Jack pulled me into his arms and started to kiss me. It was the strangest feeling. Jack. Jack Kelly. Who could�ve imagined?! I remember when I first saw him on tv, and he was great! But what was happening? I should�ve felt lucky to be myself at that moment. I knew plenty of other obbsessive Newsie freaks who would�ve died to be in my �shoes�, but it wasn�t right. I pulled away.

�Jack,� I looked at him hard, and he lowered his eyes in embarresment. �What was that for? What about Sarah?�

�Oh, gaw, Shoe. I�m sorry. I didn�t mean to do dat. In fact, I don�t know what came ovah me. I guess I just miss my goil, Sarah-� He ruffled my hair to show me that nothing more like that would come. �Wait, you knew Sarah�s name. Oh, dat Time Travel, thing, huh. Dat�s how you know.� He grinned, but suddenly turned serious. �Don�t be mad at me for what I did.�

�I�m not mad. How could I be? Jack Kelly just kissed me!� I grinned, to show him I was joking around, then I playfully punched his arm. �So, what are we gonna do for tomorrow�s show? Costumes, or no?�

�Yeah, Costumes will be great.� He nodded his head, to show he was serious.

�Hey, I just got an idea!! Let�s dress like clowns!!�

�Uh, Shoe?� I nodded my head to show I was listening. He grinned. �NO.�

�Fine. You know what? I think I�m gonna hit the sack. I am SO tired.� He nodded in agreement.

�Where do ya wanna sleep?�

�Well, after your little outburst, I definately don�t feel up to sharing a bed with you!� I slapped his face lightly and started to laugh at his expression.

�Okay, Goil. You gots da bed.� He was serious, and I could tell he was tired, because he plopped down on the carpetless floor.

�No, Jack. You payed for this room. You sleep in the bed!�

�Shoe, until we get to New York, we are sharing our money. So it�s your money we used for the room, too. So get into the bed!� I almost heard him say under his breath �before I change my mind,� but I wan�t positive, because he had his head buried in the hard wooden floor. �Hmm... That can�t be too comfortable,� I thought to myself, as I took off my shoes, or boots! and my top layers of clothing. Bloomers and tank tops make comfy pajamas, btw. I felt my heart soften, and threw my only pillow to Jack, and it landed on top of his head.

�Oof. Thanks a lot, Shoe!� he murmered, and I stifled a giggle as I turned off the light.

***************

�Rise and Shine, Sleepy Head!! Up and at �em!!� Jack groaned.

�What�s a matta� whichu?� He murmered.

�What�s the matta� with me? What�s the matta� whichu?!� I laughed at Jack, as I got dressed. It was obvious that he wouldn�t be waking up completely until I went through the whole �Kloppman� thing. Poor Jack. He needed to get back to New York, and it was up to me to help raise the money.

�JACK!! THE DISTRIBUTION CENTER IS IN FLAMES!!� Jack jumped up and started stuttering.

�Whah?! Whah?! What�s going on hea�?!� Then he realized where he was, and who he was with and got upset. �Geeze, Shoe. I was sleeping!� He threw the pillow at me.

�Oh, so dat�s whut you call it. Sleep. Funny woid.� Suddenly he grinned. Then he started to laugh. Pretty soon, he was on the floor he was laughing so hard.

�Uh? Did I miss da joke?�

�Da joke�s on you, Shoe!� he managed to get out. �Youse tawkin� like a newsie!� I grinned.

�Well, afta� hangin wid da likes a you fer so long, it were bound ta happen!� I chuckled. �Come on, Sunshine. Let�s get somethin� ta eat, and discuss tonight�s gig ovah breakfast,� I told him, and led him out of the room, much to his protest. He was whining about something that had to do with shaving. �Shave what?� I wondered.

Read Part 8

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