Emotions are hard. (Newsies 1992)

After the Strike

Jack's POV

"Finally! I'm going to Santa Fe!"  I was sitting in the back of the Governor's carriage on my way to the train yards. I was very excited to be able to go to Santa Fe; and let me tell ya, it was very hard to contain that excitement. While I was dozing off in my own thought the Governor started talking. "You know, you're going to be leaving a lot behind." I looked up, snapping back to reality. He continues "You've got a lot of good friends, the Newsies seem to be family to you. I bet you have some loved ones who would miss you too." I thought for a moment. I would miss his friends, Race, Crutchy, Mush, Boots. I would definitely miss the rest of the Newsies too. When it came to the subject of loved ones, I would of thought that the image of Sarah Jacobs would come to mind. However, that was not the case. David, my selling partner came to mind. This was weird for I have never considered him as "loved one." I didn't think to much of it. Roosevelt was right though. As much as I wanted to be on my own, I had other obligations with the Newsies. "Can we go back? I don't think I'm ready to go yet.." Roosevelt nodded as he got the horse to move the carriage around.

As the carriage road into Central Station, people cheered and clapped upon my return. "THAT'S JACK!" I heard Race yell out. I stood up and faced Govenor Roosevelt. "Thanks for the advice Govenor, like you said, I still have work to do." As I kept down from the carriage I was met with a crowd of Newsies. As I looked up I saw my selling partner, David Jacobs. He looked pleased to have me return. "So how's the headline today?" I ask. David gives me a small smirk.."Headlines dont sell papes, Newsies sell papes." I chuckled as his response, oh the irony. I saw Sarah push through the crowd to come meet me. When we met eyes she grabbed my shirt and pulled me into a kiss. I went with it seeing as so many people were cheering us. I heard Race make whooping sounds; and Kid Blink saying something along the lines of "Get a room!"

~Time Skip~

David's POV

It was a relief for me to see that Jack was back. It was good he came back for the sake of the other Newsies. I will be honest, I wanted him to come back. It feels like I only knew him for a few days and throughout those past days we were on strike. I didn't really want our friendship to end then and there. Plus, I knew I wouldn't hear the end of it from either Sarah or Les. After things calmed down at Central Station. I wanted to talk to Jack just one on one. I see he has taken a great interest in my sister. "Hey Jack." I greet him. He looks back at me and smirks. I reach out my hand for him to shake. Jack spits in his hand and I retract mine. "Still don't like spit?" Jack laughed. I sighed and spit into my own hand. Jack looks slightly shocked, but doesn't hesitate to shake my hand. "Jack I don't want to beat around the bush, why did you come back?" I ask. Jack thinks for a moment. "Well, the Govenor and I were talking and he said some things to me that got me thinking." He took a pause to breath. "He said stuff about how I would be leaving so much behind. Like, how the Newsies are family to me. How I would be leaving behind loved ones." He glances at me for a second. "Well, we are all glad you're back. How about you join us for dinner?" Jack smiles. "I would never miss an opertunity to have some of your ma's cooking." We both laugh.

Once we make it to my house and open the door. Jack is immediately attacked by Sarah hugging him. I hear my mother laugh and my father give a light chuckle. Not far behind Sarah was Les who kept trying to get Jack's attention. "You've become quiet a favorite in the Jacobs household." My mom says. 

We sit down to dinner. Sarah keeps giving glances to Jack. I can't help I see a look of uncomfortableness on his face. I would be uncomfortable looking at the person I kissed while in front of adults too. "I'm very glad that you won the strike. We are all very proud of you." My ma says, I might of seen a small tear in her eye. "Esther, didn't you make something special?" My dad asks sneakily. "Hm? Oh, yes! Sarah could you grab some plates?" Sarah nods and follows my mom to the kitchen where they serve out peices of vinnila cake. "I had just enough leftover flour to make one more cake. Congratulations on winning the strike!" Jack's face lit up. "Thank you Mrs. Jacobs, you're really too kind." Jack thanked my mom.

~another time skip 😮~

Just like the first time I met him, we are sitting outside on the fire escape. "Your mom is a real good cook, and a good baker too." Jack smiles widely. I lean against the railing of the fire escape. "So, you and my sister?" I asked, raising an eyebrow. Jack's face goes pale. "Eh, I.. I dunno." He takes a deep breath. "To be honest, I thought I had something for her, but, now I'm really not sure." I look at him with a confused glance. "I mean, you did kiss her." Jack grabs the railing. "No no, she kissed me. I just went with it becuase that's what I knew people wanted from us."

"Are you okay?" I ask with caution. Jack can be a wild card. If he is unsure about his relationship with Sarah, that might effect his who emotional state. "If I said yes I would be lying" He starts to fiddle with his scarf. "I still keep thinking about what Roosevelt said to me. About staying for my loved ones." I don't say anything, allowing him to process what he wants to say. "I don't like Sarah the way I thought I did, I keep lingering on this whole 'loved ones' bullshit, I'm going crazy!" Jack's breathing becomes heavy. I put my hand on his shoulder in an attempt to comfort him. Jack looks at me, even though it's dark I see his face flush pink.

As I was about to say something to him. I hear the window open. I look to see Sarah sitting at the window. "Dad says it's time to come inside." I nod my head. "I'll be inside soon." She leaves the window. I look back to Jack who I still having his mini meltdown. "You'll be alright, okay?" He gives a quick nod. "Yeah, yeah, okay.." He walks down the fire escape, into the streets of Manhattan. I am left by myself to ponder for a moment.

1195 words, and that concludes chapter one.

Side note: I am aware in the movie that Jack kisses Sarah first, I changed it a little for the plot, dont come for me 😅. Anyway, I hope you enjoyed this!! -Noodles