Thanks Grace, for my first review. :) I was starting to wonder if anyone liked it. ;)

Disclaimer: I don't own Newsies or any of it's characters.

"Thanks, fo' helpin' me out back dere… I guess…" Oscar tried, apparently he wasn't used to this whole… Showing emotions… Thing.

I smiled as I finished wiping the rest of the blood of his chin, "No problem. You didn't deserve that."

"Morris on da udda hand," Oscar chuckled, then winced when he hurt his nose.

I giggled and threw the blood stained towel to the side, prodding at his nose to make sure it wasn't broken or anything, "Well… I think it's just a little bruised. I think you'll be alright in a few days."

"Good. I'se need ta get Kelly back fo' what 'e did!" Oscar said irritably.

"No, don't fight. Just let it be," I said, "Besides, it'll probably make him go mad not knowing whether or not you're comin' after him or not."

Oscar chuckled softer this time and nodded, "Yeah, maybe."

It was quiet for a few moments between us. Oscar looked down at his hands, nervously twiddling his thumbs as I just examined him. He looked so vulnerable right now, it was kind of weird. He had his hat off and thrown over to the side, his growing dark hair now hung in his nervous brown eyes. I smiled as I looked at him. Maybe he wasn't so bad. I wasn't afraid to admit to myself that I might have a little bit of a thing for him.

"Listen, Leah… I'm really sorry fo' what I did earlier," Oscar said, looking up at me. But before he could continue, I silenced him with a soft kiss on the lips.

He stiffened up at this and his eyes went wide in surprise. He stayed this way for a moment before he relaxed his body and leaned into the kiss, putting a hand on my cheek to pull me in closer. Our lips moved together in perfect harmony, and I never wanted it to end. I pushed my fingers into his hair and pulled him in closer, making the kiss deeper. Our kiss went on for a few moments until we were at a loss of breath and had to pull away.

We just stared at each other after that, panting and trying to catch our breath. I then chuckled and breathed, "Wow…"

Oscar smirked a little awkwardly and nodded in agreement, "Yeah…"

I bit my bottom lip in embarrassment, but still held a smile before I cleared my throat, "Well, uh… I'm gonna have to be headin' back. Don't wanna make the boys worried."

"Yeah, a'right," Oscar frowned, looking down.

He stood up with me and I smoothed out the skirt of my dress and smiled, "Oscar?"

"Yeah?" He looked into my eyes nervously, biting his bottom lip anxiously.

I smiled, "I like you, ye' know?"

He beamed a wide, happy smile back, "I like youse, too. A lot."

"Same," I blushed a bright crimson and grabbed his hand awkwardly as I stepped in closer to him, "See ye' tomorrow?"

Oscar smiled and nodded, "Yeah… Def'nitely."

"Alright…" I then stood on the tips of my toes and kissed him briefly, "Till tomorrow."

"Goodnight, Leah," Oscar called to me as I stepped away.

"Goodnight Oscar," I smiled before walking out the door.

I smiled as I relived the memory of the previous hour. I laid here, on my bed, arms behind my head, in my newsie clothes. That kiss with Oscar, I'm counting that as my first kiss. Not the one in the alley, because I wasn't cooperating there, but the one in his room. Now that's what I call a first kiss.

I smiled to myself as I thought of him, butterflies in my stomach. This was a completely new feeling, and I think I know what it is. Love. But I can't quite call it that yet, let's just where this goes.

"Leah! Leah! You've gotta hide! Quick!" I heard the frantic voice of Itey cry as him, Crutchie, and Kid Blink ran into the room.

I sat up in bed quickly and gave them all a look, "What? What's goin' on?"

"T-there's a guy here… He's… He's lookin' for ye'!" Itey cried urgently, "Ye' gotta hide!"

"Wait, wait, wait!" I stood, holding my hands up in the air with a cigarette between my teeth, "Did he tell you his name?"

"Uh… Yeah. He said it was…" Itey snapped his fingers, trying to remember, "Billy! That's it! Billy!"

"Billy?" I repeated, looking down at the floor as I took the cigarette from between my teeth.

"Yeah! Is he… Is 'e da guy lookin' for ye'? Da one dat tried ta'—Well, ye' know?!" Itey cried.

I shook my head slowly and let a smile slowly make it's way across my features, "No, no that's my step-brother. I knew he'd come lookin' for me."

I looked up at the boys and laughed excitedly, running past them and patting them all on the arms as I passed as a thank you for letting me know.

