When The Ink Dries ~Newsies Fanfic'

Chapter Six

Skipper P.O.V

The following day, I plan to sell with Jack, naturally. When we get to the distribution center, I hand Weisel fifty cents. "You're ten cents short." He scowls. "No I ain't, that's a whole fifty!" I scoff in his face. He props himself up on one elbow. "Didn't you hear? Mr. Pulitzer raised your prices to sixty cents." Confused whispers echo around me, and I pull my arm back, ready to swing.

"You... you weasel!!" Just as my arm flies forward, Jack snakes his hands under my arms, pulling me back. "Whoa there, feisty pants, let's not get too mad!" I scowl at Weisel, before angrily stomping to the old cart and sitting on top, hugging my knees and hiding my face behind a curtain of brown hair. Jack sits just below, on a stack of papers. The boys crowd around, murmuring excitedly. "I'm tryin' ta think here." Jack says quietly. At the words, Les pushes all the boys away. "Back away, give the man time to think!" He squeaks, running over to Davey. After a few seconds, he creeps back over. "Thought of anything, Jack?" Les says weakly. Jack removes his cap, running a hand through his hair tiredly, sighing.

"We could go on strike." I say without thinking. Everyone's eyes turn to me. "Ya' know, not sell papes' till dey' lowa' the prices. Just like dem' trolley workas'!" Jack lifts his eyes, looking at me. "You know, ya' may be right!" I smile, sitting back down and hanging my legs off of the edge. Jack climbs up beside me, standing tall. "Pulitza' and Hearst think we're nothin', are we nothin'?" Jack says defiantly. "No!" "Pulitzer and Hearst, they think they got us, do dey' got us?" Jack says, spreading his arms. "No!"  "Even tho' we ain't got hats or badges, we're a union just by sayin' so..... and the world will know!"

I just watch, before slinking off to sit against the wall. Romeo prances over, sitting by me. "Heya, Skips!" I look at him, flashing a friendly smile. "Aye, Romeo! What makes you wanna sit by me?" He shrugs, tilting his hat over his eyes. "I wanna know what you like so much about Jack." I immediately blush, looking at my lap. "H- How'd you know?" He smirks, laughing. "Had ta' get my name somewhere. I can tell when a goil' likes a boy. Or when a boy likes a goil', almost like a sixth sense. So cough it up. What do ya' like about im'?" I continue staring at my hands. "Well... my uhh... hands are really small, and cold often. His are so... big and warm. So, he holds my hands, and... it feels like a warm blanket. Also, he's really sweet, and handsome. He may be a flirt, but what man isn't? Additionally, he's a fantastic kisser." I take a deep breath. Romeo blinks spontaneously. "Wow. I never knew he was a good kisser!" Romeo exclaims. "Because you've never tried, I bet!" I laugh, playfully punching his shoulder.

He leaves, rejoining the crowd of newsies. I stand slowly, following. Suddenly, I see Jack look at me, using those twinkling brown eyes to drive me up the wall. Then, everyone else turns, staring at me. What the hell...?

((Ooohhhhhh why do you think they're staring?!? Take a guess!))