A/N: Hey guys! I just wanted to put here that I'm going to be getting rid of some characters. As you've probably noticed, some of the girls have taken a back seat to the rest. The reason for that is there are just too many people in this story. I'm going to keep all of the Newsies but some of the girls are going. They'll be put in a few times down the road but there's just too many for me try to fit in.

So, to all of the girls who gave me their characters I thank you, and they will be put in sometimes. I just can't keep trying to fit them into the chapters. Thank you and on with the story.

Chapter 13: The Tale of Emo Davey

Race and Steve never spoke before they had their little heart-to-heart, and they didn't speak after it either. Race was too busy getting his plans ready. He already had phase 1 there; Parker and C.J. They were staying until after the wedding. So, Race was good on that front.

Now, all he needed to do was find out how to get all that water to fit into a hot air balloon. Maybe he needed a different plan. He was trying to stay away from his roommates as much as possible. They were both acting weird... well Mush was acting weird but still. That made Spot act retarded and Race didn't want to be around retarded Spot.

Since Blink and Shelley's separation, Mush had become best friends with Shelley. He was hanging out with her and Talkback mostly. Race kind of missed him but then remembered about his brilliant plan and would think of that instead.

Blink and David weren't getting along lately. Race and Spot had to come upstairs a few times to shut them up. All they did was argue. They didn't know what they were yelling about; they just knew they were yelling. So they would go up and yell at them to shut the hell up.

While this was going on, Mush was at Shelley's house talking.

"So, you said you had something important to tell me." Shelley said, sitting on the couch by Mush.

"Yeah," He started. "Uhm... this is hard for me, I'm a little nervous."

"Well, just take your time and tell me." Shelley said.

"Okay, promise me you're not going to hate me forever and disown me as a friend." Mush said.

Shelley laughed a little, "I promise."

He sighed, "Alright, I'm..."

"You're?" Shelley questioned.

"Well, I think I'm..."

"Crazy? Sick? Afraid?" Shelley substituted.

"I'm gay." He whispered.

Shelley smiled, "Awww! This is so great!"

He looked up at her, "Really? You're not going to disown me?"

Shelley laughed, "Mush, you're gay, not a criminal."

He sighed, "Well, I feel better."

"Have you told anyone else?" She asked

"No... just you. I figured they'd all make fun of me." Mush said.

"Well, you should tell them. I think it would be weird for them to find you with a guy sometime." She said.

He smiled a little. "Yeah, I guess. Will you come with me?"

"Sure." She said.

----------

Mush had gathered everyone in his place. Shelley and Blink were on opposites sides of the apartment, as were David and Elle, and Mush told everyone his big news. And they didn't make fun of him. They were happy for him.

Mush felt so relieved and he wasn't acting weird anymore. So Race begged him to stay home so he didn't have to deal with Spot.

A few days later Mush, Elle, and their friend Jax were trying out for the local theatre's production of 'West Side Story'. Shelley and Talkback were there for 'moral' support.

Mush was on stage doing a scene with Jax and Elle, Talkback, and Shelley were sitting in the audience.

Talkback looked at Mush, and then to Jax. He turned to Elle, "Hey, wouldn't Mush and Jax make a cute couple?"

Elle looked up at them, "Aww, yeah they would."

"Someone should get them together..." Talkback said, and looked at Elle.

She looked at Talkback. "And by someone you mean me."

"I knew you'd do it Elle. Thanks!" Talkback said, smiling.

"Oh, you're helping me. It was you're idea, you're helping!" Elle said, closing her script and looking at him.

"But, I don't wanna help. Something bad will happen! Someone will die, Jax... Jax will die in Mush's arms and it'll be like the gay version of West Side Story. It won't be pretty!" Talkback said, making over-dramatic hand gestures.

Elle rolled her eyes, "Shut up. Now, you're going to invite Jax to my party."

"You're having a party?" He asked.

"I am now." Elle said.

Talkback paused, "Will there . . ."

Elle sighed. "Yes, there will be enchiladas."

"And those cookies with the chocolate and peanut butter?" He asked, hopefully.

"Yes."

"Count me in!" Talkback said, joyfully. "Jaxxy!"

"I'm not going." Jax answered, coming off the stage.

"What . . . why? How can you not wanna go? You don't even know what it is yet!" Talkback said, accusingly.

"I don't wanna go." Jax huffed, sitting down.

"There'll be enchiladas. Roz's enchiladas." Talkback egged on.

"Is it a problem I don't wanna go?" Jax asked, looking at his script.

