I'll let Mush do the honors today:

MUSH: Attention all ya readah's. Lindsey..er..Trigger..er...SnitchsLins is too lazy tahday tah give any poisonal shout out's. So she'll just do a BIG one forah everyone.

BIG SO! Thank you to all my reviewers! I love each and every one of you to death! You guys are the greatest!!! Luvvies and ten million huggies! *Muah* *Gives reviewers their favorite Newsie dipped in chocolate and a piece of pizza*

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Chapter 8: Do what you feel.

The sun rose over Manhattan. It was a brisk but cold November day. Snitch took a deep breath, awaking from sleep. He felt a weight on his chest, opening his eyes he saw Liz's head resting on him. He didn't remember Liz being there last night. He didn't know that she even was there, until he woke up. But, it didn't matter to him, she was with him. That was all that ever mattered to him. He watched her sleep, seeing her peacefulness. She was safe here, safe in his arms. No one can hurt her anymore, no one could touch her. When she was in his arms, she was his; and he always wanted it that way.

He didn't want to wake the sleeping angel beside him, but his arm was killing him. She was lying on it and was cutting off the circulation. He winced a bit, trying to get it out from under her without waking her. He tried pulling his arm out from under her, but she wouldn't budge. He gently pushed her over a little, letting his arm free as he slowly pulled it away. She groaned as she fell back against him. Oops. He thought to himself.

She opened her eyes slowly, still half asleep. She poked her head up and looked around as she yawned.

"Hey." Snitch said quietly as he smiled at her.

"Hi." She yawned and rubbed her eyes. She sniffed and sat the whole way up.

They both just stared at each other for a moment, not knowing what to say or what to do. They were too tired to do anything, they just wanted to go back to sleep. "Did ya read my note yet?" Liz asked, as she yawned again.

"Nah, not yet." Snitch answered back.

"Why not?"

"I don' know. I don' wanna spoil it. I wanna jist wanna keep it forevah an' jist look at it, ya know."

"Why don't ya jist read it? I mean, da answer's right dere in writin' an' ya can jist stop wonderin'." Liz tried to explain, but couldn't.

"I wanna stay in suspense. I don' wanna know, tah tell ya da truth I'm kinda afraid tah know. I jist want, whatever tah happen, ya know." He licked his lips and thought for a while. "I've been gettin' dis feelin', ya know. Dere's somethin' dere an' I don't know what it is. I jist keep havin' dis dream and den dese thoughts, an' I don' understand."

"What was it 'bout?" Liz said, interested.

"I don' know. It's kinda hard tah explain, ya know." He bit his lip, trying to think of how to explain it. "I see dis big boid an' he's coiclin' around us. It's me an' you and you're jist standing in the middle, and dere's dis boid an' he's coiclin' around you. He has dis one red feather on 'is head, an' ya can see it poifeclty. He gots dis black head an' den dis big red feather on 'is head. I guess dat's what really makes 'im different from da other boids. He like swoops down, an' den I wake up. Jist like dat, I wake up."

Liz had a confused look her face. "Dat is what you're waitin' forah?"

"No, but, it's just weird ya know. A reoccurrin' dream? Dat's somethin' tah think about. It's weird, I have da same dream, ovah and ovah again, an' it ends at da same spot. I don' understand it."

"You sayin' dat dis dream is supposed tah mean somethin'?"

"Well, I don' know. I mean, it jist don' make sense. But, why would I keep havin' it, if dere wasn't somethin' 'bout it." He scratched his head.

"I don' know, Snitch. I don't know anymore den you do. But, jist don't worry 'bout it. I'm sure it's nothin'." Liz tried to assure him. "I think you're jist over exaggeratin' dis whole thing, I really do."

"If ya had a dream like dat, wouldn't you be a bit suspicious?"

"I might, but prolly not." Liz joked.

"Oh you might? I see how you are!" Snitch laughed as he threw his head back and groaned. "I don' wanna get up." He pouted. He raised his eyebrows as he took a deep breath.

