𝐁𝐄𝐒𝐓 𝐅𝐑𝐈𝐄𝐍𝐃.

𝟎𝟑

Racetrack and Zoey arrived back home acting as if nothing had happened.The boy had completely forgotten about the so called 'date' and had even been in the mood to let Zoey win a game of cards.This good mood lasted as the pair left the lodging house along with the other Newsies the next morning.

"They jacked up the price!"Kid Blink exclaimed,letting out a huff of anger as he took his place beside the Kelly girl.

The girl frowned as she looked at the boys.She knew she had some money saved but it had only been enough to buy one full meal.Both Zoey and Jack knew they could be right back on the streets if prices kept rising.

"Ya hear that Jack?Ten cents a hundred"Blink exclaimed.Zoey spotted Oscar mocking Blink behind the pair,causing her to push him back and jump off the ledge she'd been sitting on."Y'know,it's bad enough that we gotta eat what we don't sell.Now they jacked up the price..can you believe that?!"

Skittery shook his head,"This will bust me,i'm barely making a living right now."he sighed,throwing his cigarette on the ground.

"I'll be back sleeping on the streets."Boots shrugged nonchalantly.

Zoey stood beside Crutchie with a frown."It dont make no sense,I mean all the money Pulitzers making..Why would he gouge us?"Mush asked the pair,who both shrugged sadly.

"Cause' he's a tight wad,that's why."Race spat,stepping closer to the three and resting his arm around the girls shoulder.Zoey nodded in agreement.

"Hey,come on.Pipe down,it's just a gag."

Jack strolled towards the barred window,leaning against it,"So,why the jack-up,Weasel?"

"Why not?"Weasel stuck a finger in his mouth and held it up,"it's a nice day."

Zoey's brother shook his head in frustration,walking away from the man.The Delanceys laughed at the boy from inside the building.

"They cant do this to me Jack."Kid Blink sighed.

"They can do whatever they want.It's their stinkin' paper."Race spat.

Jack threw himself down beside Boots,an unreadable expression on his face.Zoey took notice of his expression,letting out a sigh.When Jack didn't know what to do,there was no hope for they rest of them.

The brunette began playing with her hands and cracking her knuckles,a habit she picked up when she's anxious.

"It ain't fair."Boots complained,"We got no rights at all."he told Jack,who huffed in response,his eyebrows pinching together.

Racetrack rolled his eyes,the boy clearly frustrated,"Come on,it's a rigged deck.They got all the marbles,okay?"he spat,annoyance lacing his voice.

"Jack,we got no choice,let's get our lousy papes why'll we still can."the girl spoke,her big concerned eyes staring at jack.

The elder Kelly sibling gently pushed his sister back as she attempted to walk up the stairs,causing her to fall into Racetrack's open arms.The newise caught her by the waist and quickly let go,sensing her brothers glare.

"Nobody's going anywhere!"Jack yelled.

"We gotta eat,Jack!"Mush yelled back.

The group of newsies began bickering and fighting over buying papes.Les pushed people out of the way as he made his way to sit beside Jack.The elder boy looked at the kid.

"Let him think!"Les advised,looking up at Kid Blink,who just looked away in response.

Blink handed Jack his cigarette,the boy taking it with a long drag.Zoey cracked her knuckles once again biting nervously on her lip.