A lone newsie

Days free of selling

November 6th, 1900

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Sundays were the quiet times of the city. Sunday mass would be in session, and the city-livers would go, leaving the city miraculously quiet. Sure, people would still be seen on the streets, but they wasn't half as crowded as it usually was.

These days (Y/N) chose not to sell, unlike the other newsies. She decided Sundays should be spent not working, but instead doing leisurely things and enjoying oneself. On these days she would head over to the Manhattan park, and sit and watch things around her.

She would watch lovers walking, hand in hand. She would watch the happy little children, naive to the worlds bitterness. She would watch them run and shout, tripping over their little feet. She watched all these things with intent, as if they were art.

But before she could go out and watch, she would have to get ready for the air, turning chillier with each passing day. Fall was a pain in the ass, but (Y/N) coped.

As soon as she woke up, she saw light pouring in her window, and she sighed. She had to stop sleeping so late, weather or not it was a work day. She decided that she would start resting earlier so as to wake earlier too. She had heard a phrase like that once.. where had she heard it?

Enough. She didn't have enough time in the day to think about famous phrases. Instead, she decided to get dressed. Pulling on something different then her regular clothing, she hooked her hat on her head and snapped for Lilac. Brushing a few strands of hair out of her face, she swung open the door to her room, ready to seize the day and enjoy herself for the first time in what felt like months.

___

Crutchie's cold had done nothing but escalate since he woke up a few hours ago. His head now felt like it was being caved in, his throat full of sores, his nose was runny, and his eyes could barely keep themselves open. He knew that if he didn't sell, he wouldn't have his money. No money meant no food, and a boy needs food to eat. So, he decided he would just get a later start to let himself heal a little bit.

After what felt like too long, he sat up, ready to prepare himself. He had to be ready to sell. He groggily pulled a shirt over his bare chest, buttoning it up slowly. He was too tired to be quick today. He tiredly pulled on some pants, slipped on a cap and shoes, and readied his crutch. This time he remembered to wear his jacket - didn't want that cold getting worse.

Though, he didn't reach for his paper bag today. He asked himself.. why? He had to sell, though he couldn't make his arm reach for it.

No, he was too sick to sell, and nobody would buy from a sick kid. Perhaps he could spend today outside, letting himself rest up in the "fresh" air of the park. He left the resting area of the lodging house, only to hear footsteps from the closet at the end of the hall.

He turned his head, only to see the girl from the night before. Her name was (Y/N), right? He decided now would be time to find out. Better do it awkwardly then not at all.

"Hol' up, goilie!"

"My name is (Y/N)." She snarled.

"Well, (Y/N)," He began, putting emphasis on her name. I was wondering wher' ya headin off too?" Crutchie asked, gaining a snarl from her devil of a dog and half a head turn from the girl.

It was then he realized that she still had her cap on, her face shrouded in dark shadows. Was that not weird? I mean, you put your hat on to keep the sun out of your eyes, so why was she wearing it in here? Was it some type of fashion statement?

Her voice jerked him out of his thinking and wondering before he knew it.

"Whats it to you?" She asked, turning around to face him. Although she was a good ten feet away from him, he felt her eyes burning into him.

"J-jus' wonderin'," Crutchie timidly replied. "Its okay if ya' don't wanna answer."

She chuckled under her breath. "Its alright, I don't care if you know. For your information, I'm headed off to the park. I'm not going to let a good sunday to waste." (Y/N) turned again, ready to go.

"Wait!" Crutchie called out before she was at the door. "Why don' ya' got ya' paper bag? Aren't you selling?"

Without turning, she responded. "Its a sunday, and there isn't no way in heaven or hell that I'm going to waste a good sunday selling papers. I do that every other six days of the week for hours at a time. It gets boring."

And with that, she left, leaving Crutchie alone in the lodging house, his brain swarming with questions without answers. But one was for sure - that girl had a point, he should do something fun instead of selling that day, despite deciding not to sell before their conversation anyways.

So Crutchie flopped back down in bed, ready to sleep off his sickness.

____

(Y/N) and Lilac dashed through the streets, eager to get to the bench in the park. (Y/N) could do her watching, and Lilac could run around the trees and do dog things. It was a part of their week they both rather enjoyed.

The few people out on the street were but a blur as she ran, her dog keeping up. She was so eager to have some time to herself she couldn't contain her energy. Her adrenaline pumped, and before she knew it she was there, seated on her bench. She heard the cries of newsies attempting to sell their papers, but she toned them out. Today would be strictly for relaxing.

She thought, anyways. Sadly, that little bugger, Les, came and sat next to him.

(Y/N) cursed to herself. Of course he would find her, the park was right next to where she sold. She looked over to the kid, who smiled ear to ear in an innocent tone.

"What do you want?" She inquired, trying to sound not at all irritated.

"Just some company. Today mom says we don't have to sell because of sunday mass, so I came to you!" He said, his grin widening.

(Y/N) groaned. She had a feeling he wouldn't take her penny today. She was going to have to entertain this kid.

But she, much to her suprise, ended up talking to him for an hour, and actually enjoying it. She would listen to him babble, chuckling under her breath. When his brother came to fetch him, she was slightly upset. This kid was making her feel better then she had before, why did he have to go?

Truth be told, (Y/N) loved kids. Would she want some of her own? Who knows. But that was beyond the point. After at least five apologizes from Davey, three goodbyes from Les, and a bark from her dog, she decided to go get lunch.

After all, newsies had to eat too.

A/N

Hi guys!
Im realizing i never wrote an authors note on this story lol.

Anyways im sad bc apparently theres only like?? two newsies x reader fics out there?? oh golly i got some work to do.

mmmm also school is a pain in the ass so uhhh thats fun.

seeya, and remember to seize the day!