"Wake up girls! Time to carry the banner!"

Mayhem woke with a start, totally confused. When she realized it was still dark outside she let herself fall back onto the bed again, already asleep before her head hit the pillow.

"Hey, rise and shine, ya lazy bum! We got papes ta sell!" Cheater shook her shoulder. Mayhem opened one eye. "Ya gotta be kiddin’ me," she growled. "No one in ‘is right mind gets up dat early!"

"Who said newsies are in deir right mind?" Sparkles giggled and dragged her out of bed.

"How can you be so damned cheerful at this time in da mornin’?" Mayhem groaned as she staggered into the washing room.

"She always is. I think someone dropped her on her head when she was little." Lady yawned and ducked to avoid a wet sponge aimed at her nose.

"Hurry now, de boys’ll be along soon!" Sassy said impatiently while helping Twiddles to braid her hair.

When Sparkles started to hum a happy little tune Mayhem had to restrain herself from strangling the unnervingly high-spirited girl.

~~~~~

"God bless you, child."

Mayhem eyed the nuns with suspicion while they handed out bread and coffee to the newsies. "Is dis a trick? Why do dey give us food fer free?" she muttered into Sparkles’ ear.

"Because dey’se nuns, stupid," Sparkles whispered back. "It’s deir job ta be nice ta de poor. Anyway it’s one meal less ya’ll hafta worry about."

Mayhem wasn’t sure whether or not the piece of stale bread in her hand deserved to be called a meal, but she shrugged the thought off and followed the others to the circulation office.

On the way Snake Eyes stepped into her path. "Mayhem?"

She glared at him. "What?"

"Rambler said I’d hafta apologize fer what I said last night, or he’ll kick me out." He stared at her coldly. "So I came to tell ya I’se sorry."

"Yeah, an’ I live in Buckn’ham Palace. Why don’t ya go feed da dogs, slimeball," she snorted and left him standing with a murderous look on his face.

She reached the others just as the gate was opened, but they had to wait in the cold for quite some time before the World employees condescended to open up the selling stand. The newsies filed by, buying their papers; none of them felt much like teasing due to the early hour and the biting frost.

Sparkles offered to buy papers for both of them; Rambler had told her not to bring Mayhem to Morris’ attention.

Much to the newsies’ amusement Oscar hadn’t shown up to work since his encounter with her, but Rambler had ordered them not to mention Mayhem in the Delancey brothers’ presence.

He watched her, musing. That girl seemed to attract trouble like a magnet. She’d come out of the fight with amazingly little harm, but he didn’t want to push their luck.

When he saw Snake Eyes buying papes, Rambler was reminded of something.

"Say, Mayhem, did Snake apologize to ya dis mornin’?"

She hesitated. Dis is ya one an’ only chance ta get rid a dat sucker!

"Well," she said, picking her words carefully, "dat wasn’t exactly what I would call an apology..."

Snake had heard her last words and turned red with rage. "Why, you lyin’ bitch! I’ll give ya an apology ya’ll remember fer da rest a yer days!"

Before he could get near her, Rambler stepped between them, his expression cold.

"I’ve had enough a dis, Snake. Ya apologize ta Mayhem or ya gotta find a new place ta sleep tanight!"

Snake Eyes spat onto the ground. "I’d radder sleep in da Refuge dan undah de same roof as dat wench!" He glared at Mayhem. "Ya’ll regret ya evah set foot inta Manhattan when I’m done wid ya!"

With that he stormed out of the circulation yard.

"Here’s ya papes, let’s go!" Sparkles, ignorant of the latest ongoings, shoved a small amount of newspapers into Mayhem’s hands and pulled her out into the streets.

"Now listen up: usually ya jist have ta make da headlines a bit more interesting and dere’ll be somebody ta buy. But in dis weather dere’s not much people on da streets, so we have ta tackle each one poisonally and don’t let dem get away widout buyin’ a pape from us, got it?"

Mayhem tried to work it out. "Ya mean like I tell ‘em I’ll bash deir heads if dey don’t take a pape?"

"No, not like dat," Sparkles sighed. "Dat kinda bullyin’ might woik wid kids, but dey ain’t got da money, da big folks do. Wid dem ya gotta come up wid some heartbreakin’ story; like yer mudda jist died of consumption, er ya dad’s a boozer. Ya can tell ‘em anyt’ing, as long as dey feel sorry for ya. Ready ta give it a try?"

"I don’t t’ink I’m very good at whining," Mayhem sounded concerned. Sparkles smiled. "Don’t worry, dat’s my job. You jist flash yer bruise around." Then she spotted their first victim, an elderly gentleman.

"Please sir, buy a pape? Our fadder’s gonna beat us if we don’t bring enough money home tanight." From one moment to the other Sparkles appeared to be on the verge of tears. Mayhem just tagged along and tried to look battered and desperate.

After several hours of cornering and pestering people they finally sold their last papers. "Dat went pretty good," Sparkles beamed with satisfaction. "Now let’s go get warm and have sumpthin’ ta eat."

"Wheah didya loin dat?" Mayhem asked on their way to Tibby’s. "I mean, ya sounded so convincin’ I almost bought a pape meself!"

Sparkles ears turned pink at the compliment. "Aw, it’s nuttin’, all da newsies do it. Part of our daily life." Her eyes clouded over. "When I was younger I wanted ta become an actress. I even went ta audition in one a de smaller theaters. Dey told me I’se too young, but I know dey jist don’t want no low-talkin’ street trash." She looked down to the ground.

Mayhem felt uncomfortable seeing the normally cheerful girl in such low spirits. She wracked her brain for something nice to say.

"I’se shoah dey was jist afraid ta lose deir jobs when ya came in an’ played all a dem snobs against de wall."

She was rewarded with a smile that lit up Sparkles’ face like the rising sun.