"Come on, you gotta get out there. Y'know, Born free!" Talkback sang.

Jax's eyes got wide and he looked at Talkback. "Please don't. Just stop."

"As free as the wind bloooows." Talkback continued.

People were staring. Talkback grabbed Jax and began to spin him around forcing him to dance. "I'll keep this up until you agree to come." Talkback whispered.

"You don't know enough of the words." Jax pointed out.

"So? I'll just sing the same three lines over and over." Talkback said, evilly.

Jax sighed, giving in. "Fine! I'll go! Now let go of me."

"I'll pick you up at seven." Talkback said, letting go of Jax.

"Tonight?! I though it was going to be like a few days from now." Jax said.

"Well, uhm, Elle! When's your party?" Talkback shouted.

"Tonight, why?"

"Just checking. So, I'll see you tonight." Talkback said, going over and sitting by Elle.

"But... but... but..." Jax said.

"I told you I could convince him to come." Talkback boasted.

"Your abilities amaze me, oh Great One." Elle said, dripping with sarcasm.

"I am great, aren't I?" Talkback smirked.

She sighed, "Stuff it. Next person we're getting a girlfriend is you." She got up and walked to the stage.

"But... but... but..." Talkback managed.

----------

David came out of his room and Blink was sitting at the table drinking some coffee. Blink was mad at David for what he said to him the other day so he wasn't talking to him. Highschool much? I think so.

Blink glanced up at David and noticed something different. He looked closer and saw that David was wearing eye-liner. Blink did a double take and tried not to laugh.

David sighed and poured some coffee for himself. "What is so funny?"

Blink didn't answer. He just buried his face in the paper and tried to contain himself.

"Will you just tell me what's so hilarious?" David asked, putting the coffee pot back.

"Uhm... do you know that -" Blink stopped to chuckle. "Do you know that you have eye-liner on?"

"Yes." David answered, sitting across from Blink.

"Just checking." Blink said, smiling.

"What?"

"Nothing. I can't smile?" Blink asked, still smiling.

"You can smile all you want, it's just weird." David said.

"Why are you wearing that?" Blink asked.

"Because I feel like it."

"Well, you look stupid. It looks like you have really bad dark circles." Blink said.

David glared at Blink. "Thanks."

"No, I'm serious. It really does. It doesn't look good." Blink said.

"Fine, I'll take it off." David said, getting up and heading to the bathroom.

The loft door slide open and Mush stood there. "Hey guys... whoa, David what did you do?"

David stopped, "It's eye-liner."

"No, it's war paint." Mush said. "Here, let me help you."

"You wear eye-liner?" David asked.

"No, I've seen some people put it on... and that's not how you do it." Mush said, taking David into the bathroom.

Blink started laughing. This was gonna be good. Mush teaching David how to put eye-liner on. If Blink knew how to work David's camera he would have gotten it and taped it. A few minutes later he heard a scream come from the bathroom.

"Around your eye not in it, David!" Mush shouted.

Blink started laughing hysterically. His head was one his right forearm and his left hand was hitting the table. The bathroom door slammed open and David stood there with a wet rag over his right eye and Mush was behind him shaking his head.

"Oh, it's not that bad." Mush said.

David turned around, "Not that bad? Not that bad? Mush, I'm going to have to go to the hospital. I think there's a piece of it in my eye!"

"Stop overreacting it's not bad. You just poked yourself really hard. But, you get the idea of it?" Mush asked.

David sighed and sat down on the couch. "I'm just not going to wear eye-liner."

Blink looked at Mush who sat down across from him. Blink smiled and Mush winked. "You are a genius." Blink said.

"I know." Mush smiled. "So, I just came from the auditions."

"Oh yeah, how'd it go?" Blink asked.

"I think it went well. My group did great. I just hope that I get the part." Mush said.

"You will. You love that musical." Blink said. "You want anything to drink?"

"Nah, I've gotta head out. Race is going crazy being stuck with Spot. So, I think I should go and save him." Mush said.

He got up and started for the door. "David, just put some ice on it and you'll be fine. Bye guys." He said, leaving.

David glared at Mush's retreating figure, which made Blink laugh since his one eye was covered in a rag. "Shut up, Blink."

Blink walked over with ice in a dish towel, "Here," He handed David the homemade ice pack.

David took it and placed it on his eye. "Thanks."

"So, is Emo Davey gone?" Blink asked, sitting down on the table.

David looked at Blink and stood up. "Leave me alone." He walked into his room and shut the door.

"Guess not." Blink said, looking at David's door.