A/N: alright, well I like this one. This one is probably going to be the longest so the rest shouldn't take as long. I like where the story is going from here. Remember to R&R
Disclaimor: I regrettably don't own newsies or any of their characters. I do however own Gossip, Flinch, Mayor, Jump, and Speed. (and Mouse but he's not in this chapter)
THUMP!
"stupid Mayor, fell outta' your bed again?"
"No, that was Flinch" muttered Flinch, standing up
THUMP!
I sat up "that was Mayor" she said.
I rubbed my eyes sleepily and opened my mouth to say something but was stopped by a familiar voice from behind "so you sleep well"
I turned around to see Spot "Yeah, so we's goin' to Manhattan today?"
"Yeah, so sell your papes fast as possible, and remember you said you'd sell wid' me today. And don't even start wid' 'it's Flinch's first day and she needs someone to sell with' 'cause she's sellin' with Mayor." He grinned, pleased with himself. I turned to Flinch and she nodded, indifferent to my dislike of Spot.
"Fine" I muttered, giving in. I stood up and headed towards the bathroom to brush my hair.
"Manhattan, Manhattan you knows wad' that means Liss?" I turned to see Flinch, and smiled. She was definitely the only person I'd ever allow to call me Liss, or Lissy or anything of that nature. Granted she was the only one who knew my real name, but that's beside the point.
"Of course" I smiled "it means Michael" both our smiles grew. She turned and left the bathroom and I went back to brushing my hair. I have realized that people tend to trust you better when you look neat and presentable, well as neat and presentable as a newsie can get. I guess they think only dirty, grungy children can lie. How little they know.
"I wonder how he's doing" Flinch murmured, appearing in the door way again.
I started to respond when Spot yelled "Gossip, come on, lets go slow poke"
I sighed, if I didn't hurry up they'd leave me behind. I put the brush away and stood up, walking towards the stairs.
As I was walking down the stairs I noticed Spot waiting, obviously annoyed "hey, you's was the one that offered" I reminded him
"Yeah, well you're the one holdin' everybody up" he muttered and turned to the door, walking outside.
"What do yah mean?"
"I mean no one leaves 'till I leave" he said. I blushed. I didn't like the though of everyone waiting up for me. But I shrugged and got over it.
We walked for a bit in silence then I thought of something "where are we gonna' sell, your spot or mine?"
"Uh, let's go to yours" he said "that's where we're meetin' the others anyway.
"Ok, that sounds good to me" I said with a bit too much 'prep' in my voice, I heard Jump laughing from behind me. I turned and glared at him. He grinned, and shrugged but stopped. When we got to the DC (Distribution Center for all the numb skulls out there) Spot went, obviously, first. Then I bought my papes, up to 50 now, and followed him down the road.
"So, who's Michael" asked Spot on our way to the bridge.
"What?" I replied, thinking I misheard him.
"Michael, that guy you and Flinch keep talkin' about"
"Oh him well he's an old friend." I said simply thinking nothing of it.
"Right, and old friend" he said, smirking
"Huh, what, oh no, no he's really just and old friend " I said, mumbling the words, slurring them together.
"I know, I know I'm just playing with your mind." He laughed. 'Fair's fair' I thought, deciding I was gonna' play with his mind.
"What so yah' don't think I can get a boy?" I said angrily.
"No not that its just..."
I cut him off "It's just what Spot, hun? It's just what?" I could tell he was confused, not getting it but at the same time knowing I wasn't serious "Kidding." I said with a smile.
"You're hilarious" he muttered, turning to see Mayor and Flinch. They where running towards us across the bridge Mayor in the lead. I couldn't tell if they where racing or just running, but didn't really care either.
"Sorry we're late, someone had to sell their papes" said Mayor, glancing at Flinch with mock accusation, which earned him a light punch in the arm.
"That's fine" Spot said "so, everyone's here now?" he said, more clarifying to himself than actually asking, but I answered anyway.
"Yah."
