A/N: Yay, I finally got around to writing a little something! It's not much, but its just to get me back in the swing of Newsies. There will be more to come, I promise. Anyway, I hope you enjoy this short insert!

"I'm definitely faster than the both of ya!" Tug argued, a confident grin sprawled across her face. She was standing opposite a pair of newsboys, both wearing identical skeptical expressions and chuckling at her claim.

"Yeah, well...maybe if you was wearing pants ya might, but ya ain't gonna out run us in that dress," Blink said with a snort, eyeing up her Sunday best. Mush nodded his agreement.

Tug rolled her eyes. "Look, I'll beat the both of ya -- even in a dress."

"Ya think so, huh? Well, let's settle this right now. What d'ya say?" Mush asked, challenging her with an amused smile. Blink seconded the idea of a friendly competition.

"I say I'm in," she replied shortly and then turned away from them, facing another newsgirl by the name of Inky, and readied herself for the footrace.

"Do ya really think you can beat 'em?" Inky asked in a hushed voice, looking a little skeptical herself -- her eyes darting toward the two boys.

Pushing up her sleeves, Tug chuckled and shrugged. "We'll find out, huh?" Taking in a deep breath, she turned back to Mush and Blink. "Alright fellas, let's get this over with."

"Down to that tree and back, alright?" Blink suggested, pointed toward the large maple tree that sat about thirty feet from where they all stood. "Who's gonna be the judge?"

"I will," Inky said, stepping forward to volunteer.

Blink, Mush and Tug all lined up along an invisible starting line designated by Inky. Floating through the warm March breeze was the unmistakeable sound of Racetrack's voice asking for bets on the outcome of the race. Pennies were dug from the depths of the other newsies pockets to place on the runner they felt was most likely to win.

Making ever effort to block out the commotion, Tug focused on the thick tree trunk towards which she was running. She crouched slightly, flexing her fingers at her side, preparing to spring forward at Inky's signal.

"Alright," Inky announced after Racetrack had all the bets carefully secured. "On yer mark --"

Tug inhaled deeply. Mush rolled his shoulders. Blink licked his lips.

"Get set."

Blink leaned foward, resting his hands just above his knees. Mush's hand raised into a readied running motion. Tug balled her hands into a fist and rose to the balls of her feet.

"Go!" Inky bellowed and the three runners tore across the grassy terrain of Central Park at full speed; the small gathering of spectators cheered nearby.

The wind whipped against Tug's face as she pounded over the ground, slightly behind the two boys as they neared the tree. Making the turn around the giant maple, Tug willed herself to run faster; she couldn't let them win.

It seemed to work, she was slowly gaining on them -- and with a burst of triumph she passed by the two sprinting figures; the finish line within her reach. She was nearly there...just another couple of strides...but suddenly she saw that one of them had a last minute burst of speed and flew past her, crossing the finish line first.

Tug skidded to a stop once she had finished and slumped over in defeat, catching her breath. Mush was proudly celebrating his triumph with the crowd that had greeted him, likely the ones that had placed their money on his victory. Blink came to a stop beside her, sucking in deep gulps of air to regain his breath as well. She turned her head to look at him, still breathing heavily, and grinned.

"Well I might not've won, but at least I beat one of ya -- in my dress and all. Just ya wait until I'm back in my trousers. I want a rematch!"

A/N: You know I love reviews: they feed my motivation! -wink-

We're carryin' the banner tough and tall!