"Samantha, what are you doing?" Jeanie growled harshly at the older, slimmer girl sitting at the rickety desk. Jeanie was short and stout. She was 13 and a snobbish, stuck up, little brat, to say the least. The only thing she lived for was getting anyone she was jealous of in trouble, in this case, Samantha.
Samantha looked up from her drawing and glared at her peer. "What does it look like, Jeanie? I'm drawing, you idiot." She said this calmly as if nothing was happening and there were no hard feelings between the two.
"You're drawing satanic pictures! I know it!"
"You don't know nuthin', Jeanie!"
"Just you wait, I'm going to tell Sister Therese about your drawings, and your poor speech, and you're going to get a beating!" Jeanie stuck out her tongue and stormed out of the room.
Samantha sighed, know what the plump brat was saying was true. The girls lived in a boarding house run by nuns. They provided schooling, housing, and meals. They lived under strict policies: the exact reason Samantha would get in trouble. She was hyper, loud, a tomboy, outgoing, and wasn't afraid to speak her mind or stand up for herself. She bent the rules too much for the nuns' liking. They just wanted any reason to beat her with rulers or to kick her out, saying she was evil and she was sure to go to hell.
Closing the sketchbook and tossing it in the desk drawer, Sam stood and pulled a box from under her pillow. She counted out one dollar and stuffed it in a pouch she had pinned to her petticoats. Taking a deep breath, she unlatched the window and pushed it up, being blasted by the cool sea breeze that flowed from the New York Harbor. She ventured through the window. She tripped on her long, embroidered skirt and smashed her head into the metal grating. "Oww stupid skirt! I hare dis stupid t'ing!" she yelled at it. Her proper language changed into her adopted New York street talk without her knowing it.
Samantha stood up and straightened out her skirt. She walked down the stairs of the escape. The stairs ended at second level, from there was a fold out ladder. Sam stood a top the railing and extended her arm towards the drain pipe, clutching it. She pulled herself over to it, standing on the 2 inch decor ledge.
"Hey! Goil!" Samantha looked around for the owner of the voice. A boy, of about 15 or so, was standing in the street looking at her. His hair was light brown, matching his eyes. His clothes were junky and dirty and a bruise stretched over his right cheek bone. "What are ya doin'?" he asked curiously.
"What does it look like? I'se getting down!" she called back, discussing his stupidity in her mind.
"Well, ain't that what a door's fer?" he asked as Samantha slid down the drain pipe.
"Yeah, but I'se not sapose tah be out ‘ere in da open, cuz of da likes of you," Sam said brushing off her hands.
"Oh, okay, I'se got it. Well, youse sure know ‘ow tah get out of there," the boy said, glancing up at the window.
"I'se do it a lot..."
"Well, hey, I'se called Griffin Cohen. What's yer name?" Griffin asked extending his hand.
"Sam Meeks," she said shortly, shaking his hand, and then turned to leave.
"Hey, where ya goin'?" Griffin asked walking after her.
Sam didn't bother to stop and wait for him. She kept her pace. "I need to hurry. I'se going to da store. Aftah that I'se getting some lunch..then I'se ‘ave tah get back or I'll get a beating." Sam looked at him. "Youse wanna come? I'd like the company."
Griffin's face lit up. "You sure bet I would! I'se got nothin' tah do. Made meself a buck today so I'se got some money to spare." Sam grinned and hurried down the street.
She explained to him her living conditions at the boarding school orphanage which was to raise orphans into the future nuns of America, exactly what she didn't want. They talked like they had known each other for years, though only about 10 minutes.
Soon they came to a men's clothing store. Samantha proceeded to go in. Griffin stood there for a moment, confused of why she'd be going into a men's store, but just shrugged and proceeded after her. Sam rumaged through the shirts, looking for a cheap one that would fit her.
"Hey Sam....why we ‘ere?" Griffin asked, finally getting bewildered by not knowing.
Sam glanced at him and back to oak shelves, covered in shirts. "I'se gettin' clothes genius." Griffin just knitted his brows together and shook his head.