"Alright, lets get going." We started down the bridge towards the Manhattan side. Flinch walked next to me, walking with a slight jump to her step and humming quietly "we're gonna' see Michael, we're gonna see Michael …" she got hyper very easily.
I laughed, then hesitated. We'd reached the border. I crossed my arms protectively across my waist as bad memories popped into my head. Horrible memories. I could see the same was happening to Flinch, who'd stopped next to me, her hands tightening to fists at her side. Mayor walked up behind us. He wrapped his arms around us, one around each, so we could barely breath.
"Don't worry" he whispered into our ears "if he comes near you, we'll kick his ass, I promise" Flinch nodded, her hands loosening a bit, and I smiled slightly, walking on. We walked for a bit, heading towards the heart of Manhattan, where the newsies were. A smile spread across my face as I saw Michael. He was standing near a statue with two other boys, one had an eye patch and the other was wearing cut off pants.
"Hey Race, Mush, Blink" said Spot, walking over to the trio.
"heya' Spot" Michael greeted, then walked over to where we where.
"Michael!" me and Flinch practically squeeled at the same time, running over to him and giving him a hug.
"Michael?" asked the kid with the eye-patch, Blink I thought.
"Shut up" said, well Race I guess, to Blink. Then turned back to us "I didn't think you'd make it" he said, smiling
"Oh thanks." Flinch smirked "that makes us feel real good."
"So this is the one you've been talkin' about." said Spot "So how did you meet anyway?"
"Well" I started "our foster dad was a pretty hardcore gambler, but he sucked at it. He said he "did betta' when we's was there" so he brought us to the track a lot. No idea why, he didn't even let us sit by him, not that we woulda'. Anyway, one day when we was walking around we fell upon a boy 'bout our age"
"When she says fell, she means fell" muttered, Race. Flinch grinned.
"Well he swore at us, me and Flinch. Told us to watch out next time. Flinch punched him, huge surprise there ehh?" Jump laughed here, Flinch simply shrugged "I broke it up, we talked awhile and from then on we hung out every time we went to the tracks. So, you're Racetrack now then?"
"Yeah, that's what they call me, Race. This here is Mush" he said, pointing to the boy with long shorts "and this is Blink" he said pointing to the one with eye-patch
"So, you girls gonna' stay here or come wid' me?" asked Spot
"I'll stay here with Race." said Flinch.
"I'll go with you Spot I won't to see the rest of the Newsies here in Manhattan."
"Alright, so we gotta' get goin' then" he said, turning and walking away.
I walked after him "So, what are we doin' here in Manhattan anyway. I mean, you said you had some business to attend to but, what it it?"
"Well, it's really ain't your business" he said
"I'm aware o' that, and frankly I don't care too much, so what is it?"
"Queens is being well, Queens"
"which means …. ?" I prompted
"They're crossin' borders"
"Is that really all that big a deal." I said without thinking.
"You think you know more than me" he growled, irritated.
"No, I mean, well I knows you guys are sorta' touchy 'bout borders, but if they's is just crossin some ….. sorry." I said before doin' any more damage. He glared at me and continued walking. I sighed, boy that kid is irritable. I sure am good at tickin' him off though, aren't I? I was SOL (Shit, Out Of Luck) Oh well.
"Nice move." I turned to see Jump smirking.
"Shut up I din't mean to say that. You know I don't always think before I speak. I was going to think about my reply, but I, uh, didn't." I frowned. I hate it when Spot is mad at me. For one thing he makes my life hell, and secondly he doesn't tell me nuttin' when he's mad. Like with Queens or what ever. I sighed again. Jump squeezed my shoulder reassuringly, and I gave him a half hug.
"Don't worry 'bout Spot, he'll get over it. He's used to you and your sister doin' stuff like this"
"Oh thanks that makes me fell loads better." I said sarcastically
"You know it's true just as well as I do"
I shrugged "anyway, do you know what's up wid' Queens, like everyting' Spot didn't say?"
