- Chapter 100 - Stolen Hearts and Broken Hearts -
Warning: Angst, crying, threats, sold into marriage, Snyder, abuse, anxiety
Modern AU
Third Person POV

A/N, ahhhhhhh!!!! Chapter 100!! Yay!!! I can't believe I've made it this far!! Thank you all for sticking around, and thank you to everyone who voted! I'm gonna try to get the other chapters out soon. This is angsty (with a happy ending), but it's less like bloody angst than it is emotional. Enjoy!!!

Alone.

Race felt alone.

He felt alone a lot, but he especially felt alone now.

His crush and best friend, Albert...

He broke his heart and Race hated himself for doing that to the redhead.

But he had to.

"Anthony!" George Higgins shouts from the living room of his house. "Get in here!" He yells.

Race gets up hastily, putting his homework book down. He knew not to anger his father. He quickly leaves the room he called his own and goes into the living room.

Race stops in his tracks when he exits his room, the door shut behind him.

His father was there, which wasn't unusual, but so was Snyder, a man Race had never met, Oscar and Morris Delancey, and a girl.

The girl was about Race's height, if not a tiny bit taller. She had blonde hair and blue eyes; close to Race's, though they somehow looked completely different otherwise. She had some makeup on and was wearing a semi-fancy white dress.

Race's eyes widen. Snyder...

George Higgins grins evilly. "Anthony," he starts.

"Antonio." Race whispers, still looking at the people in the room.

George Higgins frowns. "Shut your mouth unless you've been told to speak, boy." He growls out.

Race got the hint and shut his mouth.

The girl looks at George Higgins and rests her arm gently on his. "Mr. Higgins, if I may," she starts.

George looks over at her. He nods.

"Maybe we should call him Antonio." The girl suggests. "That way he'll be a little more obedient." She says, the smile on her face making Race feel the slightest bit of uneasiness, but he figured that was just because he had a hard time trusting people.

Race scowls slightly. I'm not a dog who's taught to be obedient, he thinks to himself, though he knew not to say that out loud, especially not with Snyder there.

George nods. "Alright, then." He looks at Race. "Antonio,"

Race could hear his hesitation and disgust saying his real name.

"This is Madison." George Higgins informs him. "She is your girlfriend and will be your wife when you are eighteen." He tells him.

Race's eyes widen in shock. "What?!" He exclaims.

"Do not raise your voice at me." George Higgins warns him.

"Damn right, I will!" Race shouts, appalled. "I'm not just something you can use for money, father!" He exclaims. "I'm fifteen!" He reminds him.

"And Madison is sixteen." George almost growls. "You will marry her and you will go on a date today, supervised by the Delancey brothers because we do not trust you not to run to your friends." He tells him.

Race just stares at him, his eyes wide. "I could outrun them any day." He responds through gritted teeth.

"But your little pal Crutchie couldn't." Snyder comments nonchalantly.

An audible gasp left Race and Snyder smirked, knowing he hit a sore spot.

"You're all mad." Race mutters, still shocked. "I'm calling the police." He says quietly, turning around.

I should've done that a while ago...

"Defy me, boy, and I will have you locked up in Snyder's care until you're 21." George threatens. "And your friends will pay the price for your actions." He adds.

Race stops in his tracks.

His mind went to Albert almost immediately.

Race loved his beautiful eyes; even if one was green and one was brown. He loved his red hair and the way his eyes lit up when he talked about stuff.

Race loved so many things about Albert, including the fact that he believed aliens existed and how he talked about them.

Race couldn't let Albert go through what he had gone through his whole life.

And Jack and Crutchie had finally escaped Snyder's care.

Blink and Specs were in therapy recovering from their time with him.

Race couldn't let them get hurt.

Race blinks the tears out of his eyes, swallowing hard as he turns around.

His father, Snyder, and the unknown man all smirk.

"Pleased to meet you, Madison." Race holds his hand out for her to shake, his face blank.

Madison smirks, reaching out and intwining her fingers with Race's, holding his hand. "Shall we get going, love?" She asks, looking down at their hands.

Race tenses slightly, but forces himself to exhale and nod.

Madison guided Race out the house, Oscar and Morris following behind them.

There was only one thought on Race's mind the whole time; please don't hate me, Al, Crutch, Jack...

And that's where it all started.

Race had seen the heartbreak in Albert's eyes when Race ignored him during the next school day and the anger from Finch and Blink when Madison wrapped her arms around Race's neck in front of Albert, only breaking his heart more.

"Toni," Madison had started while looking at Race's hand and slipping her fingers between his. "Shall we head to Chemistry?"

Race would never forget the look in her eyes when she looked up at him after that.

Race had no choice but to nod, knowing full well that the Delanceys were right behind him.

That's what lead to where Race was right now.

Race was sat with Katherine at a table in the library.

Bunsen, someone else who was in on this plan, was supervising, but if they whispered, he couldn't hear them and he wasn't looking at them at the moment.

