Disclaimer: I have not and will never own the newsies, but I do own Corey though. YEAH! I do not own the lyrics to the song "How to Save a Life" by The Fray
Summary: He was never supposed to know she was alive, or New York. Let alone the newsie's lodging house. If he lets her know who he is their lives are in danger and that can't happen.
How to Save a Life
Memories were flooding back. Everything that had happened since she came to the newsie's lodging house at age four. Her best friend and boyfriend, Racetrack, had been with her since he was five. Now fourteen and him fifteen she has to leave him.
Step one you say we need to talk
He walks you say sit down it's just a talk
He smiles politely back at you
You stare politely right on through
As Corey and Racetrack sat down in Central Park for the very last time she explained she had to leave. They talked about if they were seen together she would be remembered of last night. Also it was better if she left she was the one in danger not Racetrack. She kissed Racetrack on the cheek and left him on the bench alone never to see him again.
Some sort of window to your right
As he goes left and you stay right
Between the lines of fear and blame
And you begin to wonder why you came
Corey only told Racetrack half of why she was leaving. She didn't want him to know about her being pregnant with his baby. That would just make it harder for him to leave her. Jack knew about the baby though. She told him if it was a boy and he was old enough she would send him to Manhattan to meet his father, but he would never know exactly who is father was. If it was a girl though she would stay and Corey would bring her back one-day.
Where did I go wrong, I lost a friend
Somewhere along in the bitterness
And I would have stayed up with you all night
Had I known how to save a life
She let Jack know that Racetrack should be responsible for the kid. Make it so they bond and Race beings to father over him. That is when Jack would send a letter to Corey to tell him to come and see Race. She would then explain everything to him and leave that night to never return.
Let him know that you know best
Cause after all you do know best
Try to slip past his defense
Without granting innocence
Corey walked the lonely streets to the train station only to stop at the lodging house to say good-bye to Jack and Blink. Blink was another one she was close to of the boys. He had been there the day she was brought to the lodging house and only a year older than her they quickly became friends.
Lay down a list of what is wrong
The things you've told him all along
And pray to God he hears you
And pray to God he hears you
After hugging them both goodbye Corey then walked down to the train station it was the longest quietest walk she ever had. She looked around as she walked and saw Racetrack going back to the lodging house. Corey knew he must have been crying. His eyes were red even from afar.
Where did I go wrong, I lost a friend
Somewhere along in the bitterness
And I would have stayed up with you all night
Had I known how to save a life
Corey watched Racetrack as he sat on the fire escape of the house and saw Jack come sit out there with him. Blink followed not to long after. Corey could hear Racetrack yell something while Jack whispered back to him.
As he begins to raise his voice
You lower yours and grant him one last choice
Drive until you lose the road
Or break with the ones you've followed
Blink glanced out upon the city and looked at Corey. Blink acted like he didn't see her knowing Racetrack was right there, but she knew he saw her. Corey looked at Racetrack for one last time before turning around to leave. She could see tears down his face.
He will do one of two things
He will admit to everything
Or he'll say he's just not the same
And you'll begin to wonder why you came
Corey turned around and started to silently cry. She walked slowly down the path thinking of Racetrack and her memories with him. The first time she met him up to the last moment with him. She wished the day before never happened, but it did and now Corey has to leave.
Where did I go wrong, I lost a friend
Somewhere along in the bitterness
And I would have stayed up with you all night
Had I known how to save a life
Crying the whole way to the train station she bought her ticket and waited for the train. She cried the whole time wishing she didn't have to leave. Especially like this.
Where did I go wrong, I lost a friend
Somewhere along in the bitterness
And I would have stayed up with you all night
Had I known how to save a life
Once Corey got on the train she fell asleep only to dream of Racetrack. Corey just couldn't face the facts of what had happened the day before or being pregnant. She just wanted to go back to the lodging house, home.
How to save a life
How to save a life
Where did I go wrong, I lost a friend
Somewhere along in the bitterness
And I would have stayed up with you all night
Had I known how to save a life
Corey vowed she would come back with baby in hands to show the baby has a father. Who she hoped the baby would be exactly like.
Where did I go wrong, I lost a friend
Somewhere along in the bitterness
And I would have stayed up with you all night
Had I known how to save a life
Corey took one last glance out the window, mouthed Racetrack's name, and fell back asleep. Knowing she would be back soon.
How to save a life