Strangers On the Street

The Rooster Crows

Jane's POV:

I walked down the street breaking swiftly apart from Jack so as not to arouse any suspicions.  I wanted badly to make a good first impression on the guys.  

Such as the fact that I was supposed to be one of them.

I adjusted my cap subconsciously tucking in the stray hairs.  I'd been meaning to cut it - it was really getting out of hand.

I made a mental note to get my hands on a knife at some point.

"Yous nervous?" Jack asked as the World building came into view.

"Nah," I said, a smile creeping onto my lips, "not if you're there to keep my cap on straight."

A small burst of laughter erupted from his lips.  

Soon I could see the crowd of boys laughing and chatting about where'd they'd be going on their routes.  One boy in particular caught my gaze.  He was much smaller than the rest, in height and, I guessed, in age.  He was trailing behind a much taller boy with curly hair and a nice clean shirt.  

"You're gonna introduce me, correct?" I asked as we came ever closer.

"Of course, Is got yas covered," he assured me with a playful wink.

Suddenly we came to a stop.  The loud conversations still boomed in the winter air.  Jack lept to the top of a crate conveniently in the center of the group.  A strange hush swept over them as if they were spellbound in his presence.  

"Quiet down ya lot of dirty street-rats," he said comically imitating Mr. Wiesel, "and listen up."

They waited intently.

"What for?" one boy piped, clearly not excited.

"Yeah, what is dis?" another asked.

"Aw, shaddap ya filthy nay-sayers," one boy said, "just listen to what the man's gotta say."

"Yes, do as 'e says, listen to me." Jack said.  

The crowd moved in closer surrounding the stage.

"Dis here is da new kid - his name's Jo, but yous can all call 'im Rooster."

Voices boomed once again alight with new information.

"Rooster eh?  Where is dis new guy?" the boy called Racetrack asked.

"Right ere," he said leaning down near me, "Don't be shy Jo, theys won't bite yas unless ya got some real meat on those bird legs of yours."

Laughter erupted form the crowd of boys.  One boy, the smallest one, clapped his hands together and nearly fell over.

"Your quite the comedian," I joked, whispering in his ear.

He grinned, obviously pleased with himself.

As I stood beside him, looking out over the people, Jack took my hand and raised it high.

"I gives yas Rooster!" he announced, getting cheers.

I crowed, doing my best rooster impersonation.