Yay! I'm back again. Only because this is written in my notebook and I wanted the first few chapters up ASAP. I have like four written, working on the fifth. So I think only two for now because I would like to get some reviews, see what everyone thinks. Like I said earlier, the plot will be going NOWHERE for a while. Around the fifth chapter you'll see the changes. All right so on with the chapter.

Just as the last bell rang, Samantha skidded into a classroom and closed the door behind her with a BANG. The teacher at the blackboard and the fifteen other people at the shabby wooden desks looked up at her. She smiled nervously and walked to her assigned desk.

"Almost, Hart, almost. You're lucky I don't count you tardy right now."

"Sorry, Ms. Blackwell." Samantha apologized, slightly out of breath. She sat down in her seat and placed her books in front of her and her lunch pail down by her feet. Before continuing to write on the board, Ms. Blackwell did a double take.

"What is that disgusting thing on your head, Hart?" Samantha gingerly fingered the tip of Lucky's hat, forgetting that she was still wearing it.

"My best friend's hat." Ms. Blackwell wrinkled her nose.

"Well take it off, you know the rules." Ms. Blackwell waved her hand impatiently like she was shooing away a fly. Samantha blinked.

"But it's a lucky hat. I can't take it off otherwise the luck will break. Plus I'll probably loose it and if I do that my friend will never speak to me again." Samantha rambled. The class had gone silent. No one had ever stood up to a teacher before, especially Ms. Blackwell, whose reputation at the school was not the best. Ms. Blackwell narrowed her eyes.

"It will be more than lost if you don't take it off this instant." she growled. Samantha seemed to be oblivious to her teacher's anger.

"No." Ms. Blackwell sighed angrily, put down the white stub of chalk, strode down the second aisle, and stopped in front of Samantha's desk. The many eyes of the other students had followed her and were now watching with rapt attention. Some looked worried, others looked bored, and some even had small grins. They had never seen a teacher this angry before and were waiting to see what would happen.

Without a word, Ms. Blackwell glared down at Samantha and snatched Lucky's hat off of her head.

"Hey!"

"You may come back at the end of the day to retrieve it. After that I do not ever want to see it on your head again while you reside in my classroom. Understand?" Ms. Blackwell spoke with forced calmness. Samantha nodded but when Ms. Blackwell turned away, Samantha's surprised expression turned into one of loathing and she glared daggers at her teacher's retreating form. No one took her best friend's hat and got away with it.

After Ms. Blackwell disposed the hat into one of her desk drawers, she continued writing the day's lesson on the blackboard. Samantha was determined not to notice the other student's stares and refused to meet their eyes. A girl sitting behind her leaned forward far enough so that she was whispering in Samantha's ear.

"I don't think you should have done that, Sam." she sounded concerned.

"You don't understand, Allie. If I don't get that hat back Lucky will-"

"-Yes, I know. She'll never speak to you again." Allie whispered impatiently. "What's so special about this girl anyway?" Samantha took a chance and turned to face Allie. Her blue eyes held curiosity behind black rimmed glasses. A strand of equally white blonde hair hung loosely in front of her china doll face.

"She's my best friend! We've known each other since...Well, since I can remember!"

"Isn't she a," her voice went, if possible, even quieter, "newsie," her voice resumed it normal whisper level, "or something like that?" Samantha frowned.

"Yes, but so what?"

"All I'm saying is that I wouldn't trust someone like her." Allie sounded very timid.

"Someone like her? What is that supposed to mean?" Samantha couldn't believe what she was hearing! She couldn't understand why the newsies and the factory workers were always so looked down upon. They were perfectly friendly, especially the newsies. They were fun, honest, sweet, caring, cute…Sure they may not smell the greatest, have only a decent education, and have reputations for stealing but other than that the newsies were the greatest friends anyone could ever have.

"Well I mean it's just-"

"Allie, just…stop. You don't know what you're talking about. I don't care what you say. Lucky is my best friend and nothing, not even you, can say anything that will change that." Samantha said with finality and turned back around. Allie sighed and leaned back in her seat.

There must be a way to get that hat back, Samantha thought desperately. Then it hit her, the perfect plan.

Samantha didn't speak to Allie all throughout morning lesson. After the students were released at noon to go to lunch, Samantha decided to sit by herself instead of having to face Allie. She walked outside, scanned the grounds, and picked a huge secluded oak tree with plenty of shade. Her lunch pail swinging in one hand and a book in the other, Samantha trotted over to the tree and sat herself under the shadiest section. She had a perfect view of the midday hustle and bustle of the city. She took out a homemade sandwich, leaned up against the base of the tree, and opened her weekly romance novel.

Two slow bites later and already ten pages into her book she heard her name being whispered.

"Siren," Well actually her nickname, but still a name nonetheless. Samantha frowned and tried to match the voice with a face. It wasn't Allie, she only called her Sam and doesn't even know about the nickname. It had to be a newsie. "Siren. Psst!" The voice became more persistent. That's when she realized.

