Disclaimer: I don't own any of the original characters from the Disney movie, "Newsies." The only character in this story that I claim ownership over is Shadow.

Oh man. Second to last chapter :D Seems like I just started posting this one and now I'm done. Speaking of which, thanks so much to the people who have been reviewing on this story. I love reading your comments. Anywho, I've got two more final exams left and then I'm off for the summer and I can spend every ounce of my time writing. yyeesssssssssss! And here we go.

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I walked through the doorway and scanned the room. No luck. He wasn't there. "Any of ya seen Skittery?" I asked. All the guys shrugged and shook their head, returning to their poker game. What Grace said had been nagging me all day. Did she mean that Skittery liked me? But then why did he ask her to Medda's instead of me?

"A'right. If ya guys see him, could ya tell him I need to talk wit him?" The guys absentmindedly nodded, involved in their card game. I sighed and slid the window open. Stepping out onto the fire escape, I was hit with a cool summer breeze. I climbed up onto the roof and sat down against the chimney.

The whole day I had wandered around the city. Now it was dusk and the sun was just setting. The sun was almost pink instead of the usual yellow, and the clouds around it imitated the shade of color. It left streaks in the sky and it was just peeking over the tall buildings.

I sat there alone until the sun wasn't visible anymore. The only natural light was coming from the sun's reflection on the clouds and a pink glow along the horizon.

"Da guy's said you was lookin' for me?" A voice said. Caught off guard, I whirled around to see Skittery climbing over the top of the ladder. I nodded slowly and returned my gaze to the horizon. He sat down next to me, putting a few feet of distance between us.

"Reminds me of when we used to talk heah on da roof. When we foist met. Remember?" He asked. I nodded again. How could I forget? "Yeah..." I whispered. It was quiet between us for several minutes. I heard Skittery sigh and he turned to face me. "Well, ya said ya wanted to talk to me. So ya gonna talk or what?" He asked.

I had been waiting all day to talk to him, and now the words wouldn't come out. "Wish I could... I'm not really sure what to say." I said truthfully, giving him a weak smile. Skittery sighed. "Well if you're not gonna, den I am." He said, standing up. "My intention wasn't to ignore ya, Shadow... But dat's what I'se been doin, 'nd I'se sorry... But did ya have to do dat to me?! Afta' you knew how I felt 'bout ya?"

"Do what to ya?" I asked, standing up also. His mouth dropped slightly open. "Don't play dumb, Shadow... I stop talkin' to ya for a few days because I don't want da guys to tease us, and den you go for one of me best friends!?" He exclaimed.

"This is about Blink?!" I said, surprised. Skittery held his hands out as if to say 'obviously! ' "First off, I never 'went after him'. He aksed me to go wit him to Medda's and I said yes. 'nd dat was after you aksed Grace." I responded.

"I aksed Grace to go wit me when I hoid dat Blink aksed you!" Skittery argued. "Dat ain't true! I found out you was plannin' on goin wit her dat mornin', 'nd that's why I said yes to Blink." I explained. This was getting confusing.

Skittery shook his head. "Well den you got your facts wrong, because I wanted to go wit you until Blink beat me to it! Dat's why I left da lodgin' house so early before the show. So I could go see if Grace would come wit me! Oh, 'nd by the way it woulda been nice if I could heah it from you dat you didn't like me instead of Snitch!" Skittery yelled.

It was silent again as Skittery stared at me, looking determined and angry. "But... I overhoid da guys sayin' dat you already aksed Grace..." I said finally in a small voice.

Skittery paused for a second. Then he sighed and slapped his forehead with his hand. "'nd you believed 'em, Shadow? Dey was just spreadin' rumors 'nd assumin' stuff... You know dose guys talk straight out of their asses..." He said. I laughed slightly, but then my expression faded back into seriousness.

"What do ya mean,...Snitch told ya I didn't like ya?" I asked. Skittery nodded slowly and his gaze went to the floor. "Look, Shadow... It's okay dat you don't...But I jus' wish you woulda told me 'bout it instead of him."

When did I ever tell Snitch that I didn't like Skittery? I thought. I began to piece everything together. Then it clicked and I remembered the day we all met Grace.

Blink put his hand on my shoulder. "It's a'right if you're mad, Shadow. I mean, if ya like Skittery and she's flirtin' wit him 'nd all den that's gotta make ya feel real-"

"It doesn't. Gretchen can flirt with him as much as she wants for all I care." I responded, cutting Blink off. "Grace." Mush muttered. We all looked up at him, puzzled. "Her names Grace." He repeated in a small voice.

"Yeah, well... Whatever her name is. I don't care. And I definitely don't like Skittery." I told Blink. He opened his mouth to say something, but I stopped him before he could. "And don't say nuttin' bout dis mornin' neither. It just looked like more than it was. It was a mistake, because I don't like him." I said, louder than I had expected to. A few other people started to look over in our direction.

Then I remembered talking to Blink outside the bunk room because I wanted to apologize after I had snapped at him.

I glanced into the bunkroom. Snitch was talking to Skittery about something, keeping his voice down. Although Skittery was listening, his eyes were on me. When I glanced at him he looked away.

So Snitch overheard me talking in Tibby's. I didn't mean what I said. I was just jealous and too stubborn to admit it. But Snitch figured I was serious, so he told Skittery.

I sighed and let my head drop against the chimney behind me. "Skittery... Forget what Snitch said. I was real jealous when I said dat, and it ain't true..."

He sighed but a smile crept across his face. "So lemme get dis straight." He said, taking a deep breath. "You saw me wit Grace, got upset 'nd told da guys ya didn't like me. Den you thought I asked Grace to Medda's show, which I didn't, so you said yes to Blink. After dat, I found out dat Blink asked you 'nd went with Grace. Den we both got angry, ignored each other as much as possible, and now we're heah. Does dat sound about right?" He asked.

I arched an eyebrow at him. "I think so. I'm not sure... I'se kinda confused..." I replied. Skittery laughed. "Me too...So let's make dis a little more simple."
He took a step towards me. "I like ya, Shadow. A lot, a'right? So da question is... Do ya like me?" He asked. It's no use denying it to myself or anyone else anymore... I nodded and looked up at him. "Yeah..." I replied.

He smiled and walked up to me, putting both his hands on either side of me against the chimney I was leaning on. Pinning me against the wall, he tilted his head down to look me directly in the eyes.

"'nd to think dis whole thing could have been avoided..." Skittery whispered, smiling. He tilted his head sideways and kissed me softly on lips. I closed my eyes, returning the kiss and placing my hands on his shoulders.

After about a minute he broke the kiss and pressed his forehead against mine. "So can I finally call ya me goil?" He asked, taking my hands off his shoulders and lacing my fingers with his.

I didn't answer him. I just smiled and kissed him again, harder than before. "I don't understand women real well, but I think dat's a yes..." Skittery muttered against my lips.

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Eh, kinda short. Sorry. One more chapter left. I'll have it posted tomorrow.

Thanks for reading and please review if you can!