July 1893

"WOLF! JUMPS! RACER! ALBIE! SOMEBODY! ANYBODY! LISTEN TA THIS!" Feister yelled out as she trampled up the staircase and stumbled into the bunkroom, almost knocking over Mi - maybe it was Ike - no, no it was definitely Mike. Maybe? Almost knocking down one of the twins in the process.

"Woah, slow down there, where's the fire?" Albert joked with a chuckle.

Feister only glared at the older newsie and went on with her happy announcement. She pulled out a flyer from her paper bag and held it out for all the boys to read. But before she could say anything, Mush dragged himself into the bunkroom, red in the face and sweaty as he said, "For such a tiny goil, you'se sure are fast -" he groaned from  exhaustion. " - I'll just be on the floor." he collapsed and proceeded to kick off his boots and unbutton his shirt to try and cool off from the heat.

Ignoring her idiot friend Feister went on. "The fair's back in 'Hattan! Look! Look! Look!" she jumped up and down excitedly.

The boys only stared at the little news girl with the same question on their mind. Did Mush and Feister switch bodies? For in this situation Mush would be bouncing with excitement while Feister would be passed out on the wooden floor. But atlast, that wasn't the case.

"What? Ya never seen a goil excited fore?" she asked with an eye roll.

"Yes. But you'se ain't that kind of goil," Sniper pointed out before quickly ducking down to avoid the boot that was aimed at his head.

"I say we's ditch the papes an' go have a night of fun!" Race exclaimed as he punched the air with his fist and a little jump.

"I's pretty sure the fair don't need anudda clown Racer," Albert bluntly replied.

"Oh like yer a little ray of sunshine," the blonde boy retorted.

"Both of ya knock it off," Wolf interrupted before they had a chance to go at it. "We's go through this every year fellas. We's can't put off a whole day's work for the -" a bunch of "awws" and "boos" filled the air. The Manhattan leader put his hands up to silence the newsies so he could finish. "But, you'se all seem ta forget that if ya all mange ta finishin' sellin' the evein' papes then I's guess we's could have a little fun for a couple of hou-" he was cut off with a bunch of loud cheers. Wolf chuckled and shook his head at the newsies' excitement. There really wasn't harm in having a night out. With the large workload a newsie holds, there wasn't much time to have fun. Not that they never had fun of course! The newsies always had a good time with each other no matter what. This was just something extra special.

"Wish I's had a camera ta capture all their happy faces," Jumps said with a little sigh. He looked at each newsie, wanting this moment to forever be in his mind. He saw Race was giving Romeo a piggyback ride around the room. Finch, Henry and Jojo were stashing away a few coins for some sort of snack, or perhaps to play a few games if he had to guess. Feister plopped down next to Mush and kept poking him until he joined in on the fun. These crazy boys and girl were chaotic. But he wouldn't change anything even if he could.

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"Alright everyone, ya know the rules, don't go runnin' off by yourself an'....they's gone," Wolf trailed off as the newsies all ran into different directions while yelling about. "Well, at least yer still here Jumps." his eyes flickered around, but to Wolf's surprise the second in command was nowhere in sight.

"He ran after Sniper an' Tommy," a little voice said. Making Wolf look down to see Feister was standing right next to him.

"An' where'd Mush go? Thought you'se be with 'im," Wolf replied with a smirk. He wasn't complaining of course. It was just odd to see the little news girl without her partner in crime.

"Lost track of the nitwit fore I's could," Feister shrugged.

"Alright, then it looks like you'se with me for the night. C'mon, let's go." with that being said  the two of them headed off to see what the fair held in store. The sweet smell of popcorn filled the air, along with "come one come all", "step right up" or "and we have a winner", bells would sometimes be heard. But mostly the laughing of children. A few times Wolf and Feister would spot one of the other newsies and wave before moving along. They tried their luck at the ring toss and ended up winning a small bag of marbles, which Wolf kept in his pocket for safe keeping.

"Excuse me young man. How would you like me to guess you an' your little brother's age. If I get it right you win a prize. I'm never wrong you know."

