Chocolate is a girls best friend(open)

[kitten]

Kitten walked into Annie’s Chocolate Shop for the third time this week! She really wanted to get something sweet but she needed to be careful with her money. She saw a delicious chocolate bar sitting in front of her but she knew she shouldn’t get it but it was really tempting. Oh why did they have to invent this stuff she thought to herself licking her lips thinking how good it would taste. She was going to ask for it but she only had a few pennies so she needed them for work tomorrow maybe if she went outside the shop and beg she might get some more. No I couldn’t do that! It wouldn’t be for anything important just a piece of chocolate she thought maybe if one of my kind newsies walked in we could split it she thought to herself but what would the odds be that a newsie would walk through those doors?

Kitten went outside the store and sat on the bench that was outside it. How she would love that chocolate bar and it’s the perfect day to have one. It’s not to hot that the chocolate would melt and the clouds are hiding the sun so there was not a chance that it would have to melt. I think it had nuts in it she thought to herself. “Why do things have to cost money why not just give chocolate out for free?” she asked herself aloud. Hocus can cast spells so I wonder if he can make something into chocolate she thought to herself with a smile on her face looking into the sky. She looked back out to the streets and watched the people go by she must be craving chocolate since she thought she saw a chocolate horse go by. She closed her eyes and groaned “I want chocolate,” she mumbled to herself. She started to hum random tunes maybe if she hummed well enough she’ll get some tips.

She kept humming loudly as people pasted by and glanced at her. Soon that was a lady that told her to be quiet so she did. “Gee people just don’t like music.” she said to herself glaring at the back of the lady. I’m going to be so rich that I’ll have a pool full of chocolate, she thought to herself with a smile and yawned. She felt a nice breeze blow her blonde hair into her face, oh how she loved wind. Not too much wind, like tornado wind, like a thunderstorm wind it was nice. That was another thing she liked thunderstorms, they were the best! Not the wimpy ones but the nice strong ones. Back in Pennsylvania a good storm only came at night and when there was a thunderstorm it was only for a couple of minutes. Hopefully now that she was in New York she’ll see a nice storm.

[word count 506 not bad]

[Street]

Street walked along the street cheerfully, her bare feet slapping a rthym on the sidewalk. She still wore the dress Amo had gotten her, along with that horrible bath. Her hair was dirty again, fading back into brown, with only streaks of her light hair poking through. It was no longer soft, but the consitency of straw, just like always. Her nose was smudged on the side, and around her neck, bouncing along with her blithe manner, was a pretty necklace on a delicate chain. It was the cleanest thing on her person.

She heard a whistling and paused in her walkings, her mouth puckering as she tried to whistle. It did not work. Street's eyebrows furrowed and she continued on, coming to Annie's Chocolate Shop. She pressed her nose against the glass, her dirty hands going to either side of her head. She was not trying to look in, mostly, she was trying to make Annie mad. Street heard someone say something. Something about money. Anything about money made Street turn away, she didn't like to talk about it.

But the girl was talking about chocolate. Street was not a chocolate girl, she would steal it, yeah, but only for Chancey or someone else. But cinnamon buns? If the clerk was distracted for even a few seconds, Street would be scurrying away with as many cinnamon buns as her tiny arms could carry. Street suddenly hopped away from the window and all but bounced toward the girl. She stopped, stooping slightly over the girl even though she was so short.

"Ya want chocalate?" She asked, a mischeivious glint coming into her eyes. "I can get ya some!" She told the girl, looking at her pretty hair. "Ya hair is pretty." She murmured absently. She then stood and wiped her nose with the sleeve of her ragged sweater. Street smiled at the woman who told the other girl to be quiet. She winked at the girl from the corner of her eye and in a flash, almost to quick to be seen, her hand was in and out of the lady's coat, the dirty and grubby fingers tight around a pocketbook.

Once the woman had walked on, Street turned her back to the street, her front toward the girl as she dug through the pocketbook, her small fingers deftly rifling through the many papers. She held out a dollar bill to the girl, her eyes still intent on the insides of the wallet. "What's this worth? Can't read." She said, pulling out another bill. She narrowed her eyes, trying to make sense of the numbers. "If there's a like an upside down two on it... It's worth five dollars, right?" She asked uncertainly, "That's like... Three cinnamon buns, a dress, a pair of shoes, and... Bread for a week." She said, her mind doing a quick tally. "Or a really good pocket watch."