"Argh. Well, we got no choice now do we?" She stuck her tongue out in disgust and groaned. "Whelp, I guess we gotta get up, but I don't want to!"

"Well, ya gotta get up, I have no idea what time it is."

"Dey'res a lotta stuff dat I gotta do but I don't wanna do it." Liz complained.

"Okay, well den lets get up." He stood up and stretched. Liz sat and watched him, not moving a muscle. "Ain't you gonna get up too?"

"Haha! Ahem, no." She said firmly.

Snitch shook his head and grabbed her by the arm. He pulled her to her feet and carefully pulled her over his shoulders. "Ya got no choice now."

"No, Snitch, c'mon! Put me down, c'mon. Ahh man!" She whined as he started walking towards the door. "I need tah get fat or somethin' den ya don't need tah carry me everywhere."

"You can do dat, but you ain't nevah gonna get fat enough." Snitch laughed, as he walked down the stairs. Everyone was still asleep. Skittery was still snoring quite loudly and Mush was still randomly talking in his sleep. "What time is it?"

"I don' know, we gotta find Specs, he has a watch." They walked over to Specs, who was sleeping soundly on his back. His mouth was wide open and he was snoring quietly. Liz looked at Snitch and whispered "I don't wanna wake 'im up. Where does 'e put 'is watch?"

"I don' know, quick lets look ovah heah." They scrambled around his bunk looking for anything that resembled a watch. They found nothing. "Forget it, do ya jist wanna get ready an' head out early?"

Liz shrugged. "Alright." They went to their bunk and grabbed their clothes and headed to the wash room. Liz was combing her hair when she heard Kloppman yelling.

"Get up! Get up ya lazy bums, c'mon! Ya gotta sell da papers! Sell da papers! Skittery, get up!" Kloppman yelled.

"Aww c'mon, Klopp! Why don' ya do us all a favah an' jist die!" Skittery screamed back.

"I'm too old tah die, now get up! Get up, boy!" Skittery hopped down from his top bunk and grabbed his clothes. He stomped into the washroom with Liz and Snitch. The other Newsies started coming in, one after the other. All with screwed up hair and morning breath. But, it was a normal morning in the Lodging House, nothing unusual. Boys running around getting ready, fighting over the bathrooms and showers. There was pushing and shoving, people stealing other people's stuff; it was really hectic, but it was what everyone was used to.

When everyone got done getting ready they all headed out. All at once they stormed down the stairs, like a stampede. The older boys flocked in front and the younger boys stayed in back. It wasn't that far of a walk to the paper distribution center, it was probably only a couple blocks away from the Lodging House.

"Where was ya guys las' night?" Dutchy asked stealing Snoddy's hat. The blonde boy ran around in a circle, holding Snoddy's hat. Snoddy chased him around, trying to jump on him to get his hat back. They ran around a few times before Dutchy finally gave up and gave Snoddy his hat back.

"Yeah, ya weren't in da LH. Did'ju guys go somewhere?" Snoddy asked taking his hat back from Dutchy as he hit him over the head.

"Nah, we was jist on da roof, talkin' an' stuff." Liz said as Snitch put his hand in hers. Skittery had just walked past them as they were talking, but a few words caught his eye and he turned around. He headed towards them.

"An' stuff? What is dis an' stuff, I hoid?" Skittery laughed as he walked over to them and pulled them apart from each other. He gave a snicker to Dutchy and Snoddy who stared at him, knowing he was aiming at trouble. He turned around and gave out a chuckle as he looked at the two lovers. "It ain't what I'm thinkin' is it? I mean, you guys haven't like done stuff, have ya?" He picked as he laughed to himself.

"Skittzoid, what's it tah you, anyway?" Snitch rolled his eyes and looked towards the sky, away from Skittery.

Liz rubbed her head as she looked at the ground. Here we go again. Why can't he just leave us alone?

