Author's Note:

Here's chapter 2! Hope you like it!

Chapter 2: King of New York

Jack yawned and sat up. He stretched his back, then glanced out of the window behind him. Five-thirty. Jack stood up, and noticed that Davey and Les were already gone. In fact, it looked like everyone had already left. Why would they all be gone this early? Oh, well. Jack had work to do. He seized his political cartoon of Teddy Roosevelt he'd drawn yesterday and rolled it up. He had to give it to his boss Joseph Pulitzer before he could begin to sell his papes.

Jack grabbed a Granny Smith apple (they were his favorite), and jumped out the window, ready to begin his day.

But when Jack arrived at the window to buy his papers, no one else was there- not even Crutchie. And there was no way they'd all started selling in the streets already. Jack hadn't even seen any of his pals in the streets as he'd passed. That was very odd.

"Where's everyone, Weasel?" Jack asked as he slapped down his money.

"I ain't know. But nobody's come." Weasel shrugged. Then raised his eyebrows, looking worried. "Don't tell me you're goin' on another strike!"

"Uh, no. I think I'd know if we's were." Jack smirked and took his papers then spun around. "'Bye, Weasel!" he called as he bolted away.

Jack glanced around for someone to sell his papes to. He decided to head to the marketplace first, because many people often gathered there. Today was an especially packed day. Jack sold thirty papes within an hour! Eventually he left for another one of his favorite spots- Central Park. Passersby loved to buy the paper when strolling through the large park. And sure enough, Jack was done a few hours later. It was only about 10 o'clock. The sun was beginning to rise higher into the sky. Jack decided he would go to Jacobi's Deli for an early lunch- even though he was still uncertain of what had happened to his friends.

Change jingling in his pocket, Jack raced off to the deli.

Soon, Jack arrived at the lunch spot. He opened the door, smiled at the jingle of the bell above, and stepped inside. It was empty. Now this was very strange indeed. It was a Friday- Jacobi's should be packed at this time of day. Suddenly, Mr. Jacobi himself came in from the kitchen.

"Hello, Jack!" he greeted.

"Hey, Mr. Jacobi. Have you's seen the boys?" Jack questioned.

"Yes, I have, in fact." the deli owner smiled.

Jack was about to ask when and where. But then his questions were answered as all of his friends poured out of the kitchen, rolling a frosted cake out on a metal cart. "Happy birthday, Jack!" they all yelled and whooped.

"What's all this?" Jack smiled.

"We wanted to celebrate your eighteenth birthday with ya, Jack!" Race smiled.

"And we got no school today!" Les beamed.

"It was Katherine's idea." Crutchie smiled.

"Where is-" Jack began.

Suddenly, he felt strong arms around his waist. "Happy birthday, Kelly!"

Jack turned around and smiled. "This was real sweet of you, Kath."

"You only turn eighteen once!" Katherine took his hand and led him over to the cake. Several little waxy candles were stuck into its icing. "Make a wish!"

"I thinks I already gots my wish." he smiled down at his girlfriend, then smiled up at his boys, a little embarrassed.

"Awww." they all smiled back.

Jack still blew out the candles, though. Then Davey cut the cake, which was chocolate with vanilla icing, and distributed it to all the Newsies and Katherine. She sat down at a table next to her boyfriend.

Jack shoveled in a bite of the cake. It was delicious. "Who made this?" he asked.

"Me and Davey." Katherine smiled. "Neither of us is too good at baking, but, hey, it's standing!"

Jack swallowed a bite. "No, it's awesome! I's love it!"

"I'm glad you like it." then, smiling, Katherine used her finger to wipe some frosting off the corner of Jack's mouth. He smiled, scooped some icing off his piece of cake, and plopped it onto Katherine's nose. She made a noise something like a gasp, then smeared some of her slice's frosting onto Jack's nose.

"Happy birthday, Jackie," Katherine laughed and brought Jack in for a kiss, getting frosting in his hair. All the Newsies watched them, but they didn't really care.

Jack pulled away gently. "Thank you." he smiled. Then he spread some icing onto Katherine's bangs for revenge.

She laughed again. "It's only fair." then she stood up. "We have some gifts for you, Jack."