Sam finally choose a shirt and thermal shirt and paid for them at the counter. Together they marched down the street, looking for someplace to eat. Griffin suggested Tibby's Restaurant as they passed, saying it was cheap and made some of the best roast beef in all of Manhattan Island! She agreed happily and they opened the door, making the small bells ring from there string attached to the inside handle. They sat in a booth directly across from a noisy group of boys and girls, who were yelling remarks to each other, slapping each other in the face, or another activity that made everyone center their attention on them. A few boys watched her walk in and sit, in her poofy, gaudy, blue dress. Sam could tell they were all talking about her, but just brushed it into the deep back of her mind.
Once done eating, they paid off the waiter and got up to leave. Sam sauntered out, not wanting to go back to her prison cell. A boy ran in yelling to the others at the table; he collided into Sam, making them both fall back. Most started to laugh at them. The boy himself, got a sour face and got to his feet, sneering at Sam. "Princess," he muttered, then proceeded to his table. That sneer bothered Sam. All because of his stupid mistake she gets kicked in the face, laughed at, and sneered at! She got up and walked out of the building.
Griffin ran out after her. "Hey, Sam!" He looked down at her. "Hey what's the problem? Was it that newsie kid?" Griffin asked.
Sam nodded, keeping her eyes ahead of her. "Don't worry he was jus' makin' an ass of himself. Common...it wasn't that bad now was it?" He slung his arm around her shoulder.
"The thing in...I'm jus' like ‘em all! Jus' cuz how I'm dressed they all hate me! He was all sneering an' calling me Princess an' all..it jus' bugs me! No one gets that I'se at the same level in society as they all is!" Sam said angrily.
"They don't all hate you. Hell none of ‘em do! Only a few were lookin' at you all mean like the rest were gazin' cuz yer pretty or didn't even notice youse come in cuz they was all rough and stuff!" Sam smiled at Griffin's "pretty" comment.
"Once I'se out of my hellish livin' then I'se gonna show dem..dem..." She didn't know what they were.
"Newsies.." Griffin added.
"Yeah newsies! An'...hey how do you know they was newsies anyway? youse know ‘em er somethin'?" Sam asked raising an eyebrow at Sam.
Griffin smiled mischievously. "Well foist of all, some ‘ad papers. Second I'se seen ‘em around sellin'. And thoid and my poisonal favorite, I stool one's money!" He laughed evilly. Samantha did as well.
"Geez, make ‘em all poorer why don't ya...yer crazy." Sam laughed, he just grinned.
Once they reached the Holy Saints Lodging for Girls, Sam said her goodbye and scaled back up, just like a monkey and back into her window. Griffin waved and yelled "See ya Tomorrow!" She didn't hear.
Sam quickly hid her bag in the few floor boards which she had pried up making a secret hiding area. She finished just in time when Jeanie, super brat, came in. "I'm going to get you in trouble! I'm going to get YOU! in trouble!" She chanted around the room. Sam just got irritated and fell on to her bed, ignoring the chanting brat.
*********
Griffin sat on the sidewalk, fiddling with a button he ripped off his shirt. He sighed and started to singing to himself.
BOOM! the window flew up with at loud bang! Griffin jumped in his skin. Looking up, Samantha just sprang out the window and slid down the drainpipe and jumped into the street, excited to be out of her version of ‘hell'.
"HEY!" Griffin yelled at the oblivious, over rejoicing female. She started to spin. Griffin rolled his eyes. "SAMANTHA MEEKS!!!" He bellowed.
She stopped and looked up slowly thinking it was the reverend mother yelling at her and glaring with those..those beastly eyes. She shuddered. And gasped seeing Griffin, with his mischievous smirk spread widely across his face.
"Griffin Cohen! You little demon joik!!!" She yelled at him, in mock anger hitting him. He walked to her with a puppy face.
"Aww you mad at me? ME little ol' Griffin? Youse friend? I feel so unloved!" He spread mock sadness in her face.
Sam smacked him upside the head. "Your so full of it!" She laughed.
"Well what we doin' today?" Griffin asked, obviously wanting to go somewhere, do something, anything. "Buying any shirts or sumpthin'?"
"No. I'se a've tah get boots now. See all i'se got are these wretched button up fancy dancey shoes! I need a boys boot...much like yer own." She pointed to his torn up shoes, apparently to small, holes in the toes.
He nodded, smiling.
**********
Griffin and Sam walked into Tibby's, heads high. Sam was persistent on convincing Griff to come back there, he finally gave in, knowing he wouldn't win to the stubborn girl.
