I gulped and ran over to hide in the darkest shadow of the roof. The voices were getting louder, coming up the fire escape I suppose.

I decided the best and only thing I could do was stay put. I couldn't confront the voices, it might have been the Bulls. 

"All right Crutchie just one more step and we here," I heard Jack's voice mumble. I sighed in momentary relief. It wasn't the Bulls. But, I wasn't sure if Jack was better or worse than the Bulls.

Crutchie's timid awkward voices shouted from what sounded far down the fire escape, "Listen, Jack, I don't know if I'm up for it tonight. My leg still hasn't set right and well..."

I could almost see Jacks compassionate kind smile in my head. "It's all good. You head on home."

"You gonna be alright? The Brooklyn guys will be mad you missed them." Crutchie called up nervously.

"Aw, they can cool it. Spot will set them straight if they give us any trouble," Jack shouted back down. "Besides I'll see you in the mornin."

"Sleep tight Cowboy!" Crutchie yelled up. I could hear him descending down the fire escape. Every time he went down a stair there was a loud metal tap.

I could finally see Jack, he was jumping over the wall and heading towards the exact spot I had admired the view last time.

Just us. Alone. On a roof. The two people ruling Manhattans skyline. It gave me chills and made me feel all jittery but I knew there was nothing to be afraid of. Why did I get so nervous around him? I knew the answer right then and there but I wouldn't admit it till much much later.

I gulped and awkwardly stepped out of the shadow. 

"Who's Spot?" I asked.

Jack stood up confused and fist ready. He loosened his clenched fists at the sight of me. "James, I thought you was somebody else. What you doin up here."

James, right, that was my name now. "They had to make room for the Brooklyn Reps." i explained. He nodded and returned to his place. I came over and sat down beside him.

"You see them streets down there?" He said with a sad heart sigh.

I leaned over the edge just a bit and gazed down into the large empty streets. I nodded, "What about em?"

"I've walked every single one of those streets. they suck the life outta alot of Newsies but they ain't ever gonna do that to me." He stated resolutely.

"Why not?" I asked. I meant it full heartedly too. I couldn't understand what made Jack so fearless, so adventuresome. Maybe we had the same fire burning in our bones. 

"Cause I got the best Newsies in all of New York. Without them I ain't ever gonna live another day. I've got hope too. I ain't never gonna wanna go anywhere else except for Santa Fe and im gonna get there." He said his eyes glimmering full conviction and curiosity.

"It said in the-" I paused, James wouldn't have enough money to buy a paper and he just started peddling them today. I started over again, "I heard from a couple big shots that you had your chance to head out west and you ain't take it. That true?"

He nodded, "Manhattan needs me, so does the Newsies. It wasn't my time. but don't be goin thinking I've forgotten that dream. As long as I've got Santa Fe I've got a reason to wake up."

We sat in silence staring at the stars. "Hey Cowboy," I said finally speaking to him unhesitatingly and with ease.

"Yeah Jamie," He sighed laying down and putting the cap over his head.

"Why did you stand up for me today? I mean why are you doing all this? Being so nice?" I asked.

He sat up and put his cap back on. "Cause, your special. I don't know what about you but you and me are alot of like. You got spunk, brains and guts kid and I like that. You remind me of a certain Newsie named Francis Sullivan that once roamed these streets hardheartedly and all broken. I ain't ever gonna find out what happened to Francis Sullivan but I'm sure gonna make sure that what happened to him ain't gonna happen to not other Newsie ever. Not when i'm King of New York."

I smiled, King of new York. I liked that. I went to tuck my hair behind my ears but stooped in the realization that there was no hair to tuck. I still wasn't used to it, but I was getting there.

We stared up at the stars for what felt like an eternity. After such a long time of silence I whispered in a barley audible tone, "Jack?"

There was no answer. I smiled knowing he must have fallen asleep. So there I was, sleeping right next to Jack Kelly, first day as a Newsie, and having the adventure of a lifetime. 

i couldn't wait to see what tomorrow would bring.