I'm Fine

Back on the Job

A few days had gone by and while the boys wanted Feister to stay in bed a little bit longer, she was very relentless in talking all of them into letting her go back out into the city. Despite their better judgment they let her. Which brings us to now. After getting dressed and heading of the door Feister couldn't help but smile to see that nothing had changed.

The boys were still rowdy as ever, running around stealing this, or throwing that, with the occasional, "I'll soak ya!" from Race to Albert who wouldn't give up the game of steal the cigar. And once again, Feister wondered if Albert had a death wish or something. "So, it's yer first day back, you'se excited?" Mush asked happily as he walked up to Feister, and leaned on the doorframe with a little smile.

"Ready as I'll ever be," Feister replied quietly before going to the sink to wash up her face. For the rest of the morning all Feister heard was, "little Feisty's first day back", and "you'se must be excited bout sellin' again" oh and let's not forget the, "take it easy now. Don't work yourself too hard, ya hear". Now, while Feister knew the boys were just being sweet, it annoyed the heck out of her. It was both one of the many perks and downfalls of being one girl in a million boys. They all took it upon themselves to look out for her like she's a helpless little baby. Even though she's proved more than once she can take care of herself, that never stopped the boys from being mamma birds.

After the rather crazy morning and a quick stop at the nuns wagon it was once again off to The World gate, where the newsies were waiting for the headline. To pass the time and keep their minds off the heat some of the boys started to amuse themselves as they waited for the headline.

But at the moment Feister was slowly closing and opening her eyes every few seconds, it was one long night with barely any sleep, sure, she got a few minutes worth of sleep before a nightmare woke her up. A few minutes isn't enough to keep her up all day. "Ya sure yer fine ta sell today?" Mush asked as he wrapped an arm around Feister. Usually Mush would feel Feister relax with the tiniest sigh whenever he would wrap an arm around her, but this time he felt her tense up.

"I's sure," Feister replied quietly as she brushed away Mush's arm. While that was something that she'd usually love, it just brought back old memories from the Refuge. The way Snyder's goons would grab her by surprise before....let's not go there.

"Hey guys!" Les exclaimed as he ran up to the gate. The ten (almost) year old's face was as red and had a light sweat from both running and the heat.

"Hey," most of the newsies replied. The almost ten year old's landed on a news girl who was trying to keep herself awake. But what ended up happening was, "Davey!" with in seconds Davey had ran the last few feet and was right next to Les and asked, "What's wrong, are you hurt, do you need to go to the doctor?" Davey asked quickly as he looked Les over for injuries.

"Feister's back," Les chirped happily with a huge smile. Davey only blinked as he processed that was the reason Les yelled. Before Davey could ask how Feister was feeling, the Delancey brothers came to unlock the gate. 

"Lookie what we's got here Oscar," Morris taunted. "A couple of street rats an' their little alley cat."

"If I's was you'se I'd shut my mouth fore a fist went in it," Jack replied in a serious tone while clenching his fists tightly.

"Sides, it's bout twenty of us, ta the two of you'se," Race added confidently.

"Aww, c'mon Racer," Albert said as he rested his elbow on the blonde's shoulder. "They's probably just bitter bout how we's kicked their a-"

"Penny for the swear jar!" Elmer shouted before Albert could finish.

"There's a child present!" Davey added as he covered Les' ears.