“So dad does Laura get revenge to Oscar after he tried to hurt her?” The little boy asked.

The dad shook his head. “Well not exactly. Laura was to depressed that she wasn’t able beat up Oscar. All of her friends tried to help her till one day Blue and Holly confront Laura knowing there has to be more then that little thing bothering her.

****

The next couple of days Laura was quiet. She still was caught up on what happen a couple of days ago. She couldn’t fight off Oscar. People kept telling her that she was a good fighter and trying to cheer her up but no luck. She was still in her mood. Jack even tried to cheer her up. She walked around selling alone everyday. Holly and Blue were getting sick of how Laura was acting and decided it was time they had a talk. Laura was sitting on a bench eating her hot dog she just stole when she saw Blue and Holly walk up to her.

“Laura we need to talk.” Holly said sitting next to Laura.

“Oh about what?” She said acting like she didn’t know what was wrong.

“Don’t give me that. You know. For the last couple of days you have been depressed. Why? And it has to be more then you and Oscar.”

Laura sat there for a while until she thought the truth should come out sooner or later. “In Jersey we had a thing. If we lost a fight one of our own the other guys would practically kill us thinking it was teaching us how to fight better. Well I lost a fight once or twice and like usual I got the shit beaten out of me, more because I was a girl not because I lost a fight. So they were harder on me. I guess I haven’t lost a fight for about a year and this whole thing with Oscar has gotten me all mad. I should’ve hurt him good but I didn’t.”

“Listen Laura it is ok to lose a fight once in a while. We aren’t going to hurt you.”

“Yeah I know I just don’t like losing fights. I can trust you guys right?”

“Yeah of course. Well me at least.” Blue said laughing.

Laura laugh. “Well half of the reason I left Jersey is because some of the newsies are looking for me. I kind of pissed them off. Well really pissed them off and now they want to hurt...kill me. My best friend told me I should leave Jersey. For my own good. So I left. Well I think I saw one of the newsies from Jersey just a couple of hours ago.” Laura said looking at the ground and digging her foot into the dirt. “I’m dead if they saw me.”

Blue and Holly looked at each other. “Well don’t worry. To us you are a Manhattan newsie and we only know you like that.” Holly said hugging her.

Laura smiled a little. “Aww you guys are so nice.” She said smiling. She had been turning soft the last couple of days and nothing was stopping her.

“You have all of us here to watch after you. Don’t worry.” Blue said putting her two cents in. She looked over at Holly and mouth something to her. Holly shook her head no but Blue shook her head yes. “Listen we have something to tell you.” Blue said trying to smile.

Laura looked at both of them strangely. “Oh no I wont like this will I?”

Blue laugh feeling uneasy. “Well you remember when the second night you spent the night and well you went to go get a ‘drink of water’ well we saw you and Jack almost kiss.” Blue and Holly started laughing.

Laura’s eyes got big. “We did not.” She said quickly getting up. “I would NEVER do a thing like that.” She said quickly standing up. “That’s is like so gross.” She said muttering to herself. “JACK KELLY. No.”

“Oh come on Laura you two were inches away...”

“Whoa Laura almost kissed someone. Wow. I thought she was a prude.” The girls were startled a little when they heard Jack behind them.

Laura glared at Holly and Blue while they both chuckled. “Sorry to disappoint you Kelly but she’s a whore.” Blue said whispering the last part.

“Oh yeah slept with sooo many guys. She’s making her rounds around the lodging house ya know. Your next.” Holly said winking at him as she walked away with Blue leaving Laura standing there shaking her head.

“I’m a whore. Great.” She said half talking to herself and half talking to Jack. She walked away not wanting to her any sarcastic comments from him.

Once Laura caught up with the girls they walked in together and saw that everybody was huddle around in a circle. “What’s wrong guys?” Holly said sitting next to Mush.

“Shhh.” One of the newsies said. Blue and Laura looked at each other and walked over to get a better look. Both girls laughed when they saw that Racetrack and Spot were playing poker. A very close game of poker. Laura rolled her eyes and decided to go up on the roof and watch the sun set. One thing she loved to watch every night.

She was enjoying the sunset when a hand touched her on her shoulder. She jumped a little and then saw her old friend from Jersey, Matt.

Laura was happy but worried. She knew the only reason why Matt was here was to warn her to be careful. “So is Spice, Cards, and Cody looking for me?”

