Notes of the Author: Haha, it's been over a year since I last posted a new chapter. I hope none of the original readers are still around since they'll probably kill me! But anyways.. here is the next installment of my wonderfully terrible Newsies fanfiction. It's not that much in the excitement area but I hope anyone who reads it will enjoy it.

Also.. I solemnly swear (now that I have my life settled down and my computer salvaged) to be putting out the few remaining chapters in the next two months.

Enjoy.. please!

Chapter 11

"Is he going to be alright?"

Selece glanced over to David as he stared worriedly at his friend. The girl shrugged, glancing from David to the girl who had come with him. She figured that Jack's little injury had interrupted a date or something of that sort.

"Ask da doctor, Mouth," was Spot's sharp remark. He never really had taken a liking to the smart schoolboy; though, everyone else seemed too.

The girl next to David peeked over at Spot. The rare occasions that she saw the infamous Brooklyn leader always gave her the wrong impression of him. How could anyone dislike her darling David? Kaa snorted then shrunk back a bit as Spot turned his equally infamous glare her way.

"This boy should be alright," the doctor's warm voice soothed as a collective sigh of relief was heard through the room. He glanced over to the few scattered newsies that were crowded around the bed. "I'm going to go tell Kloppman what needs to be done to make sure everything stays all right," the old man made a wince as he stood up from his kneeling position from the bed. He then hobbled down to the front desk where Kloppman was worriedly pacing.

David wrung his hands, glancing nervously to and fro. Kaa smiled a little bit, patting the nervous boy on the shoulder. "It'll be alright, Davey. Didn't you hear da doctor?" she whispered softly.

"Yeah but," he mumbled in slight protest.

Selece smirked at the girl. Although they weren't standing next to each other, Selece knew this girl was definitely taller then she was. And older. Their hair was similar, at least in length and waves. But hers was a dark blonde color.

Selece tried to look nonchalant as she slithered past all the worried newsies. She knew she shouldn't be thinking about making friends right now, but still it was a chance she couldn't pass by.

"Hey!"

"Erk."

"Where you goin', Uhm?"

"L.. let go.. let go of my collar," the girl said breathlessly. She yanked herself away from Skittery's grasp.

"So sorry," Skittery grumbled. He then stared curiously at her, "As I said, where you goin'? You ain't gonna stay with Jack?"

"I was just," Selece began. She wondered if it would sound too self-centered to say "I was just going to go make friends with a fellow female. Who cares Jack is lying injured on the bed before me with his girlfriend bawling her eyes out." She decided it was and just stopped talking all together.

"Hey, stupid. Let da girl go whereva she wants to go. Da doctor said Cowboy'll be all right."

Skittery grumbled again and Selece flashed a smile to Racetrack, the boy who had just spoken. She then continued to walk to the girl with David. Kaa turned her pretty blue eyes Selece's way and flashed a smile.

"Hey there," Kaa called out, raising her hand in a wave. She also didn't seem too fazed by Jack's injury. Selece's eyes lit up, waving back.

"Hi, I've never seen you around here. Uhm, my name's Uhm," Selece smiled, looking like she was in pain. She had just realized how stupid she sounded when she said 'uhm' when she was telling someone her name. That was something she'd have to fix.

"I see why," spoke Kaa, smiling. She spit into her hand, holding it out to Selece.

Selece blinked a few times. She had seen the male newsies do that spit shake thing but never a female newsie. But then again, she had only met Sugar and Ant so far. The girl shrugged before spitting in her hand and shaking with Kaa. "What is your name?"

"They call me Kaa."

"Kaa? Like a crow? Ya know.. kaakaa!" Selece said, her face bright. She flapped her arms around, staring earnestly at the girl.

The room froze. Nearly everyone turned to stare at Selece. Sarah stopped sobbing and David even stopped pacing. "Well, no. Not like kaakaa," murmured Kaa, trying so hard not to laugh.

"Oh, uhm, I'm, uhm, really sorry," Selece murmured as she twiddled her thumbs. Kaa let out a short-lived laugh. It was a kind laugh, not a cruel one and all the newsies returned to being worried or whatever it was they had been doing.

"Yer shy," Kaa said with a smirk. "Me too. 'Cept when I'm with my Davey," the eighteen year old said. She smiled over at Dave who couldn't care less at the current moment. He kept bending over Jack, checking if he was still breathing. Kaa couldn't help but laugh.

"Yeah, I'm shy, but I'm trying to get over it," Uhm said, still looking down. "So, you and David are an item?"

