No specific triggers for this one, I guess, they are just goofing around a lot.
After the math lesson, they had lunch. John watched from the corner of his eye how Alexander put his books on his bad and shouldered it. Nervously he cleared his throat and Alex winced but looked directly at him.
„Do-do you want to sit with Herc, Laf and me at… lunch."
A sight smile laid on Alex' lips and he looked in his bag shyly.
„That would be cool, but… is that okay with Lafayette… I mean, I was kind of a dick after math…"
„Nah, don't worry. Laf feels really bad because he asked you something so personal right away… Just show him you're okay!"
With a small smile, John got up and took his bag. They both headed for the cafeteria. All of a sudden Alex looked up.
„I just wanted to ask… Do you draw, I mean your doodles looked pretty good…"
John blushed slightly.
„Yeah, sometimes. I paint at home sometimes, but my dad isn't that happy about that… He said that I should care more about politics. And honestly I do, but still not enough for a son of a US Senator…"
He smiled apologetically and looked down on his shoes while they walked down the crowded hall.
„I know I'm stupid…"
„No, you're not!"
John wanted to say something but before he could he bumped into another guy. Quickly Alex grabbed his arm and prevented him from falling down.
„Oh, I'm sorry I-I didn't look…"
He knew the guy. Thomas Jefferson, one grade above them.
„Careful where you go, Laurens."
He seemed really annoyed and rolled his eyes. But before either of them could say anything James Madison, who stood next to Thomas and just pulled him with him.
„Thomas, we'll be late for class…"
„Yeah, yeah, I know, Jemmy."
They both continued walking and John noticed how James briefly smiled at him apologetically.
„Excuse my language, but who the fuck was that?"
Alex' hand still rested on his upper arm. It felt skinny and cold. Alexander noticed too and quickly pulled his hand away.
„Thomas Jefferson and James Madison. They are both Juniors... Thomas is… he seems rude to most people, but… he can be nice. He is also Laf's cousin, but they don't talk that much."
„And who's James?"
„Always a bit sick, but still a pretty good student. He is more the shy, quiet guy. Like the complete opposite of Thomas."
Alex raised his eyebrow and looked after the two guys. It was funny, their height difference was kinda laughable. James barely reached Thomas' shoulder.
„Are they a thing? I mean they look pretty… close?"
Slowly John shook his head and watched as the two guys disappeared behind a corner.
„I don't think so, but maybe? You should ask Laf, if anyone knows about gossip it's definitely him."
—
George sat at his desk. And he felt guilty. Extremely guilty.
How could he just allow Alex to go back to school?
He was told what happened at his previous school. He was told and just let Alexander, who he should look after, run into a completely new environment without even knowing who in his class was.
Maybe he should-
„George? Is everything alright?"
Quickly he looked up to see his wife standing in the hallway, two baskets with white sheets in her arm.
„Actually not, I-I am worried because of Alex."
He sighed and stood up, pushing his chair against his desk.
„But let me help you, it can't be that I just sit around here."
His wife smiled at him kindly as she handed him one of the baskets. The sheets smelled lightly like lavender.
„Then help he hanging those up on the up in the garden…"
He nodded and followed her to the backyard door. Suddenly she stopped and turned around. With sad eyes, she looked at her husband.
„I'm worried too, he is just fifteen… He shouldn't be afraid of people hurting him the whole time, but he is. He has to…"
—
Alex and John sat both down at the table Hercules and Lafayette were sitting at, who both greeted them with a smile. Lafayette still seemed a bit uncomfortable and cleared his throat as he watched Alex taking his seat next to John. Carefully Hercules gave him a shove with his elbow but still earned a slightly mad gaze from Laf.
„Hey, Alex, I am really sorry… that I already asked something so personal, I-"
Quickly Alex raised his hand.
„Hey, everything is okay. I'm sorry too, that I… let's just forget, okay?"
