Dudes I'm sorry! I'm so bad at remembering to frickin copy and paste a chapter! More talks at the bottom of the chapter. Once again, I'm sorry you guys <3!
Jack sagged through the streets of New York.

The world seemed emptier without him by his side.

Flashes of him still processed through his mind.

"Hey look! You can spell now!" Jack beamed proudly.

"I can!" Michael smiled that toothless grin that'd forever be engraved in Jack's mind. That moment, frozen in time.

But that was only a moment.

Moments accelerate happiness and adrenaline through your veins.

Within minutes, it's gone.

As if it never happened.

A moment is so easily forgotten through the minutes of days of months of years.

Then lifetimes.

And then that's what it was.

What it always will be.

A moment.

That's what terrified Jack the most. Forgetting.

There was once a time in his life where he would give anything to forget the past. To forget the future. Forget the present.

Now he was clingy, holding onto whatever would keep him stable. Grizzly left. Then the older kids left. Then Michael left.

And then he was alone.

Wishing he had been the one to die under the wagon wheels. Michael could live without him- but he couldn't breathe without Michael.

Then why was he still here? Living and breathing?

Jack didn't know the answer to that.

He had no reason to live anymore.

Then why was he standing in front of a blue-eyed-boy?

"What's your name?" Jack questioned, sitting down next to him.

"Mi- mi scusi?" The blonde-haired-boy stammered. (excuse me)

"Your," Jack pointed to himself. "name?"

"il mio nome?" The younger boy scooted away a bit. (my name?)

Jack didn't know what it meant, so he sighed and gave up.

"I don't understand you." Jack spoke exasperatedly.

"Co- cosa non va!?" His blue eyes widened. (wh- what's wrong)

"I'll be back tomorrow and see if I can get a dictionary. You're.... Italian, right?"

"Italiano?" The boy repeated. (this one's a given lOl)

"Okay, I'll be back tomorrow!" Jack waved walking away.

The Italian boy curled up into a ball even further, soaking in his loneliness.

"Well well, what do you have here?"

The boy felt his eyes widen as he tried to push further back into the corner.

"Dio salvami..." (god save me)

>>>>><<<<<

"How was selling?" Temper smiled warmly when Jack made it to the bunk room.

"No time to talk!" Jack grabbed a soup can from beneath his bed and emptied his coins onto the hard mattress. "I met this kid who can't speak a lick of English! I wanna buy a dictionary for him!"

"That's real thoughtful of you Jack." Temper let out a small laugh.

"Think I can still make it to the bookstore if I hurry?" Jack questioned scooping up the coins.

"I'll say." Temper nodded. "Just don't be out too late."

"'Kay! Bye! Love you!" Jack raced out the door again.

Maybe Jack would be fine after all.

Temper always believed in the boy.

>>>>><<<<<

"Hey I'm ba- OH MY GOD." Jack shoved the English to Italian (and Italian to English) dictionary into his messenger bag, immediately running to the blonde-haired-boy sprawled out in the middle of the alley, blood everywhere.

Blood.

"MICHAEL!"

Blood.

"You'll be okay! Please-"

Blood.

"Shhh, shh, I love you so much."

Blood.

"Jackie I'm scared."

Blood.

"NO! MICH-"

"Voglio la mia famiglia." The blonde-haired-boy mumbled softly. "Mamie and Papi." (I want my family)

"It's okay, I'm gonna help you." Jack scooped the boy into his arms, to which the blue-eyed-boy let out a scream of pain.

"VOGLIO LA MIA MAMMA!" The younger boy screeched. "VOGLIO ANDARE A CASA!" (I want my mama) (I want to go home)

"Shhh, I'm sorry." Jack felt tears run down his cheeks as he ran through the streets of New York, holding the younger boy close.

"Sono spaventato." The blonde blinked hat his tears, trying not to cry. (I'm scared)

"It's okay." Jack reassured softly. "You'll be okay."

The brown-haired-boy continued to mumble sweet nothings into the younger boy's ear until they reached the lodge.

"Temper! Temper we need help!" Jack gasped, kicking down the door.

"Troppo forte per favore smettila di urlare." The blonde boy cried to anyone who would listen. "father per favore smettil- so- sorry fat- father."  (Too loud please stop screaming) (father please stop)

Those were the first words in English Jack had ever herd the boy speak.

"No one's gonna hurt you." Jack understood immediately, stroking the blonde curls. "I'll keep you safe I-"

"Jack!?" Fox ran down the stairs. "Is everyth- oh my gosh."

The first thing the red-haired-boy did was check his pulse.