Katherine had also been forced into a relationship, but her partner, Bill Hearst, didn't want it and he had a boyfriend, just like Katherine had a girlfriend.

Race buries his head in his hands. "It just hurts." He whispers, his heart feeling more like it was broken by the second. "I can't look him in the eye and I hate it when she touches me in anyway. It feels like she's burning me when she wraps her arms around my neck." He shudders at the mention.

Katherine frowns. "I'm sorry, Racer." She whispers. "I wish I could help."

"They hate me." Race looks her in the eye.

Katherine could see the hurting in his eyes. It reminded her of a broken ship in a storm.

"I saw the anger in Finch's eyes, and even Jo's!" Race's voice gets just slightly louder, but he knew he couldn't get caught. "Spot just looked me in the eye and asked, "what are you doing, cuz?"" Race whispers, tears stinging his eyes.

Katherine frowns as she gently rests her hand on top of his. "I'm sorry, Race." She whispers, gently rubbing circles into the back of his hand. "But I think I have a way I can help." She informs him quietly, sneaking a look at Bunsen.

Sniffling, Race looks up at her as he wipes his nose. "You do?" He asks, sounding helpless.

Katherine nods. "Leave it to me." She tells him quietly.

Race didn't have time to respond before Bunsen looked their way and they both pretended to be doing work again.

But Race couldn't work; his mind was buzzing too much.

Elsewhere

Albert sat facing the window of the room, his face blank and his eyes red and glossy. His legs were crossed and his hands were in his lap as he just stared out of the window.

Spot was pacing behind him.

Davey was sitting in Jack's arms to help keep Jack calm.

Finch sat next to Albert, his fists clenched and his knuckles turning whiter every time he thought of Race.

JoJo, who sat on Mike's lap, tears streaming down his face, broke the silence after a few minutes. "Why..." he starts softly. "Why would he do that?" His voice sounded so betrayed.

No one knew how to answer him, so Davey just shook his head. "I don't know, Jo." He responds softly.

JoJo frowns, leaning his head against Mike's chest.

"He hates me..." they heard Albert's broken voice whisper. "He hates me..." he continues to just stare out of the window. "It's my fault... I have to fix it." He whispers, starting to get up.

Finch forces him to stay seated, his eyes soft. "Albie, it's not your fault." He tells him softly.

Albert shakes his head. "I have to go fix it." He whispers, starting to shake. "It's my fault."

"No." Finch keeps him sitting down. "It's not your fault, it never has been." He tells him.

After a few minutes, Albert gave up fighting against Finch and just laid against him, tears starting to fall from his eyes again.

"Has anyone noticed how uncomfortable Race looks?" Mush speaks up, turning people's attention to him.

"What do you mean?" Finch asks quietly.

"When she puts her arms around him." Mush explains. "I don't think he went through with this willingly or at least not for a reason other than to keep someone safe." He tells them. "What's his home life like?" He asks.

Crutchie, Spot, and Jack's eyes widen.

Albert shoots up, his eyes wide. "I have to save him." He whispers.

"Slow down there, knight-in-red-hair." Henry gently lays him back down in Finch's lap. "You're not in the right mindset to go on a mission like that and we need to be thoughtful so we don't put him in more danger." He tells him.

Albert frowns, remembering something as he stared up at Finch, who was staring down at him. "He loved my eyes..." he whispers, tears filling his green and brown eyes. "He said he loved them..."

"And he does." Finch pushes a piece of red hair out of Albert's face.

A quiet sob left Albert's mouth.

Jack and Spot share a look.

We're getting him alone tomorrow. That's the only way we can speak to him.

The next day

Race was apparently harder to get alone than Jack and Spot thought.

After multiple attempts and threats from the Delanceys to beat them up if they went near Race, the two were back in Jack's room.

"What do we do now?" Spot questions.

Jack shrugs. "As much as I hate to admit it," he sighs quietly. "We need to wait and watch what they do. Study their schedule." He tells Spot.

Spot frowns, but nods.

"But first," Jack starts. "I have someone I need to talk to." He states, looking down at his pocket.

Spot raises an eyebrow at him.

A few hours later

"Jack Kelly," a voice starts. "I see you got my letter." Katherine comments, leaning against the wall as she stares at her nails.

Jack walks into the dark alley. "That I did." He responds. "What are you doing in your dress out in the night, Kath?" He questions.

Smirking, Katherine looks up at him. "I'm on a date."

Jack crosses his arms. "Ahh, with Mr. Bill Hearst, right?" He asks.

Katherine nods, dropping her hand. "He's kinda off on his own now, with his boyfriend." She informs him. "I'm hanging with the eldest Jacobs sibling."

"Ahh, yes. How is my favorite lesbian?" Jack asks.

Katherine shoots him a half-hearted glare.

"Favorite multi-colored hair lesbian." Jack retries.

Sarah had colored different shades of orange, pink, and a few white streaks in her hair.

Katherine smiles. "She's good."

