Last Time | lams

Chapter 8

We returned the homework a week ago, and Mr. Washington was supposed to give us the note today. I was afraid I'd done something wrong. But Laf', Aaron and Hercules had read what I had done, and the three of them had told me that it was very good, and that I was really good at writing. I really enjoyed it. I didn't really care about my grades anymore, but I didn't want my group to get a bad grade.

Another surprising fact: I'm sitting next to Aaron. In class. Even I had a hard time believing it. It's been a really long time since my only companion in class was just my bag. In fact, Laf', Aaron and Hercules started talking to me more and more. Yes, everything was changing.

"I'm sure we'll get a good grade," murmured Aaron next to me, "no need to stress out Alex, it will be okay."

I looked at him and he smiled gently at me. I gave him back his smile by nodding. It's been a long time since I've had an interest in a class. Maybe I was just aware that I wasn't the only one involved in this work, and if we have a bad grade I'll feel guilty.

Washington entered the room, the precious bundle of copies under his arm. He began to smile at the class.

"Hello everyone, hope you doing well," he began, "as I told you, I'm going to give you back your homework. Overall it's pretty good. Congratulations to all for your involvement."

I began to stress a little more, while Washington began to pass through the ranks to go see the bands. Laf turned to Aaron and me and laughed a little when he saw me, saying I had to relax, and like Aaron, he said I don't need to stress.

But I discovered a new fear in group work: that of disappointing people. The group work was already difficult because I always found myself alone, but this time it was different, I was worried about the note, and I was panicked at the idea of having done something wrong, and that the others had a bad grade because of me. I was terrified of it. So I was very apprehensive about this note, because even though the other three told me that my work was good, I still don't trust it. I didn't think I would be worried about classes anymore, and I didn't care anymore. Seems likeI was wrong. 

Washington finally came to us after a while. He look at us with a really bg smile, and my heart began to beat again and again. He laid kind eyes on me and then looked at our copy and smile again.

"Well, boys, that's very good," he said, "very very good even. Well done. I'm glad and pround to see that the group work succeeds you."

He handed us our papers and Aaron caught him, and I looked over his shoulder as Hercules and Laf turned toward us. Washington always had its eyes on us.

100.

100%.

Oh my God. Have I lost the ability to read properly? Or am I just still in bed. Yes that's it, from the beginning everything is dream. Because it is impossible. Me, Alexander Hamilton have the best grade? Impossible. Literally impossible.

Yet Aaron's voice next to me was very and truly real.

"Look at this, Alex, I told you so!" he exclaimed, "We did it!"

Hercules and Laf were also smiling while I was stuck, still look at our work. Our teacher laughed softly and then smiled again.

"Yes," he said, "it's really good work. Bravo you three. By the way, Alexander, could I see you at the end of the class?"

I nodded, worried. But my joy had quickly regained the upper hand. I was so happy. I felt I was succeeding something. The voice in my head could not say anything, because this time she had lost, and I had won.

And I was really looking forward to telling John that. I already knew he was going to be happy. And I want to see him. I still want to see him. I miss him all the time, and I'd like to see him more often. And I wanted to tell him. Thank him for being here, thank him for giving me strength. And it's been so long since I felt that way, it was like everything made sense again.