CHAPTER 9

What Secret?

...

JULIA'S POV

After breakfast, Dodger had begun to walk up the stairs to check on Oliver. He turned around and said to me, "Let's go."

I walked up the stairs right behind him. I can't believe this is happening to me, and it's all because I tried to free Anissa from the smoking room. This whole thing isn't fair! I bet if Charley were in Anissa's situation, Dodger would get him out in no time without getting into trouble, but no, the two girls' do.

Dodger opened the door at the top of the staircase and entered to see Oliver sleeping. I walked in and closed the door as he walked up to Oliver. "Oliver," He said quietly, and Oliver opened his eyes.

"What?" Oliver yawned.

"How are you feeling?" Dodger asked.

"Okay," Oliver replied, tiredly.

"Are you hungry?" Dodger questioned.

"No."

I walked over and looked at Oliver who could barely keep his eyes open. Poor boy.

"Do you still feel sick?" Dodger went on.

"A little nausea is all," Oliver replied, and I sat down next to him. "But I'm tired," He then looked at me and smiled, "Hi, Julia."

I smiled and held his hand. "Hi, Oliver. Feel better soon."

"Thank you. I hope too."

Dodger looked at me. "Let's go." If I weren't paying attention, I wouldn't have noticed, but when I took Oliver's hand, I could have sworn I saw a flash of jealousy in Dodger's eyes.

I got up and followed Dodger down the stairs and into the living room where Charley appeared to be with Anissa. For some reason, the boys aren't around, which was a shock. They're probably staying out of the way, and I don't blame them. I mean, if they got in trouble, Dodger and Charley would probably be right up their butts, too.

Dodger turned to me, "Let's go downstairs; I don't want you two to whisper."

"Whisper? We don't whisper."

"You do too."

"How do you know?" I crossed my arms. What nonsense!

"I can hear you two whispering. Just be lucky I'm letting you off easy."

I rolled my eyes and followed him downstairs and down the hall. He opened the door to the room, and in front of us, a few of the other boys were smoking and drinking. He sat down and took out his pipe from his right coat pocket.

"Sit down," Dodger patted his hand next to him, and I sat on the left side. He started to smoke his pipe, and I buried my face in my arms to keep the smoke from entering my body.

I looked up to take notice of the younger boys' talking to one another, ignoring Dodger and me. I looked at Dodger who put his pipe down and reached for a bottle and two cups. He poured a dark, colored drink in each cup and set down the bottle. He handed one cup to me and kept the other in his hands.

I looked in the cup. "What is this?"

"Gin."

"Do you always drink it?"

"Sometimes we do. Try it," Dodger suggested.

"I've tried a sip of wine before."

Wine doesn't taste that great, so why would gin be any better?

"Well, try this," he replied, bored. I shook my head, and he said, "Don't be scared."

"I'm not drinking it."

He smiled and shook his head. "What, you think I'm drugging ya?"

"Yeah, it's going to make me go to sleep," I suspected.

He sighed and took a sip of his. "It isn't that much. Try it."

"No," I put my cup down and looked away. I don't have to try out anything that I don't want to use. Dodger isn't my boss. He thinks he is, but he isn't.

"It isn't the worst thing in the world."

I turned to look at him. "I don't trust you."

He shrugged. "Okay, that's all right. However, you're staying in this room unless I leave."

I rolled my eyes and crossed my arms. I bet Anissa was having a better time. Scratch that, she probably wants to murder Charley right now because he's perhaps annoying her to death. I wish I never watched them stealing; then I wouldn't be here. If Anissa and I didn't see Charley and he steal, we could be on the streets making money and living happily, with or without a home.

Now that I think about it, where would Anissa and I be if Dodger and Charley never kidnapped us? I mean, we did get everything in one day. We have a place to sleep, food to eat and a job. Fagin pays us sometimes, but it's not like we have permission to go out by ourselves. I remembered a month ago, Fagin and Anissa were arguing about that.

Anissa and I counted the money we saved. We have about three hundred! We can buy anything now. I've needed a new pair of shoes, Anissa had her eyes on a new dress. We walked down the stairs to see Fagin cooking sausages, like the usual. I sometimes wondered why Dodger and Charley couldn't get different food, for once. I guess they like eating the same thing every day, but it gets tiring. I'm starting not to like sausages because we eat them so much.

