Hey! Look at that! I actually did something! I'm sorry for the late update but life has been busy. This is mainly a filler but the next one will have the storm I promise. This is starting from before Lafayette's date by the way. Enjoy~
(A. Ham POV)
(A day earlier)
I was running to Philip's high school as fast as humanly possible to avoid my ex-wife's wrath.
I stopped at a red light waiting anxiously for it to change.
I checked my watch. 12:50 pm
Screw it. I'm past patiently waiting.
I looked for an opening and bolted across the road to avoid getting killed.
I heard quite a few curses behind me but only held up a middle finger as I continued on my path.
I finally reached the school, completely out of breath. I tried to straighten my now completely rumpled shirt and my windswept hair. I did the best I could to look presentable before the untimely demise that undoubtedly awaits me upon entry of the building.
Eliza was a sweet woman unless you messed with her family which I technically did by ignoring my phone when my son needed me. Then she became a fire-breathing monster worse than a Hungarian Horntail. What? I'm an HP nerd at heart.
I slowly walked up the steps, walking my green mile. Now that I wasn't in motion, my adrenaline rush only fueled my nerves. I went up to the door and waved to the security guard patrolling inside.
She walked over to open the door and let me in as I shuffled over to the main office.
I walked in and looked around for my son. I felt a hard stare on the back of my head. The hairs on the back of my neck stood up as I felt an unavoidable sense of doom.
Eliza…
I turned around slowly, trying to delay my death as much as possible.
She looked normal, the same as I saw her last. Except there was a light in her eye that anyone else would overlook, but not me. I knew her, that light meant trouble. It meant I was going to feel pain, regret, and unmountable terror.
It meant I was going to burn.
I looked to her left to see a more friendly face. Philip sat there waving me over, he had a sheepish smile on his face as his eyes shifted nervously from me to his silently seething mother, to a pretty young girl I've never seen before yet somehow looked familiar.
"Alexander, how nice of you to join us."
Shit, I'm screwed. She's being nice. It's the calm before the storm… The eye of the hurricane.
I finally faced her full-on with a sheepish smile on my face eerily similar to Philip a moment ago.
"Hey, Liz, uh, I mean, Elizabeth." I stumbled over my words, as I was only known to do around her.
Her smile only widened at my nervous demeanor. "Please, sit. The principal wanted to discuss our son's behavior with us." she said with special stress on the word "our."
I sat down next to Philip as a tall man in a suit walked over with a friendly smile to balance with his authoritative manner.
"Thank you, parents, for joining us," he said with a smile looking around the group. "We seemed to have had an issue with the students you see here, the other is currently in the nurse's office being treated." He said with a small, almost unnoticeable, grimace.
"Wait, why? Are they injured? What exactly happened?" I asked even more confused than before as I looked to Philip, still avoiding Eliza. He didn't respond or meet my gaze as he studied his hands intently.
"Well, if you had answered your phone you would know that we are here because Philip got into a fight today during lunch," Eliza said with an even tone as she gave me an annoyed look before turning to give Philip a stern one.
It was quiet in the room as I considered this information. Before I could question him further, the man spoke up to relieve the tension. "Yes, he was seen punching a senior in the face during the start of the 4th lunch period. We are here to discuss what led to the situation and determine the consequences."
He turned to the girl that looked strangely familiar. "I believe you were somehow responsible for the start of the fight yes?"
"No! She isn't responsible for anything!"
I turned around to look at my son in shock, Philip was not one to yell unless provoked.
He noticed everyone's eyes on him and looked down embarrassed. "I'm sorry, I just… she wasn't responsible. It was my fault for letting my anger control my actions. I deserve any consequences."
"No! Philip, it wasn't your fault!" We all now turned to the girl at her sudden outburst. She seemed to withdraw into herself a little at all the attention but stood her ground. "He was provoked. By George Eacker."
This caught the man's attention as he started to lean forward, his elbows resting on his knees.
