Disclaimer: Same as before, I still own the plot, Sprite (Elizabeth), Blake, and the DISCLAIMER! I don't own the boys, Bayou, Marit, Slider, Firecracker, Spark, Atlantic, or Smartass, they own themselves and were kind enough to let me borrow them for awhile. Hope you enjoy this nice long chapter, and please review :)
Smile,
~Sprite~
SHOUT OUTS!!
Lai: lol I'm glad you think about my stories so much! How are Jason, Hayden, and Porter btw?? Thanks for your awesome advice, but now I have new guy problems!!! IM/Email me and we'll talk about them lol.
Firecracker: Hey, what's up? Please don't hurt me! *starts whimpering* lol. Yes, I've gotten several reviews stating longer chapters = goodness. If that's what the readers really want, I guess I'll have to give it to them! Thanks for offering to ya know change and all, it's quite helpful. I hope you like this chapter ttyl.
SparkHiggins: lol I also love reading about myself *hint hint* lol. fyi, Mush is NOT the third hottest guy, he is the FIRST hottest guy!!! Race and Jack and Spot and all them come AFTER Mush! As you can see I'm updating now, so be happy :)
Slider: 'sup girl? You're soo much fun to talk to lol, I hope everything in your life is going better than it was before. I suppose you can consider yourself witty if you want to. Poor Spark, you're awfully mean to her! (you, mean? never!! lol) More witty comments to appear now! After all, you're kinda mean to poor dear Sprite! lyl and don't forget ROAD TRIP!! I'm driving ;)
queenofgondor21: Thank you, I hope you keep reading and keep enjoying the story.
Hottie5Star: Well, Mush and Sprite will start acting less "family like" as the chapters go on lol. Yes, they do have a bit of a tendency to get on each other's nerves though. Nice fully chapters of Mush will be sure to come!!! Keep reading and reviewing.
SmartassLeprechaun: Chica!!! We haven't spoken in like forever!!!!!!!! OMG What are we gonna do about Aaron????? He CAN'T have a girlfriend! I know, we could *starts whispering to Smartass* (kidnapping's not illegal if you return them right? j/k) Don't worry sweetie, you're in THIS chapter!!!!! *does the happy dance with Smartass, Bayou, and Mushy* You get to be Sprite's bestest friend (like your mine in real life :) Yay 4 the Muahahaha lol. PARTAY TIME!! Hey, Bayou maybe cute, but there's NO ONE like Mushy! *gives Mush a big hug* lol. LYLAS ttyl Psychic Sis. BTW I swear on Mushy himself we really and truly get to meet you. Heck, you play a BIG part in the next chapter, so don't feel bad!!!! LYL *big hugs* :)
Kathryn Mason-Sykes: OMG You are like the LUCKIEST person alive!!! YOU GOT TO MEET AARON LOHR!!!!!!!!!!!!!! *faints* lol. I wanted to go see Radiant Baby sooo bad but alas, I couldn't *glares at parents*. You're not the only person who can't get Mush out of their heads. OMG Seriously, I know many people (like Smartass and myself) who would do ANYTHING (and I mean anything) to meet Aaron. Hell, Smartass and I kidnapped him and he's now living in my basement (along with a few other guys ;) Really, you're soo lucky. I tend to keep the story coming lol. I hope you like this chapter. Keep reading and reviewing please!!
Destria: I know, I know, I got kinda ragged on by a couple peeps about where to find the prices of the food, I guess my only excuse is, I'm lazy! I'm glad you love the fic lol, I do as well. Thanks for reading.
Vixen: I'm glad you liked the story lol. I wish I had a guardian as sexy as Mush to fall in love with! Just keep reading, many things will happen lol. Ooh, I know what you mean. Mushy is as of right now in my basement so I get to do pretty much whatever I want with him ;) Yeah I got your emails lol, I'll email you ASAP ttyl. Keep reading please!
