DISCLAIMER: I do not own Newsies.

Away From the Hunter

Ch. 14

-Perfect-

-ANNABELLE'S POV-

"No! Wait! Stop moving!" I was squirming under the watchful eye of Sarah as she fixed my hair for my date with Blink tonight, I've been sitting for too long and I was getting restless.

"Sarah! Hurry, it's almost 7! I'm going to be late if you keep messing with my hair!"

"It's almost done. Don't worry." She made a few touch ups and then stepped back. "There. Perfect. Blink will fall at your feet when he sees you like this!" I blushed and Sarah led me to the mirror in my washroom.

I looked into the mirror and almost fainted. The person I saw was not me! The person I saw was beautiful, with brown curly hair tied up in a loose bun with a few strands framing her face. Rosy red cheeks, and a beautiful dress. It took me a few moments to realize that it was me.

"Oh my God. I- I look..."

"Stunning." Sarah finished for me. "Beautiful. You look gorgeous Ann, stop worrying."

I hugged her. "Thanks you so much!"

She smiled. "Well, we better hurry if we don't wanna keep Prince Charming out there for too long." I grinned and followed out of the room. All the newsies were in the front room just lounging around until Sarah went down there and made an announcement.

"Oh, boys!" She said in a sing song voice. "The princess is coming down for her date with Prince Blink" I almost died from embarrassment right there. Waiting at the top of the staircase away from their view seemed like the best choice for me, that is until Sarah came charging up and pushed me forward, making me walk down, all eyes turned to me as they gawked at me and I turned red.

When I got to the bottom, there were whistles and cat calls and I was about ready to dash out the door.

Mouse came up to me and grinned. "You look like a princess, Ann!" I smiled and thanked him.

I turned around to see everyone still staring at me. I sighed. "I know I'm amazing and all..." I joked. There were a few chuckles and snorts. "But you don't need to stare."

"Listen to the lady! She needs to get to her date with Blinky Boy." Race yelled.

"Well, I better get going. I'll see you all later when I come home." I start towards the door, but got stopped by Skittery.

"Oh no youse don't. I've been assigned to walk youse to the statue." Skittery explained.

I stomped my feet indignantly. "I do not need a babysitter."

He frowned. "Yes youse do. It's late and there are plenty of men out there who wouldn't think twice 'bout takin' advantage of a goil like youse." He paused and looked me over, then smirked. "Especially with youse all dolled up like that."

I was blushing even more. "Fine. But you remember, I'm dolled up Blink. Not you, Skittery."

He saluted me mockingly. "Aye aye, Captain." I laughed and stepped out, this time without anyone stopping me.

We walked silently towards the statue, avoiding any alleyways and back roads, staying on the main road in case something happened.

By the time we reached the statue, Blink was already there. When he saw me his face lit up in the gorgeous smile of his.

I ran over and kissed him, because, well, I just couldn't help it.

I pulled away when Skittery cleared his throat uncomfortably. "Uh, well, I'll be leavin' now." He waved awkwardly and ran off, leaving me and Blink.

"Wow, Ann. You look beautiful." He stated after looking me over.

"Thanks you look great too." I said blushing.

I took his hand and led him away from the statue, then stopped when I had no idea where we were going.

He smiled. "Oh! I almost forgot." He handed me a beautiful red rose I had somehow failed to see earlier.

"Oh, Blink. It's so pretty! Thank you."

"Anything for me goil." He grinned.

"So where are we going?"

He shrugged and grinned while I just gaped at him. "Blink!" I smacked him playfully on the arm.

"Hey! What was that for? Am I supposed to plan it?" He asked, raising his eyebrows.

"You should at least know what we're going to do!" I laughed. Only Blink would not plan a date. Only him.

"I did! I did! Calm down. We're gonna go for a walk in the park and then go see a show at Medda's, okay?"

"Okay! It's such a nice night tonight! Oh, look the park!" I grabbed his hand and we ran to the park, laughing.

An hour later, it was now close to 8 and we had pretty much walked through the whole park.

"Hey, I think it's 'bout time we head to Irving Hall if we'se wanna see Medda's show." Blink said.

