Many eyes followed them as they went outside.

"Man, Race must be really hooked if she can make him leave a game a pokah dat easy," Blink said, smirking. "Bet dey’se gonna be tagetha by Valentine’s Day!"

Tate frowned. "Dat might be da case wid him, but I’se not so shoah about Mayhem."

"Well, I’se hoid her talk in her sleep, an’ it’s coitainly Race she dreams about." Cheater smiled knowingly. The others looked up, their interest sparked. "What does she say, Cheats?"

Sassy saw how much her sister enjoyed the attention and rolled her eyes. "Don’t listen to her, she’s jist makin’ it up ta feel important."

"I am not!" Cheater squealed, her dignity endangered. "When Mayhem dreams she talks about some mustang all da time!"

Skittery didn’t get it. "What’s dat gotta do wid Race?"

"Can’t ya see it? Mustang, horses, Racetrack!" Cheater said triumphantly. Sassy groaned. "Oh, c’mon..."

Jack grinned ferally. "If she’d dream ‘bout Race, don’t ya t’ink she’d radder call him stallion er sumpthin’?" Everybody laughed and Cheater started pouting because no one took her seriously.

~~~~~

"So, what do ya want?" Race lit a cigar and looked at Mayhem curiously.

She decided to get straight to the point. "I wanna go to me old place an’ I need ya ta back me up."

He stared at her in disbelief. "Ya shoah dat’s a smart idea? I mean, don’t dis Blade character wanna kill ya er sumpthin’?"

"As long as ya look out, we should be fine. Blade won’t t’ink I’ll go back dere, ‘cause de udders moved out anyway."

Mayhem tried to radiate confidence, but Race didn’t look convinced yet. "Why do ya wanna go back?"

"I wanna get sumthin’ I left behind, for Sparkles. So, are ya gonna come wid me or not?"

Race sighed. Why do I feel like I’m gonna regret dis?

"Any chance ya’ll ferget about it if I say no?"

The look on her face was answer enough. "Awright, I’ll come."

They headed southeast. Race was relieved they weren’t crossing Brooklyn territory on their way, but he wasn’t very comfortable about going to Queens, either, since he was fairly unfamiliar with the area.

After what seemed hours Mayhem turned to him, her face serious. "Awright, we’se almost dere. Keep ya mouth shut now."

He followed her through dark streets and small alleys until she suddenly stopped in front of an old warehouse.

"I’se goin’ in alone, ya’ll keep an eye on da surroundings. If ya see or hear anythin’ warn me wid a whistle, an’ den meet me at Queensboro Bridge," she whispered into his ear.

Before he could answer anything she had vanished. Race looked around nervously. He suddenly realized that he had no idea where exactly he was, let alone how to get to the bridge without Mayhem. The thought of being lost in Queens in the middle of the night made him break out in a cold sweat.

He had the weird feeling of being watched, but couldn’t see anything in the darkness. A sound made him flinch.

When someone hit him on the head, Race collapsed onto the ground like a ton of bricks.

~~~~~

Mayhem had just wanted to get the ice-skates and then leave immediately, but the sight of the devastated room made her forget her hurry. Everything seemed to be destroyed. The windows were smashed, of the table and the chairs only splinters were left, the halfblind mirror Ace had organized for the girls was shattered into a million pieces, several slashed pillows had covered everything with feathers.

This old shack had been her home for more than five years, since she and Trifle had joined Ace’s gang. As the memories overwhelmed her tears started to burn in her eyes, but she fought them back with all her might, not wanting Race to see her weakness. At least she knew all her friends were unharmed and safe. With a sigh she turned to look for the ice-skates.

They were in the same corner she and Trifle had always kept them. Apparently the others had left in such a hurry that Trifle had forgotten about taking them with her, just as she had thought. Mayhem grabbed them and made for the door.

A hand closed over her mouth and she was pulled backwards.

She struggled to turn around and face her attacker, then almost fainted with relief.