"Really? So, technically Eacker started the fight?" The girl nodded. "Yes. He was bothering me at our lunch table and Philip tried to defend me. Eacker then started to taunt him into a fight. Slowly the surrounding people started to follow his lead. They provoked him." she said this all with an air of confidence, not one stutter in her speech.
Hmm, I like her. Philip chose a nice girl to befriend on the first day.
The man listened intently. Then he stood up and turned to Philip. "Is that true?"
Philip was hesitant, but he nodded in confirmation. "Yeah."
The man hummed before looking at Eliza and I. "I will be right back with the determined verdict." he said with an official tone before walking to the back and disappearing behind a door.
I turned to Philip, "So you got in a fight during lunch and punched a kid on your first day?"
He grimaced but nodded his head slightly, avoiding my gaze.
I chuckled with caused him to look up surprised, "I was just like you when I was younger." I said with a smile. Philip smiled widely back.
"Ahem, Alexander? Can we talk outside for a moment?"
I knew this was coming…
I nodded mutely as I stood up to follow the woman to my doom.
Once we were outside she wiped around to face me. "Eliza…"
"Alexander."
"You have invented a new kind of stupid. I cannot believe you! Your son gets into a fight at school where he could have gotten seriously hurt and you don't even pick up your phone?! Philip could have been in a much worse state, he could have been sent to the hospital! And you wouldn't have known because you ignored your phone for an hour! Do you have anything to say for yourself?"
I gulped and tried to find the courage to respond. "S-sorry Eliza. It was an accident, I swear."
She just sighed deeply and look back inside at Philip through the window.
"Just don't let it happen again, Alexander. I hate feeling like I'm the only one there for him. I don't want there to be a day he needs me and I won't be there. He would be all alone…" she said this all with a shaky breath turning away from me.
"Oh 'Liza…" I walked forward and hugged her tightly. "I'm really sorry, I am. I won't let it happen again. Philip will never be alone." I whispered with a kiss to her head.
She took a deep breath and stepped away from the hug. "I know… We should probably go back inside."
I nodded and followed her back in.
"I'll consider it Pippi."
"Hey! Don't call me—"
The last part of that sentence was cut off as we entered the room. Philip moved back to his original seat from where he had moved closer to the girl. He was blushing profusely, but the girl only smirked.
Suspicious…
Also, Pippi?
I raised an eyebrow at him but he only evaded eye contact again. He was very interested in his fingers today.
Before Eliza and I could question him, the man came back in with a smile on his face.
"Good News is he doesn't get suspended or in-school suspension—"
"Yes!" We all turned to see a blushing Philip slowly put down his hand from what had likely been a fist bump. I heard a small chuckle and looked over to the girl who caught my gaze and began to blush.
Yeah, I'm going to have a talk with my son after this is over.
"I'm glad you're so excited." the man said with a look of amusement. "The bad news is we are going to ask that Mr. Hamilton will be taken home for the rest of the school day. We don't want to risk him disrupting the school day of the other students again. Even if it was on accident." he added as Philip began to protest.
I was upset that he would have to go through the trouble of orientation again but there was nothing we could do.
"Alright, We understand. Philip, let's go." Eliza said standing up and walking out the door. As she got to the door she looked back at me.
"Oh, right!" I said with a sheepish smile as I followed them out.
We walked out the doors and started down the stairs to the parking lot.
Then I saw a face that I didn't expect to see.
"Burr? What are you doing here? I thought I left you at the office." I asked with confusion.
He seemed a little out of breath and frantic, an abnormal look for him.
"Hey, Hamilton. I'd love to chat but apparently, my daughter got into some trouble at school."He said and started up the stairs. Suddenly I realized why the girl looked so familiar.
"Wait, Theodosia?" we looked at Philip as he gazed at Burr with a look of realization similar to my own.
Burr furrowed his eyebrows in confusion pausing in his haste up the stairs. "Yes, and how do you know her?"
"She's my… friend?" he said sounding a bit unsure.
Burr looked down at something and I followed his gaze to see he was looking at Philips's hands… which were covered in bandages.