I nodded and we headed towards Irving Hall. There weren't many people there today. I couldn't see many people standing outside.

We walked in and I got the surprise of my life.

Newsies from Manhattan and Brooklyn were all over the place, laughing, talking, and eating.

Mush, Skittery, Spot, Jack, and Race were playing poker at the table nearest to the door, With Sarah and Les behind Jack watching them. And when they saw me, they stood up and yelled. "Surprise! Happy Birthday!"

My eyes were wide and I turned to Blink, who was grinning down at em.

I gasped. He knew! Everyone knew! And they never told me! I love surprises and all, but only when they're for other people!

I got teary-eyed as I looked at all the smiling faces. These people are my family, and they truly love me.

I wiped away my happy tears and smiled. "Thank you all. So much." Then I turned to Blink. "This whole date thing was just a coy to get me to go to Medda's for my own surprise birthday party!"

He grinned. "I had to get you out of the house for a while so they could come here."

"Thank you." I smiled and gave him a big hug.

I turned back to everyone else. "Hey! What are you all doing standing here? It's time to party!"

They cheered and went back to their game of poker, Blink joining them.

Sarah came over and hugged me. "Surprise!"

"Wow, I can't believe this is all for me." Party decorations were everywhere. Balloons, streamers, and of course all the food on a table in the corner. Medda was on stage, singing a song with a few newsies hanging on her every word. She threw me a wink and a wave when she saw me. "This place looks amazing!"

"Yeah, I know. Can you believe the boys did this all themselves? Well, me and Medda helped with a few things, but they planned everything. Especially Blink. You got a real keeper there, you lucky girl." she smiled and I looked over at Blink.

He looked so happy and I couldn't be any happier, myself. I realized that Sarah was right. I got a real Prince Charming over there. Then I realized something even bigger. I truly and honestly love Travis 'Blink' Parker.

I was still standing there smiling like an idiot at my new revelation when Medda made an announcement. "Hello Newsies! It's the girl of the night, Annabelle, over there!" She pointed at me and smiled. "Happy birthday Ann!" She winked. "Why don't you come on stage for us, Ann." I shook my head but Sarah insisted and pushed me up on stage. "Well, it's about time we sang happy birthday to our dear birthday girl, who is turning 17 today!"

The song started playing and I could feel the heat rising up my face.

They all sang and clapped for me. I stepped down the stage, thinking my embarrassment was over, but I was wrong.

"Now this song goes out to all the lovely couples out there, especially the star couple today, Blink and Ann." Medda announced and cat calls rang out throughout the hall and I could feel the heat coming back. I looked across the hall and Blink was being harassed by the boys and getting embarrassed too. He looked up and saw me and smiled, making us both less embarrassed.

Medda started singing her slow song and all the newsies grabbed their girls and started dancing. Blink crossed the hall and pulled me onto the dance floor despite my protests.

"Blink! I can't dance!" I hissed as he grabbed my hand.

"Well you're just gonna have to learn, don't ya?" He smirked and placed his hands on my waist while I hesitantly placed my hands on his shoulders.

So far, so good. I wasn't stepping on his feet and I wasn't tripping over my own.

After a while of just the sound of music and the other couples' quiet chatter with us dancing silently, I broke the silence.

"Blink, thank you, for all of this."

He smiled. "Don't just thank me. The boys helped too, ya know."

"I know, but just, you've been so great. During everything. The whole Hunter situation that's been going on, helping me when I need you. Everything. Thank you." I leaned up and kissed him right when the song ended and the dance floor cleared.

Luckily, though, the boys knew that interrupting me and Blink would not be a good idea, so they kept quiet.

I looked up into the gorgeous eyes that I love. I love that contagious smile of his. I love that he's all mine, and most importantly, I love him.

"Travis Parker, I love you so much." I finally said.

He grinned that grin of his. "I love you too, Ann."

"Forever and always." I said smiling.

"Forever and always." He echoed.

A perfect ending to a perfect night.

A/N: Tee hee. Next chapter's gonna be tons of surprises. (:

I'll see if I can post tomorrow, maybe, possibly. Probably not. But I will post Tuesday.

Yup. Well, hope you all like this chapter!

Enjoy and review, kay?