The Crutch's Sister

Graduation

~Le Time Skip~

The Next Friday

At The Graduation

"Hurry guys!" I shouted, running down the street. I was wearing a yellow summer dress that Katherine handed down to me. I looked back and saw all of the boys running behind me, dressed in the cleanest clothes they could find. We reached the park where the graduation was taking place. As the boys and I took our seats in front of some very rich looking people, the graduates started their procession down the aisle and to their seats. I waved at Davey as he passed by us. As we sat down, some of the teachers and the principal gave special awards and made a few speeches. Then, the diplomas were being handed out.

"Psst. Kicks." Race whispered, tapping my shoulder. I leaned towards him. "What're those little rolled-up paper thingies?" he asked.

"Those are diplomas. They say that the student can go on from the school." I said.

"Where can I get one?" he asked hopefully.

"You have to go through and finish school to get one, Race." I explained. He nodded and sat back up. I looked at the boys. They all seemed so mesmerized by the thought of completing school.

Then I realized:

Most of my boys had never even set foot in a school, let alone sat in a classroom. If some of those boys were in school now, they'd be graduating, too. I started to feel bad for them when a voice interrupted my train of thought.

"Why do you think those ragamuffin children are doing here?" a lady's voice behind me asked.

"Probably here for one of their bumpkin friends." a man's voice snickered. My hands balled up into fists. "As if someone like them could graduate." I whipped my head around.

"Excuse me, but our boy is the farthest thing from a bumpkin. He's-"

"And now, ladies and gentlemen. Our valedictorian...David!" the principal announced. 

(A/N: I honestly don't know if they had valedictorians and I couldn't get a straight answer from the internet. But who cares, it's fanfic. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ Please let me know if any of you know.) 

All of my boys and I shot up and cheered as he walked up and received his diploma. I turned around and the couple were red in the face. I smirked and turned around to cheer Davey on. He went up to the podium and smiled.

"Attending this school has been a great experience for me." he started. He looked at his teachers and then at us.

He smiled at me and took a deep breath.

"But, not as good as being a newsie."

I looked over at Jack and Crutchie. Both of them shrugged and we faced forward.

"As most of you know, my brother and I had to leave school and find work due to the injury of my father. No offense, but I believe I learned more from my friends than from my teachers. They didn't just teach me lessons in life, they taught me to learn more about myself. Since my time with them, I've become stronger and smarter." Jack let out a yell of approval. All eyes turned to him. Davey chuckled. "Please, guys. Stand up and take a bow!" he exclaimed.

We all looked at each other, unsure of what to do. Crutchie was the first one to stand up. Everyone else followed after him. Les exploded into applause and his parents copied him. The rest of the audience joined in and clapped for us. I looked at my boys. They were all smiling and waving at the people. I ran up to Davey and hugged him tightly.

"I'm so proud of you!" I whispered, smiling brightly. He hugged me back.

"Thanks for coming, Katie." He let go of me and tossed his hat up in the air. All of the other students followed his lead and went over to their families. My boys rushed up to Davey and I and congratulated him. I crept away for a moment to catch my breath when I saw the couple who were seated behind me. I straightened my shoulders and walked over to them. 

"Excuse me." I said. They both turned around. "Never insult me or any of my boys ever again." I explained with a sweet smile. I walked away from them and back over to the boys.

"Kicks!" Jack called. I looked over at him. "We're going to Jacobi's to celebrate. Let's go." 

~Le Time Skip~

Jacobi's Deli

I was sitting at a table with Crutchie, Jack, Race, Romeo, Specs and Albert. I glanced over at Davey, who was sitting with this family.

"That's where he should be. It's where he belongs." I thought, smiling.

"Kicks. You awake?" Crutchie asked, waving his hand in front of my eyes. I blinked and turned back around. Race smiled and said,

"I said that I thought it was a good idea for me to start going to school. What do you think?" I was surprised. 

"He never really said anything about education before." I thought. I looked back up at him. He was beaming ear to ear and bouncing on the edge of his seat. "Awww. He's excited by the mere thought of being at school."

"I just had a genius idea." Crutchie said. We turned to look at him. "I know, this might not sound like school, but I learned enough from school to keep me alive and I taught that all to Kicks and who knows what else she's taught herself. We could be your teachers, if you want?" I looked over at Race, who started beaming and smiling brightly.

"That's great, Crutchie!" Race exclaimed. He reached over the table to hug the two of us, knocking over cups of water in the process. Most spilled onto me, but I just laughed it off.

"Great, Racetrack! Look at this!" the boys scolded. They tried mopping up the water.

"Sorry." he mumbled quietly, flinching at the reprimands.

"It's okay, Race. Water dries and it doesn't bite. I'm fine." I smiled. He smiled back, easing up. 

The rest of the night passed in a blur. 

A blur full of laughing, shouting, and happiness.

As we left the deli, I hugged Davey goodbye.

"We'll be at the train station to see you off, okay?" I said. He nodded.

"I'm really gonna miss you, Katie." he said.

"You're not gone yet. I'll see you on Monday, alright?" I assured. He nodded and gave one last tight hug. 

His family and mine said their goodbyes and we headed our separate ways. I yawned as we neared the Lodging House and I stopped for a minute.

"Kicks. You okay?" Jack asked. I nodded sleepily.

"Just really tired. I haven't had a good night's sleep in a long time." I murmured. Jack nodded and hoisted me onto his back.

"You good up there?" he wondered. 

But I didn't respond.

I was already dozing off and the last thing I remember was entering the Lodging House.

Jack's POV

Crutchie was asleep by the time I had brought Kicks up to their room. I laid her down on her bed and removed her hat, shoes and prosthetic. I thought to myself,

"I swear, I'm never gonna let anything bad happen to you, kid."

I looked over to Crutchie and grinned. 

"I'm not gonna let anything happen to you, either. You two are the only family I've got."

(A/N: Sorry it's been so long! I've had a lot going on and I'm trying to come up with new ideas for the book. I apologize ahead of time if I leave you guys hanging! Hope you enjoy!)