YEAH! I am at chapter 11. This one was very fun to write. Its when Spot starts to really come into the picture. Because I know that there really hasn't been much of him in the story. I just wanted to build up my character before I starting really getting into the story line. Now I can start to have the real fun. I hope you keep reading and remember to review!

Disclaimer: I do not own anyone or anything from the Newsies movie. I wish I did, but I sadly don't. So I will just have to stick with my character, Hanna. Who belongs entirely to me.

Chapter Eleven

Four days passed by and soon going to work became just another part of my daily routine. I was making a decent amount of money at the Boudville theater and I had the opportunity to meet many interesting people. Medda said I was a natural and would have no problem taking on a more permanent position once my arm had healed completely. Me and Olivia had become good friends and I began to look forward to our lighthearted conversations. Yet what made me the most ecstatic was the simple pleasure and pure satisfaction of knowing that I was surviving on my own. With the deepest determination I had managed to make a complete transformation into someone that I could be proud of.

But as I became more independent I found that I had begun secluding myself from all of my friends. After Spots party I didn't feel up to facing the rest of the boys in the Lodging House. Many different rumors begun being passed around about me and Spot. Some were completely harmless and others made me cringe to even think of such things. By now everyone had seen the bruises on my wrist and instead of asking me what had really happened they came up with there own conclusions. Even though I knew that whenever someone said something disgraceful Race and Mush would set them straight, it still didn't prevent me from having the uncomfortable notion of knowing that people were talking behind my back.

So I just stopped communicating with everyone all together. The only people I spoke with were Race, Jack, Mush and Kid Blink. Some days they would still stop by work to see a show and visit me. But many morning's I just snuck out by myself not wanting to deal with all of the conflicts, only to be lectured by Jack when I returned on why its dangerous for me to be walking alone on the streets. I knew he was right of course but for some reason I didn't care.

Spot stopped by the Lodging House of few days before and I knew he was looking for me. But I had managed to sneak out my bedroom window and run up onto the roof. I had done the same thing when he had returned to talk to Jack earlier this morning. The boys knew that I didn't want to speak with him so they wouldn't mention where I was. Even though Racetrack knew that I hid up on the roof. So it surprised me when Spot appeared over my left shoulder as I was sitting on the old smoke stack to the right of the dried up garden reading a book. I screamed and jumped off the pile of burnt red bricks.

"What are you doing here?" I practically yelled at Spot. I looked over at Race who was standing by the fire escape and he shrugged his shoulders guiltily.

"I have my ways," Spot said casually as he hooked his thumbs behind his red suspenders and slouched slightly making him look rather intimidating yet refrained. As if he had these types of confrontations every day.

"Well if you'll excuse me I have things to do," I replied staunchly as I walked around him and took a step towards the stairs. But Spot grabbed my arm to stop me. I panicked slightly as I pulled my arm away quickly. "Don't touch me!" I yelled and I seen Race take a step forward. But Spot put up a hand to stop him.

"Cool it Race, I aint gunna hurt er'. I just wanna talk dats all." Race stopped moving forward and relaxed a bit but he still seemed rather unnerved. But even though Spot was talking to Race he was starring directly at me the whole time. I wanted to pull away, to turn around and leave but his eyes held me captive. They were icy blue today with a slight bit of grey and I noticed the tiny sliver of yellow that adorned the center.

My hands were shaking once more and that rather queasy feeling in my stomach returned. I deeply despised myself for becoming so weak in his presence. It's just being around someone so full of chorizema and self confidence intimidated me. As we stood there starring at each other I began to wonder what was really going on in his head. I wondered if the fearless Newsie was really as self-centered as he appeared. Or if he had little things about himself that he secretly hated. Was there really a heart behind the many layers of fire and ice that was his soul?

"There is nothing that you have to say that I would wish to hear," I snapped angrily. As my brain felt one thing and my mouth said another.

"Look Doll, just give me a chance to apologize." Spot said and it might have just been in my head but he sounded a little bit desperate.

"Why should I?" I asked as I began feeling the anger slowly overpowering the strange warmth boiling in my chest.

"Because it's da only time you'll ever hear it. I never apologize," Spot said snidely crossing his arms over his chest and leaning up against a wall.

"Then why break your record on the account of me?"

"Because I was wrong," Spot said reluctantly. I think I saw Race's mouth fall open slightly as a look of pure shock washed over his face. Then it was replaced with a rather entertaining smirk.

