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| By Sprite Chapter 1: Blake's Death Elizabeth Williams paced nervously outside the door to her father's room. "How much longer is he going to be in there?" She muttered to herself before pivoting when the doctor's voice interrupted her thoughts. "Elizabeth, I'm sorry, there's nothing I can do now. He's asking for you." Elizabeth turned to the door before the doctor spoke again. "Best to make his final arrangements and keep him as comfortable as possible." She nodded wiping the tears out of her eyes. "Thank you for everything doctor." The doctor nodded and walked out of the room. Elizabeth walked slowly to her father's room. A light knock was heard at the door before Blake Williams called out, "'s open." Elizabeth heard a loud cough from behind the door before she turned the knob. The sight that greeted her made her wince in pain. Her father lay frail and weak on his large bed. The wrinkles on his face seemed to have gotten worse since the last hours she spent with him. "Papa, the doctor, well, the doctor he said," She looked down. She hated lying and had never been very good at it. "The doctor said you were going to get better." Blake smiled at his daughter's valiant effort to make him feel better. "'s okay Elizabeth, I understand. I know I'm not gettin' better. Fact I don't think I have much time left." "No!" Elizabeth yelled out. "No, you can't leave me. Please Papa, hang on. We'll get another doctor. Everything will work out. You just need to hang on." Elizabeth tightly held her father's hand in her own. "I'm sorry Elizabeth. This is my end." Elizabeth let out a loud sob, and her father squeezed her hand. As she looked at him, he spoke his final words. "Elizabeth, this is very important, you need to listen to me. There's a young man you need to find. His name's Shawn Meyers, he's a newsboy. Are you listening? Shawn Meyers. You must find him and give him this letter. All right? He's your guardian. You need ta find him. He'll take care o' you, understand?" She nodded. Blake Williams squeezed his daughter's hand a final time. "Remember, Shawn Meyers. I love you Elizabeth. Take care o' yourself, and him, he needs you. Goodbye Sweetheart. I love you." With that, Blake left that world for another. "No! Papa no! Come back!" Elizabeth's painful cries went unheard. "I love you too Papa, and I will find him." Elizabeth dropped her father's lifeless hand, took the letter, and walked out of the deceased man's room. As if she was on automatic she called the doctor back to take away her father's body. She then started to pack. She packed as many sets of clothing and as many of her prized possessions as she could fit into her small bag before she lay down on her bed and fell into a deep and dreamless sleep. The next morning came all too soon for the tall blonde, but she knew she had to get up. So, with much effort, Elizabeth pulled herself out of bed, dressed and ate a minor breakfast. Elizabeth sat idle after she had eaten. Uncertain, and still in mourning, she decided she should find this Shawn person as soon as possible before something happened to her. *Well,* she thought, *here goes nothing.* With that, she turned away from her now alien front door, bag in hand, and started off down the street. "Let's see, if I was a newsboy, where would I be?" Elizabeth asked herself. She walked around for hours looking futily for a sign of some sort indicating where she should go. Finally she was struck by an idea. Why not ask a newsboy where to go? It was a genius idea, a brilliant idea, except she didn't see any newsboys up selling their papers yet. *No problem, I'll just go ask a store owner. I'm sure he'll know where I can look.* "Excuse me sir!" Elizabeth called out to a man standing in front of a restaurant. "Yes Miss, what can I do foah you?" Elizabeth thought for a moment about how to ask. "Well, sir, I was wondering if you could tell me where I might be able to find a newsboy." The man looked at her oddly before asking, "Are you lookin' foah a Manhattan Newsie, oah Brooklyn, oah Queens, Hahlem?" Elizabeth's expression turned to dismay. Surely she would never find Shawn if there were this many places for him to be. Another idea struck. She could ask the other newsboys if they knew of him. *Perfect,* she thought. "Um, Manhattan, Where would I find them?" The owner