Southern Spell: Thank you, I'm glad you like it so far. I'll keep writing if you keep reading and reviewing!!! ttyl :)
First of all to all my faithful readers (Slider, Smartass, Spark, Lai and others) I'm soooo sorry it's taken me this long to update. I've been extremely busy with school work (it's almost Spring Break so the teachers have loaded on the extra hw) and I'm in track which goes after school 'til 6pm everyday (I even have it Saturday morning!!!) so by the time I finish my home work and take a shower I'm pretty much dead lol. I know these are all meager excuses, and I'm going to try REALLY hard to work on my stories when I can, but no guarantees. Anywho, I have 36 reviews! Thank you all!!!! Hopefully I'll be getting more for this chapter, so we'll see. It's time to PARTY!
Chapter 7: Party in Brooklyn
Sprite was awakened by a horribly loud screeching sound. Startled, she sat up quickly and smacked her head on the bottom of the bunk above her. She reached up a hand to rub the tender spot and glare at the culprit. Slider grinned mischievously and jumped off Sprite's bed.
"Goo' moahnin' sleepin' beauty. I'se afraid yu'd sleep awl day and miss da surprise ta night." At the mention of a surprise, Sprite's eyes opened wide.
"What surprise?" she asked eagerly. Slider merely smirked and walked into the washroom. Sprite picked up her bag of clothes and followed in suit. Once in there, she decided it would take a bit of getting used to. All her life, Liz had been an only child and nothing had prepared her from the sight of the girls' washroom. There were anywhere from twenty five to fifty girls in various states of undress, singing, and yelling, and basically acting like a large family. Sprite felt excluded as if she was on the outside of a big bubble.
Marit saw Sprite's look of apprehension, and walked over to her.
"Heya Sprite. Ya sleep well?" Marit asked. Sprite smiled, much more comfortable now that she was around some on she knew.
"Yes, I slept really well thank you." Marit nodded.
"Aight, well, da bes' t'ing ta do, is ta jus' kinda pick a sink oah a spot and jus' git dressed." Sprite looked around for an open space, and saw only one, next to Slider. Sprite hitched up her bag and walked over to the open spot. Slider gave Sprite a look of disgust when she saw her coming over to the unoccupied area, but said nothing. Sprite took out a light blue, older dress from her bag. After realizing she was going to get no privacy, she just put it on as quickly as she could. She pulled her hair back with two pins, and followed the other girls out of the washroom.
Sprite tried to catch up with Marit to ask her about the "surprise" Slider mentioned, but was unable to find her in the mass of girls. The only girl who looked remotely familiar, was Spark. She was talking to Atlantic, but when she saw Sprite, the conversation ceased.
"Heya, Sprite, wha' can I do ya foah?" Spark asked. Sprite smiled, finally she would get some answers.
"Well, this morning, Slider mentioned something about a surprise. Do you know anything about it?" Spark laughed out loud.
"Know anyt'ing? O'coise I knows 'bout it, I helped plan it! 's a boitday pahdy foah Brooklyn. Eveybahdy's gonna be deah. We's all 'cited, dats why we gots ta sell oah papes quickah dan usal taday so we'se can git ready." Spark then turned back to Atlantic to finish their conversation. Sprite didn't mind, she was excited about the party.
"Well, goils, we'se heah." Marit called out from the front of the group. Sprite looked around and noticed that they were indeed at the Distribution Center.
Mush saw his guardian standing on the outskirts of the girl newsies, a dazed look on her face. He walked around until he was behind her. Slider saw him, and Mush put a finger to his lips, motioning for her to keep silent. Then, he pounced.
"AAAHH!!!" Sprite screamed, when she was attacked. Her heart pounding in her chest, Sprite spun around. She saw Mush laughing along with Slider who happened to be standing nearby. Sprite was so mad, she wanted to kick Mush. She settled for punching him in the arm instead, and stomping off. The dark brown haired boy laughed for only a moment longer before his conscience kicked in and he felt guilty for scaring her. Mush grabbed his newspapers, and walked off to find his ward. He found Sprite a few minutes later, in an empty alley way just sitting. Her elbows on her knees, and her head in her hands. Mush sat down next to her.
"Lizzie, I'se sorry. I shouldn' a dun dat. I' was mean and cruel and I'se really sorry. Do ya foahgive me?" Liz turned to look at her guardian. The smile was gone from his face, and his eyes were caring and concerned.
