If anyone gives me a review and an idea I will try to incorporate that idea into the story!
"I love you." Those had been the words that Crutchie had said when he was holding Emma in the alley. Those three words were also the ones that he had whispered to her last night as she fell asleep holding his hand. They were also on his brain when Emma kissed him just a few minutes ago. He climbed down the ladder in a happy daze and when he reached the bottom Jack gave him a knowing look. "You is heads over heels in love with dat goil, ain't ya?" he said. Crutchie's face went red. "Pst, I don't know what you is talkin about Jack." He said quickly as he hobbled out of the alley not wanting to Jack to see his face.
Jack ran to catch up with him and then poked him in the side with his fingers. "My little brudda is growin' up." Jack teased as he pretended to wipe a tear away from his eye. "Ah lay off me Jackie," Crutchie said as he continued to hobble along. "We is just friends." Jack shook his head. "No way pal," he said. "You love Emma like I love Katherine. I've seen the way you look at her, you would do anything for her." "Jack, I would do anything for you too." Said Crutchie as he slowed down, tired of trying to keep in front of Jack. "I would do the same for you Crutch." Said Jack knowingly. "But we is bruddas, you is lovers."
"Whateva you say Jack." Crutchie muttered, wondering why it was taking such a long time to get there. Then finally, after what seemed like forever, they reached Pulitzer's building and went inside to buy their newspapers. Because of all the commotion this morning they were late and had to wait in the long of newsies, eager to get selling. Crutchie and Jack looked at the front of line to see who was selling them their papers this morning. It was just Weasel- no Delancey brothers.
"You must have gotten em' real good, huh Jack?" said Crutchie. Jack nodded, "Hopefully they won't be heres for a little while." He said with a smirk. Just then Race, Romeo, and Mush walked over with their bundle of newspapers. "So," said Race with a cigar stickin' out the corner of his mouth. "How's the goil?" Crutchie gave them a half shrug. "She's pretty tough but they got her pretty good." He said. "Poor kid," said Mush. "A beatin by the Delanceys is never good. I hope she feels better." Crutchie nodded, "I'll tell her you said so." Then the three boys strolled away off to sell their papers.
Jack and Crutchie finally reached the front of the line, bought their newspapers, and headed outside. "I'll see ya later Crutch," Jack said to him as they set out to go their separate ways. Crutchie started to walk away when Jack ran back up to him. "I forgot to tell you," he said. "Katherine and I are going out tonight so I won't see you till tomorrow, kay?" Crutchie nodded, "Yeah that's fine." Crutchie said as he continued on his way. "See ya tomorrow!" he called over his shoulder. Then he set off to go sell newspapers.
Meanwhile, Emma was up on the rooftop tossing and turning around on her mat. Her whole body ached but at least, thanks to Crutchie, her back didn't sting as much anymore. But she was restless, other than waking up once last night she slept like a rock. And she slept in two more hours than what she usually did. "Why do I feel so awake?" she thought to herself. "Is it because… no it can't be. That's not why, right?" she thought. "It's not because I kissed him, is it?" She rolled onto her side. "Or is it?"
After another half hour wondering why she felt this way she heard someone climbing their way up the ladder. It was obviously a person who had never climbed the ladder before, she kept hearing clanging noises. She would have laughed but one, her ribs hurt, and two, what if it was the Delanceys here to finish the job?
This terrifying thought sent her hiding under her blankets trying to look as still as possible. The clanging noise got closer and closer until they stopped for good. She held her breath and could hear her heart pounding. "Emma?" A feminine voice called. "Are you here?"
Emma timidly pulled the blankets down and sat up to see who it was. It was Katherine.