I woke up to my alarm going off as I let out a groan. I got out of bed and looked at my phone. My phone was blown up with phone calls and voice mails from a block number. I dismissed the calls and then went to my closet and took out my favorite red dress and a pair of my black oxfords. I slipped on my necklaces and did my hair, and make-up quickly as I hurried a knock on my door.
"It's open." I sad as I grabbed my binder and my backpack as my Uncle opened my door.
"We are going to be picking up Alexander shortly. You might want to get breakfast." He said as I nodded.
"Okay." I said as I walked out and walked down to the kitchen. I grabbed an apple as Uncle George grabbed his coffee.
"Ready to go?" Uncle George asked as I nodded.
"Let's get Alex." I said as we hurried out, we got into his car and started to drive. I pulled my phone out and text Laurens good morning as we pulled up to a house. I saw Alex and Philip sitting on the porch, each with a bag in hand. I got out and walked up to them. "Hey Alex." I said as he smiled at me sadly.
"Hi Philip." I said as Philip looked at me with tears in his eyes.
"You are going to be Alex's sister now?" Philip asked quietly as I nodded. "Yeah… But I am also a sister to you also. No matter what happens Alexander is still your brother." I said as I sat next to him as Uncle George walked up to us.
"Well Alexander are your foster parents home?" Uncle George asked as he motioned inside.
"Laney you want to stay out with the boys for a minute." Uncle George asked as I nodded. Uncle George walked past us and leaving us outside. I saw bruises fading on Alexander's wrist.
"Alex what is wrong with your wrists?" I asked as I touched them softly.
"They are nothing…" He said as I saw through the make up on his face.
"Hey Philip could you do me a favor?" I asked as Philip nodded. "Can you grab my apple. I left it in the car." I said as he nodded and hurried away from us. "What did they do to you and your brother?" I asked as I looked at his wrist.
"They never hurt Philip… I took them for him." He said as I ran my fingers over them gently. "Can we talk later about it?" Alex asked as Philip and Uncle George came to us.
"Ready to go? Philip I can give you a ride if you like?" Uncle George asked as Philip shook his head no.
"No thank you sir… The Eackers are coming to get me soon." Philip said as Alexander winced.
"Alexander why don't I take your bag, while you and Philip say goodbye. Delaney come help me." Uncle George said as I followed him to the car.
"I feel like a horrible person. Tearing a family." I said softly as Uncle George put his hand on my shoulder. "You aren't tearing a family apart. You are creating a new one Laney." Uncle George said as I smiled at him.
"You're the one who is the father of this family. I am happy and I am sure that Alexander is happy that you are our dad." I said as his eyes widen in surprised. Alexander walked up to us and put his hands in my pocket.
"Ready to go?" Uncle George said as we both nodded. We got into the backseat and drove away.
"If you want Alexander we could go back to the house and let you settle in for a bit?" Uncle George asked as Alexander shook his head no.
"I will do it after school, thank you." Alex said as we started to drive to school. I pulled out my phone and saw I had a message from Eliza.
"Have you seen Alexander?" She asked as we arrived at school.
"Yeah, we just got here." I texted back as I saw John walking towards me. I fixed my bag and walked pass him with Alexander. John glared at me with Alex as we walked into the school and hurried to library.
"Alex, does anyone beside me and your brother know about you moving in with me?" I asked as we sat at a table together.
"I told Eliza… No one else really knows yet." Alex said as Eliza walked over to us with Angelica.
"We need a word in private." Eliza said as I nodded.
"Think I can leave you to your own devices for a second?" I asked as he nodded. I got up leaving my bag with Alexander as the girls and I walked out to the courtyard.
"What is up girls?" I asked as I sat on one of the benches.
"Me and my sisters are going to the mall after school. We were wondering if you wanted to come." Eliza said as I nodded.
"Yeah, I would have to asked my folks but is that all you had to talk about?" I asked as Eliza sat next to me.
"Well… I was wondering about you and Alexander." Eliza said sitting next to me. "What about us. He and I are adopted siblings. Why do you ask about Alex?" I asked as she blushed and Angelica giggled.
"We will talk about it later." Eliza said as I rolled my eyes and got up.
"I need to grab my stuff. I will see you girls in Fine Arts." I said as we walked back in. I saw Alexander arguing with a guy with curly hair.
"Jefferson you are out of your goddamn mind." Alex said as I walked over to the two boys.
"Ah you must be Mister Principle's little girl." Jefferson said as I grabbed my stuff.
"And you must be Thomas Jefferson." I said as I pulled out my phone.
