The Crutch's Sister

Routine

(A/N: WARNING: CURSING IN THIS CHAPTER! EVERYTHING ELSE IS FINE THOUGH! HOPE YOU ENJOY!)

I woke up to the sun streaming in through the window. I swung my leg to the side of my bed and put on my prosthetic, shoes and hat. I reached for my bag as walked out of the room. I looked at the clock hanging high in the warehouse. It was time to start the day. I climbed down the stairs to get down to the first level of the warehouse. I nudged the half asleep boys with my foot.

"C'mon boys. Wake up. It's time to sell papes." I cooed, shaking Specs gently. They moaned and rolled over. Some muttered, "Five more minutes, kid." I sighed.

"Desperate times call for desperate measures." I muttered. I cupped my hands around my mouth, took a deep breath and yelled, "FIRST ONE TO GET READY GETS A KISS!" All of the boys on the floor shot up and started getting ready for the day. I tightened the grip on my bag and ran out the door.

"Kicks!" some of the boys shouted. I laughed and looked over my shoulder. Some of them were running after me. I laughed harder and ran until I reached The World.

"That was low, kid." Specs panted. I chuckled.

"Hey. I was the first one." Romeo grinned. Everyone jeered and protested. I leaned into Romeo, ready to kiss him. I could sense all of the boys holding their breath. I backed out and left Romeo hanging. "Read the fine print." I smirked. Everyone shouted and laughed at him. I walked into the building and got in line for the papers. The man collecting the money for the papers was a young man named Charles.

"Mornin', Kicks." Charles smiled. "The usual 100?" he asked. I winked.

"You know me too well, Charlie." He chuckled and handed me my papers. My spirit dropped when I saw the headline. "Damn it!" I exclaimed. 

"Language!" Jack reprimanded, glaring at me. I wrinkled my nose at him and chuckled.

"This headline is terrible." I walked over to Crutchie. "Look at this. 'Rubber heel for boots or shoes patented by American Humphrey O'Sullivan.'"

"Why don't you just sing me a lullaby?" Crutchie moaned, collecting his own papers. Jack walked up next to us, his head bent down and reading the headline.

"I agree. This headline is just awful."

"Why is it awful?" a voice chirped. I turned around and saw a boy. He was my age and had bright green eyes, freckles, and light brown hair.

"It's awful because this headline isn't interesting. We work off of headlines that interest people. Like an earthquake or a war." I explained, walking up to him. "The more exciting a headline is, the easier it is to come up with ways to sell it. For example." I said, clearing my throat. "EXTRA! EXTRA! LEARN ABOUT IT RIGHT HERE! RAGING FIRE IN HARLEM DESTROYS THOUSANDS OF BUILDINGS! TEN FOUND DEAD!" I shouted. All of the boys cheered and I took a goofy bow.

"And who are you, kid?" Jack asked. The boy shuffled.

"I"m Driver." he clarified. I chuckled quietly at his name. "I-It's not my real name. I don't like using my given name." I smiled at him.

"I'm Kicks. That's Jack, Crutchie, Race, Specs, Albert, Romeo, Mush, Finch, Elmer, Buttons, and Jojo." I said, pointing all of them out. Driver's eyes went wide. "Don't worry. I'll help you remember who they are." I whispered, winking at him. He blushed a tiny bit, then it faded. I stuffed my papers into my bag. "You got your papes, right?" I inquired. Driver nodded and I grabbed his wrist and led him outside. We walked to my selling spot, which was a block and a half away from Miss Medda's theater. "Copy what I do and what what happens." I said. ( :) ) 

"Okay." he said. I took a deep breath and started. 

"EXTRA! EXTRA! AMERICAN INVENTOR CREATES FLYING SHOES! THE FUTURE OF TRANSPORTATION! READ IT RIGHT HERE, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN!" A few people started walking up to me and buying my papers. I looked over at Driver, who had moved across the street.