*bounces* hallo! yesh, i'm still updating... i feel so bad for not updating for so long. there were so many things that were going on the past week that i didn't have time to write at all. :P but let me grace you with a new chapter! the POV for this one will be jumping all around, but it'll be indicated, so don't worry. ^^

~*~

POV: Snooza, Ears, Ershey (separately)

Day: December 25, 1900

Time: 8:30 PM

~*~

Snooza.

It was never this crowded in here before.

Well, maybe it was because of the fact that I haven't been here for a few months. But do you really think that a church was going to change? Hmm… well, maybe there's more to it than that. That, and the fact that it's Christmas Eve. I'm not saying that I'm not religious at all or anything, this just came as a habit for me ever since Race dragged me to church those times when we needed peace and quiet. Who would've thunk that it was going to stick with me after all these years?

But that's not the point. I couldn't help but stop in my tracks when I saw what was before me. The church wasn't exactly the most impressive or remarkable building that you would pass by. People usually just pass by it. I always used to.

There was a small stage set up right in front of the rows of benches for people to sit on. There was a tattered and torn dark red curtain, which served as a barrier for the entrance of whoever was going to appear. Besides the stage, there were wreaths strewn up everywhere.

It really doesn't look the same in here.

I guess I got to accept the fact that weird things happen during Christmas because my night just keeps on getting weirder and weirder…

"Snooza?"

…and guess who I saw? I turned around to face the one person I didn't expect coming in here at all.

"Blink?" I said, my eyes widening with shock. "What are you doing here?"

"I… um…" muttered Blink.

Goodness, is it just me or does he look extra cute.

"You came here to watch the show?"

"Er, yeah!"

I told you. Weird.

"But I heard that it won't be starting for a while…" continued Blink.

Yay! That means I still have time to do what I came here for.

"That's good then, I still needed to do some things before--."

"I'll help you," said Blink a little bit too quickly.

"I'm sure I'll be fine…"

Now where were those stands with the little candles on it? Is it there or…?

"I'm a big girl," I joked, still noticing Blink following me along the rows of benches and the crowd of people. "I can light candles by myself."

"Light candles?" said Blink curiously.

Ah! There it is!

No wonder it took me forever to find it! They moved it near the entrance of the church. Probably because of the stage that they had built. Goodness, it was right there and I didn't even notice it.

"Yup. I always do every year during Christmas."

"Geez, so that's where you run off to every Christmas Eve?"

"Yeah," I said, chuckling and reaching for a candle. "What'd you think I was doing?"

"Y'know… goin' off somewhere with Pie…"

"Blink!"

Geez.

"What?!" said Blink, raising his hands in the air. "What else was I supposed to think?"

"That I was off to buy things for Kloppman? Visit Spot? I don't know!"

Out of all the things he had to bring up, it just had to be Pie.

"What'd you do to him anyway?" asked Blink as he took an unlit candle just like I did from the bunch before us.

Did I tell you that you don't get any privacy in the lodging house? Well, you don't.

"I didn't do anything to him… just a little pay back for what he did to me."

Now what I needed was to light my candle, but when I'm usually doing that, I'm muttering some prayer for this Christmas. But I can't do that when I'm talking to Blink, can I? So I just stood there, candle in hand.

Blink shrugged. "Alright then. Whatever you say."

Eh?

He didn't want to know?

Now THAT was surprising.

Y'know… maybe he ain't that bad… I mean, I haven't really talked to him since forever if you think about it ever since I've been with Pie. Sure, there's his eye-patch, but I can live with that. I'm practically used to it by now. Then, I never noticed the way he smiled and…

"So… what do we do with these candle things?" asked Blink, breaking the silence as he waved the candle in front of me.

Oh yeah. Candles. Heh.

"Um… I usually just light one, say a prayer, take a moment, then just go back to my business. It's a little habit I do."

Look at the candles. Look at the candles. 'Cause if I look at him then I'll… ooh, smile.

What? I can't help it!

I turned my attention towards the bunch of candles before me, some unlit, some already lit. I put the edge of my candle on a lit candle, causing it to glow. Now, for the prayer…

Thanks. Thanks so much for all that happened to me this year up until this Christmas. There were times when I just wanted to collapse, but I was so grateful for the people that surrounded me and helped me up when I needed it.

Argh. What else is there to say? Goodness, just standing next to Blink is already distracting me…

Thank you, God, for what I have. Thank you for the blessings you have given me each day… and the people that I meet and find…

I guess that does about it.

I turned to look at Blink, his candle was already lit, and it seemed that he already said his prayer. Does he even say prayers?

But that wasn't what caught my attention. I have no idea what it was. Probably the fact that it was Christmas, or that we were in a church, or that I'm not with Pie, or that this Christmas just seemed so different, Blink just seemed so… different. Different in a GOOD way!

I mean, the way that the candles just flickered across his face when he leaned to put the candle back, then turning and giving me a smile (that I thought was absolutely charming) was just completely unforgettable.

He walked towards me and whispered, "Show's starting, let's go get good seats…"

I swear, I think I felt a tingle.

Music played throughout the church and the curtain slowly opened.

Oh. My. Goodness.

That was a sight to behold.

.Ears.

It's Christmas.

Christmas!

Okay, that didn't work.

I know I shouldn't doubt Mush at all, he's the sweetest guy out of all the newsies here in Manhattan, but I just can't help feeling that something's up. He also acted so normal when I stopped by the lodging house today, so it can't be such a big deal, right?

Grah. I need someone to talk to!

I know that Ershey and I volunteered performing for this church during Christmas Eve, but I didn't exactly warm up to people as much as she did.

I was happy that I got this part. Mary. Hah. Who would've thunk?

