A/N: For thrufirewithoutaburn's December Challenge. Forgive me if Race's character is off. But I'm trying, I truly am trying. By the way, props if you can catch the Wicked reference. I subconsciously put it in there. Please review!

Disclaimer: If I owned Newsies, I wouldn't be on FAN fiction. net, now would I?

Racetrack Higgins was a very secluded boy. He never did much with others, and usually was on his own. Even after the strike, he was closer to the other boys, but preferred his solitude.

This is exactly why, on Christmas Eve, the same year of the strike, he headed home from Sheep stead. But now, because of a stupid blizzard, he had to sit in an old pub to avoid being frozen to death. The only inhabitants were him and the old bartender who was in the back.

A girl blustered in. She smiled at him "Well, it's starting to snow," She stated in a kind sort of sarcastic way. "Gee, thanks captain obvious." Race half-smiled back.

She gave him a closer look. "What are you doing, being here so late on Christmas Eve?" Race shrugged and said "Just visited a few friends who work at the Sheep Stead Races." He thought for a moment, "What, may I ask is a pretty little girl like you doing, being out at this hour?"

She blushed. "I stayed out a little late at my church. You know, helping them put everything away. The bibles, the tree, the works. What's you're name?" Race shifted on one foot and sat down at the bar. He motioned for her to sit next to him. "Racetrack, Racetrack Higgins." She gave him a strange look as her red hair fell into her eyes. She pushed it back and he explained "It's a nick name. You know, I like going to the races…?"

The girl put a look of understanding on her face and fidgeted with her skirt. "My names Laura… McAlister that is."

The bartender came out of the backroom. "Just past twelve o'clock. Merry Christmas kids." He seemed like a kind sort of old man.

"Some Christmas…" Race muttered under his breath. "Well I certainly am enjoying it. You're rather nice and I like your company."

Race turned to the bartender "How about I uhhhh… buy the lovely lady a hot chocolate, on me. I'll take one too." Laura just blushed "You really don't have to do that."

Race put the acquired money on the counter "I know, that's what makes me so nice." Laura laughed. The bartender put the drinks in front of them.

For the next hour or so they talked, he'd make a joke and she'd laugh while the bartender "chaperoned."

"Well, kids, it looks like the storm is clearing up. Good timing, too. It's about two o'clock. I was about to kick you both out. Merry Christmas." The bartender broke their conversation.

Laura looked up "I have to go…" Racetrack stood up. "Why don't I walk you home?"

For the second time that night Laura stated "You really don't have to do that." And Racetrack grinned "I know."

All the way to Laura's tenement, they chatted. When they came to the front steps, he stopped her. "Laura… I really like you." She blushed once more. "I really like you to Race."

"Then why don't we… I don't know… go out sometime? With a face like mine, how could you refuse?"

Laura looked at him "I'd like that."

Racetrack looked up. "Dear me…" She gave him a quizzical look and followed his gaze. They were standing under the mistletoe. He just raised his eyebrows and grinned. She awkwardly put her hands on his shoulders. "It is tradition…" She kissed him right on the mouth. He put his arms around her waist and kissed her back. He rather liked kissing Laura, it was nice.

They then broke apart. He smiled at her "Ya… I'd like that too."

As he walked back the lodging house he thought to himself: maybe being with someone sometimes isn't that bad…