Fagin turned around and saw us two girls in the kitchen.

"Where are you two off too?" he asked.

I glanced in the living room where Dodger and Charley were staring at us. The other older boys were at the far end of the living room, watching also. The younger boys, however, were nowhere upstairs.

"That's none of your business," Anissa spat.

Fagin glared at her. "Listen here, Schreiber, it is so my business. You live here."

"Against my will," She puffed and rolled her eyes. I snickered quietly. I love her; this is why we're best friends.

I turned and saw Dodger and Charley get up. Uh-oh, this isn't good. Why do those two always have to get involved? Then again, they are Fagin's "favorites."

"Anissa, just stop," I said.

She turned to me with a look of distress on her face, "Stop? Julia, I'm sick of being cooped up in this house with boys."

"Do you think that I don't feel the same way?" I snarled, a matter of factly.

"I do, it's just that they trust you to go out on your own and not me. I bet Fagin would let you out all alone."

"That isn't entirely true," I replied.

"Really?" She crossed her arms.

"Every time I do, Fagin asks Dodger to go with me. Not Charley, not Nancy, Jackson or Nicky, Dodger," I turned to Dodger, and he just looked at me with his usual stoic expression. Though I could have sworn a smirk appeared on his smug face.

"Hey, I'm with the clown," She nodded her head and looked at Charley. "Feel some sympathy for me."

"Hey, Secret Keeper, I'll have you know that my jokes are hilarious," Charley crossed his arms in defense.

"Could've fooled me," I rolled my eyes, and Anissa giggled.

Dodger slightly glared at me, knowing that I used the same expression that he did.

"What? Second time's a charmer," I said innocently, and Dodger sighed while shaking his head at the same time. "Anissa is right, Charley, your jokes aren't the best."

Anissa laughed.

Charley turned to me. "Hey, Little Lady, your friend has laughed at one of them."

"Just one of them?" I arched my left eyebrow perfectly.

"I only did that so you'd shut up."

Charley didn't say anything. Instead, he just crossed his arms and mumbled to himself.

Fagin interrupted. "Answer my question."

I sighed. "We're just going out —"

"You can't."

"Says who? You aren't my mom," I stated. "Actually, last time I checked, I don't have parents," I cocked my head to the side.

The whole stigma between Anissa and me running away and never returning is getting ridiculous. Fagin not allowing the two of us to walk about gives Anissa another excuse to peach on the old man.

They all just stared at me. Maybe I looked a little demonic with my head to one side.

"Women," Fagin sighed.

"Tell me about it," Dodger agreed.

He earned a punch in the arm from me. He turned to me and poked my side; I jumped, and he smirked.

"Don't poke me," I warned.

"Don't punch me," Dodger replied in a serious tone.

"It didn't even hurt."

"So?" Dodger asked. I rolled my eyes, and he poked me again, causing me to squeal quietly. He and Charley snickered as I glared daggers at the both of them.

Fagin looked at Anissa and me. "You two aren't going anywhere."

"Why can't we?" Anissa asked.

"Julia I don't mind. It's you. You could peach or run away."

She groaned. "This is getting ridiculous! I'm not going to peach or run off!" She threw her arms into the air. Oh, she is peaching, but not yet. "See Julia; I told you that Fagin trusts you!"

"That's because she listens and stays out of trouble," Dodger butted in.

"Yeah, besides, we prefer to have her around, anyway," Charley replied, and Dodger chuckled.

Anissa glared at them and turned to Fagin. "Please, Fagin?"

"I can't allow it."

"It's only for an hour," Anissa crossed her arms, back talking like a rebellious teenager.

"No means no."

She sent him the nastiest look I've ever seen her shoot toward someone, and it gave me shivers up and down my spine. Fagin's lucky if she doesn't strangle him.

"I'm done being here! I'm sick of all of you!" Then she stomped up the stairs and slammed her door.

I rolled my eyes and turned to go upstairs as Dodger went to grab my arm, but I dodged his advance, stormed to my room and slammed the door.

