NEXT DAY

I woke up . . . on the floor. "Must've had a weird dream," I mumbled, untangling myself from the sheets. When I stood up, I heard voices from downstairs and let out a long yawn, stumbling down the stairs.

"Good morning sleepy," I heard Pappy laugh.

"Good Mor-ah!" I said as I tripped down the stairs but someone caught me. I looked up to see David and he smiled. "Thanks."

"No problem." I looked around the room and saw a younger kid watching us.

"Hey there cutie," I grinned as he blushed, "What're you two doing here?"

"Well, we aren't here alone," David said, removing his arm from around me. I gave him a confused look but we walked into sitting room and saw Jack, Mary, and . . . Kid Blink?

"Hey there Missy," he smiled.

"Blink, is that you?" I asked, ruffling his hair but pulling him into a hug.

"Who else would it be," Blink laughed, hugging me tightly.

"Do ya wan'us ta leave?" Jack asked playfully.

"C'mon Jack," Blink said, blushing slightly, "She's like my sister and Jenna would kill me."

"Jenna?" I asked, looking at him, "Whose Jenna?"

"My girl," Blink beamed.

"Aw that's cute!" I teased, pinching his cheek. He lightly slapped my hand away, laughing.

"So I heard about Spot," Blink said quietly, as we all walked into the dining room, "You okay?" I shrugged, looking at David. "I know that look," he laughed, "Ya like Mouth."

"I like-who?" He pointed at David and I rolled my eyes. "He's a nice guy Blink." He grinned and I rolled my eyes again. "God Blink, ya can be more annoying then Spot sometimes."

"I'll take that as a compliment."

"Ya need help."

"I'll take as much as I need."

"I don't know what I see in ya," I laughed, "You'se weird."

"Kept us together for as long as we knew each other, didn't it?" I smiled, shaking my head and as I looked down, I jumped, running upstairs. As I came back down, Blink, Pappy, and Jack were laughing but David and the kid were confused. I rolled my eyes and grabbed a piece of bread.

"Ready ta go, girly?" Jack asked.

"Jack," I growled, warningly. He smiled, draping his arm over my shoulder and we left. "So why're ya here so early."

"We figured ya'd wanna do what ya love, sell papes."

"Who said-," but I was cut off by a kid running past me, "Second time Race, where ya going?"

"Sorry, tryin' to hitch my ride, see ya later," and with that he ran off.

"Weird kid," I muttered, shaking my head. Jack shook his head along with me and pulled me to Weasel's.

"Fifty papes, Wheezy," I smirked. He glared at me with beady eyes and I rolled my eyes.

"New Newsie Kelly?" Weasel asked, "Keep him in line, or I'll turn Oscar on 'im."

"What, don't member me Wheezy?" I asked, taking off my hat.

"You!" he yelled but started a coughing fit. I laughed and waited for David and Jack to by their papers.

"You'se sellin' with Davey and Les cause both of ya needs da help."

"Oi!" I said annoyed; he laughed but went off with Mary, leaving me with David and his brother.

"Ya don't-."

"It's fine," I muttered, "I don't like being told what to do, that's all." He nodded and I smiled. "C'mon, let's go. Les, right?" The boy nodded and we left. At lunch, we headed to Tibby's and I jumped over the counter. "Anything I can help with Maxy?"

"Of course," he smiled.

"How comes when I ask if I can help, you'se always says no?" Boots asks.

"Cause ya set the kitchen on fire." Boots folded his arms and I laughed, picking up a plate.

"Hey there Mary," I smiled as I sat down. She glanced up from her book and smiled. "Try this, it's really good." Looking hesitantly at the drink, she took a sip but had a coughing fit. I laughed.

"What's in that?" she asked, staring at the drink.

"It's a concoction Max made for me."

"You don't know what's in it?" she asked raising her eyebrows.

"I know what's not in it," I informed her, "Alcohol, or anything else vile."

"But it's so, so-."

"Tart?"

"Exactly."

"I like tangy drinks," I smiled, taking a sip of my own.

"What're ya doing to my girl?" Jack asked accusingly.

"Nothing, she tried my drink."

"I donno how ya and Spot drink this," Jack muttered, picking up the drink, "It's sour."

"It's good," I laughed, feeling someone sit next to me. I looked over and saw David. He smiled and I pushed the drink in his direction. He took a sip but made a face.

"Uhg, that's horrible."

"Ya guys are babies. It's not that bad. Wait where'd the other one go?" I looked around and saw Les with an empty glass. "Did ya drink that?" He nodded. "And ya liked it?" He grinned, nodding and I laughed.

"Da two of ya are crazy."

"What's wrong with being crazy?"

"Nothin'. Apparently Davey likes crazy people."

"Well of course if he's hanging out with you!" I laughed. Jack rolled his eyes but looked at Mary.

"We gotta go," he said, getting up. Mary stood also and they walked out, hand in hand.

"She doesn't like me."

"What?"

"Ya heard me."

"She's shy."

"No, she doesn't like me."

"Don't jump to conclusions."

"What happened to your shy-self?" I asked laughing. He went silent and I bumped his shoulder. "I was kidding David." He smiled.

"You'se gullible."

"And you'se mean," I laughed. He looked at me and I realized how close we were. He leaned closer and I felt my cheeks heat up, but it didn't feel entirely right. When his lips touched mine, I didn't really feel anything. I mean physically I did but emotionally, I didn't. I realized I didn't like David like that.

"Be my girl?" he asked, leaning against my forehead.

"Yeah," came out of my mouth before I could stop it. I mentally slapped myself. He was I nice guy but I needed someone to lean on and take my mind off of . . . why am I so stupid? He smiled, lightly kissing me again. It felt good but it didn't feel right. I really needed him to be my friend but I guess something in me thought he was the guy I needed.