A/N: I was going through my old drafts of "The Turn" when I found a few lines from this scene which I had forgotten. They don't make a huge difference to the story but I really liked some of the lines so I added them in.


Helena was not looking forward to her parents' arrival. Sure, she missed them but it had only been a little over a month since she came to the city herself. And she was almost certain they (her mother especially) wouldn't be happy her friends were mostly newsies.

Helena looked her reflection in the mirror straight in the eye. She was going to make the best off this. Her mother couldn't tell her who to like and dislike. It was her choice. Just like her decision to become a journalist against their will, they'd eventually have to deal with it.

But she was still nervous. She readied herself in the room her uncle had set aside for her use when she was with him. Helena flinched at every sound, anticipating the doorbells would ring. Until it did.

Helena didn't rise from her seat to see her parents. She waited for a maid to come up and get her so she could have a few seconds to collect herself. She even took a moment at the top of the steps until she couldn't wait any longer.

"Mother!" She ran to hug her.

"My Helena! You've grown up so much!"

"It hasn't been that long."

"I know, I know." Said her mother. "Go hug your father."

Helena obeyed. "Papa."

"Helena, dear," he said. "How is your new school?"

"Yes, we want to know all about it!"

Helena went to open her mouth but someone else spoke first.

"You'll have to tell them in the car." Denton descended the stairs. "We're going to be late."

"Late for what? We've been in the carriage all morning." Her mother huffed.

"We have an invitation for the evening."

"Oooh, who is it from?" Helena's mother perked up. "The Rockerfellers? Or is it from someone in the newspaper business, the Pulitzers? The Hearsts?"

Helena and Denton glanced at each other.

"Well they are in the newspaper business." said Denton. "I think you'll be surprised."

"Where are we?" Helena's mother demanded when they arrived in front of the Manhattan lodging house.

"We're here to meet my friends, mother." Helena braced herself for her mother's disapproval.

"But they're- they're newsboys!"

"They prefer to be called newsies."

A look of panic and anger crossed her mother's face. Helena tried not to smile at her mother's discomfort. She liked to stay as far away from the lower class as possible. But that just wasn't Helena's style.

"You wanted her to meet gentlemen in the city, dear." Helena's father chuckled.

Helena hopped out of the car without an escort. Another habit that her mother was hoping the boarding school would help her overcome. It just wasn't proper for a lady to do that.

Skittery saw Helena and Denton exit the car, followed by two people didn't recognize. Her parents, perhaps.

"Merry Christmas, Helena." His smile faded a little when he could sense tension in the air. But Helena still smiled back.

"Why don't you introduce us, Helena?" The man said.

"Ok, " she relaxed slightly. "Mother, father, this is Skittery. He's one of my best friends."

"Nice to meet you- Skittery, did you say?" Her father held out his hand.

"Yes sir," Skittery said, trying to hide his blush. He didn't realize he was one of Helena's best friends. "But my real name is Henry."

"And you're a newsboy like all the others?" Helena's mother asked casually.

"Yes, ma'am, except some of the others are newsgirls." He said politely, but he and Helena still laughed at his little, almost unintentional joke. Helena's mother didn't look so amused. "Pardon me."

"Are all of you here orphans?" Her father surveyed the whole group of newsies. There were very few adults around.

"Father!" Helena said, clearly embarrassed. "I'm sorry."

"It's ok." Skittery reassured her. "I'm an orphan. My parents died in a train accident when I was young-"

"Oh, you poor dear." Helena's mother was actually sincere.

"I got over it after a while." Skittery smiled sadly."Most of the newsies are orphans. Like Story over there," he pointed her out. "The only family she has is her sister, Spark. But some of us, like Davey, he had to quit school to support his family. And Jack has a father but we don't know much about him."

"Alright, everybody gather on the steps." Denton brought his camera to the Manhattan lodging house to document the night properly. Since the strike people wanted to hear more about the lives of the famous newsies of New York. "If you're short, get in the front. That means you, Racetrack."

Skittery made his way to the top step, being one of the taller newsies. As he sat down for the pose, someone fell onto his lap. It was Helena.

"Oh, pardon me." She giggled, embarrassed.

"It's OK." He always felt so awkward around her.

"Helena, you're supposed to sit next to Skittery, not ON him." Denton said.

She quickly got off of his lap as the rest of the newsies laughed.

Denton took pictures until the boys (and girls) got antsy. They took some time to disperse and exchange gifts, at least the ones who could afford them did.

Mush had scoured the whole city to find a pair of blue dice to give to Spark. He also made her a dozen roses out of old newspaper. He even took the time to paint the petals red.

David bought Story a journal with her name stamped on the cover in gold and a pen to go with it.

Jack made Sarah a bracelet out of rope and a bandana.

Then it came time for Spot to give Chase his present. He hoped she would like it, especially considering the effort she put in for his present.

"Ready for your gift?" He asked her.

She nodded excitedly.

"Alright, here you go." He took her small package out of his pocket. It was wrapped in newspaper and tied with a pink ribbon, similar to the ones he gave her for her birthday.

Spot watched eagerly as she unwrapped the gift. He jumped back as Chase gave a scream of delight.