laughed. "Well, Miss, right ovah yondah I'd wagah. At the Newsboys' Lodging House." Elizabeth turned bright red. She hadn't seen the large sign hanging over an open building. "Thank you sir!" Elizabeth called over her shoulder as she walked briskly over to the building. Elizabeth straightened her long white skirt and adjusted her vest and hat before walking up the awaiting stairs. Chapter 2: Nevah Hoid of 'im An older man stood behind the front desk, his back turned to her. She decided to get his attention by clearing her throat. Kloppman turned around and was surprised to see a young woman standing in front of the desk. "Yes Miss, what can I do foah you?" Kloppman asked the blonde. "Actually, I'm looking for someone, a Shawn Meyers. Do you know of him, or know where I might find him?" The blonde asked fidgeting with her gloves and purse. Kloppman thought for a moment. "Shawn Meyahs, Shawn Meyahs, nope, nevah hoid of 'im." (AN: I know it's over used but come one, it was right there begging me to use it lol.) Elizabeth turned away bitterly disappointed and started walking towards the door when the older man called her back, "Miss, wait!" Elizabeth turned around. "Yes?" "One o' de odah boys might know him. 'sides most of 'em use nicknames anyways. Would you like to stay an' as' some o' de odahs?" Elizabeth smiled, grateful for a plan. "Yes, I believe I'll do that. Thank you Mr...?" "Kloppman, just Kloppman if ya please Miss." Elizabeth smiled again. She was starting to like the elder man. "Well, thank you Kloppman." Elizabeth brushed down her skirt again as she spoke. "So, should I just wait here or...?" Kloppman let out a deep laugh. "Hang on, lemme go as' da boys." And with that, he turned and stomped up the stairs. The boys had just started dressing when Kloppman entered the bunk room. "'ey, any of you'se evah hoid of a Shawn Meyahs?" Some of the newsies stopped and pondered the name, but most continued dressing. There was a resounding, "Nope," when one voice was heard, "Why? Who's askin'?" Kloppman turned to see who had spoken. It was Mush, the curly haired boy who earned his nickname by his reaction tomeeting girls. He was the in house womanizer. *Uh oh,* Kloppman thought, *thiscould be trouble,* but there was something about the young woman downstairs that made Kloppman think she could handle most challenges including a Casanova like Mush. "Some goil is askin' foah him downstaihs. Dat's why." The room was instantly silent as all the boys froze, before Mush started walking down the stairs followed by all the other newsies. Chapter 3: Meeting Mush Meyers Elizabeth stood downstairs awaiting Kloppman's answer when she heard the sound of a stampede coming down the stairs. She braced herself but was completely unprepared for the sight that greeted her. A young man descended down the stairs lacking his shirt! Elizabeth let out a loud "Eep!" and threw her hand over her eyes. Mush laughed at the girl's strange antics and continued down the stairs. "Are you decent yet?" Elizabeth asked, eyes still closed. The other boys were straining to hear what was going on and were also immensely amused. "Whaddah ya mean am I decent?" Mush asked. Elizabeth peeked through her hand and "eeped" again. "I mean, would you please be so kind as to put a shirt on?!" Mush laughed again and put on the shirt he had been holding. "All right, all right, I'se decent now. You can put yoah hand down." The other boys snickered as they filed into the lobby. "Thank you," Elizabeth said looking up, straight into the chocolate eyes of Mush. "Now," Mush said, "ah you'se lookin' foah Shawn Meyahs?" Elizabeth's eyes widened. "Yes! Do you know where I can find him?" Mush smiled. "Why shoah. Right heah, you'se lookin' at him." The blonde closed her eyes and rubbed her forehead tiredly as she asked, "Are you quite certain?" In the background, she could hear some one say, "Listen to da way she tawks! She's probahbly a princess oah sometin'." "Yeah, I'se shoah, Shawn Meyahs, dat's me name." Elizabeth opened her eyes. "But you're, you're," Elizabeth couldn't finish her sentence aloud, so her brain did it for her, *gorgeous!