Then he barked some orders out to no one in particular, lunging for the first-aid kit in Temper's hand.

That was the first time Jack met the little boy who changed his life.

>>>>><<<<<

Jack forked through the Italian to English and English to Italian dictionary, looking for the right words. The small blonde sat next to him, swinging his feet back and forth off the side of the bunk bed.

"Cosa c'è tuo nome?" Jack strung together words- trying so hard to pronounce everything right. He probably didn't, judging by the soft giggle that escaped the younger boy's lips. (What's your name)

"Y- ya mean come ti chiami?" The blonde asked, stifling another laugh.

Jack grinned.

"That."

"Antonio."

"That's a cool name." Jack patted the blonde curls softly.

"Eh," The boy shrugged. "Non mi piace."

"That means-"

The younger boy snatched the dictionary, flipping through it until he found the right words.

"You don't.... You don't like it?" Jack put together the pieces of the puzzle slowly. "Oh! That's okay- we can give you a nickname."

'Antonio' shrugged again.

"We can teach you English though- that way we don't have to do this." Jack flipped through the dictionary pages, attempting to translate it back to Italian when a frail hand grabbed his. He paused, turning to the blonde.

"I- I understand inglese." His thick Italian accent was there- but Jack understood what he was saying. "Just non posso- non posso say parole." (I can't- I can't say the words)

Jack huffed. "You understand English and you watched me struggle for the past two days!?"

'Antionio' nodded his head, blonde curls bumping up and down.

"Good to know you're a...." Jack jumped up, tickling the younger boy. "A little trickster!"

"Hey!" The blonde squealed, attempting to push the older boy off of him. "Fermare! Fermare!"

"English please!" Jack smirked cheekily.

"I said stop!" The younger boy whined. "Cattivo." (Meanie)

Jack just beamed, ruggling the blonde hair.

It went like this until the small boy was fluent in both languages. Then he was ready to sell.

>>>>><<<<<<<<<

Jack's heart throbbed slightly, memories pooling up at what he was about to do.

"Okay kid," Jack nudged the blonde up to the circulation desk. "Get a hundred papes, alright? Fifty cents." Jack handed the boy two quarters.

"Hundred pappah's please!" The small boy excitedly slapped down the coins.

"New kid huh?" Wiesel raised an eyebrow. "Hundred papes for the new kid."

"Yes Uncle Wiesel." Morris and Oscar Delancey echoed back, counting the papes before reaching up to set them down on the counter. (just wanna point out the fact that Wiesel corrected to weasel)

"Thank you!" The blonde-haired-boy grinned, lifting the papers over his head with much difficulty.

"Now come on." Jack grabbed the small boy's wrist. "We got papes to sell!"
-
"Now walk up to that nice lady over there." Jack pointed to a woman who was clearly of high class. The large poofed sleeves, the illusion of a tiny waist, a man of the gentry class beside her. "Ask if she wants a pape, okay?"

"Got it!" THe blonde beamed.

The small boy dashed up to the couple, stopping right in front of them.

"Hi deary." The lady cooed at the wide, toothless, smile the little boy had put on. Even the man was hesitant to move.

"Do you wanna pape ma'am?" The small boy talked in a thick New York accent- not unlike Jack Kelly's. Just higher, and more squeaky. "Da more I sell, the more there is for dinner! Isn't dinner delicious?" He blinked, once, then twice. Then he knew he had stolen the hearts of the rich couple.

"Of course, how much a paper?" The lady reached into her purse.

"One cent ma'am!" The small boy beamed his toothless smile once more- pride evident on his face.

"Oh that won't do." The lady smiled warmly, handing the small boy a quarter. "Keep the change."

The blonde's eyes widened, an even larger (If possible) grin grew on his face.

"Jackie! Jackie, look!" The boy held up a quarter, his real accent growing stronger by the word.

Jack cheered from a distance, running over.

"What do you say to the nice lady?" Jack put his hands on the blonde's shoulders.

"Thank you!." The boy smiled.
-
"We got loads of extra money." Jack bounced the coins in his palm up and down, the clanging sound echoing between his ears. "What'cha wanna do with it?"

"Eat?" The blonde suggested.

"Lame," Jack waved off the suggestion. "Explore your interests kid!"

The younger boy shrugged. "I don't have any-"

His eyes widened as they passed a toy store window.

Jack's gaze followed to a set of small race horses, mid gallop.

"You like hor-"

"Jackie look!" The blonde-haired-boy grabbed Jack's wrist dragging him to the front of the window, crashing into pedestrians on the way. "Cavallo! Cavallo!"

"English, bud." Jack laughed as the younger boy shoved his face against the window- eyes wide.

