She curled up in her bed hugging the blanket close to her chest as the sound of a bottle crashed to the ground. Heavy foot steps walked across the old floor boards and a loud thud of something shot into the air for a moment, which was followed by the hard slam of a door which should've fallen off its hinges a long time ago. But no. It still stood there after months of slams and bumps. He wouldn't stop drinking the devil's brew. That's what her mother used to call it when she was still alive. The thing was though, he wasn't much of a drinker. But that was in the past. Back when they were all a happy family. Now it was just the two of them...more or less.

Things started to change after her mother's death of that long winter. It was just before Christmas and she had prayed every night to the Heavens that all she wanted that year was for her mother to get well again. She didn't care about anything else besides that. But her wish went unanswered and the final days leading up to the holiday were solemn. She didn't feel very merry on the morning of the twenty-fifth and neither did her father. They simply made breakfast, exchanged gifts before heading over to the church. She didn't pay much attention to the service, and not because she was six. But because she kept wondering why her mother had to leave. After that day the rest of the month went by slowly and before she knew it, it was the beginning of a new year. To keep money coming in her father continued with his job and she did what she could at the dress shop, which wasn't much and the young girl had to resort to doing odd jobs around the building. Simple things like hanging up clothes to dry, or taking them down. Market runs or grabbing a paper from a boy who would sell on the corner. Though that was a bit hard to do since she could barely ask to buy one. So she would walk up to said boy, give him the money, take the paper with a smile and go about her business.

Though her father told her to stop after a while and instead said she must stay home and stay out of everyone's way. It wasn't long before she discovered the empty bottles that were stashed away here and there. She asked him about it and got yelled at for snooping around. That was when things started to take a turn for the worse. Hard as she tried to be a good girl, there was always something that she did wrong. She wanted to give up, but knew that wasn't an option. She'd get in more trouble if she did stop working around the house. But what was the point anyways? She was useless anyways. That's what he always said.

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"C'mon Feisty! Daylight's burin'! An' it's such a beautiful day ta sell 'em papes!" Wolf's voice boomed as a pillow whacked her body, jolting her awake to the morning light beaming through the window. "Get yer little bum outta bed an' get a movin'."

Feister groaned as she flopped back down and pulled the covers over her head. She wanted to disappear into thin air but deep down she knew that wasn't possible. But a girl can dream. It wasn't long before Wolf yanked the blankets away and pulled her out of bed before going along to make sure everyone else was up and ready for yet another day of work.

"Hey kid, you'se ok?" Wisp asked as the news girl plopped to the floor and began to pull on her boots. He was one of the older boys with messy chestnut curls and soft green eyes. Of course he's also her bunkmate and has been a victim of being a landing cushion the times she's fallen out of her bunk. "I's heard ya mumblin' last night."

"It was nothin'. I's fine." Feister mumbled as she pulled the laces of her boots and began to cross them over. Her mind wandered back to the memory of her father and how bad things got. She blamed herself for a lot of things that happened back then. She wanted to let go and forget everything, but it wasn't as simple as that.....

"Here lemme help ya with that," Wisp said as he knelt down and began to tie her shoe laces. He went on and explained to always tighten the laces by starting from the bottom up before beginning to tie. Which he also explained how to do. But this time around he quickly did both boots and said they could practice later that night.

Though Feister was only half paying attention during those few seconds. Actually for the rest of the morning rush her mind would wander back and forth from what was happening in the present to back to the dark time. She didn't care if anyone noticed or not, it was best if no one asked her what was wrong. Though she didn't plan on getting close with any of the boys, she didn't want to scare them if they found out who her father was. She wasn't like that, she was...well Feister didn't know who she was exactly. It would take a long time to figure out what kind of person she was. So far she's Manhattan's feisty news girl. It wasn't a terrible thing per se, she just wasn't sure how long it'll last until someone noticed she was actually broken inside.

There was no doubt Mush would probably be the first to realize this piece of information. That boy didn't know when to stop sticking his nose where it shouldn't be stuck. It would get him in trouble one day. Feister had money on it. Well, she didn't physically have money on it, it was more of a good gut feeling. That boy was more trouble than what it was worth.

"Heya Feisty! How goes it this mornin'?" Mush asked as he clapped the news girl on the shoulder.

Feister stopped in her tracks and tensed up at the sudden touch of his hand. Her heart began to beat quick as her body started to shake a bit. "Fine," she replied before making her exit away from him and caught up with Race. Out of all the boys she felt most comfortable with the blonde gambler. Though she didn't say much. She just needed a quick escape from Mush before he started to ask questions.

The morning walk seemed to have passed by in a blur for by the time she popped out of her head voices were yelling about how the headline was going to be a good one. She didn't bother to look up at the chalkboard which held the headline written in white. She didn't make any snarky remarks to Weasel. She simply got her papers, sat down and mindlessly looked at the pages. Though she couldn't read well, she could make out a few words and used whatever pictures were printed on the page to her advantage.

"What's up with ya?" Mush asked as he settled down next to the smaller girl. "Did ya not get enough sleep or somethin'?" he asked. Though the real question on his mind was why did she run away from him that morning? Did he do something wrong? Or was Feister acting weirder than usual?

Flashback

"Clarisse viens ici!"

"Oui papa. Je suis ici, je suis ici!" she replied as she ran into the main room of the small apartment. She slid across the floor since all she had on her feet were stockings as her braided hair flew behind her and slapped her face when she came to a complete stop.