"Blink? Is that you?" Samantha laughed and Blink came out from behind the tree. He sat down beside her and they hugged in greeting. "I didn't even see you come up! How long have you been here?"

"Not too long. You looked so into your book that I didn't wanna disturb ya."

"Oh no, it's fine. Are you done selling?"

"Yeah, I was headed over ta Tibby's when I saw ya. Whatcha readin' anyway?" Blink asked. Samantha showed him the cover and he frowned. "Another romance novel?"

"Yes, another one. So I happen to like them. What's it to ya?"

"Nothin' just that it's a little sad when that's all ya read. 'Sides, why read about it when it's all around you an' can be livin' it?" Blink said. Samantha raised an inquisitive eyebrow.

"Okay, who are you and what have you done with my friend?"

Blink laughed. "I am the real Blink!"

Samantha shook her head. "The Blink I know wouldn't have a clue in the world about how to deal with romance," she cracked a grin. "So how did you become so wise about it?"

He shrugged. "I'm not sure. I guess I just picked it up from watchin' the other guys with their girls."

"Or maybe since you met Amber?" Samantha suggested.

He wrinkled his nose. "Maybe, I guess."

"You guess? You don't love her?" Her eyebrows raised.

"We've only been goin' out for a couple of months!" Blink exclaimed.

"No excuse. You told me you liked this girl, maybe even loved her when you met her. Are you saying that that love somehow went away?"

"For one, I don't remember sayin' that and for a second you're startin' to sound like a damn therapist." Blink grumbled.

"Sorry." Samantha muttered. Blink sighed and brought his legs up to his chest and rested his arms on each knee.

"I dunno what I'm sayin, Siren. Amber's a great girl, she really is. But-"

"Well then don't blabber on about it to me! Tell her!"

"Tell 'er what?"

"What you feel."

"But I don't feel anythin' at the moment! If I really did tell you that I love her, I take it back."

Samantha sighed angrily. "The male race are idiots, I swear to God. Look, Blink, I know you love Amber. I've seen you two together! So just suck it up, be a man, and tell her how much you want her in your life. If you don't do it soon you're going to regret it."

"Now look who's wise about romance," Blink teased. "To be honest with you, I think I'm developin' feelings for someone else..." he trailed away, a small blush creeping to his cheeks. He refused to look at Samantha as he said this. Her heart, though she didn't know why, skipped a tiny beat.

"What do you mean?" she asked.

"There's another girl that's got my attention. She's always been around but I ain't nevah...you know, said somethin'." Blink kept his eye to the ground. Until now, he had never shared these kind of feelings with anyone so it was hard to express what was on his mind. Mush didn't even know and he was Blink's best friend. Is that why he was blushing? Because of embarrassment? His mind agreed with that, but his heart was telling him a different story. He noticed that Samantha held an unknowing trait which brought people to reveal their true feelings. In turn, she gave them her honest advice and he admired that quality.

Samantha's breathing quickened as she asked, "What's so special about this girl to make you forget about Amber?"

Blink smiled. "I ain't figured everything out yet, but I'll let ya know when I have." He finally looked at her, his eye holding a touch of softness that Samantha had never seen before, but knew instantly she liked it. She returned her own smile.

"You sure have a lot on your mind today. However, I'm sticking with what I said before. Tell this new girl when you're ready. You shouldn't be leading Amber around like that because it's not fair to her. And make sure that these new feelings for the mystery girl are genuine. Girls like to be swept off their feet when the guy pours his heart and soul out, so when you are telling her you have to say it like the world would explode if she weren't in your life. And-"

Blink held up his hands to stop her from saying anything else. "Okay, okay I get it! No more lectures, Ms. Therapist!"

Samantha blushed. Why did she suddenly feel the need to tell him her fantasy? Was she secretly hoping that he might fulfill it? Maybe...No! Yes? She shrugged nonchalantly as if the battle in her head did not exist. "That's what you get for being as obsessed with romance books as I am. Now if you'll excuse me," Samantha said, putting her sandwich back in her lunch pail and closing her book. She stood up and dusted herself off. Blink also stood up. "I have a hat to steal back."

Was it any better?

Jack: I don't like Allie too much

What's wrong with her?

Race: She's stuck up-

Blink: And snobby-

Mush: And she doesn't like newsies!

Guys, guys, guys! Calm down!

Spot: It's an outrage I tells ya! (waves cane and everyone ducks)

Spot, put the cane away (Spot continues to wave cane around)

David: I don't get why people have to be so mean to us

(Is distracted by Spot's cane) Because…people are just stupid…(grabs the cane) But she'll get better

Newsies: Promise?

Duh. What kind of author would I be if I didn't make her better?

Jack: A bad one?

Exactly

Newsies: (grin cutely)

Thanks for the reviews, guys! That means a lot! As I promised, I would give out chocolate fudge cookies to those who reviewed with choice of newsie on the side (hands out cookies and newsies) If you REVIEW! this time, then I will give you props and a $20 gift certificate! (Not really, but it got your attention, right?) Okay, 'till next time!