Well, things are starting to heat up. Things will be speeding up a little more and then it'll be winding down. I predict at least five more chappies but I'm not completely sure. Enjoy and R&R, PLEASE! Thanks to all of those who do:) I love hearing from all of y'all! Oh, sorry to everyone about that little spelling error at the end of the last one. I noticed right after I posted. LOL. :) Notes.

SakiSaki: Yes, I had to incorporate the harmonica! I hope many besides you enjoyed that. I think I know where you're going with things working at a little too well but I'm about to put real conflict into the story, not just this chappie, although this has a little. I don't know, I hope you'll enjoy the rest. There is more to it, if that's what you're looking for.

Chapter 16

"Well, Mush, that's it. You've loined all I can teach ya," Jenna sighed pleasurably, pleased that she was able to teach Mush all she knew, which was quite a bit.

"Really?" he asked, seeming a bit disappointed.

"Yep," she replied. "What's a matter? You don't look happy."

"Well, uh, there's somethin' I've been meanin' ta do ever since we started," he said, cupping her chin in his hand. His approach was slow, unlike Spot's. She didn't pull away though; oddly enough she allowed his lips to cover hers. Pulling away softly, he gazed into her eyes, trying to read her thoughts.

"Mush," she breathed.

"Jenna, I've admired ya ever since ya came and if you'll let me I can show ya how much," he said softly.

"Mush, are you implying that we-" she started.

"Yeah," he interrupted. She just stared at him. Mush was a nice boy, one who truly cared for her. Being his girl wouldn't be such a bad thing. She loved Racetrack but it seemed impossible that she could have him. She might grow to love Mush if she tried. She still got that longing feeling whenever his lips touched hers but maybe that would do away in time.

"Yes, Mush, I'll be your goil," she said softly as a sickening feeling came over her.

"So ya got Toothpick after all," Jack chuckled as Mush waltzed into the boarding house that night, spewing the good news out of his mouth as if he were drunk.

"Ya hear that, Race?" Mush cried happily.

"I hoid, I hoid," he muttered.

"Ya don't seem too happy for me. You're me best pal, I thought you would be," Mush said, confused at how Racetrack was acting, slumped over, sitting on the edge of his bunk, head in his hands.

"I'm happy for ya, all right?" he shouted suddenly, leaping up from the bed. The rest of the newsies just stared, utter silence falling over the building. "I'm goin' out for a smoke." He grabbed his cigar and stormed out.

"I wonder what's buggin' Race," Jack said.

"No idea," Kid Blink shrugged.

"Ah, don't worry, Mush, he's probably just got somethin' on his mind," Skittery said, slapping him on the back.

I think I know what's wrong. Crutchy thought as he watched the boy tear down the stairs.

"Race, what are you doin' down here this time a night?" Tommy asked when he spotted Racetrack hanging over the face in an attempt to catch a glimpse of the current race.

"Nuttin'," he muttered, taking another drag on his cigar.

"Come on, something's eatin' at ya," Tommy insisted.

"Jenna said yes to Mush," he said softly.

"Really?" came Tommy's reply.

"Yeah," was his reply.

"So how ya doin'?" Tommy asked.

"I hate him, Tommy!" Racetrack cried. "I hate him." He clenched his fists, sorrow and anger flowing over his body all at the same time. It hurt him to be angry with Mush. They had been best friends since Mush had joined the newsies. Mush also didn't know how he felt, he had no idea that Racetrack was in love with Jenna as well. He couldn't help but be angry with him, as if he should have known or as if he shouldn't have had those feelings for her. Spot had had them too but he had gone back to Brooklyn with his sister. More sorrow filled his heart just when he thought of Jenna alone. She was so kind and beautiful.

"I don't know what ta say ta ya that will make ya feel any better," Tommy said finally.

"I don't think ya can," Racetrack replied gloomily.

"Hey, Toothpick, wait up!" Crutchy cried, hobbling as fast as he could down the street to catch up with her before she rushed home.

"Crutchy!" she cried, her face brightening as she looked upon the boy. She was always glad to see Crutchy.

"Hey, congratulations on you and Mush," he said.

"Oh, thanks," she said, voice dropping a bit.

"You ain't happy about it?" he asked, almost as if he had expected this reply.

"I will be," she said optimistically.

"But ya ain't right now?" he questioned.

"No, not really," she muttered.

"Why'd ya say yes then?" Crutchy asked.

"Because I hope I can loin to love Mush," she said.

"Why not just love him right off?" he asked. "I don't understand."

"Because I love Racetrack!" she shouted heatedly.

"What?" Crutchy breathed.

"I love Racetrack, okay, Crutchy? He'd never love me though, so I guess bein' wid Mush is a way for me to get over Race and try ta fall in love at da same time," she explained.

"Do ya think it's right ta use Mush like dat?" Crutchy questioned.

"I ain't usin' him if I end up really fallin' in love wid him!" she cried, storming off down the street.

Oh, Jenna, if ya could see dat Race is beatin' himself up over you.