Early August 1898

"Ok, how bout ya just sell the mornin' or the afternoon edition, ya don't hafta do both."

"I's said I's ain't goin' sellin' till you'se get yer bum outta bed." It had been almost a week since Mush came back from the Refuge, but, he was still on bed rest since the Refuge had taken its toll. The good thing was he was able to get up and walk around from time to time.

Feister stayed with him through the entire time and Mush knew that she was itching to get back outside in the fresh air, or as fresh as you can get in New York. But as stubborn as she is she refused to leave him alone for even a second since she still felt guilty about what happened.

"Which won't be for a long time," Mush said. He was trying to get Feister to go out and start selling again, but by the looks of things that wasn't going to happen. "C'mon Feisty, ya can't hold out much longer. Ya need ta go back out there."

"Not without you'se I's ain't," Feister replied. There was no way that she was going to leave Mush alone for a morning or afternoon. She still felt really guilty about everything that has happened in the past month.

"Ya know I don't blame ya, right?" he asked quietly. She nodded while looking down. She then felt his hand slip into hers and hold it tightly. Feister wasn't sure what to think, or say. The only thing she did was try not to blush.

With everything that had been going on she had forgotten about her little crush on him. The day things went downhill they seemed to be getting closer than they already were. She wanted to tell him how she really felt, but she was scared that the worst would happen.

Feister then looked up and said, "Yer sure you'se will be-"

"Feisty, I'll be fine," Mush cut her off. She smiled weakly at him. The only reason she agreed to go was because she wanted some time to think things through. The next morning all the other boys got ready and then headed out. Before she went out Feister checked up on Mush one more time before leaving.

"Yer sure yer gonna be ok by yourself?" Feister asked.

"How many times do I's hafta say it, I'll be fine," Mush replied. Actually he didn't want her to leave for some odd reason. But he knew she needed to go out and sell. But, every time he was with her he'd get this weird feeling from the inside out. Mush shook it off thinking it was just the injuries from the Refuge, but maybe it wasn't.

Again, he shook the feeling off because he had another idea why it was happening, at least he thought he did. Once again he pushed it aside.

"It's ok if ya want me ta stay, I's don't-"

"I said I'll be fine, so just go already!" he yelled cutting her off, which made her jump and take a small step back. Feister felt her heart drop and the burning feeling in her stomach. She wasn't sure what to do or think, so she stuffed her hands in her pockets and looked at the ground.

Mush's face then softened once he realized what just happened. He didn't mean to yell, it just came out because he was trying to push down whatever he was feeling inside. When it wasn't going down he started getting frustrated and ended up taking it out on Feister when he was mad at himself.

"Ya know what, I's think I's gonna sell the evening edition after all," Feister mumbled while not being able to look him in the eyes. "I'll see ya later."

"Feisty wait," Mush called. But it was too late, Feister had already ran out of the bunk room and down the stairs.

───── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ─────

It was late by the time Feister finished selling the papers. The headline seemed to stink more so than usual that day. In other words it was night by the time Feister finished selling. She didn't really feel like going back to the Lodge just yet, so she took the long way.

Everything that happened in the past month or so was too much for her. She should've known that she couldn't escape her past.

Some newsies from Harlem and Queens came by and started giving her a hard time about her being a girl newsie, sending one of her brothers to the Refuge, and with her being a Johnson it only made it ten times worse.

Now that word was out that Manhattan's girl is a Johnson, everything in the past eight years she worked hard for, was for nothing. A street kid is only as good as their name, and hers said trouble, danger, and monster.

For the past eight years Feister worked hard to prove she was one of the boys, she did whatever it took to stay alive. She learned to put up a fight without backing down, no matter what. Throw a punch when it was needed. Have her brothers backs no matter what. Help a fellow street kid who was in need and a lot more.

After what happened with one of the Brooklyn boys, she proved herself. Then again she had only been a newsie for less than a month, and didn't know how powerful Brooklyn was.

When that happened that's when word got out there was a girl newsie in Manhattan, that's when people started calling her 'Manhattan's girl', and Feister hated that. Smalls is a girl and no one calls her "Bronx's girl'.

But that's not the point, the point is when Will came back and the whole thing with Mush in the Refuge that's when things went downhill. And if that wasn't bad enough, she started to wonder if the boys would start to judge her for that. She knew that they would never do that, but the thought still lingered.

