In New York You Can Be a New Man

Chapter Six

It was 6:47 when Alexander woke up. A wave of embarassment washed over him as he recalled the night before.

"John must think I am a complete fool." Alexander thought bitterly.

Oblivious to Alexander's awakening, John slumbered on, breathing heavily on Alexander's shoulder. Alexander climbed his way out of John's warm embrace (he was reluctant to leave) slowly, to not wake his sleeping roommate.

Alexander wished he could stay in John's comforting hug, but he knew there was work to do. Plus, he knew he owed John an explanation, which wouldn't be any easier wrapped up in his arms.

Pulling on a random hoodie, Alexander retrieved his backpack, put in his law books and headed out of the dorm with a note left behind for John.

Mr. Washington, his law professor, had developed a strong liking toward Alexander during the first half of the year. Washington had admired Alexander's passionate quarrels and felt that Alexander had great potential, only if he could learn to keep his temper in check.

Dodging puddles left over from the rain, Alexander skipped his way across the campus, carrying a cup of cafeteria coffee in his left hand. John had been trying to cut off Alexander's coffee consumption (it wasn't healthy to be drinking too much of it), which only made Alexander sneakier in obtaining it.

At exactly 7:30, Dr. Washington stepped into the room and closed the door with a loud bang. Alexander and all his classmates all knew Washington's techniques well, but they all still flinched when the door banged shut.

"Hello! Hello! Welcome back. I take that all of you had a wonderful winter break?" Washington said, standing behind his podium.

The class nodded their approval, and Washington smiled.

"I also hope you did well on your mid-term finals?" He said, watching his students share nervous laughs between themselves.

"Well, no matter there. We have a small student exchange. I expect all of you to be on your best behavior." Washington said, shooting a glance at Alexander, "After all, out new students is transferring from France."

Just after Washington had spoke those words, the doors flew open and a young man was standing in the doorway. He was wearing a fushia shirt and tight black jeans. His curly hair sprung around his face as he swaggered into the classroom.

"Hello, people. My name is Thomas Jefferson. So, what did I miss last semester? Couldn't have been much, you all look so stupid."

"Welcome, Mr. Jefferson. We were just starting class. Take a seat." Washington said, raising an eyebrow at Jefferson's behavior.

--

"I cannot believe the nerve of Thomas!" Alexander practically screamed at his three friends.

The trio winced as more verbal insults flew from Alexander's mouth.

"That no-good, fushia France motherf—"

"Hey, Alex. Relax." John said, putting his hand on top of Alexander's, which had a calming effect on the fuming boy.

Taking a deep breath and an aggressive bite into his bagel, Alexander focused on John holding his hand and not on the stupid exchange student in law.

"What has that bagel ever done to you?" Hercules asked, which only threw Alexander over the edge.

"That's it! I can't stand you guys!" Alexander said, running out the door, but coming back to grab his bagel sheepishly.

"John, go work your magic. Laf and I are gonna eat some more."

John sighed and followed Alexander to their dorm. There he found Alexander furiously typing into a computer. Only then did John realize, that in Alexander's rush to get to law class on time, he had thrown on a random hoodie—that happened to belong to John.

Alexander turned around in his chair and John almost melted. Alexander's hair was in a messy bun, and his eyes were still sleepy, despite the coffee.

"I shouldn't have snapped at you, or them. I'm sorry, I'm just so stressed that a comment about my bagel made me go crazy. Wow, I'm probably going crazy." Alexander rambled, tugging at the sleeve of the hoodie.

John pinpointed the exact moment that Alexander realized that it, in fact, not his own hoodie that he was wearing. Alexander's eyes grew wide as he inspected the hoodie, and then blood flushed to his cheeks where he met John's eyes emarassingly.

"This isn't my hoodie."

"Nope!" John said, a goofy grin slowly creeping across his face.

"It's your hoodie." Alexander said decisively, trying not to pass out from embarassment.

"Yep!" A full-blown smile shone from John's face.

"D-do you think I could—um—keep it?" Alexander said, tugging at the sleeve again. "I mean, if you want it back I can give it to you right now. It's just that I like the way it smells. Wait what?"

At this, John couldn't help but laugh. Alexander just looked startled as John collapsed to the floor in a fit of giggles.

"Are you okay? Is it something I said? I didn't mean to make you hysterical!" Alexander said, kneeling next to John.

John decided to not answer but just continue to laugh.

--

"I did something wrong, didn't I? I didn't mean to make him collapse. He probably thought my idea was so preposerous that he couldn't help but laugh! I don't think I could face him again—" Alexander said, dejectedly stirring his coffee.

His audience, Lafayette and Hercules, listened with a polite air but didn't really focus. After all, Alexander would often go on lengthy rants that did not directly interest them, but they were his friends so they had to listen. Or at least pretend to listen.

"I'm terribly sorry to hear this! But the only advice we can give is to wait it out. I am sure John does not hate you, he probably just went crazy, as usual. You have nothing to worry about, mon cheri." Lafayette said, rubbing Alexander's knuckles thoughtfully.

The door to the cafeteria swung open, and John crept into the room. He met Lafayette's eyes and held a finger to his lips. Lafayette nodded discreetly and continued to talk to Alexander.

"Hey, Alex." John said and he wrapped his arms around Alexander from behind.

Alexander let out a suprised shriek but quickly relaxed into his hug. Just like last night. Almost as if both boys had thought the same thing, a red blush crept on thier faces as Lafayette and Hercules exchanged smirks.

"I so called that."

***

Well, I'm on spring break so updates will come more frequently! And sorry for just publishing a filler chapter, there will be stuff to come! A special thanks to my readers who comment and vote!