We didn't talk much because the Captain was sprinting and I was struggling to keep up. It went like this for what seemed like an eternity but in reality it was no more than an hour. He slowed down to a brisk walk when we neared the docks. People were bustling around, carelessly shoving into each other with a second thought. Gruff people were shouting orders and the area was clearly not ready. "Too early, as usual." I grumbled.

"Care ta buy a paper?" A tall boy maybe a year older than me asked. He seemed to have appeared out of nowhere and it made me jump a little. He grinned trying to act charming.

"I'm sorry, I don't have any money with me today." I said quietly, feeling suddenly shy. It was the truth though, the little money I had was in a small box in the top drawer of my bedside table.

"I'll take one." The Captain said handing the boy a penny.

He handed him a paper and the Captain stuffed it into the bag on his back. "Thanks." He said and turned around to shout a headline that was clearly made up. For some reason it bothered me. I felt like he assumed we were stupid enough to believe it.

"I need to go in a minute or so. I'll miss you so much." He said the happiness fading from his voice.

"I'll miss you too." I said looking at the ground. Tears welled up in my eyes and my voice cracked. I didn't want to cry again, but I knew I would as soon as I looked up at him.

"You know what your mother told me while she was sick?" He asked.

"No." I looked up at him and the tears started to come down.

"While we weren't together, no matter how far apart we are, we'll see the same stars. It's not exactly true, but while I'm gone I'll look up and see them and think of you."

"It's sappy," I muttered, "But I do the exact same thing."

He pulled me into a hug and whispered "Bye." He pulled back and looked at me. "Write me."

"Every single day. You have to write, too. Take care of yourself."

He nodded and with a final "I love you." he turned to leave. Once he had blended into the crowd was when I truly lost it. I sank to my knees and covered my face in my hands, crying. Before I could protest, a muscular arm wrapped itself around my shoulders comfortingly. I looked up and saw the same newsie that had sold the Captain a paper. He smiled compassionately and helped me to my feet.

"His ship's about ta leave. I don't t'ink he'd wantcha ta miss it." I nodded weakly and wiped tears off my face and out of my eyes. He led me through the crowd, making a path that would last a second before the also white-clad person would resume their spot for me until we reached the front. A tall woman scoffed and refused to move so I could see the procession. "Excuse us." The newsboy said impatiently. "Captain's daughter." He said in frustration when she still remained in place.

"Please." I asked with already pink from crying, puppy dog eyes.

"Oh damn it all to hell. There." She said, defeated, and moved over.

"We make quite the persuasive duo." Chuckled the boy. "You should think about being a newsie."

"I am ... well as of a few hours ago."

He laughed and said "Well, we should sell togetha'. I'll be loud and obnoxious to get the attention and you seal the deal with your puppy eyes."

"Sounds like a plan." I said half-heartedly leaning forwards to see if the crew was coming.

"Ise Skittery."

"Mar- Navy. Little nicknamed me Navy." I still leaned forward and saw the sailors coming. Their footsteps all fell in synchronism and they marched as a body of one. The Captain followed several paces behind, next to his first mate. When they reached the plank leading up to the deck the first mate stopped and saluted him. They walked on board and the ship cast off. I started crying all over again, just not as hard. It was really a bizarre to watch the ship leave and not be on it. It was sliding through the water and away from the dock. Instead of the dock moving away, this time it was the ship and I felt alone even with Skittery standing by me as my father sailed off.

"Ready ta go?" Skittery asked cautiously when the ship was just a spec against the horizon.

"Mmhmm. I'm sorry, I usually don't cry."

"Don't worry 'bout it. I understand how it feels." He said before pulling a paper out of the horizontal stack on his shoulder. He opened his mouth to yell, but at the last second turned and asked me, "Do ya mind?"

"Naw, go right ahead."

"DOLPHINS FOUND IN THE HUDSON!"

"What?" I laughed while a couple people came up. "That is entirely untrue."

"Dey don't know dat ... yet." I continued to laugh, momentarily forgetting about the Captain.

"Can I try?"

"Go for it." He said casually and handed me a paper.

"I ... er ... What should I say?" I asked and he bent down and whispered in my ear.

I giggled before yelling out "BABY BORN WITH THREE HEADS!" We kept coming up with false and hilarious headlines and people kept buying. It was a nice distraction and I started thinking I shouldn't mope. If I want the newsies to like me, I should act normal, not morbid. Plus the Captain was a great sailor and I knew I'd see him soon.

"That was the last one." Skittery said triumphantly.

"Aw, I was just getting the hang of it."

"We'll do it all day tomorrow."

"Great! Its fun!" I said. Maybe the Captain forgot to tell Kloppman about me having to go to school.