♤ Sweethearts ♤ Newsies One Shots♤

Racetrack Higgins

(Requested by someone on Tumblr)

I was known as the marble king...queen? Well whatever I was unbeaten at marbles. I always won but my good friend and long time crush Race would dismiss me saying that he could beat me easily. Which is something I wanted to clear up so here is the predicament I'm in now.

"I bet I could beat you," Race said crossing his arms.

"Oh yeah?" I asked raising an eyebrow.

"Yeah," He confirmed.

"Okay, what does da winner get?" I asked crossing my arms. He looked past me like he was thinking hard. I also tried to think of things that we could win. Or maybe...yeah that could work.

"I know," I spoke out catching his attention once more. "The loser does anything the winner says for a day."

"Deal," He said spitting in his hand and holding out for me to shake. I spit into mine and shook his, sealing the deal. Boots gave Race some marbles to use. My marbles were cat eye while his where just solid. We made a circle in the dirt outside of the lodge and placed the marbles down in the circle. Taking the specific white marble that was to hit the other out, I started the game.

The other newsies came to watch our little battle knowing I wanted to keep my winning streak. Yet Race also had a good reason to win, which was that he loved winning bets and would love to make me do something to embarrass myself. Or make me his personal butler/maid which was another reason for me to win.

I think Race overestimated his marble playing skill because he was a terrible shot. He would hit my marbles out by accident! I on the other hand kept hitting his marbles out perfectly. He had one left in and I still had four. Closing one eye I aimed the tiny ball to line up with the last solid color marble in the circle. Once I aimed it, I flicked the ball perfectly hitting Race's last chance at winning out of the circle. I sat up straight and grinned at the frowning boy across from me.

"No fair!" He exclaimed. "You'se cheated!"

"They beat you'se fair and square Race," Finch chimed in with a big grin. Race looked me in the eyes, but he let out a sigh.

I woke up the next day feeling on top of the world. I had myself a butler who couldn't say no to anything I asked...but it was Sunday which is when we tend to take off so that means I can't make him sell for me. I got dressed and made my way downstairs. I seemed to be one of the first people up. I wanted to go out and do something but I didn't know what. I kinda just wanted to walk around the park but I didn't want to go alone.

So I walked back up the stairs and made my way to Racetrack's bunk. I shook him a bit but he just batted my hand away and turned his back to me. I let out a sigh and shook him even more.

"Wake up stupid," I said and he tried to hide under the blankets. Well he asked for it. I jumped on top of him putting my full weight on him.

"I'm up, I'm up!" He exclaimed groggily trying to push me off of him.

"Well you'se supposed to do everything I say today anyways," I stated getting off of him.

"You're crazy," He grumbled sitting up. "Why is you up so early on our day off anyways?"

"I want to go on a walk, but I don't wanna go alone," I explained as he got dressed for the day.

"Well c'mon lets' go den," Race said once he was finished getting ready. We walked to the park in silence, probably cause Race was still shit faced tired. Yet something big did happen while we were silently walking. At least big to me. Race gently grabbed my hand keeping me close to him. I felt my face burn up but I didn't want him to know that he had an affect on me.

We walked around the park, I looked around watching the pretty green trees and little brown squirrels. Race never letting go of me. We walked to a small playground a I felt a giant smile form onto my lips. Dragging Racetrack behind me I ran to the swings.

"Race, could you push me?" I asked turning around to look at him. "Please?"

Race showed a soft smile before chuckling a bit, "I can't say no can I?"

"Nope!" I grinned sitting myself on the swing as Race made his way behind me to push me. The swing brought me forward and backward as Race gently pushed at my back. After awhile we stopped and he sat on the swing next to mine.

"So you'se really used ya power over me to make me go on a date wit'cha?" Race asked out of the blue. My eyes widened and I felt like it suddenly got hot. I was used to his flirting but not like this, or so blunt either.

"I-I did not," I stuttered out slightly not looking him in the eye.

"You didn't have ta pull that stunt to make me go out wit'cha," He grinned leaning in closer to me. "I would'a said yes no matta what." My breath hitched as I could feel his breath hit my face. He smelt of cheap cologne and cigar smoke but it was weirdly calming. I closed the gap and gently put my lips on his. He kissed back immediately it became more passionate. I pulled away after a few seconds and opened my eyes slowly.

"You'se really somethin else (y/n)," He breathed out, his cheeks dusted a light pink.

"I love you," I blurted out. Oh jeeze why did I say that.

"I love you too doll."