Cross My Heart

Distribution Outlet(1)

Melody's POV
I woke up to see the bunk above me. But for the first time in five years, I wasn't afraid of the day ahead. This time, it wasn't waking up in the Refuge, but the lounging house. For a moment, I lay in awe that I was somewhere new, somewhere different. But that quiet moment was short lived by the sound of the boys waking up. I sat up, pinning up my hair and climbing up the ladder to wake Anthony. When he protested, I proceeded to smack him with my pillow, like I did when we were kids. Finally awake, he chuckled and playfully punched my shoulder.
"C'mon, we've got to get ready." I said between giggles. I realized, I have nothing to wear besides the threadbare, faded yellow dress that that I wore in the Refuge. "Do you have anything I could wear?" I asked. He nodded and pulled a light blue and white striped shirt, a brown vest, suspenders, and matching trousers. He also found a pair of old lace up shoes that fit my feet.
"Ise grew out of them a few years ago, but Ise kept them around just in case someone might need them."
I nodded, but something seemed missing. Oh, I got it! "What about a cap?"
"Here," said a boy from the bunk bed across from ours. Specs, I think he was called. "I have an old one."
It was brown, and clearly well worn, but to me, it was perfect. Grabbing the pile of clothes, I went to the bathroom to change. Once I was dressed, I stood in front of the mirror, stuffing my bun up into my cap. Trying to kill time while the boys changed, I washed my face, and tried to straighten my vest as best as best I could. Soon, Anthony called me out. Donning my newspaper bag, I followed the boys to the distribution outlet.
On the way there, I realized I had no money to buy papers. "Ay Anthony, think you could spot me a few dimes?"
"Ya, sure. Here's 50." He said, digging into his pocket. He handed me the coins.
"Thanks. Your a pal."
Time Skip
"Eighty papers please." I said, sliding my money onto the table.
The obviously well fed man behind the counter snorted. "A girl newsie, huh? I think your lost, sweetie. Need directions?"
The Delancys sneered behind him.
"No, I believe I'm in the right place." I said, looking him dead in the eyes.
"Eighty papes for girly." The man shouted at the boys. They handed me my papers. The man was about to move on, but then I stopped him.
"Aren't you missing something?"
"What?" He said, obviously annoyed.
"The price is 55 cents per hundred, right?"
"Yeah."
"And I asked for eighty, right?"
"Well yeah."
"And I payed you with 5 dimes, right?"
"Sweetheart, get to the point."
"My point is you owe me six cents change."
The man, now obviously embarrassed, handed me my money. I tipped my hat, stuffed my papers in my bag, and left.