"Sure, why not Mista," Wolf said with a shrug.

"We have two takers folks!" the man yelled out so a crowd could gather around. "First up, this tall young man right here. The first hint to an age is always the height." he measured Wolf with his hands. "We minus an inch or two from the cap of course," he commented. "Next up! Shoe size." he examined Wolf's worn out work boots. "An' finally, the real giveaway is in the eyes." he looked closely into Wolf's eyes, making Feister giggle. This man was funny. "seventeen" he finally said.

"Nope," Wolf replied with a little smirk.

"Hey you sure bout that?"

"I's pretty sure I's know my own age. But go ahead an' try my brudda here," Wolf said as he wrapped an arm around Feister.

The man examined her the way he did Wolf. Feister laughed a few times as the man measured out her height, shoe size and stared into her eyes. "This young boy right here is the smallest nine year old I've ever seen. Is that right short stuff?" Feister hummed in response with a nod. The crowd cheered and the man handed her a paper butterfly on a string. "Now you two run along. Enjoy your time here while you've still got it."

"We will. Thanks Mista," Wolf replied with a nod.

"Thank you," Feister called as she walked away with Wolf. Once they were far away enough Feister looked up at Wolf and said, "What kind of lunatic clown head nitwit would wanna wear that yellow of a suit in public?" it made her eyes sore just thinking about that shade of yellow. Either the person wearing it, or the designer must be color blind if they think that was even remotely an appealing shade.

"It's all a part of his act," Wolf replied. "But the real question is, why would anyone even think bout buyin' a suit that color?" he laughed, not paying attention to where he was going, for he had bumped into someone. Nearly sending both of them to the ground. "Oh, I's so sorry, Miss. Are you'se alright?" he quickly asked.

"Don't worry, I have two little brothers. I can take a hit," the girl replied with sparkling blue eyes. She wore a lace blouse and a fawn colored skirt. Some of her brown hair was pulled up in a bun at the top of her head while the rest flowed down in soft curls. Her smile was warm, her cheeks were rosy pink, and her voice was sweeter than a birds song. At least, that's what Wolf thought. "Is this your little brother?" she asked as she glanced down at Feister, who took a small step back. "Shy little boy, isn't he?"

"What? Oh Feister?" Wolf asked. He had almost forgotten for a split second that Feister was even present in that moment, he was too wonderstruck by this young lady's beauty. Never has he ever seen a girl this beautiful in his life. "Nah, this one's usually the loudest in the pack," he said proudly as he wrapped an arm around the smaller girl. "I'm Wolf, and you are?"

"Samantha Rosewood," she introduced with a smile.

"What a beautiful name for a beautiful goil," Wolf complemented.

Now, Feister wasn't stupid. She could clearly see Wolf was getting the sweets for this girl. And The girl - Samantha - seemed pretty interested in the Manhattan Leader. It made Feister sick to her stomach to watch this. But it wasn't like she could go anywhere by herself. Mostly because you never know what kind of lunatics you could find at a fair. But what made it even worse was Wolf's stupid smile. It was different from the one he usually wore, which Feister didn't think was possible. The little news girl soon made her great escape when the Manhattan leader started to make small talk with this Samantha character. She walked way to find something to keep herself entertained, only, instead of finding something to do, she spotted, "JUMPS!" she exclaimed and ran over to said boy. And thus, her switch finally flipped.

"Hey Feisty." the second in command began. Boy, was Wolf going to give Mush (or whoever was keeping an eye on her) a good chewing out. They all knew the rules about how at least one person has to stay with Feister at all times since trouble seemed to have a way with finding her. Or rather, Feister somehow finding it. "Where's-" but he was soon cut off.

"C'mon! I's need ya ta snap Wolfy outta it! He's sick with love Jumps I's tell ya he's sick! It's disgustin'!" Feister yelled as she dragged Jumps to where Wolf and that Samantha girl were. At least, she hoped they were still there. Jumps was more than sensible enough, he could without a doubt get a love struck Wolf's head on straight again before it was too late.