What people needed to realize was that she wasn't Claire Johnson, daughter of a man that went down the wrong path. She was Feister, a strong, tough, feisty girl who was one of the boys. Feister was her own person, who wouldn't stand down for nobody, while Claire lived in fear of those around her.

Then she started to get worried that her friendship with Mush would go down south.....again. It already went down hill once and she didn't want that to happen again. Since, well....Feister has fully accepted her feelings for him, but wasn't sure how he felt.

Their friendship was a strong one, yet, one little blow and the whole thing could come crumbling down in a heartbeat. She then remembered what happened in the bunk room that morning.

She felt her heart drop, and that burning feeling she hated. Feister cared about Mush, a lot, more than she lets on in fact. Even though she doesn't show it.

She thought of their friendship as a delicate thing. It can go good, or bad, there's no in between. As she was walking Feister stopped for a second and pushed herself up against a brick building. Her emotions started getting the best of her, and she did the only thing she knew how to let everything out.

"This ain't for the best, my reputation's never been worse, so, you must like me for me. We can't make, any promises now, can we babe? But you can make me a drink."

Feister looked up at the night sky and while she told herself that she wasn't going to let her emotions get the best of her. She couldn't stop herself. Plus, it was the one thing she had left from her mother.

Which she had to wonder, would her mother be proud that she didn't go back with Will and stayed with the newsies, or disappointed that she chose friends over her brother? Looks like there's another thing to add to the long list of things that's messed up. Feister took a deep breath before going back to her own little world where there was no troubles whatsoever

"Dive bar on the East Side, where you at? The street lamp lights up the night in the black, come here you can meet me in the back."

It was late at night and there was no one on the streets, except for her. Feister then started to walk back to the Lodge and continued with her way of letting her real feelings for everything come out. Her mind then left what her mother would think as she sang.

"Dark jeans and your Nikes, look at you, oh damn, never seen that color blue, just think of the fun things we could do...cause I like you."

Feister took a small moment to think. And then smiled a bit, since his eyes were really one of a kind. She didn't know if it was blue, or grey or a combo of both, all she knew that she got lost in a instance.

But then realized that with everything that has been going on, maybe it wouldn't work out. Even if she did spill the beans, it would be too much to handle a relationship with everything else in her life hanging by a thread.

"This ain't for the best, my reputation's never been worse, so, you must like me for me...we can't make, any promises now, can we babe? But you can make me a drink."

"Is it cool that I said all that? Is it chill that you're in my head? Cause I know that it's delicate...Is it cool that I said all that? Is it too soon to do this yet? Cause I know that it's delicate. Isn't it? Isn't it? Isn't it? Isn't it? Isn't it? Isn't it? Isn't it? Isn't it...delicate."

"Third floor on the West Side, me and you, handsome, you're a mansion with a view, do the girls back home touch you like I do? Long nights, with your hands up in my hair, echoes of your footsteps on the stairs, stay here honey I don't wanna share."

Feister sighed and remembered what happened the year before, when he got a girl and...things were said, stuff was done and she wished she hadn't let that happen.

But then she remembered how much she loved it when he would brush her hair back; knowing whose footsteps were whos after a long day's work, and when ever they would hug she wouldn't want it to end.

Feister had to shake everything she just thought of off because it would never happen. After all they're best friends, in a sibling kind of way, and that's all they were.

Plus once again, with everything that has been going on; her reputation on the line of breaking at any moment it wasn't the right time. Feister was now standing in front of the Lodge, but she didn't want to go in just yet, so she stayed out for a few more minutes.

"Sometimes I wonder when you sleep, are you ever dreaming of me? Sometimes when I look into your eyes, I pretend you're mine, all of the damn time."

Just then it started to drizzle, then full on raining. Feister looked up at the sky and let the water fall onto her face. And in that moment, she didn't care about anything, because as the rain fell she felt free, like nothing was holding her back anymore.

So, not having a care in the world she stuffed her cap in her pocket and pulled out her hair ties and took out her two braids, and for the first time ever she let down her long dark hair in public.

"Is it cool that I said all that? Is it chill that you're in my head, cause I know it's delicate..."