~~~~~

When the two of them entered the small restaurant it was packed with newsies lunching and seeking refuge from the bitter cold. They ordered some sandwiches and squeezed themselves into a booth already occupied by Race, Bumlets, Blink, Mush and Tate.

"Heya Sparkles, how’s it been goin’ taday? I bet ya sold all a dem papes in no time!" Bumlets smiled at her, totally oblivious of his surroundings.

Sparkles blushed and the other boys grinned knowingly. Bumlets’ and Sparkles’ mutual attraction had been obvious for months now, but neither one had mustered up the courage to make a first step.

"Mayhem and I haven’t been doin’ too bad."

"Den maybe ya’d like ta invest ya money into a real hot tip I got on da fifth," Race suggested slyly.

Sparkles only snorted, but Mayhem’s head jerked up. "Yer goin’ ta Sheepshead Races?"

The sudden gleam in her eyes startled them all.

"De last day Race didn’t go ta Coney Island was when he was in bed wid de flu," Blink laughed. "An’ even den he told Snoddy on what hoss ta bet for ‘im."

"I’m shoah da hosses all know ya by name, right Higgins?" Tate teased.

Mayhem hadn’t payed attention to anything they said, her eyes were fixed on the short gambler. Race was astounded by the change in her. Her green-eyed gaze almost hypnotized him. He lit a cigar to hide his confusion.

"Yeah, I’m goin’ ta Sheepshead. Ya wanna come?" he tried to sound casual.

Mayhem laughed with delight. "Hell, yes!" The others couldn’t help but smile at her bliss.

Only Bumlets frowned. "But yer Sparkles’ selling partner. Ya can’t jist let ‘er sell alone! Sumpthin’ could happen to her!"

Blink winked at Mayhem and then smacked his head as if an idea had just struck him. "Hey, I got it! Why don’t you sell with Sparkles taday, Bumlets?"

Sparkles blushed once more. "Naw, I don’t wanna be a bother. I can look out fer meself, ya know."

