Chapter II written by Bubblegum
"Now can we's go find da lodging house?" Klutz asked.
"It ain't gonna do us much good ta find a lodging house when its daylight out an' we's could be finding da utter's," Moxie yawned getting up and stretching, sore for spending the night on the streets.
"All right, all right. But promise we's can find one later?" Klutz pleaded.
"Sure" Klutz, Lavender, Mix, and Moxie yawned and stretched. They had spent all night sleeping, or rather trying to sleep, in a cobblestone alley.
"Man," Lavender commented, "Those kids who slept on da statue in da movie make it look comfortable!" Mix had some money with her, so their plan was to buy some papes, and keep an eye out for fellow NML members as they sold.
" I don't wanna sell papes, I's too tired!" complained Lavender.
"We gotta." Said Moxie softly; "It's our only choice." The four of them got to the Distribution Center and bought their papes. Lavender decided to sell with Klutz. Mix would sell with Moxie and they would meet at the statue of Horace Greenly in an hour and a half. About an hour later, Mix and Moxie stumbled across two scared looking girls standing near where they were sellin. They weren't doing anything; just standing there whispering and looking terrified. Moxie approached them.
"NML?" she asked. The girls looked relieved. Finally the older-looking one nodded.
"I's Moneybags an' dis is Lit'l bit." Mix introduced herself and Moxie and then asked if there were any others.
Lit'l Bit shook her head. "We's didn't find nobody else. Where have you's guys been stayin?"
Moxie looked at the two girls, wondering but not asking where they had slept the night before.
"We's stayin at da Newsgoils Lodgin' House. You's can come dare wit us. We's hafta meet some friends, but den we'll be headin' back dat way." Mix checked the time. "We need ta be headin' towards da statue." The four girls set off towards the Horace Greenly statue, Moneybags and Lit'l bit looking exceptionally relieved.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Illusion woke up the group of girls who had stayed with her in the alley.
"C'mon you guys! Get up! We's gotta go find da utter's." Legs, Strider, Geri and Calliope all scrambled to their feet. They were anxious to find the other listees.
" So, what's da plan?" Calliope asked sleepily. She yawned and then sat down on a barrel. Illusion shrugged. Legs spoke up.
" I's think we's should go sell papes so we's can afford a place ta stay ta- night an' den look foah da utter's at da same time. Anybody got any money?" The girls all dug into their pockets looking for spare change that might have been left there. They all shook their heads until Strider pulled out a couple of coins and triumphantly held them up.
" I think I's got enough foah all of us ta buy some papes ta sell." The girls headed toward the distribution center and lined up. They looked around, but didn't see any girls who looked as if they could've come from the 21st century. Of course they didn't either, so it would be hard trying to find other NML members. The five of them bought their papes and then set out to sell.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"So Windy, where ya wanna sell?" Bubblegum asked, looking around trying to find some of the Manhattan Newsboys, but at the same time, not wanting to be in trouble with Luna if she slipped.
"Hmm." Windy thought, "Maybe we should try ta find dat place in da movie. Da one wit all da fighting an' stuff. Right befoah Snyder goes aftah 'em. Jack seemed ta sell lots of papes dare."
" Yeah, dat's a good idea," Bubblegum nodded as the two friends headed off in the direction of what they thought was going to be the boxing ring. It took them awhile to find since they had no idea in which direction it was going to be located. The movie hadn't really shown where it was. Eventually they found it, a small street filled with what appeared to look like 150 people crowded around watching a fight that had broken out in the small boxing ring that was set up. Windy approached a man, newspaper in hand.
"Excuse me, sir, would ya like ta buy a pape?" she asked. The man shoved her out of his view of the fight, knocking her to the ground. "Jerk," she muttered as Bubblegum helped her up.
" I's think dis is gonna be harder den it looks in da movie," Bubblegum sighed as the two girls continued to try and sell their papers. Throughout the day they moved around to different selling spots, occasionally running into other NML members. They had heard from Pretzel that they were supposed to meet back at the Lodging House at around noon or after they finished sellin'. At 11:30, Windy and Bubblegum headed back towards the Lodging House.
"Uh. Windy."
"Yeah?"
"I uh. don't remember where da lodging house is. I thought it was dis way, but we's been walking foah a while an' I haven't seen it."