"What's the- what's the word-" The boy's eyes scrunched up.

"Hor-"

"PONIES!" The boy burst- a proud smile on his face. "Look at the ponies Jack!"

Jack chuckled softly. "C'mon Racetrack- let's get some ponies."

"Ponies!" 'Racetrack' echoed happily.

<<>>

As quickly as she could, Anastasia hid her back behind a dumpster trying to silence her breathing.

"You must be around here somewhere!" a deep voice growled.

Her heart pounded, but she closed her eyes breath in, out, in, out.

"There you are!" he shouted, picking the small girl up by the back of her shirt.

Anastasia shrieked and kicked, crying for him to let go of her, as he started to drag her out of the alleyway.

"Shoulda thought more carefully 'fore stealing you little vermin," the cop snapped in frustration.

Anastasia, however continued to kick and cry.

"Hey! What're you doing?" the bold voice of a small, but older boy rang out.

"Mind your own business kid!" the man grunted.

"Leave the girl alone!" He crossed his arms, holding his head up with an air of defiance.

"Kid-"

"Jack! Jack where are you?" a worried voice called out.

"Leave the girl alone!" the boy shouted, pointing a finger at the cop.

And with that, he did something that made Anastasia's eyes widen.

He jumped with all his might at the police officer.

"Jack!" The same voice of surprise reverberated through the alley.

But 'Jack' was too busy fighting the officer who dropped Anastasia roughly to the ground.

"Oh god, are youse okay?" Anastasia looked up to see a boy a little older than her, leaning on a crutch.

"I- I'm okay," she said softly.

"Jack!" The boys' eyes filled with alarm, staring at something behind Anastasia.

Anastasia spun on her heel just in time to see Jack knock out the police officer.

"I got everything handled." The boy, Jack, smirked.

Anastasia slowly backed away.

"Hey, I ain't gonna hurt you." His cheeky smirk slipped into a soft smile.

"Yeah!" The boy with a crutch agreed, both of the boys were taller than her, so it didn't help that they had to look down at her.

"I'm Jack, Jack Kelly." Jack stuck out his hand for her to shake, in which the small girl shook it softly.

"I- I'm Anastasia Redwood."

Jack grinned.

"And I'm Crutchie!" the boy with the crutch exclaimed. "Don't forget about me!"

"I could never do such a thing!" Jack gasped jokingly before turning back to Anastasia. "Ya got a home?" Jack looked down at Anastasia.

Anastasia shook her head, looking down in embarrassment.

"'Ey 'ey 'ey!" Jack put his hands on her shoulders. "It's okay."

"We can take her back to the lodging house!" Crutchie perked up.

"Yeah." Jack smiled, before it slipped of his face. "Crutch, cemmere."

Crutchie wobbled over as Jack whispered something in the younger boy's ear.

"Uh huh. Yeah... right."

Anastasia could only make out what Crutchie was saying.

"Okay." Jack looked up. "So's, we have a plan."

He held up a glass shard.

"What're you- whatcha gonna do with that?" Anastasia took a step back.

"Close your eyes." Crutchie urged.

"Wha- why?" Anastasia raised an eyebrow.

"Hush child." Jack sat her down on a plastic crate. "We're gonna give you a make over!"

"Yeah." Crutchie nodded. "Can't have you walking into the lodge as the pretty girl you are!"

Anastasia's cheeks flushed, burying her head in her hands.

"Shh, trust your new hair stylist." Jack stuck his tongue out in concentration, dragging the sharp piece of glass across a section of her hair until it cut.

"Are you done yet?" Anastasia whimpered.

"Here's your hair!" Jack grinned, shoving the handful of brown locks next to her face. (bAsEd oFf a rEal iNciDenT wHen i lEt oNe oF mY bEst fRieNds cUt mY hAir) (he frickin started cutting then went "uh...oh...")

"Ah!" Anastasia jumped. "That's- that's a lot of hair!"

"I know, right?" Jack beamed proudly.

"No- no!" Anastasia's eyes widened. "That is not a good thing!"

"You look great!" Crutchie smiled reassuringly, letting out a nervous chuckle.

Anastasia could already tell that Crutchie was the type of person to never hurt your feelings.

"Why don't you uh-" Crutchie gulped, still forcing a smile. "you can uh- look at it!" He grabbed another piece of the broken mirror.

"Jack..." Anastasia turned to the older boy.

"It looks great!" Jack did jazz hands.

"Jack, why is it crooked?" Anastasia blinked.

"IT'S NOT MY FAULT FINCH IS THE DESIGNATED HAIR STYLIST!" Jack cried out.