He smiled apologetically and looked down on his sandwich. Frankly, he didn't feel like eating, the scrambled eggs for breakfast were already more than he was used to. Next to him, John was eating a salad, looking down on his bowl. Herc just nodded.
„Good, let's change the subject, how about that?"
Thankfully Laf smiled at Herc who just put his arm around Laf's shoulder. For a second Laf flinched and blushed but he still leaned happily against the broader guy's shoulder.
Yeah, they are definitely a couple…
Smirking Laf looked again at John and Alex. Alex tugged nervously at the sleeves of his hoody and looked down. Somehow Laf's look was… uncomfortable?
„What, do I have salad in my hair?"
John looked up from his salad and watched confused as Laf cleared his throat and giggled. Herc rolled his eyes and tried one final time to change the subject.
„Have you heard about the Schuylers' party on Saturday?"
„Of course, mon cher! I know any kind of gossip."
„I know, that's why I was asking those two shy-guys over there."
John sighed.
„Of course, but I don't think, my dad would allow it so I'm probably out."
„Aaand what if you sneak out?"
John began to get annoyed, but Laf didn't seem willing to stop.
„Dude, if me father would notice, I'm screwed… and probably dead."
„Then just tell him that you have a date!"
John who continued eating on his salad immediately chocked as Laf said that. His face got bright red, but Alex could not tell if it was due to anger or embarrassment.
„Are you crazy Laf?! First, if I would just invent a date he wouldn't stop bugging me to find out her name. And second… just no. I'll… I'll just figure out something, okay? Now could I please finish my salad?"
Her name… HER name! He is straight, oh my god… And… But… What was he expecting?
Guardedly he turned his head to look at the guy sitting next to him. he was quite tall, well-dressed and… kinda cute with his brown curly hair and millions of freckles. Of course, he was a ladies' man. Frankly, Alex liked girls in a romantic way too, yet there have been moments where he wanted a boy to be… more than his friend… and he hated to admit it but… this happened to be one of those fucking moments.
God, how can he be so stupid? Of course, you fall for the first cute guy that crosses your way and is kinda nice and… cute. Haven't you learned anything? Fuck. Fuck you, Alexander.
And fuck you, John Laurens for being so… wait.
Why is he insulting John? It wasn't his fault…
Maybe he is just desperate for someone to love him and this fucking… cute boy randomly ran into him now for the third time seems just too perfect and…
„And you Alex?"
For Alex it seemed like the thousandth time today he got ripped out of his thoughts. It felt like he just couldn't stop, like the only time his mind would shut up is why he was dead. Expectant everyone looked at him.
„I guess… I could come, I've never been to a party so-"
Shook Laf leaned forward, propping his elbows on the table.
„Wait, wait, wait, wait, you tell me you, a sixteen-"
„-Fifteen-"
„-year old guy, has never been to a party?!"
„Ehm… no?"
„Have you ever been drunk?"
„Not really, I guess."
„Can you believe that Herc?"
John groaned, while still smirking slightly.
„Yeah, people do that, because… y'know actually, it's illegal. I've never been drunk either."
„In France, the drinking age is much lower and-"
„Yeah, yeah! We know Laf! We all know everything about you, we can read you like a book."
„I can read you all like books!"
Herc looked ready to challenge Laf and jokingly gave him a slap on his shoulder.
„Then please Gilbert Lafayette, tell me everything you know about me!"
Laf raised an eyebrow and looked at Herc.
„Is there a prize?"
„I guess I'll have to think about something."
„Ok, so let's start simple, your name is Hercules Mulligan."
„Yeah, I think that is true, continue."
Laf shot John and Alex an insulted look as he noticed how they both tried their best not to laugh.
„Continue eating your salad, vegetarian! And you-"
He pointed at Alex.
„-should just listen, because I'm probably the most accurate source if you want to know something about someone!"
Laf smirked jokingly.
„So I recommend staying on my good side!"
John leaned closer to Alex and looked questioning at him.
„Should I be offended?", he whispered.
„Probably. I'll help you plan your revenge later."
