Ok I lied, I said I wasn't going to update until Sunday, but my family hasn't left yet, so I figured I should get a good chapter up before I go. :::shrugs:::

Many thanks to Rae Kelly for her review of the last chapter, it's nice to know that you managed to defend yourself against the Ice Cream Bandit! Anywho, thanks for the review!

Disclamier: I don't own newsies, it's a fact you have to get used to, no matter how much you want to give me newsies! ::smiles:::

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"CARRY DA BANNER!" was the next thing the girls heard. The sisters grumbled and got up. While Smarts was already up and dressed and looking at them.

"Why are you up at such an ungodly hour?" Marbles grumbled.

"Still on San Fran time I guess." Smarts shrugged.

"But they're three hours behind us you should be asleep," Ramble pointed out. Smarts cocked her head the one side.

"I guess I'm just ready to sell papes," Smarts smiled.

The girls just shrugged and put their clothes on. The weather was getting colder and all the girls wore trousers under their skirt for the warmthness. Prank smiled at this as they headed downstairs.

"And all the sudden, I don't look so bad with the trousers idea." Prank commented.

"It's only stupid when you do it in the summer," Ramble spat, still tired.

"Whoa," Prank held her hands up in defense. "Did that comment come from the queen of happiness herself?"

"I think it did." Smarts started playing along with her. Prank and Smarts would've had fun with this for a least twenty minutes if Ramble didn't interrupt them.

"Shut up!"

"Alright," Prank said, "don't blow a gasket."

"A gasket?" Marble turned to her sister. Prank shrugged.

"It's early and it was the first word I thought of." Prank defended herself.

"Next time, pick the second word you think of." Smarts cracked. Causing Ramble and Marbles to crack up.

Prank was about to retaliate when the boys came down the stairs, singing, as usually. With the exception of Killjoy, who thought it was stupid, and Mute and Sparky, who didn't know the words. Smarts leaned over to Prank.

"Why are they singing?" she asked. Prank just shrugged.

"If you think that's strange," Prank said as they walked out, "wait 'til we get to Irving hall, there's this green exit sign, that looks very weird."

"Really?" Smarts asked intrigued.

"Yeah that was kinda weird." Marbles agreed.

"We need to talk to Medda about it." Ramble said.

"We can ask her next week," Marbles told her twin.

"Oh that's right," Prank said, "the party."

"Yes," Smarts yelled, "PARTY!"

Prank smacked Smarts upside the head, "Will you shut up?" Prank said in a hushed tone.

"Why?" Smarts looked confused.

Prank pointed to the nuns that were now giving Smarts a funny look.

"Why don't you just scream sex, because that's probably the worst thing to scream right now." Prank whispered to her friend. Ramble, Marbles and a few newsies that were closer to the girls started cracking up at this. Smarts blushed at this.

"Oops,"

"Excuse me," a woman said, "I'm looking for my son, he's names Patrick."

The girls hung their heads, took their pieces of bread and continued walking to the distribution center. After getting their papes they decided to split up today.

"Hey Sparky," Prank called. The boy ran up to her.

"You want to sell with me today?" She asked. Sparky smiled and nodded his head.

"Ok kid, stay close to me," she said, she then looked at Smarts, "Hey!" Prank called, "someone needs to take Smarts."

None of the newsies were speaking up. They turned, looked in other directions, hoping that they didn't get called.

"Oh good grief," Ramble muttered then called out. "SPECS!"

Specs jumped at the sound of the screaming girl, but looked over to Ramble.

"Take Smarts around the city." Ramble called.

Specs stepped toward the girls and sighed.

"Fine,"

"Hey Specs," Prank said, "Smarts won't drag you down, she's a good newsie, she just doesn't know the town, oh and Smarts, come here."

Smarts leaned over as Prank whispered in her ear.

"Specs is a good newsie, and I want him at the lodging house in one piece tonight, ok?"

Smarts smiled and spoke, "You're the boss, let's go Specs." Prank watched them walk down the street until she couldn't see them anymore. She then turned to Race.

