A/N: I would just like to put in here a disclaimer. I realized I haven't done that yet, and I don't know what punishments may come out of not having a disclaimer, but I don't want to find out. I do not own Newsies. And if I did, they'd all be my husbands. I'm not writing this for money (who would pay for this?). I'm simply doing it out of fun and enjoyment.

*Ace's POV*

Two weeks later

The rustle of waking boys surrounds me. I bury my head further into the pillow, refusing to admit it was morning. I hear a thump on the ground next to my bunk, and I know Race is awake. There's a shift of weight as he sits on the thin mattress, lacing up his shoes.
"C'mon, Ace. Time ta get up."
"No," I say into the pillow.
"Even Jack's up," he shakes my shoulder and attempts to roll me over, "Get up."
"I'm going to kill you," I threaten, covering my face with my arms.
He laughs, "I'd like ta see ya try. Now c'mon. Papes ain't gonna sell demselves."
"I don't even sell papes, Racetrack." I peek through my fingers, taking note that he isn't wearing a shirt, "I just tag along because I got nothin' better to do."
Race smiles, "And ya love every minute of it." He turns away, knowing I'll get up in my own time.

I had been here for two weeks and already felt like I was part of the family. On my third day here, Race and I found a set of clothes that someone grew out of. My dress was filthy and torn, so I was eager for a change. The brown pants took a while to get used to, but now I was just as comfortable in them as I would be in a dress, maybe even more. A pair of maroon suspenders held the pants up, over an off-white button-up shirt and gingham vest. We even found a green cap for me to wear. If it hadn't been for my long hair and figure, you couldn't even tell I was a girl. I grab the clothes sitting neatly in a pile next to my bed and head for a makeshift curtain in the corner of the room. I smile, remembering the compromise I made with the boys: if I had a private dressing area, I wouldn't steal their money in another poker game.

I finish dressing and step out from behind the curtain and look around the room. Rows of bunk beds occupy the majority of the space, while the back wall has sinks, mirrors, and a water pump. Around the corner, toilet stalls are already stinking up the room. Early sunlight filters in through the grimy windows. The newsboys do their various morning routines, pulling on shirts, washing up, bragging about whatever girl they took out the night before. I look from boy to boy, listing them off and trying to remember their names. Jack, Crutchy, Mush, Specs, Kid Blink, Race... My eyes fall on Race, who is searching around our bunk bed, still shirtless, "Alright, who took my cigar?" I roll my eyes and sit on the bed, lacing my shoes. Race crawls underneath the bed frame and peeks his head out between my feet, "Seen my cigar anywhere?"
I shove his head back under the bed, "Put a cork in it, Race. You'll steal another one anyways. Now put a shirt on."
"Youse ain't my mother," he stands up and winks, "Does it bother ya?"
I ignore his question, knowing he'll come up with a smart answer to whatever I reply with. Race and I became fast friends within the short time I've been here. Sure, I was friends with the other boys, but Race usually sticks closest to me.

There's an open sink and mirror on the other side of the room, so I hurry over and claim it before someone else can. After washing my face and securing my hair up with my barrette, I examine the eye that Morris had hit a few weeks ago. There is still some yellow pigment underneath my bottom lashes, but the purple bruising has gone away completely. I lightly trace over the yellow tint with my finger, hoping all evidence of the punch will disappear within the next few days.
Specs is at the sink next to me and he notices my observations of my eye, "Don't worry, youse can see."
"It ain't the seein' I'm worried about. It's-" I stop when I notice him wiping off his glasses on his shirt, "Right. Sorry."
He waves it off, "I wasn't implyin' dat. But I'll take da sympathy." He winks and looks over his lenses. Multiple smudges can be seen and he tries again.
"Here," I say, holding out my hand, "My shirt's cleaner." Specs hands me the glasses and I wipe them off on my shirt. Once they're clean, I place them on my face, "How do I look?"
Specs smirks, "Stupid."
I laugh and punch his arm, "Shut up." I hand Specs his glasses back and he slips them on. I smile, "They work better for you."
I notice Race watching us from across the room. Specs follows my gaze and looks sheepish, "I'll see youse later, Ace."
"Good luck with your papes today," I leave Specs and head back to the bunk, where Race is standing. "What's got you up in a knot?"
He opens his mouth to speak, closes it, then opens it again, "I ain't find my cigar yet."
"Betcha today's pay Jack's got it," I wink, grabbing my hat off my bed and tucking my hair inside it. He laughs and throws an arm around my shoulders as we follow the other newsboys out of the Lodging House.

Jack did, in fact, have Race's cigar. The two get in a tussle as everyone heads for The World office. Race snatches the cigar out of Jack's hand from behind, running ahead of him before Jack can make sense of it. Jack chases after Race and the cigar bounces from hand to hand. I laugh as I watch them duke it out. The newsboys around me are either watching Jack and Race or creating their own wrestling matches. I slowly head for the edge of the crowd, watching out for any running, flipping, or fighting boys. Crutchy's a tad behind, hobbling to keep up with the group. I wait for him to catch up.
"Morning, Miss Ace," Crutchy smiles.
I smile back; it's impossible not to smile when you're with Crutchy. "I thought I told you not to call me miss."
He shrugs the arm that's not hanging onto his crutch, "Youse is a lady. Youse is a miss ta me."
I look back at the crowd of newboys, far ahead of us now, "Is it hard keeping up with them?"
Crutchy waves it off, "I've been doin' dis my whole life. They knows I'm okay." I think back to when he was sent to the Refuge for being left behind during the strike, but I keep my mouth shut. Crutchy grins, "So how's Race?"
I raise my eyebrow, "What do you mean?"
"You know..." he winks.
I open my mouth to speak but a commotion from ahead interrupts.

A/N: Yes, it's short. But that's really all I have time for/can think of at the moment. But I hope you like it!

P.S. If anyone can think of some kind of conflict/event for me to do, I would greatly appreciate it. I have lots of stuff planned for this, but it's mainly drabble/stuff that's over within the chapter. And I want a good plot! So send me a PM or include it in your review. :) Thanks!