John grinned again and Alex began to like them all more and more. Somehow he liked Lafayette's shameless, funny personality. Hercules seemed like the most mature and understanding out of the group, while John… John was sassy but still so friendly and open, but still… Alex couldn't get rid of the feeling that something was worrying him.
Why do you think you could be their friend?
„If you are finished threatening Alex and John, we could continue our game!"
„Okay, okay! You were born in Ireland on the 25th September and you are currently sixteen, one older brother. Your brother's name is Hugh and he is a senior. Also… let's say you are fond of whiskey but I think we shouldn't talk about that. Oh, almost forgot to mention, you are on the football team and probably future star-quarterback."
„We'll see about that… Anything else to add?"
Quickly Laf thought about it.
„You are bi as fuck, aren't you?"
„Correct, hon'!"
„Okay, now's John's turn!"
John just shrugged.
„If it has to be."
„Sooo, you are from South Carolina and you have a shit-ton of siblings -god, I hope I remember them correctly-"
Alex smirked and couldn't keep his comment to himself.
„I hope so, wouldn't be good for your image as the man-who-knows-everything-about-everyone, wouldn't it?"
Surprised Laf looked at him and then at John, who regarded him expectant.
„Go on, I'd love to see you fail."
„You have two sisters Martha and Mary and a younger brother named Jim. Your other brother Henry is currently in college, majoring in medicine."
„Two mistakes, first my brother's name isn't Jim, I don't know where you picked that up, it's James and second-"
Grinning he leaned back on his chair.
„-Henry majors in law. But please continue, I'll interrupt you if you get something wrong again."
„Okay, your birthday is the 28th October, so you are still a cute fifteen. All in all, you are an innocent cinnamon bun, who was never drunk and always tries to get home with good grades, and your paintings are freaking amazing."
Again John leaned closer to Alex.
„See, now he tries to play it off by complimenting me."
„Aaand…"
Laf grinned and raised his index finger.
„…you are still a pure virgin."
„Whooah, cut it Laf! Now it's getting too personal!"
John's face flushed red again and he looked down on his almost empty bowl.
„Well don't be embarrassed, you'll eventually make it."
John sighed. Clearly, he was uncomfortable with Laf's choice of subject.
„Laf to me it's certainly not on my to-do list for this year, I-I… it's fine, okay?
„Now it's Alex turn, right?"
For a split second worry flashed through John's eyes and he looked up, smiling apologetically at Alex.
„Only if you are comfortable with Laf speculating in front of you about… practically your whole personal life."
„Well, actually I know nothing except that you are fifteen and you're from the Caribbean, sooo… anything special about you?"
„So, ehm, my birthday is on the 11th January and I moved to Virginia two months ago. I like writing and maybe I could study law later. I don't know, I'll-I'll just see."
Interested John looked at him. Alex tried his best not to blush but he could feel his cheeks warming up.
„Favorite candy?"
Alex turned surprised towards the freckled boy and tried studying his expression. It was just an… odd question all of a sudden.
„Just plain dark chocolate."
„Favorite color?"
Just play along, I guess?
„Dark green, your's?"
„Turquoise. Do you like spicy food?"
„Yes. Is this an interrogation?"
„Yes. Want to continue?"
Alex shrugged.
„Sure."
„Favorite animal?"
„Don't know, honestly."
„Doesn't count. Everyone has one, even Herc."
„And that is?"
„Horse."
Laf snickered and seemed to desperately hold back a laugh.
„He fucks them."
„Excuse me, what?"
Confused Alex turned to Hercules who looked annoyed at the laughing Laf.
„Stupid inside joke… and terrible misunderstanding…", he mumbled.
„So, what's your answer?"
Alex turned back to John, who grinned brightly.
„Dogs, I guess."
„Turtle."
„Really?"
„Really. They are like the most majestic animals on earth."
„That's kinda true."
„Yeah, like no matter what kind of turtle, all their shells are just so pretty!"
