The Female Newsie

by pizzafan123

The Newsies had a major riot in 1899. But it all started with the Manhattan Newsies, who didn't have a leader, but gained one. Jack Kelly or Cowboy. Another Newsie was called Slick for his slicked back hair and smooth attitude. But Slick had a secret. What if he wasn't a he after all. Then 2 newcomers join the newsies. After that, things change.

1. Chapter 1

Female Newsie

Chapter 1

Life of a Newsie

I have to say, I loved this movie even if it's from 1992 and was disappointed to find out I couldn't watch it in the play version.

I was woken up by Kloppman's cane smacking into the beds. I groaned, shoving my face in the thin pillow. I let out a muffled groan. "Off it!"

"C'mon, get up! Get up, Slick!"

I got up, shaking my head, jumping from where I was on the top bunk. I heard a cry and I moved away to see I landed on Kid Blink. "Ah, sorry."

"I'll give ya sorry!" He had blond hair and an eyepatch over one eye.

I laughed, dodging to the left and slamming into Mush on the bed, who shoved me off with a groan. I grinned and dodged him again. I was wacked lightly with Kloppmann's cane, it didn't hurt, but I acted like it did. "Ow, youse hurtin' me!"

He snorted out a laugh, waking up the rest of them. "You'll live."

I walked over to my bed, reaching up and snatching a shirt and pair of trousers. I yawned and nodded at a couple of newsies. I washed my face in the tin sink, making sure to get behind my ears and over my head. Most of us were around 13 and over, none of us adults. A couple kids sometimes work the papers and I was 14. I shut off the water.

I went to one of the stalls and shut the door. I stripped my shirt off, keeping the undershirt on underneath and tossing a white linen one with two buttons on the front and pulling brown trousers on as I changed my bottom half. I made sure to tighten the bandages around my chest that I loosened when I slept. I shoved on socks and laced up the boots I 'borrowed' off someone a while ago. I just hope I don't grow anymore.

I wet my hands with water and slicked my dark brown hair back a little, some of it was loose so it wasn't a helmet. It's where my nickname came from. I cut my hair all the time or it would be long. My real name is Alex.

Kloppman was still hollering at the others to get up. I shoved the money I would need to buy the papes in my pocket. I grabbed the only jacket I had, a worn dark brown thing I had for a while. I walked past all the guys walking past me. "Hey, Slick!"

I got a couple slaps on the back and what not. I've been around here since I was 10. Many newbies don't come around much, at least in Manhattan. Harlem or Staten, maybe.

I heard ol' Kloppman yelling as he woke everyone else. "Carry the Banner! Sell the Papers! Sell the Papers!"

I snickered, it's same routine every morning. Everyone was grumbling as they got ready. I was usually one of the first ones that got ready. I just became an early riser over time. I looked around to see Racetrack. "Hey, that's my cigar."

Snipeshooter replied. "You'll steal anudder!"

Blink Kid got them to stop fighting and I stayed out of his line of sight. I didn't know if he wanted revenge for earlier. I chuckled as Crutchy came through, his given name is because he's an actual cripple. He called. "Ah, stop you're ballin'."

"WHO ASKED YOU!?"

I saw Mush laughing loudly at Jack or Cowboy, whatever you wanted to call him. I knew Jack since I got here. When I was 10 and he was 13.

Anyway, Mush was smacking Jack in the chest and he punched him back a couple of times until he walked off. I went back in the bathing area we all had. I was looking on the counter for something I forgot earlier. I was looking through the shelves. Jack and Crutchy came over. I smirked at seeing Jack put shaving cream on his face. "Are you even old enough to use that?"

He shoved my shoulder with a laugh. "Shouldn't you be startin'? Ha, what are you looking for?"

"My cologne."

Jack snickered. "Cologne? Have a date, Slick?"

Racetrack snickered with him across from us. "Put his name to good use."

I felt my face get hot. "Ah, shut up! No, the people are noticing my smell, I guess. Even my charm don't work."

I felt a hard smack around the head. "Say it ain't so."

I glared at Blink Kid. "Ya bum. What's dat for?"

"You know."

He walked over and I glared up at Jack still laughing at me. I had a mischievous idea and grinned slyly. Crutchy muttered. "Uh oh."

I slathered my hand in shaving cream from a bowl. At the same time, I grabbed a bottle of cheap cologne in my other hand. With a wider grin, I plopped my hand on the top of Jack's head, getting the stuff all in his hair.

