Hey there my lovely readers! I wish to make an announcement. On the 19th of June, Perch (mistymixwolf) and I are hosting a chat on AIM. You can get my info from my profile. I would love for you to join us since we are doing it for my 18th birthday. Well...technically, my birthday is the 22nd, but who cares? Anywoo, if you would like to join us, then let me know in your last review. Ok, back to the subject at hand. The newsies are still sleeping since they don't have to get up early to finish school. Yes, Jockey is still in school. Won't be done till June 20th. Stupid school! But with the newsies still sleeping, I have to do the shoutouts myself. Hope you don't mind. Here we go!
eleestJenn - Yeah, I had a lot of time on my hands that weekend so I was able to write four chapters in that time. I'm really glad that I got them done though. Yes, there is something with Skittery. You're not just creating things in your head. huggles plush Skittery I love my Skitter Bug! Here, have some chocolate Skitterys on me! huggles Jenn Keep reviewing girl! I love hearing from you!
Hawk Kelly - Oh, don't cry my lovely friend! wipes away Hawk's tears You'll see her again! And yes, having a girl in the bunkroom makes it much easier for female domination! Mwhahahahahaha! WE GIRLS WILL RULE OVER NEWSIE LAND! Anywoo, Thanks for the plushie and I won't tell your mom a thing. Scout's honor I won't! By the way, you'll love this chappy. It kind of is the good dream that we all have after watching Newsies.
Shooter O'Brien - I went camping and had the whole weekend to write, so that is what I did. That is the only reason for the four chappys at the same time. But I like how they turned out. Thanks for the info about Tripper's name. I did change that to match my story. I'm glad that you like having Blink chocolate covered. He's so sweet. You will by rather jealous of Tripper in this chappy. Hope you like it. huggles Shooter
Aier of Mirkwood - I'm sorry about your bad experience with the little kids. That sounds like a horrible day. Aier, I want your help to think of some pranks to play on the boys. I can't think of any real good ones. falls on her knees before Aier Please help me! I beg you! I did not pull you down, I tried to catch you as you started to fall. THEN, Perch pushed me from behind causing me to fall after you. Ok, for joining the insanity club, I'm going to choose billiard shooters for my weapons. Now everyone will fear me! Thanks for the quotes. Is there anything else that I must do to join the club. Hope you like this chapter. Hope to get one of your crazy reviews soon!
mistymixwolf - I'm sorry my dear, but I don't have the power to give over my position to you. You will have to ask the other girls what their opinions on that note. I'm sure that you would be great though! joins Perch's dance We got to talk soon online. I haven't heard from you in such a long time. I'm sorry that I insulted you about the jig. You failed to tell me in the profile that you were Irish. If you would have told me, then I wouldn't have written what I did. Hope you like this chappy!
Tears in a Bottle - I really liked that last chappy to your story! It was really good! I'm trying to answer your email. I should have a reply sent to you this week sometime. I updated my profile with somethings that might answer some of your questions. If you interested that is. I'm so glad that we can share Skittery. It would make me sad if we had a fight over the boy. -- Yes, Skitts is really sweet! huggles Skittery I love him! I love this chappy and I think that you will like this one too. Hope to have a review from you soon! huggles Jo-i
Ok, y'all, I hope you like this chappy. Don't forget to review at the end. I won't have anything at the end of this chapter. Oh, I need some ideas for some pranks and tricks that Tripper and the girls can play on the boy. And, do you have any special ways, those of you who are in my story, of how you and the boy you are paired with would get together? Let me know soon! Ok, onto the chappy!
For life, love, liberty, and chocolate covered newsies,
Jockey: over and out
Chapter Thirteen
Tripper was warm, comfortable, and in deep sleep in her bed behind the screen. When she and the boys got back to the Lodging House, stares and murmurs of amazement greeted her. The boys had it pretty much given up on the idea of Tripper becoming a boy. But, she could, and she would. Kloppman took one look at Tripper and shook his head in disbelief. He didn't think this would work, but it was worth try. He sent the boys and Tripper upstairs to bed since it was already late, and the morning would come soon enough.
So, here was Tripper, still sleeping in the early morning light. Kloppman clomped up the stairs toward the bunkroom.
"Come on! Git up! The papahs ain't gonna sell demselves. Jack! Mush! Skitts! Blink, git dat pillow of youse head an' git up! Trippah? Trippah!"
