Raise A Glass {Lams}

::Fifteen::

v dramatic chapter v fun times

John flung open the apartment door, sobbing. Hercules tried to grab him, hug him and ask him what was wrong, but John was in such a state of shock and despair, he only wailed and shook in Herc's arms. 

Alexander heard the commotion and grabbed John, pulling him into John's room and held the boy tightly. Worried, he kept whispering sweet nothings to John, hoping it would calm him down. 

"What happened, love?" Alex murmured, putting his face in John's hair. "You can tell me, John, I'm always here to listen."

"Alexander," John whispered into Alex's chest. He was crying, his entire body shaking. Alex was rubbing his back, holding him tightly. "Don't let me go..."

"I would never," Alex whispered back, fondly. "It's gonna be alright, I promise."

John shakily pulled out his phone to show Alexander the text messages. Taking a deep breath, choking back sobs, he read the text aloud. "Jack, I'm sorry to say that Mary had passed away. She was caught in a shootout while with her boyfriend. Please come home at once."

"Oh shit...oh my god John, I'm so sorry." John nodded, clutching onto Alex, his only source of "it's gonna be okay."

"She was 14," John's voice was trembling. "She didn't deserve this. And I...I'm gonna miss her so much. She was my baby sister and...and...and I never got to say goodbye."

Alexander knew of John's past. His dad got drunk too often and beat John when the little kids had gone to sleep. John stuck it out, years on end because he needed to protect Mary and Martha and James and Henry Jr. He went through so much pain and suffering for his family. Until one night, right after he'd been accepted to King's College, his father beat in so bad he had to get out. He fled South Carolina, a ticket to NY in hand. It was there he enrolled early and met Herc and Laf and began to heal himself. Alexander came a year later, starting as a Sophomore. John heard from his father, he had apparently sobered up, but John never trusted him. 

Wiping his eyes with his sleeve, John looked up at Alex and sighed. "I guess I'm going home for awhile, then."

"Are you sure?" Alexander murmured, arms still locked around John, protectively. "I could come with you, make sure you're alright."

John chuckled, his heart swelling for Alexander's concern and kindness. It wasn't every day your favorite person in the world showed you such compassion. But John was also realistic. "No Alexander, you have classes and studying you need to do," he put a hand over Alex's (which was around his waist). "I'll be okay. I promise."

Alex chewed on his lips, thinking. "Well...alright. But you have to text me daily, alright?" 

John nodded. "I will."

Jefferson was walking down the hallways, sipping his Starbucks (because he was a basic bitch), backpack slung over his shoulder. He heard feet pounding behind him and someone grabbing his from behind. Spun around by this mysterious person, Thomas is about to shout when he sees Sally Hemmings. 

She was frantic, tears in her eyes and flushed cheeks. 

Thomas smirked, remembering the Sophomore. "Sara, right?"

"Sally," She whimpered, her eyes were huge as she stared at him. "Thomas...you got me pregnant."

The confidence was washed off of Thomas' face as he pulled Sally into the janitor's closet. "You. Cannot. Tell. Anyone. About. This. Am I clear?"

Sally, persistent and scared, grabbed Thomas' arms again. "You got me pregnant Thomas. I have to tell people! I need professional help and I need your help. It's your kid!"

"No," Thomas said. He refused to believe her words. "James and I are already walking on thin ice. I cannot let my boyfriend know about this. I'll give you the money, but you can't tell anyone it was me. Got it?"

"Please," Sally tried again. "I need your support, don't you want this kid, Thomas?"

Thomas looked at her. "No. Don't tell anyone it's mine, okay?"

With no choice, scared of what Thomas might do to her, Sally nodded. "A-alright. Got it."

Eliza forgot what it felt like to laugh. That was until Maria came to her dorm. Eliza helped her, giving her bandages and ice for her wounds and making the two of them tea. They sat on her couch, just talking. About everything. 

"I guess," Maria brushed a few strands of her hair out of her face. She was blushing and so was Eliza. Maria reached out and grabbed Eliza's warm hand. "I guess we both just needed a friend."

Beaming, Eliza squeezed Maria's hand. "I guess so."

Eliza felt something towards Maria. Not pity, though she did pity her misfortunes with Reynolds, but something else. Something she thought her heart had forgotten to do. Where is goes all fluttery when she looks into Maria's eyes. They were defiant, she thought, beaten down but refused to give up. I can see how easily Peggy fell for her, Eliza thinks as she sips her mug of tea.

The two were rewatching an episode of Glee when Peggy came in. 

"Maria! Wh-what are you doing here?"

"Eliza found me," Maria said, smiling over at said girl. "I was hurt and she brought me back here, and now we're talking. How are you, Margarita?" Peggy blushed at this. Eliza remembered how Peggy used to call Maria "Mariah Carey" and Maria would tease her by calling her her birth name. She was the only one allowed to, and when someone says it now, Peggy flinches. 

"I'm alright, I suppose. Can I borrow Eliza, for just a second?" Maria nodded. Eliza got up and walked into the hallways with Peggy. Peggy didn't start talking until the door was shut, firmly, behind them.

"Why," Peggy whispered. Her voice was wavering, but she knew better than to cry. She was always the forgotten sister. Angelica had everything: the brains, the talent, the looks. So did Eliza: the looks, the kindness, the heart. She was only Peggy, no one knew her like they did her sisters. So she trained herself to be strong, never cry. And when Maria noticed her, it made her feel so special. And when they broke up, it hurt Peggy more than she'd ever let on. Not to Angie or Eliza or even John. It went against her will. So she didn't cry, but she felt as though she could. "Why are you taking her away from me too?"

"What...what do you mean?" Eliza asked, reaching out to stroke Peggy's curly hair. Peggy pulled away, his arms hugging her waist.

"I saw you, the way you looked at her. The way you hung on to every word she spoke. You love her, you want her. You want her to love you." 

"Peggy," Eliza began, feeling her heart tear in her chest. She would do anything to keep Peggy happy. Like Angie would do anything for her. "No, it's not like thta."

"But it is," Peggy cried, her eyes wide and her hands trembling. "It is, and you know it. Maria is..was everything to me. I don't know if I'm ready to let go."

With that, the littlest sister ran down the hallway until Eliza couldn't see her anymore, only hear her footsteps as they faded away. 

Eliza ran a hand through her dark hair before walking back into the room. Maria looked at her with wide eyes. "Is Peggy alright?" Eliza saw the caring soul Maria truly was. Not the whore-slut people made her out to be. She was human behind all those rumors. She was a caring, kind human. 

"I-I don't know, I hope so."

The two sat, staring at each other (though Eliza didn't want to admit it). She fiddled with the ends of her hair. Maybe Peggy was right, maybe she was in love. That was her problem, Eliza always thought, she fell in love too quickly and got heartbroken. That's what happened with Alexander, James. 

Yet, she had this feeling. A feeling that told her Maria Lewis was different. She tried to push Peggy's struggles out of her mind, but she couldn't. Maybe that's why she let Maria go home without making a move.