My eyes flicker open and I momentarily forget where I am. But then I look around and see where I am and I remember last night. I undo the cloth from my hand and look at my hand, it's still gory, but the bleeding stopped. Noticing that Spot is nowhere to be seen, I realize he must have headed out by now.

I make my way off the bed, finding the place we entered from and leave. I instantly recognize where I am, I'm right a couple blocks away from home, in a rundown area. But I've been around this part before, so I can find my way back.

After a couple minutes of speeding through alleys and roads, I run to the gates hoping that no one notices me, but of course, everyone does.

"'Ey, Sweetheart! Where was you last night?" Race asks, I think up a lie.

"I had to go get some fresh air, but decided to stay the night at a friend of mine's house," I explain. Jackie raises an eyebrow.

"Which friend?" He asks, I think up a name.

"Kathrine, she's from school," I tell him, which he returns with a nod. "Anyways, what have we got planned for the strike?" I can see Jackie's smile grow wider.

"Well, ya see, there's da wagons wit da papes that delivah to here, right? Well, wese gonna get rid of dem! No more papahs, no more sellin'. Neat, huh?" He explains with a smile, I nod.

"Sounds awesome, Jackie!" I encourage him. As the gates open, we all crowd the wagons, knocking them over and tearing up the papers. In the distance, there are non-striking newsies, so we charge up to them, surrounding them.

"Throw down your papers! Join the strike!" Davey yells at the non-strikers. A bunch of the non-strikers rip up their papers and join us. Someone brought tomatos, so we start throwing at the Delancey brothers and Wiesel.

I can see Denton is writing everything down from afar. Suddenly, there's people showing up. I can't tell who it is, because I'm too short compared to the other newsies, so they block my view. But as soon as I see who it is, I can feel my soul drain from my body. The cops.

"Cheezit! It's da bulls!" Jack yells. I don't need to be told twice before I take off, but I end up getting tripped by a newsie on accident. I get up in time, but as I glance to the left, I see my best friend being pulled away by the Delancey brothers. I try to run after him, but I'm held back by Race.

"Hey! Youse just gonna end up being taken, too! That won't do no one no good! We's gotta run!" Race tells me. I know where he's going, the Refuge. I don't want to go back, so I nod and follow Race out of there.

We all make it back to the Lodging house. after all calming down, I find Jackie, who looks upset.

"Me and Davey are gonna sneak inta the Refuge for Crutchie. I know youse best friends wit him, so I was wonderin' if ya wanted ta join us?" Jack asks. I think about it for a moment. I really want to help him out of there, but I know that I'll break down into a mess just by seeing the Refuge. I shake my head.

"I really want to, but I can't. If I go back there, only bad things will happen. I get upset just by thinking about the building, so I have no idea what would happen if I actually went there again," I explain, Jackie nods.

"I get dat. And I'll be sure ta tell him dat dat's the reason you can't help 'im, so dat he doesn't hate ya," Jackie says. I nod and hug him.

{Timeskip to next morning}

I wake up to find a letter on my chest. I open it, quickly recognizing who it's from. Crutchie.

"Dear, Ash,

Jack came by last night to help me out but I had to tell him that I was too hurt to make it out. But anyways, I wrote this so that you know that I understand why you didn't come visit. You is my best friend and I wouldn't want you to go through seeing this place again. The food isn't half bad though! Well I think. They haven't brought us any. When I get better, I'm going to get out. And once I get out I'm going to give you the biggest hug you has ever had. I miss you, Ash. And I hope you miss me, too.

-Your friend your best friend your second brother, Crutchie"

(The underlines are supposed to mean that it's scribbled out)

I hold the letter to my chest. My poor Crutchie is stuck there. I know that the sorrowful truth is that he won't make it. I've seen some of the strongest men die in there. Last night, I was told that there is going to be another rally today, and this time, we won't back down. 'For Crutchie' I think to myself.

I go to the bathroom and get dressed, not caring about putting on my cap. I do this to show that I'm not afraid to show who I am, because this is war. No more hawking headlines as a boy, I'm fighting and striking as a girl.