"Oh no," Windy smacked herself in the head, "I thought dat you's knew where it was! I don't remember neider." They started searching around, but couldn't find any other NML members. Bubblegum sat down near a store and started crying. First she had to leave her family and now she was lost. Windy sat down next to her, tears silently streaming down her face.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"I's think dat Bubblegum an' Windy are missing, 'cause I's seen 'em 'round eleven, an' dey said dey would be coming," Sneaks sounded worried. "Maybe we's should go look foah dem." Luna stood up. She had come back from Brooklyn earlier than she expected to check on the girls and see how they were doing.
"Nobody's going nowhere. Plenty of da utter members didn't show up an' we didn't go looking foah dem. Besides, we still hafta sell da late edition so we's can afford ta stay here a'nutter night."
" But we's don't know 'bout da utter's who didn't get here. We's KNOW dat Bubblegum an' Windy was here," Cards pointed out.
" Whatever ya say," Luna sat back down. "Oh an' we's can't be talking 'bout da utter goils not getting here last night too loud. Dat might seem a little suspicious if Gibby walks in an' we's talking 'bout time-traveling." They heard footsteps and all fell silent. The door opened and six girls walked in. Various girls already in the Lodging House recognized them from reading descriptions of them in different fics.
"Hiya fellas," Moxie grinned. "How was sellin?" The girls who were already at the Lodging House smiled and waved.
"I's Moxie an' dis is Lavender, Klutz, Mix, Moneybags, an' Lit'l bit." The other girls went around the room introducing themselves.
"Where was ya fellas last night?" Luna asked.
" Eh, well, me, Lavender, Mix an' Klutz all found each utter an' den couldn't find da lodging house so we's slept on da streets. When we was sellin dis morning, we's found Moneybags an' Lit'l bit. There was some utters, Illusion, Legs, Strider, an' some utters I don't remember but dey didn't stick wit us. I's haven't seen 'em since."
Sneaks glanced at Moxie, "Hey Moxie, ya haven't seen Bubblegum an' Windy have ya?"
Moxie thought for a moment about the descriptions she had read of them on line, then slowly shook her head.
Luna faced the six new additions to the Lodging House, "Look, we's glad you's here, but dare's two things yea gotta remember. One is dat if you's happen ta see one of da boys, you's can't run up ta dem like you's known 'em yer whole life." Punky rolled her eyes. They had all heard this way too many times. Luna glared at Punky. "An' da utter thing is dat ya can't be talking 'bout how ya got here too loud as long as utter people are around. If Gibby hears ya, we could all be in big trouble. Gibby runs da joint" She added as an after thought. The six girls nodded and sat down on the floor.
"Are dare any bunks left" Moneybags asked timidly.
"Yeah," answered Hades, "But afta tanight, you's gotta pay Gibby ta stay."
"She told us." Mix answered.
Sneaks helped the girls get settled and frowned. "Guys I's still worried 'bout Windy and Bubblegum."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Windy stood up. "C'mon Bubblegum. Cryin' ain't gonna find us da Lodging House. We should keep looking. Hopefully we'll find it befoah it gets dark." She said staring at the setting sun.
" You's right," Bubblegum agreed before getting up. "Well, which way ya wanna go?"
" Let's go back da way we's came." They started walking down the road, the opposite way they had come. All of the sudden Bubblegum stopped.
"What's da mattah?" Windy stopped too, trying to see why her friend had stopped.
" Look!" Bubblegum pointed. "Is it just me or is dat Jack?!" she was excited. Ever since she got here, she'd been wanting to meet a newsie.
"Oh my gosh!" Windy stared, "It IS!" Bubblegum ran up to Jack without even thinking about what Luna had said.
"Oh my gosh! You's Jack Kelly!" All to late, she realized what she had said and tried to think of some way to cover it up. Jack looked at her strangely.
" Uh. how do you's know dat?" he glanced at Windy who was walking over.
"I uh." Suddenly it dawned on her. "I read da article 'bout ya in da papah! Yeah! Me friends an' I, we's all newsies, an' we really look up ta what you's guys did wit da strike an' everything!" Windy nodded.
" Yeah, we's uh. inspired."
Jack grinned. "Oh, well dat makes sense. I'm glad it uh. inspired you."
" So um.Jack," Bubblegum began, "We's was on our way back ta da Lodging House, but we uh..." She tried to think of something.