"Well, they're sellin' in Brooklyn and Manhattan. And they're always doing' something. So since it's both our problems the leaders got to talk." He shrugged "There's prolly' gonna' be a fight"
"Well Flinch will be happy." I half smiled then he looked at me, confused "Girls can fight too yah' know." I said, crossing my arms across my waist defiantly
"well yeah, I guess...just not as good."
You've obviously never fought Flinch or me, or most other girls I've met for that matter I thought, but simply said "Oh really"
"Yah, I mean we're stronger"
"Well we're faster"
"Are you going to get in a argument over this." He said, as if it was the most childish thing ever. That annoyed me
"We also have more technique"
"I'll take that as a yes. So you gonna' prove it?" said a voice from behind me. I turned to see Bridge, looking smug.
"No, actually I'm not, not now anyway" I said
"What, it the little girly scared" he mocked
"Not at all. I won't because one, I don't fall for stupid tricks, two we'll probably prove it when we fight Queens and three I don't wonna' embarrass you more than you do yourself" Then I walked off, feeling quite good about myself. Also, 'cause I was partly bluffing, I had no idea if I could beat Bridge, I'd never seen him really fight. I mean yeah, Flinch hit him good, but for one thing, he wasn't expecting it, and also Flinch it quite good at getting at least one hard hit on anyone, even if they are expecting it. After that she's unpredictable, wether that is a good or a bad thing the fight will decide.
"Hey, get outta' your little dream land, ehh? We're here" said Jump, nudging my arm.
"So, what his name, the Manhattan leader I mean" I asked, looking over at Jump
"Jack" he said "or Cowboy"
I took a deep breath and set my face in the famous Brooklyn 'tough look' which, I was actually quite good at by now "Well, what are we waiting for?" I muttered, and we walked in.
When we walked in Spot and a taller boy with a red neck-tie (that resembled something a cowboy would wear, not hard to tell where he got his name) where waiting for us. "What took you so long" said Spot, not a question, an accusation.
"So, that's Gossip, eh Spot? Well it looks like you don't have such bad taste after all. Hey Gossip, come over here." Said Cowboy. I walked over to where he was sitting on the top bunk.
"Yeah?" I asked
"So do ya' like being a Newsie?"
"Yeah."
"Is that the only word you know?" I shrugged
Jump laughed "Enjoy the silence while it lasts, I've never heard her this quiet since the day I met her"
Cowboy grinned "so, what's your story?"
"What?" I asked, confused
"What's your story, why did you feel the need to swim across the river?"
"Well, if you don't mind I'd like to keep the to me and my sister for awhile longer"
He laughed "We all have bad pasts you think your is the worst?"
"No I just, well I don't like to tell people."
He frowned, but nodded "fine"
"So, why does Mayor know then" Spot asked
"He doesn't .. does he … how did he …?"
"So, you didn't tell him"
"No..."
Jack shrugged "Well then, back to planning?"
"Yeah" said Spot
"The regular way then?" said Jack, glancing at me and Jump.
"Ok, I know when I'm not wanted" I said in a mock sad voice and sniffled. Then me and Jump walked out. We waited for what felt like hours but couldn't have been more than one. Then Flinch, Racetrack, Speed and all of the others walked over.
I hugged Race "Hay Race!" I said smiling
"Hey Gossip, so they're still in there?"
"Sadly enough"
"Well, they'll be done soon"
Spot suddenly opened the door "Gossip, Flinch get in here" he called. I walked in, Flinch following grudgingly behind. Spot closed the door behind us "there's something we need to tell you"
"oh yeah?" said Flinch, with false interest, something she knew pissed Spot off.
Spot was about to say something when Cowboy cut in "Flinch, right?" he said "I like her, but hey, this is important"
Flinch leaned over and whispered "How does he know my name?"
"Well Spot …"
She cut me off before I could finish "Oh, ok" I smiled, she was getting better at the whole self-control thing.