"Do ya like it?"

"I love it!" Hugged him, nearly bringing them both down to the pavement.

Spot took Jack's advice about getting Chase a present to show his respect. Her gift was a folding knife Spot had collected some time ago. On one side of the handle was "Chase" etched in neat letters. On the other was a rose that Spot had painstakingly carved over the weeks leading up to Christmas.

"You should keep that close. Your boot's a good place." Spot said. "Just in case you need it."

"Thank you." She kissed him. "This is the best present I've ever gotten."

"Well, Christmas ain't over yet, Chase." Jack came behind her and blindfolded her with his red bandana. He nodded at Spot. This was all part of their plan.

"What are you doing?" She blindly reached her arms out to find Spot.

"You'll see." Chase could tell he was smiling mischievously even with the blindfold on. "Hey, I got your arm."

"And I got your other side." Mush took her other arm.

"Need an escort?" Skittery asked Helena. In the midst of this big group she felt lost.

"Thank you," she said, then she lowered her voice. "Where are we going?"

"Don't you want to be surprised?"

"I'm not one for surprises. I like to know what's going on." She confessed.

"Me too." said Skittery. "But I think Jack or Spot will murder me if I reveal the surprise too early. Think you can wait?"

"I suppose…" Helena smiled.

The whole group walked down the street, attracting lots of attention since there were so many of them, not to mention the fact that in the middle of the group was a young woman who was blindfolded. The boys made conversation with Chase. They avoided all questions in regard to where they were going.

"Am I the only one blindfolded?" She asked.

"Yeah," Jack answered.

"Why?"

"Because it's a surprise!"

"Am I going to like it, Sarah?"

"You'll love it." Sarah and Jack shared a smile.


A/N: Can you guess what the surprise is? Also, I realized recently that I write a lot of girl characters who have bad/tenuous relationships with their mothers. I find this odd because my mom is one of my best friends...


"How much farther?" Chase complained.

"Ya want me to carry you?" Spot asked.

"No!"

"Then stop your whining!" They argued like an old married couple.

"I swear, Spot Conlon, when this blindfold comes off I'm going to-"

"Shhh, we're here."

Spot let go of Chase's arm.

"Spot?" She said. "Where did you go?"

Everyone stayed silent.

"Hello?"

Spot made eye contact with Jack again, who removed Chase's blindfold.

Chase was stunned at what she saw. Not even the flash from Denton's camera, capturing her reaction, brought her out of it. She brought her hands to her face as she stared upward, smiling. She was standing in front of a theatre - and not just any theatre - this one played motion pictures.

"I can't-" she couldn't find words to say. "I never thought-"

Spot put his arm around her as Denton snapped another picture.

"You better believe it." He whispered.

Chase's stunned silence turned into giddy excitement when they entered the theatre.

"We're really seeing a picture show!"

"Yeah, Chase." Spot led her to the perfect seats in the middle of the front row. Her brother sat down on her other side.

"This is so exciting!"

"We know, Rosie." Mush said with a little laugh.

Medda passed around candy. The entire theatre was filled with newsies. Medda had gotten the owner to let her rent out the theatre for the night as a gift to the newsies, especially Chase.

Chase was practically bouncing in her seat. "I've always wanted to-"

"You know, Chase, I kinda wanted to hear the music." Skittery, who was seated behind her, gestured to the corner of the room where there was a player piano.

Spot whipped around.

"One a' these days I'm gonna-"

The lights dimmed and Chase grabbed Spot's arm giggling.

They saw several short films, all different genres. Chase's eyes were practically glued to the screen. She held both Mush's and Spot's hands the entire time.

The theatre owner came out to announce the last movie.

"This last film comes to us all the way from France. It's a familiar story that I think you'll all know." he said. "Playing for the first time in the United States, I give you: Cendrillon."

"Cinderella," Chase whispered.

Mush couldn't help but smile at his sister. Cinderella was always one of her favorite stories.

The movie was truly fantastic. None of the newsies had ever seen anything like it before in their lives. The fairy godmother appeared like magic. The whole audience was on the edge of their seats through the whole thing.

When the lights came up, Spot saw that Chase was crying.

"What's a' matter?" He put his arm around her waist and pulled her close.

"That was-" She sniffed. "That was beautiful."

"You're beautiful." Said Spot.

Chase punched him in the arm, wiping away a tear. "You've been hanging around Nicholas too much."

The newsies gathered outside the theatre, most of them still discussing the movies.

"Me and Les better get back home for Christmas dinner." Said David to Story.

"Oh, ok." She frowned a little. "Goodnight."

Skittery watched from afar, hoping she would turn her attention to him with Davey gone.

"You're gonna come with us, right?" David smiled.

Her smile returned. Skittery sighed and walked away. "Are you sure there's gonna be enough to go around?"

"Of course there will be."

Story turned to Chase and Spot, wondering what they would think.

"Just don't be out too late," Chase said.

"Hey, I can bring her back to Brooklyn later," said Jack. "I'm goin' too."

"Thanks, Jackie-boy." Chase kissed him on the cheek. "Merry Christmas."

