- Chapter 3 - Partner in Crime -
Ship - None. It's Crutchie, Jack, and Race
Modern AU
Song: Partner in Crime - Tuck Everlasting (the Broadway Musical)

Anthony (Race, who is 12) sits on the edge of the bunk in Medda's house.

He was quiet, silent. He was scared. He didn't want to trust anyone anymore.

There were two random boys who he barely knew in the room with him. They were trying to get him to trust them and become friends.

"Hey, I understand that you may have a hard time trusting people. We get it, we have rough pasts too. We just want to become friends and help" Jack (14) tries to talk to Anthony, who gets fed up.

Anthony: The Pyramids, The Brooklyn Bridge, The Rio Grande, The Rhine
I've seen the seven wonders of the world...
Can't wait for eight and nine

(He was talking about going to so many foster homes.)

But because of my predicament, my peculiar situation
To keep my profile low, low, low
I'm a one man operation

He bitterly smiles at Jack and Crutchie (13).

Jack goes to speak, but Crutchie stops him.

Crutchie: Anthony! I've got it!
You need a partner in crime
Someone to share in the view
Why see all of the world and all of its glories
Without a friend to tell your stories to?

Jack smirks at Crutchie, as Anthony looks at them. Jack could see the hope in his eyes; he was starting to understand that they knew what he was feeling.

Jack: Someone to stand at your side
Four extra fists In a fight!
Why should the road be long and lonely?

Crutchie smiles at Jack.

Crutchie: Why not team up?

They link arms, smiling at each other.
We've only got tonight!

Anthony: If no one's there to hear it,
does a falling tree make sound?

Jack and Crutchie smile, he's getting it.

Crutchie: Are we heard or seen or anything
without a friend around?

Jack: The old Great Wall, the Taj Mahal,
yes, they all have merit

Crutchie: But this traveling fair could take the cake
because you get to share it!

Jack turns to Crutchie, confused.
"Carrot?"

Crutchie bursts out into laughter.
"Jacky!" He exclaims. Even Race cracks a smile, as Jack cheekily smiles at Crutchie.

Crutchie: You need a partner in crime

Anthony starts actually considering it.
I need a partner in crime

Jack: Someone to share in a laugh
Crutchie: (Someone to share in a laugh)

Jack: Running a race without a pace setter?

Crutchie: I'm out of place

Both (Jack and Crutchie): Without my better half!
With you

Jack and Crutchie turn to each other, as Anthony continues to watch them.

Jack: The fun is two-for-one

Crutchie: And a choc full of surprises!
With you the line moves twice as fast

Both: And no one realizes

Jack: To do whatever we do now will merit reminiscing

Both: With two I finally feel somehow
that something isn't missing

They turn to Anthony, making sure that he knows that he can be friends with them and trust them. He looked like a puppy, he was completely in awe of their friendship.

Both: I have a partner in crime

Anthony: a partner in crime

Crutchie and Jack: someone to share in the view

All three: Why see the world and all of its glories
without a friend to tell your stories to?

"What do you say Anthony? Do you trust us?" Crutchie questions, as Anthony looks up at them.

"You don't have to tell us right away, and there are a lot more Newsies than just the two of us. We're just the only ones who live here. We just want to be friends, it seems like you need one. Soon enough, you'll become a brother" Jack tells Anthony. He swears he can see the start of a smile upon Anthony's lips.

"The other boys will like me?" Anthony asks, his voice quiet. He was picking at his skin, like stabbing it with his nails.

"Don't do that, you'll hurt yourself." Jack tells him. He nods, stopping. "The boys will love you."

"The two of us already do, and you've maybe spoken two sentences to us, and sung another two" Crutchie answers. Anthony smiles.

"Okay. I trust you."

Jack and Crutchie grin, pulling Anthony up and into a hug.

They let go after a few minutes, as the dance break of the song finishes.

All three boys: You need a partner, a partner in crime
Two extra fists in a fight

Anthony: Stuck in a sticky situation?

Anthony smiles, as Jack continues.

Jack: Lucky the trick's collaboration

Crutchie: Why should the road be long and lonely?

Jack and Anthony: We've only got tonight!

"Plus every other night" Crutchie whispers, causing the boys to laugh.

All three: A partner in crime!
My partners in crime!

They finish, hugging each other, Anthony squished in the middle of Jack and Crutchie.

"Welcome to the fam Anthony" Crutchie states. Anthony smiles again.

"First, you need a Newsie name" Jack decides. Crutchie claps excitedly, as Anthony looks at them, confused.

"A Newsie- what?" He asks, as Jack and Crutchie laugh a little bit.

"A Newsie name. It's basically a nickname that describes you, and most of the boys use it because they don't want to be reminded of their parents. You didn't think that Crutchie was actually named Crutchie, did you?" Jack questions. Anthony shrugs.

"I was taught by my mother not to question or judge people" Anthony answers. Jack and Crutchie smile.

"Feel free to question whatever you want. It's not rude, unless it is, but I won't be. My real name is Charlie, and Jack's is Francis" Crutchie tells Anthony, who nods.

"Give is a few things we might be able to use, if you want a Newsie name that is" Jack tells Anthony, who thinks for a moment.

"I've always loved Sheepshead Races" Anthony informs them. Jack looks at him, confused.

"The one in Brooklyn?" Jack questions, trying to make sure. Anthony nods.

"Yeah. My mom and dad, when she was still here and he wasn't abusive, used to take me there all the time. It's one of the reasons I'm so good at Poker, and love betting" Anthony explains. Jack and Crutchie nod.

"You should've told us you like those things. I'm pretty sure the other boys will be siked to have someone else who likes Poker. Maybe you could even beat Spot" Crutchie whispers, looking at Jack, who shrugs.

"Maybe" Jack agrees.

"Who's Spot?" Anthony asks. Jack and Crutchie laugh.

"King of Brooklyn, we'll explain later" Crutchie assures Anthony, who nods.

"Hey! I've got a Newsie name!" Jack exclaims, grinning. "Racetrack, and Race or Racer for short! Do you like it?"

"Yeah!" Anthony, or Race, exclaims. Jack and Crutchie grin.

"Come on Race! Let's go meet the boys!" Crutchie exclaims, grabbing Race by the arm and dragging him out of the house.

Race let's out a yelp, as Jack chuckles. For someone who has a crutch and is barely a year older than Race, Crutchie's pretty strong.

"Welcome to the family Racer. Our partner in crime."

Race smiles at Jack, who smiles back.

1230 Words
Just a reminder that I post whenever I have an idea/can for this book.
I also need ideas. Anyway, hope you enjoyed!
- Sweets/Bree!
(I kept typing Race instead of Anthony lol)