CHAPTER 1

Jack Kelly waited nerveously on the roof of the apartment building the Jacobs family inhabited in. His girlfriend Sarah had told him to meet her up there earlier, that they needed to have a talk, but she didn't sound very happy, and so Jack was really scared. Things had been a bit rocky between the couple ever since the end of the Newsie strike, but he didn't know why. The minutes seemed to last for hours as he waited for Sarah's arrival on the rooftop. Finally he heard footstep's ascending the stairs.

"I didn't think you'd come", Sarah said. Jack just kept his head down and stared at his cowboy boots.

"Well I, did, so, what is it that ya need ta tell me?", he responded.

"Listen," she started, "I think we should see other people." He knew this was coming, but he didn't think it would hurt as much as it did. He fought back the tears welling up in his crystal blue eyes and whispered

"But…why?"

"Listen Jack, it's nothing personal…it's just that…", she seemed to be at a loss for words. She contemplated what she was going to say next and continued, "Look, I went to Medda's last night and-"

"-and ya met some otha guy, right Who is he?", Jack interrupted.

"Not exactly", Sarah replied sheepishly.

"Then what is it?", the cowboy newsie demanded.

"Well, I was watching Medda sing and, well, she is so beautiful, Jack."

"Wait, Wait, Wait, What?!" Jack cried, "Ya're leavin' me fa MEDDA?"

"I'm afraid so. Jack, it's not you, it's me. You're a great boyfriend, but I just don't think it can work out between us with the way I feel about Medda."

"Yeah. Ya're right. It won't work out", Jack snapped, coldly.

"Jack! We can still be friends, can't we?", begged Sarah. Jack didn't say anything, but quickly turned to leave.

Jack hurried down the stairs and out of the apartment buliding. He ran for as long as he could. Finally he stopped running, and let his forehead drop against a building in an alley way. He just stood there, and sobbed for a long time, letting it all out. Sarah was the only girl he ever cared for; it figured something like this should happen to him, he never got to keep anything he loved.

When he eventually ran out of tears, he sank to the floor and buried his head in his hands. Suddenly, he heard a rustling sound on the other side of the alley. Someone was there!

"Who's there?", he called. No answer. He cried out again, still no answer. "If you don't answer me, you'll be sorry, buddy," he threatened.

"Woah, Woah, Woah, no need ta get dramatic, there, kid", a girl of about 16 said, as she stepped out from the shadows.

First fic, lol. Be nice! Reveiws plz lots and lots :)