Disclaimer: I don't own Newsies, Medieval Times, or any other media references I may make.

Chapter 14

Skittery's PoV

People are very easily distracted. One second they're all staring at Specs and Dutchy and the next they've taken to dancing and conversing. From what I hear it's not about Specs or Dutchy either.

"Skittery, do you want to dance?" asked Pidge again.

"I said, no."

"How 'bout with me?" asked Touch.

"No, I don't want to dance with anyone! We're going to get in trouble to begin with. We shouldn't even have a DJ here!"

Swifty glared discreetly in my direction but I ignored him.

"Touch isn't supposed to be dancing either, we're playing pool," Arrow appeared at Touch's side and pulled her back to the pool table where David and Jack were waiting.

"Whee!" Pigeon had disappeared from my side and was waltzing around the floor with Granny. They were both laughing madly.

"Spot, get your hand off my butt!" exclaimed Ireland and she giggled and he rose his hand to her waist.

All around me people were laughing and having fun. I realized with a 'wet blanket' I really am. Have I always been this uptight? I don't remember, I just try to be serious in a working condition.

"C'mon Skitts, we're not actually working here!" Rubix called from across the room as if reading my thoughts. "Have some fun! Ask someone to dance."

"We're in a workplace, that's as bad as working. Don't mix business and pleasure!" I shot back grumpily.

Rubix stuck her tongue back out at me and turned back to where she was playing cards with Racetrack (who was looking very displeased) and Sapphy.

I'm not uptight! I'm just hard working.

From behind someone planted a wet kiss on my neck.

"Ew, what was that for?" I turned to face Touch and Pidge.

"Aw, Skittery, you're so funny. Live a little!" Touch exclaimed. The two of them grabbed my arms and pulled me out onto the floor.

This is wrong. We shouldn't be dancing here. It's not the right place for dancing. The right place would be a designated dancing area, like a club or a large banquet hall with a dance floor. Not here. I'm just scared of what will happen when Pulitzer finds out.

Jack's PoV

"Touch," groaned Arrow, leaning her pool cue against the table. "We're supposed to be playing pool. You started the game and everything!"

Touch didn't answer because she was too busy dancing around with Skittery and Pigeon.

"I'll be your partner Arrow," offered Shooter, abandoning her game against Magic and turning to our table. David looked positively horrified.

"No changing partners," he said stiffly.

"What's wrong? Shooter can play if she wants," I said, confused at David's objection.

David shook his head and muttered just loud enough for me to hear, "OK, but you're going tom regret this."

Shooter took up her cue and aimed for the seven ball. With ease she knocked it in the corner pocket. "Five in the side pocket," she said next and followed though with her prediction. David was right; if this game continued the way it was going so far we wouldn't even get a shot at the table.

Arrow looked pleased at the turn of events, completely having recovered from Touch abandoning the game.

While we waited for Shooter and David to clear the table I tried to make conversation. "So, how're you?"

"I'm fine," she said, not in a very friendly way at all. Arrow is never very friendly; she seems to have a thing against me. "You?"

"It's good. I really enjoy working here. Can you believe that I've only been riding three years before this?" I asked light-heartedly.

Arrow stiffened and looked angry. "Really?" she almost hissed. "I've been riding a lot longer than that. Since grade seven at least."

I could tell she wasn't trying to make light conversation or to be friendly. There was a cold way about the way she spoke that made me feel like I'd said the wrong thing.

"Really? That's really long. You really love riding, don't you?" I tried to sound friendly and not challenging, maybe she didn't like to be challenged.

A very short blonde girl appeared at Arrow's side. "Hi, who're you?"

"I'm...uh...Jack," I said, taken aback by the sudden turn of conversation.

"Oh, hi, I'm Pinch." Strange, she seems to know her way around but I'd never seen her before. "I work in the kitchens," she explained.

Following behind her slowly is David's sister, Sarah. They must work together back there I realize.

"What're we talking about?" Pinch asked next.

"Riding," said Arrow, glaring at me.

What the hell did I do wrong?

"Arrow's been riding as long as I have! We've known each other since grade three!" exclaimed Pinch who I now classify as being extremely perky, almost the opposite of the gloomy Arrow.

Arrow, though grumpy and disapproving of me, I like. She has a way of luring you in and even when she's mad at you makes it appear that she's interested in what you're saying. Maybe it's because she takes in everything and struggles not to miss a detail.

"Really? Since grade three?" I didn't bother to ask why Pinch isn't riding; I might have received a more vicious glare from Arrow if I did.

"We win!" cried Shooter, jumping up and down as if to rub it in our faces.

I glance at the table and realize that she must have messed up once because the number of balls we had were noticeably diminished. David, before this, I though was a pool shark. I guess he's found his match in Shooter, the girl can play.

"Want to dance?" Pinch asked me. I looked at Arrow for a minute, as if daring her to object. She just looked away so I followed Pinch onto the floor. What exactly does she have against me?

((OK, first off I apologize to Pinch who I know doesn't like Jack. Second I laugh at Skittery being forced to dance. Go review! Now!))

Shoutouts:

Rubix the cube- Buckles got scared when she read your review. She didn't want to be whelped.

Fantasy3- I still am not sure exactly where I'm going either. Things will work out...I hope.

Strawberri Shake- Buckles gets sad when she's bad...heh heh heh, rhyming is fun—anyways, she doesn't mean to be like that, but if you meet her you'd know it's the truth. Honest. And Mush being even the slightest bit evil is shexy! It gives him flavour!

Madison Square- I'm seriously thinking of changing to genre to humour because it doesn't really fit the current one.

Sapphy- do you think he'd get points taken off for the eye patch?

Bobcat:Slashgoil- that 'Blink being a slut' fic could work. I'd review! I'd be good for laughs...or just insane drama.

Written Sparks- I've never blackmailed anyone before...although I'm sure I could. (runs off to scheme)

Cassies-Grandma- though I'm very proud of you turning 14 (sings hurried version of 'Happy Birthday') watch out in those mosh pits! What if you get hurt? (breaks into hysterics) I only say this because I care. But concerts, especially REAL band ones, friggin rock! Way to...uh...taste life! Yeah! Go me and that sudden burst of encouragement!

Ireland O'Reily- school's out for me in three weeks, one of which is a trip and two days of which are dance/grad-like-thingy. I love English! Even the projects! But, anyways, I don't think Mush actually has anything against Dutchy and Specs, he's just conniving and evil. Yum!

BrooklynGrl- what if he wore a Speedo? Ha ha ha, funny. And I think I've always hated Justin. I didn't even dive into the N'Sync thing. (shiver)

Almatari-of-Arda- you've never been blackmailed, don't pretend like you have.

SparkS- Jaime IS mean. And go change your skirt, we don't want it falling off, now do we?

Now, overall to anyone who wants. If there was Mr America, who would wn out of the newsies? I guess in each section, bathing suit, evening wear, queation and answer, talent, and whatever else. Thanks!!! (I'm just curious)