I walk out of the bathroom, seeing the other newsies look at me, Kid Blink even catcalls, which makes Jackie hit him in the head. I laugh at all their reactions as Jackie walks over to me.

"Did ya read the letter from Crutchie?" He asks. I nod. He looks at me and smiles, placing a hand on mine. "Ya look beautiful, Sweetheart."

"Thanks, Jackie. Now, when are we gonna beat up some punks?" I punch my fist, causing him to laugh. He leans into my ear and whispers.

"Dat's the Ash I know." I gulp, feeling the hairs on the back of my neck rise. "But the difference is, youse stronger. You won't get hoit. Because not only do you gots me, ya gots the boys. But most importantly, you has gots yourself. And youse stronga than any boy I'se evah met."

I smile, pulling him into a hug, which he gratefully returns. I pull away and turn to the other boys.

"Newsies, let's get 'em!" I yell, the other boys scream in agreement. We all take ourselves confidently out the house, and over to the courtyard.

As we move to the courtyard, I see Wiesel standing there with some new newsies holding papers, and a group of thugs who are also carrying papers. As we get closer to them, I feel the once bad feeling in my gut starting to grow.

"Okay, 'Newsies' -- you check the paper this morning?" Wiesel asks, a scary smirk appears on his face as the thugs unfold their papers to reveal that they're carrying clubs, chains, brass knuckles, and saps. I feel my stomach drop and all the color drain from my face.

There's fighting and I see Jackie nearly getting whipped by a thug carrying chains. I see an oncoming thug in my peripheral vision holding a sap. I duck him, but end up getting tripped and falling down. He looks down at me, then laughs, which causes me to scream.

Suddenly, he grabs the back of his neck and doubles over in pain. I look up and see heads popping up out on top of buildings. I notice the last head that pops up is the one I never thought I'd see this soon. Spot Conlon.

"Nevah fear, Brooklyn is 'ere."

They all get out their slingshots and start shooting the police, getting them to leave us alone. I watch Spot glide gracefully down a zip line and lands with precision. He notices me and spits in his hand and holds it out, I return the spit-shake.

"Hey there, Spotty boy. Long time no see," I say. Spot rolls his eyes.

"Don't let this be my nickname from now on." Jackie rushes over and pulls me into a bear hug, which makes Spot laugh. Jackie then sets me down.

"Ash! Thank god youse okay! I thought you'd be snatched up by 'em." Jackie then turns to Spot. "I see you and Spot are pals, then. Spot, you remember how I said dat sweetheart 'ere is my brudda, but Ise lied. This is Ash, my sista."

"Nice tah meet ya, Ash. I nevah would've guessed dat you was a goil," he says, with a stare that shows off an uncomfortable amount of sarcasm.

"Nice to meet you too. It was really awkward for me to talk to you as Jackie's brother," I return with the same sarcastic look, which makes him laugh.

There's yelling by Denton, as he's coordinating us to get into a photo. Some newsies are having to kneel to get in the picture, meanwhile Blink has jumped on Davey's back and has his arms wrapped around his chest. I'm in between Jackie and Spot. Jackie wraps his arm around my shoulder, while Spot sneaks his arm around my waist. I wrap both of my arms around their shoulders, I smile the widest smile I've ever given.

Flash!

{Timeskip}

We're all crowding around Denton, who's holding the paper with our faces on it. Everyone's talking at once, pointing out their face. Spot starts looking for his name.

"Where's me name? Where's it say me name?" Spot asks. Jackie swats him away.

"Will ya stop thinkin' bout yourself for a moment?" Jackie says. Then his eyes travel to Spot and me on the paper. "Hey, why are your hands on me sista's hips?" I see Spot smile like he had an answer prepared.

"Can ya blame me? I'se just tryna make sure dat ev'ryone could fit in the picture," Spot then turns to me and winks, making me blush.

"You'd bettah not be flirtin' wit' me sistah. Because if you is, not even all of Brooklyn could stop me from beatin' your a-" Jack starts, but I interrupt him.

"Language!" I warn him. Davey turns to Denton.

"You got us on the front page?" He asks. Denton laughs.

"you got yourselves on the front page. I just gotta make sure you stay there," Denton explains.