"Goddammit, Leadpipe, ya scared me half ta death!" she cried and embraced him tightly. He grinned, then looked at her sternly.

She cringed under his scolding gaze. "Yeah, I know I shouldn’t be heah, but I missed ya doity face." Then something crossed her mind. "Damn, what happened ta Race?"

~~~~~

"Race! Hey, Race!"

He came to slowly as someone slapped his cheeks. "Wha..."

"C’mon Race, dis alley ain’t da most comfortable place in da woild. Let’s get back ta da lodging house!"

His eyes fluttered open. "What happened? A train hit me?"

Mayhem grinned bashfully. "Nah, dat was jist a friend a mine. He thought you’se one a Blade’s guys lookin’ fer me."

She helped him sit up while he rubbed an enormous bump which had formed at the back of his head.

"One a yer friends? Gee, Mayhem, why do ya worry about Blade when ya got friends like him?"

She snorted. "I’m glad you’re yer ol’ gracious self again!" Then she pulled him to his feet.

"Race, I’d like ya ta meet Leadpipe. Leads, dis is Racetrack Higgins, he’s usually not da pain in de ass he seems ta be right now."

"I’m sorry, bein’ clubbed unconscious ain’t exactly my idea of fun!" Race grumbled, but spat into his hand and held it out to the tall boy. Leads grinned apologetically and accepted it. The three of them set out for Manhattan.

"He didn’t use a club, he used a leadpipe, hence da name. He’s a real professional at it, too!" Mayhem beamed with pride. "He whacks dem only so much to knock ‘em out, but never hard enough to kill ‘em!"

"Oh, dat’s comfortin’," Race frowned. "He don’t really like ta talk, does he?"

She shrugged. "He don’t talk at all."

"Is he dumb? Um, I mean mute?" Race checked himself quickly.

Mayhem glared at him. "No, he jist don’t talk. An’ don’t act like he can’t hear ya, ‘cuz he can!" Race ducked his head.

"Awright, I didn’t wanna offend nobody. Jesus, yer touchy sometimes!"

They had reached Queensboro Bridge. Leadpipe made no motion of going any further. Mayhem looked at him with a hint of sadness in her eyes. "I guess dis means goodbye."

She hugged him. "Will ya look aftah Trifle fer me, Leads? I know she t’inks she can look out fer herself, but she’s a bit... thoughtless sometimes."

Race snorted. "Seems ta run in da family."

Mayhem ignored him. "An’ maybe in a few months ya can tell ‘er dat she can find me in da Newsboys Lodging House on Duane Street, Manhattan."

Leadpipe nodded, then motioned towards the bridge. Race and Mayhem started to walk again. When she looked back for a last time, he was gone.

Mayhem hadn’t realized how long they had been away; when they got back to the lodging house the lobby was dark and empty again.

They climbed the stairs in silence. At the door to the boys’ bunkroom Mayhem stopped.

"Thanks fer comin’ wid me, Race."

He rubbed his bump. "Mayhem, if ya ever need help again..."

"Yeah?"

"Do me a favah an’ ask someone else."

She grinned and went to bed.

~~~~~

"C’mon Sparkles, move it! I wanna get dere befoah noon, ya know!"

Sparkles tagged along behind. "Why’se we goin’ dis way? Dat ain’t de right direction fer our sellin’ spot."

"’Cuz we’se goin’ ta Central Park taday." Mayhem kept up her speed.

Sparkles’ eyes widened. "But we can’t! Bumlets will be dere!"

"Yeah, an’ maybe a thousand udder people too," Mayhem snorted. "Central Park’s big enough fer all of us, an’ if we gotta sell dem lousy papes, I t’ink we should at least have a little fun while we’re at it!"

They had reached the lake. Many people were on the ice, skating and gliding, drinking hot chocolate or punch. Mayhem basked in the atmosphere. Jist like old times.

Sparkles let out a cry of surprise when she saw what Mayhem had brought with her in a bag. "Ice-skates! Wheah on earth didya get dem?"