"Are they an item? Are they an item?" Racetrack said, poking his head over Kaa's shoulder. The boy had a devilish gleam in his eye. "They a couple all right. Davey wants Kaa reaaal bad!"

Kaa's face flashed crimson. She turned to stare at Race, slack jawed and shocked. "Hey, that was mean!"

Race merely laughed harder, patting the girl on the head. He put his cigar back in his mouth, wiggling his eyebrows. "Wow, Kaa! Ya figured that out!" The boy then hurriedly rushed away.

"How can you guys act like this when Jack.. Jack is dying?" Dave said quietly.

"Gah! You overreact, Davey!" Kaa reprimanded the boy. Kaa smiled at Selece, rolling her eyes a bit before grabbing Dave's collar. "C'mon, lets go talk with da doctor and he'll show ya it's not that bad!" David glanced around like a lost puppy as Kaa led him from the room.

Spot popped up behind Selece. "Wow, did you actually talk to her? I'm shocked."

"Uhm, well, yeah," Selece felt quite proud of herself. She turned to face Spot but he had already walked over to Sarah. The Brooklyn leader was bent down, whispering in her ear. Selece made a face, grumbling about how she hated when people left without warning.

"All right! Everyone get out! Me, Jack and Uhm got some things to talk 'bout!" Spot suddenly yelled. Sarah was already standing up and heading out of the room. Spot motioned to Selece and she moseyed over to stand next to him.

"Yeah but Jack can't talk, Spot," spoke a newsie Selece realized she hadn't spoken to yet.

"Shaddup, Itey," growled Spot. The newsie named Itey simply shrugged then followed the group out the door. Spot sighed, glad everyone was gone for now. "Okay, Uhm, tell me what happened."

"Well, Jack came in and he and Raymon got in a fight. I tried to help but, uhm, I'm not good at that stuff. So, anyways, when Raymon was beating on Jack, his pocketknife fell from his pocket. I picked it up. Jack was getting beat pretty bad. I mean, you saw Raymon. He's huge."

"I could have beaten him," commented Spot. He smirked, stretching his neck up to look taller.

Selece rolled her eyes, whacking the boy in the head. She could tell by his expression, he hadn't liked that one bit. "Oh, gee, I'm sorry, Spot. I thought, I was just," Selece stammered. But she wasn't sure what she was going to say. 'I thought we were friendly enough to whack each other on the head.' She decided against that and just continued where she had left off in the story. "Well, he wasn't paying attention to me because he thought he had knocked me out. So, I just walked over and he froze at the sight of the knife."

"Haha, you struck fear into him? But you're so puny," Spot said, a gentle hint of mockery apparent in his tone.

Selece continued onwards with her retelling. "Well, with such an opportunity, I picked up a chair piece and just.. whacked him. A few times. Well, uhm, a lot of times. Uhm... I'm really sorry that Jack got so beat up. I promise to, uhm, make it up to both him and you."

"Hey, that's alright. Jack's been beat worse and for less causes," Spot smirked as he whacked Selece in the head. The girl blinked a few times, staring at him.

"Yeah, but do you think he'll be mad at me? I guess I'll watch over him tonight," Selece looked around the room they were in. It was the girls' bunkroom Skittery had been talking about. Kloppman had set a bunk in it this morning for Selece to sleep in that night. But they had put Jack in that bed so he wouldn't be bothered by the other newsies. It had a lonely aura hanging over it, which caused Selece to shudder.

"Nah, you can go sleep in the boys' bunkroom. I'll watch over him," Spot said. He watched Selece's facial expression and he knew she didn't want to be alone in that bunkroom. "Don't worry, Uhm! You have friends other then me!" Spot smirked before shoving her out the door.

"Wow! Listen to this!" Spot proclaimed to the sleeping Jack after he had galloped back to the bed. He sat patiently by his friend's side not wanting Jack to wake up and not remember where he was or why. The boy had idled himself with reading the journal he had stolen from Selece's apartment. "Ahem," Spot made his voice go a bit higher as to mimic the female writer. "Today, Brooklyn arrived on the scene. Spot Conlon is so handsome. But I wonder if he is younger then me. I heard words that he was sixteen but he looks pretty scrawny, doncha think? I'll have to ask mother when I get back," Spot made a twisted face. "Well, that wasn't the good part. I'm not scrawny, am I? Jack? Oh, that's right, yer not awake yet." Spot rolled his eyes, glaring at his friend before continuing to read the journal. "After they defeated the new unit of warriors sent by Pulitzer, the winning party retreated to Tibby's. I followed like usual.