Feister looked down and saw a puddle, and, without caring she jumped in it and kicked up some water. She stretched her hands to the side and spun around with a smile.

───── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ─────

While Feister was out getting soaked (with water, not punches) the boys, (especially Mush) was getting worried. Since Feister would never be out this late. Ever. But Mush had a pretty good idea on why she was out this late.

He blamed himself and his dumb feelings that he didn't want to be feeling. At least Mush thought he didn't want to be feeling that way. Right. After all, he's her brother and she's his sister. That's it. That's all they were.

...Right...

"Think she got jumped?" Specs asked, with a touch of concern in his voice, but tried to hide it so he wouldn't worry the younger boys.

"This is Feisty we's tawkin' about. She's the one who's doin' the soakin'?" Race said brushing it off, which was met with silence.

"I'm gonna go out an' look for 'er," Mush said while getting up from the bed and headed out. If something had happened to her it would be his fault since he was the one who pushed her to go sell in the first place.

"Mush," Jack said. "You'se can't go out there-"

"Listen Kelly," Mush snapped while pointing a finger to Jack. Which surprised everyone since Mush wasn't one to snap easily. "My best friend is out there an' that idiot is still out ta get 'er. I promised I'd protect 'er an' I ain't breakin' it, not today, not ever." With that Mush hobbled out and down the stairs. He was hoping that since it was dark and raining that she wasn't too far.

After reaching the final step Mush opened the door, and that's when he saw Feister, spinning, splashing and dancing in the rain. With her hair down no less. She was stuck in her own world to notice he was there. Mush closed the door a bit because he didn't want her to stop.

His eyes were glued to her as she danced in the rain, with her long, dark, and wet hair following and swaying with her every move. It was amazing. As Mush watched with aw she seemed like a completely different girl from the one he knows. This was a whole different side of her.

Usually Feister was very guarded, with walls stronger than bricks. But this girl was a carefree spirit, who looked like she was having the time of her life, and Mush couldn't help but watch with a smile. But then she started doing something he didn't think she could, and it was amazing.

"Is it cool that I said all that? Is it chill that you're in my head? Cause I know that it's delicate, Is it cool that I said all that? Is it too soon to do this yet? Cause I know that it's delicate..delicate."

Mush was completely shocked that Feister, his best friend that he knows everything about, can sing? And not just any singer, an amazing one too. Heck, he's never heard a song like the one she was singing which meant....did she write it herself? And if so how can she come up with one on the spot?

It was in that moment Mush realized that he may have a little something there for her. He tried to push it aside. After all, they've been friends, best friends for eight long years, and now? Now he didn't know where or why he was getting these feelings for her, he just did.

As hard as Mush tried to push it aside and bury it deep down, he couldn't stop feeling those feelings. Mush always knew he had a soft spot for Feister, and by the looks of things that spot became a lot softer.

He didn't know why it took eight years to finally and fully realize his feelings for his best friend, who's been there with him practically his whole life. It was weird to think that a big softy like him and a feisty girl like her would be such great and inseparable friends. But they were.

And that's when Mush also realized that he really did have mush for brains. He didn't know that Feister, his best friend since forever, would end up being the one he would fall for. Out of all the girls he dated, Feister was the one who he could really be himself with.

But, Mush was sure that she didn't like him like that. First off he just found out his feelings, and it was too soon. Second there was too much going on at the time to start a relationship. And third, he didn't want to lose her...again. It happened once and he didn't want it to happen again.

So, if it meant that they would have to remained friends and only friends, then that's what he would do if it meant that she would stay in his life, but it also meant that he would lose her to some bum who didn't know one thing about her.

Anyways, knowing that she would come in soon Mush slowly closed the door and went back up to the bunk room where the boys started asking questions.

"Guys, relax, she'll be back soon," Mush explain before walking back to the bed.

"What's up? Just a little while ago ya told Cowboy off, an' may I add Feisty's rubbing off on ya; but now ya look like yer heart has been ripped out an' tossed ta the gutter. So, what gives?" Kid Blink asked.

"Ever had somethin' right in front of ya an' was too stupid ta see it?" Mush asked sadly.

"Ya lost me there, kid."

"Who's lost who now?" Feister asked as she walked into the bunk room. She was wet, her clothes soaked, her hair was dripping, and for once she was washed clean from the dirt.