He jumped and I moved away, almost falling on the floor in my laughter. I heard Crutchy, Racetrack and Mush howling in laughter. I sprayed some of that stuff on. I tossed it back to Jack, who caught it.

"Watch it, Slick! Or I'll shove the cream down youse pants!"

I whistled to myself and I heard them saying loudly. "It's a fine life! Carrying the Banner and living tough and tall!"

I came down the stairs calling out. "What a fine life!"

Kloppmann replied. "You bet it is. Where's the rest of them?"

I looked up and could already hear pounding feet. "They comin', I can here 'em."

I ran out the door before they could trample me. Then we were running and jumping around the street. I followed them. We passed the narrow street where workers were loading barrels in the back of one of those flat wagons. I jumped on one of them barrels and jumped from one to the other without falling, until I missed my footing and landing on my side on the ground.

Snipeshooter pulled me up by the arm. "Great steps, Slick."

I was just laughed at by the other newsies.

I waved them all off. "Yeah, yeah."

I winced at the pain in my side, but moved on. I had worse. All the Newsies were calling and singing in excitement at another day. "Summer stinks and winter's waitin'."

One of the workers yelled at me as we ran past. "Watch it!"

I turned back. "Not a chance!"

I did it every day, they should be used to it. I sang with the rest of them. "Welcome to New York!"

They all jumped off the flat wagon, getting the workers even angrier as he tried to kick one of them. I laughed at that. I ran out around the corner, the others following me. I sung out with them. "It's a fine life! Carrying the Banner with me chums! A mighty fine life! Carrying the Banner with me chums."

I looked back as they jumped to steps and down the street, a group passing me in the front.

"Blowing every nickel as it comes. It's a fine life!"

One called out. "I'm not snoozer! Sleeping makes me antsy! I likes living chancy."

I slid between him and his buddy, the other newsies singing with me. "From Harlem to Delancey!"

"What a fine life! Carrying the Banner through the slums."

Racetrack came over and smacked my shoulder, pointing toward the nun cart. I grinned, they usually gave us something to drink and eat. All of us quieted down and walked off as they sang some church song or something. They took their hats off, but I didn't wear one.

I smiled, giving my most charming look. I was handed some bread and a tin cup of water. Some lady was saying she was looking for her kid, but we don't say nothing even if we did know. Kids have reasons from skipping on their folks.

We turned another corner, calling out. "And I'll say anything I hafta. 'Cause two for a penny. If I take too many, Weasel makes me eat 'em afta-look! They're puttin' up the headlines!"

I jumped on a railing close to a home and flipped off it, landing on my two feet. It was good getting pumped up before we sell, makes us less tired later on.

"We get better stories from the copper on the beat! So where's your spot?"

We passed the guy writing on the World's board that told the headlines. The World was our paper. I ran with them toward the distribution center. They called. "We need a good assassination!"

I threw an arm around Crutchy. "We need an earthquake or an war!"

I could hear Crutchy laughing. I moved off of him when Snipeshooter called. "We needa crooked politician!"

"Stupid, that ain't news no more!" He was then pelted with caps.

I remember when that was a couple of years ago, it was all over the papes. We all started horsing around.

"Uptown to Grand Central Station! Down to City Hall! We improve our circulation! Walking 'till we fall!"

I jumped over Twitchy, which started him up in his namesake. We usually jumped around before we sold papes. "Still we'll be out there! Carrying the Banner, man to man! The idiot who wrote it must be workin' for the Sun."

I ran into Jack and he threw an arm over my shoulder, we all called. "Soaking every sucker that we can!"

I snickered, sliding around him as he started leaning his weight on me, making his stumble. He was 17 and I was only 14, also I was small for my age. Good for selling, bad for fighting and looking tough.

I chimed in with the rest of them. "The toll is even higher! Why do I miss all the fun? See the headline! Newsies on a mission!"

"Kill the competition! Sell the next edition! While we're out there, Carrying the Banner is the- "

We stopped and we were closer to the papes, but not close enough to stop fooling around. With all the running, I saw I was near Racetrack and Jack. Boots and others were around me.

I looked over and scowled, for once a smile not on my face. It was the Delancey Brothers, Morris and Oscar. Racetrack sniffed around with a cocky look. "Dear me, what is that unpleasant aroma? I fear the sewer may have backed up during the night."

He gave a smack to Kid Blink's face. I smirked at the two guys. "Ah, come on, Race. Even the sewer ain't this nasty."

