Author note: Hey again, just a quick note. I'm used to writing my stories in 1st person, so if I slip up and type in "I," "me," or "my," please let me know. I'm trying to catch as many as I can before I post these. I really wanted to try something different with this story. Different point of view, different plot, different mood. I really hope this isn't boring anybody so far. I actually began this story several months ago but I never got around to giving it much thought (or attention.) So now I'm going to try and devote as much time to this story as I can possibly give. So just point out any mistakes to me and I'll be sure to avoid them in the future. Thanks everyone!

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Rhy frowned and took a step away from Ben. "You serious?" he asked.

Ben nodded, a small frown playing at his lips. "Unfortunately it is. I'm getting' too old for dis, ya know? I think it's 'bout time I let someone else get their turn as leader and find a real job."

Irish clenched her fists. "Selling papes is a real job!" she suddenly exclaimed.

Ben's eyes landed on her as if she had just arrived. He smiled slightly and stepped forward. "Hey, I didn't see ya there, kiddo," he said.

Irish felt her heart shatter. Italy sent his sister a sympathetic look, but said nothing. "I can't believe you're actually steppin' down," Irish said.

Ben shrugged. "Bein' a newsie isn't everythin', Irish," he told her.

Spot seemed offended by this. "Whats a mattah wit you?" he growled. "How can ya say something' like dat? What happened to you? Harlem used to be everything to ya."

Ben sighed. "Listen, I really don't wanna talk about dis. Not here."

Rhy rolled his eyes. "I see dis was jus' a waste of time," he said. "I'm off to see my sistah."

Rhy sent Ben one last glare before departing. Irish didn't blame him, she didn't feel too comfortable here either. She wanted to hurl a chair at Ben's head - maybe that would teach him a lesson. Or she could 'accidentally' shove him in the streets when a carriage was racing by.

Irish shook off her terrible thoughts and looked away from Ben. How could she hurt someone she cared about? It wasn't like he was moving away. Besides, what he made of his life wasn't any of her business. Grow up, you big baby, Irish told herself. You really disgust me sometimes!

Italy placed a hand on his little sister's shoulder. "Irish, if you have anything to say, now would be da time."

Irish gave her brother a confused look. He only smiled and pushed her towards Ben, who cocked an eyebrow. Irish could smell him from three feet away, and already she was mesmerized. What was it that she was supposed to say, exactly? She was only here to hear the truth, like the others.

"Well?" Ben asked, slightly frowning.

Irish shrugged. "Nope, sorry," she said.

She turned to leave, but Spot blocked her way. He wasn't about to let her give up. Whether or not she liked it she was going to stay. She needed to sort things out with Ben before it was too late. Spot knew she wasn't in any hurry to approach Harlem's departing leader, so he spoke for her.

"Look, we didn't jus' come down here to hear da truth." It was a lie, but he needed to say something. He grabbed Irish by her shoulders and turned her to face Ben. "We came so you can learn da truth."

Ben sighed deeply. He wasn't sure where any of this was going, and he was already late for an interview with his future employer. Irish could only stare at him, wondering where Spot and Italy were going with this.

"Well, what's da truth, den?" Ben inquired.

Spot seemed to gradually walk Irish towards Ben. "She is," he said. "She's crazy 'bout you, Ben."

Irish's eyes suddenly grew wide and she immediately wanted to rush under a rock and hide. How could Spot just spill her secret like that? What was he thinking? What kind of leader did that to one of his newsies?

Ben didn't seem too phased by Spot's words. Actually, he seemed to tense up. Irish looked away from him, feeling her insides do several different turns. She knew what was coming next - rejection, humiliation, heartbreak…and she was right.

"Look, guys, I got things to do," Ben said. He stared at Irish. "Sorry, kiddo, but lets face it: I'm too old for you."

With those last words Ben turned around and he quickly walked away. Irish felt the tears springing to her eyes, and she immediately wanted to melt into the shadows. Italy stepped close to his sister to comfort her, but she tried stepping away. Unfortunately, Spot was still standing close behind her, and she backed right into him.

"Why did you have to bring me here?" she asked the two. "Did you want me to feel more pain than I already did?"

Without giving Spot or Italy a chance to speak, Irish turned around and high tailed it back towards Brooklyn. Italy sent Spot a guilty look and frowned.

"It was a bad idea to bring her," he said, looking to the ground. "Now she's never gonna talk to me."

Spot shrugged. "At least she knows da truth now," he said.

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Italy kept pacing back and forth in the boy's bunk room, rubbing his chin. He was lost in thought, his mind racing a mile a minute. He didn't know what to do; he didn't know how to make his sister happy. Spot, who lied lazily on his bunk, sighed and rolled his eyes.

"Would ya cut it out already? You're making me nervous," he said.

Italy stopped, letting out a frustrated groan. He stared at Spot briefly and a small, sly grin spread across his face. "I got it!" he said, punching his fist into his palm. "The both of us hate seeing Irish like dis, right?"

Spot shrugged. "Sure - but mainly 'cause you won't shut up about it," he replied.

Italy ignored his comment. "Right, and we both know dat Ben is lyin'." Spot nodded. "So, the only way to make Ben admit his feelings is to stir up some drama. We gotta make him jealous."

"Jealous?" Spot's eyes sparkled with amusement.

"Yeah!" Italy said. "You know, give Irish someone to show off, and give Benny Boy a reason to admit his feelings."

Spot chuckled. "Good luck with dat," he said.

Italy grinned again. "We need someone well known, someone popular, someone who can stir some trouble. Oh say…someone named….Spot Conlon?"

Spot suddenly sat up, hitting his head forcefully against the bunk above his.