A/N: This Newsies fanfic is based on the Disney Broadway Musical, not the old movie. The main character is an OC of mine.
I hope you all enjoy it. The next update will be next Monday, but updates might not always be that consistent. Feedback is appreciated!
Tabitha Howl adjusted her hat as she walked up to the news stand. Her brown hair was pulled back in a ponytail, and her hazel eyes were fierce as she approached the stand. It was New York, 1899, and this was Tabby's first day as a newsboy (er... girl...). She adjusted her vest and rolled up the sleeves of her shirt, revealing strong arms.
"PAPES FOR THE NEWSIES, LINE UP BOYS! THESE PAPES AIN'T GONNA SELL THEMSELVES!" She heard a voice yell, and she put her hands in her pockets, gripping her 30 cents tightly. 40 papers was her quota today, and as she moved forward in line she felt the gaze of more and more teenage boys on her back, or more accurately, on her legs. She was wearing a pair of trousers, with high socks and a pair of brown loafers.
"40 Papes," she said, putting her quarter and nickel down on the moneybox.
"Lookie what we got here, boys! A girl!" exclaimed a short, rotund, mustachioed man with an unlit cigar between his lips.
A pair of twins behind him chuckled, and one of them sauntered out from behind the stand. He approached her and got right up in her face. "Hiya, sweetheart."
Tabby glared, clenching her fists, and taking a step back, tensing up and readying a swing.
"Hows about you come with me behind the stand and get to-"
"Ey, Weasel! Maurice! Leave her alone and jus' get her her papes!" She heard a voice from behind her say. A boy limped forward, supported by his crutch, followed by a tall, (admittedly handsome) dark-haired, rascally boy of around the same age.
Weasel coughed. "enough, Maurice, come on back." he handed Tabby the papers, and then moved on to the next newsie.
Tabby shook her head and took her paper bundle, counting them once, twice, three times until she was sure he had given her the right number.
"Hey, miss?" a small voice said, and she felt a tug on the hem of her vest. She looked down to see a boy of about 10 looking up at her with kind eyes. "You okay?"
"Yeah, Kid, Maurice didn't rough you up too bad, did he?" The brown haired boy looked angrily at the twins behind the table.
Tabby shook her head. "Nah, but he needs to learn the meanin' of personal space." she said, sticking her papers in her cloth sack.
"I'm Jack Kelly, this is Crutchie," he gestured over his shoulder and Crutchie waved sheepishly, "This is Les, and this is-"
"Les! Les, here's your papes," a boy with a hawkish nose and a mess of black hair said, handing Les his papers, before doing a double-take at the new girl.
"Davey, Les' older brudda," Jack finished with a chuckle.
Tabby smiled and tipped her hat in greeting. "Hiya fellas."
"You got a name or what?" Jack said back, crossing his arms.
"Tabby. Name's Tabby." She said, winking at Crutchie, who blushed and looked at his shoes.
Davey looked at Les and then at Tabby. "I, ah, heard the commotion."
"Yeah, you looked about ready ta slug Maurice clean into next week's headline!" Crutchie said with a laugh, and the girl couldn't help but smile back.
"Imagine that, huh? 'New Kid Gives Bullheaded Delancey Brother a Run For His Money'!" Jack said, staring off at the headline board.
Tabby giggled at that, shaking her head as she readjusted the bag on her shoulder. "I think I oughtta hit the streets, fellas. It was nice gettin' ta meet all of ya."
"Hey, why don't we give ya the Newsies tour?"
"Yeah! Jack here knows jus' about all of the best places to stake out!" Crutchie affirmed, moving over and patting Jack on the shoulder with a beam of pride.
"Sure, 's long as we don't gotta go to Brooklyn…" the newest Newsie muttered, looking away.
"Why? Ya scared of Brooklyn?" Jack asked jokingly, smacking her on the arm in an attempt to lighten her mood.
It worked.
"Hey! Easy now, slugga," Tabitha shot back. "I ain't scared of nothin'. It's just Brooklyn an' I don't really get along too well."
"Well, we'll keep ya outta Brooklyn," Crutchie said, gently placing his free hand on her shoulder.
"And out of trouble," Davey said, nodding.
"Aw, enough wit' all this gushy stuff, fellas! I ain't no softie!" A low growl came from Tabby's mouth as she exposed a sharp canine tooth, and she looked to Jack. "Lead the way!"