Chapter 12:

Shopping Spree

The next morning, the Newsies woke up to clear blue, sunny skies. Star awoke with a huge smile on her face. She contentedly jumped of her top bunk and was about to put on Spot's old and worn in clothes, but then decided that it was time to get a new Newsie wardrobe. "Maddie, take a day off selling today lets go shopping!" Star exclaimed.

Notebook was caught off guard, "I should be used to this by now, Sarah is pretty unpredictable, but that does sound like a good idea." Notebook's eyes slightly opened, and she rolled over to look out the window. "It's a beautiful day out, but I just can't get out of bed today". Knowing Star would protest, she rolled her eyes "I'd like to" Notebook replied as she slowly made her way out of bed, along with the other exhausted Newsies.

"Great! Let's get our money together, and head out." Star replied, cautiously removing the hidden small chest from their luggage, where they kept their allowance. Star took out some money and evenly divided it. "Take this." Star said excitedly placing half the money in Notebook's hand.

Notebook looked down at the money, then up at Star, shaking her head in disbelief. "Why don't you just give it to me when we actually have our daily wardrobe on." Notebook asked curiously.

"Just take it so I don't have to worry about giving it to you later." Star said placing her portion of money in a small blue handbag. "Speaking of a daily wardrobe, I actually feel like wearing a nice skirt today." Star replied, pulling out a longblue tiered skirt that was narrow and slightly flared out at the end. The skirt was trimmed in a thin line of dark blue lace.

"It's amazing how we traded skirts for more comfortable pants, only to be found in skirts again." Star laughed, and then pulled out some undergarments, and a white blouse. The sleeves were short and somewhat puffy, and the neck of the blouse was square scooped. Star then quickly headed to the stalls to change.

Along the way she bumped into Takoda. "Oh morning Takoda, Maddie and I are taking the day off sellin today. We're goin shoppin, cuz were in desperate need of a new Newsie wardrobe." Star replied while walking towards the stall, and then entering.

"Why? Youse finally tired of wearin Spots' clothes." Jack tauntingly shouted.

"Ye, it's about time I got some woikin clothes for meself." Star shouted from the stall. The Newsies chuckled at her accent.

"Look's like you'se finally catchin on." Mush commented.

Star smiled, contented. Takoda chuckled, and motioned his way toward Maddie's bunk where she stood picking out her clothes for the day. "So Star tells me your going shopping today, a great place for some Newsie clothes is 'Workwear' on Fifth Avenue."

"Thanks, I'll keep that in mind." Maddie replied pecking him on the cheek with a kiss. Notebook then gathered her clothes, and headed for the stalls to change.

Star stepped out of the stall in her daily wardrobe as Notebook went in after her. Mouths dropped, Silence drifted through the room. Star smiled, then slightly lifted up the sides of her skirt and bowed as if to curtsy. She balanced her weight on the toes of her left foot, and with her right she kicked up and began to spin on the balls of her feet. Her skirt flowed as she spun and her dark hair flared out behind her. She resembled a dancing gypsy.

"Wats' a matta? You'se neva seen a goil before? " Cassie shouted mockingly.

"Oh I'se seen many goils before, goigious ones too." Racetrack commented. He then went up to Star who was still dancing, put his hand out like a gentlemen, and asked, "May I have dis dance Miss." Star giggled at Racetracks absurdity. "I'd love to, kind sir." She answered grabbing both of Race's hands. Star was a good three inches taller then Race, but together they lightheartedly danced, prancing around the room causing the Newsies to laugh uncontrollably at the wacky sight.

"Save your energy for shopping, we got a lot of walking to do." Maddie replied laughing as she walked out of the stall. The Newsies glanced Notebook's way not fully realizing Notebook's ensemble, and once noticing how different she looked there heads quickly turned back in her direction. They stood and stared. Notebook could feel her face grow hot and a blush creeping to her cheeks, smoothing out a long lilac silk skirt trimmed with pale lavender lace, Maddie looked doubtful as she fumbled with the lace cuffs on her white blouse. "Is it too much?" Notebook asked awkwardly.

"Maddie you look amazing!" Star exclaimed, running towards her friend.

"You'se a lucky man Tiger." Kid Blink teased.

Takoda agreed and walked towards her. He then placed his arm around her, and kissed the crown of her head.

"Aright fellas show's ova!" It's time ta sell da papes." Jack shouted rounding up the newsboys and gently shoving some out the washroom doorway. Maddie looked over her shoulder at Jack behind her, and nodded a thank you. The Newsies gathered their belongings and headed out to begin their day.