"How can you tell." Jefferson asked leaning towards me.
"Lucky guess." I said as I texted my Uncle and asked if I could hang out with Angelica, Eliza and Peggy at the mall after school. I heard the bell ring as I hurried out of the library leaving Alex and Jefferson alone.
I saw Laurens talking to Laf and Hercules by the doors as I walked over to them.
"Ah the revolutionary crew. Well three fourths of you." I said smiling as Laurens blushed slightly as Laffy and Hercules laughed quietly.
"Laurens do you think you can show me to class?" I asked as he nodded quickly.
"I will see you guys later." Laurens said as he left them and walked with me.
"About last night…" Laurens started to say as I put my hand on his shoulder.
"Laurens, it was sweet." I said as I heard John yelling my name. I ignored it the best I could till Laurens turned around and was meet being pushed against the wall.
"Leave my girl alone." John said as I pulled on John's arm.
"Leave him alone John, he is only being nice!" I said as he elbowed me in the face knocking me over.
"I will deal with you later." John said as Laurens pushed John away.
"Laurens!" Laf yelled as he got between Laurens and John as students crowded around us.
"He is not worth it tortue." Laf said as Laurens glared John as John stood in front of me. I got up with the help of Hercules as I saw my uncle hurrying towards us.
"What is going on? Get to class all of you." Uncle George said as the crowd left Laurens, Hecrules, Laf, John and myself as I fiddled with my fingers.
"One of you explain to me what happened now." Uncle George said as John spoke up first.
"John Laurens tried to attack my girlfriend sir. I pulled him off of her and she fell. Then his other friends tried to jump me also" John lied as Laurens looked at him enraged.
"That is not true at all!" Laurens and Laf yelled as Hercules told the two of them to be quiet as my Uncle looked at me.
"Delaney, come to my office during lunch. Laurens and Adams my office now." Uncle George said as Laf let go of Laurens and the two boys walked away.
"Let's go to French." Laf said as I nodded and parted ways with Hercules.
"God why did I ever date John Adams." I said as we hurried into the French class. We sat together and listened to Madame Goldsberry talk about we are learning this year.
"It is not your fault. You never knew you were dating a monster Dede." Laf said as I sighed. "Thank you Laffy Taffy." I said as Madame Goldsberry handed out papers for us to work on. I whizzed through my papers quickly and finished as the bell rang.
"Let's go find Laurens." Laf said as we hurried into a History classroom. I sat a group of desk with Laf as Angelica and Eliza walked in with Aaron Burr.
"Hey have you guys seen Laurens?" I asked as Eliza nodded.
"Him and Alex are in the hall. Alex actually sent me to get you." Eliza said as I got up. I walked out to the hall and saw Alex waiting with Laurens. Laurens had a black eye and was holding an ice pack up to it.
"What the hell happen?" I asked shocked as I touched his eye gently with my fingertips.
"John Adams swung at me in your Uncle's office. I called him out for him beating you. He swung at me and called me a liar." Laurens said as I shook my head.
"You called him out in front of my uncle?" I asked shocked as Laurens nodded.
"Guys we should get into class." Alex said as I nodded.
"Let's go." I said as we walked into class. "Let's go." I said as we walked into class.
"Laurens what did you do to your eye?" Eliza asked as I sat next to her and Angelica.
"You should see the other guy." Laurens said as Mr. Onaodowan got up. He started to explain what we are learning and started to hand out our books. I started to open my book as I felt someone tap my foot. I looked up and saw Laurens elbowing Alex. I laughed quietly as I went straight to the Revolutionary War and started to read. I heard the bell ring and I collected my stuff. I started to walk out and hurried to the Fine Arts room where I saw Alex and a girl dressed in a leggings and a bright red tunic flirting with each other as Eliza walking behind me and her face fell as she saw them.
"Eliza you okay?" I asked as she looked at me. "Yeah I am fine." Eliza said as I shook my head.
"Don't lie to me girlie. I know you and Alexander have a thing for each other." I said as she blushed. "Let's go sit down." I said as we walked pass Alex and sat down at our cluster of desks. We started to talk as Hercules started to give beat and Bur got on stage.
"Yo. Turns out we have a secret weapon! An immigrant you know and love who's unafraid to step in! He's constantly confusin', confoundin' them henchmen. Everyone give it up for Yorktown's favorite fighting Frenchman!" Burr said as we all shouted.
"Lafayette!" We yelled as Laffy jumped onto stage.
"I'm takin this horse by the reins makin' idiots redder with bloodstains." Laf said as Mr. Miranda walked in.
