A/N: Thank you to everyone who has read and reviewed this so far. I hope you enjoy this chapter!

"You're awfully quiet, kid. What's up?" Jack asked as he took a bite of his sandwich.

Crutchie shrugged noncommittally, staring down at his bowl of soup. He and Jack were sitting at a small table in Jacobi's, eating lunch together like they did every Sunday. It was a tradition they had formed after Jack stopped selling newspapers and took a full-time job as a cartoonist at The World, and normally Crutchie was full of stories to tell Jack after a busy week. Today, though, he had barely said three words.

Jack fixed Crutchie with a knowing look. "Kid. I've known ya for near on 10 years, I know when somethin's botherin' you. What is it?"

Crutchie was quiet for a minute, then sighed. "I- I met someone a couple days ago," he mumbled.

"Oh-ho, Crutchie's got himself a girl!" Jack crowed happily, drawing the stares of several people nearby.

"Shut up, Jack," Crutchie hissed, his cheeks turning bright red. "I ain't got anythin'. She don't even like me like that."

"How do ya know? Did she say that?" Jack challenged.

"No," Crutchie grumbled. "But I know she doesn't. She can't."

"Ya won't know unless ya ask," Jack stated matter-of-factly. "An' ya don't gotta ask her to marry you, you just gotta ask her on a date. That's what I did with Katherine."

"That ain't the same thing. You'd already kissed her, you knew she liked you!" Crutchie protested.

"That's true," Jack admitted. "But you should still ask this girl! The worst she can say is no, right?"

"I guess," Crutchie acquiesced. "But what if she says no an' it ruins our friendship?"

Jack sighed. "Look Crutch, if ya really like this girl that's a risk you're gonna have to take. It's your decision."

Crutchie considered this, then nodded. "I think- I think I'm gonna ask her." He smiled. "Thanks, Jack."

Jack grinned. "Anytime, kid."

-Break-

"Jennie!" Crutchie called across the crowded dining room, waving at her as she glanced up at him.

"Hello, Charlie!" Jennie called back, grinning as she weaved through the crowd of hungry newsboys to where he was standing. "How are you?"

"I'm good, thanks. You?"

Jennie lit up like a candle, pulling a small square of paper out of her apron pocket. "My boyfriend who lives in Albany sent me a letter today. He's coming to visit me in two weeks!"

Crutchie's smiled faded, and his heart clenched. He forced himself to keep his voice even as he spoke. "That's great, Jennie."

"Thank you, Charlie. Anyway, did you want to talk to me about anything else?" Jennie asked happily, oblivious to the turmoil which was taking place inside him.

"No. No, I just wanted ta say hello," Crutchie replied, smiling thinly.

"Well, it was nice seeing you again," Jennie said, turning to go back into the kitchen.

Crutchie stared after her for a long minute, lost in his thoughts. He was interrupted by Romeo bumping into him as he made his way to his seat at the long table for dinner. "Sorry, Crutchie! Hey, you okay?"

"Yeah, Romeo. I'm fine. Just not super hungry tonight is all. I think I'm gonna head up to the penthouse for some air."

"Okay," Romeo said, frowning in concern. Crutchie only went to the roof when he was feeling really down, now that Jack had moved out of the lodging house. "Want me ta save you anythin'?"

"No thanks, Rome. I'll be fine," Crutchie replied.

Still in something of a trance Crutchie made his way through the crowd towards the door to the roof. Ignoring the stares of the other boys he slowly climbed the ladder and pulled himself up onto the metal fire escape. The cold winter air blew, ruffling Crutchie's hair and turning his cheeks and the tip of his nose pink.

Crutchie ignored all of this, however, as he gazed out over the city. He was oblivious to everything and everyone except the view and his thoughts. He didn't even notice the hot tears streaming down his face until they froze to his face.

A/N: I would love some more reviews to this story, please don't hesitate to tell me what you think about it.