Sam had her shoes on..trying to break them in and make them look older. Her appearance was less upper-class by a long shot! She was in a simple green dress with a navy waist band...no fancy dancy embroidery and such.
Griffin was amused with her weirdness. As he ate he watched her facial expressions she gave to the newsiest at their usual table. Today, almost all we gawking, one was sneering, and the rest were oblivious to her existence or just weren't amused or attracted. When one would smile at her, she'd smile back and at times scare them away. She would give a weird look to them making them turn around and only glance everyone an awhile ..trying to figure her out. She would just laugh.
Samantha saw the same newsie from the day before. He either didn't recognize her, or did but was in a better mood or something because he was smiling to her. She gave him an evil eye. He was obviously uncomfortable with that and concentrated on his potato as his friends occasionally nudged him. Samantha smiled triumphantly.
**********
The dorm room was dark, as Samantha slipped back through the window. She glanced around cautiously. Taking baby steps she walked to the door , turned the handle, and she suddenly was pushed, flying to the floor. Sr. Therese stood tall, dark, as if the presence of Death was dancing about her.
A second figure shot up, Jeanie. "I told you I would tell on you!" it snickered cruelly.
"Shush, Jeanie." The nun said gently placing her bony hand on her shoulder. "Samantha Meeks, I'm disappointed in you. You ran out on mysterious excursions with a boy..a street boy at that."
"You was spyin' on me?!" Sam yelled, infuriated.
"Speak properly child! No, I haven't. Jeanie has." Sam's eyes narrowed giving them the look of a panther. "You will have to be punished for braking our simple rules. All we ask is to keep the Commandments. As it is said ‘Honor Thy Father and Thy Mother'. I am your mother now, so you must obey me."
Sam couldn't hold it in any longer. She hoped to her feet and spat in the nun's face. "I hate you! Youse all hate me! So I'll hate you! I would rather be on the street starvin' than be here in-in Hell! This is my hell! I hate you all!" Sam yelled into the nun's face.
Before Sam could react she was being hauled downstairs, by her hair. Another nun came forced her no kneel, and forced her arms to go up. The mother took a belt and whipped her arms, cutting into them deeply. It stung more than anything. The blood dripped on the floor making a small lake. Again she was whipped. And Again. And Again. The tossed her back into her room, bolting the window down so she wouldn't be able to get out. They then left and locked the door.
Sam cried out of pain. It hurt so bad! It hurt to move her fingers. She was bleeding, badly. Taking her sheet she started to rip it into strips, despite her agony. Then tightly wrapped the strips around her arms over the cuts.
Tomorrow was the day. The day Sam was going to get away from it all. Away from her hell. She took her pillow case, stuffed her sketch book, socks ((you can NEVER have too many socks!)), pencils, etc. into it. She reached for her snuff box finding it filled with money and popped it open. She swore loudly finding it empty.
She changed into her undershirt and shirt. "ARGH! I don't have pants!" She yelled
*******
Sam stared out her window looking for Griffin. It was early..about the time she normally escaped for the daily outings. It was tedious, just sitting waiting, knowing that your only friend in the world might not even come strolling around the corner to see you. She had it all planed out-- smash the window at approximately 8:00AM, the exact time when the old grandfather clock bonged, and the borders were eating their breakfast.
She glanced frantically at the table chronometer then at the window. "Two minutes...common Griffin..." She pleaded to the empty sidewalk below her window.
The clock chimed. Sighing one last time she took the leg of the chair which she had unscrewed and slammed it through the window with all she could pack. It shattered, with piercing scratch noises. It would only be minutes before the sisters were on their feet to beat her. She slung her sack over her shoulder and without further ado, she sprang from the window and then leapt from the edge of the fire escape. She landed hard on the side walk (one story is fierce), moaning with pain as the weight of her body was all forced on her ankles. Running, running she went as fast as she could. Her long slender legs carried her swiftly over the cobblestone, until she was stopped by being jumped and hauled into an alley. She struggled with her attacker trying to get away. He didn't do anything. He released her and started to talk, fast. It was Griffin. He had magically appeared out of thin, dusty, New York air, or it seem as though he did.
"Samantha..Stop freakin' its me!" She smacked him..hard.
"Why the hell did ya jump me?!" She yelled angrily.
"Youse was runnin'! an' besides I'se hidin-"
"From what?"
