Mornin', gents!

Review Responses:

Huffelpufdraws: *joins your screaming* Yeah, once again, PEOPLE NEED TO COMMUNICATE! And Specs actually did, so yay! I'M GLAD YOU LOVED IT! (And on that last part of your review, I know you don't hate Spromeo. My 1 am brain was just lazy and decided to generalize. Please continue making Splossom content because I live for that.)

Emz: This is the shortest review you've ever left, and I don't know what to do with it. But yeah! GAY!

citysfinallysleeping: (Chapter 43) Yep, I updated! And I'm about to again! As usual, no pressure, take all the time you need catching up. You said you were sick, so I hope you feel better! And finally, the Jack and Sarah thing: the way I have it in this universe is they had a few moments together but never actually dated, so the Jacobs parents don't know who he is. If you need elaboration on that, you're welcome to message me! And yeah, stan Esther Jacobs. (Chapter 44) TB really should go into counseling. (Chapter 45) And with that assessment, Mak wins funniest review again. (Chapter 46) *hugs Race with you* (Chapter 47) Sprace? May-be... (Chapter 48) We wouldn't want Crutchie to get in trouble. That would be bad. Shame he's in trouble already... *leaves the country before you get to chapter 50* (Chapter 49) Yay! I'm glad you loved it!

Dylan Quagmir: How dare that robotics tournament interrupt your review. But also, I hope it went well! Yes, I posted at 1:30 am because I was too awake coming back from the dance. Would've been slightly earlier but my friend called me in the middle of editing. Anyway, I'll write sixth grade Blush for you someday, I'm sure. At the very least, I can do headcanons.

Happy reading!

Chapter 58- Mush

Tuesday, September 21, 1999, 11:30 a.m.

Another morning, another meeting. That seemed to be the pattern these days. This time they had all gathered in the theater, sitting in a blobby circle on the stage. Mush was trying not to think about how much homework he would have to catch up on when the strike ended. Although he could easily tell himself not to care if he fell behind, he'd always had goody-two-shoes values in him, and that wasn't going away. His foster parents expected the best from him and he hated to let them down. But Mush also hated to disappoint his friends. The newsies outweighed his foster family in practically every situation, which may or may not have been entirely because of Blink. The power of one's boyfriend was just too great sometimes.

In fact, Blink was so powerful- and had such a beautiful face- that Mush was only now realizing he hadn't heard a word any of the Jacobs siblings had said for the past five minutes. But if he was lucky, maybe it had just been Les talking about his "girlfriend".

"Mushy Mush Nick," Blink poked Mush's face to get his attention. "You alive?"

"Maybe, maybe not." Mush poked Blink's forehead in retaliation. Blink was unable to move and escape, as he was stuck under Mush's head in his lap. "Maybe I need the kiss of life."

This was willingly given and just as willingly received, while all the others groaned.

Tommy Boy finally ended the spectacle by grabbing Mush's hair and tearing his face away from Blink's.

"Hey, harsh!" Mush cried out. Tommy Boy just shrugged.

"It was well deserved," said Sarah, although no one had asked her opinion.

Nearby, Specs nodded. "You two are disgusting."

"Even I agree on that," Les said.

"Oh, just you wait," Blink told him. "Soon enough you'll be wanting to do the same with Sally."

"Anyway!" Davey cut in suddenly, "Mush, if you head over later d'ya think you can get any newsies from Harlem on board with the rally?"

"I s'pose I could try. Can I bring Blink?"

"...Fine."

Tommy Boy offered, "I'll keep 'em on track, Dave."

"Hey, me too!" Sarah announced.

Mush looked at her, imperturbed. "Actually, I think we're good-"

"Naw, Sarah, you're welcome ta come," Tommy Boy interrupted. "Four is better than three."

"In what way?" Blink asked.

"Y'know... we can, uh, cover more ground. Harlem's a big place."

"Yeah, and we know our way around it. She doesn't."

Mush agreed, "She'll only slow us down."

"So we pair off," reasoned Tommy Boy, looking cross. "You an' Blink, me an' Sarah."

"What's the point in her comin' along when you could work by yourself?"

"What's with you bein' so against her comin'?"

"I ain't against it, I'm just saying it's not necessary."

"It is necessary. She can do the talking with the Harlemers."

"So could Les," Blink pointed out.

"Les has a date, he's busy."

"And if you don't mind my asking," Sarah said, looking at both Blink and Mush with great offense, "the hell does it matter to you if I come?"

Blink pondered this. "Well I dunno Mush's thoughts, but my question is 'why'. Like, why do you feel the need ta come? Wouldn't you rather work with yer brothers or Katherine?"

Sarah shrugged. "Maybe I want to get to know the rest of you better. If I'm part a' this team I might as well know who I'm striking with, right?"