"What's it tah me?" He said walking up towards Snitch. He got right up to him, as he stood up straight; staring at Snitch eye to eye, face to face. "Oh it ain't nothin' tah me. I really can care less 'bout you an' her, it's jist, well I didn't think ya swing dat way, Snitch." He laughed as he walked around Snitch, sort of challenging him. "I'm jist sayin' you're somethin' else tah me, ya know. You -" He stopped to think for a moment. "You're wid Liz, right?"

"Yeah, so what?" He said firmly, never once looking at Skittery.

"Well, ya remember a long time back. You an' dat guy. You was like 6 or somethin' an' you was wid dat guy, oh what was 'is name? Umm, Slingshot, dat's what it was. He was 'bout 18 or somethin', ya rememberin'?" Snitch started trembling as the memories that he tried to forget came back to him so vividly. "It was, me, you, Mush, Blink, an' Sling. We was playin' dis game I don' know what it was an' by da end of it, you an' Sling were gettin' real friendly, ya remember? He pulled ya towards 'im, almos' like what Liz did in Tibby's dat one day, he ripped your shirt, an' den 'e -"

"Fuck you, Skittery!" Snitch yelled, tears in his eyes. Liz knew what Skittery was talking about; she knew he was talking about Snitch's dad, just changing the details a bit. The thing was Skittery didn't know that Slingshot was actually Snitch's dad. He just thought he was some guy on the street. "Ya know what I wish? I wish dat you an' Jack would burn an' rot in fuckin' hell! Dat's what I wish!" He pushed Skittery out of way before turning around and looking at Liz; tears in his eyes he swallowed and walked off by himself towards the Paper Distribution Center.

Liz let out a huge breath as she made her hands into fists and hit her head a few times. "When do you jist stop? God, just leave 'im alone, please." Liz begged as she gave him a dirty look.

"I was jist kiddin' geez, 'e takes it so seriously, it was jist a joke." Skittery said, trying to stick up for himself. He smiled and made his face look like he did nothing wrong.

"You're an asshole, Skittery." Liz said as she, too, walked away.

"C'mon, guys ya know I was jist jokin'." Skittery said to Dutchy and Snoddy. They didn't answer and just walked away. "What da hell is wrong wid dese people?" Skittery said to himself, as he ran to catch up with Jack.

The jokes and the laughs were driving Snitch crazy. He hated New York, he hated Tibby's, and he was starting to hate the Lodging House too.

Fuck them! Fuck all of them. They don't know what they're talking about. Why do I listen to them? Why do I give them the time of day? Why do I even talk to Skittery? He's just an asshole. I don't know what his problem is. I just want him to die; I just want all of them to die. They don't know what it's like; they don't know the whole story. Even if I told them, they wouldn't believe me. This is my home, and I hate it. I hate everything about this fucking place. Why do I even stay here? Why did I even stay here? It is nothing but pure hell for me. Nothing but hell. I wake up to the burning fires of hell; I go to bed in the burning fires of hell. I'm sick of this, I'm sick of Skittery, I'm sick of Jack, I'm sick of everyone! Everyone doesn't understand, no one will understand. No one will even take the time to listen even if I told them. Everything here is bad, nothing is good. All my memories here have been bad; I have a hundred and one reasons why I should just give up.

He looked out of the darkness of the alley and saw the light. He saw her, beautiful as always. The only person he loved; the only person he ever loved; the only person it seemed he would ever love.

I only have one thing that is keeping me here. And it's her. She is the reason why I want to wake up every morning. She is the reason why I'll go through this hell; I'd live this way a hundred times if I could see just her again. She loves it here, and I don't know why. This is hell for her too. She has so much more shit going on in her life, but she loves this place. She puts everything bad behind her, but why? She has nothing going for her here, but she stays? I don't understand and I can't understand.

