Author's Note:

On to chapter 3! Sorry it's so short! (Also, if any of you are Wicked fans, I hope you might notice some subtle Glinda references throughout this entire story! Not in this chapter, though, just thought I'd mention it. Also, may I just say, I love Kara Lindsay!)

Okaaay... Here's chapter 3!

Chapter 3: Seize the Day

The next morning, Jack awoke earlier than usual and ate some oatmeal before sliding down the Jacobs' metal ladder that ended at the sidewalk. He ran, eager to get started- not selling papes, this time. This was far more daunting a task.

At 6 AM- sharp- Jack arrived to grab his papers, since he'd finished his errand. So far, Crutchie was the only one at the window, as usual.

"Hey, Jack. Ain't you here a bit orley?" Crutchie remarked.

"Yeah I is. I had some business to take care of." Jack smacked his gum and smiled, rather mysteriously.

"Umm, okay." Crutchie shrugged; he knew by now that he shouldn't question Jack if Jack didn't want to be questioned.

As Jack collected his daily 100, several members of his gang rushed up to he and his brother. "Hey Cowboy, hey Crutchie!"

"Hey, boys. Grab your papes. We's burning daylight!" Jack half-joked.

Albert, Specs, Race, Henry, and the others quickly dropped their money and seized their papes.

"Let's go, Newsies!" Jack shouted.

"Yeah!" All the boys cheered in unison and spread throughout the city streets of Manhattan.

Jack ran up to multiple strangers during the day, convincing them that they needed to buy the edition. And people were convinced, all right. But it wasn't so easy for everyone else. The day consisted of many rejections, sweating, borough-hopping, and eventually, sales. Most everyone had a successful selling day, though. They sold most of their papes. (Or, in Jack's case, all of them). Well, at least Wisel would buy back anything they didn't sell.

Since Jack finished distributing his papers by late afternoon, he decided to head back to Davey and Les's apartment. Jack hoped they would be home from school by now.

And sure enough, Les and Davey were sitting on their shared bed, solving a wooden puzzle together. Jack was glad they were here; he needed some advice- girl advice. "Hey, fellas." he jumped through the window. "How was yours school?"

"It was neat! I learned something called arith-me-tic." Les said, not pronouncing the word right.

"Arithmetic." Davey corrected.

"Cool." Jack said, though he wasn't really interested.

"So, you sold all of your papes?" Davey asked.

"Uh-huh. But, well, the reason I's come here is 'cause I... I need some advice." Jack admitted.

"Not to brag, but I think I'm pretty good at giving advice." Davey patted himself on the back. "What do you need advice on?"

"Katherine. I's got something I need to ask her, but I-I don't know how. It ain't gonna be easy. I's don't want to be too outright... or too unclears. Ya know?"

"I say, that whatever you feel about Katherine in your heart, you should say to her. Just go for it. You have a way to persuade people, Jack. You've got guts." Davey encouraged him. "Just, seize the day, you know?"

"Yeah." Jack laughed, then added, "Thanks, Dave."

"Why does Jack need to seize the day, exactly?" a voice said.

Uh oh. Jack whipped around. Katherine was sitting on the Jacobs' windowsill, perky as ever, wearing her favorite rainbow-striped blouse.

Jack quickly said, "Um, I gotta seize the day by selling my papes, of course."

"But you already sell your papers well." Katherine raised her eyebrows.

Right. Jack knew how Katherine was; she would never give up on an argument until she won. He had to change the subject.

"Wait a minute. What are you doing here anyway, Ace? What about work?" Jack tried to suppress a smile.

"Oh, I was through with work early. So I thought I would drop by and see how you guys were doing." Katherine smiled, rather smugly, actually. Why was Jack being weird?

"Well, you can stay and hang out a while. We've got a jump rope. We could do that!" Les ran to go retrieve it.

"Okay."

Just then, Crutchie's face popped in the window. "Hey, Katherine! Hey, guys! I'm done sellin' my papes for the day."

"Hi, Crutchie!" They all smiled at their friend (or, brother).

"We's just 'bout to jump rope, Crutchie. You's can join us if you want." Jack said.

"Sure!" Even though he could only walk with one leg, Crutchie was an excellent jump-roper. He could hop over the rope on one leg!

The five had a fun time together, singing rhymes and jumping rope. They played until dusk, when the sun began to sink in the sky. They tried to see who could jump for the longest time- Crutchie won, of course. Exhausted, Katherine panted, "I... should... head... home." she wiped the sweat off her forehead. "Thanks, boys. I had a great time. See you soon!" Katherine said to Davey, Les, and Crutchie, hugging them. They headed back up to the apartment to wash up for supper. Katherine turned to Jack. "And I'll see you on Friday, for our mystery date!"

"See you then," Jack smiled. But then a offended-sort of look appeared on his face. "Wait, you don't want me to walk you's home?"

"Well, I love our walks, but I don't want to keep you from dinner. And, besides- we're going out on Friday!" Katherine bit her lip in excitement.

"Well, all right. If you insist." Jack smiled, bent down, kissed her, then hugged her.

"You have a good night. I love you." he began to ascend the ladder to the Jacobs' home.

"I love you too. Goodnight!" Grabbing her skirt, Katherine ran off into the streets, toward her home, eagerly awaiting Friday night.

Same as before; please review if you'd like to! Thank you!