Author Note: Hello hello!! I dunno what possessed me to start this little story but hey, it's all good, right?? RIGHT. Anyways, this is basically a bunch of one-shots for each of my FAVORITE newsies and their love for a girl on the corner. There's different girls for each newsie, and no, they are not whores on the corner! Well, one might be, actually, I think it might be this chapter, but I honestly don't know! But basically each girl does a different thing on the corner. I dunno, this idea just came to me, okay!???!?! I hope you'se like it!

Disclaimer: It pains me to say that no, I do not own anything. Nothing—dude, I don't even own the clothes on my back!!

So herrrreee's chapter one! Chapter one is going to be...ummm...well you'll find out!!

I remember the first time I ever laid eyes on her. Her golden hair chopped off short at her chin worn to the side in a small clip, her deep blue eyes glittering and sparkling, her bright smile giving me butterflies—she was so different, so enticing, I couldn't stop staring at her. My infatuation lasted for almost three weeks before I could finally talk to her.

I tried to concentrate on selling my papers that day, but I just couldn't help glancing up every two seconds just to catch a glimpse of her. It was horrible, really, and pathetic, that she had this effect over me—kind of sick, you know? But a nice sickness...an addiction, almost. I managed to squawk out a pathetic headline that managed to get my one buyer, but I was doing incredibly lousy. And that was saying a lot—Jack Kelly, unable to sell papers? Yeah...it was all her fault.

Damn.

I studied her face for a few moments and she looked in great pain—her fingers plucking and strumming away on her violin on the corner of Fifty First Street. She was there, every morning, rain or shine, and she'd play for hours. Beautiful music, music from the heavens, an every damn time she just captured me, I couldn't think, I couldn't breathe, I just watched her.

I never told anyone about my crush on her—my boys would laugh me right out of New York! I could just imagine what Spot would say...

"Jacky-boy's finally goin' soft on a goil—and she don't even know 'is name!"

I tried not to think of the promiscuous Brooklyn Leader as I sold my last pape that day and swallowed my pride. I weaved in and out of a few venders until I was only a few feet away from her. Her violin case was open on the ground, a few coins sparkling out. I fingered the nickel in my pocket and made my way a little closer to her. She stopped playing and glared down at her calloused fingers. She set her violin down and began suckling on her hurt fingers. I decided to talk to her then.

I had never been so nervous in my life! I could have died. I didn't get nervous around girls—it just didn't happen. But it did then. She looked so small and innocent up close—her face was smudged with dirt and her hair was kind of natty, and she looked sallow like she hadn't eaten in very long, with faint circles under her eyes. Her skirt was torn and frayed, and her flannel shirt smudged with dirt and rolled up at the sleeves, ten sizes too big for her. I'd never seen a more beautiful girl.

When I approached her I flicked my nickel into her case and she looked up at me then, and my heart literally stopped. I couldn't breathe. She gave me the most beautiful, shy smile I'd ever seen and I had to steady myself afraid I might faint.

"Thank you," she said softly, smiling at me. I tried to smile, but I just couldn't. Instead, I cleared my throat and stuck my hands in my pockets, keeping them warm from the autumn cold.

"You," my voice came out scratchy and off key much to my dismay. "You play beautifully. Real nice."

She just smiled at me and blushed. "Thanks." Her voice was kind of raspy, like it wasn't used much. I wondered if she had a family.

I nodded and grinned at her a little, regaining some of my confidence. "What's your name goil?"

She looked up at me and smiled and I thought for a moment I might never be able to move again.

"Lyddie."

Lyddie...it was the most beautiful name I'd ever heard. From then one, I was done for.

So it went that I started talking to Lyddie more and more. After four weeks of talking to her, I finally invited her to lunch with me and I couldn't believe it when she obliged. She met the guys—it was kind of awkward at first, but I learned to be myself around her and pretty soon she opened up. She was so sweet, real soft spoken and kind. She always listened and when she talked—it was like music to my ears. I asked her out three months after our friendship started, and I felt like the happiest guy alive. Lyddie was my world. I'd listen to her play all the time and she'd come with me to Medda's or spend the night at the Lodging House.

We've been together for eight months now, and never once had we ever had a real fight. Until last night. It was something stupid, but now Lyddie wasn't talking to me. I was growing worried—she was avoiding me.

I stared at the ceiling after selling my last pape that day. My stomach was churning—I was growing worried. Lyddie hadn't talked to me all day and she hadn't been playing on the corner like usual. I was about to get up and go look for her, but just as I sat up Lyddie walked into the room, her eyes cast down and her hands behind her back.

I was momentarily paralyzed. She never ceased to make me lose my nerve and fall in love all over again with her. When she looked up at me, my heart broke. She looked so afraid, so troubled.

"Lyddie," I breathed, standing up. In two swift steps I wrapped my arms around her and she seemed to break down, sobbing on my shoulder. I sat her down on the bed and frowned. "Lyddie, what's wrong?"

She stopped sobbing and wiped her eyes. She looked up at me but that just made her cry harder. Finally, after several minutes, she stopped crying and swallowed. "I have to tell you something."

I nodded, growing incredibly nervous. I didn't know what to expect. "Okay. What is it?"

She looked at me tearfully and swallowed. "Please don't hate me...oh God it's all me fault! I'se so sorry Jack..."

My heart stopped.

"I'se...I'se...I'se pregnant."

My mind completely blanked. I didn't know what to say! Pregnant? I let go of Lyddie and stood up, not sure what to feel. I was completely numb. Pregnant?!

"Are you shoah?" I asked her, my voice flat.

Lyddie nodded sadly, standing up immediately. "Jacky I'se so sorry! I'se understand if you'se wanna leave me—you'se gots responsibility as a leadah and everything—havin' a baby just gonna screw it up! I'se so sorry, please don't be ma—"

"Shhh," I whispered, cradling her in my arms. "It's okay, I'se ain't mad...just...damn, you'se pregnant? I didn't expect that..."

Lyddie watched me carefully. I finally gave her a grin and kissed her sweetly. "Listen doll, you'se mean the woild to me, and I'se nevah leave you'se. Me and you'se is gonna raise this baby full of love, alright? I'se love you Lyddie."

Lyddie began to cry and smile at me. "I'se love you too...I'se just scared Jack."

I nodded and swallowed. I couldn't quite understand—me, a father? It was unreal...but I loved Lyddie so much and it wasn't her fault...having a baby at seventeen is weird, yes, but she meant the world to me and I'd be damned if I deserted her now.

"I'se scared too Lyddie, but we'll make it through, okay? I'se love you."

Lyddie smiled at me and I held her in my arms. Fate's a funny thing, but I guess everything that happens is meant to be.

That didn't really turn out how I wanted it, but review nevertheless!! I hope you like this!! More newsies and chapters to come!!!!! Leave some love. Love & Strawberries, The Good Girl. XOXOXO.