"We just switched Lodging Houses, an' we can't remember where our is. Would ya happen ta know? It's da one run by Gibby." Windy jumped in.
"O' course I's do!" Jack seemed happy to be able to help, "C'mon. I'll take ya dare." Bubblegum grinned and gave Windy a high-five. The two giggled. Jack looked at them.
" What, do I's look funny or something?" He grinned. "So whatta'ya names?" The three started walking as Bubblegum and Windy introduced themselves. They talked and soon, they were back at the Lodging House. "Well, bye." Jack called. The two girls waved and walked in. As soon as they walked in, Luna started in on them.
" WHERE have you's guys been? Everyone's been worried sick an' it's 'bout time ta start da evening edition!"
Windy stammered, "We, uh. we thought you's was in Brooklyn."
" Dat's besides da point! Where were ya guys?" The girls told their story, excluding the part with Jack. They didn't think Luna would be too happy about that. Sneaks ran up to them.
" I's glad you's okay!"
Bubblegum smiled. " I hafta tell ya something lata!" she whispered. The girls started to file out getting ready to sell the evening edition. Luna gave Windy and Bubblegum a funny look as she left.
A couple of the girls hung around to chat before heading out. Moxie, Mix, Moneybags, Klutz, Lit'l Bit and Lavender introduced themselves. Bubblegum hugged Klutz and Moxie, remembering chatting and Rping with them online, before the war started. "So what REALLY happened?" Moxie wanted to know.
"Yeah," the other girls chorused.
Windy grinned, "Well, Bubblegum here slipped an' runs up ta Jack going 'You's Jack Kelly' an' he showed us where da Lodging House was."
Sneaks shook her head. "Man, Luna's gonna soak you's guys."
Windy winked, "Luna is NOT gonna find out."
" Exactly," Bubblegum chimed in. Lavender pulled out a pocket-watch that had been switched with her nice 21st century watch. "Well guys, we's better get goin' if we's gonna sell some papes an' no one say a word to Luna 'bout what happened or she could kick. Windy an' Bubblegum out." Bubblegum looked worried.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Luna bought 30 papes and walked around yelling headlines. After selling a couple, she sat down and began to think. This wasn't how she had planned it. She didn't want to be here making sure a bunch of teenagers (well, mostly) follow the rules. She wanted to be in Brooklyn, living a life of excitement! When she went there today, she'd been disappointed. She didn't even find the famous Spot Conlon! Luna thought for a moment. She'd go there again in a couple days and she would find Spot no matter what!
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The nine girls who had stayed behind at the Lodging House approached the Distribution Center.
Sneaks sighed, "I don't want ta spend me money ta buy more papes. It was too hard earnin' it!"
Mix shook her head. "Yeah I know, but if we don't, Gibby won't let us stay tanight."
"Our foist night is tanight so we's don't have ta pay tanight." Lavender reminded them.
"Yeah, but Sneaks, Bubblegum, an' me stayed dare last night, so we's gotta pay." Windy pouted. The girls bought their papes and then split up to sell again. Some of the other NML members were still there. Sneaks sold with Dodge again; Bubblegum with Windy; Lit'l Bit with Moneybags; Moxie with Mix; and Lavender with Klutz.
Dodge and Sneaks decided they were gonna try pick-pocketing again so they headed towards a more crowded place where they wouldn't be noticed as easily. The other girls set off in separate directions.
Lit'l Bit turned to Moneybags, "I'm glad dey found us. At least we won't be sleepin' on da streets again tanight."
Moneybags nodded, equally glad. "So, wheres ya wanna sell?" Lit'l Bit thought for a moment and then shrugged. Moneybags turned towards a main road, "Well, I'm sure dis way's as good as any." She said as they two girls set down the road, ready to sell.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Guys, dis ain't good," Illusion said as they reached the Distribution Center, ready to buy the evening edition. " We's been sellin' all day an' haven't seen any NML members. At least dat we's know of." The girls bought their papes and walked around.
" Maybe if we stick ta-gether, someone from da NML will notice us," suggested Legs.
" Yeah, Geri added.
Illusion nodded. "All right." They tried selling their papes together in a group. It wasn't very successful, but at least someone finally noticed them. A somewhat short girl with wavy brown hair and steel blue eyes approached them.
" NML?" she asked hesitantly. The girls looked relieved and nodded.
" I's Blizzard," the girl said.