"Ya wouldn’t be no bother at all!" Bumlets blurted out, then it was his turn to blush.

"Let’s go now. It’ll take dem some time ta make up deir mind, believe me." Race muttered in Mayhem’s ear. She took the rest of her sandwich and followed him outside.

~~~~~

When the two of them set out for Coney Island the sun crept out between the heavy clouds. Although the frost was still harsh the whole day suddenly looked cheerful.

The weather reflected Mayhem’s state of mind; she couldn’t wait to get to Sheepshead Races. It was the ideal place to look for Mustang, for most of her old aquaintances seldom bet on horses, whereas he went there quite frequently and had often taken her with him. The prospect of seeing him soon made her step light and bouncy and her eyes glimmer. Without her noticing a small smile stole onto her face.

Race did notice. He’d watched her sudden change with amazement, wondering what had brought it about. She looks so much different when she ain’t grumblin’ about sumpthin’ or other.

The second race was already running when they arrived at the tracks; the crowds cheered as Silver Lining crossed the finish line first.

"We got some time befoah da thoid, let’s go ta de stables!" Mayhem tried to pull him along.

"Whoa, whoa, hold it!" Race held her back. "We ain’t allowed in da stables while da race is goin’ on, dey might kick us out fer dat!" The thought of being suspended from the tracks made his stomach churn.

Mayhem couldn’t help smiling at what she read in his face. "C’mon now, stop bein’ such a chicken! I promise dey won’t catch us!"

She seemed to know her way well around the racetrack grounds. He kept close behind her, nervously looking out for any officials, ready to run if they were discovered. The stables were humming busily with action, no one gave them a second look.

His eyes nearly popped out when he realized they were walking amidst all the champions he always bet on.

"Whatsa mattah, ya never seen a hoss befoah? Stop droolin’!"

She had to drag him away when he gazed at Lucky Loser, and he almost fainted when he saw Bob Neville, a famous jockey, stroking and talking to the mare he rode that day.

Mayhem stopped at an empty box. A stable lad was in the middle of cleaning it.

"Hey, Dibbs!"

His jaw dropped. "Jet! Fer Christ sake, watcha doin’ heah? I thought ya left town! Are ya crazy?"

She grinned. "I’m glad ta see ya too. Is Mustang heah taday?"

Dibbs ignored her last question. "Ya gotta leave New Yawk real quick, Blade an’ his guys are lookin’ fer you all ovah!" His voice had an edge of panic.

"What’s da big deal? I only settled sumpthin’ poisonal wid Archer, why’s Blade in such a frenzy?" she frowned.

He looked suspiciously at Race, who had followed their conversation with interest. "Who’s dat? Can ya trust ‘im?"

Mayhem shrugged. "Dat’s jist Race. He’s okay, I guess."

"Gee, t’anks Mayhem, I’m really flattered." Race grinned.

Dibbs raised an eyebrow at her. "Mayhem?!?" She sighed. "Dat’s a long story. Now, what about Blade?"

He made certain nobody was looking and pulled them into a quiet corner.

"I hoid from Tinker dat all hell broke loose aftah ya left! Remembah dat trick you an’ Archer toined t’ree weeks ago? He told Blade ya didn’t hand over all da loot but kept some, an’ when he wanted ta tell Blade about it, ya soaked ‘im."

Mayhem cursed. "Dat double-crossin’ bastard! I bet he kept de money himself!"

"Blade went ta Ace an’ wanted ta know wheah you’se gone, but Ace didn’t tell ‘im nothin’; an’ den Blade came back wid his gang and dere was a big fight.", Dibbs continued.

Her face went pale. "Is Trifle okay? An’ Mustang? An’ Leadpipe? An’ de others?"

"Yeah, dey’se all okay, but da joint was torn ta shreds, an’ dey had ta leave because some neighbor called da bulls! An’ Blade said when he finds ya he’ll make ya pay! He already came heah an’ asked if I’se seen ya!"

"Dibbs!" A fat man with a red face shouted angrily. "Yer not bein’ paid for chattin’ wid yer friends!"

"Comin’, Mr. Feeny!" Dibbs took Mayhem’s arm and looked at her, his eyes full of concern. "Promise me ya leave town as soon as possible, an’ don’t come back befoah next christmas!"

"Awright, I promise." Mayhem lied without hesitation. She had never in her life been away from New York and had no intention of leaving whatsoever, but it wouldn’t hurt to let people think she did.

"T’anks fer ev’rythin’ Dibbs, see ya next year!"

Before Dibbs could voice his doubts on her honesty she took Race by the hand and quickly left the stables. On their way to the stands she suddenly stopped him.

"Listen, if ya tell anyone about dis, I’ll crack ya head open! Me problems ain’t nobody’s business but mine, got it?"

Race realized that he should let Rambler know Mayhem was in danger, but he wasn’t keen on fighting with her, either. He decided to let it be for the moment.

"I won’t tell," he nodded. She relaxed visibly.

"Awright, let’s do some bettin’!"

