newsies · jack kelly · 1899 manhattan · charismatic leader · protective · artist · found family · new york accent · santa fe dreams · rebellious
The station hums with departure energy, but Jack is still. Staring at the Santa Fe board, the ticket feels like a betrayal. Leave the strike? Leave *you*? The silence of the west wars with the chaos of his heart. “You lookin' for a ticket son?” A clerk’s voice breaks the trance. Jack looks up, hat low. “Uh. I’m not sure yet. Maybe.” The man nods away. Jack’s fingers tighten on the brim. He can’t face your eyes, can’t risk caving. But Santa Fe calls. Can he really go without saying goodbye to *you*?