"They took up nearly the entire restaurant. I barely squeezed in. I'm surprised that no one noticed me. But then again, they are a bit thick headed. Anyways, that ugly reporter man who probably has no talent whatsoever came in. They were all excited about being on the front page of the evening, afternoon, something edition. Jack seems a little grumpy, though. He should have just allowed Spot to find his picture so he hadn't continued to be annoying. Anyways. Another grump asked what the big deal was.

"That man I talked about. The one that was going to die soon because of his cigars hit him. And got kinda angry. I feel bad for the guy that got hit. Anyways, they then all started wishing for what they should get since they are on the front page and 'famous'.

"Spot Conlon wished for a tub with water. Not one of my favorite but, hm, I wouldn't mind seeing him in it!" Spot grinned like a madman. "That was my favorite part! And then she says.. Oh my Lord! I cannot believe my hands just wrote that down. It's one thing when you think such thoughts but to write them down?! To admit to them?! But, you must admit, that would be one lovely little scene. Ah! There I go again! I had best stop before I go too far! Love Always, Rouge." Spot closed the journal glancing over to Jack. "Jacky-boy, I don't know what's happening to me. She's making me crazy. Is this what it felt like when you met Sarah? I bet not. I.. I don't think me and Uhm are like you and Sarah," Spot mumbled as he slid the journal under the bed. "She even got mad at me for kissing her. I thought ya said girls liked that stuff," Spot grumbled as he sat back. "Why does she sign her journal with 'Rouge'? I'm so confused. Why were women created?" his voice took on a whining tone as he buried his head in his hands, spurting out one random question after the other.

"Spot," groaned Jack.

"Jacky-boy!" Spot nearly pounced onto his friend. He stared earnestly at him, "You feeling any better?"

Jack opened his eyes, turning to look at Spot, "Shut up 'bout Uhm. She's the one that got me like this."

Spot blinked a few time, "Aw, gee, Jack.. you really shouldn't be so.."

"Gee, Spot, what happened to yer street talk?" snorted Jack.

Spot's eyes went wide. He quickly stood up, glaring at Jack. This was the thanks he got! Jack had better be pretty thankful Spot wasn't completely heartless. He didn't have the heart to beat up an injured newsie. So, the Brooklyn leader ended up stalking from the room to get ready for bed.

"Hey, fellows! Where is Bumlets?!" Kloppman stormed up the steps, he peeked his head into the bunkroom. "Oh, hey there, Uhm. You're not staying with Jack?"

"Oh, yeah, Spot was planning on staying with Jack," Selece smiled at Kloppman but her eyes kept wandering. Was it her fault Spot was getting ready for bed? Was it her fault that the bathroom was open viewing for those in the bunkroom? Was it her fault he was so handsome? Was it her fault he didn't have a shirt on at that current moment? For the love of God! She was only one woman; she had to fall to temptation sometimes!

But anyways, her voice was lost in the loud answer of none other then Racetrack. "Bumlets late because he is out with his girl!" the gambler laughed. He pulled his cigar from his mouth, plopping it in the can besides his bed. "Snipeshoota, ya touch this cigar and you won't have any mouth to put it in," he growled, narrowing his eyes.

Snipeshooter smirked, making a quick grab for the damn cigar. Selece rolled her eyes, as the younger newsie was quickly beat upon by Race. When would that kid ever learn? Race was just emotionally attached to those cigars; he should just leave the dumb things alone.

"Bumlets has a girl? When did this happen?" Kloppman blinked, searching around the room for someone else to answer his question. Racetrack wasn't going to be giving any more answers today. It was always like this, every night. Someone was always late, spending their daily earnings on some infatuation or addiction. Sometimes Kloppman wondered how some of them had enough money left to buy papers in the morning.

"Yea. her name is SB or something weird like that," Blink answered. He smiled at Kloppman before climbing onto his top bed.

"Hm, Bumlets never tells me things like this. Well, whenever he gets in, tell him he needs to be getting back in early, got it?"

"Got it, Kloppman!" came a voice from somewhere in the midst of boys. Selece recognized it to be that of Crutchy's. She remembered him from the strike. The girl smiled softly, remembering his final comments to Snyder. The Manhattan newsies were proving to not be that bad.

"Hey, Kloppman! Can you tell Selece to get ready for bed in da girl's bathroom?" yelled a boy with a bowl haircut and muscular legs.