"Well that's a first…did you hear that Race? The all powerful Spot Conlon actually admitted he was wrong. Isn't that something?" I said sarcastically my voice full of triumph.

"Don't tempt me goily or I might just take dat back." Spot replied walking closer to me. "Now will ya talk to me or what?" He asked impatiently.

I thought about it for a moment and then decided that it wouldn't hurt to hear his pathetic excuse. I mean Jack is friends with him so that means he must have some decency or maybe it was just because they understood each other. I didn't know. But I hesitantly walked over to Racetrack and said "Could you go downstairs for a minute. I guess I'll listen to what he's got to say." Then I leaned forward a little and whispered. "Do me a favor though and don't leave my room incase I need to yell down for you." Race nodded his head and left.

Then I turned around to Spot who still stood starring at me with unblinking eyes. "Are you really dat afraid of me?" he asked sounding a little more restrained than he normally was.

"I'm not afraid of you, I just don't trust you." I replied walking over and returning to my seat on the smoke stack.

"Well I guess ya have every right ta be angry," Spot quickly looked down at my wrist which I hesitantly placed behind my back and then up into my eyes once more. "I didn't mean ta hurt ya Doll. I just kinda lost control."

I looked back at the boy standing in front of me and all of a sudden he didn't look so threatening anymore. He wasn't the arrogant king of Brooklyn or the self-centered leader I had fought with before. Spot was just a young man who was trying to have retribution for his actions. I had expected this confrontation and literally planned out of all the stuff that I would say to him. But somehow the anger wasn't there anymore, the force behind my hateful comments no longer existed. So I could not bring myself to say what I had felt for many days. Instead I lashed out angrily.

"Your right! I do have every reason to hate you for what you put me through. For every hurtful despicable thing you've said to me and all of the problems you've caused. I just want to throw your apology back in your face and tell you to leave. But I can't do that!" I yelled agitatedly.

"Why can't you?" Spot asked as he held a strange expression on his face that I couldn't read.

"I just cant," I said looking solemnly down at the ground. I ran my hands through my thick blonde curls and shook my head. " I…I just don't know!"

"Ya don't know what?" he asked pushing me into an answer.

"Why that no matter what you do and how angry you make me. I can't hate you!" I replied as I looked once more up into his eyes. Then I watched as he became rather ill at ease and he seemed slightly confused. I don't think he expected that response, actually I think he was waiting for me to yell and scream. But not for me to tell him that I wasn't upset.

Yet I was just as disturbed as himself. For all of a sudden realization washed over me. In the last few moments I had finally found the answers to all of the questions that had been plaguing my mind. I finally excepted the fact that there was something about Spot that attracted me to him. I think it was because he was so very different than myself. I think I looked at him as a new horizon or a difficult challenge to overcome.

I knew that I didn't hate Spot but in a way I was afraid of him. I was scared of what he was physically capable of doing to me. But most of all I was afraid of the strange feelings that I had when he was around. I knew in mind that there could never be anything between us and that it was most likely just a strange infatuation. But somehow I realized that I could no longer lie to my heart.

Spot began pacing back and forth pulling at his sling shot. With his eye narrowed and his head bowed slightly. I watched him for a moment and then he stopped in front of me. "Well its up to you, whether or not ya wanna forgive me."

"I'll have to think about it." I replied casually. I didn't want to give in so soon and act as if I didn't have any self-respect whatsoever.

Then Spot started fiddling with his suspenders again which I found to be a rather annoying habit of his. But to my surprise, he looked actually nervous about something. Then he spoke. "How bout' I make it up ta ya. I'll take ya out ta dinner sometime. A day when da headline is good and I make a decent amount of money sellin papes."

I sat there for a moment thinking it over. I remembered everything that Race had warned me about and I knew that Spot was a smooth talker. But he looked so vulnerable standing there asking me out to dinner. I knew that it must have took a lot of strength for him to apologize to me. So I guess that deserved a little recognition. "I don't know…"

"I really aint dat bad of a guy," Spot replied. "Ya could even ask me friends."
"Wow, you actually have friends?" I said sarcastically.

He just smirked and replied "Yeah I got friends."

"Well as I said before. I do not know. I will have to wait and see just how well we can get along. Ask me again in a few days and you will have your answer." I stood up and walked around Spot. "Now it is almost time for me to go to work. So I will talk with you again another time."

"You…working? Now it's my turn to be surprised." I just laughed and made my way downstairs.

