Keep your head and everything will be cool

You didn't have to make me feel like a fool

When I try to say I feel the way that I do

I want to talk to you

And make it load and clear

though you don't care to hear

Honor laughed as she ran, snaking in and out of the crowds that had gathered to watch the boxing match. Her auborn braid smacked people as she spun and randomly changed directions, ducking in and out of the alleys the she knew so well and becoming flushed with the thrill.

"Honah!" Locks called, stopping at the realization that she had lost him. He shook his head with a smile, then turned in a circle to survey the surroundings. "Can't be dat fah away…"

Honor dropped down from the roof where she had been watching the tall boy turn in three complete circles, holding her giggles inside as to not be discovered. She landed nearly right on top of the sweating, tired boy, knocking them both to the ground amidst the excitement of pretzel peddlers and betting men.

"Got ya again!" She penned him playfully, wisps falling from her messy braid as she looked down at him. Locks smiled back up at her, his gray eyes penetrating her and his tiredness showing, not that he wanted her to know. Before he could think, the girl was up again. "Are ya gonna jus' lay theah?" She mocked him with her perfect grin as he lazily made his way to his feet.

"Honah can we tawk?" He asked almost sheepishly, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly. Honor paused, her heart racing already from running and exerting herself, but then she rolled her eyes.

"Don't get awl serious on me." She turned and started for home, Locks in tow.

Couldn't I just tell you the way I feel

I can't keep it bottled up inside

And could we pretend that it's no big deal

And there's really nothing left to hide

"I see ya bet an' I'll raise ya 2 bits." Honor announced, throwing in her money. The boys looked impressed with her matchless confidence and, one by one, they folded and sat back to see the results of the game.

"Well, whatta ya got, Honah?" Spot demanded, obviously a bit upset that he was the only boy brave enough to take her on.

"Royal flush!" Honor exclaimed, throwing her cards down triumphantly and pulling the pile of money to herself. Locks watched this from his bunk where he lounged, his mind wandering hopelessly as the girl haunted him. Why did he feel like he was hiding something? Something that was too big to keep a secret for long?

Something sure doesn't seem right to me

When you can turn your back whenever you please

And you stroll away and calmly bid me adieu

Why can't I talk with you

And put it in your ear though you don't care to hear

Hear me out

The sun slowly sunk into the East River, the clouds swirling lazily in the sky as a breeze washed over the boy that leaned against a railing of the Brooklyn Bridge in silence. Locks looked over at Honor, who sat on the railing unafraid of losing her balance. The way her hair blew so absently, and yet only added to her perfected beauty.

"Honah…evah think 'bout…ya know…us?" He asked carefully, trying to make it sound as if "us" was a joke. It was to everyone else, the newsies always teased them about being like a married couple…but both denied having feelings for the other. Locks was sure that Honor wasn't lying.

"No." Honor replied evenly, not looking at him before sliding down and turning her back on him to walk home. "Tawk to ya latah, Locksy." She called calmly over her shoulder as though he'd just told her something drastically boring about the weather. Why did she always walk away?

Why don't you lend me an ear

You've got no reason to fear

I'll make it perfectly clear

I love you

"Why won't ya jus' listen to me?" Locks asked angrily, though not threateningly as Honor kept her face turned away from him, the tears slipping down her cheeks unknown to Locks.

"You don't undahstand." She shook her head slowly. "I can't listen to ya. Jus…let it go, Locks." She pleaded before disappearing into the washroom. Locks sunk to the bunk in defeat, not understanding why she was so afraid to just listen to what he had to say when she couldn't possibly know what it was he would tell her. He wanted to scream it, to belt it out, to make it perfectly clear just exactly how he felt…but she didn't want it. Not at all.

I don't come whining with my heart on my sleeve

I'm not a coward if that's what you believe

And I'm not afraid but not ashamed if it's true

I got to talk with you

And then I'll make it clear

"Shut up an' listen at me." Locks demanded as he entered the washroom to find her in front of the mirror, just staring at herself. Honor didn't have the opportunity to argue, for the look in Locks' eyes warned her not to interrupt. "I've nevah come whining' to ya wid my heart on my sleeve…an' I ain't no coward. You know dat, Annalise. But ev'rytime I get da courage at say these things to you, ya toin me away and shut me down. I ain't ashamed of how I feel, but I'm jus' tryin' ta make it cleah to ya…"

"Locks.." Honor attempted to stop him as her tears started flowing again.

"I love you, Annalise Wintahs." Locks stated as he rose his voice, "Whethah ya like it or not!" Honor was silenced, and shocked. Once she took in the words and was sure she hadn't misheard, she threw her arms around his neck and cried softly against him.

"I thought you were gonna say…" She gasped out between sobs, about to reveal her fear.

"It don't mattah now, Lise." Locks kissed her head, holding her close and relishing the feel of her in his arms. "Nothin' mattahs but you an' me. So what's it gonna be?"

"Not you an' me." Honor pulled away slightly to smile up at him. "Us."