"Well, we're going to stay here tonight" said Spot
"Alright, but why did you bring us in here to tell us that, and what about Queens" asked Flinch
"Queens, well we're gonna' let them make the first move" Spot replied "but um …"
"Yes …?" I pressed
"Well, there's this lady, Medda. Good friend of Jack's, and newsies general. She's havin' this, party type thing. She has them sometimes, not really parties exactly, but, uh, well we've never had girls there or nothin' …"
Then Cowboy finished for him "We didn't know if you'd like to go or not, like they're fun but we din't know if you'd think it was demeaning or somethin'. Girls that go are taken, never single, we don't know how it'd go, but..."
"Nah, party, music. Wait, Spot are you going?" I asked
"Yes."
"Oh."
"What?"
"Well, you usually kill the fun." I said, Flinch smirked
"Not always."
"Name one time you didn't" I say, putting my hand on my hip and raising my I eyebrow.
"I think I can." He said, grinning in a perverted way.
"THAT DOESN'T COUNT!" I screamed, disturbed.
"I think it does" he muttered. Cowboy and Flinch both looked shocked.
"Did you two …." Cowboy said without finishing the question
"Ahh, ack, eww, gross, no, no we didn't. Thanks for the mental picture" I said rubbing the side of my head.
"Good, you scared me there for a second Gossip" Flinch said, looking exceedingly releaved.
"So, where are we gonna' sleep" I asked, changing the subject.
"You can sleep on my bunk, and Flinch you can sleep on the extra one, down there" Cowboy said, pointing out the bunks
"Alright" I said, walking over to the bunk as Flinch walked over to hers. I got to the bunk and made it as best as I could, do these boys clean anything?
"It's midnight" Spot announced, in 'time to go to bed' way.
"Hey, only Mayor can make me go to sleep" I told him
Then Mayor walked in and said "Hey, hurry it up, they got to go to bed"
"We are." Flinch grumbled
"Goodnight." I said and fell asleep
I woke to the now traditional THUMP! of either Flinch or Mayor falling. I looked over, it was Mayor, Flinch must already be awake. Then I turned and looked up at the clock on the wall, it was nearly 1:00 pm. "Well you sure was tired" said a voice from behind me, I turned to see it was Spot.
"Yeah" I laughed
"Well, we're gonna' have a long night so I 'spose it's good you got the sleep." I nodded and looked over at Flinch, she was talking to one of the Manhattan newsies, Skittery.
"So what time are we going to go to... to ... uh" her name was escaping me
"Medda's and it starts at 8:00 so we are going around 7:30."
I nodded
"We're going to sell here today, I sent Speed to tell the others, and Mayor's gonna' follow him as soon as he gets up!" he raised his voice at the end, Mayor's cue to get going.
"Is that allowed?" I questioned
"If you're invited."
"Ok" I said, then got up and got ready. "Hey, where's the pape distribution place?" I asked
"Down the street."
"'K, bye" I said and walked down the staircase
"Do you won't to sell with me?" asked Cowboy, who had come out after me "Flinch is sellin' wid' Race."
"Ok." I didn't know any good places to sell, so help would be a good thing
"Cool" We walked to the distribution center and bought our papes. The headlines today where alright. Cowboy brought me to the boxing matches, it was amusing to say the least. I sold pretty much all of my papes, it seemed to be easier in Manhattan. I guess Spot was right when he said a good newsie in Brooklyn is a great newsies anywhere else. 'Course maybe it was just a good day. Anyway, when we where at the boxing Jack was entertaining. He laughed and said "You're one strange girl, you know" I sighed, another guy flirting.
I rolled my eyes "Save it" I said
"What?" like he didn't already know.
"Save the flirting crap, I don't do that"
"I wasn't"
"Sure"
"I said, I wasn't"
"Yeah, yeah" I muttered. Then I turned to try and sell the remainder of my papes. At the other end of the ring there was a man with brown hair and good clothes, not great but good. I jumped up and turned swiftly "We gotta' go" I mumbled, making my through the crowd.