He admired her from afar, watching her laugh as she talked to Itey and Jake. It was hard to tell how much she had gone through over her short time on earth. She had gone through more things than most people would in their life time. It was like she lived her whole life wearing a mask, and only taking that mask off to one person, Snitch. No one knew of the things that she was going through. They knew about Oscar, but they only knew the very basics. No one knew the complete truth to anything, no one knew any thing detailed about it. Even Snitch didn't know the complete truth. She hid herself from the world, Snitch and herself. By putting on a smile made other people think that all her troubles had vanished, just like her parents had. She made herself believe that everything was okay and that her problems truly DID vanish. It was great for her, but it confused many people. But, that was the way she always was, hiding her true self from the world.

She is so beautiful. What is she doing with me? To be her friend is all I ever wanted, but to be her lover was all I ever dreamed. Everything is so right when she is with me. She doesn't belong with me, she doesn't belong here. She deserves a place where no harm can come to her, a place where she can be everything she wants to be, a place where there is no hate towards her, a place with someone better than me. I want to give her everything, but I don't have anything to give her. I want to tell her so much, but when I'm with her the words never come. I just want to -

"Maybe ya should jist stop thinkin' an' jist go talk tah her." Tag Along said behind him. He turned around quickly, forgetting what he was thinking about.

"What?!? How did you know.." He said a bit startled.

"Snitch, I hoid everythin' ya was sayin'. Ya mean, ya didn't know you was talkin'?" Tag laughed.

"I - I - I was talkin'?" Tag nodded her head. "What all did ya heah?"

"Enough tah tell ya, dat ya need tah talk tah her." She walked closer to him, her brown hair flowing in the wind. "Listen, Snitch, me an' Liz ain't dat good'a friends, but we still are friends. I mean, if it ain't forah her, den me an' Specs prolly wouldn't be together. Snitch, I know how people are actin' towards you two. I don' know why dey're doin' it, but don' let dem stand in your way. I think you two are great together, in fact, I totally believe dat you two were meant forah each other. You both have so much love forah each other an' you guys have known each other, forah 'bout all your lives. I've only known Specs forah a short time. I don' think I'll evah have enough love forah him tah endure da stuff dat you guys have. You guys have been through so much together, more den I can evah imagine. You guys have been by each other's side when da woild darkened, an' you'll stay by each other's side until death. Ya don't need tah envy her forah what she puts up wid an' forah da way she is. She don' want ya tah do dat, you can be her everything, ya just gotta be dere forah her. Ya don' have tah be everythin' that she needs, da only thin' she needs right now is forah you tah love her wid all your heart and be by her side when her woild crumbles. Dat's what love is. Love ain't buyin' her everythin' in the woild, dat don't show nothing. Love ain't tryin' tah be someone you're not, just tah please her. She loves ya for who you are, not what you want to become. She'll love ya, even if you ain't what she needs. Ya can't be everything she needs; all ya can be is who you really are. She don't need no Romeo, she don't need no millionaire, she don't need what ya think she needs, all she needs is forah you tah love her. 'Cause she don't know what it's like tah be loved. She ain't nevah had anyone tah love 'er. You are so special tah her because you show her da love dat she nevah knew. You are the love dat she dreamed of, an' all she needs is forah ya to show 'er dat love an' tah be dere forah her, no matter what."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Liz continued to talk to Jake and Itey. She kept a smile plastered on her face the whole time. As they talked, she sort of left the conversation to think about things. She was a great listener, when the time came; but mostly she always pretended to listen. She thought about how Skittery changed over the years. He used to be a nice caring guy, but something happened to him that changed him. No one knew what it was, but it changed him immensely. He used to be someone you could talk to and have conversations with, but now you couldn't say anything to him without him taking it the wrong way. He just wasn't the same and he wasn't fun to be around anymore. He had fallen hostage to Jack and his clique.

