This is my first FanFic!
Obviously I do not own the newsies, silly. So far my only original characters are Claire and Mr. Wringer but I'll probably add more. Oh, you got disclaimer-ed!
I'm still working on the story so it may take some time for me to update again. The more reviews I get, the faster I'll update. Thanks for reading!
Oh, by the way I'm not sure where I'm going with the rest of the story, so any ideas would be simply marvelous. :o)
The sun came in and out of sight as the massive gray clouds that filled the sky causing New York City to drift in and out of dark and light. The curbs had dark, ugly slush on them but only feet away the edges of the sidewalk lay a blanket of white snow. The black lampposts had red ribbons tied around them and brightened the dreary day with a reminder of Christmas, which was quickly approaching. In a small and welcoming shop filled with all sorts of musical instruments, a 14 year old girl sat by herself. Despite the lack of customers and other employees to keep her company, she did not feel lonely. She sat content at the piano and gazed at the keys trying to remember a song she had been taught so long. Her fingers drifted towards the black and white stripes and she gracefully played several scales. Before she realized what she was doing, she began to play a happy Christmas tune. She was so lost in the music she did not here any footsteps nor did she know anyone else was in the room until a long, wrinkled finger tapped on her shoulder.
She was so frightened and embarrassed that her boss had heard her play she jumped off the stool and lost her balance. She only avoided falling by slamming her right hand down on the piano keys and causing an awful noise to emit. Oh, great now he's going to think I'm not only absolutely insane, but he's going to think I damage his instruments."I am so sorry Mr. Wringer." She apologized, unsuccessfully trying to hide the panic in her voice. She straightened her dress and stood erect, but she could not calm down. It was only her first day working here and she did not want to lose the job. Mr. Wringer, who stood at least six foot five, looked intimidating, even though he has seemed so kind and soft-spoken before. Claire was still incredibly nervous because she knew even a gentle man could have an awful temper.
But Mr. Wringer did not enter into a fit of rage, he instead chuckled softly at how jumpy his new employee was. "Not to worry, not to worry. You play beautifully"
"Not really, that's all I know. A friend of my brothers taught it to me" she sheepishly replied. Her tone suggested that she was only being modest, but the truth was she was very uncomfortable around any adult males. She had no pleasant experiences around them. She had never met her father; she didn't mind really, she could not miss someone who had never been in her life. He hadn't left her mother but he was in jail. Her first time being around men had been at the refuge, a sort of jail for children , many of which were orphaned like herself, where she and her brother were sent after their mother disappeared. The guards, who seemed gigantic, seemed to take pleasure in nothing more than scaring her. Her brother didn't stay long, he broke out in under a month. He promised to come back for her soon, but not until he had enough money to support both of them. She would have been lonely had it not been for Spot Conlon who was there for stealing. He was two years older, and was fearless it seemed. When the hulking guards yelled at Claire, he yelled right back, and afterwards he comforted her, telling her not to be afraid and that they wouldn't hurt her.
When Claire's brother, Jack came back several months later he helped her and Spot sneak out. Jack, who had been selling papers to survive, taught Spot. Spot returned to Brooklyn where he lived and continued to sell papers. Over time, he became Brooklyn's newsies' leader. Claire and Spot hardly ever saw each other anymore after that. He would come to Manhattan now and then, but it wasn't the same as seeing each other everyday. Still whenever someone bothered her, he was there for her. Even after all those years Spot was there and protected her from anything that threatened or frightened her.
"Well you seem to be a natural. Perhaps I could give you lessons when the shop isn't busy. In fact, after a snowstorm like that, I highly doubt anyone is thinking about leaving their homes, especially to buy musical instruments. It seems now is the opportune time to start." Mr. Wringer said congenially. Claire, forgetting her embarrassment and precautions, eagerly nodded and pulled another stool up to the piano as Mr. Wringer sat in the one she had previously occupied. The rest of the afternoon pasted without interruptions and Claire proved to be a quick learner.
At five o'clock the tiny bell above the shop's door tinkled and in walked Jack Kelly. He saw Claire smiling as she played a basic song on the piano. An older man stood in the next room polishing a violin. She hadn't noticed him so he coughed quietly. Claire looked up and smiled sheepishly. "Mr. Wringer offered to give me lessons. You don't mind, do you"
"Naw, not at all. Youse sound real nice. Ready to go? Some of the boys are goin' down to Medda's tonight. Youse wanna come"
"Yeah, that would be nice." Claire then turned and called "Mr. Wringer, am I done for the day?" He nodded and she grabbed her coat and walked out of the warm shop and into the cold city street behind Jack.