"What, why?" Jack asked
"My dad." I called, still shoving my way through the tightly packed crowd.
Cowboy stepped in front of and grabbed my shoulders, keeping me from going any farther "Where?"
"The other side a' the ring" I replied, gesturing with a tip of the head.
He looked where I had pointed, memorizing the face. Then his eyes went wide "Run!" he called pulling me along
I ran as fast I could, turning my head quickly to look back. My 'dad' was following us. We turned down an alley and I ran to the ladder hanging off a fire escape. I couldn't see Jack anymore, but couldn't stop now. I climbed up the ladder and climbed up as quickly as I could, pulling it up behind me. Mr. "Dad" grabbed at it and tried to pull it down.
Suddenly I saw Jack round the corner. He ran over to my "dad" and pulled him away, tackling him to the ground. "RUN!" he yelled at me, still holding my "father" down.
"Alyssa, honey, please come home. Do you know where you sister is, I've missed you both so much. I love you, come back!" my "father" called to me. I turned ignoring him and ran all the way to the lodging house. I pulled open the door and ran up the staircase to the bedroom, collapsing on a bed. Jump ran over to me, sitting down on the bed next to the one I'd fallen on.
"What happened to you?" he asked, concerned
I ignored him and stood up, looking around for Flinch, who was at the other side of the room. I walked over to her.
"Dad …" I started. A horrified look crossed her face, then it changed to shock, then anger, her hands tightening to fists.
"What happened?" Jump asked again "where's Jack?"
"I - I don't know. The last time I saw him he was in the alley."
"Are you hurt?"
"No, we went to the ring and my dad saw us. He chased us and Jack tackled him to the ground, I ran."
Cowboy then burst through the door, the area around his eyes tinted black and blue "Is she ok?!"
"Yeah, yeah I'm fine" I said. I'd finally caught my breath and was sitting on the floor. "What happened to you"
"Nothing, he just hit me in the eye"
"Are you ok?" I asked
"Yeah, I'm fine" he said, I nodded.
Then Mayor walked in handing me my hairbrush. Wait, hadn't I left that in Brooklyn? Before I had time to question it he asked "What happened?"
I frowned "Nothing, Cowboy can explain. Where did you get this?" I asked holding up the brush.
He shrugged "Grabbed it when I was in Brooklyn, figured you'd want to brush your hair at some point."
"Thanks" I said, then smiled, trying to lighten the mood. Everyone was quiet, I guessed they where waiting for me to go so they could ask Jack what happened. I turned and headed for the bathroom.
Flinch walked up behind me and sat down on the floor against the wall facing me. "More details." she demanded
"We where watching the fight, sellin' our papes and I saw dad. I told Jack we had to go, and we made to run but he saw us before we got out. We ran, he followed us. Turned down an alley I climbed up a fire escape. I tried to pull the ladder up, but it got stock and dad grabbed it. Jack tackled him and told me to run, so I did" I said, wrapping it up as quickly as I could.
"And he didn't say anything?" she pressed
"He said he loved us. Said he missed us, asked me to come home." he always had fancied himself a good liar, stupid foster father.
Flinch sat quiet for a moment, staring solemnly at the wall opposite her. Suddenly a grin broke across her face and she began to laugh. I shot her an inquiring glance "He actually thought we'd fall for that crap?" she said through her laughter.
I turned back to the mirror "Yeah, I guess so" I said. We where both smiling now. Knowing we didn't have to go back anymore, things where better now.
Then Flinch grabbed the brush out of my hand a ran it quickly through her hair. "Hey, time to go." Spot called from the doorway.
"Really?" I said
"Yeah, lets go." he pressed, and we walked down the staircase to the other Newsies. Toward our family.
A/N: I'm sorry this one took so long. Things came up, including the all-important editor (hehe) getting sick, so it took longer than we expected. Remember to R&R.