J:Shorty!!That will be your name from now on.
S:What??!!!NO!!!!
J:Why not?
S:'cause i hate being short,and I definitely don't want to be reminded of it.
J:Well,then there is another reason to call you like that.Plus,we've already voted so...you are stuck with it.
S:Aghhh!!!
-It was your first day with the newsies and they had just finish the "welcome ritual" ,as they called it, in which they decided how you were going to be called from that day onwards.
As time went by,you got used to be called like that,and,although you'll never admit it,you even started liking it.
••••2 years later••••
-You are all gathered in front of "The World" office,making as much noise as you could.Suddenly,the police appeared and started hitting all of you so as to get you out of there.
The war had started.
J:Shorty!!!You have to leave!!!NOW!!!!!
S:I'm not leaving!!!!
J:Leave right now!!!!
S:I'm not going anywhere!! I'm as tough as you!!!
-Jack grabbed you from your shoulders,and once again asked you to leave.But this time he looked you straight in your eyes,and you couldn't say no...So you left.
-After the defeat,they all came back to the lodge and went to sleep.Some were so hurt that you couldn't help grimacing when you saw them.You tried to help the ones you could,and after saying goodnight to everyone,you realised that Jack wasn't in his bed.So you went to look for him in the only place he could be,the rooftop.-
S:I knew i would find you here.
-Jack did not answer-
S:Whats going on?Why that long face?
J:Cause they won!!Cause i'm no leader!!Did you see how hurt they are?!?!? I made them risk their lives!!!!
-you could hear the despair in his voice-
S: Do not say that! It is true that we did not win this time, but maybe next time we will! And,just so you know, you are an incredible leader! We all chose you and followed what you proposed.Dont let anything stop you.You are kind to everyone, and we know That you would do anything for us. That is what it takes to be a good leader. And yes, many were hurt, but they kept fighting because they knew they were doing the right thing.
-Suddenly his strong arms surrounded you and you felt his tears fall on your back. You remained like that for what seemed an eternity, but you did not want it to end.-
-Jack lets you go, and after a little thought, he looks to you in the eye and says:
J: Shorty, I know you did not want to leave today, and you wanted to fight with us, but I did not want you to get hurt... You're very important to me.
-You held him tight for a long time, and after that,you both went to sleep.-
-As days went by,you realized that each time you had stronger feelings for the leader. You needed to talk to someone, but you did not feel comfortable talking to the boys, so you decided to go to your friend Katherine.
When Katherine opened the door, you could perfectly see how confused she was-
K: Shorty !! What are you doing here? Sorry, that sounded rude. I'm glad you're here, but I was just surprised because you never came to my e in!!
-She lived on her own,and her house was very simple but comfortable-
K: Did you come for something specific?
S: Emm ... Yes ... I came to talk to you, and to ask for your advice ...
K: To me??!! About what??!!
S: Ummm ... about... love
K: Seriously??!!Go on,tell me??!!
S: Well ... ummm i may like someone... but I do not know what to do, because ...
K: He is a Newsie?
S: Yes ...
K: Well, but if you like him and he likes you back, I do not think it's too much of a problem if you live together ... If it does not bother you, I can ask who it is?
S: ... Jack
K: AHHHH!!!! I knew it!!!!He's going to be so happy !!!
S: What do you mean??
K: I shouldn't be telling you this, but hey, it's for the best.
Jack came to talk to me the other day because he's head over heels for you !!
S: Seriously!!???
K: Yess!!! You have to go talk to him!!
S: Thank you Kath!!!
-You say goodbye to Katherine and run back to the lodge-
S: Hey Jack. Are you busy?
J: No, no, what's wrong?
S: Can we go somewhere else?
J: Of course. Let's go to my "Penthouse".
-Already on the rooftop.-
J: And what did you want to tell me?
S: Umm ... that ...that you're taller(What??!!)
J: hahaha I think I'm still as tall as before ...
S: Hahaha, my mistake then. Goodbye!!
-You try to leave, but Jack grabs you hard from the wrist-
J: Come here. You're not going to escape from me. Now seriously, what were you going to tell me? It seemed to be pretty important, so I doubt it's about my height ...
S: It's just that...i...i'm afraid
J: What ?! Shorty, the bravest girl I know, is afraid to tell me something?
-You feel your face getting red and look down-
J: I'm sorry, I did not want you to get like this. I'll wait all the time you need.
-There is a long and uncomfortable silence-
S: Jack?
J: Yes?
S: I know it's a little inconvenient and you probably don't feel the same way, but ... I have feelings for you.
Ok,i said it,Bye.
-Jack grabs you from your wrist again-
J: Don't go. I ... I feel the same way,and as you said, it is not very convenient, but I need to be with you, to be able to hug you and grab your hand without it being weird ... So, if you want, I propose that we forget about all that and...umm.. We can be a couple...what do you think??
S: Yes! Obviously!
-The two of you hug like never before, until Crutchie appears-
C: Uhhhh, what's going on here? There's something you're not telling me. Look, if you don't talk,ill tell the rest what i saw.
-Jack and you look at each other and automatically understand what the other one means and quickly head downstairs-
J: Hey! We have something to tell you!
-Everyone gathers up without understanding what's happening-
J: Shorty and I are dating.
-Fortunately everyone was happy about the news and congratulated both of you one by one-
- A week later you all returned to the offices of The World, and thanks to the strength and encouragement that you transmitted to Jack,you won!!!!
•••••• THE END••••••