Race was sitting by the window when I came down and I nodded that everything was all right. He just shook his head and stood up off the chair. "I'm tellin ya Doll, you don't want anything to do wit him."

"I figured you were listening to our conversation." I smiled. "Do trust me Race. I know the type of person Spot is and I won't have any more contact with him than is necessary. But what else was I supposed to do? It had been the first time he had treated me decently since the day we met. You asked me to stop upsetting Spot and I plan on doing so. But if it means actually being civilized with him then that's the steps I will be forced to take."

Race just shrugged his shoulders and pulled out a cigar from his back pocket. He lit it casually and placed it in his mouth. With a puff of smoke he replied "I'm just trying to warn ya."

"I know and I am taking your warnings very seriously. But there is nothing else for me to do." I took one quick look into the mirror and then made my way out the bedroom door into the bunkroom. Boots walked by and tipped his hat in greeting but didn't speak a word. Some of the other boys felt just as uncomfortable around me as I did around them. Most of the newsies just ignored me whenever possible. I think they thought that I was more hassle than was worth it.

After I washed up a little bit and went to the bathroom, I walked downstairs and began getting ready to leave. But before I could walk out the door Kloppman came out and stopped me. I turned around to the old man and smiled. "I did remember to pay you this week, didn't I?"

"Oh yes, yes you did. A letter came for you this mornin." he handed me a crisp white envelope and then walked back into his office. Race came up next to me and starred at the letter just as confused as I was.

"Who's it from?" he asked questioningly.

"I don't know," I said as I turned it over and broke the seal. Inside was a rather proper looking letter written on a very expensive stationary. It read:

Dear Hanna,

My name is Ronald Grimmuald and as I have just been informed it seems that you and I are of the same kin. I know that this must have came as quiet a shock to you when you first heard this bit of information. But I assure you that I was in the same state of affairs. Even though I had never truly known my father I share every bit of sympathy with you on his tragic death.

As you know I have fortunately inherited our fathers estate which you have lived on for many years and surely must be fond of. Do not feel discouraged, for me and my wife Lydia intend to change very little on the property and keep all of the hired help. So if you ever come to visit, which I hope that you shall, you may think of it as the same home that you have know only with new caretakers.

To see that we speak the truth, the lady of the house and I would like to invite you to dinner three days from now. If you do not wish to attend then we shall not be offended. For you must be grieving severely from your losses. But I greatly wish to meet you and talk about matters concerning our father. I hope to see you soon.

Sincerely,

Ronald Grimmuald.

By the end of the letter my hands were shaking and the flat piece of paper was now creased. So this was the brother that I have heard nothing about and from what he had written he knew nothing of my existence either. I was slightly relieved that he didn't seem like a crude tyrant as I had been dreading. But even his kindness was looked past as I bit back the anger and jealously boiling in my stomach.

He was right, I had grown up in that house. Even though it had been only a summer home I had spent many nights there as a child. What right did he have to just come and take over? Him and this wife of his! Then he had the audacity to call her the Lady of the House.

All I could think of was how she would be sleeping in my mothers bed and sitting in the same chair that my mother had sat in at dinner. Eating off of my mothers good china and welcoming guests into the home that my mother had worked so hard to make comfortable. It was my parents house and it would remain my parents house for as long as it stood on its foundation.

"I'm not going," I said as I crinkled the letter up and threw it on the floor.

"Who was it from," Race asked concerned seeing the saddened expression on my face.

"It was from my brother." I replied as I tightened the sling on my arm with a little more force than was necessary.

"What did he want?"

"To invite me to dinner at his new home." I spat out venomously. I began pacing around looking for my shawl before I lost control and slammed my hand hard against the wall. Then I turned to Racetrack. "What right does he have to call it his house. It was my parents house…my house. He didn't even know my father."

My sudden outburst caught the attention of a few newsies who starred at me like I was insane. Race walked over and put a reassuring hand on my shoulder. "I know its not fair Doll. But its how things work."

"Ha! And then he expects me to sit and have a conversation with him when I can't even stand to hear his name. I not going to have dinner with him. Because I will never wish to look upon that house as long as someone other than my parents are living in it." I replied stubbornly.

"Couldn't ya give him a chance," Race asked cautiously as if he expected me to lash out any second.