* He was the most gorgeous boy, young man she had ever seen before. "I'se what?" Mush asked scratching his curly head and looking confused. "Never mind, it's not important." The blonde told him. She realized now that she finally found him, she had to tell him everything. She took a deep breath and swallowed her pride. "Well, in that case, Mr. Meyers, I'm Liz Williams, your ward." The name Elizabeth was in her past, and she felt no need to revive it. Liz stuck out her hand to shake his dirty one, just to be polite. Mush's face showed his chagrin. "My what?" Liz refused to look at his face as she spoke, "Your ward, Mr. Meyers. You are my guardian, and I, your ward." The lobby erupted in mass of loud whispers. "I'se t'inks I needa si' down." Mush said sliding to a sitting position on the floor. "Hey, Mushy? You'se okay?" Mush's friend Racetrack asked from somewhere in the mob of boys. Mush was still in shock and couldn't answer him. Cowboy, Jack Kelly decided to make himself known at that point. He pushed his way through the other newsies and came out in front of the pretty girl. Jack stuck out his hand and introduced himself. "Howdy Miss, I'se Jack Kelly, da leadah o' da Manhattan Newsies." Liz shook his hand, "Liz Williams. I'm quite sorry about Mr. Meyers, I didn't mean to uh, well break him." Jack flashed her a charming smile, and Liz blushed. Racetrack answered before Jack could speak. "Aw, Mushy, don't worry 'bout him. He'll be awright. Name's Racetrack, but you can call me Race." A short Italian boy said kissing her hand. Liz smiled. "Nice to meet you Jack, Race. Well, everyone I'm really quite sorry for ruining your morning." Liz said apologetically. The boys' eyes widened and a chorus of "Naw, o' couhse ya didn't" and "nevah"'s rang out. "Race, help me out, let's take 'im upstaihs and set 'im down." Jack turned to Liz as he and Race lifted Mush up, "you'se two can tawk up deah in peace." "Thank you," Liz responded and followed the three boys upstairs. After they had deposited Mush onto his bunk, Jack tipped his hat, "Catch ya latah Miss," Liz nodded, "Yeah, bye Liz," Racetrack added. Liz smiled, grateful for a new friend. "Goodbye Race," Liz said. Race gave a mock bow and exited the bunk room leaving a semi-conscious Mush and an uncertain Liz. Chapter 4: The Letter and Lunch "So," Liz said attempting to start a conversation. "So," said Mush "well, I don' wanna beat aroun' da bush, so how'd you find out I was youah guahdian, and what esactly am I suppose' ta do?" Liz grimaced at his hard accent. "Well, my father," Mush interrupted her before she could continue. "Yoah dad? Would dat 'appen ta be Blake Williams by any chance?" Mush asked full of curiosity. "Yes, my father was Blake Williams." Liz's voice faded out after the word "was", her feelings of sadness nearly overwhelming. "Was?" Mush asked, "he ain't youah fadda nomoah?" Liz's eyes filled with tears and she lowered her head so she wouldn't have to look at Mush when she spoke. "No, he," Her voice choked, "he passed away yesterday. I mean he's, well, he was quite sick for a while and he just, just kept getting worse until yesterday," Liz's voice broke, the emotions were too much for her. She let out a loud sob and started crying. Mush who had never been very good with blubbering girls, looked at her uncertainly before he enveloped her in his strong and warm embrace and let her weep in his strong arms. "Deah, deah, 's all right. Tha's it, just cry it out." Mush whispered in her ear while rubbing her back, attempting to console her. Liz continued to pour her feelings out onto Mush's now wet shoulder as he held her close. After a few minutes Liz regained control over her emotions and pulled away from Mush's grip. Liz wiped away the remnants of her crying spell as she apologized, "I'm so sorry, it's just that I, I'm not used to this. I'm all alone all of a sudden and I'm so mixed up and confused. That's still no reason for my outburst though. I'm really quite sorry." Mush lifted her face with his thumb and first finger so that she was looking into his beautiful carmel and coffee eyes. "'s really okay Lizzie. I undahstand." Mush wiped the salty tears out of the pretty blonde's eyes. Pretty, she was more than pretty, she was beautiful. With her stylish short blonde hair, and bright jade green eyes she could be on the cover of a pape or magazine. Mush quickly brushed that thought from his mind. After all, he was now in charge of her, her protector, her guardian. "Thank you for listening Mr. Meyers." Liz said attempting to regain her composure, looking at the handsome face of her new guardian. Liz was surprised when