I broke out of my thoughts and glanced at Dodger who took another sip of his drink and put his cup down. He then got up and put his pipe in his pocket. "Let's go."

I got up and followed him upstairs into the living room. Charley and Anissa were still there. Charley was reading a book while Anissa sat next to him, sulking like a little kid that wants a toy but can't have it. Dodger walked over and sat on the couch across from Charley as I sat next to him, across from Anissa.

Charley looked up from his book.

"How's she doing?" Dodger asked him, referring to Anissa.

"She hasn't said a word," Charley nodded his head.

Dodger looked satisfied and said, "Julia, hasn't said much, which isn't a surprise because she never does."

I looked down and caught Anissa's glance. I looked at her but quickly looked away. I don't want to get in trouble again, not that I'm sucking up to Dodger, I'm just tired of getting into trouble for stupid reasons. I get into trouble for things that I shouldn't be scolded for, especially if what I'm getting into trouble about has nothing to do with me.

Dodger put his arm on the sofa (behind me) and took out his pipe again and started to smoke it. I cringed in disgust. He's my age and smoking. I never did any of that kind of stuff, and I don't intend too. Does every thief in the world do this? Then again, a person doesn't have to be a thief to do drugs and drink alcohol. At the workhouse, rumors were going around that the person in charge took cocaine. Anything's possible.

"Charley, are you sure Schreiber isn't giving you trouble?" Dodger looked at Anissa who glared at him as he looked back at his friend.

"She isn't, Dodger. I told her to behave, and if she didn't, I'd tell Fagin to have Sikes deal with her."

Dodger stared at his friend, "Why didn't you?"

Anissa gasped, and I punched Dodger in the arm, causing him to turn to me. "What did I say about punching me?"

"That was uncalled for."

"So what? I'd prefer it, and I told you not to punch me."

Dodger then poked me, causing me to squirm and move away. He took my arm and pulled me back over. I swatted his hand away from me, but he pulled me right next to him.

"Dodger, I'm not so sure that supervising them will be enough," Charley looked worried. Out of the whole gang, he's scared? He's a stinking clown!

"I'd be worried about Anissa. Julia's fine," Dodger shrugged as Anissa glared daggers at him.

"Maybe they shouldn't be in the same room as each other."

"Relax, Charley. Julia isn't talking to Anissa," Dodger pointed out while I saw Anissa roll her eyes.

I looked at the two boys, and Charley said to me, "You know, Little Lady, your friend actually behaves. I don't understand why she doesn't act appropriately around you."

"Charley."

"Oh come on, Dodger, it's the truth."

I stood up, but Dodger took my arm and sat me down, right next to him again. This time, he didn't let go as he wrapped his arm around my waist. Anissa went to stand up, but Charley pulled her back down.

"Dodger, let go of me."

"No, stay sitting down and be quiet."

I didn't say anything; I just turned back to Charley who was looking right back at me. "I don't get why your friend won't listen to you, Julia," Charley repeated. "Secret Keeper listens, sometimes."

"She doesn't know a thing about behaving," Dodger glanced at Anissa; "Julia carries herself well, has manners, and she listens. It's Anissa that gets in the way of that. She influences Julia at times."

"Shut up," Anissa growled.

"Why should I? You can't tell me what to do."

Anissa gritted her teeth and said, "Listen here, Dodger, I know your secret."

What is she talking about, What secret? I turned to Dodger who glared at her while she had a smug smirk on her face. Uh-oh, here she goes.

"What are you talking about?"

"Julia, might not notice it but I do. So be careful, or I'll tell her," Anissa blackmailed

Dodger narrowed his eyes at her. "Like she'll believe you. You blew your trust with Julia. I'm not hiding anything."

"Please, Dodger; I heard your conversation a few days ago."

Dodger glared at her, and Charley followed right after. The two prigs' sneered at my friend, who smirked at them. What's going on? When did they talk?

Dodger and Charley are breaking the rules. How come whenever those two talk to each other "privately" I'm never around? Also, who gave those two permission to talk alone? I thought they said everyone in this house must know what someone else has to say? There aren't supposed to be secrets within the gang's hideout, but we all appear to be hiding something.

