Hello! First off, I want to thank Bowtiesarecool1414 for following and favoring this story! Let's give them a round of applause! They were the first to follow/favorite! Thanks, Bowtiesarecool. You made my day!

So, without further ado, Chapter 2! Review and Read On!

- Emily

The day ended and Maia went back to her apartment. Opening the door, she saw Andrew sitting at the table with a pack of ice pressed again his face.

"Oh my Gosh! Andrew, what happened?" she asked, rushing up to him.

"It's nothing." He mumbled. She looked around. Her mom was busying herself with the laundry. Her dad was busying himself by scowling at Andrew.

"To heck it's nothing! Andrew, you eye is black! And swollen! What happened?"

"You wanna know what happened? Your brother here was a wimp! A sissy! He got beat up and wouldn't even fight back!" Jacob said.

"Dad! For the last time I couldn't fight back! Snyder was right down the road I would have gone to the refugee!"

"Then go! See if any of us care! At least you wouldn't be an embarrassment to this family." That did it. Maia shot up and stormed over to her father.

"Don't you dare say that about Andrew! If it weren't for him we would be livin' on the streets! Not that we ain't far off! He brings home more than you'll ever make! If he goes to the refugee we die!" She screamed. Jacob glared at her, then brought his large hand down across her face. Her eyes watered as her face began to sting, but she pushed it down. The slap had sent her flying back onto the floor.

"Hey! Don't touch my-" Andrew started, jumping out of his seat. Maia stood up and grabbed her brother's arm.

"No. It's not worth it." She whispered. She lead him out of the kitchen and into her room. She shut the door and went straight to her mirror.

"Ugh." She groaned. There already was a large bruise forming on her cheek.

"Sit. Let me look at that eye." Andrew did as he was told and removed the ice. It was bad, he could barely open his eye!

"Oh! Andrew. Who was it?"

"Delancey's." He groaned. "I wasn't on Brooklyn territory yet so, you know, they weren't scared or anything." Maia shook her head.

"Andrew, don't listen to what father says. It's not true. If you would have fought back, Snyder would have gotten you and bam. We are on the streets."

"I know. I knew I couldn't fight, but I feel useless! It's like they took my man card!"

"Your man card?" She laughed.

"Yeah! It's a thing!"

"Sure. Now, why don't you get to sleep. You take the bed. I've got the floor."

"What! No, I have a room." He refused.

"No! It's not fair that you sleep on concrete all the time! You get a bed tonight."

"But if father-"

"He won't come in! Trust me on this." She said. Andrew thought for a moment.

"Fine. I love you, Maia." He kissed her head and climbed into the bed.

"I love you to, Andrew." She replied. It was strange. They didn't have the usual brother sister arguing. They looked out for each other more than usual. They hardly ever fought. It was like they were best friends rather than siblings. Anyway, Maia looked up to see Andrew already ast asleep. Smiling, she curled up into a ball and drifted off.

Light flooded into the room and Maia's eyes fluttered open.

"Andrew." She whispered, shaking her brother. His eyes opened, well, at least one did.

"Thanks, Maia. I gotta go." He said.

Me to. She thought.

"Good luck today." She said. He gave her a smile and left the room. She followed. Once she saw him leave, she went into the kitchen.

Um, I'll be on the roof for a while. Don't come up, I want to be alone. I'll go straight to Ms. Smiths, I promise." she lied.

"Ok dear." Abigail said. Maia nodded, then ran to her room. Giddy with excitement, she threw on the flannel shirt, the trousers-which she loved- and pulled her hair into a bun using a piece of string. She slipped the cap onto her head and crawled out of window. She found a mud puddle on the roof and smeared some onto her face. Finally, it was time to go see Ms. Smith.

Knock, knock. She knocked loudly on the door. It opened and she literally bounced into the room.

"How do I look?" She asked.

"Like a boy, Micheal!" Maia laughed at the use of her 'boy' name.

"So, here is a dime. Like I said, it gets you twenty papes. Try to pick up on the lingo. Good luck!" Ms. Smith said, pressing the dime into her hand. Maia nodded and rushed out of the building.

It was warm out. Maia walked down the road, anxious to get to the paper distribution. The trousers felt strange, but she liked them. She felt free.

Why must girls wear dresses? She asked herself. Really, they don't know what they are missing!

