Medda's was as crowded and loud as could be. Typical. It always comforted me, having people who smelled like their own home and smiled like there was no tomorrow. I always loved coming here to people watch. I never really mingled with anyone, I usually just sat down in the corner, enjoyed Medda, who was an old friend of moms', drank, and watched.

Tonight was different though. Completely out of the norm for me.

I had went to my usual spot, in the corner, and ordered a drink, ready to just sit back and unwind for the day. I was watching a newbie trying to woo news girl who was looked like she was acting uninterested. They're gonna sleep together tonight. The way they playfully touched each other was a sign.

I gazed around more and eventually landed my eyes on a group where "the king of Brooklyn" sat. I noticed he wasn't with a girl, which was weird to me because he looked like a complete douche who would do that sort of thing.

His eyes had found mine and i looked away, ashamed that i let myself look that long. After my drink came, i dared to look back, which might have been a mistake because he was still staring at me. I didn't know what to do, so i looked around me, to see if maybe he was looking at someone by me. But alas, no one was around me but myself and my drink and i don't think he was staring so intensely at my drink.

I tried for a friendly smile but then he looked away. Completely and utterly embarrassing. I mentally shot myself in the head for ever trying to smile at him. He was a douche is what it is.

I let that slip and kept on people watching. I saw Medda sing on stage while many payed attention to her. They were so transfixed with how she worked her body and her voice with a little irish accent still present in it.

Medda had caught contact with me and motioned for me to come up. I shook my head fiercely but a couple of newsies had noticed what she wanted and followed through. They guided me through the crowd and i ended up on stage.

"Newsies! Pay special attention to my very special and beautiful friend, Scarlett! Boys, be gentlemen to her tonight or else you won't be allowed in here anymore." She turned toward me now "Now, why don't you sing that song we talked about."

I looked around and shook my head profusely. She insisted and gave me the mic, motioning for the music to come on. I tried to get off stage, but Brooklyn had stopped me. His eyes were glued to me and i was starting to get a sort of high on it. My heart started to beat faster and faster when I had started singing.

It was a lullaby that my mom used to sing to me at night when I was younger. A beautiful song that always left me dreaming rainbows and bunnies. I kept good eye contact with him for awhile until i got to the chorus and i let go, feeling the music sway with me.

I thought i could hear a lot of yelling and the crowd going crazy, but it felt like i was still in my room just singing to myself in the mirror. It was blurry but all i knew was that i loved it.

Adrenaline coursed through my veins when i hit the high notes, i closed my eyes when i finished. For a moment, there was an eery silence, somebody yelling "she's crying!"

I realized that I was and touched my hand to my face, feeling the wet, fresh trickle down from the side of my face. They all cheered loudly after that and when i got off stage, people patted me on the back, some full on hugging me. Most of them drunk.

I found myself outside a few hugs later, people still talking about my "amazing voice". The cool air had wiped the tears from my face and i had let out a deep breath, wiping the excess tears away from my face.

I heard footsteps approach me from behind. In my gut, i already knew who it was for some reason, but i turned around to reassure myself. "What's your name?" i finally asked Brooklyn.

He stared at me with such intense eyes, just soaking me in slowly. I felt uneasy at first but by now, all the staring, i was starting to get used to. I kind of enjoyed it. "Red."

My eyes widened and like the dumb person i am, had swallowed and breathed at the same time, causing me to cough exuberantly. He had rested a hand on my back and patted it, helping me.

We were really close now, our faces touching, when i finally regained myself. "I don't know-" he raised an eyebrow as to say that i shouldn't lie to him or cross him in anyway. I looked away. For the first time, i was ashamed at how i made my money. All the guilt had finally settled that it was completely wrong to sell my body in that way.

When i dared to look back into his eyes, i was expecting to see an ashamed person holding me, but instead, i saw a smile.

"Spot Conlon."

"What?"

"My name is Spot Conlon."

He let go of me, making me feel a little chilly again, and we shook hands.