AN: Thanks to all my reviewers! Love you guys! Keep reviewing! I think the end is coming soon sadly so if you have any ideas, comments, or questions please tell/ask.
DISCLAIMER: I own nothing of Newsies except my awesome OC.
Going Out
"Ashlaya, I told you to tell me anything that happens when we're here or do you not want to see your family again. You're so close. Why would you try and jeopardize it?" Sands father was using his lawyer tone.
"I'm sorry. It's just I don't feel comfortable with this. She's my friend." Ashlaya protested.
He looked down on her. She couldn't have been older than Gabriella, twenty maybe twenty-one. He remembered when he found her and convinced her to come with him to care for his daughter when he found her. She agreed instantly when he told Ashlaya that he could send her sister to the refuge because of the fruit she stole a week before. She made him promise that he would take care of them and that they would have enough money to survive.
He agreed. He was good at manipulating people to do what he wanted. "Your friend will turn on you if you get in the way of her being with her friends. Her real friends. You can tell me what happened last night or you can never see your family again, your choice."
A look of shock passed over the young girls face. "She's…she's going to meet some of her friends today."
"Good. Well, we must let her think you are still her friend. I'll let you go out for the day, but we have a big party in a few days. She needs a beautiful dress for her engagement party."
"Engagement party?"
"Yes, I have arranged that she and the mayor's son will be married. The mayor found her to be a joy. The party is in three days and be sure she has a stunning dress."
"Ye-yes sir." Ashlaya stuttered. Gabriella wouldn't like the news of getting married especially to someone she didn't know. If she found out she would hate Ashlaya forever.
Sand was getting her hair curled. Sure she had to admit it looked good when it was curled that way, but really? An hour and a half to get it all fixed was just unheard of. She started playing with the ribbon that would gather it all into a full ponytail. It was a lavender color. It matched the dress perfectly. She wondered if anyone would recognize her in the dress and her hair fixed. She didn't think so. No one would. Her vision blurred a little but she quickly pushed the tears back.
"Ribbon." The girl curling her hair said. Sand handed her the ribbon. It was in her hair and tied it all together.
"You're good to go."
"Thanks, Sara." Sand said just as Ashlaya came in the door. "What did he say? Can we go?"
"He said we have to get you a dress for a party in three days. We can go." Ashlaya had a solemn look on her face. Sand ran to her and started jumping.
"This is perfect! Ashlaya you are amazing! Let's hurry. It's still early. I want to be away from here for as long as possible." Sand said in a more relaxed tone that she never used around her father. Ashlaya could sometimes hear the street accent that the newsies used.
Sand started dragging Ashlaya out the door. Sand grabbed her small purse that held only change. Ashlaya grabbed the basket she used when they went out in case they needed to carry something heavy.
Sand watched her feet, but she couldn't see them due to the flowing skirt of the dress. She didn't care about anything. She felt free for the first time in a month. They were out on the street in a minute. Sand looked around. She saw Ashlaya. She looked as if she was sad. Sand quickly linked her arms with Ashlaya's. "Come on. I'll show you around."
"Sand, how do you know your way around here?"
"I know this place like the back of my hand. I grew up here. I feel safer here than anywhere else."
Ashlaya started to have more fun. Sand had started to show her around. She showed her were different newsies sold their papes. Sand stood still at a corner. She knew that the corner was where Skittery had saved her from her dad. She looked around. She didn't see Skittery anywhere. Ashlaya noticed she was looking for something.
"What is it?" Ashlaya asked quietly.
"This is where he tried to kidnap me. Skittery saved me. I don't see him anywhere though."
"I'm sure everything's fine."
"Where did you say we're supposed to meet Jack?"
"By the fabric store."
"Let's head that way."
"Led the way."
The walked around the corner. Sand knew that they would be there in five minutes. Sand felt as if they were being followed. Ashlaya saw that she went on the defense and was prepared for anything. Sand felt an arm around her waist. She turned quickly mildly surprised that Oscar was behind her. Ashlaya was being pulled away by Morris. Sand looked around franticly trying to find somewhere she could get out of the open and soak him. She found it, a small alleyway that led to nowhere. She steered her way over to the entrance. Ashlaya saw where she was headed and slipped out of Morris's arms and ran over there.
Sand heard Oscar say, "Two girls like your selves shouldn't be alone. You could get hurt."
"Or meet yous two." Sand's accent slipped.
"Well aren't you the-" Oscar started but was silenced by Sand punching him in the stomach. He buckled over in pain. She grabbed his hair and lifted his head up to where he was looking into her eyes.
"No one hits on me. You'd think a Delancey would know that."
"How do you," Oscar suddenly recognized her, "Sand?"
"Is it really that har' ta tell?"