~~~~~

After the races were over that day they went to a small diner nearby for something to eat. Apart from the disappointment of not finding Mustang anywhere, Mayhem had enjoyed herself splendidly that afternoon.

Race’s passion for betting exceeded her own, but they shared their immense fondness of the tracks and the atmosphere surrounding them. His remarks were funny and sarcastic, and she secretly took pleasure from the fact that she didn’t have to look up to him. He ain’t as gorgeous as Mustang, but he ain’t half as unnervin’ as I thought, eidah!

Fortune had smiled on them at the tracks, they had both made a little money with their bets. Mayhem decided to treat herself to a really big meal that night.

Race smirked when he saw her tear into the food. "Careful, if ya don’t slow down ya might eat da plate as well!"

She looked up, smiling at first, but suddenly all color drained from her face.

Race frowned. "Mayhem? Is ev’rythin’ awright?"

He followed her gaze, but couldn’t see anything out of the ordinary. A happy-looking couple had just entered the restaurant; they seemed to be quite taken with one another, judging by the time they took to explore each other’s tonsils.

When he looked back at her, Mayhem’s expression was like stone. As she spoke her voice sounded hollow.

"Let’s beat it."

"But ya didn’t even eat up!" he complained, wondering what had gotten into her.

"I’m not hungry anymore."

Race rolled his eyes at this poor excuse. "Aw, c’mon..."

She cut him off in mid-sentence. "Goddammit Race, I said let’s go now!" When he just stared at her, dumbfounded, she took her coat and dashed for the door.

She managed to get out without being noticed by Cherry and Mustang, the two of them were too engrossed by each other anyway. Race caught up with her after crossing the Brooklyn Bridge, panting.

"Next time ya want me ta pay da bill jist say so, okay?"

Mayhem ignored him and marched on. "Hey, hey, hey," he stepped into her way. "What da hell’s da mattah wid you?" He searched her face, but couldn’t detect any emotion. "Mayhem? May? Why can’t ya tell me what’s goin’ on?"

"Dere’s nothin’ goin’ on. Forget about it, okay?"

Great, now we got dat glare again. Yer doin’ a swell job at cheerin’ her up!

Race sighed. She had been so full of fun that afternoon; they’d had a great time, but now they were back to zero again. He decided to give it another try.

"Don’t ya wanna talk about it?"

Her face twisted with rage. "NO! Jist shut up and leave me alone!"