Mush laughed. She instantly fell in love with the sound. It was like a chirping of bells and yet managed to sound completely masculine. His laugh made Liz smile. "What?" she asked when she realized he was laughing at her. "Is' jus' dat nobahdy's evah cohled me Mistah Meyahs befoah. Soun's kin'a strange ya know?" A smile dawned on Liz's face as she asked with curiosity, "Well, then what should I call you?" Mush smiled for the third time since Liz had met him. She was starting to think that he was a very optimistic and happy-go-lucky person. "Why don't ya cohl me Mush. Eveybahdy else does. I think me own wahd (ward) should too." Liz reached inside a pocket of her bag as she spoke, "Speaking of wards and guardians, my father wanted you to have this letter." Mush took it from the blonde curiously. He looked at her expectantly and waited for her to speak, "well, I didn't read it so I have no idea what it says." Mush nodded cautiously, opened the note and began to read. ~Dear Shawn This is Blake Williams, Elizabeth's dad, writing to you. I'm not sure if you remember me, but I was great friends with your parents and you and Elizabeth used to play together quite often in your childhood. The reason I chose you to be her guardian is because even at such a young age you displayed an incredible sense of determination and responsibility. When you first left your family to go out on your own, I didn't understand what could have possesesed you to do that, and so I rideculed you with everyone else. I finally understand why you did what you did. Independance and freedom are worth more than all the riches of the world. I hope you can show Elizabeth that money isn't really important, it's only your happiness that truly matters. Please take care of my little girl, she really needs you. Just make sure that she is secure and you watch out for her safety and well being. She does have a tendency to be quite wild and a handful, but I know you're more than capable of being her guardian. Thank you so much Shawn; this is a terrible weight off my shoulders knowing you will take care of her. Blake Williams P.S. If you need some money for her, all I own is in the Bank of Manhattan, box 24 I am leaving you the key, please hang on to it. Thank you again and God's will, and peace be with you. ~B. Liz watched interested as Mush pocketed the key that had fallen out of the letter and folded his instructions back up before placing them in a small box under his bed. "Well, what did it say?" Liz asked brushing off her skirt as she stood. Mush shrugged his shoulders, "Notin' impohtant. Jus' some instructin's and stuff." Liz nodded, scratching the nape of her neck where her hair lay. "All right, so, what do we do first?" Mush's stomach growled loudly before he could speak and he grinned, "Foist, we eat." Liz followed Mush down the stairs and out the door until they came to a restaurant in the center of town near the Lodging House. Mush gestured up, "dis heah is wheah all da Newsies eat lunch." Liz looked up, "Tibby's," she read aloud before entering. She was surprised, the restaurant looked strangely familiar from the outside but she couldn't place where she'd seen it before. A waiter came over to the table Mush and Liz were sitting at and she was surprised to see the man who earlier directed her to the Newsies Boarding House. The waiter looked at the familiar girl and said, "Hey, I know you, you'se dat goil from dis moahning." Liz smiled and nodded. "Yes, that was me," she was interrupted, "Did you find dat boy you'se was lookin' foah?" The waiter asked. "Yes, I did. He's sitting right here." The waiter looked at Mush and grinned, "Well all be, Mushy she was lookin' foah you?" Mush beamed, his eyes crinkling at the corners, "Yep, toins out I'se her guahdian." Mush puffed out his chest in a mock jesture. Mr. Tibby patted Mush on the back before taking out his notepad, "Treat 'a well boy, ya heah me." Mush nodded and motioned for Tibby to take their order. "Well, whadda you two want?" Liz picked up a menu and browsed the small selection. "I, uh, Mush why don't you go first." Mush didn't even look at the menu before speaking, "I'll 'ave a roast beef san'which an' a glass o' watah." The curly haired boy looked at his ward expectantly. "I, I think I'll have a fresh salad with Italian dressing and a glass of water as well please." Tibby nodded and walked back to