"Just shut up so I'se can finish, eh? Okay youse know I'se a pickpocket, right?" She nodded. "My fame has grown--a lot! That ain't good fer me professional life... Bulls are lookin' fer me."
"What are you getting to at?"
"I'se have to go..."
"Where?!" Sam looked at him in shock. Her only friend was leaving her alone in the horrible, curl, world.
"I dunno..maybe to Midtown, or Yonkers. Maybe Brooklyn..."
"But your staying in the city right?"
"Yeah..just ‘ave ta go to a new area of it.."
Sam looked at him, mournfully. She hugged him. "Of course it has to be at the worst time of all..."She muttered to him.
"What? What time?" He asked confused as he hugged her back.
"I'se left...for good...just now.."
"That's why you were running?! Sam I thought youse weren't going fer a few more days!"
"I WAS...but last night..I was caught. They's beat me." She pulled up her sleeve exposing her forearm covered in bloody, gnarled, bed sheet strips.
"Aww geez kiddo..they sure do a number on youse guys..." He looked at her arms. "Well what are you gonna do now?" He asked concerned of the well being of her.
"I dunno...I was thinkin' goin' to the newsies...there's some goil newsies.." She shrugged.
"Newsies? Well if that what youse want..."
"I do want it! I'se need the freedom! It's easy work wit' as much freedom as I want! No rules or regulations!" She spun in a circle just thinking of the possibilities.
Griffin smiled weakly. "Okay. I guess that's decided...well I'll take ya too Tibby's I'se guess that's where they hang out..."
Sam looked down at her skirt and made a face. "I need pants!" She exclaimed. "I'm in a skirt and boys tops! It doesn't go! I'se a walkin' fashion disaster!" Griffin made a face at her.
"O.K......We'll pick some up on da way. Geez, livin' on the streets yer always going to be a fashion disaster! No more outbursts okay?"
She nodded smiling.
*********
Griffin had gaffled a pair of knickers of a clothes line on a neighboring building. Samantha changed and they flew down the fire escape back to the grimy streets. The walked swiftly along, inspecting every passer-by incase it was that of whom might be looking for them. They came to the restaurant with "Tibby's Restaurant" printed neatly on the oval pain of glass.
Samantha looked at the small group of rowdy boys (the others were still working, or not coming) and sighed deeply. She walked but to them smiling still a little unsure, but she just reserved the feeling. She stood at the end of the table, Griffin behind her, aiming for the nearest newsie to start talking to. He was seemed one of the few quite ones. Wearing a white shirt, blue suspenders, a black vest, and a tall felt derby. His face had a kind look built into it as his eyes peered through the metal frame spectacles. He noticed to two figures looking down upon him as though they were hawks and he a field mouse.
"Uh...can I'se help you?" He asked uncertainly.
Sam smiled jovially. "Yeah, I'se wanna be a newsie....." She said looking at him in a pleading way.
The boy smiled. "So youse wanna be a newsie? Well youse come to da right place! Sit down.." He beckoned to the chairs across from him. Just with that little phrase of Samantha's he had opened up. The little fact that she wanted to become part of his union just made him open, friendly, and helpful. Sam and Griffin sat. "Okay so youse both wanna be newsies?" He asked, trying to figure why there were two of them.
"No. I'se just a friend.." Griffin said sinking into his seat comfortably.
"Oh okay...well I'se called Specs. I'm part of Jack Kelly's mob-- The Lower East Side. So what yer two names?"
"I'm Samantha or Sam...that's Griffin.." She said slugging Griffin in the arm.
"The name's gotta go! You need a nickname fer starters...especially if youse a run away or in trouble wit' da law."
"I'se a run away..jus' today.."Sam said as if it was nothing. Specs nodded, taking a bite of his roast beef sandwich.
"Okay well the Low--" Specs was cut off by and exceptionally loud boy at the opposite end of the table.
"Hey Specs!" The boy yelled. "Who's the goil? You cheatin'?"
Specs glared then snapped back. "Shove it Race!" Samantha started to laugh but Griffin jabbed her. She silently said "Oww" and snorted at him.
"Okay anyway, I was sayin'....I dunno where ya'd stay..I think we's all full up...but there's always Midtown-- no, no they's full..Brooklyn, Yonkers, Bronx, no they's full, Harlem I know they's got spots open!..." He went on a bit more. Sam looked at Griffin as he was talking they both shrugged.
