Ace of Hearts

By: Racetrack's Goil

Author's Note: Boring chapter for me to re-write. And I've taken out alot of the characters who came on the CC, as stated before. Well, before I re-wrote this. Artemis, Jackal, Pike, and Milkshake comes out though, so keep reading!

Disclaimer: Ace and Fire belong to me. Everyone else belongs to Disney or fanfiction dudes and dudettes.

Onto the chapter!


The next morning I woke up and felt like I could sleep on for a month. Last night I had continued my search for a job, a chore, something little to do…anything to get myself at least a little money for today, as I would need the money to buy newspapers. I had finally found one…and it was washing windows at an expensive looking house. At least it got me some dimes. But it was hard work.

I grimaced at my blistered fingers, but shook away my complaints. My fingers would probably be the last thing on my mind by the time the day was done…

The first thing I noticed as I neared the distribution center was the noise. Kids of every age were lining up to buy newspapers and were talking, arguing, or joking around. There must have been more than twenty of them. I looked for Spot, but didn't find him so I quickly walked up onto the ramp and to the end of the long line. A couple of boys nudged one another and stared at me as if I was some sort of intruder. That wasn't bad compared to the way some other boys were looking at me. I gritted my teeth and forced myself to ignore them. Ugh. Boys are disgusting creatures.

After realizing that I wasn't responding to their raising of eyebrows and smirks, they turned away to leave me alone. I was infinitely relieved.

As I waited, I studied the back of boy in front of me. In fact, that was about all I could see unless I tilted my head up. He must have been a little over six feet tall. I was absentmindedly musing to myself how much he reminded me of a pirate right from the storybooks with his dark skin and pony tailed hair, along with the scar on his cheek when I noticed that he was talking with someone in front of him. I couldn't help but listen.

"Spot will kick you out someday, you know," a girl's voice was saying, amusement laced in her clear, no-nonsense voice. I tried to see her, but the ramp we were on as narrow and I didn't want to seem rude by peering around the boy.

"Dat shorty? Kick me out? Me? Listen, Arty, even if he's got an ego for someone thrice his size and what he calls authority, you'll have no worry of me being kicked out," he replied, grinning a rather devilish grin.

"Oh, I ain't worried. Not one bit. An' don't you call me Arty again. It's Ar-te-mis…ya bummer."

"I like Arty. Artemis is a whole mouthful of a name for a small girl like you."

"Watch who you're calling small, ya big goon; you know everyone's small compared to youse."

I was about to listen in more (yeah, bad me) when someone spoke up from behind.

"Hiya, angel. Ya new?"

I turned around to find myself face to face with a good-looking boy around my age. He was short for a guy, but who was I to talk about people being short? For a brief moment, I felt absurdly embarrassed by the guy's attention. He was standing too close for me to ignore the fact that he was attractive, with his slicked-back dark hair and chocolate eyes that were laughing at me in an amused way.

"Who's new?" A girl's voice demanded from behind the boy, and I realized that I had been staring. Whoever spoke tried to push past the boy, who rolled his eyes and let her go in front.

"Me," I spoke finally, just as the line started moving again. She stared at me through curious green eyes. I met her gaze evenly, feeling as though I was going through a test or something. Whatever it was, it was clear that I passed, because she abruptly stuck out her hand. I shifted my sack over to my other shoulder and accepted her offer of friendship.

"Milkshake," she simply said, in what seemed to be an introduction. She jerked a rough thumb at the boy who was watching, "Dis goon here-"

"Pike, at yoah service," He winked and his eyes sparkled with something akin to interest. "You've got a lovely smile, did ya know dat?" This time it was Milkshake who rolled her eyes and mumbled something like, "There he goes again," but then again, I wasn't too sure. Either way, I felt my cheeks burn. Pike, I thought somewhat disgustedly, was an outrageous flirt.

"I'm Ace," I coughed, and kept my gaze on Milkshake. She looked startled for a second, but an easy grin quickly spread across her face and she looked strangely gleeful.

"Ace? Da one Fire had a bit of a tussle with, aren't ya?"

I automatically drew back and gave her a suspicious look. "How do you know?"

Milkshake exchanged looks with Pike, and said, "Fire likes to make a big deal about something da size of his brain," she laughed and continued, "He was ravin' about a little brat named Ace. He went on and on about what he was gonna to do when he finds you."

But of course.

"I'd like to see that," I muttered, feeling truly angry. Fire had started the fight. Sure, maybe I made him look foolish. But honestly! I didn't know the guy! And how could he already forget what Spot had told him? Little as I had seen of the lithe, smooth-talking Brooklyn leader, I got the feeling he wasn't someone who'd repeat his orders.

"Da dimwit's got a temper, but nothin' else," Pike said with a pitying shake of his head. I found myself nodding, agreeing with him totally.

"Very true," Milkshake laughed and slapped me roughly on the back. "Don't ya worry. He ain't gonna harm ya."

I smiled half-heartedly, grateful for her support, but doubting whether it would be of any help.