the kitchen. An awkward silence was found at the table when Liz zoned out. Mush was still processing the morning's events in his mind. He couldn't believe that he was someone's gaurdian, especially a lovely someone like Liz. A few minutes later, Tibby brought the couples' food. Mush just dug in, but Liz said a short silent prayer before eating. The silence was getting too unnerving for Mush, so he spoke, "So, you evah been a newsie oah sold a pape befoah?" Liz gave him a surprised look. Chapter 5: Meeting New Friends Liz gave him a surprised look. Before she could answer, the door to Tibby's swung open, and six newsies came barging in. Liz immediately recognized Racetrack who was leading the group, his loud voice overshadowing everyone else's. On his arm was a girl Liz had never seen before. She was short, extremely short compared to Mush, but she was just the perfect height for Race. She looked like she was only ten years old, but Liz had a feeling she was much older. Her oversized cut off suspenders and dirty white button down shirt over top a white undershirt were the first clues to her profession as a newsie. Mush spotted his good friends and waved them over to the table he and Liz were sitting at. "So me hoahse Trix, was in da lead and it was da last lap aroun' da track. Den he's neck and neck wit' Posey. I look ovah just in time ta see Trix slow down ta let Posey win." Race's captivated audience grimaced and groaned, knowing that Race had the worst luck when it came to the tracks. Racetrack noticed Liz and decided greetings and introductions were in order. "Heya Sweetface. How's it rollin'?" He didn't give her a chance to answer before he introduced his entourage. "Dis heah's Kid Blink, da one who looks like a pirate, wit da patch, but we all cohl him Blink. Ya might 'membah him from dis moahining." Liz looked at him before shaking her head slowly. "No? 's all right, anyway, dis is his goil Spahk." Spark stuck out her hand and Liz shook it. Spark was short as well, but considerably taller than the girl with Race. Her deep sienna brown hair and eyes made her look very intriguing and quite beautiful. Liz could see why Blink was holding her so close, and shooting daggers at anyone who dared to look at her. "Hi, I'm Liz." Liz said politely. Spark smiled at her, immediately putting Liz at ease. "Dis is Bumlet's," Racetrack said gesturing to a tall boy with long stringy hair, "and Atlantic, his goil. Skittery's her bruddah, you'll meet 'im latah." Liz stuck out her hand and shook Atlantic's. Atlantic was nearly as tall as Liz, with curly dark auburn hair that rippled down her back. She kept pushing her hair back every time she moved her head, before sighing and just leaving it alone. Her silvery hazel eyes took in everything around her and her rosy cheeks darkened whenever she locked eyes with Bumlets. "And finally, dis heah's me goil, da prettiest goil in da woild, Clue." Clue blushed bright pink from the flattery and thrust out her hand quickly. "Ya can cohl me Marit." She said quietly. An awkward silence sat in the air for a moment before Liz motioned to the table, "Would you all like to join us?" Smiles broke out as well as more conversation. The boys all sat near Mush and next to their girlfriends. Spark and Marit sat on either side of Liz, and Atlantic sat directly across from her. Atlantic was the first to speak to Liz, "So, ah you a newsie?" Liz shook her head. "No, not yet, but I have a feeling I will be shortly. I'm kinda nervous actually," Liz said expressing her feelings and trading her perfect English for a more comfortable slang. "Why ah you noivous?" Marit asked curiously, "'s real easy. You'll get da hang of it in no time. Don' worry." "Yeah," Spark cut in, "and if you need help, we'll be dere so you can as' us if you'se got any questions." Liz smiled, very grateful for some new friends. "Thank you," she replied. "Yoah welcome," the three girls answered before they all burst out laughing. That's how the rest of their lunch was spent, getting to know each other and thoroughly enjoying themselves. By the end of lunch, Liz felt not only closer to the girls, but the boys as well and much more confident about being without her father for the first time in her life. After the food was all gone, the group stood up and stretched their legs. "Well, Mushy, Liz, is' been real nice, but we gotta go get ouah papes