"I thought you said whenever you guys talk, everyone must know about it?" I crossed my arms.

"Yeah, since when can you break the rules?" Anissa crossed her arms also.

"It doesn't imply to us," Dodger replied in a smart-alec tone.

"It does too! You said so yourself!" Anissa shouted.

"I'm special, so I can do what I want," Dodger mocked.

Anissa scowled, sat in her seat and rolled her eyes. I quietly giggled because Dodger's comeback was a little funny. Unfortunately, since I'm right next to him, he heard me and turned to face me.

"You like what you hear?"

"Please, Dodger, the tone of your voice was irresistible," I laughed out loud, and his face turned red with embarrassment.

"Why were you listening to what we were talking about alone?" Charley re-started the conversation, completely ignoring the question I asked. "We don't listen to your conversations."

"You want to know what they're about."

"Why do you listen to all of our talks?" Dodger asked, getting back on topic. "I already said I have nothing to hide."

"Oh, so what you said about her was a big lie?"

What is she talking about now? I looked at Dodger for an answer, and he caught my glance.

"Look, Julia, she's putting lies into that smart head of yours," Charley broke the ten-second silence. "If something was going on, wouldn't you know about it? Don't you remember what Dodger said? What someone has to say to someone else, everyone must know about it too? Therefore, if Dodger and I were talking about you, you'd know about it."

He does have a point. I have lost a significant amount of trust for my best friend, but I don't entirely trust Dodger and Charley that much either. When they were talking privately, no one knew about it. They seem like they are hiding something, but what?

I was about to ask what I was thinking, but Dodger interrupted me. "Wow, Charley, you sounded smart," He replied, shocked.

Even I have to admit, that's a first. Charley, smart? He isn't the most intelligent person, but then again, I don't think he ever went to school.

"Yeah, I know. I was trying to get the point across," Charley sat up straight.

"Then why didn't you say it regularly?" Anissa raised a brow.

I shot her a look, but she just gave a sweet, stuck-up smile. Here she goes.

"Because it's cooler to sound smart. Plus, I said it to Julia because she's smart and you're not. Besides, I wasn't talking to you. I was talking to your friend."

"You just spoke to me."

"That's because you're talking to me. If you didn't talk at all, I'd be happy," Charley sneered.

Anissa scowled at him as Dodger snickered. "Besides Anissa, I bet Julia doesn't like you anymore. Do you, Julia?" Dodger turned to me.

"Um," I was looking for an answer. I don't know what to say. I'm starting to lose trust with Anissa.

"Exactly, she didn't say anything," Charley laughed. "Look, Secret Keeper, you blew your only friendship."

Anissa glared at the both of them and walked out, leaving the three of us, but most importantly, leaving me alone with two of Fagin's favorites.

"Hey," Charley called and followed Anissa, leaving Dodger and me the only two in the room. Now I'm stuck with Fagin's favorite of them all.

Dodger's smoking his pipe as I sat here, with my arms crossed. Why was Anissa blackmailing Dodger? She did say that when I was sleeping, Dodger said my name to Charley. Why was my name in their conversation? Most importantly, what did they say about me?

How come they broke the rule? They said everyone must know what someone has to say, so why didn't they keep their word. Well, if they didn't tell anyone, maybe they did, but if the two did then how come they didn't tell Anissa or me? Hm, now I'm suspicious. What if their conversation was about the two of us? Anissa did say that they said my name. Maybe they mentioned her name, too.

No, that doesn't make sense. By the way she as acting, it sounds like she heard their entire conversation. I wonder what they were talking about, and if they were talking about me, how come Anissa won't tell me? I can't just go up to, Anissa, and ask her because she's too stubborn and she'll never tell me. If my best friend won't tell me, then it's for a reason. Maybe she wants it to come from Dodger and Charley, but the question is, what?

"Julia, are you all right?" Dodger broke me out of my thoughts. I shook my head because I felt light headed and looked at him.

"Huh?" I asked.

"You're looking a little paler than usual, and you look exhausted," he seemed worried.

