3rd Person

Her eyes scanned each and every crowd in Manhattan in search of a certain someone. She needed to explain everything to him. Why she left him. What her real name is. She couldn't lie anymore. Not to him.

"Mush," she called when she finally found him selling the last of his papers near Bottle Alley just as the sun was beginning to set. He looked up only to look away once he saw it was her. "Mush, please," she pleaded, only receiving the cold shoulder. "Just let me explain, please," she grabbed his hand as his eyes finally met hers. And he couldn't resist those eyes.

"Fine," he gave in before she led him to a secluded alley away from everyone else.

"My real name is (Y/N) (Y/L/N). My family and I have been on the run since I was little because my parents are wanted by the government after an accident they took part in killed someone. So now you know why I can't be with you," she explains, "I just can't lie anymore. Especially not to you." Mush struggled to wrap his head around everything. "So, now you can go back to hating me. I jus- I needed you to know that and I really like you," she finished, praying for the reaction she desperately needed.

Part of her expected the worst. She imagined him walking away, knowing running for your entire life isn't living. There are too many secrets and too many lies, and she was just a passerby in his life as her and her family left for the next city.

But he took her into his arms, keeping her as close to him as possible, letting her know he understood why she acted the way she did and that he wanted her to stay in Manhattan as long as her family could.

She stayed with him that night on the roof of the lodging house, forgetting all about the world around them. With her head on his chest and his hands playing with hers.

"How long are ya folks gonna run? And how long are ya gonna run wit 'em?" Mush wonders out loud knowing she's going to have to leave sooner or later. Time was running out for them, and he could tell with every passing minute that it might be their last.

"I... I don't know. But I'm tired of running," she sighs. Manhattan gave her a reason to stay like no other place has.

....

"It's time," her father spoke in a hurry as he mother began packing the few possessions they had. They could tell she was becoming too attached to Manhattan and staying longer would only jeopardize their cover.

"What? Why?" she questions as her parents run through the apartment, packing everything that they could bring to their next destination. After neither of them answered, she spoke up again, "I'm not leaving."

"Stop playing around and pack your things," her mother spoke surprisingly calm.

"No." All heads turned to her as her father's gaze burned from rage. "I'm tired of running from something I didn't do. And I love you both, but this can't be my life anymore," she explains, standing her ground. Her parents exchange glances, her mother having to calm down her father before either of them could speak again.

As much as they tried to deny it, her parents knew she was getting older, and she didn't need them anymore. Partly understanding where she was coming from, her father asks, "So if you're life isn't with us, where will you go? What will you do?"

....

Saying good-bye was the hardest part. She loved her family- she really did, but she couldn't run anymore. So here she stood in front of the newsie's boarding house.

"What ah ya doin' heah?" Mush questions, walking up to her.

"I did it. I told my parents I didn't want to run anymore, and they understood, so here I am," she smiles making him return one and pull her into a hug she couldn't refuse.

"Do you guys maybe have any room for one more newsie?"

A-N- I'm so sorry this isn't the best, but here it is! I finally finished it and hopefully will be able to upload more!

So please vote and comment what ya think! Thank you to everyone who hasn't given up this book yet! Love you all!