Burr started to walk down the steps, a threatening look clouding his usually calm face. "I swear to god if you laid a finger on my daughterㅡ"
"No! I was just defending her I swear!" Burr looked unsure but backed away as he began to resume his race up the stairs to his daughter. "Oh Theo, what did you get yourself into…" I heard him mumble as he disappeared behind the school doors.
I turned to Philip with a raised eyebrow. "So the first day of school you befriended my frenemy's daughter?" I asked folding my arms to appear threatening.
Eliza shoved my arm with a chuckle. "Stop Alexander. The boy's been through enough drama for the day."
I just raised my hands in an innocent gesture. "I was just curious as to what his intentions were!"
Philip blushed profusely at this. "Dad! I don't have any special 'intentions' I just wanted to make a friend." He said his voice rising in his frantic attempt to defend himself.
Eliza chuckled beside me. " Sure sweetheart, sure." She said patting his shoulder as she shared a knowing look with me that said one thing. Like we believe that for one second. He's totally got a crush.
Philip sputtered indignantly as he went on a rant of how they met and how it had nothing to do with his feelings. He really did sound just like me when I first met Eliza.
Once we got to Eliza's car, I realized I had to say goodbye and get back to my work.
"Okay, so I'll see ya later Pippi," I said giving him a hug. He hugged me back until he realized what I said and sprung back. "W-what?!" I just laughed and rumpled his hair.
I gave Eliza a hug as well. Right before she pulled away she whispered something in my ear, "Take care of yourself okay? Take a break every now and then." She smiled at me and pushed back a stray lock of hair from my face.
I smiled back and nodded. "Okay 'Liza. I'll try." Her smile widened as she got in the car with Philip. She started to pull out before rolling down the window and looking back at me. "Are you sure you don't want a ride? It's honestly no trouble." I shook my head, "No, I'll be alright. You two go on." She looked hesitant but nodded rolling up the window.
I waved as they drove away before starting the 10-minute walk back to work.
(Theodosia POV)
As his parents walked out, I turned to Phillip now that we were alone.
"Hey…" I started off a little unsure of what to say.
He turned to face me and moved over to a closer seat. He smiled and replied the same, "Hey…"
We both started to chuckle at how awkward we were.
"Well, I just wanted to say thank you for defending me," I said trying to keep my voice confident to hide how shy I was feeling inside.
"Oh of course! I couldn't let you be thrown under the bus because of me."
I've finally figured out his type. He is the type of person that always rushes to apologize for things that aren't even his fault. He also seemed to be quick to defend others even if it doesn't involve him.
I wish I could be that brave.
He seemed to be a mixture of his parents. He had his mother's kind, but strict nature. He probably had a few younger siblings to attribute to that as well. He also had the passionate nature of his father which was clearly evident during lunch today.
I did all of this evaluation in a quick few seconds so I kept the conversation flowing easily.
"You mean because of Eacker. It wasn't all your fault you know. Although, you did handle things impulsively."
He blushed at my statement and rubbed his back sheepishly. "Yeah, I tend to do that a lot. I'm a protective person."
"Hmm, so what made you so protective over me? We've only rarely known each other for an hour at most."
He started to blush quickly. It spread from the tips of his ears into his face blending into the numerous freckles. I wonder how many he had…?
I shook myself out of my thoughts just in time to hear his answer.
"Well, I couldn't let him treat you, or anyone, like that. It's against my morals to just sit there and watch."
I became quiet as I started to feel guilty for letting him get taken away like he was some violent angsty teenager earlier. Even though he had acted a bit like one.
"Um, Theo—I mean Theodosia? Are you still with me?"
I looked up startled but relaxed as I remembered I was talking to someone. "Sorry, I just was lost in thought I guess. And you can call me Theo, Philip."
He still seemed unconvinced. "Are you sure it wasn't something I said?"
Yes.
"No, I was just… thinking over what punishment they had planned. They should lay off on you. It was really Eacker's fault."
He shrugged.
"I don't know. But I'll take what I get. Even if Eacker started it, I finished it." He said with a sigh as he gazed out the window watching the people pass by.