"What in the freakin' heck happened ta ya?" Jack asked as he walked up to the small and wet girl.

"I was out walkin' an' I's got soaked," she replied as if nothing happened.

"Yer tellin' me, you'se soaked ta the bone!" Jack exclaimed. "Go get outta those clothes fore ya get sick." Jack then pushed Feister to her room before anything else was said. He closed the door before going to his bunk and slumped into it. Boy, was being the leader hard work. But he loves his newsies no matter what. Even if they were too much sometimes.

After quickly changing into some hand me downs Feister went back into the bunk room, and though she knew she should give Mush some space, she wanted to make sure that he was still ok. "Hey," she said quietly when she walked up next to his bed.

But she kept her eyes on the ground. "Just wanted ta make sure you'se was holdin' up ok." she quickly glanced up before turning around to walk off, but she felt him grab her hand, pulled her back and then hugged her tightly.

Feister wasn't sure what was going on, but she wrapped her arms around him. She laid her head on his shoulder and closed her eyes to enjoy the moment while she still could. "Sorry bout this mornin'," he whispered into her ear. "I's didn't mean ta yell at all."

"Mush." she pulled away and looked at him dead in the eyes. "Ya don't hafta be sorry bout anything. I's the reason you'se ended up-"

"An' I's don't blame ya. The only thing that matters is that yer safe," he cut off softly. He then noticed that she wasn't wearing her braids and he didn't know what to think. Feister's dark hair ended just a few inches past the middle of her back. The more he stared the more he realized that her dark hair brought out her dark eyes and made them look bigger. Which he didn't think was possible.

Her hair was also really wavy from always having it in braids. Even though she was just rained on it was still somewhat wavy, which made her look that much prettier. Beautiful in fact. Mush always knew that Feister was beautiful, but this was a different kind. If that made any sense.

"Whaddya starin' at?" Feister asked with a small laugh.

"You," Mush replied without thinking very much. But when his words caught up to his brain well.... "It's just that, well...ya see....yer not wearin' yer, an'..." he wasn't sure how to put it into words without sounding like an idiot. But it was a little late for that because he just embarrassed himself.

"Does it look bad?" she asked shyly. Feister was never one to let her hair down. Ever! But, with the whole crush on him thing it only made it ten times worse. Why did she decide it would be a good idea to let her hair down.

Mush shrugged, "It's ok." he tried to play it cool as if it happened everyday. But on the inside he thought she looked beautiful. She looked like a girl. Or more like a girl. If that made any sense.

All his life Mush has always seen Feister with her hair in a braid or two, but now? Now she actually looked like a girl. A real girl. Not that she wasn't already a girl, she was just more girly-er? She's definitely not the boyish girl he's known all his life, she looked like an actual girl-girl.

"Hey, since when did we's get a goil in the Lodge?" Race joked making Feister turn around and scowl at him.

"Bout eight years ago, where have ya been?" Feister spat. Why wasn't she surprised the boys were making jokes now. Looks like she has another reason on why not to let her hair down EVER again.

"Under a rock I's bet," Mush added while nudging Feister.

They both laughed, and the other boys only smiled as they watched the Lovebirds. Feister smiled and then Mush pulled her back into a hug. She laid her head on his chest and wrapped her arms around him. And, everything that had been happening lately seemed to disappear.

Feister didn't care what the next day would bring, because in that moment she felt like she was his. His girl. It was rare for that feeling to flutter up inside her. Whenever she was around him everything seemed right.

As they were hugging Mush felt like that she was his girl and no one else's. Then again, no one ever made any kind of move on her, so he didn't have to worry about that too much. When ever he was around her everything seemed right in the world.

Mush looked down and smiled. Feister looked so much smaller in his arms. She was always a perfect fit whenever they hugged. He then kissed the top of her head, and she sighed and snuggled her head into his chest more; which he loved.

Mush had one hand on Feister's back and his fingers from the other then started to play with her long, dark, smooth, and damp hair. She didn't seem to mind because he could feel her smiling.

Time seemed to fly in those few moments because the next thing they both heard was "Everyone ta bed". They both looked up and saw Jack sending everyone back to their bunks. Feister gave Mush one more smile, and a quick kiss on the cheek before heading back to her bunk.