"WHAT HAVE YOU DONE WITH MY HAIR!" Anastasia screamed back.

"I TRIED!" Jack defended.

"AGHH!" Anastasia put her head back in her hands. "This is a disaster!"

"On the uh- bright side," Crutchie rubbed the back of his neck. "you look like a boy now!"

"That is never a bright side." Anastasia shook her head.

"...yeah, I got nothing." Crutchie smiled sheepishly.

"It's fine." Jack waved the predicament off. "We should go now."

"Alright." Anastasia sighed, running a hand through her now short hair.

"So, Anastasia." Jack crossed his arms as they walked down the streets to the lodge. "Where ya from?"

"I- I- I-" Anastasia stuttered.

"It's alright." Crutchie soothed. "Take your time."

"I don't know." Anastasia admitted.

"You... don't know?" Jack questioned.

"Yeah, well past's aren't really important." The six-year-old gushed, skipping ahead. Her newly short hair bobbing behind her.

"Uh, yeah. They kinda are." Jack ran to catch up with the brown-haired-girl.

"Well, mine isn't." Anastasia shrugged, clearly brushing off the subject.

"Well-"

"Jack." Crutchie stopped the older boy, putting a hand over the brown-haired-boy's chest. "You're being demanding. You don't need to know everything about everyone."

"Fine." Jack huffed, dropping the subject.

>><<

Today the newsies took a particularly long time buying papes, due to the awful headline.

"How many do I get Tempie?" Jack poked the older boy's shoulder.

"Uhh..." Temper stared at the headline, as if it would change. "Try fifty."

"Ugh." Jack let out a groan. "No dinner today then?"

Temper shook his head. "I'm sure we can get a loaf of bread with the money from the emergency jar."

"A little moldy if anything." Fox rested his arm against the taller boy's shoulder.

"Hey! Look!" Albert gently shoved the older boys.

When they turned, their eyes met with a beautiful sunrise. It was framed with the New York skyline.

"Yo, look at this." Jack nudged Anastasia and Race.

Before they knew it, everyone was staring at the beautiful mix of pinks, and oranges, and blues.

"Hey! You all comin'? Or what?" Weisel rung the bell at the window.

"Good morning to us." Fox grinned.

"Good morning." Temper smiled back.

:>>>>>>•<<<<<<:

"Hey! Look! Look!" Race ran to the window, excitedly standing on the tips of his toes. "It's snowing!"

"On Christmas Eve too!" Crutchie added, just as giddy as the curly blonde-haired-boy.

"Ugh, great." Anastasia let out a long sigh. "We'll have lots of trouble selling now!"

"What? Why?!" Race questioned. "It's Christmas! We always sell out on Christmas. That's what Jack says! We'll make loads!"

"It hasn't snowed on Christmas though." Anastasia pointed out. "We never sell out when it snows."

"Who knows." Race shrugged. "Maybe we'll have a Christmas miracle."

>>>>>>•<<<<<<

Yeah no.

They didn't have a Christmas miracle.

In fact, their day seemed worse than ever.

Anastasia, for one, was having an awful day.

Trudging through the snow is never fun, especially when you don't have a jacket.

She sold five papers, and by now everyone should be home with family.

She wished she had a family.

She wished she remembered her family.

Anastasia bet she had wonderful Christmas's.

"Extray! Extray!" She shivered as a gust of wind blew against her face. The brown-haired-girl knew it would just be better if she went back to the lodge. She'd have no luck now.

>>>>>>•<<<<<<

"Hey." Race waved to his best friend as she sat down. "You're back early."

"I could barely sell anything!" Anastasia slammed her soggy papes on the ground.

"Oh don't be like that." Race wrapped an arm around his best friend. "It's Christmas! That means more time with me!"

"AND ME!" Albert yelled, shoving himself between the two.

"AH!" Race jumped. "GEEZ AL! NEXT TIME GIVE A WARNING!"

JoJo tapped Anastasia's shoulder.

"AH!"

"AND ME!"

They screamed at the same time.

"Sorry!" JoJo smiled sheepishly. "I tried to give you a warning."

"I'm joining too!" Blink grinned.

"And me." Mush leant into the taller boy's shoulder.

"IT AIN'T CHRYSLER WITHOUT ME!" Crutchie kicked open the door with his crutch.

"JESUS!" Blink swore.

"WARNINGS!" Race threw his hands up.

"NO! NO WARNINGS!" Anastasia argued. "THEY'RE JUST AS BAD!"

"I THINK MY HEART STOPPED!" Albert breathed heavily.

"I live with idiots." JoJo deadpanned.