"It's just... random." Mush told her, "You barely cared about this before, I mean, you were just kinda here, in the background. But then you bring Jack back, and suddenly it's like yer such a major person- oh."

"Oh!" Blink echoed, catching onto what Mush had. "You have a crush on Jack!"

"Yeah..." Sarah rolled her eyes. "Because the only way anyone with a brain becomes part of this group is by having a crush on Jack."

On either side of her, Davey and Katherine's heads rapidly turned, and they both asked "What?" in unison.

Sarah smirked. "I said what I said."

Buttons raised their hand. "But does Crutchie have a brain?"

"Yes," answered Henry and Specs immediately.

At the same time, Race and Albert both said, "No."

"So the jury's still out on that," Jojo concluded.

"We can run an IQ test on 'im when he gets back," Romeo joked.

"Or Jack could be the tiebreaker," said Sarah.

Les teased, "Yeah, your true loooove!" Sarah made a growling noise at him.

Spot raised his hand. "I'd actually like ta put my vote in fer Crutchie havin' a brain."

Mush started, "But you've never met-"

"Not that I know 'im well or anythin', but anyone's smarter than Jack," added Spot, getting a laugh from everyone.

Well, almost everyone. Davey stated, "You laugh, but Jackie's the reason we're all here."

Kath concurred, "Including Sarah."

"Because I hate him!" she protested before anyone could insinuate more.

To her dismay, Blink insinuated anyway. "That's exactly what someone with a crush on Jack would say."

"Sorry..." Katherine giggled as Sarah made a frustrated noise.

"Katherine, stop making me look bad!"

Tommy Boy asked, "Ya sure you don't got a crush on Jack?"

"Absolutely sure."

"Because that proves it," remarked Mush.

"Oh, shut up, Mushell. Go kiss your boyfriend."

"Why didn't you suggest that sooner?" Mush grabbed the back of Blink's neck to pull him closer.

Before that could happen again, Tommy Boy swatted his head. "Stop it. She didn't mean literally."

"Yes she did," said Blink.

"She didn't. Didja, Sarah?"

Sarah looked between the couple and Tommy Boy. "If I say yes, can I come to Harlem with you guys?"

Mush studied her, then finally sighed, "I'll allow it."

"Yup, me too," declared Blink. "You might just be alright in our book."

"So is literally anyone that lets youse make out in front of 'em without commenting," said Ike.

Mike added that up. "Which makes Sarah the first."

"Sarah why," wondered Tommy Boy, giving her a look of complete betrayal.

"They accept me now," she told him, grinning with pride.

"Alright then, you take 'em on as friends." Tommy Boy got up and started to walk away. "Enjoy the constant kissing, you won't ever get tired of it."

A look of faux horror crossed Sarah's face. "Thomas, wait! Don't leave me with them!"

"But I really want a break... Got a dog to spend time with, ya know."

"I will steal your dog and never give her back if you abandon me like this!"

Tommy Boy spun around, hand pressed to his chest in offense. "You wouldn't dare."

Sarah narrowed her eyes. "Watch yer back, Tommy Boy."

"If you steal my dog, I'll steal your brother."

"Oh, please do! I'll even give you Les as well!"

Tommy Boy stopped mid-joke, confused. "Wait a second..."

Mush took pity on him. "She's got two brothers, Tommy."

"Uh-huh, I realize that. Now."

"You mean to say you didn't intend to steal Davey?" Sarah queried.

Looking concerned, Davey put in, "I feel like I should take offense to that..."

"Surprised you weren't aware you're my least favorite brother."

"How did that even happen?"

As Davey tried to puzzle it out, Les exclaimed, "I'm your favorite brother?"

"Not anymore," Tommy Boy strode over and grabbed his arm. "I'm stealin' you."

"Sounds good!"

"Was I at least your favorite for the incredibly long time before Les existed?" Davey pressed.

Sarah thought it over long and hard for about a minute. "Hmm... nope, I didn't like you much then, either. You see, I really wanted a pet, and instead I got... you."

"So you've always wanted to trade me for a dog."

"That's correct, yes."

Katherine offered, "You can be my brother, Davey."

Shooting Sarah a scathing look, Davey agreed to this. "At least someone enjoys my company."

"Hey Plumber, will ya take Mike too?" Ike asked, and she nodded.

"Since when was I up for transaction?" Mike wanted to know. "I oughta trade you away."

"Be the older twin, then ya can."

"Eff you."

Buttons asked, "Okay, who's gonna take my siblings?"

"I will," Blink decided.

Mush looked at him as if he'd suddenly forgotten the identity of who he was looking at. "Louis, I love you, but why the fu-"

"What, kids are cool!"

"But eight of them?"

