Hannah's POV
I paced around impatiently, waiting for Jack and Charlie to get back.
"Mouse, chill out. They'll be back," Race said, dealing out cards for a game of poker.
As if on cue they came through the door, hand in hand, both grinning from ear to ear. The room erupted with cheers and wolf whistles.
"Alright, alright, pipe down," Jack said, letting go of her hand. She pouted at him. He smiled, kissing her cheek before going to change into his nightclothes.
I waved her over to my bunk, unable to control my giddiness.
"What happened? Spill. Tell me everything!"
"Oh my God, I can't even convey how happy I am right now."
"I'm sooooooo happy for you."
Jack came back out of the washroom.
"We'll talk more later," she whispered, jumping up and practically bouncing back over to Jack.
"Ain't that sweet," Blink said, sitting next to me and putting an arm around my shoulders.
"They're adorable," I agreed.
"Kinda makes me want a girl," he said, tickling me.
"Get away you jerk, I don't like you like that!" I laughed.
"I feel ya, you'se is like my little sis. Sides, I'm pretty sure there's a fella you got your sights set on."
"What? How'd you know?"
"Cause I got smarts," he explained, ruffling my hair before climbing up to his bunk.
Jesus, first Jack now Blink. I feel like everyone knows. I glanced over at Charlie and Jack, smiling and, yes I'll admit it, eavesdropping.
"Night Jack," she said, moving to climb into bed. He stopped her.
"Do-um-do ya wanna-uh-sleep on my bunk?" he asked nervously.
"A bit forward of you isn't it Jack?"
"I didn't mean so we could um-ya know. I meant so we could, um, well, ya know…dammit, we could cuddle!"
"You want to cuddle?"
He sighed and nodded. I noticed his cheeks were a little pink.
"I love cuddling," she said.
"So ya wanna?"
"Yeah."
She climbed up onto his bunk. Jack switched off the light before climbing up and snuggling in next to her. I smiled to myself. Now I just had to get my man.
The next morning we all stood around the statue in the middle of the square, waiting for the sound of the work bell.
"Morning Mouse," David greeted.
"Good morning."
"Thanks for helping me keep an eye on Les yesterday."
"Oh, you're welcome. It was really fun," I said, smiling down at Les.
"Um, do you maybe want to help me out again? I mean, you don't have to if you don't want to but…you're fun to be around."
"I'd love to."
We smiled at each other. He opened his mouth to say something else, but the work bell clanged loudly.
"Anybody hear that?!" Jack shouted.
"No!" we yelled back.
"So what are we gonna do about it?!"
"Soak 'em!"
We rushed for the distribution desk, ready to soak all the scabs who were still working. It went pretty well at first. A couple of scabs joined the cause. But as soon as one didn't, all hell broke loose.
Fists were flying everywhere, including at me. I slugged a guy who was picking on Les. A hand caught mine and I turned to find out it was David.
"Mouse, you should run!"
"Why?!"
"It's dangerous!"
"Thanks for your concern, but I'm really fine!" I yelled, lunging forward and punching the guy who had snuck up behind David in the nose.
"Wow, remind me never to get on your bad side!" David shouted, eyes wide.
"I don't think you have to worry about that?!"
I heard Charlie yell, "Jack!" and turned just in time to see him take a punch to the jaw. She jumped in front of Jack, catching the guy's fist before he could land another punch and kneeing him hard in the groin.
"Oi, I'm supposed to protect you!" Jack shouted.
"Most people would just say thank you!"
He grabbed her shoulders and pulled her to him, kissing her fiercely before pulling back abruptly.
"That works too," she said, sounding a little dazed.
The scabs turned to flee, running away as fast as they could. We cheered and started grabbing papers, ripping them to shreds. Crutchy was having the time of his life, chucking papers everywhere. Mush, Blink, Skittery, and Specs even tipped over a delivery truck. The sound of whistles blowing echoed around us.
"Hey cheese it! Cheese it, it's the bulls!" I called to everyone.
David lifted Les into a piggyback and grabbed my hand, running for the gates.
"Crutchy scram! Scram!" Race yelled.
Crutchy hobbled for the gate as fast as he could, but the cops were blocking his way. He spun around to find himself face to face with the Delancy brothers. They knocked his crutch away from him, before dragging him down an ally.
We all sat around Tibby's diner, to depressed to really say much. David, Les, Jack, Charlie, and I were sitting at a booth in the corner.
"Poor Crutchy," Les said, picking at his coleslaw.
Charlie sniffled a little, trying to hold her tears in. Jack put his arm around her, pulling her close and kissing the top of her head.
"He'll be alright Chucks," he murmured, stroking her hair.
She just nodded, sniffling again and hiding her face in his chest.
"I don't mean to change the subject, but happened between you two last night?" David asked.
"Oh right, you weren't there. They finally got together," I explained.
We laughed quietly despite the serious situation.
"Excuse me?"
I looked up at the man who had just approached out table.
"Bryan Denton, I'm with the New York Sun. I witness the commotion outside and I was just wondering if you could tell me what's going on."
"Well, we're on strike," David explained.
"Who's on strike?"
"The newsies. They jacked up the price of papes, so we're not selling until they put it back where it was," I said.
"Pulitzer doesn't scare you? I mean, you're going up against the most powerful man in New York."
"Oh yeah, look at me I'm trembling," Jack scoffed.
"Alright. Keep me informed. I want to know everything that's going on," he said, handing his card to David.
"Are we really an important story?"
"Well that depends on you. Can I get your names?" he asked.
"David Jacobs."
"I go by Mouse, but my real name is Hannah if you'd rather use that."
"I'm Chucks, but it's really Charlie. Which ever is fine."
"Kelly. Jack Kelly."
Denton nodded, smiling at us before turning to leave.
"Oh and Denton, no pictures!"
"Sure Jack."
"Alright, now what are we gonna do about Crutchy?" I asked.
"Dave and I will get him outta the refuge tonight."
"We're going with you," Charlie said.
"Nothin I say will change your mind will it?" Jack asked.
"Nope," we said together.
