At night, i snuck out of Spot's bed and went to the window, climbing out to the refreshingly cool air. I closed my eyes gently and took a deep breath. "I'm ok." i whispered to myself.

"You'se sure 'bout dat?" i figured Spot would wake up at some point, he was a very light sleeper. "Yes, i am." there was a long pause. "Just spit it out." i said, knowing he was hesitating.

"But.. Why'se ya.. um.. Ya know.." he asked carefully, like it was going to plunge me into the darkness again. "Hmm. Why should i tell you?" i joked, lightening the mood. He answered matter-of-factly and quickly, "Well, 'cause i'se da King o' Brooklyn, of course."

I laughed "How did i know you were going to say that?" Spot and i stared at each other for what felt like such a long time, but it felt good.

I used the time to study his strong and calm blue eyes that switch from grey to back depending on his mood, though it was usually grey.. With me. His pointed nose that's always pointed up, his structured jaw line, all the way to his thin pink lips that twisted into a smile. I even noticed that his eyebrows framed his eyes well, making him look like a natural born angry person.

I'm sure he was looking me over too because when we made eye contact he was the first to look away. We stood there, leaning over the railing, looking over the midnight sky, quietly.

"I was 7 when it started," i started with my story. Spot didn't say anything, just looked ahead and occasionally looked a little surprised. But i liked it, because he listened to me, without interrupting.

"After mother died, He started to beat me every night, after getting drunk, saying it was for my own good and he.. he didn't stop until he passed out. I just thought he had good reason for it, so i never fought back." He stared down at my bruised arms that were starting to fade, but he was speechless.

I talked my way around the time in the valley.. And Brandon, careful with my words."One night though, he hired some men to 'put me in my spot', i was lucky that the window in my room broke, because i bolted. But of course, they caught up. It didn't help much to fight them, they were too big and out numbered me."

I was alarmed when he started talking because he hadn't this whole time. "And dats how ya got 'ere." i nodded scratching at my arms, thinking of the valley. Spot gently placed his hand on my hands, stopping me from scratching.

"I'se know ya hidin' somethin' else." i stared into his eyes, amazed that he caught me. After a moment of silence, i awkwardly pulled my hands away and tucked my hair behind my ear. I coughed, trying to make it less awkward, but of course, it just made it more awkward.

"I-" he stopped me with his voice. "Tell me'se when ya ready, but i'se won't be waitin' long." he smirked at the sky and i smiled at his accomplished face and nodded. "Um.. Spot?"

He nodded, making him look like he was listening. "Thank you." i quickly duck and climbed through the window, leaving him surprised and speechless. I laid on the bed, falling asleep quickly.

That night, i finally had a good nights sleep, Spot even let me sleep in, but i got angry. I guess it was only at night when Spot and i can actually have a civil talk, but during the day, it was war.

"CONLON!" i ran down stairs, with my hair stil in tangles and sprinted to his selling spot. "What the fuck?" i pushed his shoulders back, startling him. "What?" he asked, already irritated and started walking casually.

"Don't walk away from me, why the fuck would you let me sleep in? I NEED TO SELL PAPES!" i yelled at him, anger flaring in my eyes.

"It's not my fault, wakin' ups' you'se job." i clenched my teeth for so long, it felt like they would fall out, until a voice snapped me out of my angry state. We both looked menacingly at the person, who turned out to be Lez, one of the younger Manhattan newsies.

He stopped in his tracks, looking scared out of his mind. My face softened at his frightened face. "Morning Lez!" i called out. His face upturned into a smile, but he cautiously walked toward us. .

"Hi Doll, hey Spot.. Did i interrupt something?" he stared at the ground. I bent down and brought his chin up so we were face to face.. "No, Lez." i petted his head and he seemed to be happy enough.

"But why's ya 'ere alone? How many times did i'se tell ya ta neva leave Manhattan widout an acquaintance?" Spot scolded the little boy who nodded like he was being yelled at by his older brother.

"Spot, don't scold him, he's just a little boy!" i whispered at him, but he just ignored me. "Oh, i'se not a little boy anymoa, doll! I'se a- a man!" i laughed at his attempt at a New York accent. I nodded, regaining my composure. "Okay Lez. Anyways, why are you here?"

He puffed his chest outward and said in a 'manly' voice "I'se is here foah... uh" he thought for a bit, trying to find his words and put them in his little accent. "Foah Jack! He says.." now he was trying to remember what Jack had told him.

"Lez!" i heard Jack yell from a couple feet away. "Oh, so you did bring someone" i waved at Jack, who was jogging toward us. When he got to us, he was out of breath but managed to say "Medd-" another breath "a's"

Lez bumped in "Oh yeah! Medda says to come tonight!" he then realized that he didn't say it in his little accent so said it again in a low manly voice. "I'se means, Medda says ta come tanight." he nodded to himself, successfully.

I smiled at him than turned my attention toward Jack. "Heya Jackey boy." Spot had greeted him first. Jack stood and spit-shook with Spot and did the same with me. "Medda said-" i put up a hand "Don't worry, Lez the man here explained it all."

Lez gave me a toothy grin. Jack settled his hand on Lezs' head. "Uh.. Spot, can we talk in.. Private?" he looked at me like he wanted me to leave, instead of them leaving. I raised an eyebrow at both of them.

"You may leave, I will stay, thank you very much." i smiled sweetly at them. Spot glared at me and i did the same. "You'se don't tell me what ta do, Doll." I nodded my head and smiled "Yeah, but i just did, would you like me to repeat myself?"

Jack had jumped in by now and awkwardly said "C-come on Spot, lets, um go over there" he pointed to no where in particular and walked away, Lez close behind him. Spot gave me one last glare and i said "What, do i have to excuse you here? Fine, you are excused, actually, i'll excuse myself."

