~ Ten ~

Jack walked in the lodging house doors. Katherine, the boys, and I were about to send out a search party for him, and he dragged his feet while he entered.

"Jack! What happened? Are you all right?! We were so worried about you! Where have you been?" Katherine ran up to him and held his arms.

"I- I'm fine. Just a little stressed," he took a seat at a table with me.

"Cowboy, where have you been?" I asked, tilting my head to get a better look at him.

"I went to see Medda."

Every type of thought raced through my head. I didn't know what to think.

Did he drink?

Why Medda's place?

Is he okay?

Why is he so down?

What did he do there?

Why was he gone for so long?

"Wha- what happened at Medda's?" Katherine stuttered a little. I was only hoping he didn't do anything as stupid as he has been acting lately.

"Uh, I'd rather not talk 'bout it, Kat." He looked at her, and she nodded.

"Okay, but whatever you need, Jack. I'm right here."

We all gave him a little bit of space. Except for Katherine. She was hugging him from behind. Jack had his face buried in his hands, he looked traumatized. I didn't even know how to approach him.

Katherine ended up leaving, but not without a kiss from Jack, who barely lifted his chin to look at her. I couldn't help but wonder what was troubling him. The only time I've ever seen him like this, was when Jared left. And I didn't like it.

~*~

Hours later, I was waiting for Davey to get here. We were going out with his family again. I honestly didn't feel like going anywhere, after sitting with Jack, I felt down and gloomy. And I wasn't sure if it was okay to leave him.

I tied the ribbon around the waist of my dress and hoped Sarah wouldn't judge me for wearing the same dress. Jack knocked on the door to my closet and I let him in. We sat on my bed and we didn't say anything for the longest time.

"They took him," he mumbled.

"What?" I barely heard what he said.

"They took Crutchie. He's gone."

"Don't say that, Jack. He's not gone forever. We'll get him back. I promise." I assured him. Jack obviously didn't think that we would, he wouldn't take his eyes off of the floor.

"How do you know? I miss him, Cory. I don't know what do. This strike'll die without 'im." He finally looked at me, his eyes all red and wet. "What am I s'posed to do? Huh?"

"You gotta lead this strike just as you have been doin'. Only, we know exactly what we want now. We want Crutchie back, right?" He nodded back at me. "Then we gotta do this for him," I laid my head on his shoulder and closed my eyes.

This felt perfect.

It's these moments where I know that he and I are still the fourteen-year-old best friends like we were three years ago.

"Jack, what happened at Medda's?" He looked at me and sighed when I asked him. I was ready for a long story about how he was drinking and found a new girlfriend to play with. I was ready to tell him how he was acting just like Jared and he needed to stop where he was and get a grip. This was not what I heard at all.

"When the ambush was happenin' I ran out, tryin' to get as far 'way from Snyder as possible. I couldn't think where the safest place was. I saw Medda's place right 'cross tha road from where I was and I ran tah there. She let me have some watah and a few pieces a food. I sat and rested there 'til the streets was cleared up."

Wow, was not expecting that. I thought to myself. Phew.

"This is what you didn't want to talk about with Katherine?" I joked.

"Nah. Wasn't that. She's gonna offer me'se a job."

"A job? Jack that's great, while we're on strike we can-" I stopped myself. "Why didn't ya want tah talk about this with Katherine?"

"I'm paintin' backdrops!"

"Woah, there, Cowboy. What's so bad 'bout paintin' backdrops? You said that they were bad anyway, right?"

He paused and gave an annoyed sigh.

"I don't want Kat to know that I'm an artist, 'specially that I'm a good one, kay?"

"What's wrong with being an artist? You are amazing! Why not share it with her?"

"Nothing. It's nothing. Some girls like tah take advan'age and use me and stuff. I don't want no one tah do that again."

"I never used you or... took advantage of you, Jack."

"Yeah... I know," he looked back down at the floor. We sat in silence as he swung his feet back and forth on the bed.

"Listen, Kelly. If Katherine is the right girl, she won't do that to you." I elbowed my friend as I dropped a hint towards him.

Davey knocked on the doorframe and we both looked up.

"Hey, Cory. Are you ready to-" He looked to the boy who was sitting next to me. "Jack! Where'd you go? Are you alright? What happened?" He ran to greet Jack.

"Dave, I'm fine. I just needed some time," he explained to the worried Davey.

"I'm glad you're alright. We were all so worried about you."

"Don't worry. I'll be okay."

"Well," I stood up to hug Davey. "I think we have a family to eat with, so, Jack?"

"Yeah?"

"You gonna be alright by yourself?"

"I won't be by myself," he shook his head. "I got my Newsies." He smiled at me. And I knew that I had my sweet Jack Kelly back.

📰 ❤️ 🎵 📰 ❤️ 🎵 📰 ❤️ 🎵 📰 ❤️ 🎵

-So sorry I haven't been updating lately. I've had a pretty busy summer so far. I'm actually in a car right now. We're headed up to South Dakota and North Dakota. It's gonna be a fun two weeks. Hopefully I'll be able to write and update within this time.

-Are you excited for Spot Conlon's appearance in my story? I know that I am! Spot is literally my favorite Newsie.

-QOTD: What are some of your favorite costumes in a show? I like costumes and I need to feed my soul. 😌

-AOTD: Shrek. The costumes are so freakin accurate to the movie's costumes I love it. So great. Thoroughly Modern Millie, because, 20s, hello! Wicked, Katherine Plumber's dresses, and R+H Cinderella, #thatquickchangedoe. Oh! And Side Show with the stitching between the dresses and the 30s fashion and the.... Yes.

-I love you all so much! Have a magical day. 💚✨

Stay Musical. Hayden Beth 🐳❤️