Christina

After thanking Jack a million more times for rescuing me, I stood in my selling spot. The headlines were finally good today.

I raised a paper in the air and cupped my free hand over my mouth. "Nude corpse found dead on the tracks yesterday morning!"

A wealthy-looking business man stepped up to me. "I'll take one newspaper, boy."

I handed him the paper. "One penny, please," I watched him as he pulled out the money and dropped it in my hand. "Pleasure doing business with you, Sir," I placed the penny in my pocket. "Baby born with two heads!" I screamed. "Get your pape here!"

More and more people came every minute. I was quickly losing papers. Soon, my pocket jangled heavily with change. When I finally ran out of papers (which isn't very common for a newsie, I may add), I satisfyingly flipped one of the pennies I had earned as I walked down the street.

I noticed lots of people were staring at me weirdly. They were probably wondering why a girl was dressed up in boy's clothing. Well, newsflash: not everybody can be born into a wealthy family and some people have to work to survive.

I tried to ignore the constant staring, but it wouldn't stop. Some people even stopped walking to stare at me. My skin suddenly burned despite the cold air in discomfort.

Suddenly, I saw them. They're back!

"Oh, shit!" I mumbled to myself as I tried to hide behind a walking man in front of me. I keep my head low and subtly try to guard my face with my hand.

Of course, Oscar and Morris always had to be in the wrong place at the most inconvenient times.

I almost passed them...

I suddenly run into a large body. I slowly lift my head to see Morris glaring down at me.

"How you doing, Chris?" he smirked at me, very, very deviously.

"I'm doin' great, but I should get going-" I tried to walk pass him, but Oscar stopped me in my tracks. I was screwed. I raised my hands in surrender. "Boys, boys. Let's be rational-" Without a moment's notice, I took off sprinting at fast as my legs could take me, and I didn't look back. I already learned what the result of looking back could be.

"Don't let her get away!" I heard Oscar's voice echo in my ears.

The streets were crowded, and I kept having to push past people. "Out of my way!" I belted out at unaware citizens.

I could hear their footsteps growing closer and closer to me. They were gaining on me. I hurtled over a wooden crate as the adrenaline burned like hot lava in my chest. I saw the newsies huddled together in a tight group ahead. Jack was sitting on the ground, smoking a cigarette.

"Jack!" I screamed as I waved my arms back and forth, trying to get his attention. "Jack!"

He turned to me.

Jack

I saw her barreling down the street as she frantically waved her arms.

"Is that...Chris?" Race asked. He squinted his eyes.

"Look! The Delancey bruddahs are right on her tail!" Mush pointed.

Chris finally got to us, but she couldn't slow down enough to keep herself from ramming into me. Oscar and Morris tried to grab her, but the other newsies shoved them back before they could, shouting protests.

"What do you two think you're doing?" I got close to their faces.

Oscar poked my chest with his sausage finger. "We could take you back again too, Jack. But, we're more interested in your little girly friend here."

My face turned to stone. "I'll make you deal: your gang and my gang can settle this through our fists. If you win, then..." I trailed off in thought. "Then you can take me back to the Refuge. But, if we win, you never show your face back here again."

The newsies fell silent. Oscar and Morris didn't think that long before answering.

"You got yourself a deal, Kelly." Oscar shook my hand. With that, they walked off, thankfully.

I felt somebody slap the back of my head. I laid a hand over the area I was hit. "Ow!" before I knew it, Race was standing in front of me. "What did you do that for?" it actually hurt pretty bad.

"The more important question is: what were you thinking, Jack? We can't win against the Delancey gang!" he rambled.

Mush and Chris stood by Race's side. "Yeah, Jack! They will probably have more numbers, too." Mush played with his suspenders.

Chris had the most worried expression on her face. "What did Oscar mean by 'again'?"

Oh no. I'm going to have to tell her.

I pulled her a little ways away from the group. "Okay, Chris. A little while ago, I got caught stealing some food. Oscar and Morris arrested me and put me in the Refuge. I escaped though, obviously. I'm sorry I didn't tell you earlier." I didn't make eye contact with her during the entire story.

She hugged me sweetly, and I hugged her back tightly. "It's okay. I understand that you gotta do what you gotta do to live."

A weight was lifted off my shoulders. "Thanks," I whispered.

"So, we're really going to have to fight the Delancey gang?" she broke the hug.

"Yeah. Don't worry, though. I know we can beat those bastards."

"Good, because I really hate them." She said, a smiling parting her lips.

"Me too, kid. Me too," I played with her silky hair. "Oh, yeah! I have something for you." I pulled her hat out from my pocket and handed it to her.

"Thanks, Jack." She grinned harder at me. "You're the best."

I just wanna say that the reason I always say 'thanks for reading!' is because I really do appreciate everybody who reads and comment on my books. So, thanks again.

Over 800 reads!!! that's amazing!! I never thought I would have gotten this far!

Hope you have a good Christmas!!