A/N: Well, hewwo! I am back with another chapter! Woop Woop! Also, go check out some of Anthony Ramos's music it is SO. GOOD. (I personally like Come Back Home, Figure It Out, Cry Today Smile Tomorrow, and Auntie's Basement)
I walked to school a little earlier to return my library books before the Schuylers occupied me. That meant I didn't have enough time to put my hair in my ponytail. I arrived at the school in record time and I walked into the library. I returned my books when the librarian stopped me saying, "You like art, don't you?" I nodded. "Here's a new book we just got yesterday. You might like it." She handed me a book with a very colorful cover titled The History of Ancient Art. I breathed out in awe.
"Thank you," I said, grabbing the book. All of the other books I had checked out were damaged in a way, but this book was new and perfect. I flashed the librarian a large, toothy grin before heading off to The Corner. I sat down across from Alex giving him a small hello before opening my book. I flipped through the pages, mesmerized by all of the stories behind ancient art. I moved my hand to turn the page when I brushed my hair out of my face on accident. That's when we Alex spoke up. "Laurens?"
"That's me," I said, not looking up from my book.
"Your face… why is it bruised?" My face shot up to meet his, a blush creeping up on my neck and cheeks.
"Wh-what?" I said, my hand reaching up to brush where I had my hair covering up. I winced at the pain. I brushed my hair back over it to cover it up.
"Laurens, are you okay?" Alex moved his laptop out of the way to reach over to move my hair out of my face. I leaned backward, standing up and grabbing my stuff quickly before he could stop me. I ran out of the library, tears fighting their way out of my eyes. I entered the bathroom next to the library which, thankfully, is rarely used by anyone. Thus, it was empty. I locked myself in the handicap stall, crouching on the ground, careful not to let my butt hit the disgusting floor. I leaned my back against the wall and wedged my face in between my knees and let the tears fall. Besides, I had another half hour to clean up before class started. I heard the door open. Darn Alex's nice instincts to help people, I thought. I cursed under my breath when I heard him call out to me. "Laurens?"
"Yep," I said, attempting to sound like I wasn't crying.
"Are… you okay?"
"I'm fine. Just need to have a good cry, you know?" I said.
Alex POV
"I'm fine. Just need to have a good cry, you know?" He said in between hiccups.
"Yeah," I agreed. More than you think, I noted mentally. "Do you want to talk about it?"
"No."
"Okay. Just… if you ever do want to talk, I'm here." I crouched down next to the handicap stall, leaning against the wall making sure my butt didn't hit the disgusting floor. We stayed where we were for a long time, Laurens coming out with tear marks all along his cheeks. He used his hair to cover his face, leaning close to the mirror applying some sort of makeup to cover up his tears. We walked out of the bathroom together as soon as the bell rang. We walked to our first hour classes, splitting up halfway through.
John POV
I sighed as I walked into math. Alex really was a great friend. I headed to Mr. Adams' desk and waited for him to get off the phone. I handed him my worksheets. "Thanks, you can head to your seat now." He nodded towards my seat, Lafayette plopping down in his.
"Thank you, Mr. Adams," I said as I headed off towards Laf. I looked at my reflection in the window briefly as I walked. My hair covered my bruise ever so perfectly. I dropped my bag on the floor beside my chair as I slumped in my chair, giving Laf a small, "Hey," before I shoved my face in my arm.
"Mon ami, are you okay?"
"No."
"Why?"
"Meh. Tired."
Class started before Gilbert could start asking any more questions.
Alex POV
I'm scared about Laurens. He had a bruise on his face and didn't want to talk about it… the class went by slowly, like always. The rest of the day seemed normal, Laurens like his old self. Maybe he was tired this morning and fell down the stairs. Who knows?
The rest of the month went by normally just like always, but a month before Halloween Peggy spoke up with an idea. "Guys! I have an idea for Halloween!"
