An Echo from the Past: Part 2
By: Echo

"Echo, is dere somethin' wrong?" Dutchy asked as Aaron tried to avoid my glaring gaze.

I shook my head. "Nope, I'm fine. I'm just mad at that traitorous creep who convienently forgot to inform me that Hope was coming back today."

Aaron sighed. "If I had told you, you would have spent all week thinking of ways to annoy her."

I shrugged. "So? She deserves it."

"Forget about it." Jack said and kissed me gently.

I smiled at him. "Okay."

Aaron cleared his throat nervously. "Um... we had better get going."

I glared at him. "Perfect timing." I said my good-byes and walked to the dock where Hope's ship was coming in. A woman, about three years older than me with long golden hair and blue eyes walked over to us and smiled. "Aaron, it's so good to see you again."

He smiled. "Hello Hope. This is E-Christina. Christina, this is Hope."

She stared at me. "Well, you certainly have grown up. You aren't the filthy little urchin I remember you to be. But I'm sure you found more interesting things to do than scaring people with snakes while you were living on the streets."

I tried my best to smile and not soak her right there. "It's nice to see you again to."

Aaron cleared his throat. "Well, maybe we should be getting home."

"Yes, where is that carriage?" I said through gritted teeth. Aaron glared at me as Hope turned her back and whispered, "Be civil."

I glared back. "She's the only one not being civil. I know what that witch was implying by 'more interesting things.'"

He groaned. "The only thing running through your mind is her being hit by a carriage, that's hardly civil."

I sighed. "So? It's a beautiful picture, try imagining it."

Somehow we all managed to get home in one piece, to my disapointment. When we got there, Aunt Victoria informed us that we were having a guest. So I got ready for dinner, muttering complaints under my breath the whole time.

About two hours later, the guests showed up. One was a man in his 40's with dark brown hair and eyes. The other was in his 20's with the same eyes, but lighter hair. Hope smiled as Aunt Victoria introduced us. "Christina, this is Mr. Jonathan Sanders, and that is his son, Benjamin Sanders. Mr. Sanders, this is Miss Christina Collin."

I put on another one of the fake smiles I was getting so used to and tried to hide how much I wanted to strangle the next person that walked through the door. "It's so nice to meet you both."

The older one smiled. "The pleasure is all mine."

We ate and then went to the parlor to talk. Hope eventually turned the conversation to newsies. Mr. Sanders frowned. "I find them nothing more than disgusting streetrats. They earn money by lying, spend it on gambling and other improper causes, and then steal everything else."

I smiled at him as politely as possible. "I disagree. They do what they have to to survive. They sell their newspapers the only way they can, and steal when they have to. Just because a few of them may be like that, doesn't mean they all are. Stereotyping them isn't fair. Money doesn't make you a good person, and poverty doesn't make you a bad person."

Mr. Sanders seemed insulted by my little speech, but his son was hiding a smile. "Christina, I hear you are from Colorado?" He asked.

I nodded politely, even though I had the feeling he was laughing at me. "Yes, I grew up there."

Mr. Sanders smiled. "We know. I was married to your mother."

I stared at him in surprise. "My mother?"

He nodded. "Yes. Elizabeth was a very charming woman... I miss her dearly."

Hope smiled. "Christina, you look so much like Mr. Sanders."

I was finding it harder and harder to even fake smiling by the minute. "Do I?"

He beamed with pride. "Didn't your mother tell you?"

I shook my head, dreading whatever he was about to say. "I'm your father."

I was still smiling but I was too shocked and upset to say anything for the rest of the night. I just listened to them talk about how much I looked like some stranger I'd never even met before, and concentrated on keeping the smile plastered on my face. I told myself it couldn't last forever and managed to get through the night. As they were leaving, Benjamin walked up to me. "Miss Collin? I just..." He stalled and then sighed. "It was nice meeting you."

"Charmed, I'm sure." I said, trying to hide the sarcasm, and then walked upstairs.

*********************************************************

I walked into the Lodging House with Aaron tagging along quietly behind. Jack threw his arms around my waist and kissed me. "How's me goil?"

"Fine."

He looked at Aaron who shrugged. "She's mad at Hope."

I rolled my eyes. "What happened to Despair? She's rude and-"

"You could at least be civil." He said in an exasperated voice.

"Hah! I think I'm being pretty polite under the curcumstances."

He shook his head. "You looked like you were about to rip her head off."

I smiled. "I wanted to, I really did... and I think I was being very polite by not doing so. Would have done the world a favor."

Sketch laughed. "Echo, you've met the girl once when you were a little kid."

I groaned. "Yeah, and even then she was a-"

"Ah!" Aaron said before I could finish the sentence.

I rolled my eyes. "Fine, but I still don't like her. I'm not stupid, (Note from Echo: No, it wasn't supposed to say I'm now stupid.. that was a typo) I know when someone is going out of their way to make me mad."

