Chapter 2


I woke up the next morning by Kloppman yelling at the boys to get up. When I opened my eyes, I saw Race's smiling face thrust into mine. I smiled and sat up, only to hit my head on the top bunk. I laid back down in pain. Race laughed, and sat down on the bunk next to me.

"Well, do ya think yo' ready ta go sell papes?" he asked, lighting his cigar, and puffing on it. I sighed, my heart beating.

"I don't know, I'm kinda nervous about it. Are there any more news girl?" I asked, being careful as not to bump my head when I stood up.

"Yeah, dere's a few, but not many. Most o' dem live in da Newgoil's Lodgin' House. Dey visit a lot though," Race walked to the bathroom to grease his hair down. I quickly changed into the outfit Race laid out for me. A pair of pants, a plaid shirt, and some flat shoes that fit me perfectly. I tied my hair up into a ponytail, and shoved it under the grey cap Race had given me.

I looked across the room at Jessamyn, who was still sleeping. I walked over to her, and smiled. Her copper red hair ringed her face like a halo, that belonged to the angel she was. I quickly kissed her on the forehead, then headed downstairs and outside to buy my papes.

"Hey Celeste, dese are me friends, Snitch, Snoddy, Snipeshooter, Davey, Jack, Crutchy, Boots, Itey, Skittery, and Bumlets. Guys, dis is da lovely an' enchantin' Celeste," Jack came up to me, and kissed my hand, which soon most all the boys did. I blushed like mad, trying to hide my face. I had never been kissed before, let alone by nine boys one after another. After I was introduced to the Newsies, it seemed that for the first time in years, I was truly happy. Over the next few days, I heard a lot about Spot Conlon, the most famous and respected Newsie in all of New York. Spot Conlon! My very best friend in the whole wide world, my best friend that I haven't seen in two years. Oh, how I couldn't wait to see him!

I had been with the Newsies for about a week, and they seemed just like another family. Mush and I became close friends really quickly, and he could never take the place of Spot. I had been trained well in the Newsies arts, and was quite proud f myself, taking a hundred papes everyday and selling each one before the day was over. Mush usually sold with me, by the Brooklyn Bridge. My sister was always of with Snipeshooter, selling in his spot by Central Park. On this particular day, I wasn't selling all my papes very well, not much traffic was going on the Brooklyn Bridge for some reason.

Then, I saw him.

He hadn't changed much in appearance, he was still dangerously beautiful, with the same mysterious smirk, and the same gorgeous greyish blue eyes that I had come to love so much. He was more built than I remembered taller too, but he still had them same walk. He still walked with confidence, holding his head high and his shoulders back. I didn't speak to him until he was right next to Mush and I.

"Hello, Spot. I haven't seen you in forever. You still the leader of the Brooklyn Newsies?" I asked, gazing into his gorgeous blue eyes. It think him a second to place me, before his eyes mirrored the happiness he felt, and he wrapped his arms around me, and twirled me."Celeste, I'm so happy a see ya. I'se has' seen ya in zoo long. Where's ya been all dis time? Hiding'?" Spot asked, putting me out at arms length. I laughed, and squirmed back into his arms, and laid my head on his shoulder.

His familiar scent washed over me, like the sweetest aroma. "My mother lost her job, so we had to go live on Parkins Lane. I worked in the mills from dawn till dusk, never seeing anyone. Until a couple of days ago, I decided to take a break on mill work, and visit Manhattan. I saw Isabelle, and now I see you," Tears of happiness escaped my eyes, and fell onto my burning cheeks, as I gazed longingly into his eyes.

"I'se been bust selling' papes. I'se heart broken when I came ta yo' house an' it was empty. I did' know what happened ta ya. Ya neva said good bye," Spot placed his arms around my tiny waist, his eyes glistening. I placed my arm around his shoulder, looking up at him every couple of minutes.

Suddenly, he leaned over, and gently kissed my untainted lips. I looked at him strange, wondering if the infamous Spot Conlon had been missing his best friend too much, and over the years, had grown to love her. I swore to myself, that when I found Spot again that I would 1) not fall more in love with him than I already was, considering that everytime he looked at me with his beautiful eyes, my heart starts beating faster, and I find myself loving him with each second that he looks at me, and 2) He's most likely had a girlfriend, wanting to gouge my eyes out with a spoon, since I'm his best friend and a girl, it meant competition for his time.

"I didn't get a chance to say good bye. The next day we moved at day break, and I had to spend every minuted unloading the little furniture we had to take. Then the next day I started automatically on mill work. So, I didn't get a chance to see anyone."

