BEFORE YOU READ THE STORY:
This is my first fanfiction, suggestions recommended! (please I'm desperate…)
This is an AU taking place a week or two after the strike
Snyder wasn't arrested because he has friends that got him out of getting in trouble
Jack doesn't take Pulitzer's job offer
I actually thought of this story after seeing so many stories about the Refuge, and noticing a pair that (may or may not) get some friendship development at what I may or may not be writing :3
Okay, you're free to read the story now! :D
The circulation bell jolted over half the newsies awake since Jack had actually slept in for once. "Wake up ya lazy bums!" Jack yelled as he hopped off the ladder after Crutchie, who stood smiling like he had been laughing at something Jack said.
Out of nowhere, a pillow came flying for Jack, but he caught it just before it could hit his face. He looked around, finding the kid who threw the pillow: Race. "Why are ya bums so tired?" Jack asked, tossing the pillow at young Romeo to make the boy squeal. Jack went to go find his hat, knowing one of the boys stole it. Everyone started to get out of bed to get ready for the next day, with 60 cents per 100 papes.
As soon as Jack saw most of the newsies ready, he led everyone to Newsies Square to get their papers for the day. He saw Davey and Les with confused faces. "Why is everyone so apathetic today? Even Les was being boring," Davey gently teased his brother and ruffled his hair. The younger of the brothers swatted his hand away, trying not to smile.
"Alright let's get a move on!" Jack hollered and all the newsies yelled and talked loudly as they were excited to sell their papers. The heading had actually been somewhat exciting for once, "Kidnapper has Been Arrested". But as Romeo got his papes, Jack realized the Delancy Brothers weren't there, teasing and tormenting the newsies as usual. It felt like a weight was lifted off his chest, knowing that he didn't have to protect his brothers from the bullies.
Even though Jack was happy to see the Delancy Brothers out of his hair, Davey looked rather skeptical, "Why aren't the Delancys here?" Davey asked. Jack shrugged like he didn't care. Davey couldn't stop the random thoughts on what the Delancy brothers may be doing.
"Get'cha papes already!" Les blurted, squeezing behind Davey to push him. Davey rolled his eyes and bought eighty papers. He then stepped aside to count and make sure he got all eighty.
"No need to do that," Crutchie said, "The papes peoples are probably tryin' ta be nice so we's don't go on strike again," he suggested. "Hey, what do you think about sellin' togetha? I don't think we eva' had. It could be fun!" Crutchie said with his signature smile that no one could possibly say no to.
Davey and Crutchie were walking down the streets, selling papers to anyone who had the backbone to buy one. "Do you know how I like to sell my papes?" Crutchie asked Davey who took off to some customer without a reply from Davey. "Excuse me? Will you buy a pape? It means a lot ta me if ya take one!" Crutchie told the stranger with innocent eyes. The woman only hesitated a second before giving the kid a nickel. As the woman left, Crutchie walked over to Davey to showing him the nickel.
Davey smirked, "Come with me, I'll show you how I sometimes sell with Les," he took off with Crutchie behind him. Davey held his hand up for him to stop and walked over to a stranger. "Buy a pape, please. I'm raising money for my cousin!" Davey said with all the charm he could muster as he indicated Crutchie. The rich-looking woman dropped a nickel in his hand and took the pape from Davey. Davey smiled and thanked her.
Crutchie patted Davey's shoulder and smirked, "atta' boy!" He exclaimed as they laughed for a few seconds. They used each other's ideas as they sold. Obviously, the smaller boy sold all his papers first and followed Davey to help him finish up selling his papers.
Crutchie looked at Davey's stack, he only had one left. Both boys knew that it was a good pape-selling day to be selling this fast. "Stay here, I'm gonna go sell my last pape. Act sick!" Davey insisted as he went to pat a tall boy on the shoulder.
As soon as Davey touched his buyer, the man turned around quickly, making Davey flinch a bit. "Buy a-" The man cut him off while Davey was looking at his last pape.
"Look Morris! It's one'a dem' newsboys!" The tall man said and Davey flinched at the name and voice. He looked up at the boy and found he was no other than Oscar Delancy. Morris also turned around. He smiled with satisfaction to see Davey and Crutchie's scared faces.
"In fact," said Oscar, "I think we caught Jack's pets!" He called out as Morris came along. Davey looked back at Crutchie and ushered him to run, but Morris was quicker and grabbed the poor crip. Oscar quickly grabbed Davey before he could make a run for it.
Davey swore under his breath. He knew the Delancys didn't just disappear without reason! "Alright what do you want?" Davey asked, trying to keep his voice calm but it slightly quivered anyways.
"At least this one's learnt' a bit!" Oscar spat, "We jus' need ta get back at our favorite newsboy." Anyone with half a brain could figure out he was talking about Jack. "What better way than to get at 'im than wit' his best friends!" He said with a sickening grin.
Davey looked back at Crutchie, who was being held by his arms by the tight grip of Morris. The kid looked frightened, sometimes trying to struggle out of the grip. Davey could tell the kid was probably regretting selling with Davey, and Davey couldn't help but feel a small prick of guilt at the mess he got both of them into.
Just as they thought it couldn't get worse, they heard the smooth, frightening voice of a slightly-overweighted man whose voice could never get out of anyone's heads, "hello boys!"
I swear there was an author's note down here!
Anyways, hope you enjoyed! I am actually ready to post chapter 2 but I want to keep things kinda cliff-hanger-y (ya ik I'm evil hehe)
So yeah, the next chapter is in plan to be released Wednesday. Sorry! I'm trying to keep the stories a week apart. If I'm late it means I either slightly forgot because I had a lot on my mind or I'm busy. If it's very late, it means I'm dumb and forgot and them you can pm me! :3
Just want to say that the next chapter is (probably kinda) predictable... But I promise I will twist up the story a lot!