Family Don't Break

CHAPTER 20

ALEX'S POV:

What a day. I sold all my papers by noon, which I've never done before. It probably has something to do with the headline. There was a whole thing about a factory explosion. I tried to read the article but I got bored after the first paragraph.

Jack still has a few papers to return so we head over to hand them back to the Delancey's. A couple other newsies are doing the same, getting their money back. It's all thanks to the strike that we can do this.

"I have five unsold papers. That's five cents back." Jack says, slapping down his papers. Wiesel slips him the money and takes his papers. He folds them and adds them to the stacks. "Hey there, Alex. You sick of pretending to be a boy yet? I bet you could be much more successful in another capacity." Oscar emphasises the word 'capacity', hinting at something rather unsavory.

"Hm. Still with the macho man routine. I wonder, is it to make up for something you might be lacking down below?" The newsies all start laughing, mocking the Delancey's. The two of them are fuming, both with embarrassment and anger. "Watch your mouth, skank. You shouldn't be talking to men that way." Morris spits. The crowd goes silent. All the newsies glare at the Delanceys. The anger radiates off of every single one of them.

"What did you just say to her?" Jack growls. "You heard me. The skank should watch her mouth around men." Morris repeats. Jack lunges forward, his fist aimed at Morris' face. "Jack! Stop!" I grab his vest and pull him back. "Don't. It won't help anything." I whisper. "I'm not going to let that asshole say that about you!" Jack shouts. "Who cares! It doesn't matter!" I yell.

Jack pushes off my arm, turning around. He swings at Morris, knocking him to the ground. Blood is pouring out of his nose and staining his shirt. He sits up and coughs out some blood, a tooth landing on the ground next to him. "What the fuck, Jack?" I shout. He turns around to face me, his fist still clenched. "I swear to God, you don't know when to stop!" I scream. "W-" I cut him off with a glare. "Roof. Now. Don't say anything or I might push you off the ladder."

The newsies are whispering to each other, watching the two of us. "And all of you! Don't just stand there watching us! Go do something productive!" The newsies scatter, sensing that I'm not to be messed with right now. I stomp to the fire escape and start the climb up. Jack follows behind me, silent.

Once we're both on the roof, we stand across from each other. "Jack, you can't do that!"

"I'm protecting you. I'm not going to let them get away with insulting my girlfriend!

"I can take care of myself, Jack. I'm not a helpless little girl. I don't need you fighting my battles." I'm sick and tired of people thinking that I can't do things myself. I am perfectly capable of handling things on my own.

"You need someone to look out for you! You're not invincible, you know."

"Fuck that! And you know what, fuck you! I can handle myself just fine without you butting in and making things worse."

"Um. Guys?" Both of us turn around to glare at the voice. Davey is peeking his head up over the edge of the roof. "What, Davey?" I growl. "We can hear you from below. It sounds pretty nasty. They said I should come up and help you guys talk it out."

"We don't need your help, Davey." Jack hisses. "Is this your guy's first argument?" Davey asks. "No, of course not. We've been together for a year now, of course we've argued." I state. "So. You've been together for a year. That's a long time."

"What's your point, Davey?" Jack questions sternly. "Well, there's no sense in ending a year long relationship over something this small." Davey replies. "Who said we were breaking up?" I say. Jack nods in agreement, crossing his arms. "I'm just pissed that Jack let his anger get the best of him. I'm not going to dump him just for trying to protect me."

"Do you understand where he's coming from, Alex?" I say yes. "It sounds like Jack was trying to keep you safe because he loves you. Why does that make you angry?"

"It makes me angry because he doesn't think I can handle things myself. I don't need a guy to fight my battles for me."

"I never said that you couldn't handle it on your own. You definitely could. But just because you can doesn't mean you should." Jack states. "It infuriates me when anyone tries to hurt you, I can't help it. I don't want you to suffer."

My anger starts to fade away. "I know you're only doing it because you care. I just don't want you to think that my wellbeing rests on your shoulders. Bad things are gonna happen, and you can't place the blame on yourself. That's what I'm most worried about. I don't want to see you blaming yourself for things that you can't control."

"I just don't want to lose you." Jack says quietly. "You won't lose me, Jack. I promise." I give him a quick kiss. The anger that both of us harbored is gone.

"Are you two all good? Can I go back inside now?" Davey asks. "Yes, mr. therapist." I joke. Davey waves goodbye and retreats down the ladder. "I'm sorry for yelling at you." I say. "Me too. I'm glad we made up." Jack replies. "I can't stay angry forever, otherwise I would miss out on your kisses." I place a chaste kiss on his lips once more.

Yes, we may argue. But what's important is that we always forgive each other. Without forgiveness you always hold that anger, and that doesn't do anyone any good.