Itey and Jake both branched away from Liz and started their own conversations together, leaving her to her own thoughts. The wind blew cold as it stung her pale ivory skin. She was almost nothing when she was around everyone else. The only thing that showed she was actually there and not a ghost were her black socks, brown pants that used to fit but were two sizes to big for her, and a dark blue buttoned up shirt. The cold wind stung her face as her black hair flew behind her. She licked her lips trying to make them as wet as possible, so that they wouldn't dry out because of the cold. She couldn't get her mind off of Skittery and what he said to Snitch. Was Skittery there that night? What really happened? Didn't Skittery know that Slingshot was Snitch's dad? Was Slingshot REALLY Snitch's dad or just a guy on the street? Was Snitch lying about it?

"Liz?!?" Itey said, breaking her trance. "Ya gonna get your papes, or can I get in front of ya?" He had his hand on his suspenders and was fooling around with them.

"Nah, go ahead." She said, letting him pass her as she waited for Snitch, wondering if he'd EVER come.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Snitch was amazed at everything Tag said to him. He didn't even know her, how did she know him? He was speechless, knowing what he was supposed to do. She was right, she was absolutely right. He was trying to so hard to be something he wasn't. "Tag, I don' know what tah say. I mean, I - I -. You're right. You're absolutely right." He admitted. "I was tryin' so hard tah be somethin' dat I ain't. I mean, all she needs is me?"

"Snitch, dat's all she evah needed. You and only you. You are her everythin', no matter what ya do, or what ya say. You are good enough for her, you jist don't think you are. Do ya understand? She loves you with all her heart, she will always love you, no matter what. So, jist stop thinkin' an' jist do what ya feel. Alright?" Tag explained to him. She was a deep person and she could understand people. She talked to Liz on occasion, but when she did she would talk about a lot of things with her. She like deep conversations, she knew how to understand people. That was her talent; that was what made her and Specs so close. They both were very deep people and they could understand each other. They both were very good with words and persuasion. They both were very smart and very cleaver people, they were great at giving advice.

"So, jist do what I feel?!?" His hazel eyes shot up in wonder and a bit of fear.

Do what I feel? What do I feel? What if she doesn't want to be with me? What if she turns away when I try to kiss her?

"Do what you feel, Snitch. Don't think 'bout it. Jist do it; if ya wanna kiss 'er, do it. Don't regret anythin' dat ya do." Tag grinned a bit, remembering the first time that Specs kissed her. It was in September, about two weeks after he met her. They'd been selling together everyday since they first talked. They both were in Central Park, their usual selling place. Tag started selling there and Specs followed her there, and ever since he's been with her. There weren't that many people in the park that day, which was unusual. They would usually get done selling papers at about 4 or 5, after that they'd usually go to Tibby's to eat and hang out. That day was a bad selling day, they were out past 6 and they still had papes to sell. The sun decided to set early that day and they both looked into the sunset; watching it slowly slip under the covers of the earth. Specs looked over at Tag, who was admiring the sunset. She loved sunsets, they were beautiful to her. The light reflected off her face, making her even more beautiful to him. He couldn't resist her, he had to do something. He couldn't take it anymore, he'd been dreaming about kissing her for such a long time, now was his chance to. He just had to think of a way of how to do it, so it wouldn't surprise her. She sighed as she said the words "isn't it beautiful." Specs took that as an opportunity and told her what he always wanted to say. He said "no, you're beautiful." She looked over at him in surprise, wondering if she heard what he actually said. He blinked a few times, unsure of what he should do. He closed his eyes and kissed her on the lips. It was beautiful, even more beautiful than the sunset. It reflected off both of their faces, showing a ring of light around them both. Their kiss ended both were speechless and surprised. Mouths hanging open in amazement and wonder, both wishing that it never ended. Specs waited for a sign of approval, but Tag was still, silent and still surprised. Specs, not knowing what she was thinking or feeling, took another opportunity and kissed her again. This time she showed him that she approved, she wrapped her arms around him and kissed him even more. When they finished she smiled and blushed a little. It was her first kiss and she was glad that she could share it when him.

"Tag?!? Are ya alive?" Snitch waved his hand in front of her face.

