Living to See Our Glory - Modern College AU

Aaron Burr, Sir

Alex's POV

I woke up the next day to birds chirping and a cute freckled face.

"Wake up, Alex." I realized that he was shirtless and glistening from the shower stream. I covered my eyes in embarrassment.

"You're not decent!" I scream. He laughs heartily and retreats back into the bathroom. Minutes later, he's in jeans and Columbia hoodie. I glance at the time, 6:37am. Why the hell is he up so early?

"I have a class at 8, but I have to look good for the first day." He glanced in the mirror and pulled his curly hair back into a ponytail. He smoothed out his edges and then turned to me.

"How do I look?" Hot. I think that but I don't say it out loud. I remembered that we are here to learn, not flirt.

"You look good!" I try to say enthusiastically. I don't want to come off as desperate. Desperate for what? I swat away the indecent thoughts I was having about John. I diverted my attention to getting dressed and leaving the house. I had a class with Professor Washington at 7 and I was already running late. We left together around 6:50 and I had to sprint to make it to class on time. I sat in the first row next to a black guy with an afro. I pulled out my laptop and he snickered. I tried to pretend like I didn't hear it, but it stung.

"Good morning, class! My name is Mr. Washington and I'll be your Criminal Law professor." I stared in awe at how he commanded attention with such ease. He walked with purpose, his wise eyes scanning the room and landing on me. I straighten up in my desk. He smiles and looks away.

"First things first, we separate into groups of four. You'll be in these group for the whole semester, so make nice." He calls out names and people slowly begin to sit next to their groups.

"Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, Aaron Burr, and Alexander Hamilton." The guy next to me smiles back at a sickly guy right behind me. Madison chokes out a cough and then, with great effort, smiles back. I looked around the room for Aaron and saw him approaching us with a careful step. He sat down next to me. I could barely contain my excitement. This was the Aaron Burr™, the genius son of Aaron Burr, Sr. and Esther Edwards. I don't want to seem presumptuous.

"Pardon me, are you Aaron Burr, sir?" He chuckles and shakes my hand.

"That depends, who's asking?" I stumble over my words and try to control my excitement. I was hoping if I was around him enough, maybe he would rub off on me.

"Alexander Hamilton, I'm at your service." He laughs again, this time out of slight embarrassment.

"You're so formal." We got into a deep conversation about the state of public schools when Jefferson interrupted us.

"If you guys can stop being fucking gay, that would be nice." Madison scolds him and jabs him in the ribs. He looks apologetic. Aaron looks embarrassed, but disguises it by laughing it off.  I don't understand why gay is synonymous with bad. My feet shuffle on the ground.

Washington claps his hands together, immediately silencing the whole class.

"Now that you're in your groups, form partners." Aaron gave me a knowing look and I nodded. I was happy that I didn't have to ask him to be my partner. That would have been weird.

"In two weeks' time, I'll expect a well-constructed argument on any topic you choose. There is no page maximum or minimum, but keep this in mind. The more work that you do, the more points available. Good luck." Aaron turns back his attention to me, a questioning look in his eyes.

"What topic do you want to do?" I seized the opportunity to talk about the injustices of the judicial system. The profiling of non-white individuals and the universal nonchalance over sexual abuse. I talked for almost fifteen minutes before he stopped me.

"Alexander, talk. . . less." I realized that I ran off on a tangent again, like I always do. I apologize profusely.

"Sorry, I just get so heated sometimes!" He smiled ear to ear and stood up from his desk.

"I think I like that about you." Washington dismissed the class and I walked back with Aaron, discussing issues that are important to me. He wasn't very talkative. He told me that he preferred to "wait and gather all of the information." I could respect that. Occasionally, he would say something so incredibly profound that I couldn't speak for a second. Aaron Burr seemed like a good friend. We had stopped to pick up coffee when I spotted John from a couple feet away walking with a girl. His arms moved about wildly,   as he spoke about the lack of biodiversity in hatchery turtles. Aaron laughed and I did, too.

"Marine biology major, an interesting choice." Burr observed. He tried not to seem superior and holier-than-thou but he failed miserably. I felt bad for John, who was being mocked and he couldn't even defend himself.

"Actually, it's a pretty interesting field!" I blurt with an unmistakably annoyed tone. Aaron frowned at me and I instantly felt bad.

"Sorry, Alex. Did I strike a nerve?" He seemed sincerely sorry. I got incredibly embarrassed all over again.

"No, haha. Marine biology sucks. He's basically asking for unemployment." Aaron raised an eyebrow and continued walking. I mentally chastised myself. Great first impression.