July 1897

"Anyways, as I's was sayin'," Feister said as she told Mush what had happened when she went selling with Race at Sheepshead that morning. "We's was sittin' there watchin' the horses run round the track, the crowd was roarin' with energy so loud that it could make the deaf hear! Remember, this is the last race for the mornin', an' of course Race drags me into a bet on who would win. I's bet Frost will win. Ya shoulda seen that horse Mush, she was white as the first snow in December. Real fast too, with a big spirit. But Racer says that Frost an' 'er jockey are rookies, an' barely make it in the top three. So, Racer bets on Star, a horse that's black an' has these white spots that actually make 'im look like a starry night sky. Which makes ya wonder if these jockeys, or whoever the heck names these horses, were newsies cause the names sure do fit the horses. But I's gettin' side tracked an'-" Feister stopped talking when she looked and saw Mush was no longer beside her. She saw him a few feet away staring off into space with a dopey smile. The little news girl walked right up to her best friend and said, "Hello." while waving her hand in front of his face. "Mush brains quick lookin' like a complete idiot an' snap outta it!"

"Wait - what?" Mush asked while shaking his head. He looked down and saw Feister was standing right front of him with a look on her face.

Feister rolled her eyes at Mush's stupidity and turned around to see just what he was staring at. Across the street there was a bakery where people going in and out. There was one person lingering outside the shop. A young girl was holding a basket of items as she looked at a small piece of paper. Most likely a list of things to get if she had to guess. Feister turned back to Mush and said, "Look, I's would love ta have some fresh bread for once too. But we's got more important things ta buy with what we's earn. Like a food, a place ta spend the night, papes, an' all that other stuff."

"I's sorry, what were ya sayin'?" Mush asked as he popped out of his thoughts.

"Quit day dreamin' bout yer stomach an' get movin'," Feister replied in a serious tone before storming away into the crowded sidewalk. She was getting this weird feeling in her stomach. Maybe it was her breakfast wasn't settling right. It wouldn't be the first time. Feister pushed the feeling aside and continued to walk to her selling spot.

Mush soon caught up and asked, "So, who won the bet, you'se or Race?" the smallest smile appeared on the corner of Feister's lips. "Please tell me you'se did so I's can rub it right into Racer's face for all the teasin' I's get for bein' in love with ya."

"I's get teased too, ya know," Feister reminded. "An' I's won the bet," she replied with a little smirk.

"That's my goil," Mush said proudly while slinging an arm around Feister and pulled her closer. Which was short lived because Feister punched Mush right in the gut causing him to remove his arm from her. "What was that for?" he asked.

"Get this straight, I's ain't yer goil ya idiot!" Feister snapped with a glare in her eyes.

"Noted," Mush replied with a little head nod. He stuffed his hands into his pockets and started to whistle a little tune.

"Good," Feister said as she looked away from Mush and onto the ground. Again, a weird feeling started to form in her stomach. It was slightly different than the one she felt moments ago, but still made her feel weird. And, just like before, Feister pushed it aside and went on walking to the selling spot with Mush.

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"Extra, Extra, mystery of death deepens!" Feister shouted while waving the paper in the air. Soon enough, a man came over and handed her some money. In return Feister handed the man the paper with a smile as she said, "Thank ya." smiling to herself, Feister threw the coin up into the air, caught it, and pocketed the money before grabbing another paper out from her bag. While doing this, Feister looked up and caught sight of Mush, who was talking to some girl. Again.

Feister swore that all of Mush's customers were girls. Every. Single. One. And as usual, he would spend more time talking to the girl with some idiotic face instead of working. So, as usual, Feister put her hands to either end of her mouth to create more sound as she yelled at the top of her lungs, "HEY!" which caught Mush and the girl's attention. "QUIT WASTHIN' YER BREATH TALKIN' YA BUTT AN' START USIN' IT TA SELL YER PAPES. I AIN'T GONNA WAIT HERE ALL NIGHT FOR YA TA FINISH, SUCKER!"