Street looked at the girl. "So... Ya want that chocalate or not?" She asked, snatching the bill away from her and tucking it into the blouse of her dress. She patted it where it fell, right by her bony ribs. "So... Here's how it's gonna work. Either ya come with me inta the shop and then run for it with me, or ya wait here until I get it and walk out. Which one?" Street's fingertips were tingling as she glanced through the glass window. Some candies were under glass, others sat out. Easy.

"I'm Street." She said cheerfully, grinning at the girl.

Word Count: 602
Muse: Good

[kitten]

Kitten looked up and saw a girl, “Yea I want chocolate!” said Kitten sounding excited but oh well it’s chocolate! The girl then the girl said something about Kitten’s hair saying it looked pretty, “Um thanks I just ran my fingers through it really,” said Kitten. Who is this girl and why does she think my hair looks pretty I think it looks like crap today. she thought to herself. She never had a random girl on the street walk up to her like this, other than her customers, and talk to her. She watched the girl steel a woman’s pocketbook and Kitten’s eyes went wide, oh how she hoped that no one saw that and that the woman wouldn’t notice.

Kitten finally breathed once the woman walked around the corner but she was bound to notice sooner or later. The girl took the dollar bill and looked at it, “Its only one dollar,” she said and then watched the girl go through the pocketbook some more. “Yea it’s five dollars and sure I guess you can buy that stuff with it.” Kitten really didn’t know what else to say to this girl she never really saw anyone steal something before and Kitten never did it herself. Her mother and father always told her that it was inhuman to steal from other human beings.

“I won't have any vulgar behavior or criminals in this Lodging House.”

“Wait we’re going to pay for the chocolate right?” she asked remembering what Peep told her. She wasn’t the one to stole the pocketbook so she wouldn’t be count as a criminal…right? Of course we’re going to pay for it why else would she steal the pocketbook? Kitten asked herself. She was kind of surprised when the girl snatched the money away from her but this girl was a thief so she shouldn’t be surprised.

“Wait run? Why would we run you stole the money so we can pay for it right?” she asked the girl, “I can’t steal the chocolate Peep doesn’t want any criminals in the lodging house.” Kitten said quickly if she got thrown out of the lodging house then what would she do? “I guess I’ll do the second one,” she said as her heart thumped louder and harder. “Everyone calls me Kitten,” she said as the girl, Street, told Kitten her name, “My full name is Alexandra Brice but everyone just calls me Kitten,” she added smiling softly.

word count 435
better

[Street]

Street nodded. "I thought so. But really, yer hair's real nice! Do ya wash it all the time?" She asked. She puffed out her cheeks and let the air out slowly. "I wish I could whistle." She said randomly, then she tilted her head like a curious dog. "Nah. I won't buy that stuff! I don't need a dress, I have one, and I don't like shoes, plus shoes are really expensive and they're had ta lift." Street looked up at the girl suddenly, her expression curious. "No. We ain't gonna pay for the chocalate. I need that money. See, if I don't get money, I don't eat!" She told the girl. "Plus, this money ain't for me! It's for August ta buy food for us and stuff. I don't steal money for myself, only food." She puffed out her chest, proud of this fact.

"Of course we run! Otherwise they'd catch us!" She looked at the girl, exasperated. "Peep? That leader boy! He's the one that was following the Entertainer around alot. And Drifter." She nodded. "Anywho, he can't say nothin' 'cause I'm the one doin' the stealin', right? Ya don't have the stuff it takes to be a pickpocket! Ya have to realize the big picture! If ya didn't pick, ya wouldn't live. Did ya know I have lived eight years on the street just off what I could steal?" She asked. "See, I ran away from the orphanage when I was seven. Didn't like it there. They used ta beat me all the time." She grinned at the girl. "Ya wait here and I'll get yer chocalate. I can't read so I might not get the right one, is that okay? Can ya point it out ta me?" She asked, gesturing to the window.

