Dream Chasers-Newsies

Newsies (Mush)

"You have to be what?" I asked, shocked.

"I'm sorry, Mush," Crutchie sobbed into my shoulder, "I didn't have a choice! I-I have to though. You must hate me now!"

"No, no, no, of course I don't!" I exclaimed, "I love you so much. You hear me?"

Crutchie nodded and I gave him a big hug. I wasn't any happier than he was about this but it had to be done. If Crutchie didn't go along with Pulitzer's plan his grandparents would never give him the money to help his leg. So if that was the cost, it would have been worth it.

"Also, I convinced Pulitzer to let me bring a plus one..."

"I'm assuming you mean me?"

"But only if you want to come. I don't want you to feel like you don't have a choice"

"Of course I'm coming! I'll also get to see you all dressed up."

"You know you'll have to wear something nice, too," Crutchie laughed.

"That's alright, I know you wanna see me in a suit."

Crutchie laughed once more which filled me with so much joy to see him like this. I knew the next few weeks would be really hard on him, mentally, physically, and emotionally. I wanted to see him this happy for as long as he could be before it all came crashing down.

...

The next morning I woke up to Crutchie gently shaking me awake and trying not to disturb the others.

"Mush?"

"Hmm?"

"We have to wake up now if we want to be at Pulitzer's by dawn."

"Oh, okay," I said into my pillow, "I'll be ready in a minute."

"Alright," he replied, "I'll wait for you outside with Duce."

I got up slowly and put on my best clothes, which in reality were just the clothes I wear everyday but I made sure I did up all the buttons correctly and I wasn't covered in dirt.

When I was done getting dressed, I headed out to where Cructhie was standing with Duce and Davey. Duce obviously came because he's Pulitzer's son, and Davey because he is hopelessly in love with that fool.

Once we arrived, Mush and I walked side by side up the long driveway of the Pulitzer mansion until we were standing in front of the large door that led to the interior of the building.

"I haven't been to this place since I was a kid..." Duce said under his breath. Well, not entirely though because the rest of us could hear him.

"It's okay," Davey replied, leading Duce to the front door, "we're right here with you."

Once they reached the door, Davey reached up and knocked three times on the large door, causing an echo to be heard reverberating throughout the large estate. His knocks were meet with the door slowly opening inward to reveal a butler who looked to be in his late fifties standing in the doorway.

"Can I help you?" He asked, scanning over us with his eyes.

"We're the newsies Mr. Pulitzer is training for the gala tonight with the esteemed German guests," Davey replied politely with complete professionalism.

"I see, please give me one moment," the butler said as he turned back into the house.

"Thank you," Duce said while looking at Davey.

"What?"

"For doing the talking," Duce said, pulling Davey close to him. Davey smiled as they locked lips, but we're soon interrupted by the door clicking open again. This time, however, instead of the butler, it was Joseph Pulitzer himself, standing fully clothed in a suit that with all the newsie's money in New York would never be able to buy.

"Boys," Pulitzer said without emotion, "follow me."

Duce was the first one to step through the beautiful dark oak door frame after his father. Davey followed close behind leaving me and Crutchie out on the steps.

"Are you ready for this?" I asked.

"Not at all."

"Good. Me neither."