"Sos where you'se from kid? Yer grammar sounds too good to be from 'ere."
"Oh, I'm from Ohio originally"
"Wow. Sos how'd you get here?" They walked into a restaurant called Tibby's and went to a booth. Just then a bunch of other boys walked in, they were dressed like Jack, so she assumed they were newsies as well. She had felt uncomfortable with Jack before, now even more so with a number of guys.
"Hey guys!" announced Jack "Dis is Layana an she's gonna eat wit us taday!" Layana started to blush again but she continued smiling.
"Wow. Look at dat smile, dis goil could light up da whole street."
"Dat's Racetrack." Jack pointed. For a second she thought of when her family used to say things about her smile, and thought of how she missed them but was quickly brought back into reality. Race and another boy with curly hair sat next to Jack across from her, the one with curly hair had the cutest smile. Two others sat next to her, one with a patch on his left eye and one with a crutch at the end.
"I'se Blink." said the one next to her.
"And I'm Crutchy." She smiled at each then looked up to the one across from her. The one with the cute smile and unruly brown hair was now somehow across from her.
"An dat's Mush!" Jack said referring to him. His chocolate brown eyes widened at the sound of his name. The others laughed, and she just smiled, He offered his hand.
"You'se now yer preddy quiet, shy or sumdin'?" Mush asked trying to find something else to say. As she moved her hand from his her elbow hit a glass full with water and ice. The water hit Blink and as the ice registered he tried jumping as about as much as he could being trapped between two people and under a table. Everyone went into hysterics. Layana tried not to laugh but it was hard, so she put her hand in front of her face.
"I'm so sorry." she choked out in between laughs.
"You'se laughin' at me?" Blink started trying to throw what water was on the table at her. They were all goofing off when a boy with dark hair, stick and a hat came to the table.
"Heya Jack. You'se wont believe dis."
"Whdda talkin' bout Bumlets?"
"Well, I'se ran into Oscar, an he says dat Morris ran away, an day haven't seen him all day."
"Why da bum do dat?" Racetrack put in, after taking a drink.
"Oh well, one less Delancey to stink up da place."
"You'se a'right Layana?" Jack asked after he noticed a shocked look on her face. Just then everyone looked at her too.
"Yes. I was just, uhh, nothing. Yes, I'm fine." She smiled nervously.
"Sos where's you staying Layana ?" Crutchy asked, looking over Blink.
"Well, right now, I'm not sure. Actually, I have no idea." She looked down being a little bit embarrassed.
"Well, hey Jack maybe..." Mush began really excited as Jack interrupted.
"You'se readin' me mind Mush. I'se don't tink Kloppman would mind." The newsies all nodded their heads in agreement and looked at her.
"What?" she asked.
"We'es was wonderin' if you'se would wanna stay wit us at da lodgin' house." Mush asked with a pitiful, pleading look in his eyes.
"Are you sure?"
"Course we are." Jack said reassuring her. Lunch was finished much quicker than it had approached and the newsies had begun to disperse. All were gone except Jack, Mush, and
Layana.