"I'm fine," I assured. I do feel tired, but I'm not going to fall asleep. I don't want Dodger and everyone else to be worried about me.

"Lie down," Dodger ordered, and he stood up. "You need some rest. I don't know if you still have your fever or if you didn't sleep well last night.

"I slept fine."

"Must be stress or your fever," Dodger guessed. "Lie down and sleep for a little while."

I laid down and looked up at the ceiling. I do feel a little light headed. Do I still have my fever? I think I do because I always feel a little dizzy and tired. As I said, I can't just go and sleep because Dodger will be all over me and the others will be worried asking how I am every second. It's too much. I closed my eyes and didn't open them. I then realized that my eyes had closed, and I shot them wide open, seeing Dodger above, placing a blanket over me.

"Relax," He looked down at me, "I'm just giving you the blanket. You look tired and a bit sick. Sleep for a bit, and we'll see how you feel."

I sighed and just decided to listen to him. I shivered a bit since it was cold in the living room, but this time, I closed my eyes and didn't open them.

...

NORMAL POV

Dodger was sitting on a stool next to Julia who was sleeping. Jackson and Nicky both come into the room. They saw Julia sleeping and Dodger looking down at her.

"Is she all right?" Jackson asked

Dodger looked up at them. "I don't know. She's looking paler than usual. I don't know if she's still sick or if she's stressed out."

"Maybe all the fighting with Anissa and you got to her. Also, you have been talking to her privately lately," Nicky said. He turned to look at Julia. He would never admit it, but a part of him felt bad for her.

"You're right, Nicky," Dodger agreed. "She didn't do anything, and we're antagonizing her. She's the only one that knows what Anissa's up too, and we tried to get her to tell us, but we already know that she won't."

"Maybe we should leave her alone for a little while," Jackson suggested

"I can't, Jackson. If I do, she and Anissa will talk privately again. We can't have that."

"Yeah, you're right," Jackson agreed.

"I'll see how she is when she wakes up," Dodger turned to Nicky, "where did Charley and Anissa go off too?"

"They're downstairs," Nicky replied. "Charley talked to her, and she hasn't said a word since. It's about time she shut her mouth, for once at least."

"Her mouth annoys me," Dodger replied, crossing his arms. "She's up to something."

"Well, Julia won't tell us," Jackson pointed out.

"I know, but we'll find out soon, don't worry," Dodger smiled.

"What are you talking about?" Nicky asked

"Fagin's plan."

"Oh, right," Jackson remembered. "Do you think you'll find out everything that you need to know?"

"I think so. I mean, it isn't just Anissa, Nancy's, been acting differently also. Fagin said the last time he was over at their place; she back talked Bill, which is new."

"Nancy? She told Bill off?" Nicky asked, with shock on his face and in his voice.

"Yeah, I know. You see, something is going on."

"What if Julia doesn't know what's going on?" Jackson thought out loud. "I mean, just because she and Anissa are best friends doesn't mean they have to tell each other everything. I'm sure you don't tell Charley or us everything about you."

Dodger sweatdropped. "Yeah, I'm sure I don't, the same for you two. However, I'm pretty sure Julia knows, she has been more aggressive."

"Anyway, do you need help taking care of Julia?" Nicky got off topic.

"No, I can do it by myself. You two do your usual duties. I'll handle Julia."

"You sure?" Jackson asked.

"Yeah, I'm sure."

Nicky and Jackson looked at each other and shrugged. They then walked out of the living room and downstairs, hoping that Julia was okay and that Dodger finds out what's going on with Anissa and Nancy.

...

JULIA'S POV

I woke up and glanced at Dodger. He was smoking his pipe, looking at me. Jesus, it scares me when he does that. It makes me think that sometimes he's listening or watching me without me even noticing.

"How are you feeling?" Dodger asked.

"Fine," I replied, stretching my legs. Ah, it felt so beautiful to spread.

He observed me and said, "You're not as pale as you were from earlier," Then he put his hand on my forehead, "a little warm. I don't think you're as sick as you were."

"Thank you, doctor," I sarcastically said, which caused him to smirk.

I started to sit up, but he stopped me. "It's better if you lie down for a little while," he suggested.