Star and Notebook walked down the creaky stairs to the streets. "Takoda was telling me there's a great place for working clothes called 'Workwear' on Fifth Avenue." Maddie replied as they made their way down the cobblestone and dirt roads, passing crowds and horse-drawn carriages.

"Let's head to Fifth Avenue then." Star said, motioning for Notebook to fallow. They passed the bakery, and the aroma of freshly baked goods wafted through the streets. There were windows with quaint displays of feathered hats and scarves of many colors. Pearls, extravagant gowns and shoes stood in another. They briefly glanced at the fineries of their life back in England, and often stopped to try on some colorful scarves and hats of all shapes, and sizes. As they continued to walk along Fifth Avenue they noticed, a woman with two young daughters walked from one of the fancy dress shops, they looked to be first-class by the frills and ribbons of the finely woven dresses they wore. The youngest looked about seven years of age and was motioning towards a large puddle. The mother quickly pulled the girl away and told her in a scolding tone: "Now you wouldn't want to get your gorgeous dress all muddy, now would you?"

The girl seemed to object but finally shook her head sadly and promptly followed her mother, glancing back at the puddle longingly as she left.

"Now that looks familiar." Maddie replied irritated.

"Tell me about it…it seemed so familiar that I could actually feel the little girl's grief." Sarah replied as she remembered her childhood. "But we don't got to worry about that now, right?" She asked trying to look on the bright side of things.

"No…we don't." Maddie answered. " I hope we don't…it's too late to go back now, nor do I plan to anyway…unless father comes for me…" Maddie's thoughts were then interrupted when Star shouted excitedly." Look! There's 'Workwear'." The two hurried into the store, and as they entered the bell chimed. The shop was rather plain with whitewashed walls and boxes lined up around some of the walls. A middle- aged woman with dark hair in a low sophisticated bun, sat at the tattered front desk. She looked up and smiled kindly. "Good afternoon ladies, can I help you with anything." She asked.

"Yes we're looking for some comfortable working pants and shirts." Star answered.

"Well we got lot's of those, follow me." The lady said getting out of her seat, and heading toward the back of the shop. Notebook and Star followed, and saw that there were a variety of shirts and pants to chose from.

"Thank-you." Maddie said analyzing a shirt.

"No problem, if you need me I'll be at the front desk."

"Okay" Star said picking out a pair of dark comfy looking pants. They continued to look around and choose what they needed and headed for the change rooms to try everything on. Once they were satisfied with their clothes and the fitting, they proceeded to the front desk to pay. Notebook paid first, and just before Star was about to pay she noticed a pair of bright blue suspenders hanging on one of the nearby shelves. "I have to buy those, I definitely need something to brighten up these dull working clothes." Star replied. She went over to grab the suspenders, and then came back to pay.

"Thank-you for your help." Star said just before they walked out the door. The late afternoon sun brightened the streets and made them seem more alive with color and sound, the crowds bustling around for last-minute errands.

"These crowds are thick as molasses on a hot summer day" Maddie muttered.

"Better hot then cold." Star answered.

"Yes that's true, so are you still going to visit Spot later?" Maddie questioned.

"Yup, I'm gonna bring back his clothes, since I won't be needing them any longer." Star replied, looking down at her bags.

"I wonder what adventure you guys will have tonight." Maddie curiously asked.

Star chuckled and said 'I'll be sure to tell you everything, don't you worry."

"Everything?" Notebook prompted.

"Well, maybe not everything." Star taunted. "Race ya back to the lodgin house!" Starlight yelled getting a head start.

"Aww, you know you'll beat me." Notebook called, forcing herself to catch up. Although they had been getting outlandish stares the girls continued to race down the cobblestone while weaving through the crowds, with their bags flailing about. They finally arrived at the lodging house.

With Notebook following, Star stumbled into the doorway with her bags knocking against the doorframes as she opened the door. They ran up the stairs taking two at a time. Kloppman sat at the desk in the forum and shook his head in disbelief while mumbling something about the rowdy girls. They reached the bunkroom dropped there bags, and collapsed on the nearest bunks, laughing uncontrollably at the chaotic uproar they had caused. "We never would have been able to do that in England!" Notebook replied through her uproarious cackle.

Star let out an exaggerated sigh of relief, and replied "Thank gosh!" They rested for five more minutes, and Star jumped of the bed. "Well it's time to go visit my Prince Charming." Star joked. She then grabbed Spot's clothes, while saying goodbye to Notebook, and headed down the stairs humming a happy tune. "Bye Kloppman!" Star chanted before she left the lodging house, with a new adventure approaching her way.