The other five girls introduced themselves and then Illusion asked, "Have you's seen utter NML members?"
Blizzard laughed, "O' course! Der's a bunch o' us livin' in da Lodging House. I'll show you's where it is an' den you's can stay der ta-night."
Blizzard led the group of six to the Lodging House where they signed up with Gibby to stay. Blizzard turned to leave.
" Hey Blizzard," Illusion called.
" Yeah?"
" D'anks so much!" Blizzard smiled, nodded and left.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Windy and Bubblegum walked down the road.
" Wanna just walk 'round an' sell instead o' one specific spot?" Windy asked.
" Sure," Bubblegum nodded. They passed Luna and waved. Luna gave a half- smile but looked preoccupied. As the girls walked for about another minute, they saw Jack again, this time surrounded by a couple of the other newsboys. Bubblegum got excited as she saw Blink. "Maybe we's should go ovah der an' say hi."
" No, Bubblegum. We can't. Besides, I's sure Jack meets tons o' people every day. I doubt he's gonna remember us." Just then, Jack looked up and saw them and waved.
" Windy! Bubblegum! 'C'mere." Bubblegum grinned.
" Won't remember us huh?" Windy grinned back as they approached Jack.
" Hiya goils," he tuned to his friends. " Dese are da goils who was lost." Mush, Blink and David waved at them. Bubblegum opened her mouth to say something to Blink, but Windy kicked her. Jack introduced the guys. "Dis is Kid-Blink or Blink, Mush and David. We's all newsies. An' dis," he said turning towards the girls, " is Bubblegum an Windy. Dey're stayin' ovah at Gibby's place." Bubblegum nudged Windy and jerked her head over her shoulder when the guys weren't looking. Windy glanced back and saw Luna glaring at them.
" Er.fellas," Windy began, "It was great meeting' ya, but we's gotta go now."
" Yeah," Bubblegum nodded. Blink, Mush, Davey and Jack wave and said bye as the girls quickly walked as far away from Luna as they could get.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Five o'clock was getting closer and Sneaks wasn't done selling yet. She was trying to sell a paper to an elderly lady when she felt a hand on her shoulder. She turned around and saw Graft.
" C'mon. It's time ta go home," he smiled, pulling on her arm. Sneaks sighed. "Hang on. I's gotta find Dodge ta tell her." Graft folded his arms.
" All right, but hurry it up." Sneaks disappeared into the crowd. When she finally found Dodge, she grabbed her arm. Dodge jumped and screamed.
" Ah. it's only you. I's thought you's was da bulls."
Sneaks laughed, "I's gotta go now. Graft is here." Dodge nodded and Sneaks left the crowd. She walked for a second before turning around and shouting, "Be sure ta tell da utter's dat I went ta Brooklyn wit Graft so dey knows where I am."
"Okay!" Dodge called back.
"All right Graft, let's go." Sneaks was upset that she had to leave her selling partner, but at the same time she was excited that she was going to get to go to Brooklyn and very likely meet Spot Conlon. Sneaks and Graft started walking towards Brooklyn.
"So, uh. who's yer friend?" Da pale one wit da really long dark hair," Graft looked uneasy.
" Luna?"
" Yeah, I's think dat's 'er name."
" She's uh.pretty much in charge. Why? You's like 'er?" Graft grinned. "No! Just 'cause I asked someone's name don't mean I like 'em, yeah hear?" Sneaks laughed. She knew what was going on. When they got ta Brooklyn, Sneaks asked, "So uh.... where do I's stay?" Graft looked at her funny.
" What? Is dat supposed ta be funny? You's stay in da Lodging House like always."
" Er.oh yea. Uh.Graft?"
"What?"
" I uh. I's must be havin' a bad day o' something 'cause I's don't remembah where da Lodging House is." Graft sighed and looked at her.
" Well, I'll take ya der, but foist, I's gotta find Spot an' tell 'im 'bout some business wit Queens." Sneaks got excited. Now she was going to get to meet Spot!
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The girls all finished selling and headed back to the Lodging House. The girls who had to, paid Gibby, and everyone got ready for bed. Illusion lay awake thinking. It had been so awful sleeping out on the streets, even for one night. There were more than this many girls on the NML. Where were the others? And what would happen if they were found. The Lodging House couldn't fit that many more people. Illusion sighed and rolled over and fell asleep.