Kloppman drew a short breath, glancing quickly to Selece. He caught her eye, trying to let her know that Jake was just kidding, but he wasn't sure if the girl understood. The new girl was such a mystery. No, no, that wasn't it. She wasn't a mystery. She was completely different then the other newsies who usually took a part to play and stuck with it. They hid true feelings and true thoughts behind masks of happiness. But Selece never did. She was always just herself, which Kloppman knew irritated some of the boys.

"Aw, Jake, shaddup. You were just jealous that she didn't even glance at ya!" was Swifty's snide remark. The long-legged newsie glanced over to Selece, giving her a smile. Selece couldn't lie and say that his smile didn't send shivers up her spine. There was always a wonderful feeling that overtook her when someone would stand up for her. With that little incident quickly over and forgotten, Selece skipped over to her bed. She quickly snuggled deep down into the thin sheets.

Spot smirked, leaving the bathroom to go back to Jack. He looked around for Selece to wish her a goodnight and saw she was already beginning to drift off. The newsie grumbled. He had barely gotten to talk with her and now he couldn't even wish her a goodnight. Did she purposely do that? Spot shook his head then left the bunkroom with nary a word to any of the other newsies.

New York City

Manhattan

October 13th

1900

"Good mornin', Jacky-boy!"

Jack growled. It was bad enough that his head hurt. It was bad enough his ribs were still screaming in pain. It was all just terrible. And now, he had an annoying early bird trying to wake him up. The poor boy hadn't even been planning on selling today. He motioned for Spot to leave him.

"Jacky-boy! You gotta get up sometimes! It's dinna!" Spot tapped his foot impatiently. He was feeling rather energetic today. Selece had sold with him, which made him feel very special. Of course, he still acted like he always did. But not now that it was just him and Jack. Now he could actually act as happy as he felt.

"Really?" Jack groaned as he began to sit up. His ribs nearly burst and the boy quickly laid back down. "I'm not gonna eat."

"Don't worry, Jacky-boy! You dun go nowhere and dinna will be served!" Spot said, patting the boy quickly. Spot then left the room, returning to his usual tough look ignoring the howl of pain his friend gave.

"He awake now?" whispered Selece. Her eyes darted around nervously. The bowl in her hands was shaking like mad and Spot feared the soup would tip out.

"Don't worry, Uhm. He ain't mad atcha," Spot patted the girl softly on the shoulder then shoved her towards the door. He winked at Selece then headed towards the main dining room.

"Uhm, Jack? It's me, Uhm," murmured the girl as she entered the girl's bunkroom. She looked to the one bed that was there, spotting Jack lying in there. He didn't look too bad except for all those nasty bruises. She tiptoed over to him, "I brought yer soup."

"Yeah, put it by my bed. I'll eat it later," Jack ordered, not looking at Selece.

"Uhm, Sarah came to visit you today. You weren't awake, though," Selece began as she sat the soup down by the bed. She then straightened up, staring at Jack. She wanted to let him know how sorry she was. That she was so grateful that he had actually fought Raymon for her but she couldn't even open her mouth to talk again.

"I guess I'll go see her tomorrow 'fore she gets worried," Jack grumbled, still not looking at Selece.

"Uhm, I uhm.. I'm really sorry that you got injured and all. That was really nice, Jack. You didn't even have to come looking fer me but ya did and so.. thanks. I'm, uhm, I'm really gonna try and make up for it," Selece blurted out, twiddling her thumbs. She stared at the ground, wondering if he was still going to hate her forever and ever.

"Yeah, sure," mumbled Jack. He glanced over to her, quickly catching sight of her scared, nervous first-day of school expression and nearly went soft. She really thought she had done something wrong. Of course she hadn't, he had went against Raymon all his own. He wasn't forced to go looking for her. But then he remembered how much he hadn't liked her, even in the beginning and went back to being his regular hard self. "Uhm, heres a way to make up fer it. Get outta my room and get outta Manhattan."

Selece blinked a few times, praying that she wouldn't start crying. "All right then, Jack. Thanks again. N.. nice meeting you and all!" Selece raised her hand in a goodbye. "Tell, uhm, tell Sarah I said bye," the girl then fled from the room. Jack watched her go, wondering if he should feel bad right about now. The boy sighed, he hadn't meant to be that mean. Oh well, what was done was done.

Will Jack say he is sorry?

Will Uhm go back to Brooklyn?

Will this story end soon?!

Find out in the next wonderful part of..

THE..

STORY..

OF..

UHM!!!!!!!