Blink smiled. "Is she pretty?"

I glared at him. "Well, if my mother was right, and beauty is on the inside, she's the ugliest person ever. Green teeth, warts, wiry purple hair, and beady black eyes."

Aaron laughed. "That's not funny!"

Jack kissed me as Blink scratched his head in confusion. Then the door opened and in walked Hope. Blink's jaw dropped to the ground and about half the guys started drooling. I groaned inwardly as she smiled that sickly sweet smile of hers at me. "Christina, I was wondering where you were going. I really do like this place, it's so... quaint. Tell me, who are your friends?"

I started to reply, but the guys jumped forward, perfectly happy to introduce themselves. She smiled at them all, and then walked over to Jack, who had his arm around me. "And who might this charming young man be?"

He smiled and kissed the hand she held out. "Jack Kelly, and you are?"

"Hope Henderson. It's a pleasure to meet you." She said as she giggled and managed to push me out of the way. Before long everyone of the guys was hanging on Hope's every word, and she was flirting with them all... Jack more than anyone. I was sitting on a bunk in the corner, staying as far away from Hope as possible when Crutchy walked up. "Are ya okay?"

I nodded. "I'm fine... why aren't you over there with all the others?"

He sat down beside me. "To tell ya da truth, I don't really trust 'er."

I stared at him, completely thrown off by that last statement. Crutchy was the most caring person I knew, I couldn't imagine him not trusting anyone. "Why?"

He shrugged. "I know you wouldn't hate someone if ya didn't have a good reason. Besides, I may be crippled, but I ain't blind. She's hangin' all ova' Jack, and she knows yer 'is goil."

I sighed. "She's up to something Crutchy."

*********************************************************

Over the next few months, everyone fell in love with Hope. Well, almost everyone. Aaron and I both hated her, Crutchy had his suspiciouns, Brooklyn hated Hope who was also flirting with Spot, Jack eventually decided to avoid her, and Spot hated her almost more than I did. The second he met her he asked me, "Who da hell is she, and why da hell is she hangin' all ova' me?" and later on, "Why the hell won't she leave me alone?"

A few days later I was walking around in Central Park. I was sick of Hope and needed some time to think. Aaron went to the Lodging House anyway to talk to the guys. He said they were amusing, I think he just liked being called Shakespeare.

I was sitting on the bench when Benjamin Sanders sat beside me. "Hello Mr. Sanders."

He sighed. "Call me Ben, I don't like formalities."

I shrugged. "Fine. Call me Chris, or Echo... or whatever else pops into your mind."

He smiled. "What does everyone else call you?"

I shrugged. "Christina, Chris, Echo... sometimes Collin."

He thought for a few seconds. "What's your full name?"

"Christina Colette Collin."

He sighed. "Mind if I call you Colette? I want to be different."

I shrugged. "Fine with me. What's your full name?"

"Benjamin Cassius Sanders. Friends call me Ben, Cass, or B.S. I prefer Ben, the other two annoy me."

I laughed. "Okay, Ben it is."

He smiled. "Fine, I'm Ben.. mind if I call you Col? Colette's too long."

I thought about it for a while. "Hmm.. Col. I could get used to it I guess. So, how are you doing?"

He shrugged. "Oh, I'm doing fine. I recognized you from the other night so I thought I'd come talk to you. You know... you have your father's eyes."

I glared at him. "Please don't, I'm not in the mood to go through this again... besides, his eyes are brown."

He shook his head. "No, Michael's eyes."

I stared at him for a few seconds realizing he had used my father's name. "What do you mean?"

He smiled. "All my life, I have heard about my little sister and my mother. A few years ago, when I was about 14 or 15, I found a letter from my mother. So I wrote one back to her, and I got a reply. We kept writing letters back and forth for a few years, and I never met them in person until college. That's when I decided to take advantage of being on my own, and I bought a train ticket to Colorado. I never got to meet you though."

I stared at him in shock. "Are you telling me, that you knew my father?"

He nodded. "Yeah, I think I liked him better than my own father. They're trying to tell you that Michael's not your father, but don't believe them. You look like Michael, and I don't see any of my father in you."

I smiled. "Do you know everything that happened... with my mother?"

He sighed. "Well, I do know a little. She married my father because grandmother made her. About five years after she had me, she fell in love with Michael, and they ran off together. I guess you two have a lot in common. She followed her heart by marrying your father, and you follow your heart when you go to that Lodging House."

"What?!"

He smiled. "Yes, I know about the newsies. But no one else does, and I don't tell them. Anyway, nine months after she met your father, she had you and that's all I know."

I glared at him. "How do you know about the newsies?"

