Chapter Text
It's been about 2 weeks since the strike had ended, Dads arm and I's has finally been healed after a while. David had promised that we were supposed to go back to school when his arm healed, but he managed to convince dad to be newsies as a part time job luckily! I didnt wanna stop doing it, It was always fun going around selling newspapers and playing with friends.
It was a weekend, so David and I were allowed to sell for the day. It was a normal day as usual, As David got his papes I ran up to him.
" Davey! Davey! Can I sell by myself today? I PROMISE that I'll be home on time "
He furrowed his eyebrows, sighing, " fine... remember what Pa always told us when we're going out alone on the streets? "
I nod my head, smiling at David. " yeah! If you see an area that you dont recognize, go back. And if theres anyone that harms us, tell a trusted adult or friend nearby. " I said as Dave spoke along with me. David sort of had a concerned-but-proud look on his face as he looked down at me. It was sort of concerning, I know David is sometimes a bit worried about me because I broke my arm during the rally and that I'm the younger sibling, but I dont want him to feel responsible for me. I want to be independent and responsible like he is, and I want to be like Sarah too. She's also independent and responsible.
" oh oh by the way I'm thinking of selling near the vendors near the uh... yknow the area near the library, like a couple of blocks there's some vendors? " I tilted my head, He raised his eyebrows and nodded.
" I know what you're talking about dont worry.. Please come back before curfew okay? " he looks at me with those concerned eyes again.I slightly furrow my eyebrows and nodded. " Yeah! got it! "
" alright you can go now. Pay close attention to your surroundings okay? and stay safe. " He smiled at me, I nod at him before walking away, waving at him before looking straight. From the newsstand to the vendor area.
I was about 15 minutes from my destination. While I was walking I see the other newsies selling their papes as they walked. I looked down at the papes in my bag, deciding I should do the same so I wouldn't be wasting time. I was trying to get ONE SINGULAR NEWSPAPE but for some reason it wouldn't seperate from the rest. as I tried to grab the pape.I yelped and I tripped next to a boy who was younger than me, who seemed about 2-3 years younger than me. he had light brown hair like Jack's, that was parted swept to the side, his hair was frizzy. You could say it was messy but I wouldn't say it was *that* messy. It was like a horror movie on how blood-stained he was. He had dried blood that looked like it was dripping down his scalp when it was fresh, he had hazel-brown eyes, and dried blood-stained hands. He wore a polo that reminded me of Jack, and that bandana that was sort of like the same as Jack's. The boy also wore black suspenders and dark brown pants; Around his left calf he had a blood-stained bandage, and a few scars on his leg too. He sort of looked like Jack if he was younger.
My eyes widen and my eyebrows furrowed as I saw his body entirely. he's badly hurt why hasnt anyone seen him or helped him?!. He looked away awkwardly like he wasn't hurt, or really badly injured, I got on my feet immediately and went to him in a panicked tone asking, " hey are you okay? you look terrible! "
the people around me looked at me weirdly, I raise an eyebrow at their reactions. Are they crazy? this kid is really badly injured and they won't do a thing about it! The boys eyes widened.
" wait are ya talkin 'bout me? " he asked. I frown at that question before answering, " of course I'm talkin to you " I huffed, putting my hands on my hips. He looked around the area around us then awkwardly slowly turning towards me.
" w-.. wait wait wait wait ya can see me?! " he yelled out
I tilt my head and nodded, " yeah I can see you just fine? " This kid is really weird. Of course I can see him? My body tenses as I can feel the stares at me. Why are they staring at me? do I look weird? did I do something wrong? Well I definitely didnt do something wrong, I'm trying to help this kid out because nobody else is helping him. He bit his bottom lip and looked up at me, noticing my pape in my hand.
" you're a newsie " he commented, I nodded as a response. " you should sell it before the day ends " he added.
" oh yeah shoot! ..uhm, do you.. wanna come with me while I sell my papers? " I tilt my head.
" uhhh.. yeah sure I wouldn't minds. " he shrugged awkwardly, I gestured him to follow me. I should tell Jack and David about this so they could probably help him, then probably Pa and Ma would help him take care of his wounds.
As we were walking, I read todays headline. It was sort of a good one, ' TWO WAGONS CRASHED CAUSING A FIGHT AMONGST THE TWO DRIVERS ' I sigh and raised my hand, waving the pape around yelling out; " WAGONS COLIDED! SOON CAUSING A BLOODIED FIGHT AMONGST THE DRIVERS! " I learned from Jack that if the headline is good, I could make it better. Unless it is REALLY good. The boy looked at me in surprised and chuckled. I repeat the phrase a few times before a couple of people went over to me, adding to a total of a dime.
A few hours later, about 2 or 3 I had sold all of my papers, I stretched and placed the last coin in my pocket. I looked at the boy whom had been following me in silence as I was selling my papes, " Hey what's your name? I just realized I never really asked it. " I looked back at him.
" Oh uhm.. Im Michael.. Michael Sullivan. " He sort of hesitated, why did he? I shrugged my elbows.
" well I'm Les, Les Jacobs! " I smile at him, putting out my hand for him to shake hands.
" oh I dont really like handshakes, yknows? " he smiled awkwardly.
I pulled my hand back, waving it off. " oh it's okay! " I smile back at him.
" Well nice to meet you, Michael. "
" Nice to meet you too, Les "