foah da aftahnoon. See ya latah." Race said. "Yeah, bye Mush. Liz, don' foahget abou' da pahty in Brooklyn da day aftah tomarrah. You'll get ta meet sommoah o' da goils like Smahtass, Fiahcrackah, and Slidah." Spark said. Her eyes widened before she asked, "she can go, right Mushy?" Mush shrugged his shoulders, "'s fine wit me." Spark ran over and hugged Mush quickly before turning and enveloping her new friend in a giant hug. She was followed by Atlantic and lastly Marit, who Liz had connected with the most. The trio of girls left with their boyfriends and Mush and Liz stood up to leave. Mush threw down a dime and walked up to hold the door for his ward. (AN: Would a dime be enough? If it's not, pretend it is lol.) "Thanks," she said before slipping outside. After Mush joined her in the warm sunlight, Liz decided to ask him, "so, am I gonna be a newsie?" Mush gave her a side long glance. "Do ya wanna be one?" He held his breath, and mentally hit himself. He had no idea how much money was in the bank, and he had almost none himself. Whether she wanted to or not, Liz was going to have to be a newsie. Chapter 6: Liz Becomes Sprite Liz was silent for a moment, thinking about the new friends she had recently made. If she was to be a newsie, she would get to see all her friends. If she decided not to be a newsie, not only would she be alone in Manhattan, but she wouldn't get to see Marit, or the other girls. Her mind made up in an instant, she spoke up loudly. "Of course I want ta be one." Liz's sudden answer surprised Mush, making him jump slightly. When his heartbeat returned to normal he stopped and looked at Liz. "Ah ya shoah? 'cause is' a hahd (hard) job and ya might not be very, uh how do I put dis, good at sellin'." Liz's eyes widened and she immediately bristled like an angry cat. "Whadda ya mean I might not be very good?" She nearly shouted at him. "I jus' mean dat, well, you bein' a goil an' all, uh dat is ta say," he stuttered when he got a look at her incredibly hostile eyes. "Whad I mean, is dat you ain't had it as hahd as da rest o' us an' you don't have da hang o' t'ings yet." Liz's eyes flashed with each word. Mush realized he'd really put his foot in his mouth this time, when Liz opened her mouth; her anger practically tangible. "What does me being a girl have anything ta do with my ability to sell papers?" (AN: lol not papes) Before Mush could justify himself she raged on. "Nothing, it has nothing to do with my selling capabilities! Now, as to your point that I don't have the hang of things you may be correct, but I certainly have had things just as hard as you!" Passersby shook their heads and stared at the couple. Mush noticed the looks and tried to get Liz to calm down, succeeding only in getting her more riled. "Don't you shush me!" Liz shouted. "I'm speaking right now." If it wasn't so embarrassing, Mush would probably be laughing at the whole comic absurdity of the situation. "What are you smiling about Shawn?!" Mush instantly lost his smile and pulled Liz over to an open alley way. "Ow, why are you pulling me?" Liz demanded. Liz didn't notice and continued to yell at her guardian. "My father died yesterday, I have no mother, and before my father dies he tells me to go find you, my 'guardian'. Why you're not a guardian at all, just a common street rat!" Mush's eyes grew dark and his face lost its easy going visage. "You ain't got no right ta say dat ta me. I eoined (earned, sorry I know that was a bad accent) everyt'ing on me back as well as a place ta stay, an' food ta eat. Me life's been ten times hahdah (harder) den yoahs." Liz looked down to the dirty street in shame. She felt terrible for treating her guardian so horribly when he was trying his best to help her out. "Mush, I'm real sorry. You're correct. I had no right to say those things to you and I'm truly very sorry." Liz looked up expecting to see anger still residing on his face, but instead forgiveness and understanding were present. "'s okay." Mush told her seriously. "'sides, I wasn't tryin' ta be mean to ya Lizzie, I was just statin' a fact. Most o' da new sellahs, dey ain't very good." Liz nodded and stuck out her hand in a gesture of peace. Mush took it and pulled her to him, promptly rubbing his hand on her head and ruining the hair style that had been set so nicely before. (AN: Think Newsie noogie lol) "Ooh!" Liz shouted before