Chapter 1

Amanda took a sip of her stolen smoothie, never breaking stride as she walked down the crowded sidewalk. That was the trick, she knew. To pretend like you belonged.

Amanda liked to think that she knew a lot of things, especially for a six year old. Like she knew that if your stomach was so hungry that it made you want to barf from cramps, there was nothing gross about digging through dumpsters. And that libraries were a good place to spend a cold day because you didn't ever have to buy something there. Or that you should always dress the way other people did so you didn't draw attention even if you were freezing when in the sun.

That was why she was in a purple tank top and jean shorts and walking in her sneakers without her socks.

Amanda stumbled as an overly large woman with an African skirt and crazily bushy hair waddled past her and then tripped completely as another woman, this time skinny in a purple shirt, clutching a hot dog with black nails, pushed past her while she was trying to regain her balance. She skidded painfully across the cement, feeling her skin being torn from her skin as people obliviously walked past her. Her smoothie was spilled across the cement, looking much more like cat barf now that it was out of her cup and she felt her stomach turn as if it was doing somersaults.

Suddenly a hand filled her gaze and she looked up quickly, flinching away from the offending appendage. A serious looking man with a receding hairline and impeccably (that was another thing Amanda knew, how to use impeccable.) clean suit.

"Thanks," She whispered, taking his hand with her own small one. His hand seemed cold and she wondered if he was an elf from the North Pole. He was a little too tall, but you never knew.

"Are you okay?" The man asked, righting her and helping her wipe off her shirt. He caught sight of her bleeding legs and out of nowhere a tissue appeared, pressed into her hand.

"I'm fine," Amanda decided, looking down at herself. Her clothes were a little dirty, but you know, so was she, so she couldn't really discriminate. "Thank you." She repeated. Because if he was an elf, then she definitely wanted to be on her good behavior. Maybe Santa would finally grant her wish this year is she was especially nice to one of his elves. She reached down and grabbed her now empty smoothie cup, holding it with sticky fingers.

"Is that your smoothie?" The man asked. Amanda nodded and he stood up fully, shoving his hands in his jacket pockets. "Let's go get another one." Amanda started nodding and then stopped abruptly as she thought that through.

"No thank you," She said, already backing away. Because smoothie meant paying and paying meant money and money meant wallet. "I really should be going. My mom and dad are waiting for me."

She backed away and ducked behind a broad hipped man, walking in tandem with him until she was sure she was out of the elf's vision. Then she pulled out the wallet she had stuffed into her waistband, feeling terrible. She was certainly going to be on Santa's naughty list this year.

But you know, Christmas was a long time away, and Amanda needed to eat now.