begin again | adopted by hamilton [2]

3) old flame

IZZY SAT IN ANTHONY'S dressing room, bouncing Cam on her lap, waiting for the show to end. Cam was getting impatient, and Izzy was as well.

Cam started making baby noises and pulling at Izzy's hair. "I know, Cam," Izzy said. "I know. Mommy and Daddy will be backstage any minute."

The show ended, and Anthony sprinted into the bathroom, saying "Gotta pee gotta pee gotta pee gotta pee."

Izzy laughed and said to Cam, "Hopefully you didn't inherit your father's bladder issues."

"Let me see my babyyyy," Jasmine sung, reaching out for Cam. Cam smiled as she was lifted up by Jasmine.

That's when Izzy heard it. A voice she hadn't heard in years. A voice that scared her and made her wanted to crawl into a dark corner, where everything would be safe.

The voice of her middle school crush.

She wondered why he was backstage, and she did not want to go out and speak to him. Okay Izzy, she told herself. You just turned sixteen. You can do this. You're not a pathetic twelve year old anymore.

She peeked her head outside the doorway and, yes, it was him.

Charlie Syton. He was the chick magnet, the best player on the football team, the face that was crafted by Romanian gods. And yes, he was foreign! He immigrated from Romania to New York when he was ten years old, and spoke barely any English.

"Why are you so scared?" Anthony asked. Izzy whipped her head around.

"I-I didn't know you were in here," she said.

"I'm a boy. I can pee in 0.2 seconds," he replied. "But seriously- what's going on? Is it a cute boy? Friend? Cute boy-friend?"

"It's hard to explain," Izzy said. "It's like an old flame- that's been put out years ago, has been ignited and began sparkling again."

"Is your mom back from the dead or something?" Anthony asked, lifting an eyebrow.

"No it's uh-" Izzy started, but she was cut off.

"Hi. My name's Charlie Syton, nice to meet you." His voice came from close behind her, and she said nothing as his arm outstretched and shook hands with Anthony. "And who is this lovely lady right here?"

Izzy turned around to face him. "Hi," she squeaked.

"Wait- Isabelle? Isabelle Ferguson?" Charlie said in disbelief.

"Please don't call me that," Izzy firmly said. "I am Isabelle Ramos."

"Oh, sorry, I heard about your mom
and everything-"

"That was two years ago," Izzy replied. "I'm over it. Why are you even here? Go away."

"If you haven't heard, I've made a name in my own right," Charlie said. "I'm starring in a musical right now."

"What?!" Izzy said in astonishment. "You can't be much older than seventeen, or eighteen, and you're already in a musical? Since when did you even like musicals?"

"I've always loved musicals, but I never embraced it until high school," Charlie said. "I'm starting in Falsettos, with Andrew Rannells."

"I'm best friends with Andrew, how could I not know this?"

"Maybe he didn't tell you," Charlie said. "The musical hasn't been running for very long. Besides, he probably thought you don't know who I am."

"I do know who you are," Izzy said. "If you'll excuse me, I have to go see my sister."

"Sister? What has happened in two years?"

"A lot has happened," Izzy said. "Don't worry about it. I'll see you around."

"You still have my number, right? I'll text you later," Charlie said, winking and exiting.

"I don't like him," Anthony scowled.

"Oh whatever, he's just an old friend," Izzy said.

"Was he making you uncomfortable?"

"No," Izzy lied.

"There is something about him though. I'm not gay, but he's super attractive," Anthony said.

Izzy laughed. "I guess that'll help you get into character."

"What?"

"Isn't John Laurens gay for Alexander Hamilton?"

"Oh..yeah...right," Anthony said. "Don't tell anyone, but he was super gay. Gayer than Lin and Groffsauce."

"Okay, we should go," Izzy said as she hysterically laughed. "You have a daughter to care for, remember?"

"Two daughters," Anthony said as he slung his arm around Izzy. "And one of them is crushing."

"Am not!"

"Am too!"

"Am not"

"Am too!"

"Okay...maybe...but just a little bit," Izzy whispered.

"Awww! I ship it!" Anthony said.

"I hate you!"

"Yeah well, I'm the one that buys you food."

"Can't argue with that," Izzy said, smiling.