She stormed away and vanished into the nearest bar.

~~~~~

"Another one, an’ ferget about de ice."

The barkeeper resumed polishing his glasses, his eyes full of disapproval. "Look goil, it’s late. Don’t ya wanna go home soon? I think ya had enough."

She glared at him. "An’ I t’ink ya should stop t’inkin’ an’ get yer ass in motion!"

"How ‘bout ya stop bitchin’ an’ come wid me ta da lodging house?" Race’s voice rang out behind her.

He had returned to Manhattan by himself, sure that Mayhem would follow as soon as she had cooled her temper with a few drinks, but when time went by without her returning Rambler had sent him out to look for her. To his relief she didn’t appear to be mad at him anymore, even though that might be due to her advanced state of intoxication.

"No t’anks, I’ll stay heah and keep da party goin’."

Before she could reach the bottle of bourbon the barkeeper took it away quickly. He turned to Race.

"I’ll give ya a quarter if ya can get ‘er outta heah."

Race grinned. "Deal!"

~~~~~

The lobby was already empty and dark. Race started to make for the stairs, but Mayhem put up a struggle. "Hey Race, could ya gimme a light? I gotta have a last smoke befoah I tuck meself in!"

He sat down on a couch and fished a matchbox out of his pocket. When their heads pulled together over the flame their gazes locked. She felt as if she was drowning in his dark eyes. Why have I never noticed these eyes before?

Race cursed and blew out the match burning his fingers. To his surprise she took his hand in hers and kissed the fingertips lightly, then started caressing his cheek, tracing the line of his jawbone. His lips found hers in the darkness, and she embraced him tightly, longing for his touch. As their kiss increased in passion he pulled away.

"May, let’s go upstairs an’ sleep, okay? Yer upset an’ drunk, an’ ya wouldn’t do any a dis in ya normal condition."

Mayhem put her arms around him from behind, refusing to let him go. "Please don’t leave me alone tanight, Race."

The kisses she planted on his neck made his whole body tingle. "Are ya shoah about dis? Ya probably won’t remembah nothin’ tamorrow anyway," he whispered hoarsely.

She pulled him close again. "Ta hell wid tamorrow."

He didn’t argue with that.

~~~~~

"Mayhem! Why’se ya still in bed? Wake up!"

She stifled a groan and put her head under the pillow. Maybe the poking person would go away if she played dead long enough.

"Wake up, wake up, sleepyhead! Time ta sell da papes!"

Each word hit her head like a hammer. Someone pulled her blanket away.

"Ya’ll hafta share da washing room wid da guys if ya don’t get up soon!"

At that she slowly rose from the bed, holding her throbbing head with both hands. "Could ya pipe down a bit, please..."

The other girls snickered. "Soives ya right fer comin’ home stone drunk!", Sassy scolded and pushed her in the washing room direction. "Wash up, ya smell like a liquor store!"

Mayhem staggered to the pump and gulped down some water greedily, then put her head under the stream. Blink, Skittery and Mush entered the room, the latter being teased by the other two about something involving a girl.

"...den maybe ya should let me spend some time wid ‘er, I’se shoah she..." Blink checked himself, realizing they weren’t alone in the room. "Mornin’, Mayhem. Gee, ya look wasted!"

She glared at him with bloodshot eyes. "T’anks Blink, dat’s really uplifting!" As more and more boys began to stroll in she quickly retreated to the girls’ bunkroom.

That morning she practically snatched the coffee from a nun’s hand, hoping for it to clear her head. The fresh air gave Mayhem a slight feeling of nausea which slowly dissolved while she munched on the small piece of bread.

When she reached the distribution center Sparkles had already bought their forty newspapers. They set out for their usual selling spot.

"So, did ya have a nice time at da tracks yestaday?" Sparkles smiled. She was quite fond of Race; the possibility of him and Mayhem getting together filled her with glee.

Mayhem winced as the memory of yesterday’s events came back in a painful rush. Mustang and Cherry. Kissing, hugging, having the time of their lives, while she stood there like an idiot.

Well, ya shoah is de idiot! Bet he’s been cheatin’ on ya wid her fer weeks!

She grimaced at the thought.

Sparkles looked at her, puzzled. Mayhem realized she hadn’t answered her question.

"T’was okay. Hey, what about you an’ Bumlets? He protect ya from anythin’?" she tried to divert Sparkles’ attention.

The other girl started to beam. "Ain’t he jist sweet? Oh Mayhem, we had da most wonderful time yestaday!"

Sparkles took her hand in excitement, eyes glimmering. "I t’ink he’s gonna ask me ta go wid him ta de dance!" Mayhem frowned. "What dance?"

"Gee, wheah do ya spend ya life, on da moon?" Sparkles stared at her in disbelief. "Da dance next saturday, a course! Valentine’s Day!"

"Remembah ta keep Valentine’s Day free, Jet, I’se got a surprise for ya!"

Mustang’s image haunted her thoughts again. He had asked her to be his date for that particular night. Some surprise! He probably jist wanted ta tell ya he’s ditchin’ ya fer Cherry. She gritted her teeth.

"Mayhem?"

Her head snapped up. "What?"

"Is ev’rythin’ awright?" Sparkles sounded genuinely concerned.

She shrugged. "Shoah, I’se fine. Bit of a hangovah. Now let’s sell dem papes."

