I AM SO SORRY! HOW COULD I LEAVE YOU GUYS HANGING LIKE THAT! haha, I told my sister if a bunch of angry fangirls arrive at the door do not let them in...she said she will lead you to my room and hand them the pitchforks...what a nice sister I have.

Guys, I am mentally unstable...TOMORROW IS GARRETS LAST DAY! TODAY WAS HIS LAST #SIP! IM GOING TO CRY!

I do like Danny, though. Thought on him?

Thanks guys! Review and Read On!

- Emily

They arrived at Tibby's to see smiling faces. Jack was holding a paper in his hand and was saying something about a strike. Maia's eyes widened and she turned to Race.

"Did he just say we made da front page!"

"Yup. I believe he did." She walked up and grabbed the paper from Jack.

"Hey! I thought goils were supposed to be all sugar, spice, and everything nice?" She glared at him.

"Say that again and I'll make you scream as high as a goil." The boys laughed and Jack winced. She smiled at her victory.

"Now, what's dis about a front page?" She said, turning her attention back to the paper.

"Yup. We's gonna be rich!" Mush said.

"Man you don't need money when you's famous! They give ya whatever ya want!" She said.

"Such as?"

"New shoes with matchin' laces!" Race called out.

"A box at the Sheapstead races!" Romeo added.

"Pastrami on rye with a sour pickle!" Henry said.

"Look at me I'm the king of New York!" I said!

"Queen!" Specs corrected.

"Aw, shut it! Who cares? We made da front page!" Suddenly, a lady with curly brown hair comes in and Jack runs to her.

"Boys, this is Miss. Katherine Plumber, the nice and pretty lady who wrote about us." A couple boys laughed, Maia nudged Specs and rolled her eyes. Jack was a love sick puppy.

"What?" He asked. Everyone shook there heads, smiling.

"So, Miss. PLumber, what can we do for ya?" Davey asked.

"Well, I just wanted to congratulate you all on your victory. Now, you just have to pull this off." She said.

No kidding, genius. Maia thought. Already she wasn't to fond of this Katherine person. Jack led her to the table she wa sitting at and pulled a chair out for her.

"Katherine, this is Maia, or as we call her, Flame. Don't be tricked my that pretty face, she is down right evil." He said, sitting down.

"You bet I am, Cowboy." She said. Katherine looked confused.

"Um, are you someones sister?" She asked. As soon as she said it, everything went quiet. The clink of silver ware dropping sounded and every eye was on them. They were sure Flame ws coming out.

"Flame, don't." Race said. Maia forced a smile.

"No, I work with them. We all can't have everything handed to them like you, Miss. Plumber." She said. Race gave himself a face-palm. Katherine's face reddened, and she aid,

"Oh, I'm sorry. I just, I didn't see you at the strike. Were you disguised?" Maia laughed.

"Smart one yous got here, Jack." She said.

"Flame!"

"Well, it's clear I'm not wanted." Katherine said. She stood up, and walked out with heavy footsteps.

"Flame!" Jack yelled.

"What?" She asked, taking a drink of water.

"Why did you have to do that! She's a nice lady!"

"Oh yeah, real nice. I bet she has singing animals doing her chores and a magical, beautiful voice as well."

"Flame!" Jack stood up, his face red with anger.

"Geez, calm down! It's da truth!" She stood up.

"No, it's not. Yous only been here a few days, goil. You don't own da place, and ya can't be mouthin' off every second!"

"And why can't I? She insulted me."

"Cause yous a goil! Yous shouldn't even be here! Dis work is for boys!" Her face burned red with anger and she shoved him into the table behind him.

"I'se out of here." She said.

"Flame! Oh come on! Maia!" Race called after her. She shot him a glare and stormed out of the room.

She walked back to her apartment and stormed into the kitchen. When she slammed the door, she knew she made a mistake.

"Maia!" She cringed at the voice. It was Jacob.

"Oh, hi dad." She said.

"What is on you face?"

"Skin?" She tried. He didn't laugh, instead his voice was rock hard.

"No. Why are you bloody and bruised." He yelled.

"Oh! That! Yeah, well, you see-" She let the words hang in the hair, unable to say it.

"YOUR PART OF THAT DAMN STRIKE!" He boomed. She bit her bottom lip.

"I TOLD YOU I DIDN'T WANT YOU OUT THERE! I TOLD YOU THAT THAT IS NO PLACE FOR A GIRL!" She rolled her eyes.

"Ok, I just got this lecture about five minutes ago. I don't need it again." His face turned red and he was shaking. She looked down right scary. Maia looked at Abigail for help, but she wouldn't even look at her daughter.

"Dad, I've brought home more food and money then we have ever had! Dont you see that this is good? We are finally eating and living with money!" She said.

"No, all I see is my DAUGHTERS INJURED FACE! what is that? ARE THOSE FINGER MARKS AROUND YOUR NECK!?" He screamed. This time, Maia backed up to the door. For once in her life she was absolutely terrified.

"I can't believe you. No child of mine would disobey me like that. Your worse than Michael."

"D-don't talk about him like t-that. M-Michael is-" A blow to her jaw shut her up. She grabbed it just as he grabbed her hair and slammed her into the wall.

"Dad-" She whispered. He spit in her face, kicking her legs out from under her. She landed hard, once again banging her head off the wall.

"Mom-" She tried. Still, she wouldn't look at her. Jacob kicked her side a few times until she screamed in pain.

"Get out of my house, girl. Your not my daughter, and you are not welcome here. Ever." Tears came into her eyes but she refused to let them fall. She tried to stand up, but failed. She fell right back onto the floor. Jacob groaned and grabbed her forearm. Opening the door he marched her all the way down the stairs and out into the setting sun. He threw her to the ground.

"Don't even bother coming back." And with that, he slammed the door shut.

After multiple tries, she finally managed to stand. Using the walls of buildings for support, she limped her way through the streets. She thought about going to the Lodging House to find Specs and Race, but decided that they wouldn't want to see her anyway. She walked around in circles for what seemed like hours until the sun was long gone and it was well into the night. She found a dark alley way and decided to stop there. Curling up into a ball, she let the first tear fall.

That's it! How did you like it? I swear I will try to update soon.

Thanks! Review please!

- Emily