Matt looked shocked. “Yeah how did you know?”

“Saw them on the streets. Listen how bad do they want to kill me?”

“Remember J.J? Well worst. I have to go but I had a feeling Manhattan would be the place where you pick. Be careful your are like the little sister I never had.”

Laura smiled a little. “Yeah yeah I hear ya. Don’t worry I have good friends here. They will watch over me.”

“Ok then I should be going. They took me with them actually thinking I knew where you were.” He said laughing.

“Yeah ok I guess I should be getting inside.” Matt walked down the fire escape and after a while Laura went down and into the window.

When she reached inside she saw everyone huddled around the window. “So what did ya hear?” She said leaning against the bed post.

“How much shit are you in?” Jack asked.

“I can take care of myself.” she said mumbling to herself

. “Laura, your putting everyone in danger if you don’t tell us what’s wrong.” Spot also taking the leader roll.

“Fine!” Laura walked knowing that the truth had to come out sooner or later. “When I was in Jersey I was dating one of the leaders there. He was a real jerk ya know knocked people, not me, around for no reason. Cheated on me. Well one day I saw him sleeping with this friend I know and so later that day I found the girl and soaked her real bad. Well the guy found out and has been looking for me ever since. Supposedly he’s really pissed off and wants to ‘talk.’

She stood there for a minute in silence not knowing what people were thinking. “Don’t worry doll face we will watch over ya.” Race said putting his arms around her.

“Yeah I mean newsies watch out for other newsies.” Mush said going over to Race and Laura.

“I think it is save to say that we will be watching you all day and night. Just think of us as your stalkers.” Holly said walking over to Laura and the guys.

Blue looked at Jack who was just standing there. “What do you think?” She asked quietly. She could tell that he was thinking about it a lot.

Jack looked down at Blue and sighed. “I guess we watch out for her.” MO< Blue was shocked. “Jack Kelly falling for this girl?”

Jack smirked a little and messed up Blue’s hair. “She’s your friend. If anything happen to her I would never hear the end of it from you and Holly.”

Blue laughed and Jack started to walk over to everybody. “We need to get ready cause some of the Brooklyn guys are coming over tonight to play a little poker.” Jack said putting some tables together.

Laura looked up and saw Blue and Holly talking. She had a feeling they were going to attack with questions any minute so she tried to sneak out but it was to late. They had caught her. “Ok guys no questions now maybe later.” She asked turning around thinking it was Blue and Holly but it was Jack. “Oh hi.” she said mumbling.

“Listen I just wanted to tell you that you have Manhattan behind you all the way if you need help.”

Laura thought to herself, ‘be nice be nice be nice.’ she smiled “Are you trying to get in my pants Kelly?”

“Did it work?” He said smirking. He quickly heard a loud boom and turned his head to see that one of the tables broke. He turned his attention back to Laura who was also looking at the broken table and the newsies who were on top of the pile.

“Sorry no.” She smiled and walked over to the guys seeing if they were ok.

Over in the corner Holly and Blue were watching Jack and Laura talking. “I give them two days.” Holly said confident they would get together soon.

“Naw she’s tough I say three.” Blue stuck her hand out making the bet with Holly. “Now if you will excuse me I have a certain Spot Conlon to be with.

Laura sat on her bunk not wanting to play at all. She watched as Holly and Mush were playing there hand and Spot and Blue were playing there’s. She turned over towards the window to see a full moon out that night. “Great it’s time for the psychos to come out.”

“Ooo look who kicked your ass!” Holly said jumping up thinking she won.

“Umm Holly we won.” Blue said looking at the cards more closely.

Holly quickly sat back down to look at the cards. “Oh I knew that. Just seeing if you notice.” She said blushing a little.

Mush smiled as he put his arms around Holly. “Of course you did.”

“So how is Laura working out?” Spot ask taking the cigarette out of his mouth. “Besides the whole ‘almost killed my boyfriends mistress’ thing.”

“She’s great. Like the sister I never had.” Blue said looking at her cards.

“Hey what about me. Am I like the sister you never had.”

“Erm sure.” Blue said looking down at her cards still.

“Not really into the game tonight is she?” Mush said looking over at Laura laying on her bed.

“Maybe she doesn’t want to take all of your money.” Blue said taking the cigarette out of Spot’s mouth and putting it in hers.