When she got there a wave of nervousness hit her. Could she really pull this off? Taking a deep breath, she stepped through the gates. There was a bunch of boys standing in different groups. The oldest seemed to be seven-teen. She knew that that must be Jack Kelly. The youngest seemed to be nine.

"Hey! A newbie!" Someone cried out. She looked over to see a group of boys walking her way.

"Hey. What's you name, newbie?" Said one of the boys.

"Micheal." She said, trying to make her voice sound deep but believable. Somehow, they seemed convinced.

"Micheal. I'm Race. This here is Specs, that's Mush, and this here is Crutchy." Race said.

"Those aren't your real names, are they?" She asked, confused. The boys laughed.

"Nah. We give every Newsie a nickname. Huh, we'll have to think of one for you." Mush said.

"What's going on here?" They turned around to see Jack coming over.

"Well, a newbie. What's your name?"

"Micheal. And don't even say who you are. Your Jack Kelly."

"How did ya' guess?" He asked. I squared my shoulders.

"I know my way around." Everyone 'oohed'. Time seemed to slow down as Jack and Maia stared at each other, eye to eye, neither daring to look away.

"I like this kid. Welcome to the Newsies, Micheal." Jack spit on his hand and stuck it out. She grimaced at first, but then shrugged.

"What the heck." She spit on her hand and grasped Jack's.

"Well, what do we got here?" Said the voice of two boys. Race came up and whispered in my ear.

"It's the Delancey Bruddah's. They like to cause trouble." He said. She nodded, glaring at them both.

"A newbie. Step aside, boys. I want to meet the new guy." People started stepping out of their way. Only Jack stayed by Maia's side.

"Shove off, Morris. You to Oscar. We don't want no trouble." Jack said.

"Yeah? But we do. So step away, cowboy." Jack looked at Maia with a questioning look.

"I got'em." She said, anger boiling inside of her. Jack nodded and stepped aside by Crutchy. The Delancey's walked toward her.

"So, your new? What's your name?" Morris asked.

"Micheal. What is to ya'?"

"Ohh, feisty are we? You know, we beat up a kid who looked kind of like you just yesterday. The wimp wouldn't even fight back! Stupid idiot! Muttonhead if you ask me." That was it. She was shaking with anger. She raised a hard fist and drilled it into Morris's eye. He fell back onto the ground.

"Oscar! Get 'im!" Oscar came forward, reading to punch. Maia anticipated this, easily dodging the hit and shoving him inst a stack of papers.

"What's the matter with ya'!" Morris yelled. Maia jumped into action, stomping on his stomach and punching him in the face. Within three hits Race and Specs had to pull her off.

"Micheal stop it! Do you have a death wish!" Race asked.

"You'll get sent to da refugee!" Specs said.

"I know that kid! That wimp was my friend you idiot! If you ever lay a finger on 'im again I swear I'll make-" She yelled, however her words were muffled by Race's hand covering hers. She was still kicking and punching as they dragged her behind a wagon.

"Your crazy, you know that?" Specs asked. She started laughing uncontrollably.

"No one messes with my friends. Not if they want to die." She responded.

"Well said. Well said." Race said. The rest of the boys ran at them, laughing and high-fiving her.

"That was great, kid! Them Delancey's started running for cover! Man, I hope they don't go to Snyder! We could need ya' around!" Jack said.

"Hey! I think I got a name for ya'." Mush said.

"What?" She asked, smiling.

"Flame. Ya' know, you that fiery attitude ya' got dere."

"Cool!" She said. Once everyone calmed down Jack spoke.

"Ok! Let's go sell dem papes boys! Flame! Your with me kid! I'mma teach ya' everythin' ya' need ta know!"

"What? No, I can handle myself." She said. Race nudged her.

"Just go with it." He said. She laughed, rolling her eyes.

"Fine! Lead the way, cowboy." He smiled.

"Just try to keep up." he said.

"I'd be more worried about yourself." She said. They got to the window.

"Twenty papes, thanks." She said, slapping the dime on the counter. Mr. Wiesel handed over the papers and she looked over the headlines.

Oh, this is gonna be fun. She thought.

Hey! So I hope more people start reading this. I know the first chapter was dullish but I swear it is picking up! Trust me! I have plans that will probably make you hate me...lol. JK... or am I? Haha! Review please! The more reviews I get the more inspired I get to write! And I usually update faster when people review. Thanks!

- Emily