Whisper's POV (Katelin)

Brina and Fastdancer talked the rest of the way and as it turned out we met the guys at the restaurant that Brina and I had eaten at the first day after we moved in. It was called Tibby's.

"Hey Katelin, how are you doing?"

Racetrack asked me with a concerned look in his eyes. I could tell that he was feeling guilty about what had happened two days.

"Yes I am. My b bruises are st starting to go away."

I guess with me saying this, Kid Blink and Racetrack let out a sigh of relief.

"Ya wells wese still a bit mad at youse two for doin' dat. Wese may hafta go inta torture once again. What do youse think Fast?"

Dodger got a sly look on her face and Fastdancer duplicated it.

"Git them!"

For about 5 minutes, Fastdancer and Dodger chased Kid Blink and Racetrack around until Specs grabbed Dodger by the waist.

"I'se watch where youse put yours hands Specs me boy. You saw what 'appened when Kid did that to me, rememba?"

Specs backed off but before he could get far, Dodger kissed him quickly. She then looked at her pocket watch.

"It's time we go and 'ave a meeting wit da infamous Jack Kelly."

I saw her face go very serious along with everyone else's. We then started to walk. We included Kid Blink, Racetrack, Mush, Specs, Fastdancer, Dodger, Chatterbox (Brina) and I. A kid who looked to be about 11 ran up to Kid Blink and whispered something in his ear. He then patted the kid on the head and then turned around to face us.

"I just got word that Mr. Kelly is at the Lodging House playing poker. I guess he sold a lot of papes yesterday and didn't need to today. C'mon."

We all followed him and got to what I took as the Lodging House. It was very large and looked like an old hotel that someone donated when the business went out. I looked at Kid Blink because he was just standing there and not going inside.

"Katelin, I want you and Brina to wait out here until Dodger comes to get you alright?"

"We'll do th that as long as you call us Wh Whisper and Ch Chatterbox?"

He smiled and nodded. Then the serious look returned to his face.

"Let's go gang. We have a Jack Kelly to talk to." With that, Fastdancer, Dodger, Specs, Mush, Racetrack and Kid Blink entered the building leave Brina and I on the front steps.

~*~*Inside the Lodging House~*~*

Jack's POV

"So your telling me Dodger slugged ya last night?" Spot asked me with shock in his eyes.

"Yup."

"That's the first time she has since you guys named her Dodger. Why did she hit you in the first place?"

"Oh I made some comment about my past. Kid asked me about it and some girl and I gave him my answer. She didn't like it so she hit me."

"Dodger gets weirder and weirder all the time." Spot took a look at his hand and smiled.

"I think I win this hand Jacky-boy. A royal flush."

I threw my cards on the table and watched as Spot gathered the pennies together at his end of the table. Just then, Kid Blink, Dodger, Fastdancer, Racetrack, Mush and Specs showed up. I stood up from my seat and faced them.

"So Dodger, have you come to apologize for hitting me yesterday? If you don't, I'll make sure that you're not allowed here again."

I just stood there as Kid Blink, Racetrack, Specs and Mush all held her back. I knew that by saying that, I've probably made a permanent enemy but that'd only be if she was a guy. She'll get over it since she's a girl.

"Oh and I'se take dat smile off yours face Francis. I'se ain't forgivin' youse for dat remark or da thought in yours brain. Oops, I'se forgot. Youse don't have a brain." Dodger stormed out of the building.

~*~*Dodger's POV~*~*

"Oh I'se could kill dat man."

I screamed that once I was out the door. I had forgotten that Chatterbox and Whisper were still outside and got startled when I turned around and saw them off to the side a little.

"Are you okay Dodger?"

Chatterbox asked me. I paced back and forth looking at her but not saying a word. I didn't have the words to say what was on my mind in English so I started speaking the only other language I knew, French. When I finally calmed down, Whisper looked at me in great surprise.

"H He d did that? And said you w wouldn't be aloud back in?"

This took me in surprise. She understood everything I just said. How was that possible?

"How did youse know what I'se jist said? Ain't many people know French around 'ere unless deys in Bottle Alley."

"I p pick up languages p pretty quickly. I learned French from my friend Andrew. I cannot believe he said that to you."

Whisper started to pace around. I looked to Chatterbox and gave her a weird look as in saying 'huh? Where's the stutter?' She didn't say anything at first but inched away from Whisper.

"This is not good. Whenever she gets mad, her stutter goes away. I've only seen it a few times and believe me; it's not a pretty sight when she really gets riled up. You're one of the few besides Kid, Race and Fast who didn't make a big thing about her stutter. You let her get it out without helping so she considers you a good friend and good friends are scare to her. So when one gets hurt she gets mad."