Spot smiled warmly, and then turned around to face all his friends. "Celeste, dis is Ducky, North, Mouse, Blaze, Coal, and Fellow. Boys, dis is me best friend in da whole wide woild, Celeste Lewis." I smiled at each of the boys, not letting go of Spot. Mush cleared his throat, as if to say ‘I'm still here, don't forget about me.'

"Celeste, we's betta start headin' back now, it's gettin' late," Mush said, looking at his gold pocket watch that Kloppman gave each boy on his sixteenth birthday. I shook my head, not wanting to leave Spot, I think he knew that.

"Boys, I'se be sleepin' in Manhattan tanight, tell Stiches dat, aight? I'se wanna spend time wid me goil," with that, Spot, Mush and I walked back to the Manhattan Lodging house. The whole way I couldn't stop looking at Spot. He was mysterious looking with his smirk, and it intrigued me. I wondered, with a deep sinking feeling in my stomach, who he was going out with now.

Finally, after what seemd like an eternity, but in reality was only about ten minutes, we reached the lodging house. To my surprise, Isabelle was there, as well as a couple of other girls. I saw one girl give me and Spot a menacing glare, then turned back to tell all her friends.

"Goils, dis be me best friend da whole woild, Celeste Lewis," He turned to look at me in the eyes. "You'se eyes are really enchantin', did anyone tell ya dat?"

I blushed, and laughed, "Only about a couple of times since I've been here." Suddenly, Spot's eyes grew wide. A smirk came over his normally pouty lips, his eyes shined mysteriously.

"I'se come up wid da poifect nick name fo ya. Enchantin' fits ya poifectly. Doesn' it boys?" Spot asked all the other Newsies, who quickly agreed, since practically everyone one of them had told me my eyes were enchanting.

"I love it. It's a beautiful name!" I said, leaning up and kissing Spot on the cheek. For the first time, I got a good look at all the girls. All of them were quite pretty, compared to me.

"Just like you," Spot said, squeezing my shoulder. I blushed, and looked at the girl that had stared at me when I walked in. She was now glaring at me, probably mad I was friends with Spot. "Celeste, I would like ya ta meet me goilfriend, Cupcake. An' dis is Dreama, Wisha, Chancey, Twilight, an' Sapphire."

I looked at the girl Spot was pointing to, and I my eyes fell. It was the same girl that had given me the nasty looks. I decided it meant nothing, and smiled fakely, perhaps too much. "Hello, nice to meet you Cupcake. Call me Enchanting, now, not Celeste."

"Hello, dat's a pretty name. How'd ya get it?"She asked, sweetly, almost fake. She looked at me with piercing dark brown eyes, almost black, that made me uncomfortable. What, was she stupid or something? She was right there when Spot gave me the name. Prbabably was too busy staring at him to notice.

"Well, everyone's told me that my eyes are enchanting, so then Spot gave me the nickname." I copied her sweet smile, and turned to talk to Mush, Blink, and Race.

"I don' think Cupcake's too thrilled you'se best friends with Spot," Race said, nodding at Cupcake, who was hanging off of Spot, now that I had moved away from him. I stared blankly at him, not sure of what o say. "Well, I guess she's just going to have to learn to cope with the idea that Spot's best friend is a girl," I said, walking past them, and up the stairs to the bunk room. I walked into the bunk room, and into the bathroom, where I looked at myself in the mirror. My eyes were still a crystal blue, even though they looked kinda dim, and my dress was a little dirty, but other than that, I thought I looked prettier than I ever had before. I took down my hair, and brushed it, knocking all of the dust out of it. I heard a cough, and turned around to see Cupcake standing in the doorway. "Hello, Enchantin'. You'se an' I need ta talk," she said, walking into the bathroom, and over to where I stood, staring in the mirror at her reflection. I looked at her innocently, and continued brushing my hair.

"About what, Cupcake?" I asked, turning around to face her, her eyes boring holes into mine. I lowered my gaze, and Cupcake laughed. "I don' want ya hangin' out wid Spot no more, ya heah? He's mine, an' he'll always be mine, sos, ya betta stay away from him, or dere'll be trouble," with that, Cupcake, left, leaving me quite stunned and confused. I couldn't tell Spot, because he'd get mad at me, saying I was just making up some reason not to like Cupcake. I decided to keep my mouth shut, and returned downstairs, to hang out with all my friends. Cupcake followed me, and headed right to Spot, where she wrapped her arms around him, and kissed him deeply, making sure I saw every everything. When she stopped kissing him, she looked at me, and smiled wickedly, before taking his hand and leading him outside into the cool, night air.

Chapter 3
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