No matter how much I was compelled to, I couldn't argue with that logic. I wonder why I feel like I should. He did punch him when he could have left it alone. Possibly there's just something about his protective nature over others that makes me feel like I need to protect him too. Or maybe… nope nevermind, that wouldn't make any sense.
"Yeah, I guess," I replied, following his gaze to look out the window.
After a minute of awkward, yet somewhat comforting, silence Philip spoke up again.
"Um, Theo? Would you, I don't know…" He mumbled that last part out as he fiddled with the bandages I put around his knuckles at the nurse's office. He seemed nervous, well more so than before.
"Would I what?" I gave him my full attention leaning forward to hear his response.
He took a deep breath and faced me completely. His amber green eyes staring at me intensely. They took my breath away and annoyed me to no end. Same thing really.
"Would you like to maybe hang out tomorrow? I'm going out with some friends and I thought it would be cool if you'd come too," he said this all in a rush but didn't back down.
"Hmm…" I thought over the idea twirling a lock of hair that escaped my once neat ponytail. I do that when I'm nervous. Why am I nervous?
With every passing second, he seemed to look less confident than before until he was tapping his foot quickly avoiding eye contact completely.
I decided to put him out of his misery.
"Well I'll have to ask my dad but, I'll consider it Pippi," I added my nickname at the end to relieve some tension. He began to blush lightly as a giddy smile covered his face, although he tried to hide it. I laughed and winked causing him to blush even more and sputter indignantly.
"Hey! Don't call me—" He stopped talking and looked to the doorway.
His parents walked in and looked over at us, but mostly at Philip who was avoiding eye contact for what felt like the fifth time that day.
He moved back to his original seat by his mother all the while I only smirked at his discomfort.
His parents eyed us in suspicion and his father looked like he was about to speak when the man, who I believe is our principal, came back in with a smile on his face.
"Good news is he doesn't get suspended or in-school suspension—"
"Yes!" We all turned to see a blushing Philip slowly put down his hand from what had likely been a fist bump. I gave a small chuckle at his childish behavior. It was kinda cute. Wait no, I meant annoying. Whatever. I felt someone watching me and looked up to make eye contact with Philip's father. I blushed and looked back down suddenly wishing my hair was out so I could hide behind it.
"I'm glad you're so excited." the principal said with a look of amusement. "The bad news is we are going to ask that Mr. Hamilton will be taken home for the rest of the school day. We don't want to risk him disrupting the school day of others again. Even if it was on accident." he added as Philip began to protest.
I could understand why he was upset that he would have to go through the trouble of orientation again but there was nothing we could do.
It seemed Philip's mother came to the same conclusion. "Alright, We understand. Philip, let's go," she said standing up and walking to the door. As she got to the door she looked back at his father that was still seated. At first, he looked confused before his eyes flashed in realization.
"Oh, right!" he said with a sheepish smile as he followed them out.
I waved to Philip on the way out and he waved back with a sheepish smile. I wonder why he seems embarrassed, his parents are great so it can't be them.
When they left the principal turned to me. "Well, we expected your father to turn up as well but he seems to be bus―"
"Wait! I'm here!" I jumped startled as my father rushed inside the school. I've never seen him so frantic, well at least not in a long time.
He walked in and tried to straighten his attire. "Hello sir, my name is Aaron Burr and I got a call about my daughter Theodosia? Is she alright?" he said this all quickly as he walked into the room.
I sighed and responded, "I'm alright dad." He whipped around and finally noticed me in the corner.
"Oh thank god. I was worried you had been hurt. I heard there was a fight and then I got the call so I just assumed―"
"I'm fine dad, really," I said interrupting his rambling.
He sighed in relief and held me in a tight hug. After a few seconds, things started getting awkward. "Um, dad? You can let me go now." I said trying to pull back. He finally seemed to notice he was practically crushing me and let go. "Oh, uh, sorry sweetheart," he said with a sheepish smile. We heard someone clear their throat and turned to see the principal watching us in amusement.