"When don't you have an idea?" Thomas questioned. He rolled his eyes before looking down at his phone. He seemed to be texting someone. James's phone buzzed and he blushed when he turned it on. Thomas failed to hide a smile (they have a secret relationship, I swear) He was wearing his favorite magenta sweatshirt with khakis. He crossed his arms as he sat down in his normal seat at lunch. James took his normal seat next to Thomas.
"Well, what if we dressed up as the Revolutionary group from Miranda?" Peggy asked excitedly. She was shaking with excitement. "I kind of wanted to be Jazzy."
"You would make a good Jazzy," I said. I was silent for a bit, letting a sly smile grow. I looked at everyone at the table when Peggy, Eliza, Angelica, Laf, Herc, Theodosia, Laurens, and I all shouted, "AND JAZZY!" We laughed for a bit before Eliza spoke up.
"I would like to be Phillipa if that's okay with you guys," she said.
"I want to be Renee. Nobody gets to be Renee except for me, okay?" Angelica gave everyone a death glare.
"I call Anthony Ramos!" Laurens yelled.
"Okieriete Onaowadon!" Herc said.
"I am Daveed Diggs," Laf said.
"I'm Lin-Manuel Miranda and no one can tell me I'm not," Alex said, crossing his arms while giving the same death glare Angelica gave everyone.
"Aaron Burr!" Peggy said, getting all upon Aaron's face. He pulled away in fear. "You can be Leslie Odom Jr.!" She pulled away.
"I don't know… I don't normally dress up for Halloween," Aaron said. Of course. He never can decide on what to do. I rolled my eyes and muttered under my breath, "of course." Burr shot me a look that could kill.
"And while all of you are galavanting during Halloween, James and I are going to be handing out candy like normal seniors," Thomas said while inspecting his nails. James just nodded.
"I'm going out of town on Halloween, I am so sorry that I can't join you," Theodosia said, looking down at her bowl of salad.
"Theo, it's fine," Peggy rested a hand on Theo's arm. Theo gave a weak smile.
"I have to take my siblings trick or treating, and we already have a plan," Maria said. Eliza said it was fine as well.
As we discussed Halloween plans, I saw James and Thomas whispering to each other. I saw James blush while Thomas had a big, smug grin plastered on his face. We eventually got Aaron to be Leslie Odom Jr (Peggy may or may not have bribed Burr with money). Herc volunteered to make everyone's costumes. Laurens, Laf, and I all agreed to help Herc so it would go faster.
"We could go to my house to sew the costumes. All of my equipment is there," Herc suggested.
"That's a good idea. Then you wouldn't have to lug it around everywhere," Laurens pointed out as the bell rang signaling the end of lunch.
As the day neared an end, we all split up. Laf and Herc headed to Herc's house to design the costumes, Thomas and James headed to Thomas's house (probably to make out), the Schuylers headed to their mansion all together, Theodosia and Maria headed to Burr's house to hang out, and Laurens and I set off to our houses together.
We arrived at our houses in record time as we were having fun discussing Halloween. I had never really done Halloween until I met the Schuylers. Laurens and I said our goodbyes as he entered his house and me into mine.
"Hi, Martha! Hi George!" I called out as I kicked my shoes off. I could smell Martha cooking dinner. I walked into the kitchen to find her making French soup and fresh bread. "Smells good in here," I said as I swiped a piece of bread. I stuffed it in my mouth as I ran up the stairs.
"Dinner will be ready in a couple of hours, Alex," Martha yelled up the stairs after me, "and we want to have a dinner where you actually sit at the table."
"Fine! I'll be right there," I rolled my eyes as I opened my bag to find my homework. I just started my homework when George yelled for me to come downstairs. I groaned and found my seat at the table. We said our prayers and soon after I shoveled my food down my throat I was headed back upstairs. I could hear Martha mumble something about socializing.
A/N: Phew! Chapter 6 done! Thanks for reading! Please review!
ALWAYS FIND THE GOOD IN A BAD SITUATION. STAY HEALTHY, STAY STRONG, AND WE WILL GET THROUGH THIS PANDEMIC TOGETHER. (wonder what those astronauts are doing right now...)