The next chappie will be longer.

I like reviews. ;o)

"Walsh, if you don't get out of the bathroom in ten seconds, I'm going to soak you. Is that what you want?" Slight called Little by what I assumed was her last name as she stood outside of the washroom connected to the girls' bedroom. Little had been in the bathroom getting ready for bed for awhile and she was ignoring Slight. Slight was being impatient, but her threats were empty and entertaining to Trip, Kiki and myself, who had all used the bathroom already. Another moment or two of Slight banging on the door and Little came out with damp, curly hair tied in low ponytail and wearing a well-worn nightgown. "You took a shower?" Slight asked angrily.

"Yeah, so?" Little asked bravely considering Slight was at least 8 inches taller.

"I just had to brush my teeth!" Little just smirked and laid stomach-down at the foot of her bed. Slight came out momentarily.

"So Navy, you're new and we hardly know anything about you." Slight started before she was interrupted.

"And unlike a normal person who waits to get to know people, Slight asks people questions like an idiot." Trip said.

Besides lifting her head a little higher, Slight ignored the last comment and continued, "Mind if we ask ya some questions 'bout yourself?"

"Sure," I answered plainly, remembering Trip's warning on the stair case. "As long as I can ask 'em back to you."

"Fair enough. So where are you from?"

"I was born in Florida, but I haven't lived anywhere permanently in years."

"Why?" She asked bluntly.

"My dad, he's a sailor and after my mother died when I was three years old I just traveled with him."

"Oh." She said politely. "Why didn't your grandparents take you?"

"My father has no idea as to where his parents might be and after my mother married my father, her parents wouldn't speak or associate with her." I blushed upon finishing.

"Oh." Slight said again.

"Well," I said sort of changing the subject, "What about you guys? What's you story?"

"I've always been in New York. My parent's couldn't afford school so I started sellin' papes and eventually left 'em so they wouldn't have to worry about me." Trip said like it was nothing. I thought it was sad and wondered if I would have done the same thing. "Don't worry, I still see 'em." She added.

"I moved here from Tennessee with my sister and her husband. She's a cook for some rich people and he works in a factory." Slight said.

"I've been here since I was eight; lived on the street 'fore that." Little said.

"I was on the streets for a couple 'a before Jack came. 'E just decided ta help me out. I'll neva understand dat kid..." She trailed off.

"But she'll kiss 'em." Little said causing everyone to laugh.

"He hardly notices me." She added glumly.

"Yeah, well he's still pouting about Sarah leaving him for that rich guy." Little said comfortingly. "He'll get over it." Kiki just shrugged.

Slight was just getting started with her questions I sensed. "Speaking of boys, any New Yorkers caught your eyes?"

"Naw." I answered truthfully. I was hardly thinking of romance. "Listen, it's not that I don't love the attention," I declared with a dramatic flourish, "But I'm exhausted."I leaned back on my pillow as my eyes threatened to shut and not open for hours.

"But I was just getting' started!" Slight cried.

"Get ova' it. You can be normal and just get to know her." Little said with a yawn.

"Wheah's Russia?" Kiki asked before settling into bed.

"Home foah the night. She's selling tomorra'." Trip said before turning off the single light that was casting a cozy orange glow above her bed. "Night goils." Everyone returned the sentiment and started to doze off.