To say the least she was afraid she was in trouble....again. Scared that she'd get hurt for something she didn't mean to do. She tries her best to make do with what's around. But it's hard. She's only a child with no mother and a man who's now a sorry excuse for a father. Of course she couldn't say that out loud. Good girls do what they are told with no questions asked. The task must be done quietly without making a bigger mess of things. Though she absolutely despised that saying, she still listened anyways to stay out of trouble.

"Clarisse dit bonjour à Mlle Lewis."

The little girl turned to the woman standing next to her father let the smallest smile appear on her face. "Bonjour...hello...Miss Lewis. Ravi de vous rencontrer...it's nice to meet you," she said, trying to put some pep in her voice. But if you listened closely, it was all flat.

Who was this woman and why was she here? It didn't make any sense. Was she going to be her new mother? She didn't want that to happen. There was no need for it. Why would her father move on so quickly? Did he not care? She wouldn't be surprised if that was the case.

More words were exchanged, but she didn't pay much attention. Though it looked like she did. She had learned how to look invested in a conversation while her mind was free to wander off into its own escape from the real world. She would only speak when spoken to and forced a smile on her face until she was allowed to leave.

End of flashback.

"C'mon Feisty what's up with ya?" a voice yelled, popping Feister out of her thoughts.

"Get yer filthy hands off of me!" she screamed as she slapped Mush's hands off her shoulders and quickly stood up. "How bout ya stop askin' stupid questions fore ya get in trouble!" She let out a sound of frustration as she made her way out to the gate. Though it wasn't time to start selling yet, she needed to get away from everyone. She needed to get away from Mush. That boy seriously needed to keep his mouth shut.

───── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ─────

To prevent a fight from happening Wolf took Feister selling on the other side of the park while Jumps looked after Mush. It wasn't easy considering the work went twice as fast when they were together, but it was either this or one of them ends up black and blue before the day is done. Hint, it's Mush. if anything he was going to become busted if Feister was pushed too far. Clearly there was something going on that was fueling the little news girl's sudden outbursts, though no one knew what it was. Besides the obvious facts no one really knew what happened to her before she was brought into the newsie lifestyle. Her past was like a puzzle and the newsies had to piece everything together from the few times she'd actually talk about it.

Wolf had made a little announcement that if anyone found out something new about Feister's past to tell him so he could work out whatever issues she was facing. If she were to have an outburst he could easily take the yells and the punches she'd throw at him, but any of the other boys...then that'd be another story. They're strong, but barely three minutes later they'd be out of the ring.

"Hey kid, ya know it's startin ta get a bit hot. How bout we's take a break for a bit?" Wolf said to the little news girl, who simply nodded. He led her to a shady spot under a tree and sat down on the cool grass and let out a little sigh. "I's dunno what's hotter. The heat or the headline. They's a real page turner wouldn't ya say?"

"Guess so," Feister hummed in response.

"I's heard ya readin' the other night. You'se gettin' good at it. Fore ya know it you'se will be able ta read 'em papes like nothin'."

She hummed again while keeping her eyes on the ground.

"Alright kid, I's gotta be honest now an' I's want you'se ta be as well," Wolf heavily sighed. "What's eatin' ya up, huh? I's would say this usually ain't like ya, but we's both know that's a lie. I's yer brudda now. You'se can tell me, ya know that, right?"

"Sure I's can. Can tell ya just bout anythin' till ya up an' leave in the middle of the night makin' me believe you'se probably layin' dead in the gutter with no note sayin' why ya left." she threw her cap to the ground letting her messy braids fall onto her shoulders as she pulled her knees closer to her chest. "Makin' me think I's the reason ya up an' left without a word."

So, that's what was going on. She had attachment issues. Wolf's seen this more times then he would like to admit. But at least he knew how to help her out. He picked her cap off the ground, dusted it off while saying, "Ya know I's ain't like that right? I's wouldn't leave ya behind. But I's also get why you'se build some high walls. Ya don't have ta be so guarded all the time. Me an' the fellas are just tryin' ta help ya settle into the family. I's know it ain't easy on yer part livin' with a bunch of boys. It ain't easy for anyone." he smiled as he tucked her braids under the cap once more and brushed away some stray hairs. "But we's can try an' make it easier."

"In other words ya want me ta keep my mouth shut."

"I's didn't say that. What I's sayin' is that the boys are the kind that'll always be there for ya. Me, an' Jumps included. Though if I's bein' honest Mush seems ta feel the need ta look out for ya. He's a good kid ya know. Keep 'im close cause one day you'se gonna need 'im by yer side."

Feister huffed at the statement as she turned her gaze onto the Manhattan leader. "If he steps outta line he's gonna hafta kiss my fist."

"How the hell did she get that from what I's said?" Wolf wondered. "Put away the fist, an' get back ta sellin' Feisty," he chuckled.

The things he does to keep his newsies in order. Hopefully that problem is solved, though it was hard telling when exactly Feister would fully trust him and the newsies. Or at least break down her walls just enough to let them in.

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Author's note

I may or may not have pulled a few of my heart strings during the flashbacks...on the bright side there was some brotherly fluff going on with Wolf. Which I didn't think I'd love getting to do. Don't worry, there's still plenty of Mush moments to come. I used google translation for the French part, as I always do, so if anything is wrong blame that. And I know I've gotten lazy with updating every week, and that actually might change...I think I'm nearing the end of drafting this book...I'm just getting that gut feeling that the writing part is coming to a close sooner than I thought it would be. There's plenty of chapters, believe me this is going to be the longest book yet. Once that's all finished up posting will really become a weekly thing. For the meantime I hope you enjoyed and thanks for reading!