Unfortunately the next day mother had work like any other day, and I was stuck at home. I did take the time working on my hair. First I tied all of it on the top of my head and put on the hat to know where I didn't need to cut. Luckily I was only going to have to cut ones close to me neck so when I had to be normal I could just wear my hair down and cover up the shorter hairs underneath. With two mirrors angled so I could see the back of my head and a pair of shears, I carefully cut the area designated to make me look like a boy. I had to make sure I didn't cut too much in fear of cutting more than needed since I couldn't just undo the mistakes. And for the most part I did absolutely fine. I had cut the right amount and was very much satisfied with my work.

I set the hat with my disguise and let down my hair, concealing my shortened hair underneath. I twirled in front of the mirror inspecting every angle to make sure there weren't any hairs sticking out. I laughed at my accomplishment. Everything so far was going well. I would become a Newsy and hopefully there wouldn't any complications. I sat myself in a chair and kept smiling at my cleverness.

Outside I could hear someone coming up the fire escape and the Newsies yelling the headlines once again this early in the morning, being nine o' clock, on an empty street day. Hopefully when I began to work I wouldn't have to worry about scouring the streets endlessly to find someone to sell papes to.

After a small rapping on the window, a voice came from outside on the fire escape.

"Miss Shea!"

I turned around to see Spot tapping the window with his cane and smirking. I scrambled to the window and slammed it open. He dropped his papes and put away his cane in his pant's belt.

"Mr. Conlon! Why didn't you go through the front door like a normal gentlemen would?" I exclaimed and sat back down. He laughed and tipped his hat as he bowed before sitting on the window sill. His adult eyes twinkled as he leaned made himself comfortable.

"Why should I be a normal gentleman? I have more than a half a brain to be normal so I figured it would be faster to go up this way rather than take my time through the hallways? Especially when a busy guy like me needs to be able to make a fast break?"

"Busy huh? Then what are you hanging around here for? Shouldn't you be selling your papes?" I quizzed. He smirked and his eyes narrowed.

"Miss Shea, you are a strange girl. You open up the window looking glad to see me then all of a sudden gets all huffy over me surprising you on your window sill. Should I try again?" he replied and began to back away.

I rebuked and grabbed onto the back of his shirt to make him stop. He looked over his shoulder and smirked.

"You have guts Miss Shea. That's what I like about you,"

I gulped. My mind began to race as I repeated his words.

"L-l-like. About me?" I stammered. He nodded and smirked. And then he began to stammer too.

"Not like I would be able to take you as my girl or anything Miss Shea. I just met you and all. Way to soon Miss Shea," he laughed nervously. I laughed the same way and looked away.

"What about me? I mean I hope it's not my looks or money you're interested in,"

"No! I mean you have beautifully fiery hair and mysterious green eyes, but it's mainly your personality Miss Shea. You don't fear me and hold a good conversation with me. The other boys seem to too but your way is way different from theirs. You don't talk about other skirts such as yourself or about how much money you want,"

"Would you be able to know who I was even if I dressed up differently? Like a totally different outfit and hid my hair," I asked hastily. He seemed befuddled by my question.

"Why would you do that? Are you trying to lose me or something?"

"No! Just wondering," I said and looked down into my lap. I didn't want to ask too many questions about disguising myself due to the fact that I could give it away. I had just found my complication in my plan. And it's name was Spot Conlon.

"Miss Shea? I wouldn't want you to alter your appearance so that you seem more appealing to me. And if you are planning on it I hope I could persuade you out of doing so," I he said as he lowered his head into my sight. I smiled.

"Now why would I do something silly like that? I'm not the type to change myself for someone else, or else I'd be like all the other girls trying to find a man to support me. That's definitely not me Mr. Conlon," I said, trying to be reassuring. He smiled back and nodded, his blonde hair coming loose from underneath his hat. We began to talk of other things, like how I used to live in Ireland and his growing up in an orphanage and joining the Newsies of Brooklyn.

From down the stair well I heard Spot being called by several voices. He took my hand as he lead me out on to the fire escape and exchanged some brief words between a couple of other boys that said that they needed him.

"Sorry that I got to go," he said as he bowed and kissed my hand.

"Don't be. Got to pay for the clothes on your back right?"

"Right Miss Shea," he said and turned to leave. But I had one last thing to say.

"Mr. Conlon?"

"Yes?" he said with his hair swishing as he turned to see me. Looking him the eyes was seemingly becoming harder now that I felt like I could stare into them all day. But I had to buck up and make sure I didn't waste his time.

"I don't want to keep you from working each day. Please if you'd like come by after you've sold your papes for the day. Maybe then you can have dinner with me and my mother instead of coming and going without being fed," I replied, trying to sound somewhat civilized. He smiled like a little boy and nodded.

"I'd like that Miss Shea. Only if you're mother is as fierce as you,"

I rolled my eyes, "Where do you think I got it from?"

As he left he laughed and once again I watched him walk away down the street and into an alley. All the while he'd look back as if he was making sure I didn't disappear in a puff of cigar smoke. And of course I didn't. I leaned on the railing as I felt my mind go off into a dream I wasn't used to having. I shook my head and stepped through the window.

Another reason I had asked to come in the afternoon when he was done with his selling papes was that if he came in the morning while I was disguised and out in the street like he was it would cause some confusion. Not only would he bring it up later if he came back in the afternoon, but it also would allow me to keep tabs on where he was and his selling speed so that I too could be back when he planned to be back. I wasn't sure how late that would be and if I could be able to sell my papes as fast as he could but I would adjust to that when the time came. Tomorrow I'd be able to see what time in the afternoon he's arrive and then the next day my mother would make full of my bet. I sighed as I stood there thinking, wondering if there was something that I was missing. But so far, there was nothing.

I sat by the window staring out over the street, finding myself hoping to see Spot pop out of an alley and run up the stairs. But of course, neither came true. I harrumphed and crossed my arms, calling myself silly for such thoughts. I was going to have to be patient with Father Time and ignore the fact that the apartment was as boring as boring was famous for. Leaning against the window my mind began to wander again, making up dreams of the days to come.