"Of course I forgive you Shawn. I shouldn't have acted like such a priss. I am after all a newsie, and newsies don't act the way I did." Mush tried to smother his laughter in the palm of his hand when she said this, but couldn't control it, and just started chirping. Sprite looked at him, her brows knit in confusion. "What's so funny?" Mush gestured to her and continued laughing. Sprite looked down, self conscious.
"You, dat's what's so funny. You don' look a t'ing like a newsie. Dat's all." Mush explained once he had regained his composure. Sprite stood up to her full height and put her hands on her hips in mock anger.
"Now do I look more newsie like?" Mush shook his head.
"Nope," he said, before he reached up to scratch his head. He removed his green newsie hat and placed it on the blonde's short waves. "Deah, now you'se look moah like a newsie." The hat promptly slid down over Sprite's eyes, but she made no effort to remove it. Mush put his arm around the shorter girl and led her to his selling spot. "Aight, now ah youse ready ta hock da headlines?" Sprite nodded enthusiastically. She desperately wanted to impress her guardian and sell some papers. "Now, 'membah wha' I told ya, you'se might have ta change da headline round a lil' ta sell da pape, which is cohled...?" Mush looked expectantly at Sprite. He had drilled her the day before after her selling mishap and wanted to be sure she remembered his advice.
"Improving the truth." Sprite stated, in her snotty middle class voice. Mush winced and rolled his eyes.
"Ya know Sprite, we'se really godda teach yas how ta tawk like a New Yoahkah." Mush muttered before he left his charge to sell her papers. Not fifteen minutes later, Mush came back to check on Sprite. When she saw Mush, her heart swelled, and a grin appeared on her face.
"Guess what?!" Sprite asked as soon as he was in hearing distance. She didn't wait for him to answer before she continued. "I sold all my papers already!"
"Papes," Mush corrected, "not papers, papes."
"Whatever," Sprite said, "I still sold all of 'em!" Mush gently clapped her on the back.
"Good, 'cause we'se gotta git back to da Lodgin' House ta git ready foah da pahty." Mush put his arm around the blonde and the two walked back towards the Distribution Center. The darker boy released his ward once she spied her friends. He watched as she ran over to them, eager to tell about her selling improvement. Mush laughed silently to himself. She was still the worst newsie he'd ever seen, but she was trying damn hard. Harder than some of the newsies he'd known in his time. She still had a ways to go before she'd reach twenty a day, but going from seven to twelve papes was still progress.
Once the girls were back at their lodging house, Sprite went over to Marit, the the question of what to wear on her mind. Marit laughed when she saw Sprite's choices for clothing, all of the dresses being much too fancy for a newsie party.
"Heah Sweetie, try dis." Marit said, holding out an older and more worn green dress. Sprite accepted it with much gratitude and slipped it on as fast as she could.
The girl newsies met back up with their male counterparts at the Distribution Center before heading over to the bridge.
Sprite confided her thoughts in Mush on the walk over to Brooklyn.
"I'm so excited Mush!" A smile graced the older boy's lips per usual.
"And why is dat Flowah?" he asked curiously.
"Because I'm going to meet some more newsies and hopefully make some new friends." Mush was a bit confused by the fact that she kept getting so excited at the prospect of making new friends. He took it for granted that his family consisted of tons of kids his own age that he could be with whenever he wanted.
"Wha's wid you an' makin' friends?" Mush asked, his curiosity getting the better of him." Sprite looked down at the ground as she spoke.
"I've never really had any friends before I met you and the other newsies. It was just my father and I in the apartment, and the kids at school were never interested in me. So this is a totally new experience for me." Mush hugged Sprite to him in a loving gesture. She was a very sweet girl, and Mush really felt bad for her sometimes.
"Well, don' you worry. Der'll be plenty a new frien's foah ya. I know foah a fact you an' Smahtass'll get along jus' great." Sprite's eyes lit up as Mush released her and the two sped up gait to get to the party faster. Once they were officially in Brooklyn, Sprite's eyes widened and she took in the new scenery and situation. As Mush and Sprite were walking past a dock, Mush tapped Sprite to get her attention. He pointed to a couple sitting on the dock, "Ya see da two kids on da dock? Dat's Smahtass and her boy Bayou. Da two o' dem's 'bout as close as you can get widout gettin' engaged. Race's takin' bets on when Bayou's gonna ask 'a, but no one really knows." Sprite looked at Mush, intrigue in her eyes.