He held his hands in the air. "Don't worry! Your secret's safe with me! I just walked by Tibby's and saw you in there... no one else know, and it's not likely they'll find out."

I rolled my eyes. "If you can find out, so can they." I glared at him as he laughed. "What's so funny?"

He smiled. "My baby sister has an attitude."

"Got a problem with that?" I snapped.

He laughed again. "No, in fact, I think I'm going to like you. Do you mind if I play the role of the over protective older brother?"

I rolled my eyes. "Oh yeah, like I don't have enough of those already."

He shrugged. "Fair enough. Can I be the concerned older brother who looks out for his little sister and makes sure no one knows where she's going and then no one tries to control her life?"

I nodded. "I like that one better."

He smiled cheerfully. "I always wanted a little sister. I have to go now, but I'll see you later."

"See you around Ben." I said and started walking to the Lodging House. After talking to him in Central Part, Ben and I became good friends. True to his word, he never told a soul what he knew.

A few months later, in late December, I walked into the Lodging House where Kloppman was putting the star on a Christmas tree. "I thought you were supposed to put an angel on top." Dipper, a new newsie who was only seven said.

I laughed. "Yeah, but I don't think Jack would fit up there."

A few of the guys mumbled complaints. "Is someone talkin' bout me?" Jack asked as he walked down the stairs.

"Hey Kelly."

He looked at me and smiled. "Hey Echo! Ya made it taday!"

I smiled. "No kidding?"

"Ya gonna make it ta da Christmas party we'se havin' at Medda's?" Blink asked.

I shook my head. "No, that's one day I won't be able to get away. Unless I can pick the locks on the handcuffs along with all the other things."

Sketch smiled. "You like exaggerating, don't you?"

I put on my most innocent smile. "Me? exaggerating? Never!"

About a week later, it was Christmas day, and I was trying to get ready for a party that night. I fixed my hair, and fumbled with the corsets and other things, trying not to be late. Last was the dress. It was a sparkling white, kind of like fresh snow in the sunlight. The white material stopped a few inches below the neck and turned into an almost clear lace that went down the sleeves.

When I finally finished getting ready, I walked out my door where Aaron was waiting. "May I escort the lady downstairs?" He asked in a phony English accent and offered his arm.

I glared at him playfully. "I ain't a lady, I'se a newsie. An' don't ya ferget it."

He laughed. "Come on newsie, people are starting to show up."

I wrinkled my nose in disgust. "I'd rather be at Medda's with Jack."

He smiled but didn't say anything. After what seemed like an eternity of having my feet stepped on, and having to dance with every guy that asked, Aaron walked up with a pleased expression on his face. "Merry Christmas." He said cheerfully.

I glared at him and rubbed my foot. "Speak for yourself."

He laughed. "Well fine then, I won't help you get out of here."

I stood up straight. "What?"

He smiled. "I told Uncle Henry that you weren't feeling well and after pleeding with him forever he finally agreed to let you go upstairs and get some sleep, he's not even going to check on you."

I smiled. "Have I told you lately that you are the greatest cousin ever?"

He laughed. "Are you going to stand here thanking me all night, or go meet loverboy?"

I started to go but turned back around. "If I wasn't so happy right now, you would die for that comment."

I walked up the stairs, trying my best to look sick. When I got there I snuck out the window, making sure to leave a crack so I could get back in, and down the tree outside. A few minutes later, I was walking into Medda's. Most of the guys were dancing, Jack was sitting at a table with Mush, Pie Eater, and Jake. I walked up to them and smiled. "Hey Jack, how's it going?"

He stared at me for a few seconds before smiling. "Echo? I thought ya couldn't come!"

I shrugged. "I didn't even have to file through the bars. Aaron told my uncle I was sick, and I snuck out the window."

"I owe 'im one." He said as he jumped up, kissed me, and bowed playfully. "May I 'ave this dance?"

I laughed and nodded. We danced for a while, and talked to the guys, but around ten we left. It had started to snow, and a thin layer covered the ground. He put an arm around me as we walked to Central Park. Before long we were standing in a little clearing. "This look familiar?" He asked.

I smiled. "Yeah. I twisted my ankle here, and you had to carry me back to the Lodging House."

He brushed a strand of hair that had fallen out of my face. "Why can't we just stay right here? Forget the past, forget everyone, just leave it all behind and never look back."

I leaned my head against his chest and closed my eyes. "I wish we could. It's funny. I feel like everything that has ever happened, happened just for this moment. Like all history led up to this time right here and now, and nothing else matters."

He laughed. "Forget history. I could die happy right now."

I sighed. "If you die on me, I'll kill you until you're dead."

He kissed me. "I love ya Chris. Someday, I'm gonna marry you... an' no one'll stop me."

I smiled coyly. "Oh really? No one?"

He shook his head. "Nope, no one. 'Let me not to the marriage of true minds admit impediments'."

