Newsies: On the frontier.

Chapter 8: Spotto'

More updates! You guys are some lucky chums! I just finished watching Newsies, little Christian Bale is so cute! And the guy who plays Spot - wowza!

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Chapter 8: Spotto'.

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I looked over my shoulder, my eyes were bloodshot, and puffy. I took a deep breath in, sniffling. The boy sat down next to me, eyeing me up. He held a cane, and a key around his neck. His chest was partly visible, and his suspenders hung off his shoulders. I wiped my nose with my wrist, arching my brows to him.

'De' names Spot Conlon.' He said, he held out his hand to me. I turned my head. He was a fit but thin boy. He had big muscles, but not a lot of fat. He swung himself down to the ground, still holding out his hand. I placed my small hand in his, and shook it half heartily. 'So - as I was sayin', Jackie-boy break ya' heart?' He smirked.

'How did you-?' I was so puzzled. How did he know Jack?

'Aha, so he did? He's always hurtin' pretty lil' goils'.' He cleaned a stray tear from my left cheek. His touch was surprisingly soft, even though his fingers had dirt caked under the nails. I felt myself blush, folding my hair behind my left ear.

'No, he just - so protective.' I said. Spot arched his brows, clearly confused. So I started from the top.

'I pretended to be a Newsie, to escape my old home.' Spot rubbed the back of his neck, nodding for me to continue.'And they found out when - I got shot.' I sighed. Spot let his jaw open, and hang there.

'What?' He scoffed. He shut his jaw, rubbing the sides of his face.

'Yeah- I got shot, don't remember much, try not to.' I blushed at the thought of Jack helping me, stemming the blood. His sudden lock of consentration, to save my life. As though I meant something to him.

'Jackie boy was as gallant as always?' He smirked. 'Held ya' hand as if he knews' yous' was abouts' to die?' He nodded, like he'd heard of it before. 'Another girl, Jazzabell, stole Jackie's heart. But she was also caught up with Harlem's Hearties, a group of real mean boys. They pulled the Brooklyn Newsies all 'da way over to help him out. Jazzabell got hit by a cart, died in Jack's arms.' He finished. He let it soak in. So there'd been another girl, before me. Jazzabell had died, and gallant Jack had tried to save her - but hadn't been so lucky.

I felt betrayed, like I was some second solution. 'Jack said he was gonna take her to Sana Fe.' He chuckled. I arched my brows. 'He's got dis' place, sayin' once he get's enough coins, he'll pack his bags and leave, not turning back for his family of Newsies.' He shook his head in disgust. 'You stay away from Jack Kelly, he's nothin' but truble'.' I smiled at Spot. He was so lovely, and kind. I liked him, much more than Jack.

'You gonna go back to 'Hattan?' He asked. I shook my head in a reply. I didn't want to see them. Not even Crutchie's loving face. I was sick of them treating me like a piece of meat.

'They treat me like a pet.' I shrugged my shoulders. 'Like I have no feelings, like I can't defend for myself. They've got Mush and Richie on my tale every day, keeping me away from the Lockets and Delanceys.' I huffed.

'Jack's smart - some times. He doesn't want you dead - or pregant. He wants you healthy, jus' in case he needs ya'.' He ruffled his hat off his head, flicking his hair. 'I'd do that to, keeping you safe.'

'But it's not out of kindness, it's to make sure I'm there in case I come in handy. And I'm sick of it.' I let my head fall into my palms. Spot rubbed my shoulders, moving closer to me.

'I'd keep you safe - we'd all keep you safe. Come back to the 'Kings Palace'. The boys'll look after ya'.' Spot stood up, and offered me my hand like a real gentleman. We walked the pier together, and just talked. I liked being with Spot, I felt free, to be myself. As we headed up the first flight of stairs, he stopped me.

'Was' ya' name gorgus'?' He asked.

'Anastasia.' I smiled. I bit my lip. I had answered fully, surely my article hadn't spread as far as Brooklyn.

'Queen 'Stasia.' He smiled, 'has a ring to it.' We walked arm and arm into the room. It was full of strong chested and good looking boys. All of them stood up from their seats, nodding their heads in a friendly hello. I blushed as they removed their hats, as Spot lead my through the crowd. He sat down on a chair, with newspapers littered around him. I stood there, looking around.

He lifted his cane up, and smirked to me. He clicked his fingers to his side, and a boy leaned over. He mumbled something that I surprisingly didn't hear, in his ear. The boy ran off quickly. Spot then brought his attention to me.

'Bow.' He said. I did so, I lowered myself onto my knees, holding back the giggles. Spot began to chuckle to, but held it together. 'I nows' dub yous' the Queens' of Brooklyn.' He laughed. The boys all cheered. I don't know how many boys grabbed me, but they pulled me up and held me in the air.

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I stayed in Brooklyn for three days. And they'd be the best of my life. I got a new pair of clothes. I got these denim cut off overals. I spent most of my time at the docks with Spot, selling papers and swimming. His friends where nice to me, only because they respected me. I had a good time with them, until Jack, Davey and William turned up at the docks. I sat down on the pier with Spot, as he halfed me a bun. I nibbled at the bread as Jack moved over with his friends.

'Jacky boy, not breakin' any hearts? Gettin' girls killed?' Spot scoffed. Jack's jawline clenched shut, fighting off his words. Davey shook his head, and William just stared at me. 'I heards' whats happenin' .. Old man put up da' prices, and yous' striking?' He smirked.

'Yeah, we's striking.' Jack confirmed. 'But we's need you Spot. We need Brooklyn.'

'Now dats' what I like to here.' Spot chuckled, he threw his arm around me, and hugged my close. 'Like my new friend boys?' William balled his hands up into fists, and Davey avoided my eye contact. Jack's blatant eyes searched my body, his hand rubbing the back of his neck.

'Yeah, she's ours.' He said. I moved under Spots arms, but he held me in my place.

'Nah, she aint'.' He shook his head. 'She's nobodies, Jack. You can't pick and choose, it doesn't work like that, not anymore.' Spot said, un-tucking his arms. He stood up from me, and walked towards Jack. 'She's not Jazzebell.'

'YOU DON'T THINK I KNOW THAT?' Jack yelled, spitting on Spot. Boys came out from the docks, Spot's friends. William gripped Jack's arm.

'C'mon Jack, he's not worth it. Neither is she.' William looked at Spot in disgust, yet he looked at me with admiring eyes. Jack shook his head.

'She's worth it. We need her for the stirke, we need both of them.' Jack stepped forward, and Crutchie appeared from behind him.

'Ana?' He whimpered. He had a black eye, and was limping worse than ever.

I gasped, he looked like death warmed up. He needed me more than I needed him. 'Crutchie!' I cried. I practically threw myself at him, wrapping my arms around his neck. I hugged him ever so tightly. 'What happened?' I asked.

'The Delanceys.. 'Dey- ..' He paused and cleared his throat before continuing. 'We needs' you.' Crutchie whispered. 'We can't do it without you, Ana.' He sobbed. I nodded, turning around to Spot. He glared at me, holding his cane tightly in his hands.

'We need to help them Spot.' I said. 'Deep down you know it's right.' Spot shook his head, looking over at me with a disappointed face.

'I thoughts' you was different. I thoughts' you wouldn't run back.' He held back tears, holding his head high. 'But yous' go do what yous' please. But my friend here, Will, was right, yous a slut - Anastasia Picket.'

Uh oh. Now Will knows that she was the girl from the papes, what's gonna happen? Prepare for juicy updates.