"When do you think they'll get engaged?" she asked.
"I'se said befoah da end a da yeah. I figah since is' only Augus', I'se got some time befoah I lose da bet." Mush led Sprite into the building where the party was taking place. He pulled her into the middle of the floor where all action was, and excused himself to go find Jack. Sprite watched with curiosity at the goings on before some one slammed into her, knocking her to the ground.
"Watch where you're going!" Sprite said as she stood up and brushed herself off. She turned around to see who bumped into her, and was surprised to see he was quite a bit shorter than herself. His ice blue eyes narrowed into dangerous slits as he spoke,
"'scuse me? You'se should be da one ta watch out wheah you'se goin'." Sprite's mouth opened in protest.
"I think not! You bumped into me, not the other way around. You are extremely rude! All I meant was to pay attention to where you're going. You're acting as if you're drunk." Sprite said, after observing his attempt to stand straight, but failing miserably. The hooligan was about to say something else to her, but was stopped by a young girl who walked up.
"Dat's 'cause he is drunk. I'se sorry 'bout dat. I really godda keep me eye on 'im. I'se Fiahcrackah by da way. An' you ah...?" Firecracker asked.
"Sprite," the blonde said holding out her hand. Firecracker brought her hand up to her mouth and spit in it before extending it. Sprite's eyes widened in disgust and she visibly shirked back. Fire saw that Sprite was uncomfortable and wiped her hand on her pants before holding it out again. The drunk boy snorted and Fire shushed him,
"Shud it Spot! She's probahly a new goil. 'm I right?" Sprite nodded affirmatively. "I t'ought so. Well, me an' Spot's gotta git back, so see ya round." Firecracker said before holding Spot's arm to keep his balance. Sprite watched as the curly red head and short blonde boy walked off. The freckled faced girl seemed a bit young for the boy, but Sprite just shrugged and and let it pass. As Sprite started walking to find Mush, slid pushed by her.
"Watch it!" was all she said as she shoved Sprite out of the way. Tears made their way to Liz's eyes as she was brushed aside for the second time that night. Determined not to let it ruin her evening, Sprite wiped her eyes and walked over to Racetrack, who she saw conversing with a newsie she thought looked familiar.
"Hey Sweet face, how's it rollin'?" Race asked. Sprite smiled as much as she could and waited for Race to introduce her. "Ah, Pie Eatah, dis is Sprite, and Sprite, Pie. You probahly don' 'membah him, he lives at da Lodging House wid us." The very tall boy had looked familiar to her, now she knew why.
"No, I remember him. Hello." Pie Eater looked at her,
"Hi." Sprite turned back to Race,
"Race, where's Mush? He left me about ten minutes ago and I was wondering where he is." The short Italian scrunched up his face in thought.
"I t'ought I saw 'im ovah deah a coupla minutes ago. I'd look deah." Sprite nodded and turned,
"Thank you. It was nice meeting you Pie."
"You twos," the tall boy said before he turned back to Racetrack. Sprite weaved her way through the people until she happened on the tan and very attractive guardian.
"Mush! Hi, I was looking for you. This horrible boy bumped into me and was extremely rude then I met his girl and she was nice but..." Sprite trailed off as a beautiful and very thin young woman walked up to Mush.
"Deah youse ah. I t'ought I lost yas foah a minute." Sprite looked between her guardian and the girl. Mush put his arm around the female newsie and looked at Sprite. Sprite was busy staring at the beautiful girl. Her deep auburn curls glowed, and her long eyes were the color of cinnamon mixed with honey. The girl's smooth and creamy carmel skin completely contrasted with Sprite's pale peachy complexion. The perfect woman kissed Mush's cheek and smirked at the blonde. Mush noticed Sprite's look of complete and utter confusion and decided to clear everything up.
"Sprite, dis is Taht, she's from Hahlem." Sprite blinked,
"Is she your sister?" Mush and Tart both laughed. Tart's laugh sounded like she had smoked too many cigarettes and drank too much whiskey in her life.
"No, she's me goil."...
TBC!!