"You and me both." Mush agreed, and the two began to rapidly nod their heads in unison.

"I want to sleep!" Anastasia grumbled. "Not deal with- with-" she made wild hand gestures. "whatever this is."

"Gather round children!" Crutchie grabbed Albert's arm, dragging him towards the fireplace.

"Am I getting sacrificed as tribute?" Albert questioned but continued to walk.

"Shh! We're gathering around the fireplace! Like a normal family, that's what normal families do, right?" Crutchie beamed.

"Dunno." Blink shrugged.

"I think you'll have to ask Henry." JoJo added.

"He went home early today." Crutchie waved the boy's off. "Now listen to my story!"

Slowly, the rest of the newsies trickled in.

"I'm pretty sure this is more dramatic than the actual thing." Temper rolled his eyes fondly.

"Just let him continue." Fox elbowed the thirteen-year-old.

"I don't think that's correct Crutchie." Buttons pointed out quietly, to which he was greeted with lots of "shhh!"'s and "shut up!"'s.

"So doubtful in Christmas magic." Crutchie playfully glared. "What's not to believe about Santa sliding down the roof like a ninja?"

Some of the other kids nodded in unison.

"He sounds creepy." Anastasia shrugged. "Why's he breaking into our lodge? Why's he stealing my cookies in return for coal?"

"She's asking the real questions here." Skittery pointed out.

"But you want him to break into the lodge!" Race whined.

"Why?" Albert scrunched his nose up.

"For the coal! Duh!" Race wacked his other best friend on the head.

"But why does he have to take my cookies?" Anastasia complained.

"Because it's a long ride to the north pole!" Mush waved his arms around. "Duh!"

"Why coal?" Ike crossed his arms.

"Why not presents!?" Mike added.

"Coal keeps the fire running." Temper grinned.

"You kids do want to stay warm, right?" Kloppman laughed.

"Then skiddadle!" Fox waved them off. "Better go to bed so you'll wake up to coal!"

"Yayy." Albert spoke sarcastically. "Fire!"

"Well if you don't want it, you don't have to sit by the fire when you get back from selling in the snow." Jack patted the younger boy's head. "More heat for us."

"Aw heck no!" The redhead snapped.

"I wanna give Santa cookies!" Race stopped everyone from getting up the stairs.

"Race it's-"

Cue the carillon ringing in the background.

"-eleven o'clock!" Temper scolded. "We don't have time to make cookies!"

"But then Santa won't have food! And he won't give us coal!" Rave pouted.

"We have to work for the coal and give him cookies!?" Anastasia threw her hands up. "This is child labor!"

"You're already in child labor?" Mush repeated slowly.

"One I do willingly." Anastasia had a 'duh' look on her face.

"I wanna make cookies." Race huffed.

"How 'bout this." Fox put a hand on top of the younger boy's shoulder. "We'll make cookies, but you have to promise to be clean, then we'll go to bed. 'Kay?"

>>>>>>•<<<<<<

"Jack, pass the flour." Anastasia held out her hand expectantly.

"Sure!" Jack grinned, tossing the flour bag before realizing it was open.

"JACK!" Temper scolded loudly as white 'smoke' filled the room.

"Sorry!"

Anyone could tell from his tone that the newie wasn't sorry in the slightest.

"I can't see!" Specs yelled.

"You can never see!" JoJo quipped.

"I can't see more than usual!" The dark-skinned-boy corrected, waving his arms around.

"OW!" Albert glared as he was hit in the face.

"Why did you think this was a good idea!?" Temper felt his hands around for Fox, eventually putting his finger on the boy's nose.

"I didn't!" Fox shrugged.

"THEN WHY ARE WE IN A KITCHEN FULL OF FLOUR!" Temper screamed, trying to reach for his friends shoulders when he felt more hair.

"OUCH! WATCH THE CURLS!" Race detangled his blonde hair from the older boy's hand.

"Sorry Racer." Temper patted the smaller boy's head.

"Boy's? It's almost midnight." Kloppman opened the door, only to start coughing. "My goodness, what is happening here?"

"JACK STARTED IT!" Anastasia immediately shouted, pointing to the faint figure of Jack Kelly she could now make out due to the flour clearing up.

"It's always me!" Jack threw his hands up.

"Yes, it is." Albert deadpanned.

"Everything's covered in flour now." Fox sighed when the 'flour clouds' cleared.

"You got flour on your face." Crutchie giggled to Finch, drawing out his face with his finger. Making him look like a porcelain doll.

"You too." Finch laughed, blowing the flour off of Crutchie's face.