Matt walked quietly upstairs not knowing if he was welcomed or not. When he reached the top the stairs he heard/saw everyone playing poker. The room quickly got quiet. Spot, Mush, and Race all stood acting like they were going to stop this guy if he was here to hurt Laura. “Can I talk to Laura?” He said shyly.

“Yeah right buddy why don’t you just move along.” Spot said pushing him lightly.

He rolled his eyes and looked over to see Laura was sleeping. “I’m not who you think I am. I’m Matt, her friend.”

“Yeah right and I have an ego the size of a watermelon. Why don’t you just leave. She’s not hurting no one.”

“Spot this is Matt.” Holly said standing up for the guy. “She’s over in her bed.” She said pointing towards the window.

Spot glared at Matt but sat back down. “How do you know who he is?”

Holly shrugged. “He looks like a Matt.”

“That’s great so he looks like a Matt then he must Matt.”

Matt walked quietly over to Laura and sat on the edge of her bed. He put his hand on her waist and she quickly turned over to see him there. “Oh Matt!” She said going into his arms. “I’m so scared.” She whispered to him.

From a distance Jack was looking over at Laura and Matt embracing each other. “Jack...Jack buddy it’s your go.” Skittery said.

Jack snapped out of his gaze and nodded. “Thanks.” He tried to focus on his cards but couldn’t.

“Hey don’t worry. I think Spice, Cards, and Cody are leaving soon. They haven’t found you yet so they think your in Brooklyn or something.” He said lifting her chin up. “Hey kid don’t worry ok?”

“I want to go back to Jersey so bad! That’s where my family is!”

Matt looked around at everyone playing cards. “What about them?”

Laura sighed and leaned against Matt. “There my friends not my family. Their really nice and everything but they just aren’t you guys!”

Matt shook his head. “I have to go. I just wanted to tell you what was going on. Still keep an eye for them though because Spice or Cody might be staying behind.”

Laura shook her head and walked Matt over to the door. “You need to becareful ok?”

“Of course.” Matt looked around the room one last time and notice Jack staring at the two of them. “I think you have a crush.”

Laura looked over to where Matt was looking and saw Jack trying to pay attention to the game. She cracked up laughing. “Just go. Go.” She said pushing him out the door.

****

The next morning everyone was exhausted from the night before. It had rained over the night and it was as muggy as could be. Laura saw that Jack wasn’t up and decided to get some cold water. Everyone was watching her fill the bucket up. Many people warned her not to even try to do it or Jack would become one pissed off person but she didn’t listen. She pulled the bucket over towards the bed and carefully picked it up occasionally dropping a few drops and then dumping it all over Jack. Everyone in a five mile radius could hear the scream coming from the lodging house. Laura stood there holding the bucket trying not to laugh. “You didn’t get up so I thought I would wake you.”

“Oh really?” He said getting out of bed all wet.

“I better get my papes. Hate to be late and not get any. You might need to dry off a little.” She said throwing a dirty towel his way. She walked down the stairs confidently and with a smile across her face. When she reached the Distribution Center she was surprise to see Blue standing in front of the line. “Wow your up early. Come to think about it you weren’t in the lodging house this morning. You should’ve...” Laura stopped when she saw Blue’s face. “Oh my god what happen?” She asked grabbing her face to get a better look. “Did Spot do this?”

Blue shook her head no. “Last night I was walking Spot halfway back to Brooklyn and on my home someone jumped me. I just woke up a couple of hours ago. It’s not big deal just a black eye.”

“Blue someone jumped you! It is a big deal.” By this time most of the guys were coming up to the platform and Weasel just open his window.

“How many?”

“50.” Blue said mumbling putting her coin down. “It’s not a big deal. People are out to get us all the time.” She continued.

“Your Blue. No one hurts you though.” Laura said walking up to Weasel. “100.” She said not noticing Oscar standing there. “I swear if you got soaked because of me.”

“Hey sweetie.” Oscar said getting close to her.

Laura grabbed his shirt and pulled him so he was against the bars. “Talk to me again and I’ll kill you.” She said with a pissed off look. Everyone around her was trying to get her to let go and eventually she did. She saw Blue waiting at the bottom of the platform and rolled her eyes.

“Is that all you do is fight? Laura there is more to life.”

Laura stopped walking and looked at her friend. “What’s got your panties in bunch other than the reason you got soaked and look like hell.”