"5 bucks that they kill each other before lunch time."

Race smirked. Prank then grabbed Sparky, "We'll see you at Tibbys," she called as they were leaving the group.

Prank and Sparky were taking a break in Central Park. Prank was sitting on a park bench while Sparky was standing up pacing.

"So Sparks, how'd you sleep last night?" Prank asked, looking at the headlines trying to find a good one.

"Good," Sparky commented, "I didn't have nightmares."

Prank looked up from her paper.

"You've been having nightmares?"

"Yeah, every since you left." Sparks sat down next to Prank, his face turned toward his shoes.

"What are they about?" Prank looked at him.

"They're about my mom." He said softly.

Pranks face fell; she stood and kneeled in front of him.

"Hey, look at me," she said softly, the boy lifted his head, "she can't do anything to you, not now, not ever again, I promise." She pulled him in and hugged him. She broke the hug and started smiling.

"Hey, we still have papes to sell." Prank said, changing the subject.

Sparks jumped off the bench.

"Alright," he agreed.

The two continued selling their papes, and there was soon no more papes to sell. Prank checked her pocket watch reading 11:30.

"Come on," Prank said to Sparks, "let's go to Tibbys." The two made their way to Tibbys. Prank opened the door to find that none of the other newsies were there yet.

"Well," Prank remarked, "I guess it pays to have a cute kid with you." Sparky ran to a table and sat down. Prank smiled and followed him. By the time any other newsies showed up, Prankster and Sparky had already paid for their food and were now just talking.

The door burst open and Smarts walked in with an angered Specs behind her.

"I'se can't baleve ya jist did dat." Specs called to her.

"Oh calm down, it wasn't that bad." Smarts rolled her eyes.

"You'se got in trouble wid da bulls da foist day ya start sellin,'" Specs said.

"Guys," Prank motioned to the seats in front of her, "have a seat."

Smarts smirked and sat down, not wanting to be outdone, Specs sat down next to Smarts.

"Now," Prankster leaned forward, "what's this about the bulls?"

"Well," Smarts started, "this guy called us dirty orphans, so I punched him, and a cop saw and we had to run three blocks to get away from him."

"Ok," Prank nodded her head then turned to Specs, "What really happened?"

Specs smirked before telling his story. "He called us doity orphans 'cause Smarts told da guy dat she didn' have no change, so she punched him."

Prank banged her head against the table and muttered something about god giving her strength. She then sat up and turned her head towards Sparks,

"When she's like this, she's your friend."

"HEY!" Sparks cried. "I don't want her."

"Excuse me," Smarts said, "still here."

Prank smiled, "Smarts I can't believe you, I said you'd get in trouble with the bulls on the second day now I lost the bet."

"Well that's right technically," Smarts pointed out, "this is my second day here."

The door opened and more newsies came into Tibbys. Marbles and Ramble were among them. They approached the table.

"Been here long?" Marbles asked, pulling up a chair.

"Yeah," Prank said, "only a half an hour, it helps to have a cute kid."

"True," Ramble agreed.

The bell rang and more newsies entered, Jack, David and Les were among them. Sparky looked at Prank and opened his mouth to say something, but Prank cut him off.

"Yes, Sparky, you can go see Les."

Sparks said a thank you and rushed to sit with the other newsie his age.

The bell rang again and the last group of newsies entered the restaurant. Mush, Blink and Racetrack to be exact, they walked to the table, which was now becoming crowded. Prank stood up.

"Here, someone can have my seat," she said, "I'll just stand."

Mush sat in the empty chair left by Sparky, while Blink pulled up another chair. Race sat down in the seat Prank offered. Lunch went by quickly, Race and Prank stood up to go to Sheepshed. Sparky ran up to Prank;

"Prankster, could I please go with you?" he asked nearly begging.

"It's a long way kid," Race cut in, "ya tink you'se could make it?"

"I could make it, please let me go with," Sparks begged.