chasing after the quickly fleeing Mush. The darker skinned boy was deeply in thought when Liz caught up to him on a side street. "What're ya thinking about?" She asked him curiously. Mush eyed her for a moment before speaking. "Newsie name foah ya." Liz's brows knit in confusion. "What do you mean?" she asked. "Well, all da newsies have nicknames. Ya didn't really t'ink Atlan'ic, Spahk and Race's names were der real names did ya?" Liz shrugged, "No, I guess not. But why do I have to get one?" the blonde asked. "Tradition," he replied before growing silent to think again. The silence continued for a few moments until, "I got it!" Mush shouted suddenly. Liz jumped with a start, then looked at Mush expectantly. "Yes?" she asked. "Sprite." He said as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. "What do you mean Sprite?" "Sprite. Ya know, like anodda name foah a fairy." Mush replied. Liz's mouth opened. "Oh, okay." She rolled the name around in her mouth, "Sprite, I like it." Mush smiled causing Liz, newly named Sprite, to smile back. "Sprite, Sprite, Sprite." She said trying the new name out. "'s poifect," Sprite said in a near perfect New York accent. "Well, I'se glad ya like it." Mush told her before Liz heard her new friends and ran off to join them. *An' I guess I'se gonna get da papes,* Mush thought as he walked up the wooden plank to see Weasel. "Hey girls!" Sprite shouted when she caught up to Spark, Marit, and Atlantic. The trio turned around and were pleasantly surprised to see their new friend. "Heya, Liz," Marit said greeting the girl who had just approached the group. Sprite shook her head. "My name's not Liz any more, I have a nickname now." She said. "Well, whad is it?" Spark asked. "Sprite," the tall blonde said excitedly. "Oh," Atlantic said, "well, whad does it mean?" Sprite smiled thinking of the definition Mush gave her. "Mush told me it's another name for a fairy, whatever that is," Sprite replied. At the mention of the older male newsie, Marit shot Spark a look that went unnoticed by Sprite. The two girls watched in fascination as Sprite continued to talk about her new guardian to Atlantic. Spark decided to question the new girl. "So Sprite," Sprite stopped gushing and turned to face Spark, "you and Mush, you two's gettin' purdy close huh?" Sprite's eyes narrowed at the implication and she blushed. "I don't know what you mean Spark. He's my guardian and I'm happy because I've never had a nickname of any sort before." Marit smiled at Sprite to ease her anger and was successful. Before any kind of conflict could break out, Mush returned with the papes along with Kid Blink, Racetrack, and Bumlets. "Goils, me an' Sprite heah ah gonna leave ya. I gots ta go teach he' how ta be a newsie." Mush said, standing behind Sprite. Sprite immediately relaxed and smiled at the girls. "Good luck Mushy," Race said before grabbing Marit and heading off towards Sheepshead Bay. Blink, Spark, Atlantic, and Bumlets all went off in different directions leaving Sprite alone with Mush. "Well," Mush said, ready to explain the science of selling papers, "da foist t'ing you gotta know, is headline's don't sell papes, newsies sell papes." Sprite nodded in understanding. "Now, take dis headline foah esample, see how it says: 'Missing Dog Gives Family Grief', we'se gonna change dat a bit so people'll buy da pape." Sprite accompanied Mush to the open street where Mush continued his brief lesson. "Family membah gone, rewahd offahed!" Mush shouted. Several people walked over to buy a paper and started searching through the paper to find the article. Sprite stood flabbergasted (love that word lol). "Mush, that was lying! You just lied to those people, and took their money." Mush turned to face his ward. "It wasn't lyin', it was jus' improvin' da trut a lil'." Sprite shook her head in disagreement, but said nothing. "Heah, why don' you try," Mush said handing the blonde a few papers, and walking down the street a ways to go sell his papes. Sprite looked for a decent headline, but none was found. She scanned the paper for a few more moments before she found a headline she could shout with out lying, or dying from embarrassment. "Popular New York Restaurant to Close Soon!" People continued on their way and didn't give Sprite a passing glance. A bit discouraged, Sprite tried again. "Police on the Look Out for Bread Thief!" Again, no