Mush gave a look of annoyance to Feister before turning to the girl, said something before walking away and went back to work.

"Idiot," Feister mumbled to herself before going back to work as well. For the rest of the morning it was good business. Feister managed to sell out. So with her papers gone, she sat on the curb and rested her arms on her legs as she watched and waited for Mush. As she watched and waited, Feister saw yet another girl went up to buy a paper from him. "It's like that kid is made outta honey or somethin'," Feister thought to herself as she mentally rolled her eyes and groaned. "Seriously what is so interestin'? He's just one big stupid head. Anudda stinky street kid with nothin' ta his name but the clothes on his back. A dirty, smelly, funny lookin' an' stupidly sappy idiot of a newsie. He's just, plain ole Mush."

"Feisty!" a voice yelled, popping Feister out from her thoughts. She looked up and saw those blue eyes she's seen over a million times. "Were ya thinkin' bout yer folks again?" Mush asked knowing that Feister's mind would drift off into her mysterious past.

"N-no," Feister replied quietly.

"Then what were ya thinkin' bout?" Mush asked as he offered a hand to help the smaller girl back up onto her feet.

"Nothin' that concerns ya," Feister replied as she took Mush's hand. In the next moment, Feister was back up on her feet. But not before stumbling right into Mush's chest. Thankfully, he quickly caught her before they both fell onto the ground. Feister looked up and her breath seemed to hitch and her stomach had either turned inside out, or was suddenly filled with...she didn't know. It was hard to tell if it was a good feeling or not. "What the hell is wrong with ya today Claire?" Feister yelled at herself.

"Guess I's dunno my own strength," Mush laughed as he helped Feister stand up straight. She was a little wobbly, so he helped brace her until she was completely fine to stand on her own. "You'se ok?" he asked.

"Peachy," Feister replied with a quick nod. She turned around and started to walk away as quickly as she could. "It's just plain, simple, an' completely bornin' Mush brains, Claire," Feister reminded herself as she walked.

"For someone who's short ya sure are - OW!" someone yelled when Feister turned around and punched whoever had walked up to her. "How can such a tiny goil have such strong arms?" Mush asked in pain as he clenched the spot where Feister had punched him.

"It's yer fault for scarin' me like that ya idiot!" Feister shouted while throwing her arms in the air. "You'se know better than ta do that!"

"Yer usually not this jumpy," Mush pointed out. "What's up with ya?" though Mush knows more about Feister than anyone else in the world, that didn't mean he understood her completely. Like now for instance. She was acting strange. Spacing out and getting all tense. This usually wasn't like her. It was in moments like these Mush wished he was a mind reader. It sure would help when it comes to dealing with Feister.

"What's up with me?" Feister exclaimed. "What's up with you'se suddenly actin' all flirty with goils lately?! Feister yelled before storming off.

Now, Mush has seen Feister angry before. But never in the long nine years he's known her, has Mush ever seen Feister at that level of anger she was at right then. She had obviously given the reason why she was angry, but it wasn't like he was doing anything wrong to her specifically. Mush brushed off all those details and assumed it was that time. He shuddered at the thought of having to deal with an angry driven Feister for - he shuddered again at the thought before running after Feister. As he was running, Mush silently prayed he wouldn't die that day.

Soon enough, Mush made it to the Lodging House. Through the window, he caught a glimpse of Feister on the inside. Sighing to himself that she was safe, Mush took a deep breath as he walked up the steps and entered the building. He walked up to the front desk and stood next to Feister who was signing her name into the ledger. She didn't bother looking at him. Not even the smallest sign of acknowledgement was given. After a few more moments Mush finally said, "Ya know, I's can't help it if the ladies think I's good lookin'." this was obviously a joke. Mush just hoped Feister would reply with how those girls need to get their eyes checked because he's ugly. But, Feister stayed silent as she put the pen down and dug into her pocket to pay for the night. "No need ta be jealous-"

"Me? Jealous? Please," Feister huffed as she counted the coins in her hands. "Why would I's be jealous of some blind idiots." and there it was. At least Mush knew he wasn't completely in the dog house...hopefully. Mush turned around to lean his back on the front desk while saying, "Stop yer complain' Feisty, you'll always be my favorite goil. No matter what happens I's will always be here for ya."