"Oh yeah, sorry. I was jist thinkin' 'bout somethin'." Tag said, snapping out of her trance. She looked over and saw that Liz started talking to Itey and Jake, but she already had her papers. "Ya really, should go an' see her. I mean she's got her papes already, she's prolly waitin' forah ya." Tag suggested.

"Alright." Snitch said as he took a deep breath, he began to walk away. He turned around and called out Tag's name. "Thanks a lot." He smiled at her in approval and appreciation.

"Don't mention it." Tag smiled back, before she left to find Specs.

Snitch walked past the crowds of Newsies talking and playing games. He pushed through them; the words Tag said to him ringing in his head. He smacked his fists together in nervousness as he pursued her.

Don't think, just do what you feel. Don't think just do what you feel. I want to kiss her, don't think just do it.

"Heya, Snitch." Itey said as he looked at Snitch.

Snitch pushed Itey out of the way and stood in front of Liz. He looked at her eye to eye, not giving it away. She looked at him a bit confused, but having an idea of what the whole deal was. Their eyes locked as they stared each other down.

Jake and Itey looked at each other in a bit of confusion. Itey was okay with the whole Snitch and Liz thing. While, on the other hand, Jake didn't really like "public displays of affection".

The world around them vanished, it was just them. Blinded by each other and their glances, they spoke, without words. Their eyes told each other what they were saying. Snitch's eyes were daring and audacious, while Liz's were captivated and eager. Words ringing in his head: Don't think, just do what you feel. He stood right in front of her. Without letting a thought cross her mind, he leaned down and connected his lips with hers in a passionate kiss.

"Aww, c'mon, Snitch. Don' do dat." Jake protested looking away. Itey laughed a little bit, kind of embarrassed at the sight in front of him.

They continued to kiss, ignoring the 'wooing' and protesting boys around them. Snitch was surprised that Liz grabbed his face and pressed her lips even harder into his, instead of pulling away.

Tag was holding Specs' hand when they saw Liz and Snitch. They both smiled, happy that Liz and Snitch stood up and defended their love.

"Dis all your plannin'?" Specs asked as he grinned. Tag nodded and kissed him. "I don' know, Tag. What did you do?" He laughed.

"Jist talked tah him forah a bit. Ya know, knocked some sense into his head." She said honestly.

Snitch slowly pulled away, letting Liz breath for a while before he muttered those three words that he'd been so afraid to say to her in front of everyone. "I love you."

Liz smiled, as if a huge weight had been taken off her shoulders. "I love you too." She took his hand and patted Jake on the shoulder. "Sorry, Jake. Didn't mean tah scare ya dere." She laughed, Jake just nodded.

"Yeah, right." He raised his eyebrows and started to laugh with Itey.

Snitch smiled at Jake and kissed Liz's cheek.

"Oh, I bought papes forah ya." She said, handing over 20 papers to him. He pulled out the money he owed her from his pocket and held it out. She pushed his hand away and smiled. "Don't worry about it. It's on me."

They both walked to their normal selling spot, hand in hand. They talked and talked, as they normally did. It was rather cold that day, they had their jackets on, but it still didn't keep out the cold. Their jackets had holes it, from the many years of wear and tear on them, but it was their love that kept them warm. Snitch really kindled the fire in both of their hearts, it was burning out, but he decided kindle it with a kiss and refined it. Now it was a roaring fire, instead of just a flame. A flame goes out easily, but a fire does not. That was what their love was like now, it wouldn't go out easily. There was no more intimidation between them, no more hidden feelings, no more mixed feelings. They knew what was real and it was their love. They had been wondering about it earlier, but it was known fully now.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

MUSH: 'Ey! Where am I?? An' I don't talk in my sleep! *pouts*

Yes you do, Mush! You DO talk in your sleep.

MUSH: No I don't!

In my story ya do! *pllb*

Yay chapter 8 is finished!!! Yay! Now be a bunch of dearies and review right now for me! I'd love you to death. Even more than I already do! Yay! *does jig with Itey* *walks off into the sunset hand in hand with Snitch*