We turned our attention back to Whisper and I could see that she was about to punch something. That gave me an idea. I didn't feel like hitting Jack cause then I wouldn't be able to stop. Whisper on the other hand would just need one to get it out.

"'Ey Whispa. I'se got an idea. 'Ow's about wese go in now and youse can tell Jacky-boy what's on youse mind?"

I explained to the two of them what Jack had said the night before about his past and what I had done once he was done. I then told them my plan and Whisper just nodded and we headed inside.

~*~*Kid Blink's POV~*~*

After keeping Dodger off of Jack so I could at least talk to him I hit him in the jaw like I would have the night before if not for Dodger.

"What was that for?"

"That's for what you said about Katelin. I would have done it last night but Dodger got to it before me."

Spot butted in between us and sometimes I would laugh at the sight of this since both Jack and I are taller that Spot but this time I was in no mood for laughter.

"You mean you're punching him for a remark about his own past? Kid that's a bit much don't you thinks?"

"No it's not. Cause I've met this girl and let me tell you he put her through hell."

"Most guys have put girls through hell when they're younger. It's just natural."

Before I could respond with what exactly Jack did, Whisper stormed into the Lodging House with Chatterbox and Dodger behind her. Whisper had a look of death on her face while both Chatterbox and Dodger had smirks on their faces.

'Oh no. This is not good.'

I thought to myself and was I right. Whisper stormed right past me and punched Jack square in the nose causing him to fall flat on his butt. I looked down to where he was and he was cupping his nose, which Whisper had punched so hard that it started to bleed. Then she started talking in some language to which I recognized as French from when Dodger and I went out. She then stormed out of the room and out. Dodger just smiled and both she and Fastdancer followed behind her.

"What the hell was that about? And what the heck was she saying?"

Spot said as he helped Jack into a chair and handed him his handkerchief. I just started laughing since I knew what she had said. Spot and Jack looked at me with quizzed looks on their faces.

"Jack, she said that you're an arrogant jerk who should crawl underneath a rock and stay there for what you've done to me and Dodger."

"What I did? She's the one who punched me and who was that?"

Chatterbox butted in on this part.

"As far as we know, you said something and believe me, when she gets really, really mad at someone, she'll turn to her French or her stutter will go away."

I looked to Jack and saw surprise come to his face. I wasn't sure if it was the fact that she mentioned something about French (since only two of us really understand it) or that he now recognized whom the person was.

"Oh my gosh. You're Savanna Brina Monroe!"

Brina stood in shock of how he knew her full name. Giving him an odd look she asked,

"How did you know that was my name? I only go by Brina or now,"

Looking at us guys who were standing with her,

"Or now Chatterbox."

Jack just smirked.

"You don't recognize me now do you?"

Brina just shook her head.

"Well lets just say I made Katelin's life a little hell for a few years."

I looked to Brina and saw her eyes grow huge and then into a squint.

"YOU! YOU!!! I'm gonna kill you!!!" She started to run at him but Spot got in between them.

"What the heck do you think your doing?"

Brina screeched to a halt and stared right at him. I've only known one other person to do that and that was Rae Kelly. Brina didn't even flinch.

"I'll tell you what I'm doing. I'm going to beat the living tar out of that jerk wad. He put my friend through a living hell when we were younger and before I always had teachers around to stop me. Well now I don't so move aside so I can soak him!"

Brina lunged at Jack again but Spot caught her in mid jump.

"I don't think so."

Spot put Brina over his shoulder and carried her up the stairs. I had no clue as to where he was taking her but I had a feeling she could take care of herself. I turned my concentration back to Jack who was now standing but was still dabbing at the blood where Whisper had punched him.

"You know what? I think I'm going to go have a little talk with Katelin. We need to sort this mess out and I don't like having a girl as cute as her mad at me. Also, I could tell that she likes me."

Jack smirked and left. It took all my energy not to go and pound the living snot out of him for saying that Whisper wanted him. I guess Specs could see that I was pissed and put a hand on my shoulders.

"Don't worry. If he tries anything, he'll have to deal with Fastdancer and Dodger. Plus the way Whisper's feeling right now, he'll have to watch out for her fists too. C'mon, lets go to Tibby's. You need a drink to cool down."

With that, Mush, Specs and I left for Tibby's so I could get a drink to calm down.



~*~*Meanwhile with Spot and Chatterbox~*~*

Brina's POV

"Let me go you big oaf! LET ME GO!"