I lay back down but kept my eyes open. Dodger turned away and continued to smoke his pipe. That's when it hit me. What is Dodger's real name? Is Dodger even a name?

"Dodger?"

"Hm?" he looked at me.

"Is Dodger your real name?"

"No, it's a nickname that was given to me when I joined Fagin's gang."

"Then what's your real name?"

"Jack Dawkins," He crossed his arms and looked at me curiously, "why do you ask?"

"Well, Dodger is a very unusual name."

"It's just a nickname Fagin gave to me. I was given it because I'm sneaky and I can Dodge the traps if I ever get caught. Also, it's what I go by on the streets and by my friends. Not to mention I'm a favorite of Fagin's and his best pickpocket."

"Well, I never figured that out."

Dodger narrowed his eyes a little. "Stop being a smart Alec," which caused me to look away and smirk.

"Can I call you Jack?"

"No. Nobody calls me Jack. Not even Charley, and he's my best friend."

I nodded and respected that. I wasn't going to call Dodger something he didn't like. If he doesn't like being called Jack or even like his real name, I won't call him it. Besides, he probably thinks his nickname sounds cooler, which I can attest too.

"Dodger?"

"Yes?"

I didn't even think about what I was going to ask. "What happened to your parents?"

He took the pipe out of his mouth and just stared at me. Is he mad, sad, annoyed, or shocked? I can't tell because he always has a somewhat serious look on his face, unlike Charley. I have no idea of how they get along so well, despite their opposite personalities. Then again, Anissa and I get along great but not like Dodger and Charley.

"I'm sorry, I probably shouldn't have asked that. It's a very personal question, I suppose," I apologized, turning away.

The last thing I need is for Fagin's favorite and my crush to be mad at me.

"I'm curious why you ask that," He doesn't seem angry or upset.

I looked back at him. "Well, I remember when you were stitching my cut, you said to Charley how your mom used to take you to work until she died. I was just wondering; that's all."

He nodded a little. "I did say that my mom is dead, but I'm not so sure; the lady that took me to work with her was my second mom, a lady that adopted me."

"Oh, so do you know what happened to your real parents?"

Dodger shook his head, "Nope, I never knew them. My second mom said my mother died because she had asthma. My father, I don't know about him. I don't know if they're dead; that's just what my foster mother said."

"So then how did you end up here?" Now I'm curious. How exactly did he meet the one and only Fagin?

He smirked, making me shiver up and down. "Well, I never knew you were so interested in me."

"Please, Dodger, spare yourself the misery. I just want to know."

He'll never know how I feel about him, and I'm not telling him either.

He sighed and took a puff from his tube. "Well, my second parents were abusive drug addicts. One day, I ran away when I was like five, I think? I don't know, but I was young, Nancy and Bet found me and brought me to Fagin. I was here before any of the other boys here, and I found them all."

"Wow, you're pretty known for taking boys."

He shrugged, "They get free lodgings, plus we've all had pretty bad lives. What about you?"

I looked at him. "I don't remember anything really," I laid back. "All I remember is standing in front of some house, like an old, poor looking house. Some lady picked me up."

"Really?" Dodger looked at me with curiosity.

I nodded my head. "Yup, Then all I remember is being in a new place, sitting all by myself and Anissa coming up to me, and we clicked, becoming the best of friends. The workhouse owners say my mom and dad didn't have enough to support me, but as you said, you never know. You only know what a person tells you."

"I'm sorry."

I sat up. "Why are you sorry, Dodger? Your life was worse than mine!"

"You never knew your parents, plus I've spent my years here. I hear terrible stories about those workhouses. You're lucky you're alive."

"I guess you're right," I agreed and laid back down again.

It went quiet again, and I tried to think of how I got to the workhouse, but I can't remember every time I try, which isn't very often. I remember some lady picking me up, that's it. What if my parents gave me away for some apparent reason? What if they died when I was tiny and I was given away, but the new parents didn't want me or couldn't support me, and gave me up? Hm, so many possibilities.

"Why does Charley call me Little Lady?" Since he's Charley's best friend, he should know the reason why Charley is always joking around with me.

"Because you're little," Dodger teased. He took a puff from his pipe.

