Hey guys! Today is an important day!

My sister is always bugging me about this fic, but to be honest I was a bit (okay, a lot-a-bit) of a noob when I wrote it (it was my first ever fic) and I rushed into it without thinking. I had/have no plans, and I honestly haven't felt too inspired for this in a long time.

I also don't think I'm the best author to be writing Newsies fics. I don't like writing fluff, and Newsies stories usually require quite some fluff ;). I feel my writing style and ideas are best fit for other, less happy and friendship and fluff based.

I'm glad to have this weight off my chest. I'm going to be discontinuing this fic.

But! Don't be sad! This is my last chapter writing for this. I'm going to be turning it over to my fellow author, AetherlightGirl. (Don't worry, she's spectacular. Check out some of her other stories, especially A Girl's Unexpected Journey! My fave of hers!) She's going to be continuing this for me. Thank you so much for sticking with me through all of this!

Sincerely, StarBeloved :)

Chapter Eleven

Jack perused the shelves of the store, scanning for something Katherine would like. He knew she wasn't much of a flowers girl, and she would probably like something with a little more character.

Unfortunately, he only had about—he checked his pocket—twenty cents to buy her something. He was saving the rest. And he wasn't very good at gift shopping. Especially not for girls.

Besides, his mind was on other things.

Like Kitty.

It had been a while since she had suddenly shown up, and he should've gotten over the shock by now.

But it wasn't just the shock. When his parents were sick, they asked him to take care of Kit. No matter what. Then they had died, and Jack had made the same promise to his sister. And then he broke it. He left. He deserted her. Whatever you want to call it.

On top of that was the guilt he felt. Was he really more loyal to his newsies than to his actual sister; his own blood relation? When things got tough, Jack always stuck by them. He knew he could never leave them.

And he had left Kitty so easily.

"Excuse me, sir," a fat old lady said from behind him. "I need to get to these flowers."

Kitty smiled as Sam wrote the word 'Manhattan' on a piece of cloth for Crutchie to hang on his crutch. "Make sure you spell it right," Davey advised from where he was getting ready to head to his house.

"I will, I will," Sam said, as she finished writing 'Manhatan'.

"That's not how-"

"Shut up, Mr. Brains."

After Davey had left, Kitty patted Crutchie's shoulder. "Nice crutch you got yaself there."

Crutchie beamed. "Thanks! I couldn'ta done it without Sam."

Kitty turned to Sam. "How were things at Brooklyn before you left?"

"Uh, fine."

"Uh, fine," Kitty mocked good-naturedly. "What, you're not sure?"

"I am. I just...it's been a while."

"It ain't been that long."

At that moment Jack came in, dropping his empty paper bag on the bed and sitting down next to it, smiling - as usual.

"Hey, Jack!" Crutchie said. "Look what Sam made for me!" He showed the older newsie his banner, and Jack's smile widened.

"That's great." He looked up at Sam, who was smiling like her stomach might be floating.

At that moment, Katherine bust in, holding a pad of paper and a few pencils. "Hi guys!"

Everyone greeted Katherine, and she turned to Jack. "Can I talk to you? I want to interview you about your art." She smiled.

"Sure."

Kath sat and poised a pencil so she could begin to write. "What are some things you like to draw?"

"Um...people?"

"People. Okay," Katherine scribbled something quickly onto the paper and continued to question Jack.

As Kitty looked at her brother, smiling his adorable newsie smile, something in her heart began to warm and throb for a full, happy reunion with her brother instead of holding any grudges. She still didn't forgive him. Not completely, anyway. But she was starting. At least.

This chapter is shorter, because I want to give a large open canvas to AetherlightGirl. Thanks, guys, and I really will miss this (even though I may have sounded like I won't). I'll miss you guys, and I will miss the most lovable characters of this fandom (Jack, Crutchie, Kath, Les, etc.) and even some of the less popular (Oscar. Yes, I like the Delanceys. And Wiesel, if you must know).

Thank you so much for understanding! Bye, guys! Go and be a newsie!