"How many?"

I turned and saw that 'pirate boy' purchasing his newspapers from a hawk-nosed man with an expression of pure boredom on his face. The girl was nowhere to be seen. I watched and listened closely to the boy in front of me, since I was next.

"A hundred," the Pirate Boy ordered more than requested, tossing a coin carelessly at the man, who caught it with surprising ease without a word, as if he was used to this kind of treatment. Milkshake nudged me.

"Do you want to sell with me today?"

Well now. I was extremely glad.

I accepted her invitation gratefully and she shrugged it off brusquely before smiling again. She then indicated to the boy in front of me, who was waiting for his newspapers.

"Dat dere's Jackal," she whispered, "He's probably the only one who has the nerve to make fun of Spot in his face. Handsome one, isn't he?" Milkshake added for the benefit of Pike, who gave her a mock-scowl.

So it was Spot Jackal and his friend was talking about. My interest was caught. I had heard that Brooklyn newsies were fiercely loyal to Conlon. Jackal must be an exception. I didn't have time to continue on my thoughts though, since it was my turn came and I stepped forward. I faced the hawk-nosed man, who looked me up and down appraisingly.

"I'm new," I said rather unnecessarily. He looked at me in a nasty, glowering way. So I hastily said, "And I'll take thirty." I figured that I ought to sell little at first; after all, I had never done this job before. I walked off in possession with my newspapers and waited for Milkshake.

She quickly came over after she got her stack, closely followed by Pike.

"Well, I gotta go now, me ladies," he said, moving his newspapers into a more comfortable position onto his shoulders, supporting them with his arm. He flashed me a dazzling grin, all charm. "Catch ya later, baby."

I uncomfortably watched him go and glanced at Milkshake, who shrugged her shoulders. Her cheeks were tinged a slight red.

"Pike's an incredible flirt; ignore him. Most girls just go head over heels for him."

"I can see why," I replied distantly, looking at her again and noting how her mouth was pressed in a tight line, as though she was trying not to be…jealous? I hoped not. Mildly glad of her effort, I said hastily, "But he's not really my type," then I changed the subject lamely, "Where's Spot? I haven't seen him at all."

"He's left just before you came. You see, he always buys the first papes. Come on, let's get started."

We left the distribution center and Milkshake told me to pick a selling spot so I chose to sell near in the crowded marketplace. We went there and I found myself at loss of what to do. I tried a guess.

"So, you just shout out the headline, they come, they pay, and we're done?"

Her former, sudden stiffness with me disappeared as she grinned. "Sorta," she said vaguely. I shrugged and waved a newspaper as I had seen some newsies do.

"Mayor's daughter falls sick!"

Milkshake shook her head and pulled my arm back down.

"Okay, to sell newspapers, you gotta know two things: What to say an' who to say dem to. You have to change da news a little to get some attention and you have to know what kind of things to say to what kind of people. You see?"

I didn't see. Milkshake saw my blank expression.

"Now, watch," she took a deep breath and yelled out, "Mayor's daughter poisoned. Mayor's daughter near death!"

Er?

I stared as an old man trotted excitedly up to Milkshake and bought a newspaper. The strange thing was how the man didn't even look at her as he paid up. She might as well have not been there. In a sense, I suppose that was good. It wouldn't do if someone remembered your face after saying something like that. Besides, there were more chances of you not remembering your customer's faces than them remembering yours. Right?

"Thank you, sir," Milkshake called after him and then turned to grin at me again, looking immensely satisfied with herself. "See?"

"That's a lie," I declared. She shrugged carelessly.

"It pays. Try it."

I scanned another page. "Neighbors complain of pet pigeon droppings." I thought for a second.

"Mysterious abnormal objects found on panicked neighbor's roofs!" I shouted earnestly, waving in the air. Milkshake's mouth twitched with internal laughter, but she remained quiet.

A middle-aged woman gave me an odd look and passed by. Another lady came though, and she seemed to be distracted as I thanked her for the penny she gave in return for the newspaper. As soon as the woman was out of earshot, Milkshake doubled over and guffawed.

"Talk 'bout exaggeration, ya dolt!" Milkshake laughed, almost knocking into me.

"But the lady bought it, so it doesn't matter, right?" I asked, but couldn't help smiling. She was one of those people who had a certain manner of laughing that made everyone around them laugh along with them, even if they didn't really understand why. Were we going to be friends?

"Mys…teri…ous objects?" Milkshake asked incredulously. She weakly waved a newspaper at me and collapsed against a tree. After a while, she ran out of breath and her laughing trailed off into little gasps. She clapped me on the shoulder enthusiastically, looking pleased. "Blast it, Ace; dat was awful. But make sure no one catches you saying da wrong things. Believe me, I learned it da hard way," she said wryly. I could just imagine.

She finished selling her newspapers quickly, being the professional newsie she was, and of course, I took quite a long time.