Prank smiled at the sight. "Yeah you can come, but no gambling."

"Alright," Sparky cried, he grabbed his hat and was at the door telling them to come on. They walked out the door and Sparky looked like he was ready to bolt at any second.

"Hey kid, slow down, ya gotta pace yourself," Race told Sparky. That calmed him down a bit. But when he saw the tracks in the distance he could barely contain himself. Race was observing the sheet, trying to pick which one would be the winner.

"What da ya tink?" he showed Prank the card.

"I don't know why you even ask that anymore," Prank took the card anyway, "we never agree. That one." She pointed to a name on the card and handed it back to Race.

"Well, we'se agree taday," Race said, "'cause Krista's gonna win taday."

"Yep," Prank agreed.

"Are you guys right a lot?" Sparky joined the conversation.

"I am," Prank said, then pointed to Race; "he's not."

"Hey," he cried, "I'se won jist yesterday." He told Sparky.

"Here," Prank held out her hand, "give me the card." Race handed over the card.

"Ok," she leaned over to Sparky, "now you have to touch the name and say she's going to win."

Sparky looked at her like she had grown another head. But he did it anyway.

"Ok," Prank said, "stick close to us, this place is crowded."

The trio made their way to the ticket booth. After Prank and Race placed their bets they found a place to sit. Prank sat in the middle, while Race sat to her left, and Sparks to her right.

"So," Race tired making conversation, "how long you'se known each oudda?"

"'Bout four years," Sparks leaned over to look at Race.

Race was about to continue the conversation, but the gun went off the horses started running. The trio stood, cheering on Krista. But their cheering did little help as Krista freaked out knocking her rider off, and evidently losing.

Sparks and Prank were in fits of giggles. Race tried his best to look angry. But after watching the other newsies crack up at this misfortune. It wasn't long until he joined them.

The trio left Sheepshed, with much emptier pockets then when they came in with, and the sun was setting. Prank looked over at Sparky and saw how he was barely keeping up.

"Race," she said. "Let's take a break."

"Alright."

They sat down on the now abandon sidewalk. Sparky laid down, lying his head in Pranks lap and almost immediately falling asleep. Race remained standing and lit a cigar.

"So, what's his story?" he asked.

Prank sighed and looked up at Race.

"I found him when I was twelve. About a month after Caleb died." She looked down at the sleeping boy. "He was seven, and was crying in an alley when I found him, his father was never around, and he was abused by his mother, so he ran away." She looked back up at Race.

"Shit," Race whispered. He sat down next to Prank and put his arm around her shoulder.

"So," he changed the subject, "how come you never let me sleep like that?" pointing to the boy.

Prank scoffed, "Because, he's not doing it for sick purposes."

"Now I'se offended," Race said.

Prank smiled, then looked at Race, "We should be getting back."

Race nodded his head and stomped out his cigar. Prank put her hand on Sparks back to wake him up.

"Don't do dat." Race said. He lifted up the small boy, so he could still sleep.

"You sure you want to do that?" Prank asked as she lifted herself up and started walking. Race followed her.

"Yeah," Race said.

They walked for a little while in silence, but then Race spoke.

"What sorta dings did his mudda do ta him?"

Prank sighed and looked at Race, she then turned her head away before she spoke.

"You name it, it happened."

Race figured that she'd leave it at that, but she kept going.

"You wouldn't believe the things I've heard him scream when he had nightmares. Things that grown men would wince at. Screams that would make your blood run cold, him begging her to stop."

Prank turned and looked at Race,

"And if I ever see his mother again, I'll do everything Sparks has screamed in his nightmares."

"Again?" Race asked.

"Yeah, about a couple years ago, his mother came into lodging house looking for him, saying how much she missed him. None of us bought it. We've heard the nightmares. Told her we've never heard of him and she left."

"Is dat why he acts like you'se his mudda?" Race asked.

"Probably," Prank shrugged. "You getting tired of holding him?" Prank asked wanting to change the subject.

