Disclaimer-I don't own the newsies or any of that Disney stuff. My disclaimer-I do own Spencer, Ace, Crash, Soda Pop, and any other character of mine that has shown up. Please, if you want to use them, ask. I will probably let you. In fact, I'd be honored that you liked them so much but you still have to ask. A/N-I temporarily quit my job because I'm 14 years old and was working 14 hour days. Not legal at all, so for the time being I'll try to write as much as possible.

I crossed my arms and kept my eyes on the ground as Race continued to speak. Why did I want to stay here? He obviously didn't want me. His attention switched to my own face. "Spence? What's wrong?"
I frowned. "Nothing. Not that you would care."
He growled. "Fine. I won't ask no more."
"You've changed to much Racetrack. It's not fair! I don't know what I'm doing or where I am!"
He grabbed my shoulders and led me off about ten yards. "I changed? Youse da classy goil runnin around wit Spot Conlon!"
"I didn't run around with him like that! I needed help and he gave it. I know its rare for him to care like that but he did! Now, despite the fact that he's drunk, I'm going back with him!"
I turned on my heel and ran to Ace. "Ace? Can I come stay with you guys? I don't want to be here and since Spot is in no condition to make the decision...?"

Ace smirked. "He's always been da heavy drinker. Yeah, ya can stay but tomorrow when Spot get's da hangovah...expect da woist."
"I promise. I would have anyway."
Ace took her arm. "I'll take ya home. I can't handle alcohol an' I don't trust dem."
She smiled. "Thanks."
He walked down the street and she followed. It was quiet...to quiet for Spencer. "Ace? How did you and Spot become newsies?"
He glanced toward me and shook his head. "I usually don't tell no one dis so just...don't say anything 'bout it latah. Awright?"
I nodded but thought. How bad could it possibly be? Not bad enough to swear the two brothers into silence. Or was it?
Ace took a deep breath. "Originally dere was six of us. Michael, Mercy, Jeremy, me, Rebecca, and Aaron. Our Mother got put in da hospital aftah Jeremy an' Mercy were born. She wasn't supposed ta have any oddah kids. She got a 'lil bettah an' went home. About three months latah, she was pregnant with me. She got bettah again but didn't end up pregnant until I was 9. Then she had Rebecca and Aaron. Through da whole thing we was at home wit dad. He blamed my muddah's illness on us and beat up on us a lot. Michael joined up wit da army an' left home, Mercy took ta da streets an' I'm still lookin' for her. Jeremy and I ended up wit da newsies but Rebecca and Aaron were in an orphanage. Dey were adopted last year. As far as I know my muddah is still in da hospital."
"How bad did he beat up on you?"
"Bad enough ta scar Jem's back."
My eyes widened. "What did he hit you with?!"
"Me? His fists. Jem...anything around him includin his fists."
My stomach turned. "That's why Spot is so cold. I'm sorry Ace."
He shrugged and looked up. We had reached the Brooklyn lodging house. I opened the door but Ace grabbed my arm. "Don't tell him I told ya..."
"I won't..." With that statement I ran up the steps to the room I had stayed in the night before. I locked the door behind me. With Spot as drunk as he was, I didn't trust him.

Skipper woke me up the next morning. "C'mon. We have ta sell."
I rolled off the bed, groaning, and got dressed. Then I stumbled down the steps, right into Spot. I jumped backwards. "Ummm..."
"Hey Snapper. Look...uhh...last night. I don't know what I was thinkin'. An' I really didn't mean ta do it."
I smirked. "Are you trying to apologize Jeremy Conlon?"
He frowned and pushed past me. "Nevah."
I crossed my arms. "Fine. Just be the egotistical, spoiled brat that you are!"
Spot's fists clenched. He couldn't soak a girl...at least not in front of the boys. It would muck up his reputation. "Take dat back."
"Never."
"I shoulda sent ya back ta damn Jake Pulitzer! Let him deal wit a high class bitch like you!"
Ace came up behind me. "Jem, ya sound like Patrick."
Spot's eyes flashed and he was immediately down the stairs holding Ace against the wall. "I'll nevah sound like him! I'm not like him!"
Ace shoved him away. "Ya getting damn close Jeremy!"
Spot growled and stormed out the door. Ace grabbed my shoulder. "You okay?"
"Yes...I'm fine. Who's Patrick?"
"My dad."
"Wow you must have really pissed him off."
"I did. He'll get ovah it. Oh well."