That also got a couple of laughs as the Delancey Brothers sneered and came closer. I stiffened and warned them with a look. I would soak them if they tried anything. Boots said. "Yeah, what Slick said. Too rottin' to be the sewers."

I smirked and Crutchy said from behind me. "Yeah, yeah. It must be the Delancey Brudders!"

I laughed loudly at that, grinning mockingly at them. You might think we were being horrible, but they both were cowards and where just asking to be soaked. Racetrack said as they came close to us. "Hiya boys."

He knocked one of the younger kids down. "In the back, you lousy little shrimp."

I glared and pushed Morris back. "Watch it!"

Oscar snapped. "You wanna get beat again, Slick?"

I scoffed, rubbing my nose angrily. "Youse cowards soaked me two-one, ya know dis!" My accent came out more when I was angry or excited.

Jack patted my shoulder as he moved in front of them. So, I moved to his right side.

Racetrack helped the kid up. "Oh, that's not good to do that, not healthy."

I snapped. "Damn right it's not!"

Jack leaned forward. "You shouldn't be calling people lousey little shrimps Oscar, unless you're referrin' in your brudder here."

My eyebrows raised and I said with the other newsies. "Ohh!"

Racetrack called out. "Hey, 5 to 1, our Cowboy skunks 'em, huh?"

I snorted mockingly at the brothers. "C'mon, even ya know that's not a bet worth nuttin', Race."

The newsies also waved him off, knowing Race loved to bet, he even sold by the tracks.

Jack moved closer to Morris. "That's right, that's an insult. So's this!" He snatched off his hat and I laughed along with everyone else. Stealing one's hat is very insulting and Jack pulled it.

I followed them slower, knowing Jack had it handled. About what they said before about beating me, it was after I sold my papes and it was a slow day. I got attacked by both of them.

When I came over, he kicked Oscar and Morris down from a truck as he kicked them from above one of those overhang things over a store. Jack tossed back the guy's hat. Jack ran around and knocked into two boys. One was Jack's age and the other looked around eight or nine. The eldest looked like the really nicely dressed types. He had a tie and all. Except no coat.

The older one snapped. "What do you think you're doing?"

I raised an eyebrow, he didn't talk like he was a street kid either. I noticed the newsies shove themselves in a crowd to box the brothers in.

I saw them come through. I called out. "Jack, a stench is coming ya way!"

He grinned at the newcomers. "Runnin'."

I cheered with the others in amusement. The brothers bumped into the older new kid. I followed them to the place we got the papes.

I followed the rest and so did the brothers. I rolled my eyes. "Ya don' know when ta quit."

Jack took Morris in a headlock, forcing Oscar to hit him. Then we shoved them away. I used my foot to trip them to the ground. I smirked down at them. "'member, didn't pay ya back yet."

They sneered at me. "You just wait."

I ignored them as Jack climbed on the high green gate that would let us in to get the papes. We pushed open the gate. I was in the middle and I had to run or I would've been run over.

Jack came down and I pushed past people, not wanting to have to wait for my papes. I stood next to Race and Jack.

Oscar and Morris were talking about payback. I grinned at them. They pointed at me. "You too, Slick. We'll get you!"

I spread my arms. "Pick a place, Oscar. I soak ya so bad, you ain't gonna be sellin' for a week!"

He grumbled, but went in the building. Jack was knocking in the door softly. "Mr. Weasel." He started ringing the bell.

"All right, all right. Hold your horses! Hold your horses!"

I chuckled. "Jack, you doin' it wrong."

He raised an eyebrow. "Really? How then?"

I took the string for the bell and rang it fast, making the noise twice as loud.

"Dammit, I said hold on!"

Jack was smirking. "Ok, fine."

The door pulled up and Weasel was there, greasy hair and all. Jack asked mockingly. "So, did ya miss me, Weasel? Did ya? Did ya miss me?"

"I told ya a million times. The name is Weisel. Mr. Weisel to you."

Jack picked up a paper. Weasel asked. "How many?"

Jack replied. "Don't rush me, I'm perusin' the merchandize, Mr. Weasel."

I chuckled with everyone else, messing with him was a riot. He was just a crabby old man that would love to see all of us suffer if he could.

Jack smacked his coins down. "The usual."

"100 papes for the wise guy."

I snorted, digging in my pocket for my money. I put down 25 cents. "50 papes, grease ball."

