Chapter 2- Marliza

Modern day

Prompt: "You actually thought I loved you?"

"Maria, look!" I looked in the direction my girlfriend was looking and rolled my eyes. Alexander Hamilton. Again. For the past few weeks, all she had been talking to me about was Alex.

"Keep rolling your eyes, Lewis. You might find a brain back there." Alexander called, to wolf-whistles from his friends. I turned away, embarrassed. I heard a small giggle from beside me and was shocked to find Eliza laughing with the rest of Alexander's friends. I shook it off, thinking it was just funny in general. I mean, everyone gets burned now and then. But still, it hurt.

"Lighten up, Maria. It's just a joke!" Eliza laughed, pecking me on the cheek. For some reason, this kiss didn't feel genuine. Neither had any of the past ones in the few weeks we had been dating. Eliza would always be distracted by something, mostly Alexander, and forget that I even existed. I let Eliza lead me away towards the direction of home.

That night, I asked, "Eliza, babe, do you love me?" She started from her thoughts, looking embarrassed.

"Yeah, of course, I do! It's just… Alexander was a former crush. I still have a thing for him. But I love you, Maria." I didn't feel anything in those words. "Uh… you wanna go out or something?" She asked a few minutes later. I perked up. It had been weeks since Eliza asked.

"Sure. Where?" I asked, picking at my food.

"The bar? Near school?" She asked, tying back her hair. I was startled. Eliza was never the one to go crazy at a bar.

"Okay… why?" I continued to ask. She didn't respond, grabbing her jacket and leaving. I followed after her, getting into the car and continuing with her to the bar.

"John, you're high." Alexander drawled as Eliza and I stepped in. Alexander lit up like a rocket when he saw Eliza. "Eliza? Haven't seen you in a long time." Eliza walked over to him and gave Alexander a high-five.

"You just saw me this morning, Alex. Calm your tits." Eliza giggled, while I shot her a disgusted look out of the corner of my eye. I rolled my eyes again and ordered something to drink. Eliza was too busy talking to Hamilton's squad to notice me slipping off into the bathroom.

When I finished washing my hands, I came out and looked around.

Hercules was drunk, passed out on the counter, Lafayette was hugging a baguette, I had no idea where that had come from, John was subtly glaring at the corner, and Alexander…. Alexander was making out with Eliza. Eliza didn't drink, so she had to be sober. As for Alexander… if his other three friends were like this, there was no doubt that he was the sober one, ready to drive his squad home.

"Eliza!" I yelled. She turned around to face me, her hair tangled and face blushing. "What are you doing?" I screeched. Alexander looked at me, his eyes slanted and calculating.

"What does it look like I'm doing, Maria?" She asked. I could feel my heart breaking as tears sprang to my eyes.

"I leave for two minutes and when I come back, I see you and Hamilton making out? Hamilton, of all people! I thought we had something! You promised me to be faithful!" I yelled.

"You really thought I loved you? You must be even stupider than you look, Maria. You're a slut, just like what James Reynolds says!" She says, and Alexander breaks into a brusque laugh.

"I am not a slut, Elizabeth Schuyler. A slut is a woman who has many casual sexual partners. Learn your vocabulary." I hissed angrily.

"Well… it's not like I care, right?" She mumbled.

"I-I- On our anniversary too? Fine!" I yelled, walking closer towards Eliza, who folded her arms and looked at me. Instinctively, I slapped her in the face, threw a box at her, and ran out the door, not pausing to look at her reaction.

"Burr!" I screamed, banging on his door. My best friend came out, in his pajamas, wiping the sleep from his eyes.

"Maria…? What are you doing here so late? I thought you were going out with Eliza…?" He mumbled, yawning.

"She dumped me!" I said, finally letting the tears spill over. "On our anniversary! I thought she loved me! I-I-..." I broke down, and Aaron awkwardly hugged me.

"Uh… it's okay… if you want, you can stay here until we get a room reassignment for you." He said. Hiccuping, I nodded.

"Thanks," I said. Aaron gave me a cup of hot chocolate and sat next to me with his eyes wide open until I felt myself drift off to sleep.