CHAPTER 2:

"Back up, back up!"

"Leave her alone, she looks like she had a hell of a night."

"Don't touch her!"

"Shh! Do you wanna wake her up?"

"Shit, it's too late. She's waking up. Are you happy?"

"Sorry."

What the hell? Where am I? What happened last night?

Alyssa began to open her eyes. Her vision was a bit blurry, but as the world around her became clearer, she could see a large group of guys towering over her.

Probably not a good sign.

"Hey there. Are you okay? Did you sleep alright?" This came from a very cute boy with messy brown hair and a red bandana.

"Where am I?" she managed to get out.

"Well, uh, you're in the newsies lodgin' house. You probably don't remember, but we picked ya up offa' the steps out front hear earlier this mornin'. You were out cold and shaking, so we took ya up here."

She sat up and looked around. The room was filled with bunk beds and boys. Lots and lots of boys. It was a small room, but very warm and everyone was staring at her. The memory of her rescue last night began to re-enter her thoughts, and she remembered running until her legs gave and she needed to find a place to rest. She could see the steps clearly in her mind, now.

"I'm sorry, I didn't think about whose steps they were. I just needed a place to stop."

"Hey, it's no problem." Said "Red Bandana" boy. "We'se just happy your okay. For a little while we thought you'se was dead or hurt." He smiled, and he has a pretty smile.

"Well thank you very much for helping me out."

"Like I said, no problem. Why don't you tell us how a pretty little thing like you ended up on our steps."

Alyssa took a deep breath, and told all the curious and mysterious boys about her miserable day. She left out the part about the late night rescue and the "blue-eyed" boy who saved her. After she was done, the "Red Bandana" boy said,

"Well, it looks like you're having some bad luck. But all your luck just changed, since you found us." He took her hand and helped her stand up.

"Jack Kelly, at your service," he said, bowing slightly.

"Alyssa DeCardo, and thank you very much."

Another boy with curly brown hair and who was insanely muscular said,

"So do you need a place to stay?"

"Well of course she does, Mush! And a job too!" said Jack.

This new boy, Mush, pulled Jack aside.

"Jacky boy, you know we don't have any room left here. We're falling on our asses every night trying to fit everyone now."

"I know that, I'm gonna take her to Brooklyn today to see if Spot Conlon can help her out a little."

"Jack, do you really think that's a good idea? Conlon's good for sleeping with the ladies, then leaving them. Do you think he would let her stay for a while and help her?"

"I'm gonna talk to him. He'll do it."

They stepped back and Jack said,

"Look, Alyssa. We don't exactly have a lot of room here right now to add any more people. But I have a friend in Brooklyn who might be better to help you out and get you a job."

"Really Jack? That would be so great. Thank you, so much!"

"Again, it's no problem. Anything to help out such a beautiful lady," he said, kissing her on the hand.

She could feel herself blush a bit.

"Alright, fellas, lets let the girl clean up a bit. We'll give you some time up here, and just come meet us downstairs when you're ready. OK?" Jack said.

"Ok, thanks."

The boys all began to leave and head downstairs. One of them stayed back behind them all, the last to leave.

"Hey, Alyssa. I just want to tell you that I think you're one brave girl to run the streets of New York so late at night." He said to her.

"Thanks, but I guess now it wasn't such a smart idea."

"Are you kidding? If you hadn't a' done that, we'd nevah have met you, and that would be so tragic. I'm Kid Blink by the way," he said, kissing her hand, a bit slower and more serious than Jack had.

"I just want you to know," he continued. "If you ever need anything: help, a friend, anything, you just find me. Tell Spot, he knows who I am. I'll do anything you need."

"Thank you. I'll definitely do that." Alyssa said, flattered.

The boy was very cute: he had dirty blonde hair, and an eye patch that made him look dashing. He also had a big, warm smile. Alyssa went to the water pump and splashed some water on her face. It looked like things were starting to get better.

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Okay, so I know my chapters are pretty short. But there will be a lot, so please keep sending me reviews and I'll keep working on this story. Spot will come in soon and i promise it's gonna get good. Review :D