Blue sighed and looked around. “I don’t get it. You stick for a friend and this is what happens to you. I mean I don’t regret that I was trying to be nice and help you out but I didn’t know I was going to get soak for doing so.”

“I never asked you to help me...”

“No but you made it so we feel sorry for you. I need to go sell.” Blue stomped out of the gates just as Holly and Mush we walking in.

“What’s wrong with Blue?” She asked worriedly.

“She got soaked last night.

“By Spot?” Mush asked looking concern.

“No, by someone I know and she knows who it is.” Laura said looking down the street as Blue sold her papers. “Something big must of happened last night. She’s not telling me everything.”

“Don’t worry. She’s a PSMer sometimes. Just let her calm down for a bit.”

“I feel bad though. I shouldn’t go talk to her?”

“No. Just give her time.”

Laura nodded and started to walk away when she saw Jack glaring at her. “Listen about this morning-”

“You’ve seen Blue?”

Laura looked down not wanting to look into Jacks pissed off eyes. “Yeah.” She said quietly.

“Did you see what happen to her? Really? It’s not just a black eye. She has bruises up and down her arms! Geez Laura.”

“Listen if you want me to leave cause my problems are causing you guys more problems then you need then I’ll go. I don’t want to get anyone hurt.”

“Yeah maybe that is for the best.” He said walking away.

For the rest of the morning Laura sold as far from everybody as she could. She had a feeling the most if not all the newsies weren’t so happy with her. She knew that sooner or later Spot would be out Laura hunting and she frankly didn’t know where to go. She decided to take a small break and grabbed an apple of a cart and walked over to an empty bench.

“You better have a damn good explanation why Blue got soaked last night.” Spot said from a distance. Laura could tell he was mad and knew she was stuck on the bench.

She sighed and stood up. “I’ve already decided to leave if that makes you happy.”

“I’m thrilled.” He said still stone faced. “Now why did she get soaked?” “I don’t know Spot. It’s probably one of those guys that are looking for me and saw me with her and thought by soaking her they would get to me.”

“That’s not good enough Laura.”

“What do you want me to do Spot? Go offer myself to them and get myself killed?”

“Yes!”

Laura rolled her eyes. “I need to finish selling.” She was about to walk away when Spot grabbed her arm.

“Jack is looking for you.”

Once Laura left Spot she decided to sell the rest of her papers and try and stay away from Jack as much as she could. She was afraid of what he had to say to her. After an hour she saw Holly with Blue who still looked pissed off. Laura decided to take a chance and walked up to them.

“Hey guys.” She said smiling. This time both Blue and Holly glared at her. “Listen I’m sorry for what happen to you-”

“You lied to us!” Holly said cutting Laura off.

“What?” She asked not understanding where Holly would get that idea.

Holly looked over at Blue not knowing whether or not she should tell Laura what they overheard. “We heard Jack talking to some guy earlier. He said he was looking for a girl from Jersey because she stole some money from them. You don’t steal money from a newsie. It’s un unwritten rule!” Her voice got louder. “Why would you lie to us? We’ve taken you in so you wouldn’t freeze on the streets. We’ve been so nice to you!”

Laura looked down at the ground knowing she was right. “I thought that if you found out I stole from the newsies in Jersey my butt would be out on the street in a matter of no time.” She said quietly. “It was just a few bucks. I had no cash at the time and I was starving! I was going to pay them back...but I never had a chance.”

“Don’t try and justify yourself with us.” Blue said walking away with Holly. Laura decided to sit on the steps of the building she was in front of. She put her head in her hands getting frustrated and not knowing what to do.

“I want your bags packed by the end of the day.”

Laura looked up and saw a very pissed off Jack. “Did you tell them where I was?”

Jack not wanting to look at Laura to her face pretended to focus on something that was happening down the street, “No. I you need to get out of here though.” He walked away not saying another word to her. Laura sighed and stood up dusting herself off. She headed towards the lodging house hoping no one would be there. For once she listen to what Jack said and quickly packed her bags. She was about to go out the door when she saw Race coming in.

“Heard ya leaving.” He said playing with his cigar he had gotten that day.

“Yeah. Manhattan isn’t my type of place.”

Race slowly shook his head knowing what was happening. “Do I need to tell anyone anything for you?”

“Umm no. I hate good byes.”

“You be careful kid.”