Mayhem started to tie hers on her shoes. "Dey’s me an’ my sistah’s. We used ta skate all da time."

When Sparkles had some difficulties fastening hers, Mayhem helped her. "Dere ya go."

Sparkles smiled and started to wobble towards the ice. Mayhem took their stash of papers and followed her.

"Taday we can’t do da pity routine, I don’t t’ink people would buy it if we glide around on ice-skates!" Sparkles remarked smirking. Mayhem grinned. It felt so good to see her friend alive again. "So what are we gonna do?"

"We’se gonna improve da headlines." Sparkles started to explain the concept. Mayhem grasped it very quickly. Whereas whining was not one of her strong points, she had no trouble whatsoever with lying.

Today they had no problems selling their papers. The people on the ice were cheerful and enjoyed themselves, and many bought a paper just for the sight of a skating newsie. At first Sparkles was not very steady on her feet, but she slowly got the knack of it. Mayhem whirled around like a hurricane. They sold all their papers long before noon and just skated around for fun afterwards.

For lunch they bought themselves hot sausages and some rolls from a street vendor. Afterwards they slowly made their way back to the distribution office to get the afternoon edition.

"I nevah thought it ‘d be so much fun!" Sparkles exclaimed, her cheeks flushed by the cold.

Mayhem’s satisfied grin died suddenly as she watched Sparkles’ face change from delight to despair. She turned to see Bumlets stand in line with Jake and Skittery.

~~~~~

Since business had gone so well on the lake Mayhem made Sparkles buy a few more than their usual amount of papers.

They did manage to sell almost all of them as the day waned, even though Sparkles wasn’t really of much help; the sight of Bumlets had once more stolen all her sprite. Her miserable face ruined Mayhem’s pleasure as well; when they had only two papers left she suggested going home and Sparkles consented readily.

"Did ya at least have some fun taday?" Mayhem asked, worried her and Race’s excursion the night before had been in vain after all.

"A course I did," Sparkles turned to her with a wan smile. Not watching her step, she slipped and bumped against a girl, taking her down with her.

"Can’t you watch where you’re going?" the girl snapped very unladylike; her two companions helped her up.

Sparkles blushed and stood unsteadily. "I’se sorry Miss, I didn’t mean no harm!"

The girl wasn’t to be calmed that easily. "Do you have any idea how expensive this coat was? My father had it imported from France!" she fumed.

Mayhem regarded her coldly. "She awready told ya she’s sorry. ‘Sides, she’s a beginnah, anyone wid eyes can see dat!"

The snobbish girl wrinkled her nose. "I don’t think common street trash should be allowed around here."

Mayhem had been called worse names, but when she saw Sparkles hang her head in shame her temper rose.

"Ya gonna take dat back, sugar butt, or I’ll spoil ya looks!"

"Let’s go Amanda, the Montgomerys await us for tea." One of the snob’s friend tucked her sleeve.

"You’re right, Sandy, I couldn’t bear to miss it because I wasted my time over these strays."

Amanda stuck up her nose, took both her companion’s arms and started leaving the ice. When she passed by Sparkles, Amanda gave her a push, tripping her on purpose.

Mayhem itched to run after her, but when she heard Sparkles cry out in pain she couldn’t leave her alone without checking what was wrong.

"Sparkles, whatsa mattah? Dat lousy slut hoit ya?"

Sparkles grimaced. "I t’ink me ankle’s twisted."

Mayhem untied the ice-skates and helped her stand up.

"Can ya walk?" Sparkles tried to put weight on her left foot and gasped with agony, her face turning a ghastly shade of grey. Mayhem quickly helped her sit down on a nearby bench.

"Sparkles, I gotta go an’ get help, ya t’ink ya’ll be awright heah on ya own?" she asked, seriously worried. The sun had already set, soon the park would be pitch-dark.

The other girl smiled. "A course I will, jist hurry."

"I’ll be back in no time!" Mayhem was relieved to see the color come back into Sparkles’ cheeks.

She sped through the park. When she glimpsed a familiar figure shouting out headlines she almost whooped with joy. Bumlets! Oh, dis is too good ta be true! She ran towards him.

"Bumlets! Ya gotta come an’ help me! Sparkles..."

"What happened ta Sparkles? She awright?"

As Mayhem saw the honest concern in his eyes, she decided to really sell it.

"Some stupid snob pushed her, an’ she fell really bad," she wailed, trying to look on the verge of tears, as Sparkles had done so often. "I t’ink she broke her ankle!"

Bumlets turned pale. "Wheah is she now?"

"Ovah at da lake, on da bench next ta de man sellin’ sausages. Can ya watch her while I go get some a de udders?"

He was already on his way. Mayhem grinned and slowly walked on. When she was about to leave Central Park someone called out her name. She smiled as she saw Crutchy hobbling towards her. "Hi Crutchy."

"Heya Mayhem. Wheah’s Sparkles?"

"Wid any luck she’s in de arms of Prince Charmin’ by now. C’mon Crutchy, I’ll buy ya dinner. Dis is a time fer celebration!"

