A/n: So, in my devotions book, it said something about a snowstorm, which spawned this idea in my head.

It's a cautionary tale, of fear and lust and pride, based on actual events, where people died.
No one died.
Or do they...
(Sorry, reference. {Points to who gets it though})

There was an actual blizzard that happen in February of 1899, so yeah...

Let's get reading-

📰🖤📰

February 16th, 1899

"I guess I'se gotta go..." Spot said sadly.

"Y-yeah..." I frowned, "I'll see you again though, right?"

"Of course!" Spot nodded, "Look, (Y/n), I'se gotta tell ya somethin'."

"Y-yes?" I replied.

"(Y/n), I-"

February 12, 1899

So.

The entirety of Brooklyn (and the entirety of New York and America, for that matter), is in chaos.

And a bunch of Newsboys came in a few minutes ago.

So, now I'm surrounded by a bunch of boys. The only comfort being my younger sister and brother.

"(Y/n), come and help me get the food ready!" my mother called from the doorway of the kitchen. I got up, leaving my siblings in the midst of the rowdy boys.

So, let me explain real quick.
There was a big snowstorm that started last night, and my parents, being the kind souls they are, thought about the local newsboys, and how lots of them didn't have anywhere to sleep during the storm. And they offered to let some of them stay with us. And let me tell you, there are definitely more than 'some' here now. So far they haven't been too rowdy, but they haven't exactly acted the best either.

"Can you cut up those carrots for the soup?" my mother asked when I walked into the kitchen. I obliged, grabbing one of the aforementioned vegetables and a knife.

"Is there any way I'se can help too?" I heard from behind me. Turning my head towards the voice, I saw one of the newsboys standing there. He had dirty blonde hair, that looked as if he hadn't gotten a hair cut in at least six months, and piercing blue eyes that showed little emotion.

"Oh, yes! Thank you!" my mother nodded happily, "What's your name, dear?"

"Spot Conlon." he answered simply.

"Well, would you mind peeling potatoes, Spot?"

"Yes, ma'am. I can do dat." he nodded, grabbed a potato out of the sack and the peeler, and set to work beside me, holding the potato over the trash bin, so the peelings would fall into the bin. After a couple minutes of silence, a young newsboy came running into the kitchen.

"Mr. Conlon, Stripes won't share da marbles." the young boy huffed with a frown. Spot set down the potato and peeler, and crouched down to the boy's height.

"You tell 'im I said ta share, or else," he said, "'Kay, Jumper?"

"Yes, sir. Thank ya!" the boy smiled, and ran off.

"Wow," my mother said, "Those kids really respect you, don't they?"

"Yes, ma'am. I'm sorta der leada." Spot said. (A/n- Translation: "I'm sort of their leader.")

"That's neat," I commented. He nodded in reply and we all got back to work.

February 13, 1899

So, yeah. Nothing much else happened yesterday.

This morning was a bit hectic, but now several of the newsboys have gone out to sell papers. Spot Conlon, the littlest newsboys, and a few other boys stayed home today because of the cold.

I talked with Spot a bit this morning. He said he got someone else to sell newspapers for him, so he could stay and take care of the little 'newsies', as he had called them.

I was currently in my room, and decided to go out to sit in the living room and read for a bit.

"Hi, Miss (Y/n)!" one boy exclaimed from his spot on the floor. (A/n: Haha, spot...) All the boys were sitting on the ground playing marbles. Even Spot had gotten down there and was playing with them. It was a pretty cute sight to see, him playing marbles with a bunch of little boys.

I got distracted from my book when I sat down, and ended up watching their game instead. Spot almost always hit exactly where he wanted to, and he helped the little ones, and gave them tips. And you should've see the concentrated look on Spot's face when it was his turn. He was bent down, aiming, with his tongue peeking out of his mouth. And his adorable smirk when he hit his target with the marble.

Wait, wait, wait.

Adorable smirk?!

Nope, nope, nope.

I'm not getting a crush on him.

Nopeity, nope, nope, nope.

Either way, I then began to focus on reading my book, instead.

I was lost in the book until,

"What's dat?"

I looked up to see Spot sitting next to me, looking over my shoulder at my book.

"A book." I answered, not really thinking.

"Well, I'se know dat." Spot smirked.

"Oh, um it's 'The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood' by Howard Pyle," I replied, showing him the cover of the book. He hummed in response and nodded.

"Have you ever read it?" I asked, my head tilting to the side. He shook his head, looking a bit embarrassed.

"I don't know how ta read good 'nough..." he said, avoiding eye contact.

"I can help you," I offered with a smile.

"Really?"

"Yeah!"

February 14, 1899

So, I spent most of the rest of that day teaching Spot how to read better. He already knew a good bit, so that he could read the newspapers, but most of it was just using context clues to figure it out. We were now currently sitting on the couch, reading Robin Hood. He's definitely improved a massive amount. He still has his newsboy accent, but I don't know if he'll ever not have it. He's reading to me now, occasionally asking for help with a word. I love the sound his voice. I'm not sure why, but it's just so soothing...

"Will, let me tell thee, for there will be many a merry ballad sung about the cou-"

"I got a paper finally!" my dad exclaimed, entering the house. Soon the paper had been passed around to everyone, and Spot and I had it, reading it together.

Terrifying Blizzard Strikes the Country
Yesterday the nation was set into panic over snow falling at alarming rates. Several feet of snow were recorded. It was advised that everyone stay in there homes until it becomes a bit warmer, so that the-

My mother's voice interrupted our reading.

"Where is he?!?!"

"Who?" I asked my dad.