~~~~~

In front of Tibby’s they met Mush, Blink and Race. Mayhem felt uneasy when she looked into the gambler’s eyes.

She had only a vague recollection of how she had gotten back to the lodging house and what had happened after that, but she did remember clearly how she had shouted at Race, and the hurt look on his face. The image triggered a twang of remorse in her conscience. After all she had really enjoyed the afternoon with him, and her bad luck in love was in no way his fault.

She decided to settle the matter right then and there.

"Um, Race, can I talk to ya fer a second?"

He tried to look calm. "Shoah. See ya in a minute, guys."

Blink and Sparkles exchanged meaningful glances before disappearing inside. Mush, not getting anything and feeling quite left out, trodded behind.

"I jist wanted ta tell ya, uh, I feel sorry ‘bout what happened yesterday."

Race’s heart sank. He’d expected her to say something like this, but part of him had still hoped she would not regard last night as just a mistake.

She tried to meet his eyes, but without success. Damn, he’s still mad at ya. Say somethin’ nice!

"Bein’ wid ya at Coney Island was really fun."

...but I just like ya as a friend." , Race finished the sentence in his mind. He had heard that line so often he should be used to it by now, but it still hurt.

Mayhem failed at reading his expression. "Are ya angry wid me?"

"No, a course not. Why should I?" he mumbled and searched his pockets for a cigar. "C’mon, lets’s go in an’ have sumpthin’ ta eat."

She could tell there was still something wrong, but couldn’t put her finger on it. Boys. Mayhem sighed and followed him into the restaurant.

~~~~~

"Awright, listen up ev’ryone!"

In a split second Rambler had all the newsies’ attention, their dinner forgotten. He didn’t make announcements like this very often, they were curious to know what was going on.

"Da Brooklyn newsies got a new leader. Hatchet-face resigned and some a dem fought for da territory."

This was spectacular news. Everyone broke out in a squabble. Rambler had to shout to make himself audible.

"No, I haven’t met him yet, dat’s why he’s comin’ over wid some a his guys fer a poker game tanight." If possible, everyone discussed even louder after this.

"So," Rambler was positively hollering now, "I want all a youse on ya best behavior, an’ ya might start straightenin’ up da rooms a bit!"

"Oh, dis is so exciting!" Velvet beamed as all the newsies left Tibby’s for the lodging house. "What on earth am I gonna wear tanight?"

"Ya don’t even know what dey look like," Mayhem frowned. Velvet’s enthusiasm over boys reminded her painfully of Trifle.

"I’se shoah none a dem’s as handsome as Rambler!" Tate said confidently.

The other girls grinned knowingly. Her infatuation with the charismatic leader seemed to have begun the day she and Eggs had joined the newsies, but he was just as friendly and charming to her as he was to all the other newsgirls. If dating, Rambler made a point of taking out girls he had met in town, much to Tate’s disappointment.

