Chapter 3: A New Beginning
Waking early to the sound of rowdy boys, she moved to a more secluded location. She stood in the ally she took out a brush and combed her dark red, curly hair that reached her waist. Her hair was one thing was proud of she had been letting it grow since she was little. She started to sing as she did this, singing wasn't exactly something she was gifted with; however, she loved to do it.
"Hey you!" A boy came up to Layana with papers in his arm. He was a newsy and had heard her singing. He had stood silent until she quite. Startled Layana turned to face the tallboy; he had blonde hair to his eyes, a cowboy hat on his back, a red bandanna at his tan neck, and spoke with a thick New York accent. She recognized him as the one who Morris and Oscar were always fighting with and everyone called Cowboy. She hoped he didn't recognize her.
"Yes?" she replied trying to steady her voice.
"I'se sorry. I didn't mean to scare you'es," he smiled and approached a little more, which made her take a little step back. She smiled and looked up. "Da names Kelly, Jack Kelly." He said gesturing to himself then extending his hand to her.
"Mines Layana Riggs." She extended her hand.
"Well, Layana you'es wanna buy a pape from me?"
"I'm sorry, I can 't, I would but..." he cut her off, and stepped a little closer.
"You don't need a reason. Sos whadda doin' here by yourself in dis ally?
"Nothing. I just...was..." Jack could see she was lost and spoke up.
"Well, let me finish sellin' dese, an you'se can 'ave lunch wit me and me pals."
"Uh, ok. But what should I do with," she gestured to her suitcase.
"I'se godda place for it. Follow me."
Walking! She started getting worried of what he may think. It had been such a long time since she had walked in front of stranger let alone someone, a guy, her age. She tried to push the pain aside for and walked up to his side. Her legs began aching more that last year than ever.
"You'se a'right? You didn't hort yer leg did ya?" She reddened a little at this and looked down.
"No, I'm okay. I was born like this. Sorry if I scared you."
"No, no. It's ok, I'se just wanted to be sures you'se wudden't hort. Don't worry bout it." He laughed trying to put her more at ease.
They walked to a place not too far away that said "Newsboys Lodging." Jack explained that it where he and the other newsies stayed and most of them called home. He put her case on a bunk and said that they'd be back for it later. She took some of a little money out that she had been saving and tucked it into her waist band. Layana walked with Jack while he sold his papers. He shouted out headlines that she really didn't remember seeing, but it seemed to work so she guessed that was the point. After selling his last paper he talked more, telling her stories of the strike and about his friends.