"Now can we's go find da lodging house?" Klutz asked.
"It ain't gonna do us much good ta find a lodging house when its daylight out an' we's could be finding da utter's," Moxie yawned getting up and stretching, sore for spending the night on the streets.
"All right, all right. But promise we's can find one later?" Klutz pleaded.
"Sure" Klutz, Lavender, Mix, and Moxie yawned and stretched. They had spent all night sleeping, or rather trying to sleep, in a cobblestone alley.
"Man," Lavender commented, "Those kids who slept on da statue in da movie make it look comfortable!" Mix had some money with her, so their plan was to buy some papes, and keep an eye out for fellow NML members as they sold.
" I don't wanna sell papes, I's too tired!" complained Lavender.
"We gotta." Said Moxie softly; "It's our only choice." The four of them got to the Distribution Center and bought their papes. Lavender decided to sell with Klutz. Mix would sell with Moxie and they would meet at the statue of Horace Greenly in an hour and a half. About an hour later, Mix and Moxie stumbled across two scared looking girls standing near where they were sellin. They weren't doing anything; just standing there whispering and looking terrified. Moxie approached them.
"NML?" she asked. The girls looked relieved. Finally the older-looking one nodded.
"I's Moneybags an' dis is Lit'l bit." Mix introduced herself and Moxie and then asked if there were any others.
Lit'l Bit shook her head. "We's didn't find nobody else. Where have you's guys been stayin?"
Moxie looked at the two girls, wondering but not asking where they had slept the night before.
"We's stayin at da Newsgoils Lodgin' House. You's can come dare wit us. We's hafta meet some friends, but den we'll be headin' back dat way." Mix checked the time. "We need ta be headin' towards da statue." The four girls set off towards the Horace Greenly statue, Moneybags and Lit'l bit looking exceptionally relieved.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Illusion woke up the group of girls who had stayed with her in the alley.
"C'mon you guys! Get up! We's gotta go find da utter's." Legs, Strider, Geri and Calliope all scrambled to their feet. They were anxious to find the other listees.
" So, what's da plan?" Calliope asked sleepily. She yawned and then sat down on a barrel. Illusion shrugged. Legs spoke up.
" I's think we's should go sell papes so we's can afford a place ta stay ta- night an' den look foah da utter's at da same time. Anybody got any money?" The girls all dug into their pockets looking for spare change that might have been left there. They all shook their heads until Strider pulled out a couple of coins and triumphantly held them up.
" I think I's got enough foah all of us ta buy some papes ta sell." The girls headed toward the distribution center and lined up. They looked around, but didn't see any girls who looked as if they could've come from the 21st century. Of course they didn't either, so it would be hard trying to find other NML members. The five of them bought their papes and then set out to sell.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"So Windy, where ya wanna sell?" Bubblegum asked, looking around trying to find some of the Manhattan Newsboys, but at the same time, not wanting to be in trouble with Luna if she slipped.
"Hmm." Windy thought, "Maybe we should try ta find dat place in da movie. Da one wit all da fighting an' stuff. Right befoah Snyder goes aftah 'em. Jack seemed ta sell lots of papes dare."
" Yeah, dat's a good idea," Bubblegum nodded as the two friends headed off in the direction of what they thought was going to be the boxing ring. It took them awhile to find since they had no idea in which direction it was going to be located. The movie hadn't really shown where it was. Eventually they found it, a small street filled with what appeared to look like 150 people crowded around watching a fight that had broken out in the small boxing ring that was set up. Windy approached a man, newspaper in hand.
"Excuse me, sir, would ya like ta buy a pape?" she asked. The man shoved her out of his view of the fight, knocking her to the ground. "Jerk," she muttered as Bubblegum helped her up.
" I's think dis is gonna be harder den it looks in da movie," Bubblegum sighed as the two girls continued to try and sell their papers. Throughout the day they moved around to different selling spots, occasionally running into other NML members. They had heard from Pretzel that they were supposed to meet back at the Lodging House at around noon or after they finished sellin'. At 11:30, Windy and Bubblegum headed back towards the Lodging House.
"Uh. Windy."
"Yeah?"
"I uh. don't remember where da lodging house is. I thought it was dis way, but we's been walking foah a while an' I haven't seen it."
