Theodosia peered into the study nervously. It was her sixteenth birthday, and she didn't receive, nor care for, the celebration. She wasn't given any presents besides a flower from her best friend, Mary. "Father?" She said, stepping into the doorway. Her father didn't bother looking up at her, he was too absorbed in his work. "What is it, darling?" He asked. He dipped his quill in ink and continued scribbling along in a letter. "I, erm, I..."
Her father sighed. "Get on with it, I'm busy."
"S-sorry. I've..." she took a deep breath. "I've come to ask you something."
"And what might that be?"
She twirled her curly hair between her fingers. "I...I want to go out on my own." This was a hard question to ask. See, when Theodosia's mother died when she was eleven, Aaron had been very protective and wouldn't let his daughter go anywhere without him. Leaving on her own was practically forbidden.
Her father laughed. "You're funny, Theodosia. You take after your mother."
Theodosia's eyes narrowed. "I'm serious." Aaron's chuckling stopped. He stared at her for a while as an awkward silence flooded the study.
Finally, he spoke. "Okay." A smile grow on his daughters face as jumped up and down. She ran and gave him a hug. He stiffened and his eyes widened. Theodosia hadn't hugged him in years. When her mother died she became obsessed with drawing and often spent time in the garden sketching. "Thank you, thank you, thank you!" She cheered over and over. He murmured a 'you're welcome' and peeled her off of him. "There are some rules, though."
She nodded. "Of course."
"You cannot go out without telling me where you're going. You have to stay in town unless I say otherwise. Do you understand?" She nodded. "Oh, and stay away from that Hamilton boy. If he's anything like his father, you'll want to keep your distance."
Theodosia sighed. She had known Philip Hamilton ever since he gave her an apple when they were in the tiny schoolhouse together as children. They never talked much, due to their fathers' rivalry. Theodosia always admired Philip, with his perfect hair, handsome looks, his intelligence, but most of all, his kindness. He was more humble and sweet than anyone she knew. For a seventeen year old, he was perfect.
And that moment was when Theodosia knew that she wouldn't be following all of her father's rules.