"Oh, Shakespeare. Impressive."

He smiled. "I think I could leave Shakespeare in da dust right now... but I ain't got nothin' ta write on."

"Who needs poems and sonnets? You're perfect just the way you are."

He leaned down to kiss me but sighed and pulled back. "Ya betta' get back."

I rolled my eyes. "You've got to be kidding me."

He shook his head. "I wish I was."

We started walking to the Lodging House, but first we went by Irving Hall. Blink ran out with Ice. "Echo! Hope showed up!"

I frowned. "Where is she?"

He shrugged. "She's inside."

I smiled at Jack. "I'll be right back."

Ice followed me in. "Is that girl really your cousin?"

I rolled my eyes. "Not if I can help it."

"Well, she was hangin' all ova' Blink... an' every otha' guy in dere. I'd like ta skin 'er alive."

I laughed. "Can I help?"

Ice smiled. "Glad to know us girls are all on one side... if only da guys felt da same."

I looked around. "Where is she?"

"Sucking blood?"

I laughed. "I wouldn't be surprised. But I was thinking more along the lines of flying a broom."

Ice smiled. "It's nice to see ya again Echo."

I nodded. "You too... you know what? I don't know why I'm looking for her. I don't want to talk to her. I'll see you around Ice." I said as I walked out the door to find Jack. When I got there, he was nowhere in sight. I sighed and started walking to the Lodging House.

Halfway there I saw Jack talking to a girl. I stopped when she wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him. Jack pushed her away and said something that caused her to run right out in the street, in front of a carriage. I gasped as Jack pushed her out of the way, and ran toward him. By the time I got there, the girl was gone, but Jack was lying in the street. The carriage driver was about to have a nervous breakdown, and kept telling me he couldn't stop, but all I could do was stare at the puddle of blood forming around Jack's head.

I looked up as someone put a hand on my shoulder and saw Spot, Dutchy, and Bumlets standing behind me. The carriage driver took Jack to the hospital, and Bumlets and Dutchy went with him. Spot took me to the Lodging House. "Echo? Ya alright?" He asked as we got there.

I nodded. "Yeah, I'm fine... but I hate carriages."

He nodded and patted me on the back. "Don't worry, Jack'll be fine."

I tried to smile. "I better get back."

He stared at me for a few seconds. "Are ya cryin'?"

I wiped a tear away. "No... I got something in my eye."

He smiled. "Yeah. Ya betta' get back before someone finds out ya ain't dere." I nodded and hugged him. "What was dat for?"

I looked down. "Spot, I just have a really bad feeling about all of this, and I want you to know that you really are a great friend. I know I tease you a lot, but you've always been there for me and you mean a lot to me."

He stared at me like I had lost my mind. "Don't get all mushy on me Collin."

I smiled. "You didn't let me finish. Like I said, you mean a lot to me. But I'm warning you, don't ever tell anyone I said that or I will personally soak you... and don't let it go to your head either."

He laughed. "Me lips is sealed. An' uh... dis don't go no furtha' but... da feelin's mutual."

I smiled and waved. "See you around Conlon." I walked back to the house and snuck in the window. Aaron was sitting on my bed when I got there. "What are you doing here?"

He looked at the ground. "Uncle Henry wants to talk to you... he found out."

I sighed and walked down the stairs to the study and cleared my throat. My uncle glared at me. "Where were you?"

I stared out the window, wishing I was outside. "Irving Hall."

He walked up to me. "What were you doing there?"

"I was with my friends."

He sneered. "Newsies... no good, filthy, little streetrats."

I glared at him. "Maybe... but they're still better than you'll ever be."

He slapped me just as Aaron walked in the door. He took one looked at me and stepped inbetween us. "What the hell do you think you're doing?!" He yelled, the first time I had ever heard Aaron cuss.

Uncle Henry glared at him. "Both of you, get upstairs. You're leaving on the next train to Boston."

I turned and walked out of the room with Aaron right behind me. "Are you alright?"

"Fine, just great. Leave me alone."

Hope walked up to me slowly. "Hello Chris. How's Jack? Still alive? Oh wait... I guess you'll never know, since you're going to Boston."

I slammed her against the wall. "You told him."

She pushed me back. "It's for your own good. Those newsies are all alike, and none of them are worth it. You should thank me."

I rolled my eyes. "For what?"

She looked away. "I have to get some sleep."

I shoved her back against the wall. "Wait a minute... how did you know about Jack?"

Her eyes widened in fear. "Christina please, I didn't see the carriage."

"It was you!"

She winced. "Christina, I swear I didn't mean for it to happen. It's all for the best anyway."

Aaron put a hand on my shoulder. "Chris, don't."

I stared at him for a few seconds and then walked to my room to pack.

Part 3
An Echo from the Past Index
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