"Kitten! I like cats. But not the mean ones, only the tiny ones. I have a real name, gettin' hard ta remember, but it's there. Rosalind Lexeme." She looked thoughtful. "Yeah, that's it! Rosalind Lexeme, but everyone calls me Street. Just... Street." She looked off into the distance dreamily. She snapped back to reality. "Now, just tell me which one it is, and I'll be back in a flash with yer chocalate."

Word Count: 396
Muse: Good

[kitten]

“Yea I wash it everyday. The people here don’t really like things dirty so I have to keep it clean,” she said smiling at Street then she also tried to whistle. She never really tried it before but her dad and mom was really good at it so shouldn’t she be good at it? Apparently not since she only had air and spit coming out. “Guess I can’t do it so don’t feel bad. My parents were really good at it but they never taught me.” said Kitten smiling softly. This girl was kind of funny maybe they could be good friends…maybe she’ll have to get over Street stealing but isn’t that what friends do? “So is August like your leader? And why wouldn’t you just sell instead of stealing from others? Selling papers isn’t that hard.” she said to Street.

“I guess,” she said agreeing that she wasn’t doing the stealing, “Of course I wouldn’t look at me I wouldn’t survive on my own.” she said standing up and throwing her arms out so that Street would be able to see. “I’m too clean for that,” she said with a smile, it was a joke but people around Staten Island doesn’t really like jokes. Other than the newsies they like joking around. “Yea that was the main reason that I left the orphanage plus that I was bad luck there.” she said, “Seemed like everything bad that happened there only happened when I was around. Surprised that they didn’t call me something other than Kitten.” she said with a little laugh. “You know maybe I’ll go in with you. Just to make sure it’s the right one.” she said smiling, “Then I could see how you guys do it.” she said.

“Yea cats are okay I like dogs better though.” she said, “Yea weird my name is Kitten but I like dogs more I get it a lot.” said Kitten rolling her eyes. She only goes by kitten because it reminds her of her father. “Is that what happens over the time? You forget your own name?” asked Kitten. That kind of worries her that she won’t even know her own name. But if forgetting it helps forgetting what happened that night she’s willing to do it.

[Street]

Street nodded earnestly, "I understand completely! Ya should've seen the lady when she gave me a bath the other day! I thought my hair would fall out with all that stuff she was puttin' on it." She shrugged. "And Amo wasn't happy cause I wasn't happy. But he got me a necklace, and I haven't hawked it yet!" She said proudly. She then clasped her hands and looked at Kitten with wide eyes. "Ya remember yer parents? I had parents once, 'cause that's the only way I'd be here, right?" She asked dreamily.

"August is my leader! He's so handsome and kind! He's like an older brother, but we only call him August. He gets all the money and then dishes out food and money to us! I always spend my money on cinnamon buns. One for me, one for Chancey, one for August, and then one for Whitey. I did buy two for Archer and Harper, but Harper was killed and Archer ran away." She looked said, but then brightened. "Oh, I tried sellin' papes once, honestly! But I can't read, so I didn't know what to call out and all that. Plus its funner stealin'! Ya get ta run and I have the fastest fingers in New York. Chancey can run faster though. I remember when I met him, I stole his winnin' ticket and pocketwatch. But I didn't hawk the watch. He likes it too much." She smiled at Kitten, and bit her lip, rocking back and forth on the balls of her feet.

Street jumped a few inches into the air. "That's wonderful! Ya should go in with me! I can show ya... Who knows, maybe one day ya may need the skills I'm about ta show ya ta live!" Street put her hand out to the girl, gesturing for her to get up and follow. Street looked back at her. "Dogs? Huh... Oh, ya have ta be careful sometimes, because the dogs might eat ya. 'Least that's what one kid told me." She shrugged, not really caring. "Oh, no, it's only me that's forgets me own name. It's just easier to use nicknames, and nobody calls me Rosalind or Rosie at all, and certainly no one uses me full name." She said quietly, "Rosalind Love Lexeme..." Then she shook her head and entered the store.

"Pick out your bar." She muttered quietly, her large grey eyes searching the store. Two workers. Lots of kids. She bent down and poked a kid, she did not have to bend down too far. "Hey, ya go cause some chaos, okay?" She asked, winking cheerfully. The boy nodded and scampered around the store, making a fuss. His mother and older sister chased him. "Quick, Kitten." She said, urging the girl.