"Now," Jack starts, getting serious. "What do you know about what's happening with Race?" He asks.

Katherine's smile falls.

"Albert's crushed and Race just looks uncomfortable." Jack adds.

Katherine swallows hard. "Race's father sold him into marriage with Madison." She informs him.

Jack's eyebrows furrow. "Madison?"

Katherine rolls her eyes. "The girl he's usually with, that's Madison." She informs him. "Catch up, Jack." She scoffs, crossing her arms.

Jack rolls his eyes. "So... Race was sold into marriage?" He asks.

Katherine frowns. "He's not allowed to see you or Snyder and his father will... beat..." she whispers the word 'beat'. "Him."

Jack's eyes widen. "Snyder?!" He exclaims.

Panicked, Katherine quickly shushes him.

Jack's eyes were wide. "We need to get him out of this quicker than I thought." He whispers.

"We have to be strategic, Jack." Katherine tells him.

Jack nods.

About a week later

Katherine watched Race slowly get sadder and sadder.

She was with him through his breakdowns and she helped him when he was forced to run from the Newsies because of his situation.

She helped him through a lot.

Same with the Newsies for Albert.

They watched him stare at Race from across classrooms and the cafeteria and other places.

Finch, Blink, Jack, Spot, Crutchie, JoJo, and others helped him through his breakdowns and rough nights.

Finally, Jack and Katherine set their plan into motion.

"We'll be right back, Mr. Seitz!" Katherine shouts as she leaves the room.

Unsuspecting, Seitz smiles and waves to her as she drags Race out of the room.

"Where are we going?" Race whispers, the sparkle from his eyes gone as Katherine dragged him down the hallway.

Katherine ignored him, pulling him down the halls and quickly into a room.

She shut the door with them inside and turned Race around.

Race came face-to-face with Jack and Spot. His eyes widen.

Jack smiles warmly. "Hey, Race." He greets softly, his arms open.

Race's jaw dropped and his eyes immediately filled with tears. "Kath..." he whispers, stepping back slightly.

"It's okay." Katherine assures him, gently pushing the smaller boy forward. "We have a plan. You can go to them." She tells him.

Tears stream down Race's face as he runs over to Jack and Spot.

The two boys grab him in a hug as he breaks down sobbing. "I'm so so so so so sorry. I- my dad- and Snyder- and I'm sorry- and Al, how is Al?! And are you okay?!" Race rambles.

Spot pulls away slightly, placing his hands on Race's shoulders. "Albert is gonna be okay, and so are you." He tells him.

Race looks at him warily. "I can't get caught. I gotta go." He tells him, looking back at the bathroom door.

Spot shakes his head. "We have a plan." He informs Race.

Race looks over at Jack, not liking the sound of this.

Jack nods. "When Albert comes up to you, don't run." He tells him.

Race nods. "I don't ever want to run from him again..." he whispers.

Jack and Katherine share a smile.

Later

Race was looking for Madison and the Delancey brothers, which he always hated doing, when he spotted them.

They were waving him over.

Race felt a pit form in his stomach. He didn't want to, but he had to.

That was, until he noticed a certain redhead walking over to him.

Nervousness flooded through Race's body, but he remembered Jack's words.

"When Albert comes up to you, don't run."

However nervous Race felt, his feet stayed in the same spot.

He could see Madison and the Delanceys start to look confused.

Albert gently cups Race's cheek and slides his other arm around Race's waist.

Race stares into his green and brown eyes. He loved those eyes more than most things in the world.

"I'm not mad." Albert whispers assuringly, smiling slightly when he saw Race relax a bit. "I love you."

"I love you too." Race whispers.

Albert looks over at the Delanceys and Madison, who looked like they were starting to get mad, before looking to Race.

Something in Race knew what he was asking, so he nodded.

Albert presses his lips gently against Race's.

Race felt time, and his heart, stop.

All he knew was Albert, who was freaking kissing him.

When time went back to normal, Race heard shouts.

Angry shouts and happy shouts.

(Guess who was who lol.)

Albert quickly pulls away.

Race looks at him, confused.

Albert grabs Race's hand. "Jack's in the car, Medda signed us out." He informs him. "Let's go and figure this out in safety." He tells him.

Race nods quickly.

Race noticed almost all of the Newsies were in large groups (where they couldn't get hurt by Oscar, Morris, and Madison) or were leaving.

Albert and Race run, hand-in-hand, to the car in the front.

And for that little bit, no one other than the two of them existed.

As Race looked at Albert as they ran, he couldn't help but smile.

He loved this boy and he wouldn't ever leave him again.

He'd stolen Race's heart and it was forever his.

2864 Words
There it is. Sorry if it's not great. Also, we're at 17.5k reads!! Ahhhh!!

Anyway, how many chapters should I go to in this book? It's getting hard to scroll all the way down lol.
Should I go to all the way to 200? Or should I start a new book after this? I have many more one-shot ideas and a new book will probably be inevitable anyway.

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