Whew, sorry this one took so long. I do hope you will forgive me; I had to spend all of my spare time studying for finals and working on my Spanish portfolio. But I did pass my freshman year (Cheers!) and have all summer. My goals...finish this fan fiction. Please R&R! xoxoxo

I don't own the newsies, So I will just have to be satisfied with stalking them ;) Enjoy!

I had my head in the clouds all the way back to Manhattan. I did not say a word, but even if I had tried it is not as if I would have been heard. Jack was talking to David the whole time and he looked my way only to make sure I was still following them.

Something about David just pushed my buttons. He followed Jack around like a puppy; it's cute when you are Les's age but this boy is no younger than me. He also keeps trying to be Jack's best friend, to take over my position. I decided to talk to Jack about that later, maybe he could talk some sense into David…before I knocked some into him.

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When we entered the restaurant and were greeted by the newsies and I was motioned over by Racetrack.

"So, Marty," He said when I had plopped myself in the vacant chair across from him. He dealt me into the game of cards he was playing with a few other boys before he continued. "What happened with Spot, eh?"

"Let's just say dat she was blushin all da way across da bridge." Jack butted in, joining the game. There were a few whistles around the room and I felt my cheeks grow warm.

"Look fellas, der she goes again!" Mush teased throwing an arm around my neck and pinching my face. "Ain't dat just adorable?"

"Of course it is, it's me. Now knock it off." I smiled at their good-natured teasing.

"So are you two getting togeddah or what?" Specs asked. I glanced around the room too see that this bit of news had gathered a small crowd of newsies to the table.

"You guys! It's not like your going to be selling it on the streets tomorrow morning!"

"Knowin' dem dey will either love or hate each odder in a few weeks. Let's just hope its love or the whole city might become ancient history." Jack said, getting a mixture of laughter and agreement.

"She doesn't have a few weeks so dey bettah get movin'," Skittery commented. Jack looked at me and raised his eyebrows in a "Ya betta tell dem" sort of way, except David beat me too it.

"She does now," He said as if he was saying something big. "She's going to move to Brooklyn tomorrow after Medda's party."

"Whoa! Now don't ya think dat you guys are moving it a little fast?" Race said with a nervous laugh. I was blushing furiously and I whipped my head in David's direction, glaring at him. He is such a know-it-all! I angrily blew a few stray wisps of hair out of my face.

"It's not like that! I'm just going to hide out their so the, the, foster home people or whatever the heck they are called can't find me. I mean, do you really want me to be put in another home where I would just be miserable?" The room was silent before I heard a round of denials. That would be the end of it. We went back to our card game as if nothing happened, but there was still a bit of awkwardness in the air. It was a welcome awkwardness; however, because it told me they would miss me too.

I looked down at my cards and resisted the urge to squeal in victory. But since I cannot hide my emotions the whole circle folded.

"Oh come on! How do you know I wasn't faking it?"

"Because you can't lie," Jack said with a teasing smile. He looked at the clock and turned in his cards. "Well fellas, I'm out. I gotta go meet my girl."

"And when do I get to meet you girl?"

"When we can double." He tipped his cowboy hat and made his exit. He tinks he is so witty…

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"So what time does Jack normally get back?" I asked as I sat on the creaky stairs of the lodging house tossing a ball back and forth with Bumlets.

"He can get back pretty late. He is always over there nowadays."

"Is that so?" I questioned lamely.

"Yeah, dey consider him a part of da family."

"I see." I do not know why it is that bothered me, but it did. Jack's personality may not have changed, but his life sure did. He had a girlfriend, a new family, and David, his new best friend. They were all just one big happy family, and it got me wondering where I fit in, and if there was even a Marty-shaped piece for the puzzle of his life anymore.

"Well I'm gonna turn in." Bumlets yawned. "Youse waiting up?"

"Yeah. Goodnight."

"Well...tomorrow morning outta be fun then." He grinned as he began to ascend the stairs.

"GOODNIGHT Bum!"

"G'night."

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I awoke with a start when I heard the front door squeak.

"Marty, why aren't ya sleepin?" Jack crouched down next to me on the stairs. I rubbed my eyes.

"I was until you came in,"

"Ok smart-mouth, why aren't ya in bed where all good little goils are at this hour?" I rolled my eyes.

"I just wanted to see how your date went."

"Great, I love that family. Dey treats me like der own, ya know?" I noded my head slowly, thinking about how the newsies treated me the same way. Jack let out a deep breath. "Can I tell ya something?"

"Yeah, what is it?" I yawned.

"I'm gonna propose to Sarah."

"What?" I immediately snapped out of my grogginess.

"Shh! Will ya keep it down? People are sleeping up der ya know."

"B-but why? When?"

"Next week, it's her eighteenth birthday."

"But, why Jack you still haven't told me why?"

"I love her Marty. Why don't you seem happy about dis? I taught dat since you are a good friend and ya are a girl..."

"I am happy for you Jack," I said dully as turned and began to climb up the stairs.

"You know I can see right tru dat. What's your problem?"

"YOU are my problem Jack! I used to be your BEST friend! Remember? But now I feel like you are, your, well I feel like you're replacing me. Not just with Sarah, but with their whole family. With David. I can't even try to talk to you when you're with him! You don't even care that I am going to move to Brooklyn tomorrow. In fact I bet you are happy about it, so you can sell with your precious David. I guess, I, I have just worn out my welcome with you."

I padded up the stairs before Jack could say a word. I shouldn't have left, but I didn't want Jack to see the bitter tears forming in my eyes. Tears from regret, and tears from knowing I just lost the best friend I ever had.