I turned around, making sure my long blonde hair had hit his face before walking back to the lodging house to take a well needed bath. There was no need for selling anymore because the news stand had already closed for the afternoon.

I pumped the nice hot water in the tub and stripped down to nothing, sitting comfortably. After awhile of sitting and scrubbing my body to cleanliness, i got out and pumped some more hot and clean water. I cleaned my hair, getting every inch of grub off.

By the time i was finished, i felt new and refreshed. Some could say i even glowed. I smiled at my reflection as i was combing my hair. "Ow, ow, ow" i said each time i brushed. But i got annoyed so i just gave up.

I put my hair in a long braid and i was good to go. It was around 6 pm when the newsies finally filed in, making me happier then ever, since i was bored out of my mind.

But they all went straight upstairs, getting ready for something. I found Spot come in last and stopped him. "What's going on?" he looked surprised. "Didn't you know about Medda's?" i furrowed my eyebrows. Spot didn't say anymore about this 'Medda's'. All he said was "Go upstairs and get ready, oh- and wear something nice."

I rolled my eyes "What, this isn't nice enough for you?" he looked down at my pants and suspenders and shook his head. "Just go, you have 10 minutes, starting now." i didn't move. "Well? Are you okay with staying here all night then?"

I pouted and stomped my way upstairs. When i got into Spot's room, i sighed. "Man.." i had unburied out my dress i wore last that i had cleaned. But there were still some blotches of blood left.

I took couple minutes to rip and rearrange the dress. By the time i was done, it was just a nice simple spring time dress. I gazed at myself in the mirror, liking my fine work.

The baby blue dress was draped with white lace towards the bottom, with the breast area singed and a little low-cut. The dress had already been quite tight around the waist, so i couldn't fix that, not without a sewing kit of some kind.

It looked fine and i surprisingly felt good wearing a dress again. I found the flats that i had worn that night and slipped them on. Next was the hair, i didn't do anything to it, besides take some loose strands out. I didn't take it out of the braid because it was still a bit wet and i didn't feel like having it in my face as we walked through the breezy night.

By the time i was done, i was the only one upstairs, the rest had waited for me downstairs. The little boys had to stay and be tucked into bed, with my help. They didn't like it, but it couldn't be helped, they were too young for this 'Medda' thing.

As i tucked in the last of the younger newsies and kissed him good night, i walked downstairs, surprised at how many newsies actually waited for me.

When i descended, all of the loud chatter stopped and they actually looked quite stunned. I looked around awkwardly and tucked a strand of hair behind my ear and walked toward the front door, where Spot had been leaning at.

I whispered "Why are they all still here? I thought most of them left.." he smirked at me, looking me over. "Well, doll, they'se wanted ta see how you'se look.. well all dolled up."

I giggled a bit. "Haven't they already seen me wear a dress?" he answered like it was obvious. "Well you'se was kinda drownded in blood.." i nodded knowingly "Oh. Yeah."

He had given me his arm, which i gladly did not take. I walked in front of him, being the first to leave. Spot, though did not look very happy, which made me happy.

I got a lot of compliments on how i should start dressing like a 'goil' more because i looked great. I just replied with "You try wearing a dress for a day and tell me if you like it." but that didn't really shut them up.

Spot, however didn't show much emotion, i could tell he was taking quick glances at my breasts and every time i would turn to look, he had already turned away.

When we got to Medda's, i was amazed that it was a cabaret, something i did not expect. When we walked in, it was so much more nicer than i expected. I even felt a little dressed down, but it was okay because all these newsies from everywhere.

"Stay by me'se." Spot gave me a firm look like this meant life or death. I raised an eyebrow and obeyed his order. As i looked around, i saw a lot of already drunk newsies giving me eyes and smiling at me. And not the 'i'm a nice person' smile the 'i wanna have you in bed' smile.

I gave them dirty looks and followed close by Spot each time one of them gave me one of those smiles. I even got so grossed out that i actually reached out for Spot's hand and gripped them firmly, he looked surprised, but went along with it.

The newsies stopped giving me those smiles and started giving Spot and i looks. Like we were the center of attention here, not the pretty lady with the bright red hair on stage singing.

Spot had sat at the table that seated Racetrack, Jack, Mush, and Blink. As soon as they saw us, i hastily pulled my hand apart from Spot's. I didn't want them to get the wrong idea.

They all didn't really pay attention to Spot, but more over to me. I blushed with their eyes staring at me, since i wasn't used to the attention much. "Wow..." Racetrack and Jack had said in unison. "Ya look.. Great!" i saw Mush start to blush when i smiled at him.

"Thanks guys.." i was pushed into Spot by a random newsie bumping into me, making my braid fall apart in the process. Our faces were inches apart and it almost felt like slow motion. It startled both of us, but Spot was the first to regain his composure.

He smirked and reached up to twirl with my hair, in which i quickly slapped away. "Not a chance, Conlon." i stood up straight again to bend down and flip my hair, careful not to hit anyone. Was it just me or did i catch Spot staring.

"What?" i asked agitated and he just looked at me for a moment. "Take a picture, it'll last longer. Where are the drinks? I'm thirsty." he pointed at the bar toward the far right of the cabaret. "Got it, anyone else want anything?"

Racetrack had said "Can ya get me a beer?" followed by Jack "Me too". I nodded and scurried my way over. "Three beers please!" i told the bartender, who got it right away.

"Thank-" i started to say as i turned around but bumped into someone, dropping my drinks. "Hey, watch-" i looked up and was about to scold the person but was appalled to see someone i had not seen in a long, long time. Someone who saved me too many times.

Someone who i loved more than anyone in the entire world, was standing right in front of me and my lips couldn't seem to move. I stood there, speechless, surprised, happy, sad, and of all things angry.