He pointed a finger at me. "It's time ya show some respect."

I shrugged. "It's not me fault, I don' see nothin' worth respecting."

As usual with all of us, mocking Weasel got some laughs. I took my papes and moved aside. I leaned against the wall with my papes. Wondering if I should go to my usual spot today. I looked over the headlines, seeing what I should shout for today.

Headlines don't sell papes, but we use them partly. I heard. "I paid for 20, I only got 19."

My head darted up. I looked over at Jack and Racetrack who were also going over the paper. "He counted it?"

Race gave me the same strange look.

Weasel snapped. "Are you accusing me of lying, kid!?"

"No, I-I just want my paper."

I tucked the bundle of papes under my right arm and stood up. Jack went over. Morris said to him. "He said beat it."

I said sharply. "Ya had wimpy 'ol Morris as ya bodyguard, Weasel?"

Morris snapped. "Shut it, Slick!"

As I backtalked him, Jack also counted the papes from the new kid. Jack said. "No, Weasel, it's 19. It's 19, but don't worry about it. It's an honest mistake, I mean Morris can't count to 20 with his shoes on."

As I smirked, the others laughed. Jack asked. "Race, will you spot me two bits."

Jack knew better than to ask me. I was low, I barely had 2 cents to my name. Jack said. "Anudder 50 for my friend here."

The boy stuttered. "Oh, I-I don't want another 50."

Jack laughed. "Sure you do. Every newsie wants more papes."

I snorted. "That's only if ya can sell 'im."

Jack said. "Shut it, Slick. You'd do just fine with anudder 50."

I gave him a charming smile I usually used on people buying and he laughed. Boots and Crutchy joined him. It's where I got my name from other than my hair. I was a smooth talker and most of my sales came from girls.

Racetrack asked. "What are you, stupid?"

"I don't want your papes."

I pointed at him. "They're yours now."

He glared. "No, they are not."

He talked real proper. Where does he come from?

He said. "I don't take charity from anyone."

I nodded my head in respect, at least that's something. I muttered as I almost finished looking through my paper. "Too bad Jack don't do charity."

The others followed him out. I walked off. "See ya bums later."

I got a couple of shoves for that. I knew he was going to pull something with them. Jack called. "Meet me at my usual spot when you done or almost done, Slick."

I waved a hand. "Got it, Cowboy!"

I walked over to my usual spot, where no other newsies were. I waved the papers around. "EXTRA, EXTRA! BABY WITH FOUR HEADS BORN OUTTA WEDLOCK!"

A man raised an eyebrow, handing me a penny, before moving. I smiled, pocketing the coin. I moved a little down the street. I saw one girl I knew. I moved away from her sight and slicked my hair back with my hands with my famous grin. She was traveling with a friend of hers. I bowed my head as they came by me. "Oh, Miss Marie-Anne, I'm a lucky boy for seeing ya today."

She flushed as she always did. She handed me a penny. "Is it a good paper, Mr. Alex?"

I shook my head, smiling brightly. "I think we know each other well 'nough that ya can call me Alex."

She ducked her head down. I handed her a pape. I looked over to her friend. "And who is this lovely lady? I apologize for not having a cap to tip off to you."

Marie-Anne smiled as her friend blushed. "This is Alex, he's a paperboy."

I nodded my head. "Yeah, the pleasure's mine."

"Mr. Alex? What's the paper about today?"

I smiled at her kindly. "We'll the rioting is mighty serious. Many have been hurt."

Her eyes widened. "I do wish to know what father and Rio talk about. I'll take one."

I smiled charmingly at her. I gave her a pape, listening to them giggle about how 'handsome' I was as they walked off. I snorted to myself, if only they knew. I worked the corner for a while and the sun was coming down hard. Another lady came by and I smiled charmingly. "Ma'am, I'd love if you'd by a paper. Did you hear about the four-headed baby?"

She gasped, putting a hand over her mouth. A man followed her side and he glared at me. "Why're you looking at my wife that way, boy!?"

I smirked at him. "Simpily selling papes, sir. Have to eat sometime."

The women looked sadly at me. I changed from the 'cocky boyish look' to the 'sad hungry orphan child'. The women handed me a nickel. My eyes widened in genuine surprise. "Thank you, ma'am."

"Mary, that's enough!"

I handed her the pape with a grin and the man snapped. "That's enough I said."