FYI: Since I'm getting some lovely reviews, I think I'll start putting my shout outs at the end of the chapters, just so people can start reading the story with out having to go through a page of shout outs lol. (I LOVE getting reviews, and long shout outs are nice lol) PLEASE REVIEW!! ttyl :)
~Sprite~
Smile,
~Sprite~
SHOUT OUTS!!
Lai: lol I'm glad you think about my stories so much! How are Jason, Hayden, and Porter btw?? Thanks for your awesome advice, but now I have new guy problems!!! IM/Email me and we'll talk about them lol.
Firecracker: Hey, what's up? Please don't hurt me! *starts whimpering* lol. Yes, I've gotten several reviews stating longer chapters = goodness. If that's what the readers really want, I guess I'll have to give it to them! Thanks for offering to ya know change and all, it's quite helpful. I hope you like this chapter ttyl.
SparkHiggins: lol I also love reading about myself *hint hint* lol. fyi, Mush is NOT the third hottest guy, he is the FIRST hottest guy!!! Race and Jack and Spot and all them come AFTER Mush! As you can see I'm updating now, so be happy :)
Slider: 'sup girl? You're soo much fun to talk to lol, I hope everything in your life is going better than it was before. I suppose you can consider yourself witty if you want to. Poor Spark, you're awfully mean to her! (you, mean? never!! lol) More witty comments to appear now! After all, you're kinda mean to poor dear Sprite! lyl and don't forget ROAD TRIP!! I'm driving ;)
queenofgondor21: Thank you, I hope you keep reading and keep enjoying the story.
Hottie5Star: Well, Mush and Sprite will start acting less "family like" as the chapters go on lol. Yes, they do have a bit of a tendency to get on each other's nerves though. Nice fully chapters of Mush will be sure to come!!! Keep reading and reviewing.
SmartassLeprechaun: Chica!!! We haven't spoken in like forever!!!!!!!! OMG What are we gonna do about Aaron????? He CAN'T have a girlfriend! I know, we could *starts whispering to Smartass* (kidnapping's not illegal if you return them right? j/k) Don't worry sweetie, you're in THIS chapter!!!!! *does the happy dance with Smartass, Bayou, and Mushy* You get to be Sprite's bestest friend (like your mine in real life :) Yay 4 the Muahahaha lol. PARTAY TIME!! Hey, Bayou maybe cute, but there's NO ONE like Mushy! *gives Mush a big hug* lol. LYLAS ttyl Psychic Sis. BTW I swear on Mushy himself we really and truly get to meet you. Heck, you play a BIG part in the next chapter, so don't feel bad!!!! LYL *big hugs* :)
Kathryn Mason-Sykes: OMG You are like the LUCKIEST person alive!!! YOU GOT TO MEET AARON LOHR!!!!!!!!!!!!!! *faints* lol. I wanted to go see Radiant Baby sooo bad but alas, I couldn't *glares at parents*. You're not the only person who can't get Mush out of their heads. OMG Seriously, I know many people (like Smartass and myself) who would do ANYTHING (and I mean anything) to meet Aaron. Hell, Smartass and I kidnapped him and he's now living in my basement (along with a few other guys ;) Really, you're soo lucky. I tend to keep the story coming lol. I hope you like this chapter. Keep reading and reviewing please!!
Destria: I know, I know, I got kinda ragged on by a couple peeps about where to find the prices of the food, I guess my only excuse is, I'm lazy! I'm glad you love the fic lol, I do as well. Thanks for reading.
Vixen: I'm glad you liked the story lol. I wish I had a guardian as sexy as Mush to fall in love with! Just keep reading, many things will happen lol. Ooh, I know what you mean. Mushy is as of right now in my basement so I get to do pretty much whatever I want with him ;) Yeah I got your emails lol, I'll email you ASAP ttyl. Keep reading please!
Southern Spell: Thank you, I'm glad you like it so far. I'll keep writing if you keep reading and reviewing!!! ttyl :)
First of all to all my faithful readers (Slider, Smartass, Spark, Lai and others) I'm soooo sorry it's taken me this long to update. I've been extremely busy with school work (it's almost Spring Break so the teachers have loaded on the extra hw) and I'm in track which goes after school 'til 6pm everyday (I even have it Saturday morning!!!) so by the time I finish my home work and take a shower I'm pretty much dead lol. I know these are all meager excuses, and I'm going to try REALLY hard to work on my stories when I can, but no guarantees. Anywho, I have 36 reviews! Thank you all!!!! Hopefully I'll be getting more for this chapter, so we'll see. It's time to PARTY!
