Disclaimer: I don't own Newsies, Empress of the World, or and other media references I may make.

Emperor of the World

July 27th, World History Classroom, 10:45 am

I got a new sketchbook. It is dark green and has thick manila pages. The first sketch I did was of nothing special, just my books sitting on my desk. The second was even less inspiring, just a toothbrush floating in space. But these are just warm-ups, I had to break the book in.

I have begun to draw a face. I am using Mush's—who is sitting across from me—face as a template, but I am adding in different features. And for once they're not Skittery's. They're someone else's eyes, nose and mouth. I dip in the forehead, a round awareness in the eye.

I saw Skittery at breakfast. He was sitting with Jade, but looking very uncomfortable. I talked to both of them and Jack looked happy. Medda and Isabel must have been filled in on the plan, because they didn't look the least bit confused. Then again, neither did Jade, but I never thought of her to be the observant type.

Skittery, to avoid being rude, made chit chat with me. About what? I can't remember. Probably class or something. Jade kept jumping in and making my blood boil by running her hands through his hair, or resting her chin on his shoulder.

"What are you drawing," asks Kid Blink suddenly. I look up and then back down again.

"Oh, nothing," I have forgotten that I am drawing at all, just caught up in the struggle.

Kid Blink looks at the sketchbook anyways and smiles. "Who is it?" he asks.

I shrug. "I don't know," I say because really, I don't.

July 27th, The Courtyard, 3:30 pm

Out side it is very sunny. The ground is forever covered in pine needles and acorns. They let out an awakening smell that jerks to your throat and that pulls your eyes open.

I am sitting right in the middle of the courtyard with my legs crossed and my sketchbook spread open on my lap. My eyes are closed and I hold my pencil loose in my hand. It begins to draw.

This is something that an art teacher I had taught me. Just imagine the lines, don't look at the page.

When I am done there is a blob with two attempts at eyes and a mess of what I assume was hair. I turn the page over and try again.

This time it's better, a little clearer and more refined to one spot. An acorn scurries across the ground and hits my back. I swivel to face the kicker.

It's Skittery.

"Hi," he says, attempting a smile.

"Hi," I say back, putting on a cheerful voice and a grin.

I close my eyes again and try to sketch.

"Listen," says Skittery to my turned back. "I broke up with Jade."

I try to keep them closed, but my eyes fly open anyways. "What?"

"I broke up—"

"I know," I turn to face him. "But why?"

Skittery shrugs, his hands in his pockets. "Because I don't like her and I don't want to hurt her. We don't even really talk about anything. It's boring."

"Really? Nothing?" I ask.

He nods. "Well, she told me I'm a 'hottie' a lot, but she also said that the lunch was sexy and that doing homework is hot."

"Well," I said, a grin playing on my lips. "She was right about the you being a hottie thing. You are, you know?"

Skittery doesn't answer. He bites his lip and sighs.

"What's wrong?" I ask.

"I'm just here to tell you that we've broken up, but that doesn't mean I'm 'available' again."

My hopes, which had reached an all-time high just seconds ago, drop to my feet.

"Oh, OK," I croak, "I understand."

But I don't. This has to work! He's not with her so he should be with me. Or am I going about this too simply?

July 27th, The Cafeteria, 9:30 pm

Everyone has left the table except for Jade and I. It is late, so the cafeteria is nearly empty, just a few kids studying and such.

After a few minutes of staring blankly at my textbook, I decide that it is safe to pack up and leave. I snap my book shut and begin to shove it in my bag.

Jade sniffs loudly.

Usually I wouldn't care, but Skittery just broke up with her and I can relate.

"Are you OK?" I ask, "Allergies or something?"

She sniffs again and tilts her head up. "I don't have allergies," she snaps. Her face is covered in shimmering tears. She swings her hair around to cover them.

I shrug. "Sorry."

"I'm sure you know," she says testily, "that Skittery has broken up with me."

"Um...sorry," I say again. I sit back down across from her and put my bag by my feet.

"And it's all your fault," she accuses tearily, "you turning him into a fucking gay."

Momentarily I am taken aback.

"Hold on," I say, "I'm not gay and neither is Skittery. We're bisexual."

Jade laughs bitterly. "You turned him. you gay bastard. What you do isn't natural," her hari falls over her face by accident this time, she pushes it back. "It's not 'Adam and Adam' in the bible, it's 'Adam and Eve'. Skittery believed that, how couldn't he? His father is a goddamned minister! You ruined him!"

"I didn't ruin him!" I retort, aggravated.

"Yes," she begins to shoulder her backpack sloppily, "you did, and I couldn't change him back."

"Stop trying to fix something that isn't broken!" I yell.

Jade stands up, stumbles a bit, and begins to walk away. "By the way," she calls over her shoulder, "there's no such thing as bisexuality!"

She jerks the door open and it slams hollowly behind her.

What few people there are in the cafeteria are all staring at me. I sigh and close my eyes.

End Chapter

((Oh! I'm so, so, so sorry for not updating! I can't get online!!! In fact, I'm not even updating this! My good friend Almatari is! Everyone give her a round of applause. Good. I'm sorry, really.

I won't be able to do shoutouts because (as stated before) I can't get online). I will give little comments to my regular reviewers, but they will be just a list of names of people. That's all.))

Shoutouts:

Nakaia Aiden-Sun

Erin Go Bragh

Madison Square

Jacky Higgins

Eagle Higgins-Conlon

I don't know who said it to my Tom!Muse, something about meds that stuck in my head, but he managed to get a hold of a whole pharmacy stash. How? I'm still not sure.

I apologize to anyone who review that I missed! I couldn't access the reviewers! So, so sorry!