Marliza - And they were romates!

Chapter 20

Aaron POV

I was sitting on the couch with Alexander in our dorm. We were talking about our most recent debate. The one against Jefferson and Madison. It had been a very heated debate.

Of course after Mr. Washington gave Alexander and I the win, Alexander wouldn't stop talking about it. He had talked about it ever since and it had been almost a week. I couldn't even contain himself when he won over Jefferson. He had started jumping up and down.

Now he was rambling on about it once more.

That's when my phone interrupted. I picked it up to see I had gotten a text. From Eliza, Alexander's ex girlfriend. I had just tried to stay neutral in that whole conflict. I decided I better see what she wants.

Eliza Schuyler

Eliza: Hi Burr. I was wondering if you could help me with something. It's about Maria. I know you have stayed neutral through that whole thing. That's why I thought you might be able to help. Can we meet up tomorrow, so I can tell you what exactly I need help with?

Aaron: Sure. How about the little cafe near campus at 10 am tomorrow?

Eliza: That's perfect thanks.

I might as well hear what she could possibly need help with. Especially involving Maria. I didn't have anything against her. Like I said I had kept neutral. Alexander had released his version of the story, but I think there is more than one side to every story.

Besides, I have noticed things. In highschool she would often come to school with bruises. No one other than me ever noticed. I had also seen the tight grips her boyfriend had on her wrists and heard the yelling.

Once when we were labpartners I had tried to ask if she was okay and where she got all the bruises. She ran out of the room immediately. After that I hadn't asked her again. I had tried to keep an eye out, but since that day she had seemed to avoid me.

***

Saturday morning I got up before Alexander. I took a quick shower before heading out the door. Not many people were up since it was saturday.

When I got to the cafe It was 09.57 am. A small bell chimed as I walked through the door. I spotted Eliza and also Maria sitting at a table in the corner of the cafe. Eliza had her arms wrapped around Maria who was clutching her stomach.

Within a few seconds I was at their table. We exchanged a few greetings before I sat down.

"So, Eliza, Maria, what can I help you with?"

"Well I kinda have a plan. On how to clear Marias name or whatever." Eliza said.

"What kind of plan?" I asked, now intrigued.

"You know how Alex released that article 'The Reynolds Pamphlet' " I gave a slight nod before she continued. "I was thinking we could make our own version of that. One where we tell the truth instead of just blaming my poor Mari."

That was an interesting idea.

"That could work, but I have some questions. How and why do you need my help? And also what is the truth? I'm generally curious."

"Well" Eliza continued. "I was thinking you could help us write it. You are the best option. We can obviously not ask Alex he would just write the same story if he even said yes. We also can't ask Jefferson since he would use it as a weapon against Alex. But you are one of the best writers I know and I believe that you always want the truth and to hear the different sides of a story."

She got me there.

"This could potentially hurt Alexander." I said.

"We can pretend you don't have anything to do with it when it's released, so your relationship won't get hurt" Eliza told me hurriedly.

"Can I possibly hear your side of the story? What you call the truth before making up my mind?"

"You up for it" I heard Eliza whisper to Maria.

Maria straightens up a bit and takes a deep breath.

"Fine, here's the short version of the story." she starts. "I started in high school. I got a boyfriend to hide my sexuality from my homophobic parents. He turned out to be a bad decision. He started hurting me in more than one way. I was obviously scared of him and didn't dare say no when he got the plan with Hamilton. He would force me to seduce and have an affair with him. Then he would extort Hamilton. What we hadn't expected was that he would write and tell everyone about it. He thinks that I willingly helped James the boyfriend when in reality I didn't have a choice."

That was a lot to take in. I felt so bad for her. Alexander hadn't even known the truth before telling everyone about the affair. He hadn't cared about Maria.

"Wow. That was a lot. I'm so sorry I didn't help you back then. I had noticed the bruises but never thought it could be that bad." I felt bad for not helping her earlier.

"It's okay. No one helped me." Maria mumbled and I saw Eliza holding her tighter but in a loving manner.

"No. It's not okay. I should have done something. I know it's a little late but I'm gonna help you from now on. I will help you write this thing. When do we start?"