~~~~~

Mayhem was in the middle of a game of poker when Bumlets walked in, carrying Sparkles.

"Goddammit, Mayhem, we waited ovah two hours for ya! Wheah ya been?", Bumlets boomed as everyone crowded around them, curious looks on their faces.

Mayhem smacked her head. "Damn, I knew I forgot sumpthin’!" She smirked. "Oh well, ya two seem ta have managed on ya own."

Bumlets glared at her, but Sparkles put a hand on his arm soothingly. "It’s awright, at least we’se heah now. Would ya help me go ta de bunkroom?"

"Shoah." He swept her into his arms and started to carry her towards the stairs.

Feeling everyone’s eyes on her, Sparkles blushed. "I can walk on me own, Bumlets!" she hissed into his ear.

"No ya can’t," he decided. They vanished upstairs.

Everyone stared after them, baffled. Blink started to grin. "Nice goin’, May!"

"Who, me? I didn’t do anythin’!" She looked as innocent as a newborn puppy.

"Yeah, shoah, an’ Race ain’t got no gamblin’ problem!" Jack laughed. Mayhem shrugged. "Let’s get on wid da game, okay?"

"No, you are going ta bed now, all of you!" Kloppman had entered the room and started to put out the lamps. "You got papes ta sell tomorrow!"

They obeyed him, grumbling.

On their way to the bunkroom Race held Jack back. "Whadda ya mean, a gamblin’ problem?" Jack smirked and pulled him inside.

~~~~~

"Oh, ya can’t imagine how sweet he was! Jist like a gentleman!" Sparkles, sitting on her bed, said dreamily.

Kloppman had made her stay in the lodging house that day, so she filled in the other girls with the details of yesterday’s events during their lunchbreak. They all sat on their bunks cozily, in no hurry to go out again because the weather had turned and a slight snow had begun to fall.

"He ask ya ta de dance?" Cheater asked curiously. Sparkles beamed. "Yes he did! I hope me ankle’s gonna be awright den, I can’t wait ta dance wid him!"

"Watcha gonna wear?" Velvet was eager to know.

Sparkles started to explain in detail her plans for her dress that night. Mayhem sighed inwardly. She had heard everything about Sparkles and Bumlets the night before already, and she was really bored by the girls’ endless babbling over the dance on Valentine’s Day.

She wouldn’t have minded if the holiday would have been canceled that year. No Valentine’s Day was better than Valentine’s Day with Mustang and Cherry in it.

Goddammit, yer ovah dat suckah now! Stop thinkin’ about him!

Lost in thought she missed what Sparkles said to her. "Huh?"

"I said do ya want me ta lend ya a dress fer Saturday?"

Mayhem shook her head. "No t’anks, I don’t t’ink I’ll go ta de dance." The other girls cried out in disbelief.

"But it’s Valentine’s Day!" Cheater was truly shocked. "Don’t ya wanna go out wid one a de guys on a romantic date?"

Mayhem snorted. "Romance is crap. Only fools believe in it." Yeah, an’ ya used ta be one a dem! She shrugged the thought off.

Sassy looked at her, smirking. "I t’ink ya only say dat ‘cuz no one’s asked ya out yet!"

That remark stung, because it was partly true. Why hadn’t one of the boys asked her out? She was the only one of the girls left without a date, even Twiddles had been asked by Boots to go with him to the dance, much to all the newsies’ amusement.

Maybe Race would ask her. She wouldn’t mind going with him. Not at all.

"It’s not jist Valentine’s Day, it’s Rambler’s farewell party too, ‘cuz he starts his new job next month. Ya can’t miss dat!", Tate tried to reason.

"C’mon Mayhem, ya gotta come," Sparkles begged. "It wouldn’t be fun widout ya!"

"I’ll t’ink about it." She refused to discuss the matter any further.