"Why should I?" I screamed. " Just because I had the misfortune of being born a women, he has the right to come and take everything I have ever know. Not only did I lose my parents and my home, but I lost my dignity as well. This man…this stranger stole my life from beneath me. What respect should I show him. He has his money, his house and his wonderful life. But he still needs the satisfaction of showing me what I no longer have!" Spot came down stairs wondering what all of the commotion was about and stood at the bottom of the stairs.

"What are ya yellin about Dollface?" he asked. But I was in no mood to talk. They wouldn't understand even if I sat there an explained it to them. They had to be me to know the logic behind my vengefulness. Also considering the fact that they are men and wouldn't know what it felt like to deal with the restrictions that I women had in society.

"Nothing!" I said as I turned around and walked out the door slamming it behind me.

As I made my way to meet Olivia on the corner by the bakery. I tried as hard as possible to erase the thought of my brother from my mind. But no matter how hard I tried I couldn't escape it. I sighed as I saw my friend standing in her work dress waiting for me. She didn't say anything as we went on our way. Just by the look on my face Olivia knew that I was in a foul mood and wouldn't wish to talk. When we walked into the theater and I saw everyone rushing around frantically I knew it was going to be a very long day.


Thank you to:

Bess3- A new reviewer! I am so happy! I haven't had many new reviewers in awhile. I am very happy that you are enjoying my story. Yeah I am really trying to make Hanna as realistic as possible. Well as real as you can make a fictional character. Don't worry things will begin to heat up with spot and Hanna. I hope you liked this chapter and I hope to hear from you again soon.

Padfootismyhero- I'm glad you enjoyed that chapter. I hope you like this chapter as much as you have like the rest of them. You better update your story soon before I have to hunt you down myself and force you to write. Lol just kidding but you really do need to update. I love your story so much.

Coin- Thank you again! I can't say it enough, how much you helping me means. If I didn't have you checking my stuff over the chapters wouldn't be half as good as they are. I am glad you liked that saying in the chapter, it just kinda popped up in my head while I was writing. I literally don't plan out anything that is going to happen in the chapter it just writers itself basically. I hope you liked this chapter also and if you could, check it whenever you can.

NadaZimri- I am so glad you like that chapter. I was surprised that people thought it was that good because I didn't. But that's just me, lol. Yeah…I had to make Hanna have a female friend it would be crazy being surrounded by all guys. So I brought in Olivia for some reassurance. Yeah, Spot was bad in the last chapter but he is trying to make it up to her. I guess we will just have to wait and see what happens. Since I don't have the next chapter written I am just about as clueless as you are.

Splashey- Hey! Yeah I hate final's so much. I still have some left to do, my school likes to split them up. Like have so many classes one week and then the rest the next week. I can't wait till I get out of school but I still have another week left. Anyway, I am surprised at the reaction I got to that chapter, I thought it was one of my worse ones. But I am so happy that you liked it, it makes me feel better. I liked writing this chapter a lot and I hope you liked reading it to, let me know what you think!

Emotions- Yeah I like happy chapters too, sorry that I had to make this one a little more depressing lol. Finally when things started to look up it goes back downhill again. But that's just how things happened. Anyway let me know what you thought of this chapter even though it wasn't as happy. And we both will have to wait and see how things turn out with Spot and Hanna. Because I'm just as clueless as you are.

Lena-Jade- Hey! Welcome back! Lol its ok that you didn't have time to review. I am just glad you enjoyed it. Here is the next chapter, I hope you liked this one too. Let me know what you think whenever you get the chance. Anyway…onto your question about Race and Hanna. You see at first I thought that was how it was going to turn out. That Race would like Hanna but she liked Spot and so on. But then I kinda had this other idea for later on in the story and I decided that it wouldn't work. So I am keeping Race as just like a brother figure and best friend. But there is another guy that will cause some problems. He had a small part in the chapter about Spots party.

Shortstack and Fishface- Wow, I am so happy that you actually decided to read my story. Because I think you write such wonderful stories yourself. Yeah I know that there are a lot of spelling and grammar mistakes. I am very bad at that kind of stuff and don't worry I don't take it personally. I'm glad you think I'm doing a good job with my OC. Because I was trying really hard to make her as real as possible. Also I just had to make Race the brother figure in the story because like you said, he is just a sweetie. I decided to pick that type of persona for Spot because if you didn't hate him at least a little bit then there wouldn't be any fun to the story. Oh and if I do ever need a cameo I will be sure to let you know.

Luv ya lots,

BlackWiltedRose