Chapter 7: Party in Brooklyn
Sprite was awakened by a horribly loud screeching sound. Startled, she sat up quickly and smacked her head on the bottom of the bunk above her. She reached up a hand to rub the tender spot and glare at the culprit. Slider grinned mischievously and jumped off Sprite's bed.
"Goo' moahnin' sleepin' beauty. I'se afraid yu'd sleep awl day and miss da surprise ta night." At the mention of a surprise, Sprite's eyes opened wide.
"What surprise?" she asked eagerly. Slider merely smirked and walked into the washroom. Sprite picked up her bag of clothes and followed in suit. Once in there, she decided it would take a bit of getting used to. All her life, Liz had been an only child and nothing had prepared her from the sight of the girls' washroom. There were anywhere from twenty five to fifty girls in various states of undress, singing, and yelling, and basically acting like a large family. Sprite felt excluded as if she was on the outside of a big bubble.
Marit saw Sprite's look of apprehension, and walked over to her.
"Heya Sprite. Ya sleep well?" Marit asked. Sprite smiled, much more comfortable now that she was around some on she knew.
"Yes, I slept really well thank you." Marit nodded.
"Aight, well, da bes' t'ing ta do, is ta jus' kinda pick a sink oah a spot and jus' git dressed." Sprite looked around for an open space, and saw only one, next to Slider. Sprite hitched up her bag and walked over to the open spot. Slider gave Sprite a look of disgust when she saw her coming over to the unoccupied area, but said nothing. Sprite took out a light blue, older dress from her bag. After realizing she was going to get no privacy, she just put it on as quickly as she could. She pulled her hair back with two pins, and followed the other girls out of the washroom.
Sprite tried to catch up with Marit to ask her about the "surprise" Slider mentioned, but was unable to find her in the mass of girls. The only girl who looked remotely familiar, was Spark. She was talking to Atlantic, but when she saw Sprite, the conversation ceased.
"Heya, Sprite, wha' can I do ya foah?" Spark asked. Sprite smiled, finally she would get some answers.
"Well, this morning, Slider mentioned something about a surprise. Do you know anything about it?" Spark laughed out loud.
"Know anyt'ing? O'coise I knows 'bout it, I helped plan it! 's a boitday pahdy foah Brooklyn. Eveybahdy's gonna be deah. We's all 'cited, dats why we gots ta sell oah papes quickah dan usal taday so we'se can git ready." Spark then turned back to Atlantic to finish their conversation. Sprite didn't mind, she was excited about the party.
"Well, goils, we'se heah." Marit called out from the front of the group. Sprite looked around and noticed that they were indeed at the Distribution Center.
Mush saw his guardian standing on the outskirts of the girl newsies, a dazed look on her face. He walked around until he was behind her. Slider saw him, and Mush put a finger to his lips, motioning for her to keep silent. Then, he pounced.
"AAAHH!!!" Sprite screamed, when she was attacked. Her heart pounding in her chest, Sprite spun around. She saw Mush laughing along with Slider who happened to be standing nearby. Sprite was so mad, she wanted to kick Mush. She settled for punching him in the arm instead, and stomping off. The dark brown haired boy laughed for only a moment longer before his conscience kicked in and he felt guilty for scaring her. Mush grabbed his newspapers, and walked off to find his ward. He found Sprite a few minutes later, in an empty alley way just sitting. Her elbows on her knees, and her head in her hands. Mush sat down next to her.
"Lizzie, I'se sorry. I shouldn' a dun dat. I' was mean and cruel and I'se really sorry. Do ya foahgive me?" Liz turned to look at her guardian. The smile was gone from his face, and his eyes were caring and concerned.
"Of course I forgive you Shawn. I shouldn't have acted like such a priss. I am after all a newsie, and newsies don't act the way I did." Mush tried to smother his laughter in the palm of his hand when she said this, but couldn't control it, and just started chirping. Sprite looked at him, her brows knit in confusion. "What's so funny?" Mush gestured to her and continued laughing. Sprite looked down, self conscious.
