Note: Last chapter!!!! I can't believe it! I'm actually finishing a fanfic! Dude…I should get some kind of prize or something. Hehehe…anyway this is the last chapter as I said before and I do have plans for a sequel. I donno what it's gonna be called yet but I hope all of you will read that too. Well and here's the last chapter.
The next two days went by so fast I couldn't believe it when it was time for me to go. As I walked to the train station I began to question my decision. Sure, I hadn't thought it through really before I answered and New York was my home…but this just felt right somehow. I was supposed to have a family, everyone was. For the past few years of my life the newsies had been my family but now it was time for me to join my real one.
It was early in the morning and the sky was that foggy grey color. The city was just waking up while the nightlife was just falling asleep. This had to be my favorite part of the day, there was just something special about it. Too bad it had to be the early morning. I was about half way to the train station when I heard someone running up behind me and shouting my name. I stopped and waited for Eric to catch up. When he caught up to me he didn't say anything. He just looked me over and then he smiled. I knew that smile too; it was one that had crossed my face many times. It was that foolish grin that gave something away.
Eric pulled me into his arms and kissed me. It was one of those passionate kisses, the kind that filled your soul with a warm feeling. My bag of belongings fell next to my feet as I dropped it and wrapped my arms around Eric's neck. This kiss was different than all the others had been, this one was kisses full of love, lust and something more that I didn't quite understand. We stayed like that, kissing for what felt like forever. I then reluctantly pulled away from him.
"I'se gotta go," I said softy, out of breath from the kiss. I slowly picked up my bag and looked at Eric. He was the only one who I hadn't already said goodbye too. I had told Dad I would meet him at the station so I could say goodbye to everyone with out him there. It was easier that way…not that it had been easy. It had been one of those rare times I openly cried in front of the boys.
"Are you sure?" This had been like the millionth time Eric had asked me that in the past two days.
"Yes, I'm sure." We began walking to the station hand in hand. We didn't say anything most of the way there. When we arrived we saw my Dad and the rest of my family waiting for me.
"Hurry up Kelly...er…I mean 'Fingers!" Matt shouted.
"Ok, just a minute!" I shouted back. I then looked at Eric again and hugged him. Tears were streaming down my face but I didn't care, it was ok to cry. "I'se don't wanna leave you'se," I choked out. "You'se me best friend…you'se da one who I'se love."
"I know…But Kelly we both know this is what's best. Now go on…your family is waiting." Eric released me from his arms and I saw tear stains on his cheeks. I gave him a grin through my tears.
"Well, I'll be back Rusty. While I'se gone I'se wants you'se ta keep an eye on things for me. If you'se have any trouble wid any of da boys just write me." I spat into my hand and held it out to Eric. Eric grinned and spat into his own hand and we shook.
"It's been great Light Fingers, come back soon though, we need you here." With that I gave Eric a quick hug and another kiss. Then I went and got on the train. After I had settled down into my seat I looked out the window and saw Eric standing there with a bunch of the other newsies.
They looked like a ragged army. Their clothes were worn and didn't fit quite right. Their skin was covered in dirt and there hands were stained with ink. Under their arms they held papers under their arms. To some people they looked like nothing but street trash but to me they held qualities that were lost in the world. They were what held New York together and they had done the same for me time and time again. As the train lurched into motion I waved goodbye. When they were out of view I leaned back in the seat. I was sitting next to my dad. He looked at me and smiled.
As I left my world behind me I realized that New York was a part of me that would never die but I was different now. Eric had been right before, I had grown up. New York was my childhood and now Santa Fe was going to be what I grew into. Inside I longed for Eric and New York but I knew I wasn't going to move back to New York. This was an adventure and a life I had wanted for so long but had never known. This was just the beginning of something different and something so wonderful words couldn't describe it. I sighed with the thought of that this was my beginning and smiled.
END
Note: It's done! * cries a little* Dude, you donno how much I loved writing this. I hoped you love reading it almost as much I did writing it. This is probably one of my fav. Chapters in this story…my favorite part in the whole thing was my description of the newsies. I love them so much! Well I hope you'll look out for the second part to this. It might be awhile in the coming cause I'm still ironing out the wrinkles but I'll put it out soon. In the mean time I'll work on my other stories. Thanks to everyone who has reviewed…you donno how good each review made me feel. Well till next time!
Caroline Gottschalk Jackson