Running Out of Time

Chapter 18 - He's Alright But I Have Anxiety

Laurens leaned against the wall in the hallway. He was supposed to wait there for Peggy to finish talking with Lafayette before leaving. That wasn't what he wanted to do. He wanted to sneak away to go see Hamilton. Laurens was almost convinced that he would be able to get away with it if it weren't for the fact that Peggy was facing his direction.

Laurens smiled when he saw Mulligan down the hall. Lucky for Laurens, Mulligan was paying attention to him. He used this to his advantage and gave a not-so-subtle glance in Peggy's direction.

He watched as Mulligan made his way into with Lafayette and Peggy. Laurens couldn't help but feel successful as Mulligan stepped into the way of Peggy's view. Finally, Laurens would be able to see Hamilton.

--

Laurens' plan wasn't working as well as he thought it would. He had been standing outside Hamilton's room for about fifteen minutes. He wasn't sure why he was so nervous about this. It wasn't like they were meeting for the first time, they already knew each other fairly well. Laurens' best guess was that he didn't want to say the wrong things.

He could only bring himself close enough to touch the doorknob but not turn it. Laurens was convinced that Hamilton didn't know he was out there, he couldn't shake the feeling that maybe things should stay that way. All this time he had been almost desperate to see Hamilton but he wasn't sure what the plan after that was. Although he didn't truly want to accept it, he thought it would be best to just go.

After all, Laurens could see through the window in the door that Eliza was currently with him. He wasn't alone, that was a good thing, Laurens hated to picture him alone. Laurens finally made the decision to make his way back to where Peggy had told him to stay.

As Laurens stood waiting for the elevator, he noticed another person standing against the wall. The two looked at each other for a moment. It was clear that they both recognized the other person although neither could properly place the name. After a few long seconds, the name finally came to Laurens, "Philip?"

--

"You know what Eliza," Hamilton's voice was tried. He wasn't completely awake. He hadn't been completely awake for a while but that was said to be normal.

"What is it," she turned to look at him.

"You know that Laurens kid," Hamilton raised a finger to point at her, "he's alright."

"Is he," Eliza couldn't help but laugh a little.  She thought Hamilton was a little funnier when he wasn't quite awake.

"Yeah, he's a little more than alright," Hamilton looked up at the ceiling for a moment, "Eliza, I like him."

"I know," she leaned against the back of her chair.

"No," he shook his head in tired protest, "I like him. I like him a lot."

"I bet you do, get some sleep now."

--

"Laurens," Peggy crossed her arms as she made her way across the cafeteria. She had been looking for him for the past hour, finally she had tracked him down. It wasn't until she got closer that she realized who he was sitting with.

Philip turned his head as he heard Theodosia call his name. She was also making her way towards them.

"Well, it was fun while it lasted," Laurens half chuckled as the girls closed in on them. Both knew that they hadn't stayed where they were told to but they thought it could be justified. They had both had a pretty good time getting to know each other and hearing the various things that Hamilton had told them about each other.

"Peggy, listen," Laurens was ready to defend against whatever she had to throw at him.

"Daisy, it's fine," Philip was in the same position Laurens was in.

--

"Jefferson, look at me," Hamilton was siting upright after waking up, "do I look like someone who can't handle themself?"

"I never said that," Jefferson crossed his arms.

"I think you most certainly did," Hamilton mimicked his crossed arms.

"What I said was that you need someone to stay with you when you go home because we don't know if you'll be alright on your own," Jefferson tried to explain.

"I will be fine, I can take care of myself just fine," Hamilton wasn't convinced that he was telling the truth but it was something to argue.

"I'm sure you can," Jefferson did his best not to sound overly sarcastic, "it's protocol, I have to say it."

Hamilton pretended to be offended, "are you saying you don't really care about my wellbeing?"

Hamilton could see the expression on Jefferson's face which made it clear that he was the winner. Hamilton smiled as Jefferson walked out with of the room. Little arguments was all he had to do with his time. He couldn't wait until he was allowed to leave.

--

"Laurens," Peggy turned to face him, "I told you, he's doing fine and he has at least three weeks." She hopped herself up on to the counter and Laurens leaned on the fridge.

"I know," he twisted the can of soda in his hand.

"If you're so worried then maybe you should go see him?" Peggy leaned back and pretended to be looking out the window.

"Pegs, I can't just walk in there and talk to him."

"Why not," she raised an eyebrow, "it's nothing you haven't done before."

"Why not?!" Laurens sounded almost shocked. However, his only reasoning was that he was nervous. Of course, nervousness was to expected considering that he had finally come to full terms with his emotions. "Peggy, I cannot do that because of some personal reasons."

"Alright kid," she bounced off the counter, "here's what you're going to do. You're going to walk in there and have a conversation with the guy because he keeps telling me to get you because he suddenly came to the conclusion that he misses you and Laurens, he doesn't shut up." She realized that she has made her way straight across the room to him. She knew that she probably sounded more stressed than intended but it could have also been for added emphasis. It was Peggy's understanding that Hamilton was fairly okay with everyone else but with her it was all about Laurens.

"I guess I can think about it," Laurens took half a step back to create a more comfortable distance.

"Damn right you will," Peggy tried to keep her stern tone.

--

Angelica took a sip of her soda, "you have to tell me."

"I don't think I do," Jefferson pretended as if it wasn't important. He and Angelica managed to sneak away from everyone for a while.

"I sure think you do," she playfully shoved his shoulder, "tell me."

They were both ignoring the true seriousness of the situation. It wasn't an easy thing to deal with despite it being slightly easier for Jefferson. They had been sitting on the bench above the beach for a while and they knew they had to get to the point soon.

"It's not great," Jefferson stole one of her fries.

"I know that much. What I don't know is how bad it actually is," Angelica readjusted herself, "does he still get to go home?"

"Yeah," Jefferson looked around the area, "he can go home but he might not be happy with what he can't do."