"You, dat's what's so funny. You don' look a t'ing like a newsie. Dat's all." Mush explained once he had regained his composure. Sprite stood up to her full height and put her hands on her hips in mock anger.
"Now do I look more newsie like?" Mush shook his head.
"Nope," he said, before he reached up to scratch his head. He removed his green newsie hat and placed it on the blonde's short waves. "Deah, now you'se look moah like a newsie." The hat promptly slid down over Sprite's eyes, but she made no effort to remove it. Mush put his arm around the shorter girl and led her to his selling spot. "Aight, now ah youse ready ta hock da headlines?" Sprite nodded enthusiastically. She desperately wanted to impress her guardian and sell some papers. "Now, 'membah wha' I told ya, you'se might have ta change da headline round a lil' ta sell da pape, which is cohled...?" Mush looked expectantly at Sprite. He had drilled her the day before after her selling mishap and wanted to be sure she remembered his advice.
"Improving the truth." Sprite stated, in her snotty middle class voice. Mush winced and rolled his eyes.
"Ya know Sprite, we'se really godda teach yas how ta tawk like a New Yoahkah." Mush muttered before he left his charge to sell her papers. Not fifteen minutes later, Mush came back to check on Sprite. When she saw Mush, her heart swelled, and a grin appeared on her face.
"Guess what?!" Sprite asked as soon as he was in hearing distance. She didn't wait for him to answer before she continued. "I sold all my papers already!"
"Papes," Mush corrected, "not papers, papes."
"Whatever," Sprite said, "I still sold all of 'em!" Mush gently clapped her on the back.
"Good, 'cause we'se gotta git back to da Lodgin' House ta git ready foah da pahty." Mush put his arm around the blonde and the two walked back towards the Distribution Center. The darker boy released his ward once she spied her friends. He watched as she ran over to them, eager to tell about her selling improvement. Mush laughed silently to himself. She was still the worst newsie he'd ever seen, but she was trying damn hard. Harder than some of the newsies he'd known in his time. She still had a ways to go before she'd reach twenty a day, but going from seven to twelve papes was still progress.
Once the girls were back at their lodging house, Sprite went over to Marit, the the question of what to wear on her mind. Marit laughed when she saw Sprite's choices for clothing, all of the dresses being much too fancy for a newsie party.
"Heah Sweetie, try dis." Marit said, holding out an older and more worn green dress. Sprite accepted it with much gratitude and slipped it on as fast as she could.
The girl newsies met back up with their male counterparts at the Distribution Center before heading over to the bridge.
Sprite confided her thoughts in Mush on the walk over to Brooklyn.
"I'm so excited Mush!" A smile graced the older boy's lips per usual.
"And why is dat Flowah?" he asked curiously.
"Because I'm going to meet some more newsies and hopefully make some new friends." Mush was a bit confused by the fact that she kept getting so excited at the prospect of making new friends. He took it for granted that his family consisted of tons of kids his own age that he could be with whenever he wanted.
"Wha's wid you an' makin' friends?" Mush asked, his curiosity getting the better of him." Sprite looked down at the ground as she spoke.
"I've never really had any friends before I met you and the other newsies. It was just my father and I in the apartment, and the kids at school were never interested in me. So this is a totally new experience for me." Mush hugged Sprite to him in a loving gesture. She was a very sweet girl, and Mush really felt bad for her sometimes.
"Well, don' you worry. Der'll be plenty a new frien's foah ya. I know foah a fact you an' Smahtass'll get along jus' great." Sprite's eyes lit up as Mush released her and the two sped up gait to get to the party faster. Once they were officially in Brooklyn, Sprite's eyes widened and she took in the new scenery and situation. As Mush and Sprite were walking past a dock, Mush tapped Sprite to get her attention. He pointed to a couple sitting on the dock, "Ya see da two kids on da dock? Dat's Smahtass and her boy Bayou. Da two o' dem's 'bout as close as you can get widout gettin' engaged. Race's takin' bets on when Bayou's gonna ask 'a, but no one really knows." Sprite looked at Mush, intrigue in her eyes.
"When do you think they'll get engaged?" she asked.