"Oh no," Windy smacked herself in the head, "I thought dat you's knew where it was! I don't remember neider." They started searching around, but couldn't find any other NML members. Bubblegum sat down near a store and started crying. First she had to leave her family and now she was lost. Windy sat down next to her, tears silently streaming down her face.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"I's think dat Bubblegum an' Windy are missing, 'cause I's seen 'em 'round eleven, an' dey said dey would be coming," Sneaks sounded worried. "Maybe we's should go look foah dem." Luna stood up. She had come back from Brooklyn earlier than she expected to check on the girls and see how they were doing.
"Nobody's going nowhere. Plenty of da utter members didn't show up an' we didn't go looking foah dem. Besides, we still hafta sell da late edition so we's can afford ta stay here a'nutter night."
" But we's don't know 'bout da utter's who didn't get here. We's KNOW dat Bubblegum an' Windy was here," Cards pointed out.
" Whatever ya say," Luna sat back down. "Oh an' we's can't be talking 'bout da utter goils not getting here last night too loud. Dat might seem a little suspicious if Gibby walks in an' we's talking 'bout time-traveling." They heard footsteps and all fell silent. The door opened and six girls walked in. Various girls already in the Lodging House recognized them from reading descriptions of them in different fics.
"Hiya fellas," Moxie grinned. "How was sellin?" The girls who were already at the Lodging House smiled and waved.
"I's Moxie an' dis is Lavender, Klutz, Mix, Moneybags, an' Lit'l bit." The other girls went around the room introducing themselves.
"Where was ya fellas last night?" Luna asked.
" Eh, well, me, Lavender, Mix an' Klutz all found each utter an' den couldn't find da lodging house so we's slept on da streets. When we was sellin dis morning, we's found Moneybags an' Lit'l bit. There was some utters, Illusion, Legs, Strider, an' some utters I don't remember but dey didn't stick wit us. I's haven't seen 'em since."
Sneaks glanced at Moxie, "Hey Moxie, ya haven't seen Bubblegum an' Windy have ya?"
Moxie thought for a moment about the descriptions she had read of them on line, then slowly shook her head.
Luna faced the six new additions to the Lodging House, "Look, we's glad you's here, but dare's two things yea gotta remember. One is dat if you's happen ta see one of da boys, you's can't run up ta dem like you's known 'em yer whole life." Punky rolled her eyes. They had all heard this way too many times. Luna glared at Punky. "An' da utter thing is dat ya can't be talking 'bout how ya got here too loud as long as utter people are around. If Gibby hears ya, we could all be in big trouble. Gibby runs da joint" She added as an after thought. The six girls nodded and sat down on the floor.
"Are dare any bunks left" Moneybags asked timidly.
"Yeah," answered Hades, "But afta tanight, you's gotta pay Gibby ta stay."
"She told us." Mix answered.
Sneaks helped the girls get settled and frowned. "Guys I's still worried 'bout Windy and Bubblegum."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Windy stood up. "C'mon Bubblegum. Cryin' ain't gonna find us da Lodging House. We should keep looking. Hopefully we'll find it befoah it gets dark." She said staring at the setting sun.
" You's right," Bubblegum agreed before getting up. "Well, which way ya wanna go?"
" Let's go back da way we's came." They started walking down the road, the opposite way they had come. All of the sudden Bubblegum stopped.
"What's da mattah?" Windy stopped too, trying to see why her friend had stopped.
" Look!" Bubblegum pointed. "Is it just me or is dat Jack?!" she was excited. Ever since she got here, she'd been wanting to meet a newsie.
"Oh my gosh!" Windy stared, "It IS!" Bubblegum ran up to Jack without even thinking about what Luna had said.
"Oh my gosh! You's Jack Kelly!" All to late, she realized what she had said and tried to think of some way to cover it up. Jack looked at her strangely.
" Uh. how do you's know dat?" he glanced at Windy who was walking over.
"I uh." Suddenly it dawned on her. "I read da article 'bout ya in da papah! Yeah! Me friends an' I, we's all newsies, an' we really look up ta what you's guys did wit da strike an' everything!" Windy nodded.
" Yeah, we's uh. inspired."
Jack grinned. "Oh, well dat makes sense. I'm glad it uh. inspired you."
" So um.Jack," Bubblegum began, "We's was on our way back ta da Lodging House, but we uh..." She tried to think of something.
