"Oh, crap. Oh, crap. Oh, crap," I muttered, nervously. I was so on edge that I was actually wringing my hands. I was going to meet the newsies! I already wasn't great with meeting new people, but when it's newsie people...I mean, come on! How often do you see twenty hot guys in one place?

...besides the Oscars.

"What's the matter?" Davvy asked. I shook my head. I couldn't tell him I was nervous! I had no excuse! I wasn't supposed to know these people.

Okay, you're just being paranoid.

"I'm just not great with meeting new people," I muttered.

"You seemed fine yesterday," Davvy pointed out. I shook my head.

"I mean I'm not great with meeting new male-my-age people," I said. Davvy laughed.

"Well, you're going to have to learn fast. Hey, guys," Davvy shouted, making me jump.

"Hey, Davvy. What brings you here," Oh, please don't let that be...

"Hey, Race. This is Two-Bits. She showed up on our fire escape," Davvy introduced, pushing me forward. There was a pause, and I had a sneaking feeling that Davvy was whispering.

"Secrets, secrets are no fun. Secrets are for everyone," I chided, laughing at my own childishness. My sister gave me that crap every day of my life. There was even more silence.

"Are you being seriousī†" Davvy asked, hesitantly. I burst out laughing, and didn't stop for a few minutes.

"Is she crazy?" Racetrack muttered. I wiped my eyes.

"No, I'm just scared shitless," I replied. "Sorry, I'm just in a weird situation right now. I apologize," I said, holding out my hand. Racetrack shook it.

"Right. Well, come on. Are you two selling today?" he asked, addressing Davvy, I assumed.

"Yeah. Listen, where's Jack," Davvy asked. Racetrack apparently stopped walking, because Davvy did, too.

"You're not setting her up in our lodge, are you?" Race demanded.

"Yeah...Why?" Davvy released my arm, and I presume Racetrack took him aside, and the two began conversing. They were muttering, but not softly enough. I suppose my hearing got better since I couldn't see.

"Davvy, she's a lunatic," Race was saying. "You can't put her up at the lodge! She could kill us all!" I snorted.

"She is not a lunatic! She just scared out of her wits. Listen, Race, she was kidnapped. Lord knows what they did to her, but apparently it was enough to make her blind! She won't even tell me what happened to her parents, but I have a feeling they're dead."

Thank you, Davvy, for defending me.

"Kidnapped? Great! So her kidnappers are probably looking for her! That's just lovely," Race said, the epitome of sarcasm.

"Go jump off a cliff and tell me where Jack is," Davvy said, and I'd be willing to bet money he rolled his eyes. Race sighed.

"He's headed for Central Park."

"Thank you. Now, see, that wasn't so hard, was it?" Davvy cooed sardonically. Race said nothing. "Come on, Two-Bits," Davvy said, taking my arm. I walked with Davvy (as if I had a choice), and couldn't help thinking, Great. I just got here and already Race hates me. Perfect. No worries, though. I would win his friendship soon enough.