"Hey, lemme clear your faces." Anastasia smiled evilly at Race and Albert.

"Wha-"

The brown-haired-girl took both flour-covered hands. Smothering their faces, only making the flour smudge.

Race's voice got mumbled as he pried the small hand off his face.

"YOUR TURN!" Race licked flour off her cheek before reeling back and gagging. "THAT WAS DISGUSTING! HOW DOES THIS TURN TO COOKIES!?"

"That's why I didn't do it." Albert crossed his arms, smirking proudly. "I thought of it, but I didn't do it."

"Ew." Anastasia put her hand to her cheek, wiping off the saliva and replacing it with more- you guessed it, flour.

>>>>>>•<<<<<<

After many more shenanigans, the cookies were in the oven, and all the newsies were exhausted.

"Let's just take a quick break while they cook." Temper sighed, flopping on the couch.

"I got a blanket!" Jack walked down the stairs. Crutchie wobbling in front of him.

"We got a blanket!" Crutchie corrected.

"I'm tired." Race leant his head onto Fox's shoulder.

"Me too." Anastasia agreed, curling up next to the blonde.

"I don't want to sell tomorrow." Albert grumbled, lounging down next to the two.

"I could sleep for day's." JoJo grinned, flopping on top of the red-haired boy, to which he was too tired to complain.

"Just a nap." Specs set his glasses on the table before deciding to put them on again.

"Just a nap." Fox agreed, laying the large blanket on them once all the newsies were on the couch.

"Sleep." Kloppman urged them. "It's nearly three in the morning."

"Wake us up when the cookies are ready?" Temper looked up sleepily.

"I think I'll be just fine." Kloppman smiled warmly.

>>>>>>•<<<<<<

"Stasia!" Race hissed softly. "Stasia!"

"What do you want!?" Anastasia groaned, gently hitting the blonde in the face.

"Look! It's a Christmas miracle!" Race ogled at the cookies that sat before them.

Anastasia's eyes widened.

"Albie!" She shook the redhead. "Albert!"

"What?!" Albert buried his face into the shorter girl's shoulder.

"Look! Cookies!" Anastasia grinned.

Albert let out a loud gasp, which woke everyone else up.

"Cookies!" Crutchie's eyes lit up.

"Cookies?" Fox rubbed his eyes. "COOKIES! TEMPIE LOOK!"

Sure enough, before all of them was a plate full of fresh-looking cookies.

"There's a note." Specs fixed his crooked glasses before reading it aloud. "Dear newsies of lower Manhattan. Anastasia is right, I don't need all these cookies. You all need it more than me. Here's your cookies and your coal!"

Everyone laughed joyfully.

"WE GOT COAL AND COOKIES!"

To a normal family, coal and cookies were normal.

To the newsies, this meant the world.

>>>>>>•<<<<<<

"Look! Look! We have mail!" Crutchie grinned excitedly, holding the slip of paper.

"Who's it for!?" Jack jumped up excitedly.

"Us! All of us!" Specs grinned, reading over the shorter boy's shoulder. "It's addressed 'To the Manhattan Newsies'!"

"Who's it from!?" Elmer jumped up.

"Brooklyn!"

The newsies simultaneously let out loud gasps.

"Read it!" Anastasia piped in, a wide smile on her face.

"Look at this! Chuckles wants us to join the borough snowball fight! Says we got 'nough numbers now! Can ya believe it?" Specs looked up.

"Whoa!" The newsies ogled.

"We are gonna dominate!" Albert punched his fists together in excitement.

"Can we go Tempie? Foxy?" Jack looked to the older boy's for approval.

"'Course." Temper nodded, "Does it say where they're holding it, Specs?" He looked to the dark-skinned-boy.

"In Brooklyn's turf." Specs scanned the letter. "By..... the Navy Yard Pier!"

"When's it happening?" Fox set down his book.

"Next week!"

And so, they found themselves walking the Brooklyn Bridge.

Race looked around, terrified to step his foot away from the concrete and onto the wood.

"Heya kid." Jack appeared from behind the younger boy. "You okay?"

"Perfectly okay." Race sent his brother a tight smile, setting his foot down on the planks.

Thump.

"Perfectly, perfect."

Thump.

"I'm-"

Thump thump thump thump-

"GAH!" Race ran back onto the sturdy concrete as rich kids on bikes rode by.

"Perfectly fine I see." Jack joked.

"Shut up!" Race glared, his hand shook.

"You want me to hold you?" Jack questioned.

"I'm not a baby!" Race huffed, stepping back onto the planks when another bicyclist road by. "Gah!"

Without thinking, Jack grabbed the younger boy's hand and let him lean into him.