"I'se said befoah da end a da yeah. I figah since is' only Augus', I'se got some time befoah I lose da bet." Mush led Sprite into the building where the party was taking place. He pulled her into the middle of the floor where all action was, and excused himself to go find Jack. Sprite watched with curiosity at the goings on before some one slammed into her, knocking her to the ground.
"Watch where you're going!" Sprite said as she stood up and brushed herself off. She turned around to see who bumped into her, and was surprised to see he was quite a bit shorter than herself. His ice blue eyes narrowed into dangerous slits as he spoke,
"'scuse me? You'se should be da one ta watch out wheah you'se goin'." Sprite's mouth opened in protest.
"I think not! You bumped into me, not the other way around. You are extremely rude! All I meant was to pay attention to where you're going. You're acting as if you're drunk." Sprite said, after observing his attempt to stand straight, but failing miserably. The hooligan was about to say something else to her, but was stopped by a young girl who walked up.
"Dat's 'cause he is drunk. I'se sorry 'bout dat. I really godda keep me eye on 'im. I'se Fiahcrackah by da way. An' you ah...?" Firecracker asked.
"Sprite," the blonde said holding out her hand. Firecracker brought her hand up to her mouth and spit in it before extending it. Sprite's eyes widened in disgust and she visibly shirked back. Fire saw that Sprite was uncomfortable and wiped her hand on her pants before holding it out again. The drunk boy snorted and Fire shushed him,
"Shud it Spot! She's probahly a new goil. 'm I right?" Sprite nodded affirmatively. "I t'ought so. Well, me an' Spot's gotta git back, so see ya round." Firecracker said before holding Spot's arm to keep his balance. Sprite watched as the curly red head and short blonde boy walked off. The freckled faced girl seemed a bit young for the boy, but Sprite just shrugged and and let it pass. As Sprite started walking to find Mush, slid pushed by her.
"Watch it!" was all she said as she shoved Sprite out of the way. Tears made their way to Liz's eyes as she was brushed aside for the second time that night. Determined not to let it ruin her evening, Sprite wiped her eyes and walked over to Racetrack, who she saw conversing with a newsie she thought looked familiar.
"Hey Sweet face, how's it rollin'?" Race asked. Sprite smiled as much as she could and waited for Race to introduce her. "Ah, Pie Eatah, dis is Sprite, and Sprite, Pie. You probahly don' 'membah him, he lives at da Lodging House wid us." The very tall boy had looked familiar to her, now she knew why.
"No, I remember him. Hello." Pie Eater looked at her,
"Hi." Sprite turned back to Race,
"Race, where's Mush? He left me about ten minutes ago and I was wondering where he is." The short Italian scrunched up his face in thought.
"I t'ought I saw 'im ovah deah a coupla minutes ago. I'd look deah." Sprite nodded and turned,
"Thank you. It was nice meeting you Pie."
"You twos," the tall boy said before he turned back to Racetrack. Sprite weaved her way through the people until she happened on the tan and very attractive guardian.
"Mush! Hi, I was looking for you. This horrible boy bumped into me and was extremely rude then I met his girl and she was nice but..." Sprite trailed off as a beautiful and very thin young woman walked up to Mush.
"Deah youse ah. I t'ought I lost yas foah a minute." Sprite looked between her guardian and the girl. Mush put his arm around the female newsie and looked at Sprite. Sprite was busy staring at the beautiful girl. Her deep auburn curls glowed, and her long eyes were the color of cinnamon mixed with honey. The girl's smooth and creamy carmel skin completely contrasted with Sprite's pale peachy complexion. The perfect woman kissed Mush's cheek and smirked at the blonde. Mush noticed Sprite's look of complete and utter confusion and decided to clear everything up.
"Sprite, dis is Taht, she's from Hahlem." Sprite blinked,
"Is she your sister?" Mush and Tart both laughed. Tart's laugh sounded like she had smoked too many cigarettes and drank too much whiskey in her life.
"No, she's me goil."...
TBC!!
FYI: Since I'm getting some lovely reviews, I think I'll start putting my shout outs at the end of the chapters, just so people can start reading the story with out having to go through a page of shout outs lol. (I LOVE getting reviews, and long shout outs are nice lol) PLEASE REVIEW!! ttyl :)
~Sprite~