Feister placed the money onto the desk before looking at Mush and asked, "An' what makes ya think I's actually care?"

"Cause I's know ya better than anyone else in the woild," Mush replied with a smirk. "An' that I's care too much bout ya ta ever leave ya for someone else. I's promise ya, I'll always be here for ya Feisty. Yer forever my goil, no matter what happens, I's promise." Mush saw the smallest smile on Feister's face, and without even thinking much he pulled her into a tight hug. Feister didn't push him away and instead wrapped her arms around him and hugged back as tightly as she could. It was yet another sweet little moment between the two friends. All was right with the world again.

"Why didn't ya invite me ta the weddin' ya lovebirds?!" a voice yelled, making Mush and Feister jump out of each others' arms to see the newsies had returned from selling. All of them had smug little smirks on their faces and a knowing look in their eyes.

"Aww, look at how embarrassed the-"

"WE ARE NOT LOVEBIRDS!" Mush and Feister yelled at the top of their lungs.

"Oh, you poor oblivious babies," Crutchie said while shaking his head back and forth

"How long till ya think they's realize they's in love with each other?" Albert asked with crossed arms.

"Hopefully soon," Race replied. "It's startin' ta kill me not seein' these two make it official already!"

"We're standin' right here," Mush and Feister replied as the newsies continued to talk about them being in love, when they're going to make it official. And sadly enough, if they're first child will be a boy, or a girl. Of course, Mike and Ike were betting twins. One boy, one girl. And even if it wasn't twins, they would still be half right in the end.

"Why's everyone crowdin' the door for?" Jumps asked as he pushed through the band of newsies along with Wolf.

"They's at it again Jumpy!" Feister exclaimed. "They's sayin' Mush an' I are gonna start datin' get married an' askin' if we's gonna have a boy or a goil as our first child!"

"Well, with that attitude Mush ain't gonna put a ring on it," Wolf replied with a smirk.

"I's give it a couple more weeks till they's all lovey dovey," Jumps replied as he elbowed Wolf.

"Really, you'se two?" Mush and Feister groaned. It seemed like there was no use in trying to convince everyone that they weren't in love with each other. Yes, they care deeply about the other and maybe sometimes it seems like there's more to their friendship. But that's only because Mush and Feister are two peas in a pod.

Anyways, after a while everyone headed up to the bunkroom to let out whatever energy there was left from selling. And of course Mush and Feister were playing their usual game of war. The hours went by quickly as Mush and Feister played war for a little bit, then moved onto jokes and good natured teasing. They laughed till their stomachs hurt, and smiles were bright and wide. Before long, it was lights out and after saying her good nights, Feister retreated to her room for the night.

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"Jack! Crutchie! Race! Albert! Elmer! Specs! Henry! Jojo!, Finch! Mush! Sniper! Romeo! Buttons! Blink! Ike! Mike! Tommy! Wake up ya bums! We's gotta carry the banner. C'mon, up an at 'em!" Wolf yelled while either pulling off their blankets, or whacking them with a pillow.

Early mornings at The Lodging House wasn't something to look forward to. Every morning was the same, wake up, get ready, and sell the papers. After making his rounds in the bunk room he went up to a door of an old storage closet and banged at the door while yelling, "C'mon Feister, get a move on!"

Feister grumbled. When she opened her eyes, the sun was shining bright through the window. She grumbled more as Wolf banged at the door for her to get up. "I'm comin', keep ya shirt on," Feister yelled. All she wanted was a few more minutes of sleep. In peace, with no one banging at her door like a mad person, but by the sounds of the bangs that wasn't going to happen.