It felt like an eternity but they had made it to the other side.

"Thanks Jack," Race whispered.

"Any day kid," Jack grinned, giving the boy a small salute.

>>>>><<<<<

"You know..." Jack got a mischievous look in his eyes as him and Anastasia walked back to the Brooklyn lodging house for a council meeting. "The meeting won't be till late, so.... how about we go ride some rides!" Jack grinned.

"Like old times!" Anastasia smiled widely.

"Like old times." Jack agreed.

And so, they went on all the rides- as the sun went down they just had to go on the big dipper- it got everyone who rode it soaked.

"Hey Jack." Anastasia asked timidly. "Isn't your meeting soon?"

"Nah!" Jack laughed. "The meeting can wait! This is way more fun. Plus, I still have time!"

They made silly faces and laughed as they waited in line.

Jack noticed the time and began to get worried.

"I um- how much longer?" Jack started to sweat.

"Not much." Anastasia went on her tip toes, "We're almost there!"

Jack began the to panic.

Finally, he made a split second decision and bolted.

"I'm- I'm sorry Stasia." Jack stumbled, grabbing the shorter girls wrist. "I need to go- I'm- I'll be late."

"Okay then." Anastasia shrugged. "We'll come back next ti-"

"They blocked of the exit." Someone commented. "The park's closing soon."

Jack continued to sprint down the ramp.

When they reached the end the exit gate was blocked by a trash can and a sign.

Jack pushed and pushed relentlessly but it wouldn't open.

Jack's gears started to turn, scanning the exit.

Finally, Jack put his foot on the railing, using his right hand to jump off to the side.

Jack took off, not turning around, expecting Anastasia to be behind him.

Anastasia looked at the rail hesitantly, knowing she isn't tall or strong enough to do it.

Anastasia decided to do it anyway.

She lifted her foot up to the rail, hoisting her body up. She put her right foot on top of the trash can. As soon as she stepped on she felt how wobbly it was she immediately wanted to get off. Anastasia saw how far up she was but jumped onto the ground anyway.

Her feet buckled beneath her, making her fall and scrape her left knee.

Anastasia immediately gripped her leg close, lip trembling in pain.

"J- Jack?" Anastasia whimpered. "Jack where are you?" She held in tears, looking for her friend.

Katherine- ten years old at the time- had been hanging in the park with her best friends Bill and Darcy, both a year older.

"You guys hear that?" Katherine turned, spotting for the source. Her eyes laid on a small brown-haired girl.

The one she recognized from the candy store. Katherine had that little girl to thank, for showing her that rich or poor humans are still humans.

"It sounds like a little kid." Darcy looked around.

"There!" Bill pointed, running over.

Anastasia jumped, seeing the three well dressed (and older) kids in front of her.

"Are you okay?" Katherine kneeled down.

"G- g- get away!" Anastasia cowered backwards, wincing as her back hit the fence.

"I'm not going to hurt you." Katherine put her hands up.

"Your knee must be in a lot of pain." Darcy examined.

Anastasia squeezed her eyes shut, tucking her head in-between her knees and covered her ears.

Katherine immediately hated whoever 'Jack' was for leaving a small girl hurt and alone.

"Hey- hey." Katherine put her arms on Anastasia's shoulders. "Can we bandage your knee?"

Anastasia nodded lightly, still not looking up.

Bill had already taken off to get medical supplies, walking back with a bandage and a disinfectant spray.

"This is going to sting a little bit." Bill announced. He sprayed a little bit on, Anastasia jumped clutching onto Katherine.

"It's okay." Katherine soothed.

As soon as her leg was bandaged Anastasia looked around, still trying to find Jack.

"Do you remember where you live?" Katherine asked softly, seeing the terrified look on Anastasia's face.

Anastasia nodded, still not verbally responding.

"We'll walk you home then." Darcy nodded.

Anastasia nodded once more.

Anastasia stood up, wobbling for a moment before walking out of the park, three rich kids in trail.

"For someone who just scraped your knee, you walk fast." Bill noted.

Deeper and deeper into Brooklyn they went until-

"ANASTASIA!?" A voice screamed, cracking at the end. It was clear they had been out searching for a while.

Anastasia's ears perked up at the familiar voice. Part of her hoped it was Jack- maybe he realized that he forgot her and he would come running back.

She knew it wasn't.

There would be no way she'd mix up a voice this familiar.

"ANASTASIA?!" The voice called again, worry traced in every syllable.

Anastasia's calm walk broke into a run, running to find the source of the voice.

