Guess who has no self-control, no patience, and writes like she's running out of time? This gal! I was originally planning to take a break (pun intended) and wait for people to tell me whose POV they wanted this chapter to be in, but I got bored and fidgety with nothing to do. Fair warning, this chapter was going to be longer and actually have them walk around the aquarium (fluff will have to wait), but Alex is a wordy dude and is a pure soul who can't stop thinking about Lorin. Speaking of which, one of my peeps came up with their ship name, so from now on, Alex x Lorin will be referred to as Lorex. Anyway, I'm sure none of you came here to read a super long AN, so it's time to get on with it. Hopefully you lovelies read and enjoy, and don't forget to review! (also dropping a quick shameless plug, follow me on Twitter tehcolonelderp if you're interested) ~Shaymie

Alex's POV

Something had been bothering Lorin since last night, and I had a sinking suspicion it was about more than just us talking about her ex. After all, she had spent days locked in her room without eating or sleeping. Who knows how long she would have been like that if I hadn't knocked?

She had been a trembling mess, her sandy hair piled on top of her head in a messy knot, strands falling in her face. Her eyes had dark shadows underneath them and shifted around nervously, like she wanted to be anywhere but there. I had noticed that her phone was constantly vibrating, causing her to flinch each time. Eventually she had enough and turned it off.

And then I somehow ended up falling asleep with her in her bed. I hadn't meant for it to happen. I was just going to stay with her until she fell asleep (she desperately needed it-she had practically been asleep on her feet), but she was so warm, I hadn't felt like moving. So I stayed with her, watching the steady rise and fall of her chest and the adorable way her freckled nose scrunched up occasionally and fuck, this girl was too cute for her own good…

...Which was why I hadn't been able to resist kissing her on the forehead before I left her room this morning. I was fully expecting her to push me away or yell at me or something, but she had only stared at me, her beautiful gray eyes wide and full of… fear? Her lips had parted the slightest bit, and I pushed back the urge to kiss her and left the room before I did something I'd regret. I refused to treat her the way so many others had treated me in the past.

"Lorin, you're not even dressed!" I looked up as the Schuyler sisters walked into the dining room, leading me to wonder if everyone just let themselves in. I hadn't even heard Laurens or Herc knock. Lorin blinked and looked down at herself. She was wearing a pink hoodie and gray shorts (I had to resist the urge to stare at her legs), and shrugged as she stood up. The faraway look in her eyes was back. What was going on with her? Just a second ago she was smiling at some joke Laurens said, and it was like a switch had been flipped.

"We'll help you get ready," Angelica said, frowning when Lorin didn't even look over at her and went upstairs. Laf and I shrugged when she asked us what was wrong with her. That's what I'd like to know. She sighed and led her sisters upstairs to Lorin's room.

Fifteen minutes. That was how long it took for the sisters to get Lorin ready to leave, and most of the time was spent bickering about exactly what she should wear (while Angelica lectured her on the state of her room). It sort of reminded me of those three fairies from that Disney movie. I was amazed Lorin didn't scream at them.

"Finally," Herc grumbled as we saw them descending down the stairs. Lorin blushed when she realized that both Laurens and I were staring at her. She was wearing a pink halter top with polka dots (showing off her shoulders, which were as adorably freckled as her face), jean shorts, and strappy sandals. Her wavy hair fell loosely on her shoulders, with a small braid on the side. She looked so much better without her hair covering part of her face.

"Don't you think this is a bit much?" Lorin asked as Eliza handed her a purse. Peggy giggled and shook her head.

"If we didn't make you wear the clothes we bought you, they'd just sit in your closet! And you look adorable!" There it was again. That sadness in Lorin's eyes as she looked away. She seemed to hate compliments, which was ridiculous. Did she not know how cute she was? Was James the reason she couldn't take a compliment? If I ever met this guy, I was going to kill him.

"We should go before it gets too late," Angelica said as she glared at me and Laurens. We both looked away from Lorin and glanced at each other. I was surprised at the fire in his eyes. So he did like her. I had thought things like this only happened in books or movies, two guys falling for the same girl. Logically, I should have known I didn't have a chance. The two had known each other far longer, and they were best friends, practically inseparable. Movie logic said that they were destined for each other.

But this was real life, and I was willing to do whatever necessary to win Lorin's heart. I didn't think it was possible to fall in love with someone so soon, yet here I was, falling head over heels for a girl that I barely even knew. I knew I would have to approach this differently than I would other relationships. Empty compliments and flirtatious touches most likely meant nothing to her, and she deserved so much better.

We all filed out of the house as Angelica started rambling about aquariums and how she thought they were inhumane and surely there must be a better way to protect endangered species without encapsulating them. Peggy and Eliza rolled their eyes. It seemed they were used to their sister going off on tangents like this.

It was around 2:15 when we finally got to the aquarium. Lorin was in a significantly better mood and bounced excitedly on her heels as we entered, her gray eyes sparkling. She giggled happily as she grabbed Laurens' arm, but quickly released him as she saw someone standing near the bathrooms, looking down uninterestedly at his phone.

"Maddie!" she squealed, running over to him. He looked up with a start and dropped his phone as she practically tackled him. We all followed her, though I could see that Laurens was less than happy about it.

"It hasn't been that long since we've seen each other," the new guy said as he bent down to pick up his phone. Lorin huffed and pouted as she looked up at him.

"But it feels like it's been forever! Do you know how hard it is to practice for the concert without my partner?" The pout melted away into a look of concern as she hugged him again, more gently this time. "Are you okay, Maddie? You haven't been in school for awhile. I wanted to visit you, but your mom didn't allow visitors."

He nodded and looked over at the rest of us, who all had varying looks of confusion on our faces. He raised an eyebrow when he saw me and held his hand out.

"It's nice to meet you. My name is James Madison," he said cooly. He used his free hand to hug Lorin back. I accepted his handshake. I didn't know how Lorin knew this guy, but he clearly wasn't the James. I highly doubted she would greet her ex so enthusiastically. Which I guess is why she called him "Maddie".

"Alexander Hamilton." I glanced over at Lorin, who was gleefully humming as she hugged Madison. How was it so possible for a single human being to be so adorable?

"What are you doing here, Maddie?" she asked, finally releasing her death grip on him and settling for just holding his hand. Laurens and I stared at him jealously, but he didn't seem to notice our glares.

"He's here with me," a familiar southern voice drawled. Everyone (except Lorin) groaned as the fluffy haired prick from school-Laf had mentioned his name was Jefferson- came out of the bathroom. He frowned as he saw all of us. "What a warm welcome."

"Did you forget what you did?" Laurens asked, glaring at him. Lorin blinked and looked down at her purse, frowning as she pulled her phone out. Her face paled as she stared at it for a few seconds before she put it back in her purse. What was that about?

"John, it's fine," she said, looking up at him desperately, silently asking him to not make a scene. "He didn't know… I mean, he didn't mean for me to freak out like that. Right, Thomas?"

"Y-Yeah. I hope you'll accept my apologies, Lorin. I was being a bit of an ass." He curtseyed and smiled at Lorin as she giggled and nodded. That laugh was so precious…

"Well, I don't want to hold you two up. I'll talk to you later, Maddie," she smiled, standing on her toes to plant a kiss on his cheek. That lucky bastard, I thought bitterly as Lorin turned back to us and ran a hand through her hair. I caught a glimpse of the burn on her hand and couldn't help but wonder what had happened.

"Let's go have some fun!"