"We just switched Lodging Houses, an' we can't remember where our is. Would ya happen ta know? It's da one run by Gibby." Windy jumped in.
"O' course I's do!" Jack seemed happy to be able to help, "C'mon. I'll take ya dare." Bubblegum grinned and gave Windy a high-five. The two giggled. Jack looked at them.
" What, do I's look funny or something?" He grinned. "So whatta'ya names?" The three started walking as Bubblegum and Windy introduced themselves. They talked and soon, they were back at the Lodging House. "Well, bye." Jack called. The two girls waved and walked in. As soon as they walked in, Luna started in on them.
" WHERE have you's guys been? Everyone's been worried sick an' it's 'bout time ta start da evening edition!"
Windy stammered, "We, uh. we thought you's was in Brooklyn."
" Dat's besides da point! Where were ya guys?" The girls told their story, excluding the part with Jack. They didn't think Luna would be too happy about that. Sneaks ran up to them.
" I's glad you's okay!"
Bubblegum smiled. " I hafta tell ya something lata!" she whispered. The girls started to file out getting ready to sell the evening edition. Luna gave Windy and Bubblegum a funny look as she left.
A couple of the girls hung around to chat before heading out. Moxie, Mix, Moneybags, Klutz, Lit'l Bit and Lavender introduced themselves. Bubblegum hugged Klutz and Moxie, remembering chatting and Rping with them online, before the war started. "So what REALLY happened?" Moxie wanted to know.
"Yeah," the other girls chorused.
Windy grinned, "Well, Bubblegum here slipped an' runs up ta Jack going 'You's Jack Kelly' an' he showed us where da Lodging House was."
Sneaks shook her head. "Man, Luna's gonna soak you's guys."
Windy winked, "Luna is NOT gonna find out."
" Exactly," Bubblegum chimed in. Lavender pulled out a pocket-watch that had been switched with her nice 21st century watch. "Well guys, we's better get goin' if we's gonna sell some papes an' no one say a word to Luna 'bout what happened or she could kick. Windy an' Bubblegum out." Bubblegum looked worried.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Luna bought 30 papes and walked around yelling headlines. After selling a couple, she sat down and began to think. This wasn't how she had planned it. She didn't want to be here making sure a bunch of teenagers (well, mostly) follow the rules. She wanted to be in Brooklyn, living a life of excitement! When she went there today, she'd been disappointed. She didn't even find the famous Spot Conlon! Luna thought for a moment. She'd go there again in a couple days and she would find Spot no matter what!
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The nine girls who had stayed behind at the Lodging House approached the Distribution Center.
Sneaks sighed, "I don't want ta spend me money ta buy more papes. It was too hard earnin' it!"
Mix shook her head. "Yeah I know, but if we don't, Gibby won't let us stay tanight."
"Our foist night is tanight so we's don't have ta pay tanight." Lavender reminded them.
"Yeah, but Sneaks, Bubblegum, an' me stayed dare last night, so we's gotta pay." Windy pouted. The girls bought their papes and then split up to sell again. Some of the other NML members were still there. Sneaks sold with Dodge again; Bubblegum with Windy; Lit'l Bit with Moneybags; Moxie with Mix; and Lavender with Klutz.
Dodge and Sneaks decided they were gonna try pick-pocketing again so they headed towards a more crowded place where they wouldn't be noticed as easily. The other girls set off in separate directions.
Lit'l Bit turned to Moneybags, "I'm glad dey found us. At least we won't be sleepin' on da streets again tanight."
Moneybags nodded, equally glad. "So, wheres ya wanna sell?" Lit'l Bit thought for a moment and then shrugged. Moneybags turned towards a main road, "Well, I'm sure dis way's as good as any." She said as they two girls set down the road, ready to sell.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Guys, dis ain't good," Illusion said as they reached the Distribution Center, ready to buy the evening edition. " We's been sellin' all day an' haven't seen any NML members. At least dat we's know of." The girls bought their papes and walked around.
" Maybe if we stick ta-gether, someone from da NML will notice us," suggested Legs.
" Yeah, Geri added.
Illusion nodded. "All right." They tried selling their papes together in a group. It wasn't very successful, but at least someone finally noticed them. A somewhat short girl with wavy brown hair and steel blue eyes approached them.
" NML?" she asked hesitantly. The girls looked relieved and nodded.
" I's Blizzard," the girl said.
