"After we's all agreed not ta soak Jack for pullin' that idiotic stunt-"

"I's saved ya bummers from gettin' locked up an' more harm comin' Feisty's way! It was a lose lose situation!" Jack cut off with a yell.

"Yeah but it's more interestin' when I's tell the story," Race smirked at the Manhattan leader with a hint of proudness in his eyes as a jab of some sort. "Anyways, that night we's-"

"Broke into old man Pulitzer's basement along with some of the fellas from Brooklyn an' two of Katherine's fancy friends."

"Hey! I's the one who's supposed ta be tellin' the story!" the blonde boy whined.

"But you'se was takin' too long," Albert replied.

"Ignorin' the nightmare twins," Feister piped up as she gave the two boys her 'shut up' glare. "They's printed their own papes, spread the word ta the rest of the city in the spam of one night an' somehow shut this whole city down. The Refuge closed, I's was free ta leave that awful place an' cue the whole sappy reunion with these idiots." she finished off the story of the strike with a shrug before chugging down what was left of the glass of water.

"Leave it ta this one ta get ta the point," Mush said. "But she's also forgettin' one tiny part, Brooklyn." he turned back to the news girl with a smug smile. "We's finally had our moment."

"Yeah, an' Blinky boy over here ruined it by openin' his loud mouth."

"I's was just yellin' what everyone else was thinkin'," Blink shrugged.

Brooklyn just nodded at that new found fact of her brother's overly complicated love life. Which didn't really have any relevance to the strike, but the newsies still felt the need to point it out at any given chance while retelling the tale. Over all it was just as interesting as she thought it would be, plus, there were a lot of other things she didn't take into consideration while news spilled in from the city next door. Most of her classmates thought it was a rather pointless thing to do, while she on the other hand, found it quite fascinating they striked and somehow won in the end.

Shortly after that, it was time for the newsies to return to work, and so did Brooklyn. She didn't have much time to get back to the bakery before her break ended. She exited the deli along with the rest of the newsies and began making her way back. Though, she didn't get very far when a certain redhead had caught up and began walking beside her. "I thought you had papers to sell..." she quietly trailed off.

"Oh I's do. But a pretty young lady such as yourself shouldn't be walkin' alone."

"You don't even know where I-"

"But I's do sweetheart," Albert smirked. "Yer brudda told us, an' let's just say he ain't the only one who knows how ta get there. Hell, if ya ever need a tour guide, I's the one you'se should ask. Know just bout every nook, crany, an' short cut in this city. Not ta brag, course."

If the word "pretty" didn't make her blush, "sweetheart" sure did. But Brooklyn told herself it was simply out of habit. It didn't take a genius to figure out newsies are naturally flirtatious no matter the circumstance. As Albert went on this little rant, she simply nodded and smiled to show she was paying full attention, when the truth was, half of his words were blurred, going in one ear and out the other. The other half seemed to note the confidence in his voice, something Brooklyn wished she had. Instead she was the quiet girl who's just there. She had to wonder what would her life be like if she had left home along with her brother. Would she still be in the background, or would she be a bit more like Feister. Perhaps, not as loud and as outspoken as the news girl, but maybe a little more...confident in...whatever area she was lacking in. How different would things be if it had happened. Would major events still play out the same only slightly different if she was in the picture? The world may never know....

"I's know the fellas already asked ya this, but do ya got yourself a, ya know, across the bridge?"

And now Brooklyn was fully paying attention to what the redheaded newsie was saying to her. Why did everyone want to know what was going on in her love life. What in the world was so interesting about it in the first place?! That's what she was feeling on the inside, but on the outside, she stayed as calm as can be. Something she's learned to do after well...let's just say she's had a lot of experience in keeping things to herself. "No." one word came out of her mouth. Nothing else was said. She kept her head forward and eyes straight ahead. Shoulders up, and relaxed. Hands folded in front.

It was obvious the subject was a sore one, but Albert couldn't put his finger on what happened. Maybe it was just one of those complicated girl things he would never understand. However, in this case, he wanted to understand. He wanted to know things about Brooklyn, and not just the basic, run of the mill knowledge. Like what her favorite ice cream is, or her favorite color. Though, he already knew those two....Peach Mable and blue. One she had spoken out loud, the other was just a hunch. Still, he wanted to go deeper than that. Albert wanted to know Brooklyn the same way Mush knows Feister. And that was saying something because never in his life did Albert ever feel this way before.

Papes he was turning into a sap. And he had the black eye to prove it. Though, that was mostly out of a protective instinct. As unnecessary as it was, he kind of understood why Mush did it. Albert would do the same if Feister was his sister. Meaning if they were blood related and not...you get the point. Still, it was very unnecessary and maybe a little shocking. Albert would expect something like that from Feister, not the kid who makes out with his pillow in his sleep, and then falls out of his bunk come sunrise.

