I don't own anything. Every night i wish upon a star that I did. THE STARS LIE TO ME!

Chapter 2

Flora's POV

After the show, we made our way backstage, up a rickety set of stairs and to Medda's dressing room. I rapped sharply on her door.

"I'm sorry, but I don't greet my public after shows!" she called from inside.

"Aw, that's a shame." I called back. "And here I was really hoping to meet the famous Medda Larkson!"

A beat passed, and then door flew open. "Sweetheart!" she pulled me up into a tight hug. "Did they finally let you out of that miserable convent?"

Eleanor let out a mirthless laugh. "Let out may be a bit of an overstatement."

"Did you escape again?" Medda held me at arms length, a frown etching itself across her face.

"Yes."

"You'll get me arrested for harboring fugitives!" she said. "And after the rally, you know they'll shut me down like that!" she snapped her fingers to illustrate her point.

"Aw, auntie, you love my visits too much to ever tell me to leave." I kissed her cheek.

"True enough," she sighed. She began to descend the staircase with us in pursuit. "Business has really picked up since the strike, though. People really want to see a riot, and they think that since the newsies come here, that'll happen! They think they're animals!"

"Well, they're not exactly the most civilized people in the word," Eleanor sniffed.

"They're a far cry nicer than Sister Mary Eunice and her stitchery lessons. She just uses prettier language." I retorted. "Have you even met a newsie, Elle?"

"Well, no…" she said.

"You're just in time then!" Medda interrupted. "When the newsies come to see the show, they always drop by backstage to see me. You'll get to meet one!"

Eleanor turned a violent shad of fuchsia, but didn't protest as we continued down the stairs.

David's POV

We stood in a herd at the bottom of the staircase. Mush, having already forgotten the redheaded girl, was flirting with a gorgeous showgirl. The rest of them were trying to figure out how to win her attention away from him.

"Mush, stop charming my showgirls. Last time you were here, by the time you left they were all at each others throats over who was your favourite!" Medda had arrived, and was looking down at Mush from the stairs with an amused expression.

He shrugged. "Sorry, doll." The girl huffed and flounced away.

"Ey Medda," Jack grinned. "Always good ta see ya."

"Jack," she smiled warmly and kissed his cheeks. "I got someone I want you to meet."

She turned, and I caught sight of two girls who'd been hidden behind her. The girls from the show! "This is my niece, Flora," she continued, gesturing to the redheaded girl. "And this is her friend Eleanor," pointing to the tiny blonde. Now that they were up close, I noticed more about them. Flora's face was covered in freckles, and her eyes were as gray as storm clouds. Her hair was twisted up in a knot, with loose tendrils escaping around her face. Her mouth had a permanent smirk, so it looked like she found something privately hilarious, that no one else would ever know. Eleanor was her complete opposite. Her blonde hair was carefully curled into perfect ringlets that framed her round face. Her eyes were dark brown, and currently staring at the assembled newsies like we all had three heads!

"Miss, can I help ya down?" Mush said, smiling charmingly up at Flora.

"Hmmm… No," she smiled winningly. "Why don't you go back to your showgirls?" A loud ooh rose up from the newsies. "I think…" she scanned the crowd. They hopped up and down, hoping to be the one she picked. Finally, she pointed imperiously. At me. "You may help me down."

I made my way over to the base of the stairs, and offered her my hand. She rolled her eyes, and grabbed both my hands, placed them on her waist, and in swift move, hopped down from the staircase onto the floor. The newsies snickered, and I blushed bright red and dropped my hands. "I'm David," I managed to get out.

"Lovely to meet you, David," she said. "You are a perfect gentleman. But I think all in all, Eleanor was right about you lot."

"And what did Eleanor say about us lot?" Kid Blink mimicked.

"Why that you were uncivilized!" she affected an air of good-natured shock. Everyone started to yell in protest, and Eleanor started making terrified squeaking noises. "Why else would no one have offered to help her down?" The yells changed into laughter, and Mush rushed over to help her down. She took his hand and gave her friend the death glare. It didn't faze Flora. She just blew her friend a kiss, which Mush pretended to catch and hold to his heart.

"So, who is everyone?" Flora asked. "Are you all newsies?"

"We'se all newsies, miss," Kid Blink pushed his way in front of her. "And dis is Mush, Jack, Boots, Racetrack, and you've already met Davey," he continued "And I'se Kid Blink."

"It's lovely to meet all of you," she curtsied, and Eleanor followed suite. "And don't bother with calling me miss. Flora will do just fine."

"You boys should hang around proper ladies like these more often," Medda laughed. "They bring out the best in you!"

"Proper ladies don't escape their schools to go to burlesque halls, Miss Larkson," an icy voice sounded from behind us.

Eleanor blanched. "Mr. Lloyd, we were just… What I mean is…" she fell silent.

"Can we help ya?" Jack stepped in front of the girls.

"Yes." The speaker walked towards them. He was a tall, gaunt man in his fifties, with a sour look on his face. "You can get out of my way. These girls will be coming with me."

"Oh, ya? You'se and who's army?" Everyone had grouped in front of the girls.

"Young man, I'd advise you to step aside. I could have you jailed for abduction if you're not careful."

Jack looked ready to protest again, but the girls pushed their way through everyone towards the man. "It's fine, really it is," Eleanor whispered. "But thank you." Mush tipped his cap, and she gave a tiny smile. Flora's mouth was set in a hard line. As soon as they reached him, he grabbed them both by their elbows and pulled them out the stage door.

"Jesus, Medda, what was dat?" Race asked. "Why'd dey get lugged off like dat?"

Medda sighed heavily, and sat down on the stairs. "That's a story for another time boys. Now you'd better leave." She gave a wan smile, "I don't want Kloppman on my case for having you out too late."

We said our goodbyes, and started towards the lodging house. I guess it was inevitable we'd talk about the girls and their mysterious disappearance.

"Maybe they'se real society goils," said Race. "Who'd rather be showgoils!"

"If ya was a society goil, why'd ya wanna be a showgoil?" asked Boots.

"So I could meet newsies!" yelled Race.

"Maybe they're factory girls who skipped work to see the show!" I said. "And they man who came to get them was the foreman!"

"But den why would dey talk like real ladies?" Boots asked.

"I don't know," I admitted. "And if they're real ladies, why'd Medda say Flora was her niece?"

"Medda's more of a lady den you'll evah meet!" Jack said. "But I take ya point."

I'd thought that if I met her, my questions would have been answered. But instead she left me with more. I had to figure out how to solve them.

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