A Newsie Story

Chapter 11

I avoid Davey and Race both the next morning. They don't understand but that dream chilled me to my bones. I can't look at them without thinking of what they did to me in the dream but I also see them for who they really are. My mind is a battle of mixed emotions of fear and love.

Did I just say love?

They give me plenty of space as I wander around the apartment. They were as scared as I was when they woke up from my screaming last night. I apparently screamed and thrashed around quite a bit.

Finally we leave for the newsie stand to start our day. The newsies surround me immediately mumbling things but all I hear is Spot's name. Buttons comes up closest to me,"We'se heard that you trained wit Spot da otha day. Is that true?"

They all look at me excitedly and I grin at them,"Sure did. Where did ya think I got all these shiners from?"

"So you'se can fight pretty well,"Asks a random voice in the crowd.

I grin just like Spot does,"I could take any one a ya."

The crowd stars to murmur as I grin cockily. Suddenly a new voice fills the air, one I've never heard before. "Ya couldn't take me."

The kid steps right infront of me wearing an eyepatch. He's got no cap and he is tall and lanky. His hair is short and brown and his face is occupied by the goofiest smile I have ever seen. I can easily take him. All he has is height. The kid is older than me too.

A kid walks up next to him and I almost let my jaw drop. He's really really handsome. His sandy blonde hair sticks out of his cap in random places. His blue/green eyes lock on mine and he smiles a cocky smile with soft pink lips. He realized that I was checking him out so now he checks me out openly. This guy is a heartbreaker.

"So ya think that you'se can beat me friend heah,"The cute one asks looking me up and down.

I glare at him now,"Yeah, what's it to you Pretty Boy?"

"The name ain't pretty boy. It's Dave. And my friend heah is Luke,"Dave says gesturing to the taller goofy boy.

"I don't really care what your names are. I can still take you both,"I say smirking at them both.

All the newsies chuckle and a few pat me on the back encouragingly. Suddenly Dan appears next to me sighing,"Dave get outta heah! You'se already have a job."

"Who are these two,"I ask turning to Dan realizing that they look alike except Dan has dark hair with chocolate brown eyes.

He rubs his temples,"It's my brother and his friend."

"I got fired from me job yesterday Dan. They fired a bunch a us. Even Luke heah who is one a the hardest workers,"Dave says as Luke just nods along.

I look at Luke,"I really don't want to fight right now. I had a rough night last night and I didn't get much sleep. So why don't you two just go get ya papes and start sellin 'em."

The newsies around me cheer as the two newbies trudge off to get there papes. Dan looks at me completely embarrassed,"Im real sorry about them. They are just like this."

"Don't worry I can handle them Dan,"I say grinning.

He smiles back at me but sadly,"I have ta sell wit them today ta teach 'em the ropes and all. Ya think you'se can get anudda sellin partner."

I frown a little but then look over at Race,"I think I can probably find a other partner for today."

I run over to Race excitedly. "Hey Race ya got a selling partner today,"I ask taking his cigar and sticking it in my own mouth.