush answered back as he blew out the candle, and all was still for the night.

A/N Review and I shall respond! And I'll write more faster! More faster. Does that make sense? And a random question for you all to answer, do you take any AP classes, and if so, what? And if you don't, what's your favorite ice cream flavor? Now off to do homework and study for Senate tomorrow! (Part of student congress :)