Newsies: On the frontier.

Chapter 13: It's not goodbye.

Thanks for reading guys! I couldn't ask for anyone better to read this amazing story. I'm so happy to say that I'm able to tell you that I am going to write two more books to continue this amazing story of these boys and girls.

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Chapter 13:

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Mush's eyes were nothing like I expected them to be. They were speckled with blue and brown dots. They were also swimming with green. His nose was perfect, it was well rounded, and not to big or to small. His lips were so soft, I felt like I was kissing a flower. They were shaped amazingly. They fitted with any ones lips, especially mine. His hair blew in the light wind, as we stood on top of the roof.

'M-Mush .. ' I stammered. I wasn't expecting him. I expected Spot, or Crutchie - but .. There he was. Mush stood in a daggy white t-shirt, with cut off shorts. He held a broom in his left hand, smirking at me. 'Y-You tricked me?' I giggled. I was trembling from the kiss, and because of how cold the wind had grown.

He rubbed the back of his head, chuckling. His cheeks were blotchy red, his jaw bone as gorgeous as ever. 'Suprise?' He dropped his shoulders, smirking.

'A big one.' I whispered. I didn't expect Mush - not at all. 'How long?' I asked, my eyes locked with his as he replied.

'Ever since I met you.' He mumbled. I blushed deeply. He'd loved me for all this time? I bit my lip, turning my eyes down to my feet.

'And you?' He asked, folding his hands behind his head, leaning back on the broom, he arched his brows, smiling happily.

'Me too.' I nodded. Mush leaned down and picked me up, swinging me around in his arms. I giggled loudly as he tossed me from arm to arm, hugging me tightly finally. 'Wait- What's your real name?' I asked. Mush blushed, putting me down onto my feet slowly.

'Leo.' He smirked. 'The boys called me dat' because I used to makes' the gurls' hearts turn into 'mush'.' He chuckled. I blushed deeply. He definitely did.

He leaned down and swooped me up, planting his lips on mine. We kissed for what felt like hours, jaws locked together. It was like dreaming. We just melted together every time we kissed. His hands tickled my neck, which sent shivers down my spine. I'd never experienced anything like it. When Oscar did it, all it did was make me nervous. But when Leo did it - it made me blush like crazy.

'You're my everytin'.' Leo whispered in my ear. I could feel his smirk against my cheek. I began to blush a bright scarlet red. I pulled back and kissed his nose. He swatted at me playfully, but I weaved and ducked, and he missed. I slipped from his arms, and twirled around him. Giggling. He followed after me, doing small leaps up on his toes. I marvelled at his skill, and attempted to do the same.

We leaped around, and hugged and danced all through the early hours of the morning. Soon, I grew tired, and Leo carried me down the stairs. The room was silent. Boys hung from their bunks, sleeping soundly. Jack was asleep in his own bunk, and William slept on the couch. Spot had taken up another bunk, and Jonsey and Davey both slept in their beds. Isaac too was asleep, along with Sweets. Leo carried me silently to the bed where I slept under Ming. Ming snored contently, before Leo rested me down. He kissed my head, and tucked me in. 'I love you.' He whispered, before climbing into his own bunk bed.

That morning, the lodging house was raided. My father surged through the house with two policemen in toe. They searched the bunks, until they found me, and I've never seen my father so angry, and relieved. He gripped my wrists and hauled me out of the bed. I was still slightly asleep, but the pain surging to my hand soon woke me up. 'Stop!' I groaned. Leo was fighting himself to stop my father, William, Jack and Spot had the same face. My father ignored my pleads, and dragged me in front of the bunk beds.

'WHICH OF YOU KID NAPPED MY DAUGHTER?' He bellowed. They all straightened up. He stared at them all, and Jack stepped froward, the police grabbed his arms, and a look of horror broke onto my face.

'JACK! NO' I squealed. I couldn't believe him. He was owning up to my own abduction. 'NO!' I continued. 'I RAN AWAY!' I screamed. 'HE'S JUST BEING GALLANT!' Jack blushed profusely. 'I RAN AWAY!' My father let me go, and I stumbled forward, I flicked around on my toes, and stared directly at my father. 'I ran away.' I told my father about my life since I ran, and he stared directly at Jack, and listened the whole time.

'My daughter was about to die - and you ran away?' He scowled. He took a step forward, his fists raised. I intervened, blocking my father.

'He ran to get help.' I told him, tears fresh in my eyes. 'He didn't leave me, because - because he knew there were people here who loved me.' I told him. Leo blushed deeply, taking a step back. I hid my own blushing cheeks, staring at my father.

Finally he understood it all, and it only took two hours. My dad had been introduced to the boys, and I walked hand in hand with Leo as we moved down the street. My father invited them all over for dinner. We walked through the streets, Davey, Jonsey, Isaac, Sweets, Ming, William, Spot, Jack and Clancy behind us. We lead them up my front door, and welcomed them into my house. They all removed their hats, their jaws dropping as they entered.

I gave them a short tour, and they all complemented it graciously. I thanked them for it, and we finally sat down for dinner. My father removed himself for a while, while we ate the dinner. The boys all had looks of awe on their lips as they saw what we were to eat. A big feast. A roast turkey, with vegetables, gravy, apple sauce, pastas and salads. They were served by maids, and they felt so lucky. We all laughed as we talked about the papers, and the new headlines.

'Gonna be a pleasure sellin' a paper wid' ya' face on it, Ana'.' Clancy smirked. Leo elbowed him directly in the stomach. I laughed at Clancy, and thanked him with a wide smile on his face. My father returned, with another man. He had a fat stomach, and wore an ill fitting tux. He sat down next to my mother, he smiled happily at the boys.

'Well, boys.' The fat man said. 'I'm here to offer two boys a scholarship.' He said. All the boys murmured to themselves, looking excited and nervous all the same. 'And I need you to pick for yourselves. Enjoy your meals.' He said. And then we dove head first into the dinner. I'd never seen Crutchie so happy. We ate and ate and ate. I was so full, I felt sick. My stomach was full with rich foods and fuzzy drinks. The music played, and Leo offered me a dance. We swirled around on the ballroom floor, laughing. William and Sweets copied us, twirling around. I couldn't help but laugh to myself. It was hilarious to watch.

After we danced, the sun had vanished behind the clouds. My father and mother had left us alone, and the boys and I all delved into one big family hug. I placed my arms around Spot and Crutchie's necks. They cuddled up to me, and I gushed greatly. 'We've decided who we wants' to give the Scholarship to.' Jack said. I arched my brows, turning to him. 'Davey and Jonsey.' Shouts erupted across the group, cheering and hollering. Jonsey and Davey hugged us all, and we congratulated them. They swore they'd sell papers on the weekends, and spend as much time as they could with us. It made me happy that they were getting what they needed.

We all straggled to the door, and hung their, staring out to the gloomy night outside. Fog was rolling in from the end of a hot summer, and it made me smile. Everything that had happened wasn't for nothing, it was for everything. I hugged everyone of them. Crutchie wrapped his arms around me tightly as he left. William kissed my cheek, and Spot kissed my forehead. Jack twirled me around, and Leo kissed me smack bang on my lips. The boys all cheered and laughed, clapping Leo on the shoulders.

'Goodbye.' Crutchie whimpered. A look of sadness and concern spread across each of those young faces. I turned around to face them, smiling with all my heart.

'It's not goodbye.' I told them. 'It's see you tomorrow.'

By Natasha Wriggly
Check out the sequel coming soon.
Newsies: Welcome Autumn.