Tripper was jerked out of her warm sleep by the loud yell in her ear. With a shrill squeak, to the amusement of Kloppman and the boys, she fell out of her bed with the bedding tangled around her legs.
She shot the chuckling old man a murderous glare from her sprawled position on the floor.
"What do ye want, Kloppman?"
"Time ta git up, goily." Kloppman walked away from the grumpy girl still chuckling to wake up the rest of her roommates.
Tripper untangled herself from the sheets and blankets and stood up stiffly from her seat on the floor. She hated mornings with a fiery passion. She hated them almost more then she hated her uncle, and that meant everyone who got in her way better be ready to have their heads sent rolling.
With a dark scowl on her face, Tripper stomped around her little alcove while she got dressed. She took a long strip of white linen cloth that she wound tightly against her chest. If she was to be a boy, she couldn't have the generous breasts God had blessed her with.
After securely tying the cloth so it wouldn't come loose, she slipped the off-white undershirt over her head followed by a light blue shirt. Her legs stepped into a pair of gray shorts and secured her black suspenders over her shoulders. She tied the laces on her brown boots, stuffed her dark green cap in her back pocket and grabbed her hairbrush and toothbrush before exiting her small room.
The boys scrambled out of the smoldering girl's way. None of them wanted to feel Tripper's morning wrath.
"G'mornin' Trippah!" Mush's bright, cheery voice grated roughly against Tripper's morning nerves.
"Mush, ye're too cheerful for ye're own good. Go share it with someone else." Tripper's dark scowl and growling reply didn't dampen his morning brightness.
A hard glare clearly suggested that Race and Skittery might want to make room at the counter on their own or be forced to move as Tripper stomped into the washroom. Being the smart boys that they were, Race and Skittery each took a step to the side and smiled at the girl.
With only a frown as a response to their sweetness, Tripper jerked her hairbrush through the tangled mop on her head. The knots got caught in her brush causing pained, frustrated tears to spring to her eyes. A sigh of frustration escaped her lips as she finally was able to run the brush over her head without getting in snagged.
She grabbed a washcloth out of Specs' hands and scrubbed her face roughly till it shone with a reddish glow. Then, she quickly brushed her teeth. When she went to rinse, a gasp escaped her throat at the ice cold water. It made her face sting and chills to run up and down her spine. It certainly woke her up.
After the shock of the water wore off, Tripper suddenly realized that she was in a washroom surrounded by half dressed boys. As casually as possible, Tripper glanced around at the boys. She slipped over to the window and sat on the windowsill and watched the action going on.
Crutchy was pumping cold water over her brother in the washtub. Tumbler and Slider stood to the side waiting grumpily for their turn. Movement in the corner of her eye brought full attention to a half-clothed Blink with only his pants on, and even they were unbuttoned and almost falling off his hips. A bright red blush crept up into her cheeks as she caught more glances of her boys half dressed. What the girls would give to be in her shoes at this very moment!
When Dutchy stepped out of the shower with only a towel on his waist and water shining on his skin, Tripper clapped a hand over her horrified eyes.
"Ah! Dutchy! I didna want ta see that! Me eyes burn! I be scared for life!" All movement ceased at Tripper's outburst. Tripper's face, neck, and ears were a scarlet red which was matched by Dutchy's equally red face as he ran back into the shower stall he had just come from.
Tripper ran out of the washroom with laughter and catcalls following her fleeing form. In the bunkroom, she sat on her bed and took in several deep breaths to calm herself down. After the color of her face returned to normal, she walked out from behind the curtain to find Skittery, Snipes, and Tumbler waiting patiently for her.
"Youse ready ta go, Ro?" Laughter still sparkled in Skittery's soft brown eyes.
A warm feeling spread from Tripper's middle to the rest of her body at Skitts' nickname for her. It was a new feeling to the girl, and she wasn't quite sure what it meant or what it could be.
"Aye, that I be." Tripper pushed the warm feelings to the back of her mind.
An impish grin spread across her pixie face as she placed her crumpled cap backwards on top of her head, snatched her coat from its hook, and joined the three boys.
Tumbler grinned at the girl before placing his small hand in hers. His small face glanced up at Tripper for her approval. A bright grin was all the approval he needed to keep his hand where it was.
"Come on lads. We got ta go get our papers." Tripper and Tumbler led the four out the bunkroom door and out into the cold, snowy morning.