Always and Forever... Maybe *Spot Conlon*

*A/N: Sorry if I got the geography wrong or if something's not realistically correct in the following chapters, I don't know much about the different boroughs because I've only ever learned about Manhattan and Brooklyn, and I don't live in New York lol*

"Heard the headline today?" Jack asks as I walk through the gates. I woke up a little bit after the boys, so I was starting late. The others were already starting to sell.

"No," I say, walking up to the counter and getting my usual fifty papes. I grab the stack and gasp, almost dropping them. 

The headline reads, MURDERER ON THE LOOSE!? And below that, YOUNG CHILD FOUND DEAD ON THE STREETS OF BOWERY

"Mush has seen this?" I ask breathlessly. I can't believe this.

"Yeah. He only grabbed twenty papes and said afta he finished sellin' he was gonna head ova there."

"Well, I'm goin' too. So, we betta sell fast."

Jack and I walk to the boxing ring, and Jack lets me sell mine more than he sells his.

"I hate yellin' headlines 'bout this," I say, handing an older man a pape. "The Bowery newsies are my friends, yet here I am, sellin' papes 'bout one of their own bein' dead."

"Well, it might not be a newsie," Jack says, turning me towards a group of teenage boys who are all asking for papes. "But it's still a tragedy."

"Four papers, please, miss," one of the boys says, smiling at me. He's got curly blonde hair and striking blue eyes. If I didn't have Spot, this kid would be my next crush.

I smile back and hand him four papes, which he gives to his friends. He gives me a dollar. "Keep it."

"Oh, uh, thanks," I say. The boy grins like he expects me to say more. I turn around and walk towards the next group of people asking for papes. "I hope Mush doesn't leave without me."

"He won't," Jack says. "I already sent Blink off to find him and tell him that you were goin'."

"Ah, so you sent a messenga. Sounds familiar," I tease. "Spot would be proud."

Jack waves me off. "Nah, if I start leadin' like Spot, he's gonna think I's tryin' to compete with him. And I don't want no war started between 'Hattan and Brooklyn."

"Spot ain't gonna start a war with you."

"Right, 'cause you's keepin' peace. For now."

For as long as our always and foreva lasts.

I sell the rest of my papes quickly, while Jack sells barely any.

"Mush should be near the train yards," Jack says after I sell my last pape. "Now hurry up and get outta here so I can sell my papes."

I rush off towards the train yards without replying. Jack was right, Mush is waiting there when I arrive. He's pacing nervously.

"Mush," I say, pulling him into a hug.

"It could be any of 'em, Danny," he says into my shoulder. Mush cares about everyone he meets, especially the 'Hattan newsies and Bowery newsies. Our parents' death was hard for him, as was our aunt's.

"I know," I say, pulling away from him. "We's betta hurry."

After arriving in Bowery, we run towards the Bowery lodging house. Mush knocks on the door and we wait. The door opens and reveals the Bowery leader, Isaac.

"Mush, Danny, hey," Isaac says.

"We came to check up," Mush says. "We saw the headline."

"'Bout the kid?" Isaac asks.