Newsies Imagines(1992)

Jack Kelly - Slap Jack

Summary: You and the newsies are playing the card game Slap Jack and things get interesting

The positive of a great headline is the papes practically sell themselves and of course the money is great; but on the down side once you're all out there's not a lot to do unless you're willing to throw away a few cents and let's be real, who can do that? Luckily one of the guys swiped a deck of cards recently to help pass the time.

Currently you were playing a game of slap jack with the other newsies in the alley behind the lodge. You were using old wooden crates that had been thrown out as your table and chairs. Basically to play the game you have a deck of cards in the center and each person surrounding takes a turn to flip over the top card. If it's a jack you slap it. The first one to slap it gets all the cards underneath it, the one with the most cards wins.

"Ow!!" Albert cried out.

You'd gone for the card at the same time as he had, hitting his hand pretty hard.

"That's it, I'm done." Albert said.

"Me too," Race added, "I ain't got nothin' yet. I know when to cut my losses."

"No ya' don't." Finch responded to him.

"Oh come on!" You complained. "We were having so much fun!"

"Maybe you were. But we's just been gettin' hit." Albert said.

"You's a very aggressive slapper Y/N." Crutchie noted.

"What? Guys?!" You looked around the group, trying to find someone to play with. "Elmer?"

He shook his head.

"I'll play." Jack said, just joining the group now.

"Ya' sure?" You challenged. You could get very competitive, especially with Jack. So this would get interesting.

"He can take ya'!" Les chimed in.

"Good luck Jack!" Crutchie said.

You began to shuffle the deck for a new game.

No surprise, just as you'd expected, things quickly grew intense.

"That ain't fair! Ya' hand was already by the card!!!" Jack argued.

"I was just flippin' it! That's how the rules go!" You retaliated.

"Well those rules stink! I'm flippin' all the cards now!" Jack insisted, pulling the deck closer to his side of the wooden box.

"What?! No! You can't do that!!"

"Yeah? Wells I am!"

"No! That's cheating!"

"You's was already cheatin'!"

"I'LL flip the cards." Davey shouted, stepping in in an attempt to keep the peace.

"Fine." You sighed.

"A'ight." Jack begrudgingly agreed too.

You steadied your slapping hand, resting your elbow on the wooden box.

"Hey, shouldn't there be a rule like, uh, no hoverin' or somethin'?" Jack commented.

Davey flipped the card. 2 of clubs.

"You's just tryin' to make up rules coz you scared I'm gonna beat ya." You replied. "Now shut up and let me focus."

"Anything for you, baby doll." He added, getting your attention. He'd never called you that before, and although you knew it was just to distract you, it still sent a rush through your heart.

You darted your eyes back to the deck, and instinctively slapped it, seeing the royal face.

The other newsies grimaced.

"Ah! The queen of hearts! Not a jack!" Your opponent exclaimed triumphantly.

"Damn it." You muttered, kicking yourself and handing to Davey one of the cards from your pile who then shuffled it into the main deck.

"I got you" Jack taunted, dragging out the vowels. "Bit of a rookie mistake dontcha guys think, for someone who thinks they're such a big shot."

You shook your head at his dumb smirking face. "You know I can take you down Jack Kelly."

He rolled his eyes.

Flip.

"Ten cents says I kick your ass." You dared.

"I'll go in on that" Race piped up.

Jack stared at you a moment, intrigued. "Make it a quarter." Jack responded.

"Oooooooh" The other newsies gaped.

Flip.

"A quarter, and lunch." You upped the ante.

Flip.

"You wanna throw in a kiss there too sweetheart?" Jack teased.

"That s'posed to be if I win or you win?"

Flip. Jack of spades. SMACK.

You met his intense gaze then flitted to look at your hands on the pile of cards, his warm hand pressed on top of your's.

"I told you I'm going to win this." You stated, taking your newly won cards.

"Hey hey there's still one more in there. And you know what sugar?" Jack reached across the table and held your hand.

"Get away from my slapping hand!!!" You hollered.

He quickly brought his hand back to his side, then smiled again, trying to play off being as surprised as he was by your response. "That card... is all mine."

Soon the deck began to dwindle, the chance of the next jack getting more and more likely. The rest of the newsies were on the edge of their seats and you and Jack were still furiously attempting to distract each other.

"I think I'd like a nice roast beef sandwich for lunch tomorrow. Mmm, and a big bowl a soup." You described.

"What, you think you can make me hungry to distract me?" He asked.

"You're making ME hungry." Davey commented, still flipping the cards.

Jack of hearts. SMACK. You felt your hand on top of his.

"That was totally mine!!!" You yelled.

"Nuh-uh! I got it first!!!" Jack argued, taking the last of the cards.

"Those cards should be mine!"

"Well then I guess you's should'a slapped the jack." He grinned cockily.

SMACK. You brought your hand up to Jack's face and playfully hit the arrogant idiot's cheek.

Everyone stared, dumbstruck.

"There. Slapped the Jack." You sassed.

"Does that mean she gets all your cards?" Les asked Jack.

"That means I'm taking her on a date." Jack smiled, and shook his head. He watched you walk away with your winnings, his hand pressed to his cheek.