“Of course.” She smiled a little and headed out the door. She was only a couple of blocks away from the lodging house when she ran into Oscar and Morris.

“Hey sweet face. I heard you needed a place to stay.”

“Get real. I would never stay with you.”

Oscar rolled his eyes. “It’s a big place. Two rooms 1 bathroom...”

Laura glared at him. “What’s in it for you?”

“Nothing. We need someone to help with the rent.” Morris said out of no where.

Laura looked back and forth from the two and then notice Jack and Blue walking towards them. “Yeah, yeah, I think that’s a good deal. Don’t even think anything is going to happened between us though!” She couldn’t believe that she had just said. She wanted to prove Jack that she could take care of herself and not need his help.

Morris smirked at Oscar and stuck his hand out. “Deal. We live down on West Hudson Street apartment number five. There aren’t any locks on the place so make yourself comfortable.”

“I can’t believe I’m this desperate.” She said to herself walking away.

Jack tried not to stare at Laura talking to the Delancey brothers as he walked by but couldn’t help wonder what was wrong with that picture.

Blue rolled her eyes. “Don’t even bother worrying about her Kelly. She’s not worth it!”

“What? I don’t know what your talking about.”

“Jack, I know you. You were falling for her.”

“What? I was not.”

“I wouldn’t fall for someone who lies and steals from newsies.” He said grabbing a french fry.

Spot walked in putting his arms around Blue. “How ya feeling?”

“ Fine now that your here!” She said looking up at him and kissing him.

Holly rolled her eyes. She couldn’t stop thinking about Laura and what had just happened. Within days they had become best friends but in hours they hated each other.

“You should’ve seen that bitch,” Spot started finally taking a seat, “she was so scared when I confronted her earlier. I put her in her place though.”

Holly still sat there quietly. “You guys are awful! Just listen to yourselves! So what she lied. She didn’t want you guys to react the way your doing now!” She stood up and headed towards the door. “Maybe you idiots have forgotten but there are people out to hurt her. I don’t know about you but I don’t want to see her dead in an alley one day.” She pushed the door open and head out to find her.

Everyone was quiet for a minute till Mush broke the silence. “She’s taking this really hard.”

****

Laura walked into the building hoping that this wasn’t an awful trick they guys were playing on her. She kept telling herself that she was stupid for even taking the offer to stay with them but she wanted to prove Jack wrong and it was then or never. When she open the door and she stepped in real quietly and looked around the place. “It’s a dump.” She said out loud.

“I take offense to that!”

Laura jumped a little when she saw an old women come out of one of the rooms. “Oh I must have the wrong place.” She said looking back at the number on the door saying five.

“Are you friends of Oscar and Morris?”

“Umm yeah I guess you can say that.”

“I’m there grandmother.”

“Oh they didn’t tell me about you...if I’m going to be in the way I can find somewhere else.”

“No child. You are paying rent for a room and there it is.” Laura walked towards the room. It was small, a crap bed, one window, and a somewhat nightstand. She turned back around getting a closer look at the old lady.

“Nice to meet ya.” She said sticking her hand out. “I guess I’m your new room mate.”

The old lady laugh. “Honey I don’t stay here. I’m just cleaning the place up for the boys.”

“Oh. Well if you excuse me I need to get some fresh air.” Laura put her stuff on the bed and walked out pulling a cigarette out of her pocket.

“I heard that those things could kill ya.” Holly said walking towards Laura.

“I’m sure you would be happy if that happened!”

Holly looked shocked as she sat down next to Laura. “That’s not funny! I want you to come back.”

“Your the only one.”

Holly eyed the place behind her. “You can’t honestly think about staying here are you?”

Laura shrugged as she threw the cigarette down the street. “Eh. Oscar and Morris offered it to me. Did you know they have a grandmother. Nice lady.”

Holly’s eyes got big. “Your staying with Oscar and Morris. Are you stupid?”

“I’m just asking for a death wish aren’t I?”

“Yes!” Laura and Holly were quiet for a while until Laura thought she would tell Holly what was on her mind.

“I was thinking.”

“Oh no...” Holly said smiling.

“Shut up. I was thinking who could’ve soaked Blue. It couldn’t have been the guys that are looking for me because they haven’t seen me! There has only been one person from Jersey that has seen Blue.”

“Who?” Holly said now interested.

“Matt.”

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