I'm back again today!

I don't own Newsies.

Chapter Four

Birthday

The last thing Amanda expected was for the newsies to remember June 8. But they did. And, boy, they sure knew how to party.

Amanda had been out selling paper with Race, as usual. But Race kept getting distracted at everything. It wasn't like Race. Everyone could count on Romeo for getting distracted but not Racetrack Higgins. Finally Amanda took Race by the arm and started dragging hi to the lodge.

"Hey, Diamond," said Race as they past a bookstore, "Ain't dat the book you's been wantin'? Les-Mis-ar-a-bl-es?"

She stopped. Amanda looked at the window. Sure enough a copy of Victor Hugo's Les Miserables was on display. How she yerned to go inside the shop and curl up with the big book. Before she said an away, Amanda had started it. But at night she dreamed of finishing that beautiful story.

"Les Miserables," Amanda corrected, "I'm sorry, Race. It's calling to me."

With that Amanda walker into the store, picked up a copy and started reading. Race followed her inside. It was strange how cute Amanda looked when she read. Her face reacted to every word. At some points Race was scared that Amanda was going to cry.

Amanda read for a good hour before Race to!d her the guys would get worried. She signed as she set the book down. They left the store.

"Why'd you like dat book so much? Ain't it a bit huge?" Race asked.

"One of the characters Cosette reminds me of myself," answered Amanda, "She was abused and neglected, so was I. But we both found a savior. I think you's mine, Racetrack Higgins."

The two had arrived. The greated Ole' Bill. They faced upstairs to...

"SURPRISE!" all of the newsies shouted.

For a second, Amanda just stood there with her mouth open. The newsies started to wonder if this was a bad idea. But to their relief Amanda started to laugh.

"How'd you guys know it was my birthday?" she asked.

"You's told Racer, he told Jack and Jack told us," Romeo informed her, " Do you's like it?"

"I's love it!" Amanda embraced Romeo.

"Come on!" Romeo exclaimed, "We's got ya a pwesent!"

Romeo led Amanda to the table that was usually reserved for gambling. Amanda took a seat. Jack handed her a rectangle shaped package covered with brown paper and tied with twine. Amanda took it.

"For me?" Amanda whispered.

Jack nodded. "From all of us."

"You didn't have to. I know how hard it is-"

"Well, we's did," Henry interrupted.

"It's not everyday a girl turns sixteen," Race reminded her.

"Open it!" Romeo ordered.

Everyone laughed. Amanda carefully opened the package. She gasped once she was was inside.

"Thank you!" Amanda sighed as she pulled out a copy of Les Miserables.

"That ain't just it!" Buttons said, " Miss Medda Larken herself wanted to give you somethin' too."

They newsies band Amanda went to the theater. They first thing Amanda did was thank Miss Medda.

"I'm Amanda Delany by the way," she said.

"Ain't it Delancy?" Henry whispered to Race.

Race elbowed him.

After a large, warm meal and performance by Miss Medda, Amanda layed in bed thinking that this had been the best birthday ever.