CHAPTER TWO

Feeling as if someone was watching me, I opened my eyes to see a blonde girl smiling at me. I sat up, rubbing my eyes and took in the scraps and bruises visible on the blonde's skin.

"Hey sleepyhead, that's the longest you've slept in I don't know how long," she grinned and I smiled weakly.

"It's not my fault I get worried," I yawned and Charm gave me a guilty look, "Charlotte Hendricks! Don't even begin to think that! I have every right to be worried and you are my best friend! You are like a sister, I take care of you because I care, don't-."

"Alright Saphyre, I get it," she smiled weakly, "Did you end up finding Spot?"

"Nah, not yet," I lied, folding my arms and leaning back in the chair, "You look better, how're you feeling?"

"Better," Charm muttered, looking determined, "Saph, you need to find Spot."

"I'm trying Charm," I practically whined. Charm turned away, knowing what I was going to say next, knowing that I did not like Spot, and both of us knowing that it would end in tears. "I'll go now."

"Thanks Saph," Charm smiled, tears glistening. I nodded and plodded out the door. I hated when Charm cried, it wasn't normal. Charm was a happy person; that was the only reason I had done what I'd done with the letter. If I had it my way, I would soak Spot so bad, his enemy's would cry. But I was so wrapped up in my thoughts, I bashed into someone.

"Jesus Christ," a familiar voice muttered, "Oh it's you."

"Hello to you too Piper," I groaned, picking myself up, "You did that on purpose, what the hell?"

"That's what you get for messing with my family, you whore," as soon as the words left the younger girl's mouth, she was pinned to a wall, chocking for air.

"Take it back," my angry side growled, no doubt my eyes changing to an almost grayish blue. That's what happened when I was mad, my eyes changed colors. Piper shook her head but I added more pressure. "Now."

"Aiight, aiight, I take it back," she chocked before I let go.

"That's what you get when you mess with me," I folded my arms, "Your brother already got the warning, tell him that for me, huh?"

"Who the hell do you think you are and what the hell gives you the right to-?"

"When someone messes with my friends, they mess with me," the nastiest glare was plastered on my face. Piper went wide-eyed, nodding at my peeved form. "Get the hell out of my face."

"You're not what I thought you were," Piper muttered before walking away, I could tell she knew by the look on my face that something had happened and that I wasn't one to just throw a punch without good reason. I shook it off, trying to calm my flaming Irish temper. I kept walking down the street and let out a sigh, back to normal, well, my normal. I looked to my side and saw a Newsie from the night before, watching me. He gave me a half smile and I rolled my eyes.

"Miss," I heard someone call and I sighed, turning to the Newsie jogging over. His cowboy hat bounced on his back and the bandanna knot came slightly loose. "Miss."

"Yes," I folded my arms, what did this guy want?

"Well," he smirked, folding his own arms, "Aren't you a ray of sun shine." I glared at him about to walk away but he grabbed my arm. "I was just-."

"Kidding?" I finished, "Funny, look, I gotta go."

"Find Conlon again?"

"Not really," I said slowly, "Who the hell are you?"

"Jack," he smiled, extending his hand and I glanced at it so he pulled it away, "I was wondering if you wanted to go to lunch, maybe we could clear up whatever happened between you and Spot."

"Clear it up," I scoffed, "That's rich."

"We don't have to talk about Conlon at all if you want, just go have lunch," he suggested and I almost smiled at the thought but I saw someone behind me.

"I have to go."

"But," he started however, I ducked into the busy market place. Weaving my way through, I decided to go to the one person I knew I could count on.

"Uncle Albert!" I yelled as I entered.

"Saphyre, what do you think you're doing punching a boy like Conlon?" he demanded, his face flushed with anger; his nice old man demeanor gone. This is what proved our relation, our tempers.

"Just, chill out Alby-."

"No, Saphyre, you've hidden something from me entirely long enough. What is going on?" He stood, his arms folded and I sighed, flopping down into an armchair, staring up at him.

"Aiight," I sighed, crossing my legs, "Charm, my friend, was hurt real bad. I found her in an alleyway two weeks ago, unconscious. When she woke up, she, she wouldn't tell me what happened but I didn't have to guess. There had been blood everywhere, everywhere Alby."

"Saph, Spot wouldn't do that," Alby told me softly and I glared at him, "I know you don't like him, hell, everyone does, but he wouldn't do that."

"I don't think you even realize what that is, Alby," I muttered standing, "I have to go check on her."

"Just apologize Saph, he wouldn't do it." I slammed the door before he could continue anything, running right into someone.

"Jesus," I looked up, "Uhg, not you."

"Yes me, and what the hell is your problem with me?" Conlon growled, "No ya know what forget it, where is she?"

"Who, the one you hurt?" I snarled, glaring at him, "The one you left to die, is that who you're talking about?"

"What," he fumed, "are you talking about?"

"Oh like you don't know," I muttered sick of playing games, I pushed past him, but he tried to grab me. I turned around, yanking my arm out of his grip before hook kicking him in the face. "Keep your hands off me."