Well, this is one of my longer chappies. Just read it and review, I'm would give you a little hint but I just don't want to give anything away, so I'm not going to say anything. You'll see after you read what I'm talking about. Something for all of you to know, my parents are going to Germany and I'm staying with my grandparents. Good except for the fact that I have no internet connection over there. I won't be able to post for the next week, so you'll have to hang on. What a bad place to end it for a week. Sorry. LOL. Notes!

molly: Nope this isn't the end, it's getting there but definately at least three more chappies, probably more, more than likely.

elleestJenn: Be patient, I'm getting to her mother. You'll see, she will be coming up very soon, probably in the next two chappies. Don't worry.

SakiSaki: LOL! I got a kick out of your last review about the nickname for your friend. That's hilarious! Thanks for making me laugh:)

Calzino: I promise a happy ending. LOL. Racetrack is my ABSOLUTE FAVORITE so don't you be worrying, LOL.

Rebelchic17: I thought Jack was your man. LOL. Whatever, you switch guys so much I never know. LOL. I ain't usin' Mush, you'll see, just read, will ya? LOL. Luv ya girl! I love how your first fan fic is doing as well. Good start and good job so far! Advice: just don't make it too long, but not too short either. LOL. :)

Chapter 17

"Race, Race, Racetrack!" Jenna cried, standing outside the door of the boarding house.

"What is it, Toothpick?" Kloppman asked, walking intothe doorway. Even Kloppman, the man who ran the boarding house, knew "Toothpick" even though she couldn't possibly board there.

"Where's Race, is he there?" she asked.

"Yeah, I'm here," Racetrack said, evaporating from Kloppman's shadow.

"Is somethin' wrong, Race?" she asked as the two stepped out on the porch and Kloppman disappeared into the other room.

"What would make ya say dat?" he asked.

"Well, ya always meet me here to play and, well, ya know," she stammered.

"I figured you'd be wid Mush," he muttered.

"I wouldn't miss playin' wid you, it's my favorite part of the da day," she replied with a sweet smile that made Racetrack want to melt right there. Her favorite part of the day? Was she putting him on? Then again, why would she? She had a boyfriend now; she had no reason to be fake.

"All right, let's play," he said finally, pulling his harmonica out of his vest pocket. The two sat on the steps just putting their heart and soul into the music. "Thanks, Toothpick." This came after they had finished playing. She nodded. Neither of them moved. She didn't want to break this moment where she felt complete. Whether he loved her or not she felt safe and warm. The two just say there in silence for a while.

"Racetrack, if you could have anythin' in da world what would it be?" she asked suddenly. He just stared at her, looking both confused and shocked at her question.

"What?" she questioned.

"What do ya want the most, I mean, what do ya dream about?" she explained, gazing up at the stars.

"Where did dis come from?" he asked.

"I dunno," she shrugged. "I just wanna know, I guess."

"You're gonna think it's stupid," he said ashamedly.

"No I'm not, I promise," she assured him. With a heavy sigh he nodded.

"I want a permanent box down at da racetrack," he muttered. "I just love it down there; it's so peaceful but yet full a excitement, uh, yeah, like I said, stupid."

"That ain't stupid, Race," she said softly.

"How 'bout you?" he questioned. Just as she was about to open her mouth Mush walked up.

"Hey, Jenna," he said, climbing the steps, bending over, and kissing her lips softly. Racetrack turned away, too disgusted to even look at Mush.

"Mush," she sighed as he pulled away.

"I'll be turnin' in, 'night Toothpick," Racetrack said as he stood up and entered the boarding house, giving Mush one piercing look.

"'Night Racetrack," she returned as he huffed up the stairs.

Racetrack was just about to loose it completely. Every time he even glanced at Mush a fire would be flamed in his heart. He hated Mush and he hated himself even worse. He couldn't bring himself to hate Jenna. She continued to meet him every night and play the harmonica but eventually it brought him no joy at all, it only hurt him to know she was so near but he couldn't have her. One day he snap, but little did he know then that consequences. They were standing in the square, Racetrack, Mush, Jack, Davey, Kid Blink, and the others, basically every newsie except for Jenna Crutchy, and Les. Mush was telling the boys about the last night with Jenna.

"Just shut up, will ya?" Racetrack shouted finally, whipping around and punching Mush square in the jaw as hard as he could.

"Gaw lee, Race, what was that for?" he cried, hand immediately moving to his jaw. All of the other newsies just stared, shocked. Racetrack could get violent when angry but he had never hit Mush intentionally, the two were best friends, or so they thought. Sure, he had acted a little hostile lately but they thought it wasn't that big of a deal. They were quickly discovering the opposite.

"Shut up 'bout Jenna!" he cried.

"Race, what's your problem?" Jack asked.

"You can shut up too!" he shouted, punching Jack a little lighter in the stomach.

"Jenna!" came a tiny cry as a little body hurtled toward the girl, falling into her arms.

"Connie!" Jenna exclaimed, utterly shocked. "What in da world are ya doin' here?"

"I missed you and Sarah," she said, pulling away. "And I didn't get to thank you for giving my brother back." Jenna smirked.

"Where's Spot?" she questioned, looking off in the distance.

"Right here, Toothpick," he said, coming around the corner with Sarah close behind.

"So dis is Spot's sista?" Crutchy said as he and Les just stared at Connie as Jenna nodded.

"Hey, uh, Crutchy, why don't you and Les show Sarah and Connie exactly what it's like to be a newsie?" Jenna suggested, winking at Sarah and Crutchy. Crutchy nodded and the four walked off.

"So, uh, how's it goin'?" Spot asked.

"All right, you?" she replied. He nodded in affirmation.

"So, is everythin' all right between us?" he questioned after a period of silence.

"Yeah," she said with a sweet smile. In a wave of emotion she fell into his arms. Any other time the boy would have rejected the action but he didn't this time. He held her tight in assurance of something he didn't even know.

One punch had turned into an all out brawl. The boys were throwing punches in every direction, not caring who they hit. The police were soon on the scene. The first whipped out his gun and shot once in the air but it hardly did a thing. The only thing the boys could hear was the noise of their own insults. Jenna, Crutchy, and Les were in wonderful spirits only to have them plummet when they came upon the scene.

It was so fast she almost missed it, and she wished she had. Specs bumped into the police man just as he was about to put his gun away. In an impulse he pulled the trigger, shooting the first thing he saw.

"Jack!" Jenna screamed at the top of her lungs, falling to her knees in the middle of the street, pulling Crutchy down with her.