"Nah," Race shrugged, "we'se almost home anyways."

At that moment the lodging house could be seen in the distance. They walked a little faster, wanting to get home quicker.

The bright lights and the noise woke Sparky up. Race then put him down and the newsies went upstairs. The trio found that everyone was already home. Shouts and greetings were heard around the room. But they were surprised to find Spot there.

"Hey Spot," Prank greeted, "what brings you in our neck of the woods?" she teased.

"Jist visitin' Prank,"

"You meet the other newsies?" Prank asked.

"Mute and Smarts, yeah," Spot said.

"This," she motioned to the boy, "is Sparky, Sparky this is Spot, he's the leader of the Brooklyn newsies."

"Hello,"

"Hey kid,"

Spot turned to talk to Racetrack; Sparky was looking at Spots weapon, but was trying not to be obvious. It didn't work all that well because Spot noticed.

"Hey kid, what's da matta?" Spot tried to sound threatening.

"Umm, why do you have a sling shot?" Sparky pointed to his weapon.

"'Cause, it's a symbol of Brooklyn, an' you'se need it in a tough place like it." Spot said threatening, obviously trying to scare him, like an older brother would try to scare a younger brother.

"But why would you carry around a stupid weapon like that?" Smarts joined in. Every newsie in the house heard that comment and they were silently praying that this would end with nobody dying.

Prank groaned, "Spot, this is Smartass, who can't keep her mouth shut."

Spot sneered at Smarts, "You'se neva carried around weapons?"

"In San Francisco!" Smarts exclaimed, "you'd be crazy not to carry one around, but we carry around useful weapons."

Mute, Killjoy, Marbles and Ramble stepped forward, ready to stop a fist fight if it accrued.

"Yeah, like what?" Spot crossed his arms, calling their bluff.

Prankster reached in her pocket and pulled out a switchblade and opened it.

"We carry around switchblades." She said calmly.

Smarts, Ramble, Marbles, Killjoy, and Mute calmly pulled out theirs and opened them. Making the New York newsies a little nervous. Spot turned to Sparky who pulled out his switchblade and opened it. Only when Prank closed hers and put is away did the others do so. Prank then turned to Smarts.

"Hey Smarts, next time you want to get us killed, why don't you throw us off a cliff, it'd be faster."

Prank then looked at Spot and apologized, "I'm sorry," Spot smirked, and they went to turn away. But Prank remembered something and turned back.

"Oh Spot,"

He turned also, the other newsies looked, wondering if they would need to start praying again. "Yeah,"

She walked up to him, invading his personal space,

"If you ever talk to Sparky like you did just then, I'll kick your ass so hard you won't be able to sit for a week. We understand each other?"

Spot couldn't believe a girl would ever talk to him like this.

"Yeah, we'se undeastand."

"Good," Prank backed off, "you can, however, kick Smarts' ass anytime you want, she usually deserves it anyway."

"Hey," Smarts objected.

Ramble butted in, "Smarts you know it's true!"

Smarts sat back down.

"You gonna be at Medda's next week?" Prank asked.

"Was planning on it." Spot said.

Prank smiled, "good, see you then," she then turned, "night boys," she called and walked out of the room.

Mute watched Prank leave, he then spoke up.

"Umm guys, what just happened?

"That," Marbles said, "was a warning, not just to Spot, but to every newsie in here as well."

"Yeah Spot," Ramble said, "you were just the first one to diss Sparks, so you got the nice in your face time with her."

"But don't worry," Marbles said, "if I know her, and I do, she forgave you when she asked if you'd be at Medda's."

"Yeah," Killjoy walked over to Spot, "she doesn't hold grudges."

Crutchy scoffed at that, but lucky for him, no one heard it. She held a grudge on her brother for many years. But maybe because Killjoy was used to it, he didn't notice anymore.

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Sorry if there are a lot of mistakes, I didn't go and reread the chapter like I normally do! :::sobs::: I'm leaving in 10 minutes to go camping bye please review! :::smiles:::