~~~~~

Everyone waited anxiously for the guests to arrive.

As the five Brooklynites entered the room, Mayhem gasped.

"See! I knew dey was gonna be cute! My, ain’t dat short one a looker!" Velvet whispered into her ear, misinterpreting her surprise.

Some of the guys had already met the foreign newsies. Rambler, being the gentleman he was by nature, introduced the new leader to the girls first.

"And these are our lovely goils; Sassy an’ Cheater, Lady, Twiddles, Velvet, Tate, Sparkles an’ Mayhem. Ladies, meet Spot Conlon."

Spot kissed each of the girls’ hands, causing them to blush and giggle. Mayhem wished she could disappear into thin air when he turned towards her. He smirked at her obvious uneasiness.

"Pleased ta meet ya, Mayhem." Nothing in his outward appearance gave away his recognition, apart from his bright blue eyes dancing mischievously.

Race had watched the encounter with eagle eyes, trying to estimate the effect Spot had on her. Somehow he couldn’t get rid of the feeling that they knew each other. Jealousy started to nag on him.

Spot turned to Sparkles. "Would ya give me da honor of ya company tanight, sweetface?" She blushed, nodding before she was aware of it. Spot Conlon wasn’t a guy to reject easily. But when she saw the look on Bumlets’ face a painful knot tied in her stomach.

Rambler saw her troubled face. He was aware of everything going on in his little group, but he’d learned not to interfere, especially in matters of love. Sparkles and Bumlets would have to deal with it by themselves.

"Let’s start playin’."

~~~~~

During the poker game Spot had insisted Sparkles should sit right next to him, much to her dismay, whereas Mayhem had chosen a place as far away from him as possible. However, this did not prevent Spot from smirking at her in a very disconcerting manner.

In a short break from the game he sauntered towards her. "How ‘bout we go outside fer awhile, Powell." All hope that he would just let sleeping dogs lie vanished in a puff. Mayhem sighed and followed him.

"I thought ya left da state." This sounded all too familiar. She didn’t respond.

"Ya do realize dat Blade ain’t jist gonna let ya apologize and den walk away if he finds out, don’t ya?"

Awright, dis is da time fer beggin’. She hated to grovel, especially in front of him, but if he told Blade about her she was dead meat.

"C’mon, Conlon, ya wouldn’t squeal on me, would ya? I mean, we’se such good friends an’ all..." That stretched the truth a great deal, but she was determined to give it a try.

He hadn’t forgotten how often she had teased him about his profession while he dated her sister. Now was the time to pay her back.

"So, Powell, do ya like bein’ a newsie?" She shrugged.

"It’s okay."

Spot smirked. "Ya know, I’se hoid people say dey’d radder eat doit dan peddle papes, can ya believe dat?"

"Why would anyone say somethin’ stupid as dat?" Her voice was dripping with sarcasm, but she blushed slightly at the memory of her former attitude. It seemed really immature now.

"Yeah, dat’s what I thought as well. Now what do ya t’ink is da greatest job of all?"

Mayhem glared at him. "Hawkin’ headlines."

"An’ who’s da most powahful, most famous an’ best lookin’ newsie of dem all?"

"Not ta mention da most conceited," she muttered under her breath.

"Speak up, I can’t hear ya!"

She shot him a deadly look. "Spot Conlon."

"Right." He grinned with satisfaction. "An’ don’t ya ferget dat!"

Or else... The implied threat hung in the air.

Race appeared in the doorway. "We’d like ta get on wid da game now, if ya don’t mind, Spot."

Spot raised an eyebrow at the lack of respect ringing in his voice. "Ya can start widout us, I t’ink we’se gonna enjoy da night air fer another minute."

Race didn’t move. "He bodderin’ ya, May?"

"Say Powell, ya gots yaself a knight in shinin’ armor since I last met ya!" Spot smirked. "Ya seem ta ferget Mustang real quick. No wonder he let Cherry comfort him."

Race saw pain flicker in Mayhem’s eyes and red anger shot through his veins. Who does he t’ink he is, anyway?

Spot strolled to the door. "Better watch it, pal, wid her ya might get more dan ya bargained for."

"Mind yer own business!" Race snapped. He never saw the fist coming; a second later he sat on the floor, wondering what had happened. His left eye began to swell close.

"Believe me, you’se da last poison ta tell me what’s my business and what ain’t," Spot said coldly and went inside.

Mayhem squatted by his side. "Jesus Race, it ain’t healthy ta have a big mouth around Spot Conlon."

"Tell me about it." He touched his eye and winced. She looked at him with mild pity. "Feel like pokah?"

Race managed a mock glare. "Me, feel like pokah? Who do ya t’ink you’se talkin’ to?"

She grinned. "Thought so. C’mon, Lionheart." He was glad it was dark already, so she couldn’t see him blush.