~~~~~

"So Race, when are ya gonna ask Mayhem ta go wid ya ta de dance?" Bumlets asked over lunch at Tibby’s.

Race looked at him, uncomfortable. "Why should I ask her?"

"Well, ya two seem ta get along real good..." Skittery let the insinuation hang in the air.

Race shook his head. "Nah, we’se jist friends." Mush frowned. "How do ya know she don’t like ya?"

Cuz she told me so herself. "I jist do."

"An’ do you like her?" Blink asked, curious.

What difference does it make? "Like I told ya, we’se jist friends," Race grumbled. "Sides, since she arrived I seem ta get soaked every day. I don’t t’ink my body could handle any closer contact."

The other boys snickered.

~~~~~

Once Sparkles wasn’t with her anymore Mayhem realized how much having a partner helped business. She strained herself to sell all of her newspapers, because now she had to support Sparkles as well. Mayhem was quite sure Rambler wouldn’t let any of them starve if she failed to bring home enough money, but she liked to be independent of others if she could help it.

When she finally sold her last paper it was already late in the evening. As she entered the lobby the newsies sat around moodily, all cheerfulness wiped from their faces.

"What da hell’s da mattah wid ev’rybody?" Mayhem asked as she joined Sassy, Egghead, Cheats and Pie Eater on the couch.

"Da dance on saturday’s been called off," Sassy answered. "It was gonna take place at Irving Hall, ‘cause Jack knows da owner, but she had ta leave town yesterday ‘cause one of her relatives in Albany got sick."

"Oh." Mayhem tried to look sympathetic, but failed. Cheater glared at her. "Now ya got ya wish, ya happy?"

Sassy raised her eyebrows. "Cheats, dat ain’t fair! It ain’t Mayhem’s fault we ain’t got no place ta t’row da party."

"Is a location all ya need?"

"Yes!" Tate, who had overheard them, looked intently at Mayhem. "Do ya know one we could use?"

She shrugged. "I know da owner of a bar, but ya wouldn’t wanna go dere."

"Why not?" Pie Eater asked. By now all the newsies had gathered around them, hope glimmering in their eyes.

"Cuz it’s in Five Points." Everyone gasped.

"But... can’t we do it anyway?" Cheater asked timidly.

Rambler looked serious. "No way! It’s too dangerous! I wouldn’t let any a you go dere; jist t’ink a de little ones!"

"But Rambler, we ain’t got no choice!" Velvet pleaded.

"Yes we do have a choice, we’ll jist ferget about da whole t’ing!" Rambler barked, his jaw set.

"What if we always go in big groups, so we can watch out for each other?" Egghead suggested. Tate nodded.

"Yeah, ya don’t honestly t’ink we’d be as stupid as ta walk alone in dat district, do ya?"

"An’ a course we’ll look especially aftah de ladies!", Bumlets added, causing Sparkles to beam at him.

Rambler was losing his ground. "An’ what about da little one’s?"

"Maybe I could look after them." Kloppman startled them all by speaking up.

Lady gazed at him with loving eyes. "Oh Kloppy, would you do that for us?"

He smiled kindly. "Well, it’s a special occasion, isn’t it? I wouldn’t want anything to spoil your fun!" The newsies cheered.

"Ya ferget we don’t know if we really get da joint!" Rambler shouted over the noise. Mayhem smirked. "Awright, den I’d bettah hurry ta Five Points!"

He blocked her way. "Not alone ya don’t!" He looked around and randomly chose one of the newsies.

"Blink, ya go wid her! An’ don’t ya two dare get in trouble, ya hear me?"

Blink grinned as Mayhem pulled him towards the door.

"Off we go ta our noble quest, ta conquer or ta die for da cause!", he shouted dramatically before vanishing outside.

