This one is so crappy why help no

Why should you only take what you're given?
Why should you spend your whole life living-
Trapped where there ain't no future,
Even at 17,
Breaking your back for someone else's sake.
- (Jack Kelly) Santa Fe

"So where are we going anyways?" Katherine asked following Jack back through the woods.

"Back ta my place." He replied, "I have some friends I want you ta meet."

"Friends?" Asked Katherine.

"Yup." Jack bobbed his head up and down.

The two walked in silence before Katherine, being Katherine, began asking many questions.

"Do you have any parents."

"No, dey died when I was younger."

"Oh I'm sorry.  Well, if you don't mind me asking, who takes care of you?"

"I like ta take care o' myself."

"Do you have any relatives?"

"No, but the lady who works closeby at the theatre is almost like an Aunt to me."

"Oh I've been there before!"

"Who hasn't?"

"What do you enjoy doing?"

"Drawing."

"I enjoy writing.  I used to want to be a reporter when I was a little girl.  Back before I knew a 'princess' was a 'job'." Katherine continued, "I also enjoy talking."

"I can see that." Jack mumbled,

"What was that?"

"Nothing!"

***

Once the two arrived at the lodging house it seemed so quiet on the outside.  A nice little shack (though falling apart at the seams) with a fire escape and ladders to the city below.

"It's really nice." Katherine complimented.

"T'anks." Jack smiled.

He knocked three times and opened the door.

Inside the house was chaos.  Boys were hopping about everywhere in all directions.  One blonde was standing on a table and dancing.  A little one was sitting in a corner reading.  An older one who looked similar to the little boy was running around trying to control everyone.  The house was a mess.  Spilled bottles scattered the floor, clothes lay over chairs, the stairs had a shoe or two sitting on them.

"Atteeeeeeeeention!" Jack yelled as Katherine covered her ears.

All of the boys stopped abruptly and stared at the two.

"Well I'm certainly proud of yous- you blockheads.  I's bring a goil home n' da place is a mess!" Jack put his hand on the bridge of his nose.  Katherine blushed.  Did he really just say that?

"Anyways, dis is Katherine."

Katherine came out from where she was hiding behind Jack during the chaos and gave a small wave to the boys.

Half of them waved and half of them began practically drooling over her.

"Boys line up!"

The group got in a line and Jack led Katherine through everyone's names.

"This is Crutchie, Davey, Les, Romeo, Race, Specs, Mush, Buttons, Sniper-"

"Wait," Katherine interrupted, "Sniper as in Sniper from Brookland? The girl who has been undercover as a newsie for 5 years now?"

Sniper spit in her hand and held it out to be shook, "Dats me all right! Pleasure to meet yous miss!"

Katherine hesitantly shook her hand before wiping her own on her dress.

"Aye Kath why don't you'a run upstairs and change and then we'll go explore the town?"

Katherine smiled widely, "I'd love to!"

And with that she ran upstairs.  She didn't know quite where to put her things so she just set them in the middle of the room and pulled out one of her extra pairs of clothing, a burgundy dress and black lace-up boots.  She quickly got changed and flicked her hair out from under the material.  No more princess gowns.  Life felt so good.

"I know it's a huge responsibility to keep the princess here but she's not like that." Jack said.

"How do we's know?" Race asked crossing his arms against his chest.

"Because I can feel it.  She's sweet and kind and nothing like dem Pulitzers."

"Oooooh Jackie's got a cruuuuuush!" Romeo practically screamed until Sniper shushed him.

"Do ya wants her ta hear or not?!" She hissed.

"I say we give her a chance." Said Crutchie enthusiastically.

Everyone else groaned but agreed.

Katherine then came downstairs from where she had been hiding, hearing it all.  She'd prove it to those boys.  She was nothing like them.

"Ready to go ma' lady?" Jack asked holding his arm out for Katherine.

"I'm ready." Katherine beamed as she took his arm.

"Bye guys! And girl!" She said quickly as she turned around and waved.

"Later!" Race waved taking his cigar out of his mouth.

"Bye Je-ack!" Les yelled waving and running to the front door as they walked off.

And out they went to the marketplace.