Disclaimer: Nope STILL don't own Newsies! I do own Knots though! Brandie Foster is owned by C.M Higgins.

Brandie woke up Knots at 4:30 A.M.

"C'mon!" She said "You've got half an hour before breakfast."

Knots was surprised to find herself laying in the window seat. She groggily got up and got dressed. She put on her own shoes instead of the ones she had been given yesterday.

" That's not a good idea." Brandie said as Knots was tying her laces.

" Why? Can't I wear my own shoes?"

" No. If she sees those she'll take them. You'll also get hit."

" Hit!?!"

" Yea you know like on the knuckles with a ruler."

" They hit at this school?"

" Yea. Hard too. I've had experience."

Knots had never been hit before in her life. She came close to it one time though. Her and Jack were selling papers together and a man came up to her all mad saying she called out a false head line. When she refused to sell the paper back the man raised his hand as though he was going to slap her. Before he could do anything Jack grabbed the man's hand and then punched him in the stomach. He was always there looking out for her.

"Hurry up. You don't want to be late. Believe me." Brandie said.

Knots put on the shoes that Ms. Brownfield gave her yesterday.

" You have to wear your hair in two braids, like me." Brandie said helping her start to braid her hair.

After Knots's hair was braided the two girls went downstairs for breakfast.

Knots liked having hot meal for breakfast, she never had before.

After breakfast it was time for class.

She got through her classes without causing a disruption. That is until it was time for etiquette class.

The girls were being taught how to drink tea properly. They were sipping from small delicate china glasses. Unfortunately for Knots, she was being extra clumsy today, tripping twice already.

" Alright ladies pinkies out." Ms. Brownfield said. She was their etiquette teacher.

As Knots was lifting the cup to her mouth she accidentally dropped it and it shattered on the floor.

The room fell silent and all the girls were staring at her.

" You stupid girl!" Ms. Brownfield yelled. "You are going to see the head master for your punishment!" She said as she pulled Knots up from her chair by one of her braids.

Knots was led hurriedly to the headmasters office. The whole time Ms. Brownfield didn't let go of her hair. When she got to the office Ms. Brownfield told Mr. Markson what she had done and then left the room closing the door behind her.

" Ah Lauren." Mr. Markson said. "So you have been causing trouble."

" It was an accident, honest." Knots stammered.

" Accident or not you did what you did and you will be punished."

"I'm sorry. Really."

" I bet you are. Just because I have a special relationship with your mother I'm not going to give you any special treatment."

Knots saw Mr. Markson look for something in his desk. He pulled out a stick like object.

Knots was hit for the first time in her life.

Knots tried to be strong while getting hit but she couldn't help the fact that tears were flowing down her cheek.

" You may return to your room for the rest of the day. You are not allowed to have any supper. I will inform Ms. Brownfield of your punishment." Mr. Markson said when he was done hitting her.

Knots turned on her heel and walked out the door. When she got to her room she collapsed on her bed and started to cry.

A few hours later Brandie walked into the room.

"Oh Knots." She winced.

She walked over to the bed and showed something to Knots.

Here I have something that will make it feel better. Brandie had a washcloth that had been soaked in ice cold water. She put the washcloth on Knot's wound.

" Thank you." She said trying to stop crying.

Knots sat up to talk to brandie.

" It was an accident I swear." She sobbed

" I know. I think they like to hit here. Like they get some kind of pleasure from it."

" Brandie."

" Yea Knots?"

" We're gonna get outta here. We've gotta find some way to escape. We can hop the back of a train and go to New York. I don't care about anything anymore. They can hit me all they want but I'm leaving...somehow."

" Ok. Lets work on a plan. I'll go with you."

"Thanks." Knots said wiping her eyes and hugging Brandie.

Ok that was kind of a weird chapter I know. I hope you liked it though. I will probably have another chapter up by...well really soon. Yay!

Milkshake: Thanks for always reviewing girl! Love ya!