Eliza, Alexander, and the Great Commotion of Jefferson's Rude Invasion

Chapter X: Tension Rising

The next day everyone seemed on edge. The students stood in clumps, talking in low voices.

Jefferson had, it seemed, been reunited with Madison, and there was never a time you saw the two apart.

Angelica also spent a lot of time with them. When she had first seen Jefferson she had run to him and wrapped her arms around him. They didn't let go for a long time, and Alex couldn't help resenting their friendship. Angelica had always hovered around him, but now, it seemed, she liked this Jefferson kid.

Alex asked Mulligan about it at lunch.

"Yeah, they were super close when they were little, and have been penpals for years. Jefferson always seemed to like her, and she never spurned those emotions." He shrugged. "Maybe something'll come of it, maybe nothing will. It's really hard to tell."

Alex couldn't help glaring at Jefferson from across the room. What a jerk. Thinking he could just barge in here and take over. Well, Hamilton wasn't going to let that happen.

That afternoon, after class, Alex saw Burr pulling Angelica away from where she was talking with Jefferson and Madison. They stood to the side and engaged in what seemed like an emotional conversation.

He appeared to be begging something of her. For her to forgive him for something maybe? Finally she seemed to give in, and pulled him into a short hug.

Well. . . Seemed they were pals.

But when Burr turned and saw Alex, his face turned grim. He said something to Angelica and then left her and came towards the other boy.

"Alex." His voice was calm as always.

"Burr," Alex greeted him stiffy. "What was that with Angelica just now?"

Burr shrugged. "I messed up. So I apologized, and she forgave me."

Alex's mouth dropped open. He had apologized? Admitted he'd messed up? Alex could never, in a million of years, do that. He would never lower himself to that state.

Alex closed his mouth. "Alright, well, what did you want?"

"I wanted to talk to you about how you treated Jefferson and Eliza. You shouldn't have-"

"Oh no you don't!" Alex asserted. "I have enough people nagging me about this, without you!"

"Alex, you are far too passionate! You need to work on self-control."

"If no one in the world was passionate then nothing would get done!" With that, Alex stomped off.

He stopped by his locker to get his things, then headed towards the exit. As he neared the door he saw Eliza coming the other way. She kept her head lowered, eyes on the ground, and Alex could tell she didn't want any recognition from him. So he kept his gaze fixed ahead of him, pushing down a twinge of guilt at the the sight of her downcast expression.

°°°

Later that day Alex found himself walking up the front of the Schuyler house with John and Lafayette (Mulligan had not been able to join them). He knocked on the door firmly, before standing straight, hands behind his back.

A tall, strict looking woman answered the door. "Yes?"

"Hello Ma'am. My name is Alexander Hamilton, and these are my friends John Laurens and Gilbert Lafayette." The other boys waved. "We're classmates of your daughter Eliza," a flash of guilt coursed through him as even saying her name conjured a picture of her saddened face, but he carried on, "but we also know your other two daughters and son. And we're here to visit Philip if that's alright."

The woman smiled. "Yes. Your name's familiar. I believe Eliza's mentioned you before. Come in."

She had? But Alex quickly reminded himself that it was probably just a passing comment about the three of them.

They stepped into the house, and were led upstairs into Philip's bedroom. He was sitting on his bed, reading, but looked up as the other boys came in.

"Alex! What are you doing here?!" he exclaimed.

"Well I had to visit the little guy who got himself punched defending my honor." Alex sat down next to the excited younger boy. "How're you doin'?"

"Good! Angie and 'Liza fussed over me a lot, but it really wasn't that bad, and most certainly worth it!"

A laughing voice came from the hallway. "Worth it, eh? I hope you get that idea out of your head soon, because I don't want my brother getting punched again because of some stupid-" Eliza poked her head in the door, but her smile froze as soon as she saw Alex. Then she let out a gasp and disappeared from the doorway. Alex could hear her running footsteps retreating down the hallway.

Philip looked at Alex in confusion. "What's wrong with 'Liza? She never acts like that."

"Eliza and Alex got into a disagreement." John ruffled the boy's hair.

"You could say that," Lafayette laughed.

"Shut up," muttered Alex

They spent the rest of the afternoon listening to Philip's endless babble (including a play-by-play description of the fight, accompanied by the other boy's cheers).

Peggy came in after a while, and John attempted to hide behind Alex. But she seemed less into flirting with him, and more interested in telling them about something that had happened that day at school with another girl she called "the pretty girl".

Just as Peggy was about to launch into a description of what the girl had been wearing Angelica stepping into the room, her eyes immediately locking in Alex's.

He froze.

"What are you doing here Hamilton?" she demanded.

"I was just visiting Philip, you know, because he was wounded defending my honor."

Angelica sighed in exasperation. "Alright, well you better stay away from Eliza."

"Yes Ma'am," Alex agreed, slightly put out.

°°°

The rest of the visit went smoothly, and soon enough it was time for Alex to prepare for his date.

He was certainly looking forward to it.

A/N: Longest chapter so far!! Yay!

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