"Come on, you stupid gits," I muttered as no one came to buy my last paper. Finally, after changing my headline numerously, I was finished. I thought I did pretty well, especially since it was my first day. I felt a sense of pride as I turned to Milkshake, holding my arms out to show that I was finished. "I'm done!" I said, grinning. "How did I do?"

She shrugged again; a gesture I realized was a favorite of hers. "You're not very good."

I felt my grin sort of freeze. "Oh."

Well, what was I to expect? She was a Brooklynite. Brooklyn wasn't known for manners or friendliness. At least she had been nice enough to stay with me until I was done. Strangely enough, I didn't feel all that angry or hurt. What, you think I'm gonna hate her now? And besides, she's a pro. I'll get there, I promised myself. I'll become so good at my job, that….that…that I'll prove Spot wrong about his conception about girls not being able to work as well as guys.

Milkshake looked around and then glanced at me. "How 'bout lunch?"

"Thank God," I declared and she laughed a clear, breezy laugh.

"Ray's," she said simply, which didn't really make sense, but I followed her as she crossed the street.

We walked for a while in silence, she seemingly engrossed in the marketplace, and I just trying to keep up. We stopped in front of a restaurant which seemed a little broken down, but fairly clean. The letters on the walls were somewhat faded, but I could still see that this was "Ray's." Nearly all the tables were filled, mostly with newsies, although I couldn't really see well from the dirty state of the windows.

Suddenly, I felt someone grab my shoulder and turn me sharply around. I found myself facing a girl around my age, with angry grey eyes, and I felt an immediate sense of dislike. I glanced around and saw that Milkshake was nowhere to be seen. She had probably gone inside already.

"What do you think you're doing?" asked the girl with the angry eyes, suspicion thick in her voice…which sounded strangely familiar. I frowned and stepped back a little, not liking the way she was sizing me up.

"What does it look like?" I answered back and I realized belatedly that it wasn't exactly the best response. She crossed her arms and raised her eyebrows.

"From what it looked to me, it looked like you were spying on da newsies. You from Queens?"

"I," I said pointedly, "was going to go in, to eat lunch with Milkshake." I was getting irritated. My stomach felt emptier and this girl was, in a sense, standing between me and food, although that sounds a little barbaric. A sensible part of my mind told me that this was dangerously becoming a repeat of my little scuffle with Fire yesterday, but I couldn't see any way out of this.

"You're a Brooklynite?" The girl's eyes narrowed even more.

I stiffened. "So?" I shot back, irritated by the girl's skeptism. I could see what she was thinking: This scrawny kid's joinin' us?

She was about to say something when the most horrible thing happened. I interrupted her. Well, I didn't. My stomach did. It gave one loud audible moan of complaint. I stood there, hating myself, and we were both silent for a second. I was burning up with embarrassment and the girl was just staring, as though she didn't know what to think. Well, who would, really? Here she was, trying to accuse me of spying, and the supposed spy's stomach was growling away. Talk about anticlimactic.

I cleared my throat and tried to gather what little was left of my dignity. "Before we continue this conversation, can I eat?" I asked haughtily, trying to look like nothing had happened. A ghost of a smile crossed her face, but it disappeared soon.

Just at that moment, Milkshake burst out of the door and looked angrily at me.

"Ace, are you comin' or," she caught herself as she saw the girl, "Oh. Hey Artemis."

Artemis? No wonder I thought her voice sounded familiar. She was the girl who had been talking with the boy Jackal, that pirate boy. She had sounded a whole lot friendlier then. Perhaps she disliked strangers? However, she seemed to slightly relax when she nodded at Milkshake in a manner of greeting.

"Ya know her?" she asked, and Milkshake shrugged.

"First day. Ace, this is Artemis…da best thief in New York," Milkshake said pleasantly, although I could see her green eyes dancing with the anticipation of a fight. I chewed at my lip and looked at Artemis, who only raised an eyebrow again and continued to look suspicious. However, her expression grew interested.

"Ace, eh? Da one Fire-"

Milkshake interrupted with a grin. "Yeah."

I was feeling thoroughly exasperated when Artemis gave me a look of disbelief. She looked me up and down again, as if trying to figure me out. Then she passed her judgment. "Hilarious." I gaped at her, astounded by her rudeness. Then she turned around and walked away.

"Come on, let's eat," Milkshake said finally. Artemis abruptly turned around without a word and walked away. I glared after her, wondering whether I should make her explain herself. But I decided against it. It was only my first day. If I lost it on my first day, how much worse was it going to get later on?

"You'll get used to her."

"I think," I said, "I won't."

Milkshake grinned and shook her head. "Nah. You will. No one hates Artemis."

I frowned doubtfully, no longer feeling all that happy. I didn't feel like going into that restaurant now, full of those newsies who might very well be just like this Artemis. Thief, right? I reached up to adjust my hat, hoping Milkshake didn't see my expression.

What was I getting myself into?


Author's Note: Yah well, hopefully this isn't too bad. I'm off to re-writing the next chapter nowwww.