"So what. You get your picture in the papes, so what's that gonna get you, huh?" Skittery asks. We all complain about him.

"Shut up, boy. You been in a bad mood all day!" Jackie yells.

"I'm not in a bad mood!" Skittery defends.

"Glum and dumb. What's tha matta with ya? You get your picture in the papes, you're famous. You're famous, you gets anything you want. That's what's so great about New York!" Race explains to Skittery. We all start dreaming about what we'd be doing with this fame.

"A pair a new shoes wit' matchin' laces," Sings Mush.

"A permanant box at the Sheepshead races," Sings Racetrack.

"A porcelain tub wit' boilin' water," Sings Spot with a very beautiful voice, which makes my insides feel like jello.

"A saturday night wit' Jack's hot sista," Kid Blink says with a wink to me. I blush and turn away.

"Look at me, I'm the king of New York! Suddenly, I'm respectable, starin' right atcha, lousy with stata," Racetrack sings out, leaving someone else to add the next verse.

"Nubbin' wit' all the muckety-mucks, I'm blowin' my dough and goin' delux!" Jackie sings. I step up on a table, drawing all eyes on me.

"And there I be! Ain't I pretty?" I sing, hearing a few boys muttering in agreement. Jackie joins me in my next verse, "It's my city, I'm the king of New York!"

"A corduroy suit wit' fitted knickers," Boots sings.

"A mezzanine seat to see da flickers," Les sings, making me chuckle.

"A school to go back before the summer," I sing out, remembering the whole reason why I'm a newsie. I catch Spot's eyes, I see a look of confusion and interest, so I wink to him.

"An editor's desk for our star reporter!" Davey pushes Denton into a chair, sort of like a throne.

(Just going to copy and paste the lyrics)

"Tip your hat,
he's the King of New York"

"How 'bout that
I'm the King of New York"

"In nothing flat
He'll be covering
Brooklyn to Trenton
Our man Denton"

"Makin' a headline out of a hunch"

"Protecting the weak and payin' for lunch"

"When I'm at bat, strong men crumble"

"Proud yet humble
I'm the King of New York"

"(He's the King of New York)"

"I gotta be either dead or dreamin'
'Cause look at that pape with my face beamin'
Tomorrow they may wrap fishes in it
But I was a star for one whole minute"

"Startin' now
I'm the King of New York
Ain't ya heard? I'm the King of New York"

"Holy cow, it's miracle
Pulitzer's cryin'
Weasel, he's dyin'"

"Flashpots are shootin' bright as the sun
I'm one highfalutin' son of a gun"

"Don't ask me how
Fortune found me
Fate just crowned me
Now I'm King of New York"

"Look and see
Once a piker
Now a striker
I'm the King of New York"

"Victory!"

"Front page story
Guts and glory
I'm the King of New York"

We all finish the song, singing and hugging each other. Jackie lifts me up on the table and I pull my leg up behind my head, showing off that I can do the splits, which gets everyone to cheer, even Spot.

I hop down off the table, getting pats on the back from all the newsies. There's drinks passed around, which Jackie doesn't let me drink, even though it's seltzer. I just feel at peace, while all the other boys start dancing and singing other songs, I sit off to the side, making sure that no one gets hurt.

While sitting in the corner, I see that Spot conlon notices me and takes a seat next to me. Looking out the window, I can see how it's almost sundown.

"So, you said dat ya wants tah go tah school?" He asks me, which makes me follow his confused stare.

"Well, yeah. I used to go to school before being a newsie, Jack worked as a newsie to help pay for me to go to school. But then we couldn't afford to send me to school, so I had to take on the job as a newsie. I really hope that after the strike that I can go back to school," I tell him. I can see that he's a bit disappointed.

"Well that means dat I won'ts be able tah see ya very often, then," He exaggerates, which makes me laugh while blushing.

"Hah, probably not as much. But you're pretty cool, so I can say for sure that I will be seeing you again, whether I like it or not," I joke, which makes him laugh.

"Youse got a lotta sass, I'd nevah expect dat. I always thought dat you was a shy little flowa who needed your Jackie boy tah protect ya." I can't tell if that was supposed to be a compliment or an insult.

