I sat in class tapping my pencil on the desk, my eyes return to the clock. How is there still twenty minutes of class left? I think to myself groaning. I look back to the teacher who is blabbing about why the quadratic equation should be used for something, I really wasn't paying attention. There were more pressing madders at hand, like what the next big story would be. The bell rang cutting the teacher off.

"Remember the homework is on page 23!" With that, I was out the door. My mind was filled with ideas for this weeks paper, but one, in particular, stood out. I had heard from Davey that he had a source with information about a money scandal, nothing exciting ever happened here so that claim had me intrigued. I got to Mrs. Larkin's room just in time to catch Davey and the source.

"Jack, this is Finch, he says he's got proof that Mr. Pulitzer is using the extracurricular funds on himself." I nod my head and look at Finch. He clearly looks nervous but it could all be an act,  principle Pulitzer wasn't exactly well liked, so the kid could be lying to tarnish his reputation. But if not, we have a really good story on our hands.

"Proof? What kinda proof?" I ask crossing my arms. The kid looks me over and hands me a file.

"I was sorting papers in Mr. Pulitzer's office, I found the school financial records. A lot of money is getting taken out. I didn't think anything of it until classes started to get cut because of 'lack of funding'. It's gotta be him! The records don't lie." I take the file from him and open it. Sure enough, the kid was telling the truth, around eight grand was taken out last month. I look at him again.

"This all ya' got? Listen kid it ain't like I don't believe you but this is a serious charge. We need more proof than just this. I mean anyone coulda taken the money out." With that, I slide the file under my arm. "Tell ya' what, I'll do some investigating and if the evidence is there I'll write a story." He nods and turns going out the door. Davey looks at me and crosses his arms.

"I don't get you, Jack. This story is gold! I mean he's got solid evidence."

"No, he doesn't. Davey come on, you of all people should know that you can't trust one kid. He coulda faked it." Davey opens his mouth to protest before the rest of the boys start to walk in. Crutchie comes in and smiles at us, followed by Race, Specs and Romeo.

"What's up fellas. Mrs. Larkin here yet?" He asks. I shake my head.

"She went to the theater tonight, just us today." He nods.

"Oh, Jack look!" Crutchie braces himself on a desk and shows me his crutch. It has Newsie written along the base of the crutch.

"That's cool as hell." I say with a laugh, he smiles wide.

"That way people will know that I help with the newspaper. Speaking of which, what's this weeks cover story?"

"Crooked Pulitzer Cons the School." Davey exclaims using his hands to show the headline. Crutchie goes wide eyed.

"No way? That true Jack?" He turns to me, I shake my head.

"Yeah, Jack is it?" Specs asks.

"We have one source. That doesn't mean its true. We need to do some digging."

"I could do some snooping, ask around ya' know?" Race says taking out a pack of cigarettes. "I've got eyes in this school."

"We could always ask Mrs. Larkin if she's seen anything. Or ask her to ask the faclity." Crutchie says scribbling something into a notebook.

"Well, then we can get on that. I'll ask some of my friends too." I reply. Suddenly there is a faint tap on the door. Romeo opens it and a girl is standing in the doorway.

"Um, hello. Is this the newspaper club." She asks. I recognize her from my lunch, she's a junior, one year younger than everyone here except Specs.

"Yeah it is, you want to join?" She nods.

"I'd like to." I extend my hand.

"Then welcome onboard. I'm Jack Kelly, that over there is Specs, Race, Romeo, Davey, and Crutchie." I say gesturing to each of them. She looks at all of them.

"I'm Katherine, it's nice to meet you all." Davey smiles confidently.

"Well Katherine you picked the right time to join, we are on the verge of our greatest story yet!" I roll my eyes.

"And what would that be?" She asks prompting Davey to go on a tirade about Pulitzer. She just nods and jots down notes. "Sounds exciting!" Katherine smiles. I groan a bit.

"Okay fellas lets get to work! We've got five days to get the whole paper written and we ain't getting any younger!" We all get to work. Crutchie is chatting with me the whole time. I don't mind it, Crutchie and I have been friends for years. He moves his sandy hair out of his eyes.

"What are ya' working on Jack." Crutchie asks referring to my drawing.

"I'm finishing up the comic strip for this week. I think its some of my best work." I say with a smile. He looks over it quickly before returning to his story. We work for the next hour before my watch goes off. "Okay guys, it's quitting time." I say with a laugh. "See you guys tomorrow." Davey comes over to me grinning like mad.

"We have a real start to the story now. I'm telling you, Jack. This is going to be the biggest story of our high school career."

"If it even has solid backing."

"It will Jack. Just you wait and see." With that he leaves, followed by everyone except Katherine and Crutchie.

"Same time tomorrow right?" Kathrine asks opening her planner.

"Yep everyday and sometimes on the weekends, if its a really big story." She nods jotting something down.

"Well, it was nice to meet you Jack Kelly. Until tomorrow then." With that, she disappears out the door.

"She seems nice." Crutchie says as we walk out of the classroom. I take out my key and lock it before answering.

"Yeah, she seems very nice. Now lets get going before my dad starts to worry."

"Right." He says as we start down the hallway. My head is once again filled with thoughts, If this story turns out to be the real deal...God help us.