~ Twenty Four ~

The Brooklyn boys are rowdy and upbeat. They're running around like maniacs. Well, because that's basically what they are.

I stand by Jack and Davey's side while we talk to Spot. Katherine slipped out a while ago, back into the room where we talked. She's keeping her distance from both Jack and me. I try to listen to what Jack, Davey, and Spot are conversing about, but I'm lost in my own regret.

I regret spilling out my feelings to Katherine, breaking down in front of her. That wasn't supposed to happen. I've exposed myself to her, let her in on my insecurities and feelings. Who knows what's going to happen now. What if she tells Jack? What if he stays with her? What if I lose him?

Or maybe I'm just overthinking this.

I snap out of my thoughts and blink a few times to regain my focus. The boys laugh, so I force a smile to make it look like I was actually paying attention for the past three minutes. When they stop laughing, Davey puts his arm around me. I look up at him and notice his smile lines. Adorable.

What is up with your brain, Cory? One minute, you're in a slump because of Jack, and the next you're fawning over Davey. Make. Up. Your. Mind.

I spot Katherine poking her head out of the doorway. She has a sad look in her eyes. She notices Davey's arm draped on my shoulders. I send her a concerned look, but she shakes her head. She solemnly steps out of the room and leans up against a wall across the room. I should probably talk to her.

But I've been "talking to her" for so long, nothing's changed about how we act toward each other. I shrug it off and turn to ask Spot a question.

"So, what made you change your mind about comin' to help?"

"I'd been lookin' at da headlines. You guys di'nt stand a chance 'gainst ole Joe," Spot shakes his head. "It just got a 'lil too painful tah watch."

"Thanks, Spot," Jack scoffs and gives him a stare.

"'Course, Cowboy! You nevah woulda survived without our help. Ya didn't even have allies 'cause dey wouldn't come without us 'dere."

"'Kay, no need tah rub it in," Jack elbows him.

"So, did we come tah help you out, or tah stand 'round talkin'?" Spot taps his foot impatiently. "Where's de all action? Huh?"

"Well, when you all came stampedin' down the stairs, we had to move out of the way so you wouldn't trample us!" Davey laughed.

Jack suddenly stops and stands up on a nearby chair. He picks up a crumpled piece of paper on his way up. He pulls his slingshot out of Spot's pocket–much too quick for Spot to pin him to the ground for it–and slings the paper to hit one of the Brooklyn boys flirting with Katherine across the room. He hits him right in the back of the head.

"Listen up!" He hollers to get everyone's attention. Katherine slowly makes her way to where we stand. "Our game plan. We got a thousand papes tah print and only two presses tah print 'em on. There's one out here–" he points to the printing press and one of the newsboys quickly stands up from sitting on it. "–And there's one in one of the rooms down the hall. I'll be out here leadin' the presses, and the lovely Katherine Plumber will be your leader in the room down there," Jack gestures to her and she waves.

"Hi, everyone," she says.

"We'se gonna split you up in tah the two rooms and Kath will tell ya what tah do from there. Got it?" 

The boys yelled, "yes, sir!" in response.

"Good, all right. All you," he points to one-half of the room. "Stay in here, the rest a'you can go wit' Katherine." Jack was about to step down, but then quickly stopped himself. "'Cept you," he points to the newsboy trying to flirt with Katherine. "You can stay in here with me."

The boy hesitates, but when Jack gives him a glare, he walks toward the rest of the group. Davey follows Katherine down the hallway, along with all the other newsboys. I turn to Jack.

"Where do ya want me, Cowboy?"

"You can stay here with us."

Good. I think to myself. I need a little time to work with Jack.

"All right, boys. Davey set up all da lettahs on our trays," Jack began. "Any a'you know how ta work a press?" All of the boys are silent. "What? None a'you written a pape?" They all shake their heads and nod. "This is gonna take more time 'dan I thought..."

"It's all right, Jack. I can teach some of 'em while I do my part," I offer.

"Sound all right to me!" Jack exclaims. "I need a couple a'you to work with Cory at da press. How 'bout... You, you, you and you," he points to four random boys from the crowd and they walk toward me. "The rest of you can come help me out with loadin' 'em up. All our stuff is in the closet down the hall, so follow me."

Jack leads them down the hall while I try to teach the four boys he left with me how to use a press. We watch them leave, and then they all turn their heads to me.

"Well, what we're gonna do first is take this tray of letters and ink them up," I move hesitantly, barely knowing how to work them myself.

Soon enough, we are finished. 500 in one room and 500 in another. We tie fifty each together with rope and load them up in the coach.

Spot came outside with us to wish us good luck and we thank him for all of his help. He shook hands with Jack and Davey and took off his newsboy–cap to kindly nod to Katherine and myself. We then settled in the coach and travel back to Manhattan to spread the word about the Children's Crusade.

I sit next to Davey and Race. Jack, Katherine, and Finch sit across from us. And we were off within a few minutes.

"You all right there, Cowboy?" I ask Jack who looks nervous. Katherine leans her head on his shoulder, dozing off while Jack breathes unsteadily.

"Yeah, uh, I'se doin' good," he shakes his head no even though he answered yes. "How 'bout you? You'se all good?"

"I'm great," I smile and slowly turn my head to glance at the soundly sleeping Davey, signaling to Jack (and Katherine) I love being with Davey.

The gravel road is lulling, so lulling, I almost fall asleep myself, but I'm too anxious to even blink. We're so close to Manhattan, I can taste it in the air.

After some time, the road begins to look familiar. I can breathe a little bit easier knowing I'm home, but that doesn't stop the butterflies constantly fluttering in my stomach. I'm so scared about what will happen tonight.

But there's nothing else I'd rather do than fight for our rights by Jack Kelly's side.

📰 ❤️ 🎵 📰 ❤️ 🎵 📰 ❤️ 🎵 📰 ❤️ 🎵 📰 ❤️ 🎵

-hey everyone!! what did you think of this chapter?

-the final chapter is coming soon, and i'm not sure if i should cry or jump for joy. help me i'm stressed.

-qotd: who is your favorite Broadway character of all time?

-aotd: hmmmm... probably millie (tmm), dawn (waitress), georg and kodaly (she loves me), and angelica fREAKING SCHUYLER (hamilton. there are many, many more, but i'm too lazy to list them. :)

-agghhh i'm so excited for you all to read the last chapter!!! hopefully i can finish it without crying.

-love you all!!!!!! ❤️❤️❤️

love hayden beth