Word Count: 481
Muse: Good

[kitten]

Kitten laughed when Street finished her hair story, it was funny, and sometimes that happens to her if she doesn’t brush her hair the day before. It hurt really, really bad like tripping onto broken glass that’s how bad it hurt…okay maybe not. “Course I still remember my parents. They’re the one who gave me my nickname and my real name.” said Kitten. She didn’t care how long her parents have been dead she’ll always remember them, her grandmother not so much. Her grandmother wasn’t that nice to her, she always yelled and beat Kitten for something. Also her grandmother smelled funny and not a good funny but a bad funny.

“August sounds like a good leader.” Said Kitten she wouldn’t think that pickpockets would do that kind of thing but she can be wrong, although she’d rather be right. Kitten let the rest of what Street said go she didn’t want to push her or bring up any bad memories. She wouldn’t want to be reminded of the time her parents died even if it does come to her mind every day. “You know maybe I could teach you how to read someday. You could always use it even if you’re not a newsie. Might be you could use it,” she said, it was true reading helps with a bunch of things like….knowing what street you’re on. Right? “I’m not really the running type.” She said, “More of a walker than runner.” She added, “too much energy in it.” She said smiling she was too lazy.

Kitten and Street entered the chocolate shop, Kitten was really nervous there were a lot of people in here, what if they got caught? They would be thrown into jail and never to be seen again! Okay Kitten calm yourself your going to be fine just tell Street the candy bar then run for it. she told herself “Dogs aren’t that bad you just need to know how to handle them.” Said Kitten she would love a dog but they’re too dirty to bring into the lodging house. “Good cause I like my name….well not good for you….well maybe it is….oh never mind!” said Kitten getting frustrated with herself. Kitten started smelling the chocolate, her most favorite part when she enters the store.

“Um,” said Kitten and watched Street talk to the kid. She then turned her attention back to the candy bars then picked up the one that she wanted and gave it to Street. Oh please don’t let us get caught she prayed inside her head. She saw the kid that Street talk to run around and he started to yell and scream, I’m glad I’m not that boys mother, she smiled to herself.

[Street]

Street paused for a moment in her ramblings. "I'm sure my parents were good people. And besides, when I lived Under the Bridge, it wasn't so bad. My friend Nick took care of me real good. He taught me everythin' I know." She looked unsure, as if she was trying to convince herself her parents were good people. "But... I remember havin' siblings." She shrugged, trying to act nonchalant.

"August is the best. He took me in and Chancey and Harper and Archer. Even though Harper's dead and Archer ran away. And Hysteria, though she went away after her boy was killed, and Missy, she's pregnant from August but loves Chancey, and August has a new girl named Liv. And Whitey! Whitey's all that's left of the younger ones, see, what with Harper and Archer goin' bye-bye." She took a deep breath. "He's what allowed me to get closer to Chancey after I first met him at Sheepshead Race Track. Even though he's a pickpocket too, I picked his pockets and got a winnin' ticket and his pocket watch. Never hawked the watch though, I could tell he liked it too much." She flushed a bit and then looked away.

She shrugged. "I ain't interested in readin'. The Librarian always reads out loud ta me 'cause he's grandkids don't spend time with him and I do. He's really old and he smells funny, but he's nice and has a good voice for readin'. And I ain't deaf. Just can't read. If ya listen to yer surroundin's, ya never get lost. People talk about stuff. Ya just gotta listen ta it." She smiled softly. Her eyes widened at Kitten's response. She had never thought about walking. "Where I live, ya don't walk. Ya have ta run, otherwise the bulls get ya and lock ya up in the Refuge. And the Refuge ain't no where ya want ta be." She shook her head. "I was there once, with Nick. I was only 'bout ten. It was cold and scary and there were rats everywhere! Lucky one of the others bailed us out..."

Street looked back at Kitten as the kid caused chaos. Street herself reached over and slipped two cinnamon buns into a fold in her dress where her one pocket was. One was for her. The other was for Chance. No matter how hungry she got, she would not eat Chance's cinnamon bun. "So... Which one is it?" She asked in a whisper, her blonde hair falling into her face. She absently began to chew on the necklace Amo had given her.