The thing is, they won't be seeing a newsie up there on the stage. That's what costumes and makeup can do to you. Also the fact that you can't be yourself when you're acting.

Be Mary. Be Mary. Be Mary.

Everything has to go the way it's planned…

Goodness, Ears, why'd you have to follow Mush and eavesdrop in their conversation?!

"Ershey!" I shouted, as I saw a dark brown head poking from out of the corner of the room. "How come you ain't dressed yet? You were supposed to--."

"Sorry, Ears, I'm in a rush right now so, I'll talk to you later!" yelled Ershey, running past me with a boy I haven't seen before.

Or wait. Have I? He looks familiar…

Well, at least Ershey's here… but I just can't help it if I'm curious about what's going on with Mush, right? I'm his girlfriend for crying out loud!

That's it.

Right when I get off this stage, I'm going to talk to him.

.Ershey.

"Okay, this has gotten a little too far, so if you can just TELL ME where we're going…" muttered Michael angrily.

Goodness, the guy's still polite even though he's mad. Is that even possible?

"We're almost there! Honest!"

"Sure," scoffed Michael. "That's what you said back at the lodging house when you said you weren't going to touch me!"

"Hey, I just poked you!"

Ack. I'm late…

"Ershey! How come you ain't dressed yet? You were supposed to--."

Nuh-uh, Ears, no time to talk!

"Sorry, Ears, I'm in a rush right now, so I'll talk to you later!"

"ERSHEY!" shouted Michael over the crowds of voices as I ran to get my costume.

"What?" I whined, taking the bundle of clothes in my arms.

"I can figure as much that you need to go on stage in a couple of minutes…" said Michael, smirking at me.

Smirking. Is that a good thing?

"You're a quick one, Mikey, now if we can just go…"

"I ain't moving until you listen to me," said Michael sternly, firmly taking a hold of my shoulders so that I was unable to move.

Grah.

"Y'know, I'm blaming you when all the little kids look up at the stage and say… isn't there supposed to be an angel up there?"

Staring.

Okay, I'll stop babbling.

"There'll be an angel up there, don't worry about it," said Michael, still keeping a serious face.

"ERSHEY! GET DRESSED UP!"

"I'M COMING!!!" I shouted. "Can you make it quick--."

"Since you dragged me around all day, I think I deserve as much to drag you around all day…"

"Hey! I don't want you going all ape on me!"

I've seen those pictures in those books! They have men holding women by the hair and…

"That's not what I meant."

"Then what did you mean? I'm an angel, y'know? I can poke you to death with my little…"

Michael took a step back.

Hahaha. What? It's a habit!

"Okay, okay! But am I going back with you after this? I mean…"

"I know you're kind of scared about Race and those guys, but they'll be alright when you get to know them. They ain't exactly friendly when they see you beating up Jack. Especially since he's the Manhattan leader and all…"

He sighed, looking at me, scratching the back of his neck.

Hold on. Does he seem… cute to you?

AH! WAIT! NO!

MushMushMushMush!!!

But… he's already taken… ah, the joys of love.

"But don't worry about it. It'll be fine as long as I'm there."

"As long as you're there?"

"Of course."

"That'd be great, then."

I turned, for once, leaving Michael by himself. But what was I to do? I had to change for goodness' sakes! I couldn't bring him along with me! It didn't take me long to find a closet where I can change.

I stepped out of the closet, dressed in my angel costume.

"I'M DRESSED!" I shouted.

"Don't… shout…" whispered Ears, who suddenly appeared behind me. "We're almost on."

"Almost? Isn't it past time already?"

"I know… but there's something wrong…"

"What?"

"Connor isn't here…"

Ah. Connor. He was supposed to play Joseph.

"Wait. So there's no Joseph?!"

"WE HAVE A PROBLEM!" shouted Alicia, our director. "THERE'S NO JOSEPH!"

"What did you say about shouting?" I muttered to Ears.

She gave me shrug, but before I could hear what she said, a sudden idea came into my head.

Hahah.

Ershey, you're just too smart.

"Uh… Ershey… why you looking at me?" said Michael, giving me a curious look.

~*~

Shout-outs

azn-kimmi: hahaah, yup, you do! hope you're liking it so far! ^^

Sapphy: yeah, that'd be awesome... instead of those weird, scary, stalker ones. hahah. you HAVE to admit that swifty's kinda cute. *wink* not that i'm saying mush ain't or antying! hahah.

JustDuck: lol! y'know what? i loved your review! hahah, i just kept on cracking up when i read it. see? *bounces* everythin' works out! sapphy gets to be with race... you get to be with skittery and striker gets to be with spot. it's all hunky-dory! *ahem* i mean, happy. ^^

spot-the-emu: yes, stalkers aren't good. i had one last year. the guy was freaking me out. :P it didn't help either that he was in all of my classes. but yes, swifty is the cutest stalker. haha. i'm perfect at you? lol! who would've thunk? ooh, and i really liked the first chap of legacy that came out! ^^ you MUST put it up here on ff.net!

Frenchygoil: OOH YEAH! the valentines ball! goodness, it was SO much fun! that night, all my worries went away 'cause i was so happy that i was with him. and he acted like such a nice date. he even dressed to match me! *whispers* pink blouse! lmao. he sat next to me, gave me hugs, took pictures, and everything. y'know, that was the most fun valentines day i ever had. *ahem* but ANYWAYS! hahaha. ack, yes, costelos... i'm having a bit of trouble with that, but I AM sitll writing. ^^ hope i answered some of your questions this time!

deanie: Yeah, thanks for helping me think of something! or making me think of something! hahah. if you didn't say anything about it, my character would've probably been just around... hahah. cute in a confused way? *raises eyebrow* lol, is that a good thing or a bad thing?