It was only when the yellows and oranges and reds of the sun almost touched the horizon when i was back in Brooklyn. The memory just kept flashing and flashing like a never ending horrible nightmare. It felt like i couldn't get away from it. I couldn't get away from him and my old life. I couldn't get away from Spot.

Spot.. He was my only chance to start over and i am going to start over. I will be the first newsgirl in all of Brooklyn. I'll show Spot, i was so close too. By now, i was running- racing the sun. I figured that Spot would be at the docks by now and would have the third task ready for me.

And there, the all mighty Spot was standing looking over all his Brooklyn newsies messing around or swimming in the water. "Spot!" i yelled, new determination coursing through my veins. I wasn't sure if he was still angry with me or anything but i kept on rambling. "Give me task three." i said as i got closer to him, panting. I looked over at the sun that was setting and smiled. It was so beautiful.

He didn't say anything at first, just studying my face. And then, it was really quick, but he raised his hand and was about to punch me straight in the face when i blocked it. I stared at him, surprised and caught off guard a little. "What the hell?!" i yelled which caused a lot of commotion. All of the newsies, even the ones in the water stopped and just stared at what was about to happen.

Spot didn't have an expression, which made me super pissed when he was about to kick me, so i bent down and grabbed his foot making him fall over. I was angry at him. What did i even do? Does just looking at my face make him that angry? Was he still mad at me for running? Or was he mad that i humiliated him?

By now, we were flat out fighting fist to fist. I upper cut him in the chin, but he quickly regained his composure and kicked me, which made me fall flat on my butt. I know he was being serious with all his hits, because i could feel with every punch and kick that he was giving it his all. So i had no choice, but to do the same.

We were on the ground now, and i punched him in the face a couple times, trying to knock some sense in him. He had no emotion plastered on his face. Nothing that i could pick up. By the third punch though, he harshly grabbed my wrist and knocked me off of him. He was about to punch me in the face, but i twirled my body out of the way, making my way up.

There was silence no newsies were cheering or anything, just watching intently. It was time for me to ask him questions. "Conlon, what the hell is up with you?!" he didn't answer, just looked at the almost setting sun and punch me flat in the ribs. I doubled back, surprised at how hard he could punch, but i didn't give up.

I let the pain of losing my mother overtake me. The hatred i felt toward my papa and Spot right now. Everything felt like it was crumbling. Spot obviously is mad at me for something, i just don't know what. He threw punch after kick after punch and dodged all of them, sending some of my own, giving it all that i had.

I elbowed him in the stomach then gave him an upper cut and ended it with me bending down to trip him. I climbed on top of him and pinned him down. "CONLON WHAT THE FUCK DID I DO NOW?!" i yelled at him. He didn't say anything, just looked toward the sky where the sun had already set.

Finally, i saw a crack by his mouth, he was smirking up at me. It felt like our heavy breathing was the only thing that was heard for miles. When he finally regained his breath, he said "Well, doll, shouldn't cha be celebratin'?"

I furrowed my eyebrows "The hell are you talking about?" He rolled his eyes, which i saw, had a bruise forming around it.

"Think." for a couple seconds i was looking at him, and for one, i was going to slap him, because i was getting frustrated but then it all made sense. "I'm.. I.." i stuttered, too happy for the words to form in my mouth. "Youse a newsie, doll face."

My eyes widened sense i didn't even believe for a second. I smiled so wide, i swear my face was going to fall off. I squealed a little like a little girl getting a lollipop after crying. I was so happy, i kissed Spot on the cheek. But as soon as my lips left his face, i immediately regretted it. We both looked surprised actually, but all the newsies gathered around and even some Manhattan newsies had come to join the party.

"Congrats doll!" i heard shouts and laughter. Even some of the little kids yelled "Yay! She's here to stay!" I was still on top of Spot which made it even more awkward. He raised an eyebrow "Well, aren't ya gonna get off me already?"

One of the newsies helped me up and then i helped Spot up. He acted like that kiss never happened, so i did the same. I just laughed with the other newsies and even got to meet some new Manhattan newsies. One of the newsies yelled from the whole crowd "Come on now, let's get inside! I'll bring out da liqua!"

Everyone cheered and gathered inside the small lodging house. It was so long since i felt so invited, cared for and most importantly, i felt belonged. I smiled at the thought, looking at a pair of little Brooklyn and Manhattan boys messing around inside.

I was last to go in and as i did, out of curiosity, i looked around for the one and only.. Spot Conlon. I don't know why, but i felt like i needed to talk to him, about…. I really don't know exactly. So i went in the lodging house, hoping i'd find him there. "Heya doll!" i heard someone call my name. I turned around and it was a Manhattan newsie. The one with the cowboy hat, forgetting his name.

"Hey!" i twisted my head and narrowed my eyes, cueing him to tell me his name. "Jack, or ya could call me Cowboy." he spit i his hand and put it out for me to shake, so i did the same. "Right, Sorry. Did you- by chance, see Spot anywhere?" i yelled over the hyperactive and drunk crowd.

