Hi guys! This is my first ever story thing so it might be really crappy. Bear with me! I might not be able to upload as much as I like because, well, life gets in the way! But I promise I'll try to update at least every week. Also, I can't write with the New York accent, so just assume that every time a newsie speaks, it's with an accent hehe. Another note, I'm sorry I made Race so annoying, I just felt like it, you know? No hate tolerated, constructive criticism and ideas appreciated! Mwah love you guys!
Delilah Kelly didn't necessarily want to be kicked out of her uncle's house. Ever since her parents died, she had gone to live with Uncle Edward, an abusive man that didn't want her there in the first place. She had strict rules to follow, and was punished if she ever disobeyed in the slightest. She had the scars on her back to prove it. Even though she was only twelve, Delilah knew she wasn't confined to her uncle's musty little house with shutters that creaked every time there was the slightest breeze. So, she didn't necessarily want to be kicked out.
You might be wondering why she had gotten kicked out in the first place. The answer to that question is that she had come out as bisexual to her uncle in a fit of rage as he tried to arrange a marriage with the baker's son. He always did this, trying to bid his niece off to a wealthy family with a suitable son. The problem is, all the money went to him. Dellie, (as all her friends called her), had never wanted that. She'd always known that she was bi after nine-year old Dellie had gotten a crush on another girl in her grade at school.
So, now she was on the streets, with a dirty dress and no shoes, trying desperately to think of a solution to her problem. Then a light-bulb went off in her head. Jack! She hadn't seen her brother in four years, but she knew he had made a living selling newspapers. Renewed with a burst of determined energy, she bolted off to find the Manhattan newsies.
She asked around for about two hours, and had finally gotten discouraged, but at that exact time, she heard a loud voice with a heavy New York accent shouting, "Papes! Papers! Get your evening pape here!" She ran to the boy selling newspapers, and asked, "Excuse me, I'm looking for Jack. Can you take me to him?" The newsie looked her up and down and asked, "Why should I?" Dellie was taken aback. The boy had hair the color of wheat, a cigar in his and mouth, although it wasn't lit. She wanted to make a snappy remark to the blonde, but managed to keep her composure. "He's my brother, and I need to see him." The boy now looked even more smug. "Jack don't have no sister. Now scurry away, girl." This time, she snapped. "My name is Delilah Margaret Kelly, and I need to see my brother!" She said in a calm, commanding voice. She was good at hiding her anger.
"Woah, woah woah!" The boy replies with surprise in his voice. "I like a girl with spunk!" Her cheeks burned, just a little. "For sure, I'll take you to Jack." Delilah sighed with relief, and followed the blonde-haired boy as he walked briskly down the path.
Pretty soon, they had reached a clearing that was beneath a penthouse. "I don't think I introduced meself. My name is Race, I'm seventeen." He spit in his hand and extended it to Dellie. She made a face. "That's just disgusting," She replied, and Race cracked up. "Jack should be here any minute now, it's the end of the day." He told the girl.
"I'll introduce you to some of my friends!" Race exclaims, and pushes her toward the center of the clearing. She hadn't noticed the rambunctious teenagers surrounding the site, and scolded herself for doing so. "Here's Crutchie, Albert, Finch, and Specs." He pointed to each one respectively. Specs waved to her, and Finch and Albert didn't even notice. Crutchie however, hobbled over on his crutch and introduced himself. "Hi, I'm Crutchie!" He says with the biggest smile Dellie had ever seen on anyone's face. "And you are..." He says with the same energy. "Delilah. You can call me Dellie if you want!" Crutchie smiled even brighter, if that was possible.
"Woah, woah," Race intervened. "You got promoted to 'call me Dellie' level already? Unfair!" Even Dellie had to laugh at that. It was surprising to her that she felt right at home with these boys. "There he is!" Race shouted suddenly, and Dellie turned her head toward what he was looking at.
Jack.
She ran right over, a smile forming on her lips. She didn't really remember any memories she had with her brother. It was all washed away with the pain she felt at every lash on her back and arms. All she knew was the she loved him so very much. Dellie was a bit worried though. She didn't know if he even remembered her!
Jack was halfway to the others, taking his hat off. He spotted Dellie for a moment and their eyes met. He veered off course and threw Dellie into his arms. Even she was a bit surprised at that. "Is it really you?" He said, with the warmness in his voice Dellie used to know. "Yeah, it's me." She fought hard to keep the tears back. "I missed you so much," she said after a long time in her brother's arms. Jack pulled the girl even closer and Dellie giggled. "Jack, I can't breathe!" She pulled away from him and took his hand.
"What are you doing here?" Jack said incredulously, squeezing her hand. "It's kind of a long story," Dellie replied, cocking her head like she used to do. "You can tell me later." Jack said, and took her to the center of the clearing. Almost all the newsies were watching now, with surprise, happiness, and shock in various stages on their faces. "For now," Jack told her. "Welcome to the Manhattan newsies!"