How did I end up like this?

That was one of the many panicked thoughts that was going through Y/N's head as she walked through Brooklyn with a twisted ankle in the dark. She hadn't meant to wander far, but she had gotten so distracted that she just kept walking. It helped clear her mind and sort out her feelings.

She felt guilty. And angry at herself, too. She felt like she should still be shut up inside, grieving, instead of walking around and developing feelings for some boy. Y/N was still in some kind of state of grief, but she just couldn't convince herself that it wasn't wrong for her to be out and living life like everything was normal.

And it was there, while she was lost in her thoughts, that she tripped on ledge and fell to the ground. Pain shot up through her leg and the shock brought her back to reality. What am I doing here? I need to get home, she thought, sitting in the ground and gritting her teeth. Her ankle really hurt, but she knew that she needed to get back to the lodging house, but home to safety.

Hanging on to a lamppost, Y/N pulled herself back up and started limping towards Manhattan. She moved at a turtle's pace, but at least she was moving at a turtle's pace in the right direction. She held her bag in her hand, keeping it ready to use as a weapon if it was needed. Her eyes darted back and forth at the few other pedestrians, looking them in the eye and trying to carry herself in a way that did not welcome attention.

The bridge couldn't have been more than a block away when a voice behind her asked, "Pardon, Miss, but whatcha doing out so late by yaself?"

Y/N nearly jumped out of her skin, but tried her best to calmly turn. "I don't...I believe that that's none of your business," she said, trying to sound confident and fierce when she was actually really scared. Being alone with this random boy in the middle of the night couldn't be good.

"I'm just tryin' to help ya. These streets ain't a place for such pretty girls as yaself (Y/N glared at him and tightened her grip on her bag) to be wandering around in the dark." She shook her head and curtly replied, "I'm well aware. That's why I'm leaving now."

As she continued to walk, she could tell he was still watching her. "Is ya leg alright?" he asked, watching her limp. "It's nothing, I'll be fine," she said, voice started to tremble. There's no way she could run, and now he knew she was weak. Panic filled her head as she tried to hurry along and escape the boy.

"I'll walk with you, you really shouldn't be by yaself," his previously cocky voice actually showing concern. Y/N knew that trying to escape could only make things worse, so she just silently let him walk by her side. "Ise Spot Conlon, king of Brooklyn," he said, the proud smug returning to his face. She stared down at his outstretched hand hesitantly, and he sighed and said, "I ain't gonna bite ya."

"I'm Y/N." She carefully shook his head, looking him straight in the eyes to see if there was anything to not trust. He seemed fine, but she still kept a firm grip on her bag.

He noticed how she was clenching the newspaper bag and studied the extra pape sticking out of it. "Youse...a newsie?"

"Uh, yeah, kinda..."

"And I'm guessing youse from 'hattan? I ain't seen ya around here."

"Yeah, lower Manhattan," she said, raising an eyebrow in confusion. "Why does it matter?"

"I'll give ya a break since youse obviously new to the job, but Brooklyn is my turf. So if ya don't wanna get soaked, don't sell in Brooklyn." Her eyes widened and she nodded. "That's...good to know. Thanks, I guess."

"You're welcome. I dunno why Kelly didn't explain that to you but now you know. And as long as you ain't selling, youse fine."

---

A half-hour later, the two were finally approaching the lodging house. Y/N could barely walk that point, so Spot held her arm and helped her make it the rest of the way. She was surprised that she actually trusted this boy, but she just somehow knew that he sincerely wanted to help her.

Jack was sitting out on the front steps, and jumped up when he saw them approaching. "Y/N! We was looking everywhere for you, where've you-oh. Hey Spot," Jack said, tensing up when he recognized the king of Brooklyn.

"Well, Jumping Jack, found Y/ wandering 'round with a limp and I wanted to make sure that she got home fine. Here," he shifted Y/N's arm over to Jack. She felt bad, but her swollen ankle made her have to lean on Jack for support.

After a moment of silence, Y/N spoke up and expressed her genuine gratitude. "Uh, thanks, Spot, for helpin' me home. I don't think I would've gotten back safe if it weren't for your help."

"My pleasure," he said, winking jokingly and smiling smugly. He spit into his hand and held it out to shake her's, and she returned the gesture.

As Y/N and Jack headed in one direction and Spot the other, Spot turned around and called out one more thing.

"And Kelly, at least try to keep ya newsies outta my turf."

(A/N: Oooof, I'm really scared this chapter wasn't any good but hey! At least I updated.

And I am DEFINITELY not going to start some kind of romance between Y/N and Spot, because she is loyal to her (kind of) man. But I imagine Spot being kinda flirtatious? I don't know. I'm really bad writing Spot's character because I feel like I change it up too much.

One last thing, it took all of my strength to not start this chapter with a record scratch and, "you're probably wondering, 'how did I end up in this situation?'" So you're welcome.

Thanks for reading!)