~~~~~

"So ya see, Ernie, lettin’ us t’row da party heah is gonna make ya profits explode!", Mayhem concluded and leaned back on her bar stool. Ernie wasn’t quite convinced yet.

"I don’t know, Jet...dere’s still da band ta pay for. Ya shoah ya friends is gonna keep da bar busy?"

"A course dey is!" She looked at Blink for support. He was gazing longingly at the crowded dancefloor until she nudged him in the sides. "Ya could lend me a hand heah!"

"Huh? Oh yeah, I agree wid her on ... whatevah she said."

Mayhem sighed inwardly and wished Race had come with her. With his help she could have persuaded Ernie in no time.

"So can I tell my friends ya’ll host da dance?" She gave him her saddest puppy-eyed look.

Ernie smirked. "Ya know I would nevah refuse ya wishes, yer highness."

"T’anks Ernie, yer da best!" She grinned with delight. "Now how ‘bout ya give me anuddah drink?"

His smiling face suddenly grew earnest. "Watch out Jet, it’s Blade!"

Mayhem looked around and turned pale when she saw Blade and some of his friends enter the bar. She started to make for the back door, but Ernie held her back.

"No, dat’s too obvious! Go hide on da dance floor!"

She grabbed Blink’s hand and ran into the farthest corner.

"Who is dat guy?" Blink asked curiously.

"Nevahmind, but he mustn’t see me!"

That was answer enough for Blink. He he twirled her around, enjoying himself tremendously.

Mayhem tried to catch glimpses of what Blade was doing without him getting aware of her. He was talking to Ernie while his companions scanned the surroundings. After awhile Blade strolled towards the dance floor and slowly made his way through the crowd in their direction.

To make the matter worse, the band had just reached the end of a song and stopped playing. Mayhem cursed and turned to Blink. "Quick, ya gotta help me! Create a divoision!"

Blink wracked his brain on what to do while she mingled with the people standing on the side, making for the band’s podium. He saw a pretty girl sitting at one of the tables, looking extremely bored, together with a handsome young man who apparently was her boyfriend. Blink did the first thing that popped into his mind.

"Geez, I t’ink me eyes is playin’ tricks on me! Lady, are ya real or an angel jist on leave from heaven?", he cried out and shielded his eyes, as if dazed by her appearance.

The girl blushed, but smiled at the compliment. Her date wasn’t pleased at all, and when Blink took both the girl’s hands and kissed them fervently, he jumped up from his chair.

"Get yer hands off me goil!"

"What!", Blink exclaimed, "Ya profane dis sparklin’ fairy, dis bloomin’ orchid, dis queen of da night by callin’ her a goil? If ya can’t see how special she is, maybe ya don’t desoive her!"

The other boy balled his fists. "Maybe you’d like ta lose some a yer teeth!" A crowd had gathered around them, eagerly anticipating a fight.

"Stop makin’ such a fuss, Billy, he was jist tryin’ ta be nice! I wish you’d say sumpthin’ half as romantic as dat once in a while!"

The girl stood up, taking Blink’s side.

He grinned with satisfaction and turned towards her. "Lady, ya would make me da happiest man on oith if ya’d consider givin’ me da next dance!"

