I awoke to the sound of loud banging on my door. It was a friendly reminder that I needed to get up and sell papes. 

"Rise and shine Princess it's time to sell papes." Mr. John said. I groaned and sat up. He always got me up before the other newsies because I helped get them awake. I rubbed the crusty eye gook out of my eyes and crawled out of my bed.

I went to my bathroom and started my morning routine. I always loved routines, they help people stay on track. I took off my clothes and got in my small bathtub. I turned on the water and took a quick bath. The water was freezing so I didn't spend any more time than I needed to.

I put on my [favorite color] flannel button-up and pulled my faded [other favorite color] suspenders on. I pulled up my [any neutral color] pants and put on my white ankle socks and tied my shoes.

I walked out of my door just to find the Race fighting with someone. "Hey, bummers we got work to do," I said giving them the look. "When did you become my mudda?" Specs said. I raised an eyebrow. I was like a motherly to most of the newsies and he knew that.

"Oh, stop yer bawling!" Crutchie said limping out of bed. I smiled at my close friend. "Who asked you?" The newsies all said in sync.

"How did you sleep, Jack?" I asked walking over to his bunkbed.

 "On my back..?" He said still groggy from just waking up. I giggled. "Did you'se hear Jack? He says he's sleeping on his back!" Mush said loudly. I covered my ear and punched him lightly. Not like he felt it under all those abs.

"I'se needs to find a new selling spot," Crutchie said. I frowned slightly, Crutchie and I were selling buddies. I understand though, lately, people around our selling spot don't believe the limp anymore. "Try Bottle Alley or the harbor." Mush suggested. "Try Central Park, it's guaranteed." Race smirked. "Try any banker, bum, or barber," Jack said shaving. "They almost all knows how to read!" Skittery added.

"I smell money," Kid Blink sighed. Crutchie cringed and swatted the air in front of him. "You smell foul," He said. Kid Blink didn't seem to hear him.

"I met this goirl last night," Mush sang. I rolled my eyes and headed downstairs with the rest of the newsies to make sure they were all getting ready.

"Move your elbow!" Crutchie said continuously getting hit by the newsie that was pumping the water. "Pass the towel!" Race said walking around like a blind zombie. Skittery held the towel away from him. "For a buck, I might!" He smirked. Other newsies chuckled. I got up from leaning against the wall and snatched the towel from his hands and handed it to Race.

When the newsies were all done getting ready we all went down the stairs and out of the lodging house. "Hey sweet pea, I smell me a headline don't you?" Jack asked, jumping on some boxes. I smiled and followed him. "Eh, but you know what I do smell..." We reached the gate and I finished my sentence. "I smell, oh goodness what is that awful aroma?" I swatted the air in front of me as the Delancey brothers walked up. "Da sewers must have backed up overnight." Jack chuckled. "Nah it's too rotten." Race added. "It must be the Delancey bruddas." The newsies finished. We all chuckled as the Delancey brothers glared at us.

"Better be a good headline..." Race mumbled. 

"Give us an earthquake or a war!" I exclaimed. The newsies cheered. Mr. Weasel climbed the ladder to write the headline and the newsies held their breath in anticipation.

'Trolley Strike Drags on for Third Week' he wrote. We groaned. "C'mon Mr. Wisel!" Race shouted. Mr. Weasel shrugged. Some kids that worked for the World opened the gates and shouted. "Newspapers open for the newsies!" We all rushed in and I got pulled over with Jack. I smiled up at him and he stepped up to buy his papes.

After he was done I stepped up. "The usual Mr. Weasel." I smiled. "50 papes for the princess!" He shouted to the Delancey brothers. They shoved the papes at me and I stuck my tongue out at them. I sat with Jack and read the newspaper. I was falling asleep reading it. They literally could have written about anything else.

I sighed and turned around to see a well-dressed boy Jack's age, fighting with Mr. Weasel. "Are you accusing me of lying?" Mr. Weasel asked. "No sir I just want what I paid for." The kid said with a clear voice. Jack got up and snatched the papes from the boy's hands. "He's right Mr. Wisel, he only gots 19 papes. But it's an honest mistake, Morris can't count even if he tried." Jack said. Morris lunged at him. I snorted. "Princess, spot me a quarter," Jack said holding out his hand. I got a quarter from my pocket and flipped it to him. "50 more papes for the gentleman."

The boy stuttered. "I don't need more papes!" I shook my head as they approached me. I noticed a small 7-year-old coming towards us. He looked at me and I smiled. He smiled a toothy adorable smile and I crouched down to his level. I half-listened to Jack and the new kid's conversation as I turned my attention to the adorable kid.

"What's your name kid?" I asked, ruffiling his hair. He blushed and pushed my hand away. It seemed like Jack and the new kid's conversation was over as they looked at us. 

"I-I'm Les and t-this is my brother Davey he's older!" He said smiling. "Ha, no kidding," I said looking up at Davey. He furrowed his eyebrows, maybe he was trying to figure me out. 

"What's your name?" Davey asked me. "They call her Princess!" Les pointed out. He wasn't wrong, Kid Blink started calling me Princess and it kinda stuck, except Jack has always called me sweet pea. I chuckled. "My name is Y/N, nice to meet you," I said holding my hand out to shake coming to my normal height. He smiled and shook my hand.

"How old are you kid?" Jack asked. "I'm 10!" He exclaimed. "That's no good..." Jack said. "If anyone asks, your 7 alright?" I said. He nodded. 

"Younger people sell more papes. And if we are going to be partners then-" Jack started. 

"Woah, who said anything about being partners?" Davey asked. "Well you'se owes me and Y/N a quarter," Jack said. I smiled. I like these newbies.

____[time skip to the evening]____

We laughed and walked away from watching the trolley strike empty-handed. It was fun selling papers with the brothers and Jack. Well, we also had a near-death experience with Snyder. I had an adorable snoring Les on my shoulders. 

"Hey, do you all want to come to have supper with my family?" Davey asked.

My heart tingles at the word family. I slightly frowned and turned to Jack. He didn't meet my eyes, he was probably thinking the same thing I was.

"Erm, are you sure you want smelly newsies over at your house?" I asked only half-joking. He chuckled and nodded. "You sure your folks won't mind us over?" Jack asked. "No, I think they'll love to meet my friends." He said and walked into an apartment building.

He turned back and noticed we weren't following. "You guy's coming?" Davey asked.

"Actually Davey I'm a bit tired I think I'll head back..." I lied. I handed Jack a sleeping Les and half-smiled. 

"Oh alright then... Jack?" He asked and Jack went with him inside shooting me a look. 

"See y'all tomorrow!" I called and turned around. I hurried home since the sun was already about to be out of sight.

Family, can you imagine?