The other five girls introduced themselves and then Illusion asked, "Have you's seen utter NML members?"
Blizzard laughed, "O' course! Der's a bunch o' us livin' in da Lodging House. I'll show you's where it is an' den you's can stay der ta-night."
Blizzard led the group of six to the Lodging House where they signed up with Gibby to stay. Blizzard turned to leave.
" Hey Blizzard," Illusion called.
" Yeah?"
" D'anks so much!" Blizzard smiled, nodded and left.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Windy and Bubblegum walked down the road.
" Wanna just walk 'round an' sell instead o' one specific spot?" Windy asked.
" Sure," Bubblegum nodded. They passed Luna and waved. Luna gave a half- smile but looked preoccupied. As the girls walked for about another minute, they saw Jack again, this time surrounded by a couple of the other newsboys. Bubblegum got excited as she saw Blink. "Maybe we's should go ovah der an' say hi."
" No, Bubblegum. We can't. Besides, I's sure Jack meets tons o' people every day. I doubt he's gonna remember us." Just then, Jack looked up and saw them and waved.
" Windy! Bubblegum! 'C'mere." Bubblegum grinned.
" Won't remember us huh?" Windy grinned back as they approached Jack.
" Hiya goils," he tuned to his friends. " Dese are da goils who was lost." Mush, Blink and David waved at them. Bubblegum opened her mouth to say something to Blink, but Windy kicked her. Jack introduced the guys. "Dis is Kid-Blink or Blink, Mush and David. We's all newsies. An' dis," he said turning towards the girls, " is Bubblegum an Windy. Dey're stayin' ovah at Gibby's place." Bubblegum nudged Windy and jerked her head over her shoulder when the guys weren't looking. Windy glanced back and saw Luna glaring at them.
" Er.fellas," Windy began, "It was great meeting' ya, but we's gotta go now."
" Yeah," Bubblegum nodded. Blink, Mush, Davey and Jack wave and said bye as the girls quickly walked as far away from Luna as they could get.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Five o'clock was getting closer and Sneaks wasn't done selling yet. She was trying to sell a paper to an elderly lady when she felt a hand on her shoulder. She turned around and saw Graft.
" C'mon. It's time ta go home," he smiled, pulling on her arm. Sneaks sighed. "Hang on. I's gotta find Dodge ta tell her." Graft folded his arms.
" All right, but hurry it up." Sneaks disappeared into the crowd. When she finally found Dodge, she grabbed her arm. Dodge jumped and screamed.
" Ah. it's only you. I's thought you's was da bulls."
Sneaks laughed, "I's gotta go now. Graft is here." Dodge nodded and Sneaks left the crowd. She walked for a second before turning around and shouting, "Be sure ta tell da utter's dat I went ta Brooklyn wit Graft so dey knows where I am."
"Okay!" Dodge called back.
"All right Graft, let's go." Sneaks was upset that she had to leave her selling partner, but at the same time she was excited that she was going to get to go to Brooklyn and very likely meet Spot Conlon. Sneaks and Graft started walking towards Brooklyn.
"So, uh. who's yer friend?" Da pale one wit da really long dark hair," Graft looked uneasy.
" Luna?"
" Yeah, I's think dat's 'er name."
" She's uh.pretty much in charge. Why? You's like 'er?" Graft grinned. "No! Just 'cause I asked someone's name don't mean I like 'em, yeah hear?" Sneaks laughed. She knew what was going on. When they got ta Brooklyn, Sneaks asked, "So uh.... where do I's stay?" Graft looked at her funny.
" What? Is dat supposed ta be funny? You's stay in da Lodging House like always."
" Er.oh yea. Uh.Graft?"
"What?"
" I uh. I's must be havin' a bad day o' something 'cause I's don't remembah where da Lodging House is." Graft sighed and looked at her.
" Well, I'll take ya der, but foist, I's gotta find Spot an' tell 'im 'bout some business wit Queens." Sneaks got excited. Now she was going to get to meet Spot!
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The girls all finished selling and headed back to the Lodging House. The girls who had to, paid Gibby, and everyone got ready for bed. Illusion lay awake thinking. It had been so awful sleeping out on the streets, even for one night. There were more than this many girls on the NML. Where were the others? And what would happen if they were found. The Lodging House couldn't fit that many more people. Illusion sighed and rolled over and fell asleep.