She took one look at her boyfriend steaming with anger and smiled sweetly. "I’d love ta dance wid ya!"

Billy stepped into their way. "Lucy, if ya dance wid dat asshole we’se through! I don’t need no goil swoonin’ ovah other guys, no mattah how romantic dey is!"

Lucy looked at him coldly. "Well, I guess we’se through den. C’mon," she took Blink’s hand and pulled him towards the dance floor. Billy cursed and glared at Blink.

"Ya goil-stealin’ bastard!" He punched Blink hard in the face and stormed out of the bar. The crowd dispersed slowly.

"Are ya awright?", Lucy asked worriedly, while Blink sat on the floor holding his jaw. "Jist smile at me, sweet lady, an’ I’ll never feel pain again!" Realizing everybody else was gone, he got to his feet.

"Let’s dance."

Mayhem had watched Blade with eagle eyes, hiding behind the piano. When his search for her was unsuccessful he motioned his companions and left. She waited another ten minutes before she felt it was safe enough to go back to the bar.

"So, what did he say?" she tried to sound casual, but Ernie saw through her facade.

"He asked if I’se seen ya. Jet, he don’t believe ya left town, he’s gonna keep lookin’ fer ya! I’d say ya should take da chance an’ run while ya still can!" He tried to catch her eyes but she kept concentrating on disemboweling a slice of lemon.

"Goddammit Jet, why’se ya always so stubborn? Can’t ya listen ta one a yer friends once in awhile?"

"T’anks fer da drink Ernie, I gotta be goin’ now. See ya on saturday." She downed her tequila and stood up. On her way to the door she met Blink.

"May, yer not goin’ awready, is ya?"

She smiled at his obvious desire to stay. "Don’t worry, loverboy, I’ll find da way alone. An’ t’anks again fer da scene ya caused, it was quite a sight." He grinned sheepishly. "She’ll be my Valentine’s date."

"Good fer ya. Now don’t do what I’d do an’ be home by sunrise." She gave him a friendly clap on the shoulder and left.

~~~~~

When Mayhem entered the lobby she saw a small dot glowing in the darkness.

"Ya know, it’s pro’ly dem cigars dat stunned ya growth, Race," she smirked and sat down beside him on the staircase.

"An’ it’s pro’ly ya big mouth dat makes people wanna beat ya senseless, May," he gave back drily. "So, didya get da joint?"

She pulled out a cigarette and waited for him to give her a light. "Yeah, ya gonna have yer precious Valentine’s dance."

Race looked at her, baffled. "Whaddaya mean, yer precious dance? Ain’t ya gonna come?"

She shrugged. "Only if I get a date, an’ so far, no one’s asked."

"What?", Race cried out in mock amazement, "I thought ya had ta hide from all da love-struck morons wantin’ ta ask ya out!" He grinned and warded off her playful punches. Awright, it’s now or nevah.

"So," he tried to sound as uncommitted as possible, "how ‘bout we go ta de dance tagethah?" He saw her staring at him and quickly looked down to the ground.

"I mean, not like on a date, maybe more... friendly-like."

Mayhem frowned. That wasn’t what she’d had in mind at all.

The realization bothered her more than she wanted to admit. But she really wanted to go to the dance, and with Race she was guaranteed to have a good time. Maybe being just friends wasn’t all that bad.

Dat’s crap an’ ya know it. Ya don’t wanna be jist friends!

She sighed. "Okay."

Race grinned. "Swell! How ‘bout I pick ya up at eight? Den we can go ta de party wid de other loveboids."

"Yeah, shoah, whatever." She got up. "I’ll go ta sleep now. G’night Race."

"Night, May." Race frowned. Her lacking enthusiasm made him uncomfortable. Maybe he shouldn’t have asked her out, after all she had made it clear she didn’t want them to be more than friends.

But den why did she say yes?

Deeply confused he strolled into the boys’ bunkroom and prepared to go to bed.

~~~~~