My dad quickly turned to face him. "Uh, sorry about that. What did you call me here for if she wasn't hurt?" he asked as we all took a seat.
"Well, your daughter was involved in a fight―"
"What do you mean? I thought she wasn't injured. Is she injured?!" My dad started to check my arms and temperature. I squirmed trying to get away. "Dad. I told you I'm fine!" I said pulling my arms out of his reach. He seemed unsure but stopped trying to check me over as he turned back to the principal.
"Well, what I meant was she was at the scene of a fight between two boys, one new junior and the other a returning senior. Apparently, the elder of the two was bothering your daughter." At this my father's eyes flashed in anger but before he could speak the man continued. "We hope that it was nothing more than that, but will reconvene to discuss the issue tomorrow. The boy is injured at the moment with a broken nose so it would be best to leave him be." My dad nodded along to this, thankfully containing his emotions before he embarrassed me even more.
When the principal was done, he got up and shook hands with my father who rose as well.
"Thank you for coming. Hopefully, this was all just a misunderstanding that can be handled swiftly. Your daughter is free to go back to class. The next period starts in ten minutes."
Dad smiled and agreed, "Yes, and it was nice to meet you. Although I hope we can avoid any further encounters under such circumstances." They both chuckled before we left the room leaving the principal busy inside.
I went up to the front desk to get an excused absence pass, my father tagging along behind me. Once we walked out of the front office, my father started his parental interrogation.
"Oh Theo, I'm so glad you're alright! What happened? Why were you involved in a fight? Did you do something? Oh, no please tell me you didn't. Remember our phrase—"
"Talk less, smile more. I know dad. I didn't do anything to cause it, I swear."
He sighed but nodded, "Okay, but I still need to know what exactly happened and how you are involved. I want to know all the details."
And so I reluctantly told him about what happened. However, I left out how I met Philip, but that shouldn't matter, right? I mean, he just a flirty person. It didn't actually mean anything.
At the end of my spiel, my dad looked both relieved and upset which was confusing to interpret. "So the younger boy punched the older one that was harassing you in the face? And all after you just met him?" I nodded hesitantly, not sure where this was going.
He smiled widely, "Well I like him already! I can't wait to meet him." I was surprised by this response, but also ecstatic. I'm not sure why I wanted him to like Philip so badly, but apparently, I did.
Then I remembered the invitation Philip suggested.
"Oh, by the way, he actually invited me to meet his other friends tomorrow after school. Could I go?" I asked trying to disguise my hope with a tone of little interest.
My father took upon a thoughtful look before shrugging. "I don't see why not. He seems like a respectable young man. Just remember to text me how long you will be out and where you're going to be so I know if I should pick you up or not." I nodded along, internally celebrating. "Cool. Thanks, Dad," I said with a smile. He smiled back and we started to walk down the hall to my class.
Just as we were nearing the stairs, my dad turned to face me. "I almost forgot to ask. Who is this guy? What's his name?" I blushed as I realized I didn't tell my dad his name yet. "Oh yeah sorry. His name is Philip, Philip Hamilton I believe." My dad stopped walking. "Wait, Philip Hamilton? As in Alexander's kid?" he asked with a tone of surprise as he furrowed his eyebrows. "Uh, yeah," I said confused, my dad had mentioned Hamilton before but I wasn't sure if that was his dad or not. It would make a lot of sense though.
My dad seemed lost in thought as his face went blank. "Hmm, well, be careful with him then. Especially if he's anything like his father."
I frowned at this but nodded. "Sure dad."
He gave me a small smile and hugged me tightly before turning around and walking backward to leave. "See you later Theo! Have a good day at school!" he said waving his hand. I smiled and waved back, "Okay! Bye! Enjoy work!" He nodded before turning back around to walk to the school entrance.
I started to climb up the stairs wondering what my dad meant by 'Especially if he's anything like his father.'
So that's the end of the chapter! I've already started the next chapter so that should hopefully be up soon. Remember to fav, follow, or review!
~PJO andHP4life