"I used to be like that, so scared of being hurt again that it ruined my life. But the thing is, I used to be a confident tough badass and mean kid, who wouldn't take crap from no one, not even Jackie. But then the thing happened in the Refuge, which made me want to blend in, not be out there and seen. But this strike has brought me back. Not as mean, but as confident as I once was. And I know that it's been really good for me," I feel tears prick at my eyes, which I brush away.

"Yeah, I get dat. I used to be sorta the same," He begins to explain, which intrigues me. "When I was younga, I had a family. Mom, dad, an older brudda, who was a cold blooded sociopath, and a younger brudda, who was an angel. Until one day, when I was about nine, my dad completely lost his job, and got sick, even with me mudda woiking as much as she could, he passed away.
I had run away afta dat. Afta no one had fed me for nine days straight, cuz theys was so sad. I took off and became a Brooklyn newsie. Woiking in dat job had toughened me up, and I even got sent to da Refuge at one point, but broke out wit' a friend and anotha pal. Of course I still saw me siblin's, but aftah I got outta da Refuge, they seemed tah have disappeared. The Brooklyn leada took me unda his wing, I became his brudda when mine had ditched me. Then one day, I got news dat me actual family had died, all of them. Apparently, dear ol' mom had put poison in their drinks, and they all died, even her.
As you could probably guess, I was a wreck. I used to be like how I is now, but at dat time, I had turned inta a kid who would hide unda the pillas when someone made a noise at night. I stayed dat way for a year, then the Brooklyn leader showed me somethin'. He took me to the grave of his family, and there was his grave. He told me dat there was a carriage accident, and his whole fam'ly died dat day, and so ev'ryone thought he was dead. He was crushed, but moved on and became the leader of Brooklyn. I don'ts remember what happened tah him, but one day he just disappeared without warning. Sos I had tah step up, to be the leada ev'ryone needed, to keep ev'ryone alive, especially the little ones.
That's why Brooklyn is so powerful, I do it in order for everyone tah live, not just tah sell papes. Without papes, most of me boys would be dead, but they told me how they wont be sellin' unless we change the price," Spot tells me in a low whisper.

"Oh my god, Spot. I never would have thought that you had all this horrible stuff happen to you. I'm so sorry," I place a hand on his shoulder.

"Nah, it's all in da past. It don't affect me anymore. It's shaped me, not affected me. It's da whole reason I'm here, I need to keep ev'ryone safe. Plus I guess I wanted tah see your pretty face," he flirts, making me blush. I hold onto his arm and lean my head onto his shoulder.

"I guess I understand how you just want to do what's best for your boys. I became the mother or older sister for most of the boys here, making sure that they don't get into fights, bandaging their cuts, selling extra papers to get them gifts, anything I can do just to keep them happy and safe. I've even seen a few of them cry, I became the shoulder to cry on, and that's the way I like it," I explain.

"Ash, ya know, all dese boys would love tah dance wit' you, why are yah here with me?" Spot asks, I smile.

"Because all I want to do is be here with you. You're pretty amazing, Conlon," I say, pecking him on the cheek.

"Spot, what're you doing wit' me sista?" I hear Jackie's voice booming from behind me. I jump away from Spot, making sure not to touch him.

"She was tired, sos I let 'er rest on me shoulda. Is that so bad?" Spot mocks.

"The leada of Brooklyn shouldn't be even lookin' at a Manhattan goil, especially me sista. If she's off limit for da Manhattan newsies, she's off limits for you and your boys," Jackie yells. I know this won't end well for anyone, so I excuse myself and walk outside.

I think back to how I first felt around Spot, how it once was fear, and now it's... Well, I don't know what. I feel so happy, like there's butterflies in my stomach that are begging to escape. Now that I think about it, that's what love is described as in the books I've read.

Do I like Spot? No. I can't. That's against Jackie's rules. I'm supposed to fall in love with a nice, maybe more rich, and well behaved boy. Not the rebalious leader of the Brooklyn newsies, which is totally against the rules for any newsie. I can't like him. But I always feel better around him.

Do I like him? I think I already know the answer.

Yes.

(3377 words. This is my record for most words in a story, I think!)