Chapter Seven

Sarah

As Jack neared the Jacob's apartment he felt like he might fall apart with nervousness. The thing was--he didn't know why. He did feel a little guilty about spending the day with a girl that wasn't his "girl" but why did that make him so anxious?

He knocked on the apartment door and it was opened by Mrs. Jacobs. Mr. Jacobs had finally been able to go back to work but David and Les were still allowed to spend time with the newsies and sell papes if there was an afternoon edition after they got out of school.

"Hi Ma'am. Is Sarah home?" Sarah's head popped out from around the back of the door.

"Hello." She said with a big smile. Jack tried to smile back but he didn't think he succeeded because a strange look crossed her face. Mrs. Jacobs left the door and went to work in the kitchen, leaving them alone. "Is something wrong?" Sarah asked as she came out into the hallway and closed the door behind her. Jack looked around and fidgeted with his hat a little bit.

"Na, let's go up on the roof." He suggested.

"Okay." They climbed out a nearby window and then up the fire escape until they reached the roof. Jack went to the edge and looked down to the street. Sarah came up beside him.

"Is there something you want to tell me Jack?"

"Uh, yeah."

"Well..?" Sarah prodded. She was tired of waiting for him to speak. He turned and look straight at her.

"I, uh..." He wasn't really sure what he was going to say so he said what he had said before. "I love you." Sarah looked down then met his gaze again.

"Thanks." She smiled softly. "I know you do." Then she stood on her tiptoes and brushed his cheek with her lips. Somehow Jack didn't feel right inside. That hadn't been what he had wanted to say.

***

When the picnic had ended Race had offered to walk Nicolette home and at that time she had had to explain to him that she didn't have a home and why. He then suggested that she stay at the lodging house that night with them. He said that Kloopman wouldn't charge her anything until she could start her job and then she could pay him back tomorrow night. Nicolette made a quick decision and accepted.

When they all reached the lodging house the situation was explained to Kloopman and then Nicolette was taken to a small room that branched off of the newsie's big, open sleeping room. The boys all said that if she needed anything she could just ask one of them and they would be glad to get it. Nicolette thanked them then said that since it was nearly 8 o'clock and she had to get up at 5:00 that she was going to retire. They all said good night and she shut the door.

Once alone she lay down on the bed and closed her eyes. She started to think about Jack and wonder where he was since he had never come back to the picnic. Suddenly she heard the boys discussing something rather heatedly.

She had always wondered what boys talked about when girls and parents weren't around so she got up and listened at the door attentively. They were talking about her!

"She's pretty." one said. It sounded like Specs.

"Yeah," stated another voice. This one she didn't recognize, "And what a figure!"

"Hey, hey." she realized it was Jack's voice, he must have just gotten there. "We ain't havin' none a dat talk Tory."

"Why not?" Suddenly the din quieted and Nicolette got the impression that Jack and the boy called Tory were standing facing each other in a threatening way.

"Because I says so dats why. Ya got a problem wit dat?" Jack asked. There was a second of total silence then Tory spoke.

"Yeah, I do. I t'ink dis is America and I can say anyt'ing I want ta."

"Not if you plan on stayin' heah. We'se got rules regardin' ladies. Youse talk respectful-like or youse leave."

"Why don't you make me, Cowboy?" Tory asked challengingly.

"Youse already been kicked out a Brooklyn and Bronx, dats how youse got yer name. Youse wanna add Manhattan to yer list, 'Tory'?" There was a loud crash and Nicolette jumped back from the door. It was a good thing too because two fighting boys suddenly smashed through it.

Jack was rolling on the floor with a tall, lean boy with light blond hair. As they tussled, the room filled with all of the newsies that it could hold. They stood in a circle and were chanting and cheering Jack on. Only one boy that stood in the corner with black hair wasn't cheering for Jack. He wasn't cheering at all.

Nicolette had been pressed against the wall and was still there when Racetrack found her.

"Hey! What's youse doin' heah? Dis ain't no place for a lady!" He grabbed her hand and pulled her through the crowd and then helped her up to one of the high bunks where they sat watching the sea of boys below.

The sound of an especially loud punch made Nicolette cringe.

"Race, can't you stop them? Please!" Race looked at her then dropped down to the floor.

"I'll try, princess, though I can't guarantee anything."

***

Author's Note: Please Read and Review! And thanks to those that already have.:_)

~Jessie