Everybody's Got a Dream

one

Welcome back! It's Katherine! I hope you all enjoy my first chapter! I'm sorry if the updates are slow, but I hope you enjoy the sequel! :')

***

The winter air cut through Alexander like a knife. 

Snow crunched under his feet as he stomped through the uncharacteristically empty New York street. Even with the five layers of jackets he currently wore, his teeth chattered slightly and his ears burned an intense hot-cold combination.

Vaguely, he could recall his old college buddies teasing him about his supposed "inability to survive winter." He could almost hear Lafayette's cheery giggle echoing in the streets and Hercules' hearty laugh accompanied by a big slap to the back and John...

The smile slid off of Alexander's face as his mind was flooded with memories of his ex-boyfriend.  

It had been almost five years since he had seen any of them. Once he got his diploma, Alexander had high-tailed it out of the campus, not stopping to look back. 

Sure, it seemed like a good idea back then, but once Alexander changed his phone number and moved out, he realized how alone he was.

Every day, he came back from work to a cold, empty apartment. 

Every day, he dreamed about coming home to a happy smile and a warm lover to comfort him on bad days. Every day, he regretted pushing his friends away.

Every day, he missed Lafayette and his Frenglish. He missed Hercules and his drunken words of wisdom. He missed Peggy's innocent laughs and Eliza's understanding smiles. But most of all, he missed John Laurens. 

Yet, he knew there was nothing to be done, so he shoved those thoughts into the back of his mind and tried to focus on his path back home.

--

Almost on a cue, his phone buzzed to light with an e-mail notification. Picking up his phone and rubbing the cold out of his fingers, he tapped the small icon and typed in his password: 1776. 

Dear Class of 20--,

Gosh, how time flies! Well, hello! I hope you have been having a good life so far! My name's Peggy Schuyler; you may or may not have known me, but you knew my sisters (Elizabeth and Angelica)! 

In honor of five years away from this glorious institute, I am hosting a reunion party. We all can see each other again and exchange phone numbers and catch up! 

Information is attached here.

Please RSVP to thepeggster@gmail.com by February 27th 8:00 pm (EST) if you plan to make it!

Hope to see you all there!

Peggy Schuyler :)

-

Alexander stared at the screen for a few seconds, reading the message again. 

Almost immediately, Alexander typed out an affirmative reply. Adding the date to his tiny calendar in the back of his room, Alexander stripped off his wet jackets and changed into well-worn emerald green pajamas. 

Climbing into his twin-sized bed, he pulled the covers up to his chin, ignoring the hollow feeling the emptiness beside him gave. 

Outside, the snow fell rapidly, suffocating the New York skyline with white. Through the hazy whiteness, Alexander could see a couple walking hand-in-hand in the park next to his apartment complex.

"That could've been me." Alexander murmured sleepily, letting himself reimagine about every happy stroll he had walked with John.

The soft white from the window slowly faded to black as Alexander's eyes slid closed. 

Alexander fell asleep with John's name on his lips and dreams of a curly-haired man dancing with him. 

--

The non-stop beeping of the alarm jolted Alexander from his peaceful slumber. 

Rubbing his eyes thoughtfully, he struggled to recall the exact contents of his dream— something about John? 

Splashing cold water onto his face, Alexander stared at his reflection. Deep, dark bags colored under his eyes and he could see the beginnings of a beard stubbling his chin. 

"You need to get over John. It's been five years, Alexander. He probably has a husband and they are probably adopting their second kid. Get over him. You aren't doing anyone a favor by pining over an unobtainable man."

Another alarm from his phone rang out five minutes later, and Alexander knew it was his cue to exit the house and go to work. Grabbing a banana from the counter, Alexander chose a random tie and pulled it around his neck before leaving.

--

"Honey, I'm home!" A southern accent sarcastically yelled from the other side of the floor. 

Alexander rolled his eyes and took another sip of his coffee. 

"Hello to you too, Jefferson."

Passing by Alexander's desk, Thomas purposefully brushed up against the table, dislodging many of the papers that were balanced by the edge. 

"Oops. Sorry." Thomas said, not sounding sorry at all.

Just as Thomas was about to try to stage another "accidental" disaster for Alexander, the door swung open and George Washington entered, carrying a stack of files. 

"Both of you, cut it out. I'm paying you to work, not to fight." Washington lectured, tossing the pile onto the central desk. "Here are some new cases up for grabs. Should I trust you both enough to leave you alone to calmly pick through them?"

Alexander winced, remembering the last incident. He and Thomas had both ended up in the Emergency Room: Alexander with a broken wrist and Thomas with a broken nose. 

"Yes, sir." Thomas and Alexander said at the same time. 

Washington turned away and gently closed the door behind him. 

Letting out a breath he didn't know he was holding, Alexander turned to Thomas and narrowed his eyes. "Don't tell me you're going to the reunion too."

Thomas let out a sarcastic noise of surprise. "Me? I didn't go to Columbia University, what? Why would I, a non-alumi, being going?"

Alexander growled and ran his fingers through his hair angrily. 

"Why, dearest Alexander, it's my job to make you annoyed. Every time I get you riled up, Washington gives me a raise!"

Turning to his co-worker, the shorter male shot a withering glare at Thomas.

It was going to be a very long day at the Washington Law Firm. 

***

Hello, hello, hello! It's Katherine! Sorry about the slowness of the plot at the moment. I promise, it's going to get faster from here. :) Hope you enjoyed my first chapter! Be sure to keep reading/commenting/voting! I appreciate every one of you. <3