Disclaimer/Author's Note: This is a story that I started writing 4 years ago. I just came across it this past Easter, and as I re-emerged into the Newsie world, I decided to scratch what I had and start it all over again. I am excited to finally be able to write this story. I do not own anything Newsies, but I do own the character Jessica Andrews/Bookie. I want to say thank you to all the characters that were lent to me to use. This fic is rated M because it will be dealing with adult issues in future chapters. Please don't read it if you are unable to handle those types of issues. Now without further ado, here it is. Enjoy!

Chapter 1

It was a sunny day in May when two girls decided to sit down on a bench in the middle of Central Park. They both looked tired and worn out, like they had been on their feet for the better part of the day.

"Jessica, I don't know how much more of this I can take. It seems that either everywhere is full and they aren't looking for people anymore, or we aren't experienced enough." The blond leaned back with a sigh. She started to braid her waist length hair, her blue eyes intent on not having a hair out of place. Finally she gave up, letting her hair flow freely once again.

"I know it seems tough right now Aurelia, but I refuse to go back to that place I called home. I know it's not on the top of your list of places to be right now either." The other girl, who had shoulder length dark brown hair and hazel eyes, had a look of determination on her face. "We will just have to keep looking for a job and somewhere to stay until we find one."

"Fine," Aurelia said, giving up defeated. She was contemplating just falling asleep right there on the bench, when she was startled with the loud voice of a boy.

Aurelia sat up quickly and looked around to find the person behind it. She finally laid eyes on the owner of the voice. He was about her height, 5'4, with shaggy dirty blond hair, and although he was about 20 feet away, she could tell that he had icy blue eyes.

"Hey Jess," Aurelia looked over at her friend for a moment, before her eyes went back to the boy. "I just got an idea. Though I'm not sure it will work."

"Well what is it?" Jessica asked. Her eyes were shut, and she was soaking up the summery sun.

"Well what if we were to become newsies?" Aurelia said quickly. "I mean, I know they don't make a lot, but we would at least have some sort of income, and there are always lodging houses for them to stay in. It isn't just boys who can be them anymore either. I've seen some girls around selling papers as well. Plus, there is one over there. We could go ask him."

Jessica thought about it for a moment. Yes, it would mean that they would have a job and no doubt somewhere to stay as well, but they would be seen as nothing but common street rats. But on the other hand, she knew what could happen to them should they not find a job soon. The realm of prostitution could be so easy to fall into when a girl was looking to earn a dollar, and nothing Jessica had ever heard about it sounded promising. She decided to give in to her best friend's idea.

"Sure Aurelia, if that's what it takes for us not to be living on the streets anymore, then so be it." Jessica paused before she continued. "But you can to be the one to go speak to him over there. It was your idea after all."

"Deal." Aurelia replied. She looked at the boy again, this time with apprehension. As she stood up to make her way over to him, she started to worry. What if this wasn't such a good idea? What if newsies weren't as nice as she had heard them to be? All these thoughts were running through her head as she neared the boy. Upon a closer inspection, he seemed to be their age, 17, and just a tad taller than she was. As he sold his last paper, something shiny caught her eye. He had a gold key attached to a chain around his neck. For some reason, she thought she remembered hearing something about a newsie who wore a key around his neck, but for the life of her, she couldn't remember who it was. Then it hit her. The boy, who was now standing in front of her, was none other than Spot Conlon, the fearless leader of the Brooklyn newsies.

"Can I help you with something?" Spot said, staring at Aurelia, her pale blue dress billowing in the wind. She tried to open her mouth to say something, but nothing came out. He gave her a little smirk. "What, cat got your tongue?"

"No, nothing has her tongue." Jessica said, coming up from behind. As soon as the words came out of her mouth, Aurelia was snapped out of her trance.

"And who might you be?" Spot asked, looking at Jessica standing there in her faded emerald green dress.

"I'm Jessica Andrews, and this here is my best friend, Aurelia Parker. And you are?" Jessica inquired.

"He's Spot Conlon, leader of the Brooklyn newsies." Aurelia said, finally finding her voice. She turned back towards Spot. "Aren't you in the wrong part of New York? This isn't exactly close to your territory where we are right now."

"Good to know that people have heard of me." He smirked at the girls again. "I was just in Bronx talking to the main man there. We had some differences we needed to settle out. Why, what's it to you where I am, and where I should be?"

"Oh no, I didn't mean it like that," Aurelia said, stuttering. "It was just more of an observation than anything."

"Aurelia would never try to get into other people's business." Jessica decided to say something on her friend's behalf. It looked like she was going to need all her help with this guy. "It's not something she would do."

"It's alright," Spot said, laughing at the two defensive girls. "I was only joking with you. Jeez, you really need to learn to lighten up." He stopped speaking for a moment as if trying to remember something. "Ah yes, now Aurelia, didn't you come over here wanting to ask me something?"

"Yes, there is something I've been meaning to ask. You see, Jessica and I have been searching for a job in this city for 2 weeks now, and still don't have anything to show for it. Either all the places are full, or we don't meet the requirements. So what we were wondering, is if there were any way we could maybe become newsies?" Aurelia finished fast, just wanting to get the asking over with.

Spot looked at the two girls, and was silent. He seemed to be mulling it over in his head. Aurelia and Jessica glanced at each other and exchanged a look. What if Spot decided that he didn't like them and flat out refused? This was their last option of getting a decent job before they would have to resort to prostitution, stealing, or even the drug world. After what seemed like an eternity, Spot seemed like he had come to a conclusion.

"So you two girls want to become newsies? You do know it's not an easy life. Early mornings, long days, you have to work outside no matter what the weather is like. It's not as glamorous as everyone makes it out to be. Do you think you can handle that?" Both girls nodded at him enthusiastically. "Well then, I think I can help you out. You girls can come to Brooklyn with me for a few days, just to get the feel of it. If you don't like it, this will be your chance to find out and leave. But, if it does work out, then I'll see what I can do about getting you a more permanent place to stay."

"Thank you so much," Jessica said. "You wont regret it. I promise you, Aurelia and I will be the best newsies you have seen in a while. That is, apart from yourself of course."

"Alright, well we'd better be going then." Spot looked at his watch. "I want to make it back to the lodging house before it gets dark."

Spot turned, and started making his way out of the park. Aurelia and Jessica quickly ran to catch up with the fast paced boy, not wanting him to get too far ahead of them, and with that, the three teens made their way over to Brooklyn.