Hey, Im finally back! I got a reboot after my cousin got a laptop so now I can type WHENEVER I want (or at least when Im at her house) without creepers reading over my shoulder. But, before you read the chapter, Im going to write another book for you about how Ive been uber busy the past couple of weeks.

Last Friday was my school talent show, and me and my other Newsies obsessed friends danced and sang "King of New York" and let me tell you it was amazing! We won first in the groups category, and won best overall with a perfect score of 75/75. It was honestly the best night of my life (so far...). I hope to get a video up on youtube eventually so I can share it with all the Newsies fans everywhere! I was Skittery, pink shirt and all. Its kind of funny when you think about it because in my school musical I played the mean, tough, always in a bad mood pirate: Maggie. (Im getting a bad rep at school...lol.)

Anyway! Here's chapter three... nothing too exciting but at least it's here. Enjoy.

~Riley

"Why the docks?" I asked Nellie as we waked down the pier by the East River.

Nellie shook her head at me, "I don't know. It's Spot were talkin' about. Besides, people don't come down here too often. They like their privacy."

"But why not?" I said sarcastically. "They're so lovely."

Nellie laughed and jumped down a large stair, she then reached back up and grabbed my hand, helping me down. Even with her help I landed unsteadily on my feet. First thing on my agenda when I get back: buy boots. She looks pretty steady on her feet in those. I looked around where we stood, and jumped when I noticed that we were standing in the middle of a group of half naked, soaking wet boys. Most of which looked perfectly capable of doing damage.

"What do we have here?" A tall one with a large, unmistakable Italian nose asked. "You bring us a present, Jones?"

Nellie raised a first, making them laugh, "You keep you grimy hands away from her, you hear me Italy?"

She grabbed me by the arm and pulled me away, but not before I could give them a dirty look myself, "I'se suggest you keep away from Big Italy."

"Big Italy," I scoffed. "That's real original."

"Yeah, well Spot and the boys thought it was easier than saying Anthony Capizuto. Half of them can't pronounce it."

"Tony?" I suggested.

Nellie grinned, "We already got four."

I hadn't realized it until then that I knew Spot Conlon, or at least I had seen him. Those eyes, his cold gray eyes were unforgettable. He had been on the corner the night I came home.

"So I'm doin' a little guessin', and I say you'se already talked to Jackey," He said to Nellie, but I could feel his eyes on me.

Nellie sat down on an old crate and patted the room that was left for me to sit down. At first I was going to decline her offer, there was no way that crate would hold her and then my fat rear, but I felt uncomfortable standing by myself so I carefully sat down. My fear was that the thing would collapse in a moments notice, leaving me tangled with Nellie on the ground, my dress probably in a very revealing position.

"I was over in 'Hattan this morning when they decided to go on strike. What did you tell them?"

Spot jumped down from the thrown-like crate he was sitting on, "I told them they have to show me they ain't afraid." And with that he made a quick joking lunge at me. I yelped a little, but retaliated with a swift kick in the shins.

"Hmm… a feisty one. Who's your friend Nells?" Spot asked.

Nellie straightened up, "This is my friend Kathlynn."

"What's 'dis Nells? I thought you didn't like makin' friends with whores."

I cringed when he said "whore". That was the last thing I wanted to be known as to a crowd of perverted boys.

"I am not a whore," I shot out.

Spot smirked, "Yeah, right. And I ain't the king of Brooklyn."

"We met last night," Nellie defended. "She needed someone to talk to and I just happened to be there."

"Well you'se good at that Nells. I'd ask if she tried to get inside your trousers too, but since you'se a girl and all…" He trailed off. "Of course, I guess whores do that kinda thing nowadays."

"Shut your mouth, Spot," Nellie said. "Come on, Kathlynn. Let's go get us something to drink."

She hopped off the crate and took off at a fast pace down the docks, leaving me alone with Spot.

"See you around Kathlynn," he smirked.

I shuddered, trying not to imagine the thoughts going through his head and ran after Nellie. My heels made a steady clicking noise as I chased after her, alerting the other newsies. Of course they couldn't pass up the opportunity to wolf whistle as I passed by. I gave them a nice glimpse of my middle finger, something I had only ever done once, before picking up my pace to catch up with Nellie.

Nellie was leaning casually against the a wall of a warehouse waiting for me. She started walking with me when I passed by, "Sorry about that. I had to get myself out of there before I soaked him. One against thirty isn't good odds."

"It's okay," I said. I pulled my skirts up just a little and fanned my legs with them. It was still sweltering hot outside, and my chemise was sticking to my legs. We walked along in an awkward silence. My instincts told me she was thinking about what Spot had said. "So, you and Spot have slept together?"

Nellie kicked at a pebble nervously as she walked, "Yeah, but that was a long time ago."

"A mistake?"

"You could call them that…"

"So you slept with him," I asked. "More than once?"

"Last night you got your chance to spill your guts, so I guess it's mine," she said. "This'll take a while. Lets go get something to drink."

We sat amidst a crowd of happy smokers enjoying drinks after a long days work. Over in the corner a pianist was clunking away happily at the keys. The louder he played, the louder the crowd talked. It was the perfect place for Nellie to tell me her story.

I guess it was probably a bad idea to drink more whiskey, seeing as though I woke up with the worst feeling this morning, but when Nellie offered the bottle, I gladly accepted.

"So, what happened?"

Nellie downed her first glass, "Well, I met Spot three years ago. That was when I left my dad in New Jersey to come find work. I bought a pape from him one morning and I never was able to shake him off since."

I laughed and grabbed another drink, "Keep going."

"Well I bought the paper to look for any classifieds. He saw me lookin' and asked if I needed a job. I told him that I needed a job and a place to live and he told me all about bein' a newsie. Of course, with no where else to go, I went and lived at the lodgin' house they got set up here in Brooklyn."

"Weren't you afraid of the boys?"

"Of course I was. I told them the first night I was there that I slept with a knife in my hand," she giggled. "They never touched me."

"And Spot?"

"I don't really remember how that happened. We never really had a thing you know? It was just casual I guess you could say. He just likes to use it against me. I don't like looking like a whore. Besides, he's the only guy I've ever slept with."

It took the rest of the bottle to get the story out of her. About how Spot used her, and then left her for a new whore. Of course she also still used it to her advantage, getting what she wanted out of Spot. Like a place on his tab at the pub we were sitting at.

I arrived back at the Rose around nine. The front door was rather busy so I walked around to the back of the house. My hands were shaking as I took a deep breath and opened the door.

"Kathlynn St. Claire!"

So I was caught sooner than I hoped. Mme. Leroux was sitting at the kitchen, a cup of tea sitting in front of her folded hands. She was waiting for me.

"Sit down, Kathlynn."

I pulled out the chair across from her and shakily sat down. My eyes blanked for a moment and that is when I realized I was holding my breath.

"I know your upset, but you shouldn't have run out of the house like that. It made everyone very worried."

Everyone but you.

"There is a way you can make it up to me," she said.

"And that would be?"

"There is a young man who showed up tonight. He must be a couple years older than you. Give him a nice night, and you will be welcomed back into the house. If not, you might as well walk out that door and not ever come back."

All afternoon to think about it, and I had almost come to terms with my future. This was really soon.

"Where is he?"

"Cassandra's room. I gave her the night off. Go get changed, he's waiting for you."

I opened the door and was met with cold eyes and an evil smirk.

"Longtime, no see."

What did you think? Reviews pwease!