Before I realized it, I was grabbed by the back of my jacket and shirt collar, then kicked in the rear where he let go and I landed on my front. I grunted, holding the papers tightly to my side so they wouldn't scatter.

"Henry, don't!"

Mary was kneeling by my side. I stood up with a grimace. "It's quite alright, Ma'am."

At least I got money, the kick to the seat of my pants was worth it. He was steaming mad behind me. Before I got soaked, I told her. "It's fine." I took her hand and pulled her up and got out of there before he went to attack me. It wouldn't look good for when I'd sell tomorrow if I fought with him.

That happened a lot of times with brothers, fathers and husbands. It's just part of the job. I still had a few papes left. I decided to go see Jack and sell the rest there.

I only had about 4. I walked there and saw the wrestling ring Jack picked as his spot. People were crowded and yelling loudly. I smiled at the young lady my age. "EXTRA! FIRE ON MAJOR BUILDINGS IN NEW YORK!"

The girl looked at me and my grin, coming over. "Is this true, sir?"

I grinned at her, taking her hand and placing a light kiss on it. "The name is Alex, pleasure miss…"

"Anna, Mr. Alex."

I let go, licking my lip slightly. Her hand tasted weird. She said. "I'll take one, one second."

"John!"

A boy around Jack's age came over. "What is it, Annie?"

"Can you buy a paper from this gentleman?"

The boy, John looked at me suspiciously. "What did this boy do to want you to want the paper?"

"He made it sound interesting."

The boy scoffed. "I'm sure he did. Listen, rat, you touch my sister, you're in for a beat down."

"John, stop it!"

I just grinned boyishly at him. "No, sir. Just sellin' papes."

He rolled his eyes, giving me a penny. Grinning wider, I gave him a pape.

I walked off, winking at the girl when the brother wasn't looking. She giggled at me. I sold the rest of them doing the same type of stuff I did before.

The boy from before at the Distribution Office was around. "Is he serious?"

"That's Slick for ya!"

I turned to see Jack and the two newcomers standing around. I shoved the rest of my money in my pocket. I had about 56 cents in my pocket, a good run. Normally I only make 50 cents on 50 papes and half goes to the next day.

I asked. "Who are ya?"

The younger kid said. "I'm Les!"

I smiled down at the young kid. The older one said. "David."

I nodded. "Name's Alex, but everyone dat's not a girl calls me Slick."

David muttered. "I can see why."

I raised my eyebrows, getting angry. "You judging me, genius?"

Jack raised his hands, putting one on my shoulder. "Nah, he's not. He's not used to our side."

I nodded. "Yeah, sorry, David. Have too many fools judging, don' need anudder to do it."

He nodded back. I was about to shake with him. I spit in my hand and he flinched back. I rose an eyebrow. "What?"

Jack chuckled. "He don't spit shake."

I burst into laughter. "What? Alright. Hey, Les? Shake, you gotta spit first."

David said. "Hey, wait- "

"Sure!" The kid spit in his hand, shaking mine. I used my other hand to ruffle his hair.

Les asked. "You Cowboy's age?"

I grinned a that, puffing up with pride. Jack laughed at me. He rung an arm around my neck. "Naw, this squirt is 14. Nothin' on me."

I shoved him off before he could shove me into a headlock, what he did when he was making fun of me.

David suddenly said. "You know that guy?"

My eyes widened. "Shit! Jack, it's Snyder!"

He looked up too and we ran off. I grabbed the kid and pulled him forward in front of us. David called. "Hey, my brother- "

I called back. "You want 'im ta get caught! Let's go!"

Jack cried. "Hurry up, it's the Bulls!"

We couldn't tell him he was part of the Refuge right now, we had no time.

We tried to run off as fast as we could.

Slick's run in with the Delancey Brothers.

I was late, later than I would usually get out from selling papes. Some newsie was out on my spot before I was so it was hard to get a spot and it seemed a lot of girls were with male figures and they got angry once they saw my selling point, making it hard to sell my last papes.

I was walking toward the lodge, when I was yanked from behind. I yelped as my arms were pulled behind me. I was Oscar Delancey in front of me which had to mean his brother, Morris was holding my arms behind my back. I wrinkled my nose at them. "Looks like I found what that smell was. Heard of a bath 'fore?"

Oscar grabbed the front of my shirt and I shifted a little in place. I glared up at him. He grinned nasty at me. "Look who we caught, Mori?"

I heard him snicker from behind me. "Yeah, he ain't so slick now."

