Author's Note:

Ok, now that I almost get how to post stories, I have to say this. I don't own the Newsies, you would know if I did. This is my first Newsies story, please be kind, it kinda bites the big one! I know I'm not so great at the dialect, if you have any questions or comments about anything please please let me know! Umm, I hope you review a lot, because I like feedback. Thanks so much for reading this!!

B

Chapter 2

Wake Up

It was nearing 7:00 PM. The Newsies were slowly returning to the boarding house, most of them having gone out to sell the evening edition. Kid, Mush, and Oliver came back about an hour early to settle Oliver in. They saved him a top bunk between Mush and Kid.

Most of the Newsies were settling in to go to sleep. Oliver changed into his pajamas in one of the bathrooms and hopped into bed quickly.

Soon Mush got up on his bunk. He looked over and saw Oliver, all bundled up in covers. "Hey, kid -- ya cold or someptin?" he asked.

Oliver opened his eyes, but didn't look at him directly. "A little."

Mush looked at him strangely. The room had to be 80 degrees. Most of the boys weren't even wearing pajamas to bed, it was so warm. Most wore their underwear, like he did, and that was it.

Kid got on his bunk. "Oliver, ya know ya gots ya hat on still?" he said, chuckling. "Uh -- me head gets kinda cold," Oliver replied, not opening his eyes. Kid shot a questioning look to Mush, who shrugged in reply. He'd met stranger kids before. This Oliver was just -- quirky.

The morning seemed to come sooner than usual. Mush yawned, wiping the sleep out of his eyes. He looked to his right and saw Itey and Snitch. They had gotten in the latest the night before and consequently had to share a bunk. Beneath Itey and Snitch was Crutchy. Mush looked to his left. The bunk was empty. "Hey, Kid Blink, ya up?" Mush whispered to his friend.

He looked up at him sleepily. "I am now," he responded, obviously annoyed. "Where's da new guy?" Mush asked him, pointing to Oliver's bunk.

Kid shrugged. "I ain't his mudda," he yawned. "An netha are you.what's da matta?"

Mush sighed. "Just wanna make sure nobody's givin him da business.he's a kinda weak little thing, ya know."

"Ah, no one's gonna hoit him. Dey all knows he's been pallin' around wit us," Kid replied.

"And dey knows we'll soak em?" Mush asked, grinning.

Kid nodded. "Besides, he may be small, but he's feisty," he looked up at the clock. "We best be gettin up," he told his friend.

They jumped down from their bunks and walked into the huge bathroom that the boys all shared. It was empty except for one person towards the end of the room. "Heya fellas." It was Oliver. He was already fully dressed and ready to go out and carry the banner.

"What ya doing up so early?" Kid asked him.

"I always get up dis early," Oliver shrugged.

Mush smiled. "You tryin to make us look bad, ain't ya?"

Oliver grinned. "Where should we sell taday?"

Kid splashed some cold water on his face. "I was thinkin maybe, we could head out towards Brooklyn? I gots someptin to talk about wit Spot Conlon."

"What is it, Kid?" Mush asked, trying not to sound too concerned. Mush was a worrier, and Kid Blink often got annoyed by it. Blink knew that it was because Mush was such a compassionate person; he gave him the business about it because he knew it would get him in trouble some day. But Mush couldn't stop being Mush.

Kid sighed. "Why ya always tryin ta get into my business?"

Mush shrugged. "Ya in trouble or someptin?"

"Nah," Kid shook his head. "But Skittery and Boots, dey was sellin ova dere da udda day, and dey told me dey saw Spot flirtin wit my Maybelle."

Mush rolled his eyes. "Maybelle don't even know you'se alive, Kid. What's da difference?"

Kid threw a towel at him. "Hey, she will know. I'se plannin on askin her to go wit me taday."

Oliver looked at them in confusion. "Go where wid you? And who is dis Spot Conlon?"

Kid chucked. "I was gonna ask May ta be me goilfriend. And Spot.he's da leader of da Brooklyn Newsies. One of da most well respected Newsies around. And a goil magnet," he added sadly.

"Yeah," Mush nodded. "You don't wanna get on Spot's bad side. It's ain't healthy. Dose Brooklyn guys.dey'se tough."

"Oh," Oliver replied. "Who'se dis Maybelle, then?"

"Maybelle Roberts, she's only da prettiest goil I ever met in me whole life," Kid sighed, placing his hand over his heart. "She's got dis beautiful rosy skin, and dis gorgeous blond hair."

"And dose big brown eyes," Mush nodded. "She's real pretty, Kid, but you'se only talked once." Kid shot him a threatening look.

"Is she smart?" Oliver asked them.

"Smart.gee, I dunno," Kid shrugged. "It don't matter, she's so pretty she don't hafta know nothin."

Oliver shook his head. "All you'se consoined about is how da goil looks? What about her brains, huh?"

"What about em?" Kid asked.

"Well, goils gots em too!" Oliver exclaimed.

"I know it," Kid replied. "Just ain't as important as dere looks, huh Mush?" he said, elbowing Mush in the ribs playfully.

Mush laughed. "I dunno, I likes a goil wit some brains in her head. Acourse she gots ta be pretty too."

"Acourse," Oliver sighed.