After a few moments the thirteen year old rolled out of bed (literally) and onto the floor where she grabbed her worn out work boots and laced them up. Then she stood up and pulled her suspenders over her shoulders and then grabbed her grey plaid shirt and buttoned it up before grabbing her vest then braided her dark hair, putting her cap on and then tucked the braid under it. With that being done she walked up to the door and took a deep breath before turning the knob, which clicked. Throughout the years she'd learned to lock her door at night so the boys wouldn't play pranks on her at night or barge in while she was getting dressed. She opened the door and stepped out of her room and leaned against the door frame she saw the usual mayhem.

"Al, get back here, that's my cigar!" Race yelled chasing after Albert up and around the room.

"If you can steal this one you can steal anudda!" the redhead yelled back, pushing passed a sleepy Specs, who almost fell onto an unaware and sleepy Jojo. Feister smiled, and shook her head. It was the usual morning routine alright, and it always started with the game of 'steel Race's cigar'. Why Albert would attempt to get himself soaked every morning was beyond her, but it sure was funny watching them chase the other around.

"Heya Feisty." a familiar voice said while walking up to her. "You'se sellin' with me today, right?" Feister rolled her eyes at the dumb question. But then something popped into her head, so she said, "Wow, looks like ya really do have mush for brains seeing as I'm yer sellin' partner."

"Feisty goil one, Mush brains zero. Better luck next time, kid," Kid Blink said as he walked past his two (hopelessly in love with each other) friends. Mush and Feister glared at the older boy as he smirked and walked away. But, at least there wasn't anything said about them being in love. Yet.

"Hey love birds, when's the wedding?" little, innocent Romeo asked as he walked by; who wasn't there when both Mush or Feister came to the Lodge, but knew about the whole story.

"Shut up!" they both yelled at the younger boy, who shrugged and walked away.

"So, that's a 'yes', on sellin'?" Mush asked hopefully.

"I've been yer sellin' partner since we's was little," Feister exclaimed.

"Relax, I'm just playin'," Mush teased while nudging her arm. Feister rolled her eyes, with Mush, she never knew what was a joke or not when she was still sleepy.

Little did Feister know at that moment things were going to start changing soon. Her life was going to be taken on a roller coaster of new found feelings. Her greatest friendship was going to be pushed to the ultimate test, and maybe, just maybe, she'll realize something has been there all along.

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Author's note

And thus my friends, the story comes full circle. Believe it or not this chapter not only is a personal favorite, but there's also a sense of déjà vu. I always knew from the very beginning this was how I was going to tie everything together, and, I get such an odd, yet rewarding sense seeing my current writing style next to something I wrote three years and five months ago. All in all I had zero idea how this story would turn out, what was going to be drafted, posted and what was going to stay on the drawing board floor. There's some stuff I wish had gotten written, but I wasn't going to force myself to do it if it wasn't working out in the first place. Overall I'm happy with how this turned out in the end. A lot of sibling fluff, foreshowing, sweet moments between Mush and Feister. Plus I got to learn more about a character I already thought I knew well, and having you guys along for this ride was incredible. Usually I'm all planned out, being one step ahead of the game, but this time around there were a few bumps with updating during the beginning. So thank you for being patience while I was figuring out all those odds and ends. I'm not sure if I'll ever revisit baby Feister, if I do, it'll most likely be a modern AU. I can't say for sure if that'll happen though. I think what I loved most about this chapter was how Feister's jealously is starting to show up, and Mush being completely oblivious to everything. Guess you can say this was when the little hints for her deeper feelings are starting to become more obvious to her. Little update on Brooklyn's backstory, it's going well. Still in the writing process, don't have a post date just yet, you'll find out at some point. With that being said and done, I hope you enjoyed the final chapter of The Story of a News Girl. Thank you all so much for reading, commenting and voting. And, as usual, I'll see you next time. 

Crystal.