I continued to hit his back as he carried me up the stairs. I can't believe that Francis Sullivan is here. He was the one that Katelin and I saw when we walked around. The jerk who made Katelin's life a living hell for 4 years. A gust of air blew my hair over my face and I realized that we were on the roof but I was still on the guy's shoulder.

"Let me down right NOW!"

"If you say so."

Then splash! The guy had taken me up to the roof and dropped me in a barrel full of water. When I came up I saw he was laughing so I spat the water I had taken in at him.

"You lousy little pinhead. Why did you go and do that for?"

"Your temper was getting a little hot downstairs so I knew I'd have to cool you down. Plus no one threatens my friends."

With that last little bit, his eyes went from a light brown to a dark, dark brown. I pulled myself out of the barrel and looked down at my soaking wet dress.

"Well I can threaten anyone I want. I've known Francis since he was 8 and believe me he was a rotten little brat back then."

"Don't call him Francis. He goes by Jack. Jack Kelly to be exact."

"I don't give a damn on what his name is now. He will always be Francis Sullivan, the jerk wad to me."

I could feel my cheeks start to burn but I didn't care. This guy was ticking me off and only Francis has seen me really mad when he teased Katelin right after her mother died. The guy and I circled one another and I noticed his face too was going red.

"I'd like a little more respect from you. I'm the leader of the Brooklyn Newsies and no one yells back at me."

"I don't give a hoot who you are. I was the leader at my old school but I didn't order respect from anyone. I EARNED it."

"I've been in the newspapers so there."

Ha. Like that was going to work.

"My father works for the newspaper so I get to see all of the papes before you even sell them."

"My friend Denton is the editor of the Sun. Me and my friends helped him get that job."

Now I recognized him. He was the cocky little kid in the newspaper.

"I don't give a flying hoot that you helped him get his job. I've known the newspaper business since I was 2, which is probably longer than you."

By now, the guy and I are toe to toe and I'm slightly shorter than him so I can't see straight in his eyes.

"I don't even know what your name is."

~*~*Spot's POV~*~*

I looked at her as we stood toe to toe. Her hair was still soaked but it didn't look too bad on her.

'Stop thinking like that Spot. She's insulted your best friend.' I shook my head and stared at her.

"The name is Spot. Spot Conlon."

A smile came to her face and then she started laughing. It was a nice laugh but still, she was laughing at me, the Great Spot Conlon.

"What are you laughing at?"

"Where in the world did you get the name SPOT!"

At that she laughed even harder and started to hold her stomach.

"For your information, I got the name when I was younger. I was able to spot things from a distance and so the Newsies called me Spotter. I decided to change it to Spot when I became leader."

The girl kept on laughing. 'You need to shut her up. No one laughs at Spot Conlon.' A voice in my head told me. I did the first thing that came to mind. I leaned over and kissed her.

~*~*Meanwhile with Dodger, Fastdancer, Whisper and soon to be Jack~*~*

Whisper's POV

"Dat was some punch Whispa! I'se only seen one poison do dat to 'im and dat was me da otta day."

"I'd have to agree. That was some punch."

"Well I didn't like the fact that he said you weren't allowed to come back to the Lodging House if you didn't apologize."

I looked down at my fist and saw that my knuckles were slightly purple.

"Uh guys, I think I need some ice. My knuckles are turning pretty colours."

I laughed at this but was surprised that it was cut short by the fact I didn't hear Dodger or Fastdancer say anything. I turned around and saw that they were facing away from me and blocking the way of Jack Kelly. A stony glare covered my face and I just stayed back behind them or else I'd likely punch him again.

"What do you want Jack?"

Fastdancer and Dodger looked like to pit bulls ready to attack if one of them was threatened.

"I just want to talk to Katelin here."

"'Er name ain't Katelin 'round these parts. It's now Whisper."

"Well I'm not sure if that suits her. From what I saw back there, we should call her Frenchy. Now if you don't mind, I'd like to talk to her."

"Guys, it's okay. Just stay behind me. I'm not going to punch him."

They parted and started behind me.

"Well I might not."

I whispered that to Dodger and she laughed then quickly shut her mouth.

"What do you want Jack?"

"I'm surprised you don't recognize me after all the time we used to spend together."

I just stared at him totally confused now. We spent time together? That makes absolutely no sense. We just moved her several days ago.

"I see the cat has got your tongue like before. Maybe Andrew and Michael have kept up my work."

My eyes grew big and then I realized whom this person was. It was Francis. I started to back up slightly and going between Dodger and Fastdancer, their faces grew with concern when they saw the horror on my face.

"N no. N no. T this c can't b be r right."

My breath started to get faster. 'I have to get away. NOW!' I turned on my heel and started running I didn't know where but I kept on running.