"Ya know, Freckles, this is somethin' I's usually one ta say much, but I's like the perfume yer wearin'," he said changing the topic of conversation. And it was nothing but the truth. She did smell nice. Whatever it was, it didn't make him feel like he couldn't breathe around her. That's what he's noticed a lot, most girls tended to go with the over powering perfume. Some liked the sweet fruity kind, and then there's the downright awful kinds, but Brooklyn was different. She always smelled like warm vanilla mixed with something that was freshly baked. It was a....homey scent in a way.

"I'm not wearing any perfume, Red," Brooklyn replied as she brushed a lock of her hair behind her ear. She bit her lip as she glanced over at the redhead for a brief moment then looked away before he caught her gaze. "That's probably the vanilla and sugar you're smelling."

"Well it's still nice," Albert complemented.

"Umm...thanks." her cheeks flushed a rosy pink shade. But it was most likely due to the cold.

"So, uh, sides workin' at the bakery an' lookin' pretty, whaddya like ta do for fun?"

Pretty? Albert thought she's pretty? No one ever called her that before. It was strange and Brooklyn never knew how to respond to compliments (mostly because she rarely gets any). Then again, maybe he was just being nice. That it was a generic complement he gave out to any other girl. "When I'm not helping Mum out I guess sewing or needle point, sometimes reading." she shrugged.

He continued to make small talk with her. Brooklyn was a rather interesting girl after all, and seeing as she was probably going to be hanging around the newsies more often, why not get a head start on getting to know her better. But it seemed to have ended all too soon when Albert was pulled back to reality when he looked up and saw the familiar bakery sign. The scent of fresh baked goods filled his lungs, instantly reminding him of the girl that was standing right next to him.

"Thanks for walking me. I can grab you something from the-"

"Nah that's alright," he cut her off. "I's still full from lunch." he patted his stomach for reassurance.

"You sure?"

"Positive."

"Alrighty," Brooklyn sighed as a cool breeze blew passed. "Don't stay out too late selling. I wouldn't want ya to get a cold or somethin'."

"Eh, it's alright," Albert shrugged it off. "I's a newsie, it's my job ta carry the banner rain or shine." he took a deep breath in. "You should probably get inside now. Wouldn't want ta keep New Yawk's best baker from doin' 'er job. Till next time, Miss Meyers." he then took off his cap and did a little bow, which made Brooklyn smile and a blush creep up onto her cheeks." after putting his cap back on, Albert smiled once more before walking in the direction to the distribution center.

The moment Brooklyn walked through the doorway, she was greeted by the sound of the little bell and the smell of fresh bread. She paused for a moment to take in the warm scent, letting it fill her body from the inside out before heading to the back of the counter, where her mother was busy tying some boxes that were filled with mini cakes and such. "Need a hand, Mum?" the freckled girl asked as she grabbed one of the boxes and the roll of twine. "How is it possible that a bit of flour, sugar, eggs and butter mixed together topped off with icing, and filled with all kinds of sweet flavors can turn into something so pretty?" she asked as she admired the little cakes. "Who saw all those ingredients and went "hmm, I wonder what would happen if I mixed these and baked it over the heat for an hour or so" whoever it was must've been really smart, because now look, we've got such lovely little sweets to eat. Who do you think invented ice cream? And thought it would be a good idea to make an ice cream cake?"

"Well someone's happy today isn't she," Mrs. Meyers commented. It was an odd sight to see her usually quiet and preserved daughter so chatty out of no where. "Have a good lunch break I see."

"It was the best lunch break I've ever had," Brooklyn replied with a happy sigh. "I'm glad we moved here. This right here is definitely better than what's cross the bridge." she added, not noticing at all that her wording was completely wrong. There was an absent smile across her lips as Brooklyn continued to tie the boxes and neatly stack them to the side while humming a little tune.

The day she found out they were moving, Brooklyn didn't really care since she figured that no matter what, her life would stay the same. It was getting away from Hailey, Jenny, Colton , and just about the rest of the kids who liked to whisper her name behind her back. Annie and Howard were the ones she would truly miss, and occasionally they would exchange a letter every so often. The so called friends she had didn't care she was moving away, and Brooklyn had expected that....she never liked them to begin with anyways, and had to wonder why she would spend time with them.

Colton however was a different story. Yes. He was a jerk. Yes. He never had deeper feelings for her. Yes. He was only interested in her when he didn't have any other girl to chase. Yes. they're relationship was a mess. So why did she end up falling for him so hard? Was it his good looks, or his charming personality that kept her heart attached to him, and him only. Love was a confusing thing, though she knew what she had with Colton wasn't true love....that's what it felt like for her. That's why Brooklyn had promised herself to look before another suitor came her way. That is, if there was another one.

She wasn't even average, she was more like...a cardboard box that was just there. An eye sore to anyone who walked by. A misfit if you will. Which is why Brooklyn was happy to have found her brother, among newsies no less. They were a band of misfits as a misfit can come. Though she did feel out of place when around them, they actually made her feel welcomed, and not a nuisance. Especially Albert. She enjoyed his compony a lot, and he made her feel as if she didn't have to be anything less than her true self...a side of Brooklyn that hasn't been seen in a long time.

───── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ─────

With hands rested behind his head, Albert laid down in his bed staring off into space. His mind wandered off into that empty black bit of nothingness, yet, there was something, or rather someone on his mind. It was obscured though, and didn't fully register to the redhead's on duty braincells. In other words, Albert was completely ignoring Race who was obviously trying to get his attention, which wasn't something that's new per say, but you get the idea. "How many freckles to ya think she has on 'er pretty face?" he asked without much thought.

"Who?" Race asked as he racked his mind for who Albert was talk - ohhh wait never mind. "How am I's supposed ta know how many dots are on the goil's face? There's probably more than what the eye can see. Maybe Specs will let ya borrow his glasses if ya really want ta know." he chuckled while he plopped down at the end of the bed. "I'll tell ya Albie ya got it real bad. Just promise me yer gonna make a move an' fast, we's don't need anudda Mush, Feisty situation goin' down. An' I's sure as hell don't wanna hear endless ramblin' from the both of ya. Blink's still recoverin' from what he had ta go through with the Lovebirds."

"Who says I's in love?" Albert asked. He sat up so he could give Race a well deserved glare.

"Mush wouldn't have taken out yer eye if ya weren't."

"Feisty's rubbed off on 'im." he waved off seeing as it wasn't a complete lie. "Just cause I's asked an honest question don't mean I's in love with the goil."

"You'se were lookin' at 'er all doopy, an' ya disappeared with 'er after lunch!" the blonde boy yelled, pointing the cigar at his hopeless friend. "Now yer askin' questions only a sap would think of. Not ta mention she seems the most comfortable round ya. She freaked when she saw yer black eye-"

"Feisty freaked over my black eye after she was done draggin' Mush ta his grave. Don't mean I's in love with the goil."

"An' Mush would actually kill ya if ya so much look at 'er the wrong way!" Race exclaimed.

Albert scoffed. "Never been in love with Feisty. The goil is Mush's problem for all I's care. Secondly, I ain't in love with Freckles either. She's well - innocent ya know."

"Meanin'?" Race raised an eyebrow and crossed his arms over his chest as he waited for a logical answer as to why Brooklyn being innocent had anything to do with Albert not having any sort of feelings for the blue eyed beauty. In fact, he remembers correctly, which he does, Albert always seemed to lean towards the quiet girls more often than not.

"Well sorry for not wantin' ta scar the poor goil. Sides, I's don't think she's lookin' for a fella ta woo 'er anyways." he shrugged. Upon saying those last few words it stung a little. How he felt was obvious enough in its own sense, but he wouldn't make any sort of move on her. The signs were clear she wasn't interested in that way (maybe she never will be), sad as it sounded he would be alright with that. He doesn't have anything to risk losing like Mush and Feister did. Heck he doesn't know Brooklyn in that sense. Albert saw a pretty face and had gotten pulled in. but it went beyond looks...Brooklyn, though quiet and shy as a mouse she had a bright smile and brighter eyes. Sure she gets flustered but it was cute. He loved hearing her talk about the things she's passionate about, and Brooklyn does have a hidden confidence inside her, she just doesn't know it. But that doesn't stop Albert from sensing it.

"An' just cause she's yer friend's sista don't mean she ain't off limits. Romeo clearly had no problem with commentin' on how 'er beauty. Hell I's even thought there's no possible way that goil is related ta Mush of all people. There's hardly any resemblance sides the obvious features course. In fact first time I's saw that goil I's got the weirdest feelin' that I's saw 'er somewhere but I's couldn't put my finger on it."

"Course he flirted with 'er, it's Romeo we's tawkin' bout here."

"Albie, for the love of papes don't you'se dare go down the oblivious path of love! We's already had enough of that with the lovebirds an' I's sure as hell ain't goin' through that mess ever again!" Race exclaimed as he threw his arms int he air. "Better yet, I's don't wanna be the middle guy in yer relationship. Mush an' Feisty nearly broke Blink with their whole love me love me not nonsense."

"Yer already one foot in that position Racer," Kid Blink chuckled from where he sat.

"You shut it!"

"Both of ya bummers shut it!" Albert yelled out loud. "I ain't in love with Freckles an' that's final." however, the tone of voice and look on his face said otherwise. But, both were well hidden that only those who were either close to the redhead, or were naturally good at picking up the signs could see it. 

───── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ─────

Author's note

Is that some cuteness I sense? Why yes, yes it is. There's always more than what meets the eye, and in Brooklyn's case she needs to look before falling down the rabbit hole or risk a tragic ending. Yes, she's still hurting over Colton. She's been emotionally damaged in more ways than one, which is why she's so hesitate at times. Luckily, most of you guys already know the ending of her love life. Hope you enjoyed, thanks for reading and I'll see you soon!