Dedicated to Mrs.Fuentes

"You're so ugly, freak!" I curl in as the rich girls kick me. I know i'm not rich, but doesn't give them the right to yell at me. I hid my face so they wouldn't see the tears.

"You are so fat, no guy will ever want you, you're worthless!" More tears fell from my eyes. I had curves, it wasn't fat.

"Hey, Leave her alone!" They turned and saw Spot Conlon, leader of the Brooklyn newsies. "Get out of here!"

One of the girls comes up behind him and whispers, "I can make you feel good, just give me a call." I snort. Spot is a womanizer, but that girl is a slut.

"Come to yell at me for getting in trouble?" I worked with Spot as a newsie, my brother his second-in-command.

"Laura, are you okay?" I am surprised to hear concern in his voice. "I am fine Spot, I am 17 years old, Im not a baby." I feel tears threatening to spill and I turn away.

A shudder runs through my 5'5" frame, and I begin to cry. "Spot, Its true, isnt it? I really am a freak, fat, ugly, and all those other things." He walks over and pulls me into an unexpected embrace.

"No, no they are not true. You are beautiful. Your eyes are rich and dark, like chocolate. Your hair is so long and soft, so dark, but blonde too. Its wonderful. You are so shy sometimes."

He looks down at me with a soft expression. "You are so outgoing around us, you treat us like brothers. You love to tease, and you are so sarcastic. You are absolutely beautiful."

I look up at him, my eyes wide. "How are you saying this Spot? You and I are like rivals, or frenemies! How in the world could you sit here and say I am beautiful?"

He leans down and pecks my cheek. "I think I have been in love with you for quite some time, Laura." I look up at him and see nothing but sincerity.

"You won't hurt me, will you?" He laughs and puts his arm around my waist. "Why would I hurt you, when I want to keep you by my side?"

For the first time today, I smile. "Okay." He takes my hand and leads me back to the lodging house, kissing the top of my head and whispering "I love you, mi amor, my dear sweet Laura."

(I literally did this during English Class!) :)