A/N: This is my first story so I guess I'm new to this. I would appreciate reviews; I just ask that you be nice.

Thanks,

Jess

Disclaimer: I do not own Newsies or any characters from the movie. I do own Bella however.

A Couple of Cardtricks

Chapter One

It was a dark spring night in New York, (the borough of Queens to be exact.) A figure crept out the window of a tenement building the down the fire escape and off into the night. The figure would continue to run until it reached a back alley far from the previously mentioned building.

The figure, now revealed to be a teenaged girl in boys clothing, ducked behind a large stack of wooden crates to rest. She would find her way to Manhattan first thing in the morning.

Thus her story begins.

Bella woke up with a start. It took her a few minutes to remember that she had run away from home, if it could even be called a home, the night before. She'd had enough of her father's drunken beatings and wasn't going to take them anymore. Not if she had anything to say about it.

Bella's twin brother had been kicked out three years prior; with any luck she would be able to find him to at least fill him in on what had happened since he left. Who knows, maybe he would find her. Deep down she knew however that New York was a big city and the chances of finding him were very slim. There was also a chance that he was dead, but she refused to think about that possibility.

She had only a vague idea of how to get to Manhattan, but having lived all over the city she was positive she could find her way there. Once she got her bearings straight, it didn't take her to long to find herself right where she wanted to be. Now that she was in Manhattan, however it would be harder to find her way around; as she could count the amount to times she had gone there on one hand.

She had decided she would try her luck with being a girl newsie instead of working in a factory as she had heard countless horror stories from girls who had worked in them before. One of her childhood friends had died in a factory accident not even a week before. No way was she going to work in one if she could avoid it. All she had to do was find the distribution centre.

After wandering around for about twenty minutes she heard yelling coming from a square with a statue in the middle. She saw a great number of boys had gathered there and were waiting for something. She thought that this must be the right place, and if it wasn't then she would be able to ask for directions at least. That's when she saw a familiar face. It couldn't possibly be him, could it? There was only one way to find out, right? She pushed her way into the crowd trying to follow that face.

As she pushed her way through the huge group of boys, her hair started to fall out of her cap. "I knew I should've cut it" she murmured to herself, as two boys, a little older than her blocked her way. She was in no way frightened. "What's this, Morris" the shorter one asked sarcastically. "One of the newsies is really a girl" Bella simply rolled her eyes and attempted to walk away, only to be stopped again this time the taller one, Morris, spoke. "She thinks she can get away, Oscar, how cute." That's when Oscar made his move, however Bella was ready and kicked him where it hurt. The boys decided she was too much of a fighter and left her alone. "We'll get you later" Morris shouted as he helped Oscar get up and walk away.

"Those Delancy brothers" she heard a voice say from behind her "never can mind their own business. It's about time they had a girl hit them." Wait a minute, that voice, she knew that voice. No, it couldn't be. It had to be in her head. She whirled around to see a face, so much like hers, that it was almost like looking in a mirror. She stood in shock as did the boy in front of her. "Isabella?" he asked finally "is it really you?" she nodded "It is if you're Anthony Higgins" she replied with a hint of sarcasm while enveloping her twin in a hug, with tears in her eyes. Just then, a bell rang and the gates opened. All the newsies piled inside. "Bella, stick with me ok. At least until you get to know everyone." Her brother told her. She simply nodded her head and followed him.

Once inside the gates, a tall boy with a cowboy hat hanging down his back approached them. "So Race, I take it this is Bella?" He asked. "Sure is. Bella this is Jack Kelly, also known as Cowboy, our leader." Race proceeded to tell his sister. She wasn't sure she liked the fact that the newsie knew who she was without an introduction. Sensing this, Race gave her a comforting hug. "It's Ok, Bells. Jack's the only one who knows you exist." Then as if suddenly remembering, "Well him and Spot." Bella smiled at the mention of her old friend. She hadn't seen him since the last time they lived in Brooklyn. From what she had heard he was the leader, or king, of Brooklyn now, but to her, he would always be little Patrick Conlon.