I tell the stars about you

Prologue

Antonio Higgins skipped down the streets of New York. It was a cool autumn morning and he had just sold his very first pape. Race had just turned six a few weeks ago and was finally able to sell on his own. His smile was a mile wide and his bright blue eyes sparkled with excitement. A few other Newsies were out and about finding their usual selling spots. He got lucky today. The headline was good 'Fire in Midtown Thousands Flee in Panic'. He yelled out the headline in busy areas, but he mostly wandered around. He had never been this far from the lodging house and boy was he curious. He passed shops and stores and many restaurants while selling. He made random turns here and there not really caring where he was going. He felt free, finally being on his own and away from the chaos in the lodging house. The sun shone high above him. He didn't know how much time had passed but he knew it was probably time to head back. But he couldn't bring himself to turn around. Exploring was so much fun and he didn't want to stop. He walked a bit more until he reached a bridge. It was a very long one, he could barely see the town that was on the other side. He giggled and started running across it. He was running as fast as he could the town becoming bigger and bigger, closer and closer with every step he took. He stopped running for a moment to catch his breath. He put his hands on his knees and took a deep breath. He walked over to the edge of the bridge and looked out to the blue water, the breeze in his face. He got up and continued walking. The walk was long but it sure was worth it. He wandered around a bit before stumbling in front of a big building. It read Sheepsheads in big white letters on the front. Little Antonio had no clue what the funny word was or what it meant so naturally he walked inside. People much older and much richer than him were standing around yelling and shouting at something. He pushed his way slowly to the front. He stopped. Wide-eyed he saw for the very first time the horse races. He was transfixed by the way these big animals raced and the people brave enough to ride them. He stared at them until the race was over. Many people were cheering some looked disappointed. He was very confused. He walked over to a small booth where a man was happily talking to some people.

"Excuse me, mister, what are people cheering?" He asked with the most courage he could find. The man looked at him and smiled.

"Their horse must've won, have you ever been here before?" Antonio was confused. He shook his head at a fast pace not understanding what was happening.

"Well, then I'll explain it to you."

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Antonio walked happily out of the races a big smile plastered on his face. The sun was setting and it was cooler now. The man had explained to him what the races were and even let him bet on a horse. He got lucky and won but he was a smart kid and knew not to get cocky and to never bet more than he had. The man laughed at his smartness before they parted ways. Antonio thanked the man one more time before heading back to the lodging house. He knew some of the older boys would be worried, especially since it was his first day. The wind was biting at his back but he didn't care. Today might've been the best day ever and nothing could ruin it. Or so he thought. He was halfway across the bridge when he felt himself going flying forward. He fell to the ground his arm unfortunately catching his fall. His head hit the ground but he didn't black out. He sat up quickly to try to see what happened. His vision was blurry and his head hurt. He could make out a small figure. He looked to be about Antonio's age maybe a little older. The boy rushed over to him helped him up murmured a quick sorry and ran off. Antonio stood there vision still blurry, head still hurt but ten times more confused. Who was that boy? Why did he knock me down? What was happening? Sadly no one could read his thought so he continued walking back to the lodging house.

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Antonio walked through the doors to the lodging house and was immediately bombarded with questions from the older Newsies. One of them, Stargazer, ran up to him.

"Tony what the hell where has you been we'se been looking all afternoon." Antonio just smiled up at him.

"I'se been at the races, it was so amazing you'se should really see it I even won a bet, and I-" He was cut off.

"YOU WENT TO THE SHEEPSHEADS IN BROOKLYN BY YOU'SE SELF DO YOU KNOW HOW DANGEROUS THAT IS." Antionio backed up a little he didn't like being yelled at, he was only six years old. His father left him on the doorstep of the Newsies lodge when he was four, but his father was very abusive with words. Another one of the older newsies named Rocky came up behind Stargazer a put his hand on his shoulder.

"Star, cool it, he's old enough, he was just curious, he's ok." Stargazer just glared at him.

"Well actually I fell, some boy pushed me on accident I don't know what happened but I'm ok, my head hurts but I'm fine." Stargazer just rushed forward and look over Antonio for any visible cuts or bruises.

"Star, i'se is fine, honest, stop fussin' over me." Antonio swatted his hand away.

"Ok, ok, ok but it's time for bed, Tony goodnight." Antonio was tired. He took his first step up the stairs when Rocky put a hand on his shoulder and stopped him.

"Sheepsheads huh, how does the name Racetrack sound?" Rocky smiled at Antonio.

"Really? Yes! I have Newsies name!" And with that, he skipped up the stairs telling everyone his brand-new name.