I don't own the newsies, sigh, but if I did I would set them free and share them with everybody. But for now I just own Marty, Arnie, and Drew.

Thanks to everyone who reviewed, ya'll rock! Here is Chapter 2 hope you like it too; please let me know what you think.

Chapter 2

I awoke the next morning with the sun shining on my face through the dirty windows. I stretched out on the thin mattress; dis is more like it. I'd choose dis ovah a fancy bed any day. Snoddy was snoring on the bunk above me. I even missed dere snorin'; I giggled to myself and kicked the dip he made in the mattress. I giggled silently again when I heard him grunt and roll over.

Klopper'll be wakin' us up soon, I should stay awake. I am not a morning person, so they boys had their different tactics to get me out of bed- none of which are considerate, but they do work. I'll just lay here and put dem all inta shock when I get up widout hassle. I yawned. Dey won't need dere tactics dis time, no sir…

Before I knew it I was waking up, again. So much fer stayin' awake. Kloppman was going from bunk to bunk waking up the newsies. I yawned and pulled the covers around my ears and trying to look invisible. Maybe it would work…..no such luck.

"Jack, I believe it is your job to get this little girl out of bed. I'm not even going to try this time." He said good naturedly. I heard Jack snort out of amusement.

"You're a smart man Klopper. Leave her ta me." He assured the old man with a yawn. Jack didn't like the mornings either.

"Marty, I'm tired, so youse betta bet your skinny butt outta bed or else." He said holding out the word else. I groaned.

"Go away, I'm invisible."

"Sorry to break it to ya, but ya aren't the invisible type. Yer too loud." I told him to shut up. "Ok goil, ya asked fer it." I could hear the smile in his voice as he summoned over Kid Blink. Here we go, I thought as I braced myself. The next thing I knew their fingers were flying over my stomach and back. I and squirmed, squeeled and fell out of bed with a thump. I groaned and grabbed my pillow, tucking it under my head so I could try to make myself more comfortable on the floor.

"It's a good ting dat you are so ticklish or I dunno how we would eva get ya outta bed." He said sounding mighty pleased with himself. He never tired of making me writhe like that. He chuckled.

"You comfy down dere?"

I yanked my pillow from under my face and flung it at Jack's head. But unfortunately I am not very strong, nor do I have good aim, so he caught it with ease. He chucked it right back and smiled big, "Get Ready."

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After splashing some cold water on my face and joking around in the bathroom I was wide awake and ready to sell. It being nearly June I wore a thin faded pink skirt that I cut to just below my knees and a white button up shirt with the sleeves rolled up high on my arms. Words could not describe how good it felt to be wearing my old worn clothes instead of those constricting dresses and scratchy stockings. One thing I could never understand is how girls can wear black wool stockings in the summer heat. The humidity made them stick to your legs. So I always went without them, despite the disapproving looks I received from the older women.

I finally got my usual fifty papers and looked for Jack, my selling partner when I was in town. I spotted him over by David and Les checking out today's headlines.

"Hey boys, any good headlines today?"

"Not da greatest, by we can improvise," Jack replied with a wink. "Looks like it will be the four of us t'day. Better get started."

It took us longer than usual to finish selling due to the fact that we all had the same selling spot. Jack knew that it would take longer, I could tell, but he didn't want to ditch one of us. He's a good guy. But tomorrah I'll tell him I'd rathah sell alone.

I gazed at the congestion and activity of the streets. Dis is my home, I belong 'ere. I moved my gaze to the blazing sun, it was heavenly to feel kiss my face again. I'm gonna get my freckles back. I smirked remembering my last foster mother. I got freckles on my nose and cheeks when I was out in the sun, even for just a few minutes, so she would make me wear a hat and I was to forbidden to ever look up at the sun. She always said, 'Freckles are not attractive, Martha dear. They are a symbol of the working class; you will never get a suitable husband with freckles.' I am actually looking forward to their reappearance; I think that they add character.

I closed my eyes to soak in the moment. It must have been several minutes because I felt a hand on my shoulder snapping me back to reality.

"What are ya doing?" Jack asked scrunching his eyebrows together and giving me a skeptical look. I raised my eyebrows and shrugged.

"I was thinking about freckles." It sounded stupid but it was the truth and also seemed to interest him because he slowly shook his head and let out a laugh.

"It's good to have ya back Marty; nobody else amuses me like you do." He said giving my shoulder a squeeze and letting go. I supposed that is probably true. I am very open and not afraid to be myself, and me being myself is enough to amuse anybody.

"So where are we headed cowboy? Tibby's as usual?"

"Nope, not t'day, I was tinkin' about payin' a visit to an old friend of ours." I raised my eyebrows and must have had a comical look on my face because he laughed. "He will be thrilled ta see ya. Youse wants ta see 'im too," he teased. But he was right; I did want to see Spot. I blushed.

"Alright Cowboy, you're a very convincing person. Let's go."

"Data goil. Let's go Davie! Hurry! We needta escort da little lady here ta Brooklyn, she has a very important," Jack paused to wink at me, "meetin' to attend." I had a feeling that the last part was directed more toward me that David.

My cheeks grew pink and I socked Jack light heartedly in the arm, but he didn't even flinch.

"It's a good ting dat youse gots us ta protect ya, or ya would nevah survive on dese streets." He joked.

"Hey now, I could hold my own if necessary."

"Sure ya can kiddo." He ruffled my hair affectionately. "Now let's not keep Spot waiting."

After dropping Les off at the Jacob's apartment we were on our way. I was disappointed that Sarah was at work, but Jack was taking her to dinner tonight so maybe I would get to meet her then. I could hardly wait! I have never had a female friend before. All the friends I have ever had were boys. I just hoped that she liked me; I might not be a good friend to a girl. But Jack assured me that we would get along great.

I started to get butterflies in my stomach on the way across the bridge, what if he doesn't like me any more. Jack COULD be wrong. I told myself to calm down, if he didn't have feelings for me anymore than it would just be a friend visiting a friend, after all I've known him for a long time and we did become rather close last time. Jack did say dat he hasn't even showed interest in anodder goil. Maybe, just maybe…