I ran downstairs, having dropped my unlit cigarette somewhere along the way. As I entered the main area, I saw the usual crowd of news boys all sitting around, drinking and having a good time, but I also saw a few crowded around in a small circle over near the door. I smiled and ran over to them, hoping it was really true.

I pushed my way through the boys, trying to reach the middle of the small circle. When I finally made it through, I saw two boys, one being Billy and the other unknown to me. I didn't care who he was right now, all I cared about was that Billy was here and safe.

I smiled and leaped into his arms, "Billy! You're okay!"

He pulled away from me immediately, so that he could look down at me. He looked me up and down, shocked at my appearance, "Leah! You look like a boy!"

I giggled and gripped his arms lovingly, "It was my disguise. You look good. No cuts or bruises."

"No, no. I ran away two weeks ago," Billy told me, tightening his grip on my arms, "I've been lookin' everywhere for you."

"I've been here the entire time," I smiled, "How'd you find me here, though?"

"This bloody guy from across the way there told me you were here," Billy said.

"That's probably Morris," I said, furrowing my eyebrows irritably, "I'll have ta' straighten him out later."

"Jeez! What's gotten into you?" Billy laughed.

"The city's worn off on me," I shrugged, "C'mon, I've got ta' introduce you to my friends."

"Okay, but first," Billy said, releasing me, "I'd like you to meet Bobby."

I turned back towards my step-brother and looked over at his friend. He was around Billy's height, maybe an inch shorter. He had curly brown hair and bright blue eyes. He looked very… Clean.

I smiled and held out my hand, spitting into it first, testing to see if he was city material, "Nice ta' meet ye', chief."

He smiled and spit in his hand as well, shaking mine, "You too."

I smiled and nodded. I liked him.

"Well… C'mon, you two! We've got people to meet and placed ta' be!"

Billy and me sat by ourselves upstairs in the bunkroom about an hour later. I had introduced him to everybody. He said he liked how weary of him they all were, he said it made him know they protected me.

"So… What's with you and the leader guy?" Billy asked.

"Who? Jack?" I swatted my hand, sitting cross-legged, "He's all pissed off because I made nice with one of his enemies."

"Whoa, language there, Betty Lou," Billy chuckled, holding his hands up.

I smacked him on the arm, "Shut up, Bill!"

He chuckled for a moment more before saying, "You seem like pretty close friends with all these guys."

"We're kind of like siblings, now," I admitted, "Itey's my best friend. We used to share a bunk, till they all found out I was a girl, then he moved me to bunk with one of the younger newsies."

"So, do you sell papers now, or what?" Billy kept asking question after question.

"I used to," I said, "The boys are scared for me now, so they tell me to stay here. I don't mind it really. Kloppman lets me stay here as long as I help him with the cleaning, cooking, and all that kind of stuff."

Billy nodded, "That's… Great. But… We need to get out of here, before my Dad finds us. So I was thinking—"

"Wait, wait, wait," I stopped him from going on into his plan, "We can't just pack up and leave. I live here now, this is my life."

"Life? Leah, you live in a bunk house with a bunch of sweaty, teenage boys. Don't you see what's wrong with that?" Billy snapped in an annoyed tone.

"Nothing's wrong with that! I've lived with teenage boys all my life, and you're one of 'em!" I spat, "I can't leave them. I love them, and they love me. We're family."

"Family? You've know them, for what? A month?" Billy cried incredulously.

"Two months!" I corrected irritably, "I can't leave!"

"Why not?" Billy asked.

"Because, they're my family. I've already told you," I said, before adding, "That, and I've got somebody special."

"What? What was that last part?" Billy asked, straining to hear me.

I smirked sarcastically and crossed my arms, glaring up at Billy, "I said, I've got someone special."

"What? You've got a boyfriend?" Billy asked, laughing a little, "Really? Who is it? What's his name?"

"I ain't tellin' you!" I cried, throwing my arms out to my sides.

"And why not?" Billy smiled smugly.

"Because, I don't need you blabbing to everyone here about it," I explained.

"Oh, alright, whatever," Billy swatted his hand at me before crossing his arms, "Well… We'll sleep on this. But we're discussing my plan in the morning."

"Fine. I'll listen to it, but I ain't comin' with ye'," I said, keeping my aggressive pose on the bed.

Billy rolled his eyes, "Alright, whatever, Leah. I'm goin' downstairs to find Bobby. You get yourself some shut eye."

"Alright, sure. Go kiss and make 'out' with your boyfriend," I said, laying back on my bed.

"He ain't my boyfriend," Billy snapped, pointing at me mockingly before leaving the room and going downstairs to join the rest of the boys.

Ugh! What a long night!