"Alright Alright Alright, let's get to work. Lady Commanders let's get this puppy worked on. Take out Burn and now guys that are not singing. "Wait for It." Needs to have everything written in." Mr. Miranda said as the girls and I went over to the piano. He played us our notes as we started to read the first line.
"Who are my altos." Mr. Miranda asked as the girl flirting with Alex and I raised our hands. "Alright Maria and Laney you two will be singing for us first, ready?" Mr. Miranda asked as I nodded. I looked into my binder and started to sing out.
"I saved every letter you wrote me. From the moment I read them. I knew you were mine. You said you were mine. I thought you were mine." I said as Mr. Miranda stopped and looked at me surprised.
"Maria I want you to sing middle. I think Laney will be able to hold that bottom line." Mr. Miranda said as Maria nodded. "Alright my middle voices are Eliza, Maria and Peggy right?" Mr. Miranda asked as Peggy raised her hand.
"I thought I could sing top note Mr. Miranda." Peggy said as he nodded.
"I think Angelica can handle that one. Plus I need your strong voice in the middle line." Mr. Miranda said as Peggy nodded and the middle note girls sang the same thing that I just sang. "Alright once more. You girls almost had it." Mr. Miranda said as they sang it again. "Alright Angelica, go for it." Mr. Miranda said as Angelica sang her part. "Alright Ladies tie it together. And a one, two, three." Mr. Miranda said as he motioned for us to sing. We sang our parts and the guys behind us clapped. "Alright, now I am going to work with the gents now. Everyone tomorrow we are working on the Battalion music and then with our Commanders. Gentlemen let's see what we have so far." Mr. Miranda said as we switched with the guys. Me and Eliza sat and chatted quietly as Mr. Miranda worked with the guys. As soon as they finished their song the bell ring dismissing us for lunch. "Alright till tomorrow my friends." Mr. Miranda said as we gathered out things and walked out.
"Hey I need to go take care of stuff really quick. Could you guys save me a seat?" I asked as Eliza nodded. We parted ways and I walked to the office. I saw my Uncle's secretary on the phone as I walked pass her and knocked on my Uncle's door. He looked up from his computer and saw me.
"Lane, come on in." Uncle George said as I walked in and closed the door behind me.
"About this morning…" I said as Uncle George motioned me to sit down.
"Your friend Laurens told me something interesting about Adams and about why the fight started. I need you to take off your make up for me." Uncle George said as I froze. He handed me a package of baby wipes and waited. I wiped off my make-up as his eyes widen. I put the wipe down as Uncle George's face harden.
"John Adams has been doing this to you?" Uncle George said as I nodded. "How long?" He asked shocked as I closed my eyes
"The entire time we have been dating." I said softly as he stood up.
"Why didn't you tell me what he was doing to you Delaney? I could have helped you." Uncle George said as I shook my head.
"He only did it when he lost his temper. I knew what made him lost it and I just learned how to avoid it. I told that once I leave Mount Vernon that we were done then he showed up here. Laurens was just walking with me and Adams lost his temper." I said as he knelt next to me.
"Delaney Eloise you should have told me I could have helped you." Uncle George said as I closed my eyes.
"I couldn't tell you… I didn't want him to do anything to anyone else." I said as he shook his head.
"You should have only worried about yourself Laney." Uncle George said sadly as I winced as he picked up my wrist."He is already suspended for punching your friend. I will deal with him and his abuse on you soon enough." Uncle George said as I nodded.
"I'm sorry I didn't tell you…" I said softly as Uncle George shook his head.
"I should be the one saying sorry. I should have protected you from him." Uncle George said as I closed my eyes.
"You didn't know…" I said as I sighed and rubbed my eyes.
"Well. You should get back to your friends. Oh before I forget." He said pulling out his wallet and handed me 40 dollars.
"Thanks. I'll be home by five." I said as he nodded.
"I'll see you after school Lane." Uncle George said as I walked out of the office and hurried to the lunch room. I saw Eliza with the others and sat down.
"Laney, oh my god what happened to your face?" Eliza asked shocked as I sat down with and the others and pulled out my make-up and started to fix my bruises.
"These were from Adams." I said as Laurens just kept looking at my face. I pulled out my lunch box and started to eat what I had as I felt everyone looking at me. I brushed my hair behind my ear and finished eating. I got up and went to the library and sat down at one of the tables. I smiled at the silence and pulled out my phone.
"Ah Mister Principle's little girl. What are you doing all alone? " Someone said as I turned and saw Jefferson.