"Merry Christmas."


You look... tense." Helena remarked when Skittery returned to her side.

He sighed. "Says the girl whose been on edge all night."

"I have not been-"

Skittery raised an eyebrow.

"Fine!" She surrendered. "I'm a mess."

"And why is that?" As far as Skittery was concerned, they had a good night.

"My parents. They're so ignorant. I can't believe some of the things they've said tonight." She couldn't even look at him.

"They're not that bad. They just don't know."

"I wish they would."

"Not all rich people can be like you." Skittery smiled.

A light snow was beginning to fall. The newsies returned to the lodging house with a feast waiting for them. Mrs. Casella and the nuns had done a fantastic job. There was enough for everyone's stomach to be filled.

After dinner, Spark and Chase took turns at the piano (since David was gone) and they all sang Christmas carols until the little ones started to fall asleep.


Jack and Story had a wonderful time at the Jacobs' home. Dinner was perfect (Mrs. Jacobs was a great cook) and they had extra time to spend with David and Sarah. They ended the night as David hugged Story and Jack kissed Sarah. Something was still bothering Story.

"Um, Jack?" Story asked.

"Yeah?"

"Does Davey ever talk about me?"

"Are you kiddin'?" Jack turned to her with disbelief. "All the time, you're always on his mind." He saw her somewhat disappointed expression. "What's goin' on, Story?"

"I don't know... I just..." It took her a while to put the words together. "Sometimes I feel like I'm just his friend and I wanna be more than that. You and Sarah have this connection. Everyone can see it. But I don't know if I have that with David."

"Story," He stopped, putting both hands on her shoulders and looking her straight in the eye. "David loves ya. After all yous been through with the strike and you still don't see that?"

"I guess I'm just a little... Insecure." she blushed.

"Don't know what for. You and Davey, you're both the same."

Story scoffed. "Nah-uh!"

You're crazy for him, right?"

"Yes,"

"Well he's crazy for you! You're both madly in love with each other and neither of yous wants to come out and say it!"

"How do-"

"Shhhh!"Jack heard footsteps. But he and Story were the only two people on the street. Abruptly, the footsteps stopped.

Maybe I'm just being paranoid. Jack thought.

Story watched as Jack's eyes darted from one side to the other side of the street. She didn't dare to make a sound. Something wasn't right.

They continued walking in silence for a few feet. Then, the footsteps began again, only faster.

Jack stopped and pushed Story behind him, she tripped in the process.

"I can hear you!" Jack called into the darkness. "Come out and show your face, you coward!"

He waited. Nothing. He offered Story his arm. She clutched it tightly. Every so often, she would shiver even though she was wearing a warm enough coat.

"Come on, we're goin'." Jack grabbed Story's wrist and broke into a fast walk. He had to get her home. Story practically had to run to keep up with him.

Neither of them said a word until they were on the steps of the Brooklyn girls' lodging house.

"Wh-what was that?" Story whispered frantically.

"I don't know." Jack said. "But I'm gonna find out."

"Don't tell me you're goin' out there."

Jack looked back out into the street. "I'm not gonna do that." Not this minute, he thought.

Story accepted his answer. "'Night." She hugged him tightly. "Thanks for walkin' me home."

"'Night, Story."

"Be safe."

"Alright, alright. I won't do anything crazy."

"Ok. I don't want to be the one to break the tragic news to Sarah." She punched him in the arm, color finally returning to her face.

Jack waited for her to get inside before turning down the street in the direction of the Brooklyn boys' lodging house. He had to talk to Spot.

It was well past midnight when he got there. A light was on upstairs but it appeared that most of the boys had gone to sleep for the night. Jack went around the side of the building and climbed the fire escape up to the window of the boys' room.

Jack forced open the window and climbed in.

"Wha'da ya want, Cowboy?" A few of the Brooklyn newsies came forward, crossing their arms and trying to intimidate him.

"I need to talk to Spot."

The entire room went silent. Jack rolled his eyes. The Brooklyn boys were tough but they were all scared to death of Spot Conlon.

Jack went to the end of the line of beds to find Spot passed out, his cane still in his belt loop, on his bed.

"Wake up, Spot."

Spot actually growled.

"Come on, Spot."

"Whoever you are I'm gonna kill you!" He fumbled around for his cane.

"Spot, this is an emergency."

Spot sat up in bed, "Cowboy?" he squinted. "What's goin' on?"

"We have to have a meeting."

"And you're comin' to me at this hour?"

"Yeah-"

"Go to Santa Fe." Spot laid back down and covered his head with his pillow.

Jack snatched the pillow and whacked Spot with it.

"This is about the girls. It's urgent."

Spot jumped out of bed.


A/N: Cendrillon is a real silent film by Georges Méliès (who you might remember from the movie, Hugo). I was trying to find a film that premiered on December 25, 1899 and I was happy to find out that Cendrillon premiered in the United States on that exact day! It's a really great short film that you can find on YouTube. I wish I could have seen the looks on people's faces as they watched these movies for the first time.

P.S. Did you catch my One Direction reference? I was really into them when I wrote this so I just had to put in one of their lines.