I don't own Newsies.

Chapter Seven

If there was one person that Flora Katherine Kelly did not like, it was Isaac John Clark. The most annoying, immature boy at school. All the girls, Flora's age despised him too. But the older girls, Nellie's age, liked him. They found him to be charming. But Flora and her gang knew better.

At lunch one day, Isaac decided to sit right next to Flora. No matter how many times she scooted away from him, Isaac always ended up right next to her. For the time being, Flora was able to ignore him. In fact, she was getting awfully proud of herself for being able to ignore him. But Isaac said finally something that Flora couldn't ignore.

"I bet that my parents are better than yours," said Isaac.

"Not true! My Poppy's the best Poppy in da whole world!" Flora argued.

"Well, you only have one parent. That's your papa. But I have a mama, too. So my parents are better!" Isaac replied, throwing the crusts of his bread into his lunch pail.

This made Flora so mad that she pushed Isaac to the ground. She stated punching his as hard as her little arms could. Isaac pulled her hair in turn, which only angered Flora more. Their fight had made a crowed of the older students gather around. Some even started to chant, "Fight! Fight! Fight!". But one of the older girls (a girl named Roberta, but Flora called Tattletale when she was out of her sight), got their teacher, Miss Lavender. Miss Lavender ran to the sight, broke the tow kids up, and took them inside.

"I'm very disappointed in you both," she scolded, "You two know better than that. Now why were you fighting?"

"Isaac said dat his parents are better dan me poppy. But they ain't!" Flora told her teacher.

Miss Lavender looked Isaac in the eye. "Is this true, Isaac?"

"Well, she wasn't listening to me!" Isaac exclaimed.

"All right, you've learned your lesson. Now don't be mean to each other. I want you to apologize to each other," Miss Lavender said.

Flora glared at Isaac. He stuck her tongue out at her when Miss Lavender wasn't looking.

"So sorry, Isaac," Flora said with as much sarcasm as she could muster.

Their teacher gave her a look. "Nicely Flora."

She sighed. I'm sorry, Isaac."

"Good. Now Isaac."

"Sorry, Flora."

"Good. Now I want you two to sit next to each other for the rest of the day," said Miss Lavender.

Their jaws dropped. They had to sit next to each other? Ew! This was worse than Hell to the children.

For the remainder of lunch, Flora and Isaac had to move their chalkboards and bags, so that they could sit by each other. After, Miss Lavender called to the other children to come inside, Flora and Isaac took a seat. They scowled at each other. The older kids let out giggles when they saw Flora and Isaac sticking their tongues at each other. They began the afternoon lesson with addition.

"Darn it!" Flora muttered under her breath.

"What?" Isaac asked her.

"I'm no good at addition! Nellie usually helps me with it. But it looks like she can't now!" Flora sounded like she was near tears.

"Hey! I'm great at addition! I could help you!" Isaac exclaimed.

Flora looked at him. "You could?"

"Yeah! I'll show you. One plus one is…?" He held up two of his fingers.

"Two?"

Isaac beamed at her. "That's right!"

As the afternoon went on, Isaac and Flora went from hating each other to liking each other. Well, Flora felt something she had never felt before. Her heart pounded every time, Isaac flashed her that half-smile. It melted when he brushed his hand aginsted her. The most handsome face on Earth was right next to her. This was love.

"Isaac," Flora whispered, "Do you…? Do you love me?"

He took her hand. "Oh, yes Flora. I've loved you since the day I first laid my eyes on you." He was trying to remember what his mother told him about romance. "But you always hated me. That's why I made you mad. It felt wonderful to be beaten up by you. Do I have a chance at winning your heart?" Isaac's blue eyes looked hopeful.

"Yes, Isaac! You'se won mine!" Flora exclaimed.

There was an awkward silence as the children tried to figure out what to do next.

"Um, do we kiss now?" Isaac wondered out loud.

"Yes, my love! Kiss me!" Flora put her face up to Isaac's.

Their lips touched for a second. But Isaac pulled Flora up close to him. He laid another kiss on her. They continued to kiss until Miss Lavender noticed her.

"Whoa! Um, Isaac, Flora, let's not do that," she said.

"But Miss Lavender, I love him!" Flora held her hand up to her heart.

Some of the older kids started snickering. Flora sent them the death gaze. Miss Lavender did a face slap and took a deep breath.

"Do I have to separate you two?" the teacher asked.

"No! Don't break up their love!" Nellie yelled.

"Just do your work."

When Jack came to pick up Flora, he never expected her to be holding hands with a boy. Once she saw him, Flora let go in order to run to her father. Jack picked his daughter up and spun her around. Flora grinned at him. When he put her down, Flora said,

"Me and Isaac are in love!"

Jack's jaw dropped. "In love?"

Flora nodded. "Come meet him. He's very nice." She started dragging him to Isaac.

Isaac bowed down to Jack. He had to make a good impression to his girl's father. It was one of the most important parts of courting. According to his own father.

"Good to meet you, sir. I am Isaac John Clark the third," Isaac told Jack. He shook his hand.

"Uh…" was all Jack could say.

"See I told you Poppy would like you, Isaac!" Flora was beaming with pride.

What happened next surprised Jack the most. Flora kissed Isaac. Not on the cheek. But kissed Isaac. Full on the lips. And Isaac kissed her back. After they had their moment, Flora grabbed Jack's hand and started skipping away.

It had been a big day for both of them.

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