one stopped. Sprite bit her lip. Mush hadn't been lying when he told her it was hard for a first time seller. Mush eventually found his way back to the spot he left his ward and was surprised to see her on the ground, crying. Mush bent down to be at her eye level, and put his hand on her shoulder. Sprite turned around when she felt his hand. "You were right, I'm no good. No good at all! I can't even sell ten lousy papers!" Mush held back a smile, reminiscing of his first day of selling. "Don' worry Lizzie. Taday's da hahdest day. I promise it'll get easiah." When Liz had finished crying, she brushed off her now dirty white dress and stood up. "So, esactly how many papes did ya sell?" Mush asked curiously. Liz rubbed her nose and mumbled quietly. "What?" Mush asked, "I didn' heah ya." "I said, seven." Liz bit out, a frown marring her features. Mush laughed, unable to contain his . "Why are you laughing?" Sprite asked, her frown slowly turning into a smile despite the fact that the handsome boy was laughing at her. "I'se sorry! Is' just dat I t'ink you sold da leas' numbah o' papes evah." Mush replied, continuing to laugh and after a bit, Sprite had to join him. "I'm probably the worst seller ever, aren't I?" Sprite asked full of mirth and no longer upset. Mush nodded, "Probahly, but t'ink of it dis way, you'se can only get bettah, not woise." He started laughing again and pulled Sprite to him. They walked the rest of the way to Tibby's in good spirits. After a pleasant dinner and another good laugh with the girls and their boys over Sprite's thwarted efforts, the group all walked to the boys lodging house. Many of the boys were in the lodging house, playing poker, play fighting, or just talking. Sprite saw a girl holding hands with a tall brown haired boy who looked vaguely familiar. As she was about to ask who the girl was, Spark called out, "Hey, Slidah! Comea!" Slider walked over to the group still holding the tall boy's hand. Slider was around the same height as Spark, and extremely thin. Her shoulder length dirty blonde hair was straight and tied with a small ribbon in back. Slider's hazel eyes sized up Sprite, and deciding that she "passed," Slider held out her hand. Sprite smiled and shook the outstretched hand. "I'se Katrina, but eveybahdy cohls me Slidah. And dis," Slider said touching the arm of the boy she was standing with, "dis is me boy Skittery." The boy aforementioned, nodded to Sprite. "Dis is Sprite," Spark said, pointing to the tall girl, "Mushy's 'er gahdian." Slider smirked, "I'se sorry foah ya." She said as Mush protested. "Aight (all right) goils," Marit said, taking charge, "'s time we headed back to ouah place foah da night. Say goo' bye." Sprite grabbed her small bag from where she had left it earlier in the day and turned to Mush, "Well Mush, I guess I'll see you in the morning." Mush nodded. "I really wanna say thank you," Sprite went on, "thank you for being so understanding and taking me in and under your wing. It really meant a lot to me so, thanks." As quick as a flash, Sprite kissed Mush's cheek and darted out the door. Catcalls were heard all through out the bunk room and the tanned boy blushed a light pink before shouting, "Enough ya bums oah I'll soak ya!" The comments ceased after a few minutes, and the boys went back to whatever they were doing previously. Down the street, the girls were harassing Sprite for her rash action. Atlantic had watched the entire scene and reported it back to Marit and the rest of the girls and they hadn't stopped badgering Sprite since. Finally, Marit felt bad for the new girl and put a stop to the torture. "Enough goils, lets let da poah goil alone. She's had a hahd day and she's probahly tiahd. 'm I right?" Marit asked to her new friend. Sprite nodded affirmatively and let out an accidental yawn. After she was shone to the bunk that was to be hers for as long as she stayed with the girls, Sprite went to the washroom to change. Her bunk was calling to her by the time she finished, and Sprite slipped under the scratchy covers to think about everything that had transpired over the past twenty-four hours. As soon as her head hit the pillow, Sprite gave up on thinking, and let her body shut down for the night. Finally, she felt as if she had somewhere to belong. Cruddy ending I know lol. More to come if people want it and email me! ttyl :) ~Sprite~ |