It was almost noon and he had only sold ten of his thirty papes. Today was a really bad day. It was July and extremely hot and humid because it had rained the night before. Crutchy wiped the sweat from his forehead and called out small lies about the headlines. "Move it kid!" A man shoved him out of the way. Crutchy's papers fell to the ground as he attempted to keep his balance. The battle was soon lost as he hit the payment and felt rocks dig into his hands and arms.

"Are you ok?" a quiet voice asked and someone laid a hand on his shoulder. Crutchy looked up into the brightest green eyes he had ever seen.

"Yeah, I thinks so." He sat up quickly and inspected the bloody scrapes on his left hand.

"Can I help at all?"

"Could youse help me stand?" Crutchy hated asking for help but there was no way he would be able to get up by himself.

"Of course." Small hands held his arms as he pulled himself up and steadied him as he leaned back a bit. When he was finally standing he could get a good look at the girl that had helped him. Her black hair was dirty and her face had smudges on it, her clothes were old and very worn; but her eyes shown bright like emeralds. She was at least a head shorter than him and surprisingly skinny.

"Tanks." Crutchy smiled at the girl.

"Go sit down on the bench over there, I'll get your papers and then I can take care of your hand." The girl quickly gathered his papers and walked over to where Crutchy was just lowering himself onto the bench.

"Here. Let me take a look at your hands." She smiled slightly and started to wipe away the blood from Crutchy's hand.

"Tanks, I coulda done it meself, though."

"I know but I wanted to help." Crutchy stared at her face, tense with concentration as she cleaned his wounds.

"What ya name?" "Marrissa. What's yours?"

"Crutchy." He smiled slightly at her confused look. "It's the nickname I have as a newsie. I don't use my real name, it's easier that way." He explained.

"Oh, I get it. The cops won't really know who you are, huh?" Crutchy's eyes when slightly wider at her comment.

"I live on the street too. Trust me, I know how band the bulls can get." Marrissa smiled at Crutchy's confused look. "My brother and I live down the alley right over there." She pointed down the alley behind them.

"Really? No parents huh?"

"No, they went out west and abandoned Alex and me. I doubt they even care if we're alive." She rolled her eyes and finished wrapping his hand in his bandana. "There that should do it. Just watch out for jerks that could knock you down again. Don't need to have your papers ruined."

"Thanks a lot. Maybe I'll see ya around here again sometime."

"Maybe." She smiled sweetly and turned to walk down the street.

"Hey Marrissa, wanna have lunch wit me. You could bring ya bruda if ya want." She turned back around and smiled.

"I'd like that. He's six, I hope you don' mind." "Nah! I like kids." "Sure. I'll just go get him."

Well. That's the second chapter. I have no idea what else to do. Any of you have any ideas? I'd love to hear them. And of course I love reviews so please make me happy!

Indara