Thanks to everyone who reviewed!! Seriously, all of your reviews are so helpful and they make me smile :).

I've gotta make this quick so I can catch one or two hours of sleep before I leave. It's a short chapter, but I wanted something out there. Sorry if it sounds rushed.

I don't own the newsies.

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I tried and tried to ignore the fact that Mush was dancing with a girl. But it was like my eyes were magnetized to them.

I immediately went for the distraction that Jack brought: Sarah.

She was sure a lady. All proper-like. She said, "Hello, it's so nice to meet you. I've heard a lot about you."

She was pretty too. And Jack looked at her with a light in his eyes. He looked at me. Clearly he was excited and really wanted us to get along. So I said, "You too."

"You know, I'm kind of mad at Jack," she said obviously exaggerating. She smiled at him and continued, "He never told us he had a sister until today. I must say, it came as quite a surprise."

"Hey, I was gone for so long, he must've forgotten –"

"No, no, it aint that. It's just…I didn't wanna have othah people get their hopes up with me, and then have 'em always sympathetic and all that if we nevah found you. I mean – I did have hope, I just wanted to avoid disappointment. That makes no sense, does it?" He sighed.

"No, it makes perfect sense," I said softly, smiling at him.

It's odd. Jack and I are not blood related. But we have so much in common. He had just articulated exactly part of what my mindset was. It made sense now, and I was less hurt and disappointed.

"Yes, it actually does," Sarah agreed. Wow, I actually like her. She understands Jack like I do.

Jack smiled at her and me, looking between the two of us. He looked very proud and very happy. Suddenly he stood up and held out his hand to me. "Would ya care ta dance with me, Pip?"

I smiled and looked at Sarah. "Is it okay with you?"

She was smiling at the two of us. "Of course."

I took Jack's hand and smiled at Sarah one last time. I really did like her.

Jack and I were all smiles as we walked to the dance floor. And just to tell you how happy I was – dancing with Jack right next to Mush dancing with that girl (they were pretty close…yes, I looked) didn't wipe the smile off my face. Well…on the inside I was sad but I didn't let it get to me on the outside. I call that an accomplishment.

Anyways…dancing with Jack was so much fun. We just went through memory after memory. He reiterated the strike for me. It was funny to see him tell it. He was so excited and proud about them winning. And I was proud that he was able to outsmart Pulitzer.

Right before the song ended, Jack told me something that I will always remember.

"Hey, Pip?"

"Ya?"

"Remembah how you always hated ta be called cute?"

I smiled. "Please don't call me that. I still don't like it."

"Well…remembah how I always said that one day you'd be the beautiful, exotic princess you always wanted to be?"

"Mhmm."

"Well, you's that now. You've grown real well. You are the most beautiful princess."

It was sappy, corny, all that. But what really struck me deep down was that he'd remembered.

As the song ended, I gave Jack a hug. "Thanks, Jack," I whispered.

"We're still discussin' things latah."

"Always giving me orders," I sighed, smiling.

I opened my eyes and wanted to scream or something. My smile disappeared. The girl was leaning up to kiss Mush. And she would've too, if Mush hadn't caught my eyes and turned his head towards me…causing her to kiss his cheek instead. Oops. I'd distracted him.

Can't say I'm too sorry.

I quickly pulled away and gave Jack a tight smile. "I'm…I'm going to go visit Medda backstage."

"Oh! I'll come with you!"

"No," I said a little too quickly. "I mean…no, I want to surprise her. Dance with Sarah and then you can come back."

"Always givin' me orders," he mocked.

I grinned. He got me there.

He smiled back and went to ask Sarah to dance. I made my way over to the exit so I could go backstage.

On the way, I caught Snapshot's eye. She was talking with Spinner. She came over to me immediately. Her blue eyes were shining with excitement. "Pippa – I just want ta thank ya again for what ya did earlier," she said. "And sorry for bein' so annoyin' at foist. But…dis is great! I love bein' heah! Everyone's so nice and everythin'…I finally have friends!"

I smiled at her enthusiasm. "No problem. I'm glad you like it here. Hey – do me a favor and go ask Flyer to dance."

I winked at her and she blushed a little as I walked on. Hey – just because I couldn't get my guy didn't mean I couldn't help others get theirs.

I walked through the exit door and turned to go backstage.

Suddenly an arm slipped around my waist and someone breathed on my neck. I could detect the disgusting stench of alcohol. I immediately shirked out of the grasp and turned, ready to fight my…er, "attacker".

My eyes widened as I saw that there were five men. Five drunk looking men.

I have to take this moment to express something. About being drunk and drinking.

See, with the way life has treated me, if I've learned one thing it's that I have no control over other people or fate. Therefore…the only thing I have control over is myself. So, anything that could take that control away, I avoid. Like drinking.

At school, the girls would sneak it sometimes or at the socials the boys and girls would. It's not like I lose my respect for them – I can't control them. I just like to keep control over myself.

But seeing these drunk men trying to get some made me mad. "Listen, you sons of –"

"There a problem here?" I felt a hand on my shoulder and a presence at my side. I knew who it was without looking because of the tingling feeling shooting through me.

"Ya, is there somethin' wrong?" Spot's voice.

Manny and Boots came as well, folding their arms and trying to look all tough. Next to them came Bumlets and Snoddy.

"Dere's a lot more wheah we came from," Snoddy warned.

The men looked from me to my friends and then at each other. They shrugged and turned to leave.

"We's gonna find ya sometime, Angel face," one slurred.

I shook my head and turned to the boys.

"Thanks, guys."

"We've got yer back," Snoddy nodded.

"Anythin' for ya, Pip," Manny smiled.

The rest smiled and went back in. All except for Mush.

I moved away from him but didn't leave the little exit/entrance room. If he wanted to say something, he could. If not, I'd just continue on backstage.

"So, ya havin' fun?"

Great question, Mush, really. "Sure am, you?"

"Nah…it's not that great."

"Well, you looked like you were having fun dancing," I said.

He shifted from foot to foot. "That wasn't all that fun. It was sorta boring."

"Then why'd you dance?"

He was silent.

"Listen, I've got to go." I started walking away.

"Pip, I –" he paused.

I turned and waited. I didn't look into his eyes, though. I knew I'd fall into his trap if I did.

"I…I'll see ya latah," he mumbled.

I nodded curtly and turned to go backstage.

So I'd been looking to avoid confusion with Mush?

It's impossible to avoid the unavoidable.

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Short, I know.

I'll miss you guys!!! Have fun summers and all up until I update next!!