"Aw c'mon Feisty, I's sure yer just over reactin'," Jumps replied.

"I's am not! We hafta save Wolf fore that goil gets her claws on 'im! She's bad news an' if we's too late then he'll leave without a word, an' - an' we's will never see 'im again! We's gotta do somethin' Jumps! We's just gotta!" Feister ranted as she pulled Jumps by the vest. Earning a few looks of other people as they walked by. But that was the least of their problems.

Jumps wasn't sure how to react. Never, in all the years he's known Feister has he ever seen her act like this. There's no way in the world that she got all these ideas in her head in what? Five seconds of seeing Wolf with some girl. It just wasn't possible. "I'll tell ya what Feisty, I'll tawk ta Wolf bout it later, ok?" he asked, trying to calm the younger girl down.

"B-but what if-"

"Feisty, listen ta me," Jumps said as he knelt down. "I's known Wolf my whole life. He wouldn't leave us without a word. Especially not because of some goil he just met, alright? If it makes ya feel better I'll ask 'im bout it later, ok?"

"Promise?" Feister asked as she kept her eyes on the ground.

Jumps lifted up her chin, looked her in the eyes and said, "I's promise. C'mon, let's go find Mush. I's bet he's missed havin' ya round." he got up and took the little girl by the hand to go find Mush. Jumps hoped that if Feister was with Mush, then her mind would let go of the whole "Wolf leaving them without a word for some girl" thing. Or at least until the fair was over.

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"Finch, Henry, Blink, an' Tommy," Jumps mumbled under his breath. "They's all there. What'd bout you?" he quietly asked.

"Elmer, Racer, Jack, Crutch. All good on this side," Wolf replied with a nod.

Seeing as all the boys, and Feister were accounted for, the two leaders headed back to their bunk to call it a night. Before climbing up to his bunk Jumps said, "Hey Wolfy. Ya know, Feisty said somethin' bout you'se meetin' a goil tonight."

"Look, nothin' is goin' on, alright? I's met a pretty goil, it ain't like I's marryin' her," Wolf defended with a laugh.

"Or up an' leavin' without a word?"

"How much sugar did ya eat? C'mon Jumps, ya know I's would never leave you'se or the newsies without a word. Where did ya ever get an idea like that?" he asked, trying to laugh it off as he plopped down onto his bed.

"Not me, it was Feisty," Jumps replied. "She came runnin' ta me sayin' that I's needed ta knock some sense into you'se fore some goil got her claws on ya. She was worried ya up an' live without a word cause of 'er. I's know ya wouldn't do somethin' like that, but whatever happened seemed ta give 'er a real fright."

"I's just bumped into 'er an' we's started tawkin'. Said she had a pretty name an' that's bout it," Wolf shrugged. "I's dunno why she would react like that."

"Me neither," Jumps replied as he sat down next to Wolf. "Think somethin' happened in 'er past ta...ya know." it was the only explanation, right? That or she was just being protective. But right now, those questions would have to be answered another time. It was late, and they both had a long day ahead. So Jumps climbed up to his bunk while Wolf got comfortable in his own bed. 

"I's think we's should ask Mush bout it tomorrow," Wolf said without much thought. "The kid seems ta know a lot bout 'er. Ya know if we's ask her head on she'll bottle up."

"Sounds like a plan Wolfy," Jumps yawned. "Night."

"Night," Wolf replied as he slowly dozed off into a deep sleep.

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Author's note

You know what, I'm keeping my fringes crossed there's at least one person who understands the references made in this chapter. Moving on, Samantha has officially entered the story. If you don't know her that's alright, she was really obscured in my first book, and will now be making an appearance every now and again. Feister's reasoning for not liking Samantha is due to past trauma of course. Simpler terms, she connects love with abandonment. The later details of the way she thinks about this subject kind of changes, but it's definitely still there. However, that's beside the point at this stage in her life. Hope you enjoyed thanks for reading and I'll see you next week!