"Well, you…you look like a girl." Noticing her hard look he quickly said, "No not like you never looked like a girl it's just you don't look like you."
"Yeah, sure. Now grab your ape of a brother and leave. I have places ta be and people ta see and you aren't one of them."
Oscar ran out of the alley. He said something quick to Morris. Oscar ran off. Morris stopped trying to seduce Ashlaya and gave a quick glace Sand's way. Sand stepped closer and he ran following his brother. Sand ran over to Ashlaya who was in the dirt street of the alley.
"Are you ok?" Sand asked concerned.
"Yeah, do you know them?"
"Yeah they're the Delancey brothers. They harassed the newsies around here."
"They seem pretty scared of you."
"I'm not too surprised. We had a couple of run-ins when I was staying here."
"We're going to be late. Let's just put this behind us and hurry so we don't miss Jack."
Ashlaya got up and Sand helped her brush the dirt off her dress. They started walking again. Jack saw them before they even knew they were close. Jack ran up. He was shocked that he knew it was them. He didn't recognize Sand at all. He remembered Ashlaya from the night before and saw her. He quickly hugged Sand and greeted Ashlaya.
"Well, it took yous long enough." Jack said playfully.
"I know. Sorry, we ran into a little pest problem." Sand replied.
"Delanceys?"
"Delanceys."
"Well, I'm sure ya took care of it. Let's go. I want you to see somebody."
"Where are we goin'?"
"You'll see."
They kept walking for about twenty minutes. They passed some places that Sand knew. Tibby's was one of the familiar places. Then they were in front of the Lodge. She felt Ashlaya's hand grab hers. She looked to see Ashlaya had a bit of confusion on her face.
"It's the newies lodge. Everyone I know stays here. Don't worry. They'll love you." Sand gave Ashlaya's hand an encouraging squeeze. They walked in and headed up the stairs. Sand didn't know what would happen neither did Ashlaya.
They made it to the top of the stairs. Sand was home. She turned to where her bed had been. It was still empty. She looked to see that the room was mostly empty. There were only a few people in the room and Spot was one of them. He must have heard them coming up the stairs because he was standing up. Spot just stood there for a minute. Looking to be sure she was his sister. All of the sudden he was hugging her. She noticed he was taller, but not a lot taller. They always stayed close in height. Sand hugged him back knowing that this could be one of the few times she would get to feel like she was his sister again.
She heard him mutter so quite she almost didn't hear him say, "I knew yous would come back."
She couldn't stop the tears that followed that. She was with her family if only for a little while. She knew Spot was crying but if she brought it up he would deny it. It was a long time before they pulled apart. That's when Spot noticed Ashlaya standing behind Sand.
Sand caught his gaze and said, "This is Ashlaya. She's my only friend in his world."
"Well, its good ta meet cha Ashlaya." He stuck out his hand to shake hers. She gripped it cautiously.
"Good to meet you."
"Wheres yous from? Chinatown?"
"Yes…" Ashlaya's face saddened at the thought of her family.
Sand elbowed Spot. He noticed her change in mood so he quickly changed the subject, "So, uh, do ya wanna meet everyone else he'e?"
"Sure."
Spot introduce Ashlaya to everyone in the room. Blink, Race, Mush, and Skittery were the others that were there. Sand had a quick talk with the others before she made it to Skittery.
"Spot said yous would come back." Skittery said staring at the floor.
"Spot says a lot of stuff and most of it is ta hear himself talk."
"Yous sounds different."
"I know. I don't like it."
"It makes ya sound olda more proper."
"You haven't seen me talk around my father. It's worse. I swe'r I could be talkin' to the queen of England."
His face lighted up with a smile. She loved his smile. She could even love him… "Yous look nice."
"It's the only one he let me pick out. The others are pink. I could trade clothes with Medda and you wouldn't notice a difference."
"I knew it would be different if yous came back. Yous woulda had ta of been different."
"He said the quicker I learned the sooner I'd get ta come back. I couldn't stand it there. I missed you all too much."
"Would ya jus' kiss 'er already!" Race yelled from the bunk where he was talking to Ashlaya and Blink.
Sand could have sworn Skittery blushed. She wished she could stay here. "We still need to get your dress." Ashlaya said quickly.
Sand turned to Ashlaya and argued, "I don't want another dress. I want to burn the ones I have. Why would I get another one?"
"Because that is what your father thinks we are doing right now."
"Damn…We should leave then." Sand said reluctantly.
She turned to Skittery to say good bye but words just wouldn't come out. "Go." He whispered to her after Ashlaya ran down the stairs. She walked to the door but stopped there to look at her friends one more time. Then she walked down to find Ashlaya waiting for her.
"Hurry I think that store has dresses." Ashlaya dragged Sand away from her friends. Her home. Her family.