I laughed with him. "Morris Delancey ain't so smart. How does that feel, Oscar? To have a stupid brudder?"

"SHUT UP!" Morris yanked my arms higher up my back. I grunted in pain, shutting my eyes for a moment. When I opened them, I was hit in the face by Oscar.

I let out a yell. "You coward!"

Oscar snapped. "Shut up!" I was punched in the stomach a couple of times. I pulled away, but Morris held my arms tighter. I needed to get of this, it was getting bad. I wasn't the strongest of us, but I wasn't the weakest either.

As he hit me in the face again and Morris was pulling on my arms, I knew I had to get out of this. The Bulls would just ignore it if they saw. I shook my head at the hit to my face. I was getting dizzy. I dropped and Morris lost his grip.

I slammed my elbow into his chest a couple times. He let me go and I tackled his brother. I punched him in the face a couple of times before Morris attacked me.

I swore to myself loudly as I was thrown to the floor. Oscar was cursing at me as he kicked me in the ribs. I grunted. "Leave me 'lone!"

"He wants us to leave him alone!"

They laughed and after hitting me some more, they walking off laughing. I groaned and rolled on my back. I hated them. It was pitch dark, I just hope everyone was sleeping. Something that I wanted to do. I shook my head, standing up. My head was pounding and so was the rest of me.

I stumbled to the lodging house. I opened the door and saw Kloppman was asleep since he wasn't out here. I stumbled to my bed and grabbed sleep pants and a shirt. I walked into one of the bathroom stalls and closed the door behind me.

After taking my shirt and undershirt off, I looked at my side. The bandages wrapping my chest came loose. I tightened them a little when I heard footsteps. I put the undershirt back on and put the sleeping shirt and pants.

Feeling my head, I felt the dried blood. So far, it was a bruised body and bloody head. Nothing too bad. I ran a hand through my now messy hair.

I opened the door, only to flinch in surprise when I saw Jack. His eyes widened and his face looked shocked when he saw me. "S-slick? What happened to youse?"

I stared at him in surprise. "Uh…nuttin' Jack."

Jack shook his head. "I don' believe dat."

I waved my arms before wincing. "Quiet, don' want the others hearing."

"Then, tell me Slick."

I felt my face redden in embarrassment. I got soaked by the Delancey brothers, I didn't want to tell anyone that. "C'mon, just couple a' bruises."

"You get banged up, sellin'?"

"Nah, I mean yeah."

He glared at me, grabbing me by the front of my shirt and snapping lowly. "Alex, stop lying to me."

I winced, I looked up to Jack, even if I wasn't in the habit of admitting it. He was like an older brother to me. I looked away from him. "Fine, fine. I got soaked…by the Delancey Brudders."

He dropped me in shock. "What?"

I looked at the ground. "Yeah, Jack. Laugh it up. I was comin' to the Lodge and dey grabbed me."

He didn't laugh and I felt a hand mess up my hair. I looked up to see Jack smiling at me. He gave me a cocky grin. "Don't worry much, Slick. Youse only 14 and small at dat. Dey closer to my age. And youse had to fight two of 'em. C'mon, time ta sleep."

I sighed and then winced. "Okay."

He looked at my face and I flinched back. "That's a good bruise there. You can use that for tomorrow's papes."

I shrugged. "I guess-what're ya doin'!?"

"Checkin' ya, calm down." He lifted my shirt halfway and I grabbed his arm.

"Hey, stop!"

Jack slapped a hand over my mouth. "Shush!" He stopped moving my shirt in my middle of my chest and I was relieved, the bandages weren't even showing. He prodded something on my right side. I hissed. "Ow!"

He let go of my shirt. "Ya good. Night."

He patted the back of my head. I went to my bunk on the top, wincing as it hurt me with the bruises. Jack gave me a wave and turned on his side.

We were lucky we didn't wake anyone else, even if I had to answer to them in the morning.

They were curious and I had to tell them. They were angry Delancey hurt one of us, but that was it. I did get a lot of selling with sympathy and awe at my battle wounds.

I still hated the Delancey Brothers and was going to pay them back.

How was that? I wanted to go for the non-romance direction as more Newsies stories go, not that there's a problem, just wanted to make this more original. Cause the whole girl disguising as a boy thing isn't new.

Something I was curious about, why do they always tuck the hair away instead of cutting it when they hid to be a boy? Either way is fine, my character has short hair.

Anyway, hope you liked this and tell me what you think.