Yay for chptr 7!! or least i tihnk its chptr 7....um yea o well. ive been writing this chapter bit by bit for the past 2 days during my classes when they start to lag. random info-xmas chorus concert tonight-so much fun! my show cboir is awesome we did great so im happy! i have a cast on though so my great friend jon escorted me in :) okay anyway lets see what happens...(thanks for reviews!!!!!!)

Chapter 7: Dear Diary

The following morning Gabrielle woke late. Her eyes were puffy and sore, her cheeks tear-stained. Rosie had left her a hot breakfast next to her bed. She sat up, eyes heavy, and pushed the food aside. She washed up, changed, and did her hair before sittng on her window seat and writing in her diary...

Dear Diary,

Words cannot even begn to explain my most inner feelings at this moment. I know I have not known Mush for long, but i feel as is we have known each other all our lives. There is love at first sight is there not? Romeo and Juliet barely spoke to each other before their first kiss, and they died for one another! Not to sayI plan to kill myself, but it sure would be the easy way out of father's grasp...I'm so thankful for Rosie. She understands my longing to be free! Free from untrustworthy, arrogant snobs like Henry, free from a chosen schedule-hell free from corsets!! Goodness-my life is like a corset! Beautiful, rich, and ideal to the outsider's eye, but painful, decieving, and restricting to the on wearing it. Not to mention I have to pretend as though I enjoy it! Mush is the first person I have met that has made me feel as if I really am free. Oh goodness-the newspaper! I will write later...

Gabrielle

Gabrielle jumped up and opened her door slowly, "Rosie..." she whispered. She crept to the banister and looked out over it. Rosie looked around, then tossed the paper up. Gabrielle caught it, pulled the letter out, and quickly tossed it back down again. She ran into her room just as her father came to take the paper from Rosie. She lept onto her bed and quickly opened it...

My Gabrielle,

I'm so sorry for all the trouble I've caused you. I just wish things could be easier. But Iwon't give up-not if you won't. Meet me at midnight tonight on the roof of the lodging house-directions are on the bottom of this note. I'll wait for you.

Yours truly,

Mush

She finished the letter and fell back onto her bed. Later that night, her parents were leaving to go to an important dinner. They gave Rosie strict instructions to keep Gabrille in the house.

"This benefit could go all night, so do not expect us until early tomorrow morning. Say- 4 or 5 am?" John's wife explained.

"4 or 5? Aye-yi-yi..." Rosie exclaimed.

"Well, we will most likely travel to Joseph pulitzer's home with the usual group for coffee around 1 or 2-and you know how mush those men love to hear themselves talk..."

Rosie laughed as the couple made their way to the carriage. As soon as it was safely out of sight, Gabrielle emerged from her room. It was only 8:30, so she knew she still has a while to wait.

"Rosie..." she started down the staris.

"Honey-come here, we gotta talk..." Rosie took her into the kitchen while she made the two of them dinner, "Now I know you want to run off tonight and meet him, but you gotta promise me something," Gabrielle nodded, "I've decided to let you go, but on one condition...you must come back. I know you've got the idea deep down in that crazy, filled head of yours, that you would be better off just runnin'. It may seem like things will get better through doing it, but honey-they'll only get worse. Now your parents won't be home till early tomorrow morning so take your time, BUT-I want to see you walk in that door no later than 3, you hear me?"

"Thank you Rosie," Gabrielle hugged her.

After she ate it was only 9:30, and she as getting restless, "Rosie-Claire's parents are at the benfit are they not?"

"Yes...why?" She asked suspicisouly.

"I cannot take this much longer. I think I'll go over there until I meet Mush. It's closer to the lodging house anyway." With that, Gabrielle was out the door.

She made her way to Claire's and knocked on the door. She heard Calire whispering to someone and things falling over. Finally, the door opened to reveal a slightly frazzled, akward Claire...

"Um...hi Claire...I thought since our parents are..." she mauvered to look behind her friend into the house, "...at the benefit..."

"Yea! in..." Claire shut and locked the door.

"Uh, Claire?" her friend seemed distant, but perked up suddenly, "Want to explain what in the world is going on?"

They started down the hallway, "Nothing! I was just trying to get things done and-" the kitchen door began to open behind her-she slammed it shut behind her with her foot.

"Claire..." Gabrielle raised an eyebrow.

"Not the face please no..." the door attempted to open and Calire shut it behind her again.

"Open the door Claire..." reluctantly she let the door open, and Kid Blink came falling out.

"Blink?! What in the world?..." Gabrielle was shocked.

"Oh, well...I guess you too know each other than?" Claire tryed to hid her embarassment.

"Spill..." was all Gabrielle said.

They spent the next half hour talking about how they met on the street, and Claire recognized Mush from the party. He introduced her to Blink, and they connected immediatly. They had been secretly seeing each other since.

"So you two are sneaking around too?" Gabrielle laughed, it was too ironic, "Oh my-did I...interupt?"

"Don't worry about it..." Blink laughed nervously.

They talked and laughed until it was almost time for Gabrielle to meet Mush, "Well I have to go now, but hopefully I'll see you later Claire.''

"Hey, I can just walk you back if you like. It is late..." Blink offered.

"Oh thank you! I appreciate it."

Gabrielle headed for the door, but glanced back to catch a glimpse of Blink telling Claire he would be back and give her a simple kiss. She smiled-her and her best friend were in love with newsboys. Whydid this have to beso forbidden? Her stomach was i knots as Blink walked her to the lodging house...

A/N: ahhh weee i love writing im so glad im back. okay this i all i have written out and i have midterms starting friday so ill update as often as i can! i gave u what, 3 or 4 chptrs right in a row? so uh..spread them out or something? reviewwwwww :)