Hi! Who is ready for this chapter? I am! Oh! Guess what? I went school shopping today and I decorated my binder Newsie style! I have NEWSIES in the middle with some quotes and song titles around it! I also have some of the original casts names on it!

Review and Read On!

- Emily


Andrew carried her all the way home. She rested her throbbing head on his chest and he whispered comforting words to her.

"It's going to be ok, Maia." He said.

"No, its not! Father is going to find out that I joined the newsies and I'll never be able to leave the house again!" She said. Tears rose in her eyes, much against her will.

"Wipe those tears away, sis. Here, we are at he apartment." Andrew said.

"I'm not crying! And can we go to Ms. Smith's apartment first? I need to tell her what happened." He nodded and carried her. As they went up the stairs, people stepped aside and gave them pitiful, yet curious, looks. When Andrew knocked on the door, they were rushed in quickly.

"What happened! Sit her down! Oh my..." Ms. Smith hurried and pressed some ice into a small bag. Andrew lied her down on the couch and Ms. Smith pressed the ice to her forehead.

"Maia, what happened?" She asked. Maia took a shaky breath, then started.

"W-well, we were getting all excited about the strike and Jack and I were shouting words into the air. Everyone believed in the strike, everyone was excited. Then the Delancey Brothers stepped in and started being stupid. A fight broke out between the scabs and us, then the police stepped in. The only thing was, they weren't their for us, the were their to beat us. Morris had me in a pretty good fight and it was pretty equal until he nearly knocked my hat off. I panicked and tried to fix it, when he took advantage of the pause and grabbed my neck," Maia paused, closing her eyes.

"He started choking me. I would have died if Andrew and the rest of Brooklyn hadn't saved us. Morris was punched and I went unconscious. When I woke up, all the newsies were arround me and my hair was loose. Now my secret is out and father is going to kill me!" She finished, hyperventilating. Andrew placed a hand on her shoulder.

"Maia! Maia, calm down! Look, I'll go up to our apartment and tell them that I came by here and you are going to stay after and help with more chores. It won't be much, but it will by a little time to decide on what to do." He kissed her forehead.

"Thank you." She whispered. He smiled, then walked out the door. Maia stood up on shaky legs and walked over to the mirror on the wall. She looked horrible! She had a black eye, bruised cheek, split lip, and a cut that ran all the way across her forehead. Her neck had hand marks. Maia groaned, slumping down onto the couch.

"Ms. Smith, what am I going to do?"

"Well, maybe you should just tell the truth." Maia sighed.

"Maybe you are right. Wait, are you sure there is no more options?" Ms. Smith laughed.

"Let's get you washed up. Your all bloody." She got a wash cloth and began to clean the blood from her face.

"Ok! Your done. Good luck, Maia." She offered a small smile.

"Thank you." She slipped out of the door and walked up to the roof, using the walls for balance. She opened the window and stepped in. Andrew was sitting on the bed.

"Maia, they don't suspect a thing. Are you ready? Your telling them, right?" He asked.

"No! I'm going to hid in here until tomorrow when I can go to work and get the boys help!" he nodded.

"Ok. I'll tell them your sleeping and are leaving early tomorrow." She nodded, curling up on the bed. In no time, she was sleeping. She didn't even bother to change out of her newsie clothes.


She woke before the sun was even up. Climbing out through the window, she ran through the streets to the Paper Distribution. The gates were closed, and no one seemed to be inside. Who would? It was way to early.

Anyway, she didn't even bother putting her hair into a cap. Everyone knew her secret anyway, what's a few more people? She still wore the shirt and trousers, though. No way was she wearing a dress!

She sat down with her back to the gate and closed her eyes. Everything seemed so complicated! She just wanted a few moments to breathe. It didn't last long. To soon for her liking, the sun came up and the scabs were buzzing inside.

"Well, what do we have here?" She sighed. Not again! She stood up and turned around. She was right, Morris Delancey.

"Not now, Delancey." She said. He looked confused.

"Do I- wait! I know those eyes! I know that tone! You...no way!" He was about to say something else, when she head footsteps behind her.

"Go away, Morris. It's not a good time." Specs said.

"Just wait 'til Pulitzer hears! Or maybe even Snyder!' He took off. Maia shook her head and faced the boys.

"So, no hiding your hair today or what?" Race asked. She shook her head.

"No. Being in that small cap had been killin' it. I'se letting it does today." She replied.

"I like it. Now, how did it go? Did your faddah find out?" Mush asked. Maia shifted her weight uncomfortably.

"I...I didn't tell him. I avoided him all night and left before the sun was up." She said. The boys groaned.

"Ya gotta tell 'im, Flame!" Specs said,

"I can't! He will never let me out of the house!"

"I'se sure you is over reactin'." said Mush.

"You don't know my faddah." Specs opened his arms and wrapped them around her.

"Just tell 'im the truth. How bad can it be? I mean, we can come if ya want us to." She smiled.

"No. It's ok. I will tell 'im tonight."

"Good. Hey, we also got some bad news. Crutchie was caught yesterday. H-He is in the refugee." Specs said.

"Yeah. They busted 'im up so bad he couldn't even walk to da window." Race said. Anger boiled inside of Maia. She pushed away from Specs.

"No! Oh, I'm gonna find dat guy and I swear-"

"Yup. Flame is back. Now come on, everyone is at Tibby's Jack said he had some news." Mush said. She nodded.

Crutchie was in the refuge, Morris knew she was a girl, and her dad was going to flip when she told him. What else could go wrong?

Yeah...not my best chapter. The next chapter should be more...exciting. That is all I am saying:) Hope you enjoyed! review please!

- Emily