"Wait a minute!" He stopped and looked at her attentively. "Okay I don't care where I stay at da moment. The thing is I jus' need to get some money, somethin' tah eat, and just to know i'se got a spot tah sleep..I don't care if it's in a damn box! I jus' need somewhere..you get that?"
Specs nodded. "Okay I'se understand that. Well do you even know ‘ow ta sell?" He asked wanting to know if a new apprentice was at hand.
"No, not really.." Sam shrugged.
"Okay I'll show you da ropes fer the next few days." He smiled, obviously happy to have someone have him as their teacher.
Griffin started to glance around. He was beginning to get uneasy. "I have to go." He said quietly as Specs and Sam were discussing her situation. She didn't hear him. "Sam I gotta go." He said again a little louder, this time pulling on her sleeve.
"Huh?" She asked slapping at his hand.
"I have to go....the cops theys gonna get on my trail soon.." He said looking out he window.
Sam's face dropped. "Why now? I hate the stupid bulls." She said crossing her arms over he chest, frustrated.
"It's not like you ain't gonna see me again..." Griffin said trying to get her to stop the sudden streak of mild anger, and sadness.
"I'se know dat! But youse gotta go when I'se join a whole new woild; yer my only friend and I feel like I'm being dropped...."She snorted.
Specs looked up and smiled. "Don't worry, we ain't dat bad once youse get to know us. Look youse gonna gain about forty new friends in one day..jus' think of it dat way."
She smiled at him then turned back to Griffin.
"Go, but remember to visit me some time, or youse gonna be minus a friend, and nursin' some bruises."
"I will..promise." He gave her a hug and made his was out, bumping into one newsie who was just coming in who yelled at him, and then vanished into the thick cloud of pedestrians, and vendors. The newsie that had yelled at him walked to the table seating himself next to Samantha.
"Heya Skittery." Specs said merrily. Sam took her eyes off the street where Griffin had gone and refocused on the boy next to her. He was tall, had brown hair, and was scrawny to some degree.
"Hey Specs." He said in a mumble more than anything.
"This ‘ere is Samantha..she's joinin' da ranks fer a few days then I guess I'se gonna ship ‘er out to Harlem..." Skittery fixed his eyes on the kid next to him.
"`Ello!" Sam said in a loud, singsong voice. Skittery raised his eyebrows and muttered "heya." to her. She looked at him knitting her brow together. He seemed so grumpy--so dull and blah! She turned and looked about at the seated newsies. She recognized only a few. They all had their own story's hid behind their faces, all of which said something different. She could feel the sensation of something secret. Each and everyone of them had something hidden, as did she. It was a friendly, quaint feeling of being part of something. She had been there only a matter of minutes but she still felt as if she had been there for years. Though the absence of Griffin left part of her empty and alone, she soon came to fill it, but never completely. Griffin was her first friend but certainly not her last. Sam new that this was going to be a mighty fine life.
*******
Sam's eye's fluttered open. She looked around, at first disoriented not knowing of her surroundings but soon coming to reality and to the Manhattan Lodging House. It was early the morning light was just beginning to light the room. She looked around the room. It was loud--very loud! All the boys very snoring, some talking, others rolling about. She just laughed to herself. She could have been in the girls bunk room, meaning she'd have to sleep on the floor or someone else would have to give up their spot, but Specs, being the sweet guy he was, offered to sleep on the floor himself before others could argue.
Sam yawned and pulled out and sketchbook [out of her makeshift bag..member the pillow case??]. She looked for possible subjects. She scanned around. Some boys, were in messed up, difficult to draw sleeping positions, and some were just looking plain demented. She set her eyes on Skittery for a moment, fighting if she should or shouldn't. She decided not, know that he would be all grumpy and sarcastic about it. Her eyes next landed on the boy called Mush. She thought he was hansom. After gawking she pealed open her book and began on the drawing.
A BOUT a half our later, Kloppman stomped up the stairs on purpose to try to make as much noise as humanly possible. He came in yelling his head off. "Get Up! Sell da papes! Bumlets! Time to get up! Dutchy, Tired?"
"Yes'um.." Dutchy said rolling over again. Kloppman smacked him.
"Go to bed earlier then!" He moved on. "Jack! Crutchy! Jake! Get up All of you!" He came along side Sam's bed, first nudging Specs, whom was sprawled across the floor, then looked up at her. "Hey at least one of you kids is shrewd..." He smiled.