Laf groaned in annoyance but still grinned.
„Could you please stop flirting, you two?"
Alarmed they both turned around and look at Laf. Somehow Alex couldn't hold himself back this time. No, he did not want to admit that he maybe had a tiny… crush on John. He would reject him anyway so what was even the fucking point?
Carefully he took a long breath.
„What exactly do you classify as flirting? I mean does it seem like I'm flirting with him. If I was indeed flirting I would go more for compliments but have I complimented him? No. Unless you count it as a compliment if I tell him that my favorite sweet is dark chocolate. It would be a compliment I said that he was as sweet as chocolate, but I did not. And honestly, it wouldn't fit because dark chocolate is anything but sweet. Thus either my flirting is bad or you misinterpreted the whole situation. And I have the feeling that my flirting isn't that bad-"
Quickly he glanced at John next to him who's face color resembled the one of a tomato. For his blood pressure's sake, he decided to stop.
You have gone far enough, Alexander! I mean you basically confirmed that you were trying to flirt with him, you dumbass!
„-God, sometimes I get over… overexcited and can't keep my mouth shut… I'm so sorry, I-I never had a group of friends before…"
Friends… friends?! No, they are not your friends! No one wants a broken, orphan immigrant as a friend!
Laf chuckled quietly.
„God, you'll have your fun with Aaron if you ever get to meet him!"
Herc joined in.
„Or Angelica."
Alex turned again to John who's cheeks still had a slightly pinkish tone to them.
„Who is Aaron?"
„He-he is a sophomore like us and honestly he is kinda arrogant. But he's always up for discussions, even though he often looses because he responds not quickly enough. His girlfriend is Theodosia Bartow, so better stay away from her or he'll beat your ass."
„Speaking out of experience?"
„No, but Herc can."
Curiously Alex looked at him. Herc, taller than Laf, got beaten up by someone? His posture reminded him of… Mr. Washington. Alex felt like he suddenly got cold and he remembered what his situation was.
God, was he actually stupid? What is he even doing here? Goofing around with guys ten times stronger and taller than him? Surely Herc would… No, don't think like that, Herc would never… would he?
„Yeah, not beaten up, but after I asked her out to the school dance summer last year he came up to me and… let's just say he I can be the scariest person at this school."
„After my dear cousin maybe."
Nervously John cleared his throat.
„Thomas is not as bad as you all say…"
Immediately Herc and Laf turned to John.
„Ehm, excusez-moi, mon cher, mais il est un con arrogant."
John rolled his eyes.
„Je sais, Laf, je sais…"
Herc coughed quietly and shot Alex a helpless look, who just shrugged. He spoke French, but he was not sure if he should tell him what he just heard.
Laf is obviously fluent in French, but John is too?
„I don't speak French, can someone please translate?"
„I said nothing surprising, just that Thomas is an asshole."
„And Angelica?"
Alex couldn't help but be curious.
„The oldest out of the Schuyler sisters, she's a senior like my brother Hugh. They have a few classes together. She is… sassy, to say it nice, and a damn cool feminist."
„She has two younger sisters", Laf intervened, „Eliza and Peggy. Eliza is also a sophomore and Peggy is a freshman. I think you would like Eliza, frankly, everyone does. She's sweet and polite and just generally pretty easy to get along with. And Peggy-"
Laf looked like he was desperately trying to remember something about her.
„Actually, the two people that I know the least about are you and Peggy. From what I heard she's funny but I don't talk that much with freshmen… but regardless, we are going to this party together alright?"
Just as Alex opened his mouth to say something Laf raised his hand.
„No, and you don't need to worry about invitations or that shit. It's a Schuyler party so everyone is invited, mon ami!"
First of all, sorry that I always take so long to update. I am a mess. But thank you so much for all the nice reviews I've received so far, I don't know why I deserved them... and thanks for 150 visitors! It's weird, I never thought anyone would ready my stuff...
Also, my big sister's girlfriend found out about this account sooo... hi, Lina...
