Title: Cuts Like A Knife

Author: Stress

First written: May 12, 2002

Edited and replaced: January 21, 2005

Summary: Part I of the Soul Mates Series; She thought that life couldn't get any better. She had friends and a family that loved her – she was taken care of and had no complaints. But that was before he came into her life. And, no matter how hard she tries to escape his grasp, he'll never let her go.

Manhattan

"Rise and shine, girls! It's time to sell your papers!" cried Mrs. Cook, bright and early the fourth morning Stress awoke in her bunk at the Bottle Alley Lodging House.

"I don't wanna chase the rabbit..." grumbled Bookie as she rolled over in her bunk.

Gip, who was already up and dressed, reached over and poked Bookie. "What rabbit is that, Bookie?"

Bookie opened her right eye and looked at Gip quizzically. "What are you talking about Gip?"

Gip shook her head as she walked over to shake Stripes awake.

Stress stifled her giggle as she went to get changed. Thanks to Martini, who was just her height and about the same size, Stress no longer had to wear her same old blouse and skirts every day. "I feel so much safer in knickers," she muttered to herself as she pulled on her new grey pants and lifted the black suspenders to rest on her white undershirt. "I don't never got to worry about giving someone an easier time if I'm wearing a skirt," she said to herself, remembering those taunting words Rip had said to her their first night together. "See, Jess, I just love girls in skirts. They make things so much easier for me." Her eyes clouded over, like they did every time she remembered Rip, and she stopped what she was doing.

"Stress? Hey, Stress? You OK?" Stripes asked as she pulled her black newsies cap over her blonde hair. She was a little worried; this wasn't the first time that Stress had gotten the faraway look in her eye and a look of fear on her face. In fact, she and the other girls had already talked about it a few nights after Stress had already gone to bed at night. Just what was she hiding?

"You're in Manhattan now, Jess. And Rip ain't ever gonna find you!" Stress told herself firmly before snapping out of her trance. "Sure, Stripes. I'm fine," she answered as she ran to wash her face and look in the mirror. She smiled at her reflection. The black eye was barely visible and most of the remnants of Rip's "love", all the scratches, bruises and cuts, had left her face. "I look pretty good." she said out loud with a smile, pleased with her new "newsies" outfit. Stripes, Gip, Bookie and Martini all laughed at her conceited outburst as they continued getting themselves ready to sell their papers.

"C'mon girls. Get a move on!" Mrs. Cook called again. The five girls grabbed their paper money and thundered down the stairs to head to the distribution center.

It was a little later than usual, so the girls all began to run towards the distribution center. Martini and Bookie were afraid that Blink and Race might leave without them, so they were dragging the other three girls with them, all five of them laughing as they made their way.

Five blocks away from the distribution center, Martini and Bookie let go of Stress's, Gip's and Stripes's hands, but still urged them forward.

"C'mon girls, get the lead outta your pants. Move it, move it!" Bookie said as she mimicked the annoying kid who ran the paper sorter at the distribution center.

"Don't worry, Bookie. Race ain't gonna leave with out you," Stress teased as she purposely slowed her pace.

"That's easy for you to say, Stress. You got Cowboy wrapped around your li'l finger. Every day he's there waiting for you," Martini countered with a laugh.

Stress laughed with her, a sarcastic response on the tip of her tongue.

Her laughter died and the response was forgotten when she heard a familiar voice call out from behind her. "I'd like to meet your friend, Cowboy, Miss Jess."