Sam started laughing through al the commotion. They were all so boring and dead in the morning! She hoped down, doing a cartwheel over to Mush's bunk where he was pulling his shirt on. "Good Morning!" Sam said merrily.
Mush looked at her tiredly. "Hiummm" He mumbled.
Sam laughed at him. "Youse are all so dull!"
"Huh? Us? Youse too hyper and happy an'..." He shook his head.
"Well hey look," She flipped open her sketchbook to the one of him sleeping.
"Hey..that's me!" He said inspecting the picture more throughly now. "Yer good..." He looked some more. "I think youse got a name now."
"What?" She asked confused.
"Sketch. Youse earned it." He said grinning. She grinned back.
********
Sketch had been a newsie nor for about a week, and she loved every moment of it! It was her first time every really getting out to see the world! All the other newsies were starting to know her as Sketch...the hyper one. She was always loud, dancing, signing, or doing acrobatics. She was still at the Manhattan Lodging House and she knew eventually she was going to leave. But that was in the future and all she cared about was the present. Specs and Skittery had both gotten close to her. Specs just because he was the friendly type and loved having someone so active around. Skittery's friendship, on the other hand, came about due to hanging around him and selling with him on one occasion. She opened up to him, tell him why she had bandages over her arms (only he and Specs new that), and of her past life. As she did this he slowly did as well. They were opposites and opposites are known to attract in ways. She made him smile by her extreme hyper ways and he got joy out of him smiling on a rare occasion due to his sarcasm and grumpy personality. Sketch was attacked to Mush in another way. She was falling for him, but hid it. He had a girlfriend and she didn't want to mess with that relationship. She would just stare and dream away. She thought life was too good to be true. It was all like she as living a dream! Everything except the way people acted towards newsies. They would yell and spat at them as if they were vermin. It did bother Sketch much. She was thick skinned and knew it came in handy.
*********
The days flew by. Specs knew Sketch had over spent her time with them. She had to go to Harlem--soon. Even Kloppman said she needed to go soon, the lodging house was already fell and extra child forced someone else to be uncomfortable and the longer she stayed, the harder it would be on her and everyone else.
Specs's mind was flooded with disturbed thoughts. He didn't just want to get rid of one of his best friends, but he new she needed to be in a NewsGIRLS lodging house. He had to get it done soon though he didn't want to. Skittery was filled with the same emotions, though he was more hushed and to himself about it. They both, together decided to break the news to her over lunch.
As they were eating, Sketch was in her normal hyper high spirited mood.
Specs began sputtering. "Sketch..You..We.."
Sketch looked at him quaintly. "What? Gaw jus' say it."
"I, us, you see"
"HE's trying to say that its time fer you to go to..well..Harlem." Skittery said getting fed up with Specs stop-go speaking.
Sketch looked down. "I knows.....It's jus' dat youse two are me best friends..now I have to restart it all. Its will be my second time.... You get that?"
Specs looked down as well nodding. Skittery switched sides of the table looking down upon Sketch. He took his hand and pushed her chin upward so she was looking at him.
"Sketch, it's not like yer goin' to China!" He said breaking the odd silence that fluttered about them.
"I'se know that! An' why are you so pessimistic and sarcastic all da time?" Sketch said pushing his hand away and crossing her own over her chest. She was filled with mixed feelings: remorse, anger, frustration.
Skittery looked at her and sighed. " I....I'se don't try tah be sarcastic and all..its jus' me and I wish ya could stay bu--"
"But I'se can't! I know!"
"Sketch, calm down." Specs said cooly. Sketch smiled a brief cheesy smile at him and began to relax, although still very tense.
"I hate this.."She muttered.
"We's know we don't like it at all either." Skittery said sighing.
"Right when I'se get all comfortable I get stuffed in the box! Like with Griffin...'e WAS my best friend-my only friend...and right when it sinks in ‘e leaves an' I haven't seen the scab scene."
"He's hidin' out..it ain't like he go about sniffin' all the pretty posies!" Skittery said in the defense of Griffin.
"Yeah well, the box. See its happin' again! I'se getting shiped off to some strange place in the city right when i get poifectly happy ‘ear!"
"Hey, you knew all along you were goin' to be goin' to Harlem!"Specs shot back.