"James." he said my little two-year-old brother's name. We then heard a gasp, and my mother ran over to the door.

"Someone left the door slightly open! He must've went ou-"

She went deadly quiet after opening the door and looking out. My father went over, and after looking out the door, he rushed outside.

"W-what's happened?" I questioned my mother, sensing the impending dread. She ignored my question.

"Is he okay?" she instead asked my father, panic filling her voice.

That's when I saw it.

My dad carrying my little brother in his arms.

James was pale. He had snowflakes all over him. He seemed to be unconscious.

My dad laid James on the couch.

"Grab all the blankets and covers we have, quick!" Dad said, and we all rushed to do as told.

"I-is he gonna be okay...?" I sniffled, tears falling down my cheeks.

"We need a doctor." was all my father said.

Eventually one came out, even in the snow, and said that we would have to wait and see how things went, and that we needed to keep him extra warm.

We all sat in the living room, crying. Or at least all of my family. Spot held me as I cried into his shoulder.

My brother could die...

February 15, 1899

This morning I went to check on James. He still wasn't awake.

"I...I don't know what I'll do if he d-dies..." I said to Spot, trying not to cry.

"Hey, it's okay." he said, "Could we'se maybe read sum Robin Hood? It migh' take your mind offa it."

I nodded, and went to grab the aforementioned book. We both sat down on the couch. I looked out the window, seeing the slowly melting snow. It would be few days and Spot and the rest of the newsies would be back out selling papers. I probably would never see Spot again, since Brooklyn was a big place, and meeting someone more than once by chance wasn't likely.

Speaking of Spot, I wasn't quite sure how I felt towards him. I got this weird, bubbly feeling every time I was around him. It was strange...

"(Y/n)!" I heard Spot's voice and snapped out of my thoughts.

"Yes?"

"Your brother." was all he said, but I knew exactly what he meant. I jumped up off the couch and ran to James' room. There were my parents and my little sister standing around James' bed. I walked over, and they opened up a spot for me. There laid my little brother in his bed. He looked weak, but he was finally awake.

"Where are da newsies?" he squeaked out. We all laughed at the question.

"They're out selling newspapers, except for the little ones and Spot." my mother answered, still laughing a bit.

"Oh." was James' only reply.

March 16, 1899

When I woke up this morning, I went to the window to be met with a sad sight.

All the snow was mostly gone, which meant that the newsboys would be going back to their own lives. Spot too...

I-I think I may know what that feeling I have is when I'm around him is.

Love.

But I'm too young!!!

How am I supposed to deal with this?!?!

Either way, I got dressed and went to the kitchen to see if breakfast was ready. My mom was still cooking, so I helped her finish up.

"(Y/n), could you go wake everyone up?" she asked once the food was ready.

"Yes, Ma'am." I replied then went to my shared room. I tapped my sister on the shoulder, and she woke up.

"Breakfast is ready!" I smiled. She got out of bed, and I went to James' room that he was sharing with some of the newsboys. I opened the door, and saw the boys scattered all over the floor.

"Wake up!" I said, trying not to be too loud. None of them woke up. I decided to wake them up individually. I woke up James first. He complied and went to go get breakfast. The next closest was Spot. I knelt down beside him and tapped him on the shoulder. He grumbled, his face contorted with aggravation, and he swatted in front of him. It was actually kinda cute. I tapped him a little harder and he gave the same reaction, only much harsher. I decided on a different approach.

"Spot!" I whisper-shouted into his ear, "Wake up!"

He mumbled as he slowly opened his eyes.

"Where am- Oh, (Y/n)!" he said, a smile appearing when he said my name.

"Good morning, Sleeping Beauty!" I laughed. He sat up and glared at me, though I could tell he wasn't really mad. I continued, "Breakfast is ready!" I smiled and he smiled back at me. I then went to get the rest of the boys up.

"Wait. Is you'se really going to each one of 'em 'n wakin' 'em up?" he asked as he stood up. I nodded in reply.

"Why is you'se doin' that? Watch this." he said then turned in the direction of the sleeping newsboys, "Breakfast is ready!"

As soon as Spot had said that, every one of the newsboys was up and getting ready for the first meal of the day.

"See?" said Spot.
(A/n: That sentence looks like it would be in a children's book XD)

I laughed, walking out of the room and going into dining room. My siblings were sitting at the table eating with a couple of newsies who had gotten to the table faster than the others. I sat down, and we all talked while waiting for the others. After breakfast, the Newsies gathered what little they had brought with them, and got ready to go back to their own lives, since the snow had gone away for the most part.

I was now sitting on the couch, reading a book, when I was tapped on the shoulder. I turned my head to see Spot leaning over the top of the couch.

"Can I'se talk to you for a minute?" he asked. I nodded in reply, then stood up. Spot walked around the couch to face me, "I don' know what I'm gonna do with my time, now that I'se won't be reading to you."

"Don't you have any books?"

"I do, but it ain't as fun if I'm not readin' 'em to you'se." he smirked, and I smiled, my cheek turning a bit pink.

"Hey! Spot!" we heard a boy call out, "It's time ta go!!!"
(A/n: *car horn* VERONICAAAAAAAAA!!!!! [points to whoever gets that reference])

"I guess I'se gotta go..." Spot said sadly.

"Y-yeah..." I frowned, "I'll see you again though, right?"

"Of course!" Spot nodded, "Look, (Y/n), I'se gotta tell ya somethin'."

"Y-yes?" I replied.

"(Y/n), I-" he paused for a second, "I love you..."

"I... I love you, too, Spot."

And I always would...