"Just divide 'em up between Elmer's siblings," Henry put in.

"Now that," Mush pointed at him, "that is genius."

Visibly trying not to laugh, Spot asked, "Is this what havin' a family is like?"

Then, in unison with about half the group, Mush answered, "I wouldn't know!" before breaking into laughter.

"Wait a minute," Spot's pal Hotshot spoke up as the laughing died down. "I thought all a' Manhattan had this whole 'we're all family, kumbaya' type deal."

"We sort a' do," said Race.

Albert butted in before he could continue. "Right, but it's kinda Jack's thing. He's da one who's super intense about it. I might call someone 'brother', but that don't mean I'm as close to 'em as my actual brothers."

"That's true," realized Specs, "Jack's got a habit a' forcing it."

"It's funny, actually," Henry said, although his tone indicated he didn't find it funny in the slightest. "He says we're all family like it's equalizing or whateva', then 'e turns around an' plays favorites, makin' the rest of us feel like shit."

"Whoa whoa whoa," Jojo waved their hands as if clearing the air. "Ain't that a little harsh?"

"Maybe so. But it's true."

"Y'know, I honestly gotta agree with Henry." All heads turned in surprise, as it was Specs speaking. "Don't get me wrong, Jack's great, an' I know he cares about us all, he does, but..."

"He's dramatic," Romeo prompted.

"Exactly. An' sometimes I think maybe we're better off without 'im."

"Hold on there," Katherine started, but Mush cut her off.

"Specs is right." He gestured to the group at large. "Youse all saw how well we were jus' gettin' along. An' Jack ain't anywhere nearby."

"Yeah," said Tommy Boy, "where's he at anyway?"

Albert muttered, "Nice a' him to show up today."

"He's around," Davey explained. "He'll be here soon, 'e told me so."

Sarah added, "Last he told us he was gonna try talkin' ta Smalls again."

"That's right."

"As I was saying," continued Mush, "are we really gonna put our faith in some cowboy that hardly cares about most of us?"

"Of course we are! Jack's the one headin' this thing."

Blink took inspiration from this statement. "Actually, I got somethin' ta say 'bout that. Why the hell did we pick a leader in the first place? Who thought that was a good idea?"

"Y'know, that's a fair point," Sarah said. "From my experience, it's best not to have a hierarchy in a group of friends."

"Well sure," decided Katherine. "But Jack never asked to be the leader, that was a collective decision."

"He didn't really say no..." Romeo told her. "Not even before the strike when he got called da leader."

"I'm just saying, the pressure to take charge might not've been just his decision."

Race muttered, not drawing attention to himself, "Maybe we should ask him."

"We weren't pressurin' Jack ta lead us," Henry stated. "He just started runnin' this show one day, and we didn't complain."

"I don't s'pose it's too late ta replace him?" Mush was only half-joking with this question. "From what I've seen lately, Spot and Specs an' Davey 'ave been doing one hell of a job leadin' together."

"An' Dave, didn't ya say Jack didn't really wanna come back?" Blink wondered.

"I- Yes, but once we told him you guys needed him, he was on board-"

"Aw, we don' really need Jack, do we fellas?"

"Not desperately," admitted Specs. Most of the others echoed his sentiment.

"Guys," came Race's voice. No one paid him any attention.

"So it's settled then," Mush declared. "Are we gonna keep lettin' Jack Kelly keep us in check or strike without 'im?"

"Mush, don't-" Race began to say, a bit louder now, but his voice was drowned out by seventy percent of people present.

"STRIKE!"

"Manhattan newsies?"

"Carryin' the banner!"

The cheering went on for a minute or so before Mush raised a hand for quiet. "But fer the record, guys, we all love Jack really, don't we?" Various answers of 'yeah' and 'of course' rippled among the newsies.

"He's just gotta be teased sometimes," Specs confessed.

"An' it ain't like he's around, so no harm done," said Spot.

"That said, I do trust 'im ta lead us more than Davey. No offense."

"None taken," Davey told him, stretching out in preparation to stand. "Now, I'm gonna go try and find Jackie so's we can actually get ta work."

"Good luck with that." It was Race speaking up again, this time with a glare on his face. "You see if you can catch 'im." And he pointed to the wings behind where Mush was sitting, through which could be seen the door to the hallway, swinging slowly to a stop as if someone had been standing there moments before. "Jack just left."

Once again, Ronnie lets the newsies have a good time, before ruining everything.

Although as you may have noticed, there were a couple people not there who still need life ruined for them... find out about that next chapter, that's all I'll say.

I know having a character hear their friends say bad things about them is incredibly cliche, but I did it and it's there as part of the plot, so you'll have to deal with it.

TTFN until next week! (Or later today when I might update Here's The Headline.)

See youse in the reviews!