~~~~~

After Spot and his companions had left Mayhem helped the others to clean up the lobby. When she walked upstairs she noticed a huddled figure hiding in a corner. To her amazement it turned out to be Sparkles, crying in silence.

"Sparkles? What’s da mattah?" Mayhem asked, deeply disturbed by the unusual misery in the other girl’s face. "Are ya hoit?"

Sparkles shook her head, but didn’t cease her quiet weeping.

"Tell me what’s wrong. Did Spot say somethin’ mean to ya?" Mayhem made up her mind to soak him if he had, Conlon temper or not. But Sparkles shook her head again.

"Den what’s da problem? C’mon, I won’t tell nobody about it." She sat down and put her arm around Sparkles’ shoulder.

"S-S-Spot..."

Mayhem tensed. "What about ‘im? He been takin’ liberties?"

"He k-kissed me."

"Oh." Mayhem sighed with relief. She hadn’t really expected anything worse from Spot, at least not on the first date. But to her amazement Sparkles seemed to be offended. Mayhem knew Sparkles had her eyes on Bumlets, but she also knew that few girls would object being kissed by Spot Conlon, no matter what the circumstances.

You wouldn’t mind, eidah. She pushed the unwanted thought away.

"So, ya didn’t like it?"

Sparkles blushed, her face still wet. "It was nice."

"So?" Mayhem was utterly confused now.

Sparkles started to whimper. "B-B-Bumlets saw us!"

Now it dawned on Mayhem. "Oh, I see."

"I tried ta talk to him an’ tell him I didn’t want ta kiss Spot, an’ dat dere’s nothin’ between us, an’ dat I like him, but he wouldn’t even hear me out. Oh May, what am I gonna do? He never wants ta see me again!" Sparkles wept in despair.

Mayhem tried to comfort her as best as she could, stroking her back and muttering reassuring words, but Sparkles was crushed. Only with a lot of effort Mayhem succeeded in coaxing her to the bunkroom, but she seemed to hear Sparkles’ stifled sobs all night through.

Neither of them was in good spirits the next morning. Without her usual liveliness Sparkles seemed frail and weak, and all attempts by Mayhem to cheer her up failed.

Despite their miserable appearance selling didn’t go well, either. By noon they were glad to have made enough money for a meager lunch at Tibby’s.

~~~~~~

In the evening almost everyone gathered in the lodging house’s lobby, playing cards or dice, or just chatting. Some of the boys practiced new dancing steps in anticipation of the Valentine’s dance. Mayhem watched Sparkles sit in a corner, positively pining.

A vague idea formed in her mind, but to pull it off, she’d need help. To take Sparkles with her was out of the question, and she was reluctant to ask Race. He’d been rather distant lately, and she wondered if he was still mad at her. But Race was the one person who already knew most of her background, even if only by accident, and she wasn’t keen on spreading her private life any further. She decided to give it a try.

"Race, could I talk to ya fer a moment?"

He looked up in surprise. "Shoa. Be right back, folks."

Many eyes followed them as they went outside.