The three rich kids dashed off, hot on her trail. They stopped, however, when they laid eyes on the curly-blonde-haired boy. His hands were cupped around his face, desperately trying to make his voice louder. Tears were forming in the corners of his eyes.

Katherine immediately knew who he was. The boy from the candy store- the one who fiercely protected his friend. Just as he was searching for her now.

"Anastasia?" Race turned. His voice soft- as if he couldn't believe she was here.

Anastasia ran, and ran- until she made impact with Race, arms wrapped around him tightly.

As quick as his shock appeared, it was gone. He immediately began to check over his best friend- panicking when he saw the bandage over her knee.

"I'm okay." Anastasia smiled- just to show she was alright.

"I was so worried." Race sighed. "But- but if you do something like this again I'll- I'll-"

"You'll?" Anastasia raised an eyebrow.

"I'll ban you of my friendship for a week!" Race exclaimed proudly.

"You sure that's not a punishment for you?" Anastasia joked.

Race blushed red in either anger, embarrassment, or something else. No one could truly tell.

Race quit bickering and wordlessly pulled Anastasia close once more.

"Thank you." Anastasia mouthed to the three rich kids before her and Race walked back to the Brooklyn lodging house. Shoulder to shoulder.

Katherine grinned, giving her a thumbs up as Darcy and Bill waved goodbye.

"She's a good kid." Katherine declared.

"Yeah." Darcy agreed.

"Definitely." Bill nodded. "Anyone want ice cream?" He grinned.

"Oh yes." Katherine cheered.

"Who can say no to that!" Darcy rolled his eyes.

(((((((()))))))

"I'm sorry for not going on the ride with you." Jack apologized. "I really am sorry."

"It's fine," Anastasia waved him off.

"But really!" Jack crossed his arms. "I'm sorry."

"I know." Anastasia nodded- grumbling slightly.

"But-"

"Jack! Stop apologizing, okay?" Anastasia snapped. Even Anastasia was taken aback by her burst of anger. "I'm not upset about not going on the ride."

"Then what is it!" Jack threw his arms up.

"It's that you weren't there to pick me up when I fell!" Anastasia burst, suddenly crying. "I was calling but- but you weren't there."

"I'm sorry." Jack lowered his head- this time actually meaning it.

"I know it's being selfish but," Anastasia turned away. "I thought- I thought I mattered enough for you to at least turn around."

"I'm so sorry." Jack hugged Anastasia. "I told- I told Race that you should be home soon but I didn't realize you weren't here until I heard Race screaming your name from the streets."

"The- the scariest part," Anastasia paused. "was when I realized I was alone- and that you really were gone."

"I'm sorry." Jack hugged tighter. "I'm sorry for being so- so stupid."

Anastasia laughed slightly at that, wiping her eyes.

"Can I make you a promise?" Jack asked softly.

Anastasia nodded- a small bob of the head.

"I promise I'll always be here for you. From now on, okay?" Jack rested his chin on top of Anastasia's head. "You're my little sister, no matter what."

"You're still my hero." Anastasia mumbled into Jack's chest. "Hero's make mistakes... I forgive you."

"Thank you." Jack squeezed his eyes shut. "Thank you."

>>>>><<<<<

That's how it always was. Jack was the protector- the shield.

But shields break sometimes.

Hi again y'all. This book is almost done! I apologize for the wait <3. Some updates are I am now officially a teenager, one of my best friends introduced me to Metallica the other day? Really freaking awesome. My friend wrote an original musical and opening night is this Wednesday. My science team won the pre qualifiers to move on to regional level, and uh- I'm a really big Ralbert shipper and such a simp for the Jack, Crutchie, and Race dynamic (with Race being the youngest? Yea, really freaking hard to find). I've just been chilling on Ao3 and Tumblr. How are you guys?

This book has a whole planned out sequel but I'm not sure if I'll do it because I don't really like OC's as much anymore? Like- I'm really cringing at Anastasia I don't know how you guys have stuck with me my writing is really bad- sOoOooOo. Uh yeah. I've moved onto Tumblr and getting high off of Chandler (tarantulas4davey), Jac (we-are-inevitable), and Kath (thefactsofthematter)'s writings? What do you guys think? Should I write the sequel? I'm rewriting Six Days Of Valentines this year and Valentines Day will be freaking disgusting because people actually date now? Like, serious dating? Shocker, I know. I am thy resident bisexual third wheel and a single pringle. Sad life.

But uhhhh, here's my tumblr if you wanna follow me https://ms-kelphead-1899.tumblr.com/ (link also in my bio) and uhhhh, yeah.

Love you guys, thanks for sticking with me!

This is Izzy,
Over and out