Disclaimer: don't own the newsies sadly

A/N: I was hoping to get more reviews but I figured id at least add another chapter to see if anyone reads it (thanks to the people who added this story to their favorites and alerts)…please R&R!! So I know whether to keep going with this story!!

-Thanks to Garen Ruy Maxwell for the review, im glad u like the idea and I wasn't really sure what I wanted her in when she went out during the day…but that was what I picked. I hope it wont stop you from reading some more

After my meal I took a short walk around Central Park as the sun drifter closer to the city skyline. I took in the sights and sounds of the park as I relaxed on the bench. Being outside made me feel free and let me forget about my job if only for a few minutes.

But sadly those minutes were short as I needed to head back to the "brothel" as some people would call it. I dragged myself back there realizing it was getting close to dinner time now.

As I entered the side door I noticed some of the other girls were ready and waiting for the night to begin. Most of the girls were like me, they did it for the money and a place to live, but some the ones I didn't like enjoyed it way too much. They were the long timers here and I just hoped I wouldn't turn out like they did. I worked here when I was around 12 but I worked the bar and cleaned the place up until I got old enough to "work".

"Your late Autumn" I heard one girl say as she stood up from the couch. I frowned; she was one I didn't like.

"Whatever Lips" I said before making my way up the stairs to get ready and to get away from her.

I opened my door and flicked on the light. The little room seemed like a prison but it was what I got, and it was better than the streets. I quickly went to a chest on the floor and pulled out a small dress, stockings and high shoes. As I pulled the dress over my head I shook my head at how little it covered.

I added the other touches and pulled my hair into a braid. Next I found my make up and after putting on what I thought would be over the top I turned and took one glance into the mirror. I took a deep breath and left the room to join the other girls around the bar which held the one thing I needed, alcohol.

I found some of the other girls that I liked around this place and took a seat with them. We eventually began to talk as we took a few drinks….somehow I always felt like I had the most though.

"Autumn, did ya hear the customer I had last night is comin' back." Spring asked me as she leaned over for another drink. I gave her a blank expression not knowing who came in last night.

"It was the rich kid from upper Manhattan. And well he was cute too so it's ok" I laughed slightly.

"Does he have a friend Spring?" I asked taking another sip of my drink. She smiled and shrugged.

Time went slowly but finally I could hear some voices filling up the room. Some men just came for the beer, others for just the girls, and some for both. I continued to sit on my stool even as I watched Spring go off with a rich looking kid. As I gazed at the entrance I noticed the customers I hated, newsies.

Frowning I spun around in the stool so that I would face the bar and not the entrance. Sometimes I took them as customers not caring that much, but there was no way I was taking Jack Kelly.

He came in from time to time, although I heard he had a girlfriend for awhile, but either way I would hide when he came around. Whenever I saw him it brought back memories from my childhood and I couldn't risk him finding out I was here.

I hoped he would find another girl for tonight, but as I was waiting I heard footsteps behind me. I took a breath and watched as a shadow sat down next to me and ordered a drink. I kept my eyes straight but I could see his cowboy hat hanging off his neck.

Although I wanted to keep my eyes focused ahead of me, I felt the urge to turn to him since his own gaze was fixed on me. I slowly turned my head and watched as his face wrinkled in confusion.

I held my breath waiting for him to say something, but to my surprise he didn't seem to recognize me.

"Do I know ya from somewhere?" he asked slowly, taking in my appearance.

I smiled, "Not unless you've paid before" he smiled at my attempt to lighten the mood.

"Nah I would have remembered a pretty face like yours, ya just look familiar somehow." I shrugged pretending I didn't know who he was. I guess it has been awhile since he's last seen me. It looks like my secret was safe for tonight.

Before he could make the gesture to go upstairs I quickly excused myself saying someone was waiting. I ducked into a back room and leaned against the door trying to calm down.

After a few minutes I peeked out of the room to make sure he had moved on. Satisfied that he was gone I walked back out and started my work for the night.

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After my work was finished for the night I dragged my tired body into my bed, hoping tonight sleep would come fast.

As I drifted off, one name stood out in my mind, Jack Kelly. As the night went on I dreamt once again of my past, and what my future would have been if my brother hadn't run off to be a newsie.

"Nicole! Get ya lazy ass in here, and where's my dinner" I sighed as I heard my father yell in the background. I had forgotten to make him dinner again, but I was only 10 I wasn't even really sure how to make dinner.

I took all the courage I had in me and forced myself to face him in the kitchen. His eyes looked glazed over, probably from a day of drinking instead of working. His face was stern and for once held a demon like look to it. When my family was whole before he was never like this, I always was grateful my dad wasn't a drunk like this. But things change, and I guess that's why Sean left 2 years ago.

"NICOLE! Don't you ever listen to me? I said dinner was to be ready when I got home" his voice echoed in the silent apartment.

My eyes began to tear up but I refused to let them fall, "But dad I didn't know when you'd be home" I said innocently as I stared down at the dirty floor. That was the first time I felt him actually lay a hand on me, but it wouldn't be the last.

I woke up from the dream and cringed, I remembered that night like it was yesterday. The next day I felt the affects of his "punishment" and since then I had tried to do everything right for him. But for two years I received threats and even more beatings. That was until I left, maybe I should have gone to my brother for help but I was scared to.

So do to my own fears I ended up in this business first in Brooklyn; but I realized I was too close to my brother and my father, and I wanted to start a new life…even if it wasn't the grandest.

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It had been about a week since I had seen Jack enter my domain, and everything seemed to be relatively normal, or as normal as it could be around here. It was late afternoon by the time I emerged from my room. For once I had slept in late, not bothered by dreams or anything else.

But as the night went on I couldn't shake the feeling that Jack could remember me, and I know none of his newsies had been around the last week…so I was afraid some might come in soon.

I watched as the other girls go upstairs I fixed my eyes on a kid around my age that just walked in. I hadn't seen him here before and he looked pretty cute. Putting on my smile I walked towards him, making sure my hips swayed with my walk.

He smiled when I came into view and looked me up and down.

"See anythin' ya like?" I asked placing my hands on my hips. His eyes told it all, and I was soon leading him up the steps.

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After my time was up with the kid I returned downstairs waiting for another customer to come along. But while I took a seat on the bar stool I felt someone watching me, scanning the room I found Jack sitting towards the left side of the room. I frowned as he stared back at me, almost as though he was trying to figure me out.

I turned back around and pretended not to notice, as I watched the door, hopeful for someone to come in.

As my gaze stayed towards the door, I soon found a body blocking my view. I turned my head up and saw Jack staring back at me again. I waited not really sure how to react to him there,

"I no those eyes," I raised my brow at his statement, my eyes? They were dark blue almost green…a kind of mixture but I was sure other people had the same color.

"Nicole" my face froze and I tried not to show the fear and surprise I felt. I slowly shook my head pretending that name was truly dead.

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A/N: reviews will help me get the next chapter up!! i hope you enjoyed this chapter...more newsies to come i promise