"Yeah well, you should ‘ave ent me right away! If you'd had done dat then I'se wouldn't be attatched to youse two!" Sketch was being stubborn not wanting to change her opinion on anything. She sat there, arms crossed, hands clentched around arms almost to the point of cutting off curculation. Skittery shook his head. He knew she would be difficult, but never thought it would be like this.
Specs looked at his plate. "I knows I should ‘ave let youse go right away but I'se stupid! Is tat what youse want tah hear? That I'se a screw up? Well it ain't my fault! Yer buddy boy should have sent you to Harlem, not ‘ere!" Specs was starting to get mad now.
Skittery looked between the two. For once he wasn't the one to be mad! That was a miricle! He was ALWAYS the mad one! But now, Sketch, the hyper one, and Specs, the incedivbly calm, friendly one were mad.
"Hey! It aint my fault ‘eider! It was my foist time bein' free! You get that? I had never seen the damn city before! I didn't know what there was! So its your own fault, Stupid! You should have sent me away! Then I'se wouldn't ‘ave tah look at yer pig like face!" Sketch was practicly screaming now.
"ME? Pig faced? When was the last time youse took a good look at yerself!" Specs was hollering as well. "You know what? Youse a stubborn brat!"
Sketch stood up abruptly, getting ready to jump at Specs. Skittery got fed up. He grabed her arm right as she started to pounce, making her fall on him. "Will you two shut up?! Youse gonna get us throughn out fer one thing!" Skittery yelled to get their attention, then gradually lowerd his voice. "Look at yerselves! Youse both bein' brats if you ask me! Jeez, shut up! OKay Specs, youse gonna ‘elp get Sketch to Harlem. And Sketch, youse goin' if youse like it or not! And your goin' today, before you rip off ‘is head!"
Sketch snorted and pulled away from Skittery, rushing out the front door, plopping on the curb. Specs looked at Skittery, hitting himself. Skittery just glared then fallowed Sketch.
******
The walk to Harlem was quietm barly a word was said. Sketch dragged her feet and hung her head. Skittery walked inbetween the two delinquents. And Specs he kept his eyes fixed ahead of him. They all were deep in thought, each of a different topic, but all sinister.
Sketch finally piped up. "Umm..where is it? We's been walkin' fer ever!"
"It ain't far, we's in Harlem we jus' gotta get to the Lodgin' house..."Skittery replyed.
Specs looked at her. "Yeah take in yer surroundin's yous gonna be livin' up ‘ere now..." He shrugged.
Sketch looked at him, slightly smiling. Specs looked back ahead of him.
******
Apon ariving to the Harlem Newsgirls Lodging House, Skecth had started to saunter. She went slower, not wanting to go, she knew now she was here and Specs and Skittery were leaving wihtout her. She stopped compleatly, thrusting her hands in her pockets. Skittery turned around.
"Common, Goil!" He said obvoisly annoyed, as usual.
"No. N-O." She said slowly.
Skittery grunted and grabbed her wrist, draging her. She went limp, making skittery drag all her weight.
"Okay, you ain't gonna walk, eh? So I'se gonna carry you!" Skittery picked her up before she could get away, and threw her over his shoulder.
"PUT ME DOWN!" Sketch yelled in protest, smaking his back repeatedly.
"NO."
Sketch started to scream as loud as she could. Specs was cringing at the high pitched screech, but Skitt just ignored it.
As they walked threw the door, Sketch clung to the door jam. Skittery started to tug on her. "STOP IT! THAT HOITS, JOIK!!" Sketch yelled kicking her feet about violently.
"Sketch! Be quite! Common, kiddo! Jus'..Just please be quite!" Specs pleaded softly, not wanting to make a scene.
"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" She started to yell louder.
"What da heck is goin' on?!?!" Someone yelled from the stairwell inside the building. The person ran to Skittery and smaked him the the back of the head with a book. "STOP IT!! JOIK!" She yelled.
Skittery turned around swatting at the girl, but suddenly stopped. "Blue! Geez! Stop it wit' da book! Help me wit' dis goil!" He said turning back to Sketch.
"Huh? Who is sh--"
"Shut up and help!" Skittery yelled gruffly.
Specs had finally pried Sketch's hand from the door jam. Skittery lifted her, thrusting her in a chair. She sat there, arms folded over her chest, glaring at him.