He took a step closer to me, now i had to crain my head up so i could look at him. "Word o' advice?" i furrowed my eyebrows, confused. "Spot's gotta sort o' a reputation.." i smiled up at him saying "I'm quite aware of that one. If you're trying to tell me that he's an asshole, i already knew that."

We both laughed and he held up his glass signaling that i was right. "No," he chuckled "I'm pretty sure about everyone knows it." i cut him off, not trying to be rude, and said "Then why does everyone practically tremble at his presence?"

He gave me a look like i should already know the answer. "Well 'cause he's da king of Brooklyn." he said it like it was so simple. "Right.." i replied, trying not to laugh. "And that makes him so 'big' and 'scary'? Not really getting it.."

He slightly crinkled his face like that was a good enough answer to him. "Let's just say he's not one ta mess wit.-" i cut him off again. Boy, i'm really good at that. "If you haven't noticed, it's pretty funny when he's messed with." he gave me a serious look. Like i should know what he's like when he's angry.- Oh, and i know.. Pretty well.

"How do ya do it?" i raised my eyebrows looking in his eyes. I kind of just stared at his big brown eyes for a second. They seemed to not have a trace of sadness or worthlessness. All i saw was happiness and curiosity. And i admired that.

I opened my mouth about to answer then i had to remember what he asked me. "Uh- Do what?" he answered straight away, no hesitation in his voice. "How da ya make him so pissed off he could kill somebody and still find it funny? How da ya take his punches and not knock out? What- are you'se a spy or someein?" i clenched my teeth. His words were so powerful i almost lost my train of thought.

It took a minute for me to come up with a good answer. "Yeah, i'm a spy Cowboy, how'd you know?" he cracked a smile and i laughed. "I don't know Jack, practice?" immediately i felt suffocated. I wanted to leave this place and get some fresh air for a little bit. I felt like i was about to crumble on the spot. I wanted to tell him how i didn't knock out with every hard given punch or kick Spot threw at me. Part of me wanted to tell him everything.

Everything from my mother dying, to my father turning into a.. A maniac. And how i just couldn't manage to fight back with him. I mean fighting 10 big guys and then my father is kind of very hard. 3 guys maybe, but not anymore than that. I coughed and then told Jack i wanted to enjoy the rest of the party. "Bye Jack, nice talking to you!" i yelled back at him after we spit shook goodbye.

I practically had to fight my way outside, and once i was 2 centimeters from the door there was a loud banging on a table somewhere, silencing everyone and thing. I turned over to see the boy at the restaurant from earlier, what was it.. Ra- "shit." i mumbled. I was so bad at names. He still had a cigar in his mouth, chewing on it with a bottle of whisky in his hand. "Heyya everybody!" he yelled and everyone cheered or said hi back to him.

"I would like ta congratulate Brooklyn's very first newsgoil! Now… Where is she?" he scanned the crowd then landed his eyes on me. He squinted a little and then realized that i was the 'newsgoil' and said. "Oh! There she is! Come on ova, uhh.." i heard a very familiar voice from the other side of the room saying "Doll" everyone, including me, turned their attention toward the 'Brooklyn King'

My heart raced a million hours when i saw him, but then someone moved out of his way, and there, on his lap was a girl wearing a very thin dress, she was basically eating his neck! All of a sudden i felt lightheaded but i forced myself to look away and toward the boy standing on the table. "Doll.. Hmm, i'se like it! Doll! Come on ova!" i went red from my forehead down to my toes.

"Erm, it's okay, really.." i said loud enough for everyone to hear. "No, come on ova! Come on, please" he pursed his lip giving me the puppy dog face. I melted and smiled at his actually very good puppy dog face. I gave him a sympathetic look and then said "Well, now, i can't say no to that face, can i?" i smiled when everyone clapped and cheered. I was even escorted by two small boys.

By the time i got on top of the table, and he hopped off, i was laughing. "Now, Doll, why don't cha tell us you'se secret?" i smiled questioningly at him. "What secret?" i started to turn even more red. If they were talking about my father.. "How did you fight- and win to the Spot Conlon? He letcha win huh? Spot, ya let 'er wi-" i cut him off because i was not, no, never going to let Spot be satisfied with himself on my clock.

"I won because he's weak." everything went even more silent then before. Not even crickets were heard for a mile away. And immediately i knew i pushed it too far. But at that moment i didn't care. I wasn't going to let the crowd know that i was a weakling. My pride would never allow that.

Spot and i were making very heated eye contact with each other and everyone else seemed to back up. For a moment i left his eyes to give the same death glare at his whore on him. She gave me the same look back which made me even more angry. "But apparently, whores like weaklings." i said timidly toward the girl.

She scoffed at me and rolled her eyes. I raised an eyebrow at her and she finally got up, but not before giving Spot a very desperate kiss. I put my hands on my hips and just stared at him. How could he? That's not gentlemanly at all, and in front of all his friends? The whole time though, he was staring straight at me. Eyes of steel.