"I am not. I am 5'3 and a half." That is average.

"That's little — Anissa's taller than you. Most girls around here are. Even I'm taller than you, and I'm considered short for my age."

I crossed my arms and scowled. "You're a boy."

"I'm a little shorter than most girls. I'm happy; I'm taller than one," Dodger smiled, making me shake my head.

After a few minutes of silence, there were footsteps. I turned around and saw a familiar face.

"Anissa?"

"You're supposed to be with Charley," Dodger pointed out.

"Whatever," she hissed and grabbed my arm, "let's go, Julia."

I got up, and she tried dragging me out of the room, but I freed myself from her grip. "Anissa, what are you doing?"

"I need to talk to you," She faced me, and I saw the anger in her eyes. Uh-oh, what happened now?

"Okay, but can we talk later?" I asked.

"I don't think we'll be able too. I need to speak to you now, Julia," I looked into her eyes again, and I didn't only see anger, but sorrow. Someone must have said something to her, and I bet that someone was Charley.

I went to walk out of the living room with her, but Dodger took my other arm. "Dodger, get off of me," I demanded.

He ignored me and turned to my best friend. "Anissa, why don't you be a good girl and go back to Charley?"

"No, I'm not going back with him, and I'm not leaving this very room without Julia."

I heard Dodger mumble to himself about talking to Charley later. When he stopped muttering and looked up, he pulled me over to him, which caused, Anissa's grip on my left arm to fall.

"She's not going anywhere."

"Says who?" I asked.

Dodger turned to look at me. "Says me, now hush."

I was about to say something, but Anissa interrupted me, "While you're at it, you should tell her," she smirked.

It's amazing how one minute, everyone gets along and then the next minute, everyone's arguing with one another.

"What? Tell her that we're thinking of giving you to Sikes? She already knows that."

Anissa gritted her teeth and glared at him. I turned to Dodger who has a smirk plastered on his face. "Don't smirk at me. I know what you're hiding," Anissa pointed her finger at him.

Why is Dodger smirking? Is there more than what he is saying? I know he won't tell me, but I am pretty sure he's into me, but I'm not sure. He treats me differently from Anissa, and he always wants to be around me. Then again, he doesn't like Anissa.

Charley ran into the room. "Anissa, come back downstairs with me right now!"

Wow, she's even got Charley of all people yelling at her. What did she do to get him mad, and what exactly did Charley do to get Anissa all worked up? If there's one thing about Anissa, she doesn't start yelling and screaming for no reason. Wow, Charley must have set her off, but how?

"NO!" She raised her voice and turned back to Dodger.

"I'm not hiding anything," Dodger narrowed his eyes.

"Yes, you are. I heard you say Julia's name a few days ago."

"I was telling Charley how I trust her and not you!" Dodger stepped up, getting closer to Anissa.

"That's a lie!"

"Oh yeah?"

What if Dodger is hiding something? Anissa wouldn't lie. Anissa stepped closer to him, and they were glaring at each other. "I hate you."

Dodger smiled. "Good. I hope you do because I hate you too," He pulled me over to him and said, "Poor Julia, she has to deal with you all the time. Let me tell you something, Julia and Charley might take your nonsense, but I won't. If you think you can disrespect me, then you have another thing coming."

I felt a little frightened after he said that. Even Charley looked scared.

"I'm not afraid of you, Dodger!" she sassed. "You brainwashed my friend into your lies. It won't work on me!"

Brainwashed, Me? Never! I'm just sick and tired of getting in trouble for no reason. I'm not sucking up to Dodger or anything, maybe I am, a little bit. The thing is, he's Fagin's, and perhaps even Bill Sikes', favorite; he has the power to do what he wished. Not only that, if I end up like Anissa, they'll be up my case, and I don't need that. I'm smart, naive, but smart.

"I never brainwashed her. Unlike you, she knows how to listen!"

Jackson and Nicky ran into the living room.

"Dodger, we heard all the commotion," Nicky said, "Is everything all right?"

"Everything's fine," Dodger replied and turned back to Anissa, "You better learn to behave, because if you don't, we'll give you to Sikes."