"Okay Sketch! Now youse ‘ere an youse gonna stay! Dis is Blue Skies, she's like our Jack. Got dat? Now Blue, dis is Sketch Meeks, the loudest brat in New Yawk!" Skittery said snorting at her. Specs stood away from them, in the corner, still not wanting to face Sketch. He was feeling so guilty. He was forcing her to join the place without her wanting to. He sighed in depression.
Blue smiled at Sketch, whom briefly smiled back. "So youse joinin' da ranks. Nice ta have ya!" Blue said merrily.
"Yeah..whatever.."Sketch said moodily. Blue looked at Skittery giving him a Breiz ‘what now?' look. He looked back shrugging.
"Ummm..well. The bunkroo--" Blue was cut off by a noisy boy who barged in.
"Samantha!" He yelled opening his arms to her.
She looked up, hearing her real name. "Griffin? GRIFFIN!" She jumped up and hugged him. "You joik!" She smacked him in the arm. "You never came back!"
"I'se couldn't! I'se was hidin'! Youse know dat!"
"Yeah well....well now I'se Sketch! So youse gotta call me dat!" She said pulling away.
Skittery smiled and explained to a very confused Blue who Griffin was. She nodded in understanding.
After short introductions and before small talk could really start, Sketch happily signed in and skipped up the stairs. Everyone, wondered what Griffin had to make her so hyper, and happy.
Sketch jumped into the bunkroom screaming, "HELLOOOOOOO PEOPLE!" A few girls were there all giving her quaint looks. Blue came in after her, then the boys.
"Everybody, dis is Sketch Meeks. She's joinin' our ranks. Skittery and Specs jus' brang ‘er up." Blue said explaining the extremely happy, somewhat insane child who just flew in the room. The girls nodded. Some greeted her with a "heya" or a smile, or they went back to there work.
"Okay, see that one dare.." Blue whispered to Sketch. "That's me best friend, Flash. and that's Digit, and Ash. Ruby is in da cornah'. Smoke, there on da bottom bunk, she's yer new bunkmate." Sketch simpered. Then with a sudden burst of energy she ran and leaped to her bunk, giving Smoke a fright of a lifetime. She sat up there laughing insanely.
Skittery shook his head and came up to her. "You're a real hyper dork. Ya know dat?" He said with a face as straight as a pencil.
"Shut up, ya scab."
Skittery smacked her mockingly. Then his face turned stern once again. "We's gotta get back...like me an' Specs ‘afta go now..we ain't gonna get back till aftah dark but we gotta go..."
Sketch's face dropped and her eyes drooped as well. They watered up as she tried choking.
"Hey! Don't ya start cryin' on me's! youse nevah cried before! Common..we's got to....okay, its late.." She burst into tears and grasped him, crying all over him. Ruby looked up from the corner, annoyed and snorted.
"Well stop cryin' now! Common! ARGH!" Skittery didn't know how to deal with a girl in essentially drowning herself in a salty substance released by the eye.
Specs, out of first instinct, ran to her bedside and hugged her. Skittery pulled away shrugging. Sketch didn't notice the switch, or it seamed that way, and just kept it coming out.
"Sketch," Specs said softly, "Common...youse made it all dis way an' now yer cryin'..it's okay...common youse gotta stop or else youse always gonna be miserable." He rubbed her back as he talked
Sketch started to choke back her tears, due to the comforting voice of Specs--her best friend. She hugged him tighter and whispered, "Specs, I'se don't wanna fight wit; youse again....I'se love ya like me brudder..youse me best friend." Specs was taken aback. He had thought Sketch was enraged at him. All he could do was smile. She smiled back. They finally pulled apart. Sketch wiped her nose on her cuff and hopped off her bunk, seeing Skittery, and Specs out.
They both hugged her tight and said there good-byes. They sauntered off and disappeared down an adjacent street. Sketch turned to Griffin.
"What about you? Where you goin'?" She asked curiously.
"Me? Oh..I dunno..." He smirked.
"Where?" Sketch started to whine and pull on his shirt.
"I'm stayin' ovah at the Harlem Newsboys Lodging House." He laughed.
"Really?!" Sketch squealed happily. "That means I can see youse whenever I'se want ta!" She danced about with childish glee. Griffin only laughed.
Together they walked inside, to the bunkroom, and to her new life.