"Gifts?" Jack was quite surprised. He hadn't even expected this much.

Crutchie limped up first. He fished something out of his pocket and handed it to his brother. It was a sunset painted on a piece of cloth. "I know it ain't much, Jack, but, I thought it would remind you of when we used to dream on the rooftop." Crutchie smiled.

"It's poifect, Crutchie. Thanks." Jack hugged his little brother.

Next, Davey and Les came forward. They presented to Jack a small handheld book, entitled Cities of America. "It talks about Santa Fe in there." Davey grinned.

"Thanks, guys." Jack grinned back, giving a hug to the brothers.

"And this is a present from all of us Newsies." Specs stepped forward and handed a box to Jack. Jack raised his eyebrows and tore the lid off. He stared at the contents of the box for what seemed like a long time. He could feel his eyes welling up with tears, but he quickly pushed them back down. Katherine was the only person who had seen such a soft side of him.

At last, Jack pulled the shiny brown shoes out of the box. "You fellas did this for me? Thank you, so much." Jack stood up and hugged all of the boys. They all gathered around him and clapped him on the back. "Try 'em on!" the gang urged. Jack carefully slipped them on. They fit like a glove- or, a shoe, should he say?

Jack thanked his pals once more. Then they all played games for the rest of the afternoon, like hopscotch and stickball and jump rope. Finally, though, it was time for dinner, and the boys had to return to the Lodging House. Davey informed Jack that Katherine had been invited for dinner, even though she didn't want the Newsies to feel bad. They didn't, though- they'd gotten cake!

Katherine told Davey, Crutchie, and Les to go on ahead- she and Jack would catch up. Katherine pulled Jack onto the sidewalk. "I hope you don't think I forgot you, Jack. Here's my present." Katherine handed Jack a stack of multiple papers. Jack's eyes widened. He read the words at the top of the first page and blushed: 999 Reasons Why I Love Jack Kelly. Reason number 1 read: He has a beautiful smile.

That made Jack break out into said smile. "You really thinks so?" he pointed to reason number 1.

"I know so!" Katherine stared at his smile. "Yup, it definitely deserved number one on the list... So, do-do you like it, Jack?"

"I's love it! I'll's have to read it, for sure. Thanks you. You're real sweet, ya know." Jack grabbed Katherine and kissed her. She held onto him tightly.

Katherine pulled away and blushed. "Romantic is number 8 on the list." she scrunched up her nose as she smiled. "Now, c'mon, we've got a birthday dinner to eat!"

Jack, Katherine, Crutchie, and the Jacobs had a great night. They ate delicious chicken and rice- Jack's absolute favorite. And Katherine suggested that they all tell about how much Jack meant to them. Now Jack really had to hold back tears. They all said such heartwarming things, like "He's the best brother I could ask for" (Crutchie) or "He's the most awesome Newsie leader ever" (Les) or "He has a way of being so confident and caring" (Davey).

They all talked and laughed and reminisced over dinner. Finally, Les had to go to bed. He hugged Katherine as he went to go to sleep. "Goodbye, Katherine. I'll see ya soon!" Les said.

"Bye, Les." she squeezed him back. "Bye Davey, bye, Mr. and Mrs. Jacobs." she smiled. "Goodbye, Crutchie." Katherine knew that Jack was going to want to come with her, so she didn't say anything to him.

Katherine jumped out of the window and smiled when she saw Jack following her. She took his hand. "C'mon!" They took off down the street together. They held hands and talked together for a long time. The two purposely took their time getting Katherine back home. But at last they were there. Katherine sighed. "Happy birthday, sweetie." she nestled her head under Jack's chin and hugged him. "I'll see you soon."

"Thanks 'gain for the party and the gift. I love you's so much." Jack tilted his girlfriend's chin up to meet his face. He smiled and kissed her. "Goodnight."

"I love you too, Jack. Goodnight." Katherine stepped inside her home and blew a kiss to him as she closed the door.

He laughed to himself and shook his head as he sprinted back to the apartment. He was so lucky to have someone like Katherine in his life, even if he had never planned on her.

Hope you liked this chapter! Please feel free to review!