"Then give me to him. It would be better there than here," Anissa said, confidently.

"If you disrespected Sikes the way you're backtalking Dodger, he would have killed you right on the spot," Nicky jumped in.

"It's better than being here."

"I disagree with that statement, Anissa," I said.

"If Sikes murders you, you'll never see Julia, again." Jackson pointed out.

Anissa sulked knowing that he was right.

"I'm going to ask you again; are you going to be good?" Dodger asked. "Because if you're not going to listen, then you're in a heap of trouble."

"I'll never listen to you or your clown of a friend!"

I saw Charley glaring at her, and he said. "Well, you have too."

What happened between those two?

She turned to him. "I never will, and you can't make me!"

"Nicky, Jackson," Charley said, "I don't Secret Keeper learned anything from the other day. Bill is coming, later on. Lock her in the closet for now. We'll have him talk and maybe even scare some sense and respect into her."

Anissa's and my eyes got wide. Nicky and Jackson grabbed Anissa, and she yelped. I tried to run and save her, but Dodger grabbed both of my arms.

"Let go of me!" Anissa shouted.

"No," Nicky disobeyed her.

"Julia!" Anissa distressed.

"No," I answered, struggling out of Dodger's grip. I turned to him. "Dodger, get off of me this instant."

"You sound like Nancy," he snickered.

"I mean it."

"No, and you can't make me."

I glared at him, and I pulled away, but fell on the floor with him hovering above, looking down at me. Nicky and Jackson dragged a screaming, kicking Anissa away. As I was getting up, Dodger took hold of my arm and helped me up.

"If you help her out of the closet, you'll be in huge trouble," he whispered into my ear.

I shot him a glare. "You don't scare me, Dodger."

He smirked, clearly amused. "I see the look in your eyes when I talk to you, Julia. You do fear me, and you know well that whatever I say, I do," Then his eyes narrowed slightly. "And don't think you're free to go because you're still in my room."

I gritted my teeth and sat back down on the couch. Dodger sat on the chair, and there was a thud. I glanced, but I didn't move, knowing that my strength and speed could never outmatch The Artful Dodger's power and speed.

"Dodger, why are you mean to me?" I asked out of the blue.

He looked at me and said, "I'm not mean to you. I'm separating you and Anissa because I know that the more that you two talk, the sneakier you'll get. I also know that whatever she says to you isn't any good."

I sighed, but that didn't explain what Anissa was trying to make him say. "What did Anissa mean when she said for you to tell me?" Now I'm skeptical.

"How should I know?" He shrugged as he smoked his pipe. "She's delusional."

"No, she isn't."

"Yes, she is, Julia."

"Anissa isn't a liar. You're hiding something from me," I pointed a long and thin finger at him.

"Women," I heard him mumble to himself, "I'll never understand them," he shook his head.

"I heard that," I said quietly.

"Then I guess that I'm good at being loud," he heard me, and then muttered, "Women sure are cranky."

"I heard that too."

"That's okay," he shrugged.

I rolled my eyes and sat there, knowing that Anissa will peach tomorrow. I wonder if Dodger knows about it? Probably not, but I do know that he is distrusting of anything that isn't part of the gang. They're all very loyal to one another, perhaps too faithful.

"When can I leave?"

"Never," Dodger replied, smoking his pipe.

"I want to leave."

"You're not going too," He said flatly, continuing to smoke his pipe.

I groaned and sat back and decided to relax. Dodger smoked his pipe, and I looked the other way.

"Don't you ever get tired of smoking your pipe?"

"I wouldn't continue to smoke it if I were tired of it," he said.

"What do you think got Anissa mad over?" I asked, turning back to look at Dodger.

"I don't know, and I don't care."

I rolled my eyes and turned away from Dodger. The scene from earlier was crazy! Either Anissa misheard Charley and Dodger's conversation about whatever they were talking about, or Dodger is lying. However, why would he lie? Moreover, what did Charley say to get Anissa all worked up? It's not like I'll be able to ask her because I'm not allowed to be around her, and Dodger will make sure of that.

What if it wasn't Charley who got Anissa all mad? If it wasn't Charley, Dodger, or myself, then who was it, and why?