Quietly Noticed || Lams

Extraordinary

John Laurens|First Person

The first week of a new semester is always incredibly busy. I'm so busy all week planning my lectures and classes that I don't have time to even go to the cafe where Hercules works, though he does attend one of my classes. He has other friends within the class though, so we don't talk much. By Friday though, he's complaining about not talking to me all week and tells me to come by after my last class. I give in, deciding I could get some coffee while I look over the essays I assigned the first day. I really regret not putting a word count on it, there's a mix of hundred word summaries and three-page essays. I dread sitting down to grade them, wondering if I could get away with just half-assing it. It's the first assignment of the year, it can't matter that much- right?

I sigh as I stare at the brown liquid in my mug, even I know I couldn't do that. I'm only a couple of papers through the stack when I come across a ridiculous seven-page essay about one tiny chapter in the book. I hold back an exaggerated groan as I go to see the bastard who wrote this monstrosity.

Alexander Hamilton. It says in a neat block font in the top right corner. Of course he goes above and beyond. His cousin was much like that in class. He wasn't too big on writing, but he proved himself on his tests and during class discussions. Alexander though, he's different. He doesn't raise his hand in class or offer an opinion. In fact I haven't even seen him out with his French friend all week. He must've stayed in to study, though I have no idea what class would force him to be so introverted this early in the year.

I take a look further into the essay and become enthralled with his style of writing. He somehow makes seven pages of a single chapter of history seem like the most interesting story you've read since you were a child. I'm halfway through the last page when a tap on the wooden table makes me look up, my mouth slightly open from intrigue and surprise.

"Sorry." I say instantly when I see Hercules sitting across from me.

He shrugs it off. "Must be a good essay." I nod, and look back down to quickly skim the last paragraph, knowing I'll give him an A.

"First assignment of the semester and you can already pick the ones who are going to pass." He laughs as I shuffle the stapled papers back into order. He glances down at them and raises an eyebrow.

"Is this one of them?" He taps a finger over Alexander's name. "Seems like he wrote a whole book."

"Yeah, him and his cousin. I think I'm in for a lot of long essays like this one." I chuckle lightly though Hercules gives me a look. "What?" I ask defensively. I know exactly what he's going to bring up, I just don't feel like talking about it.

"Have you thought anymore about him?" He says inevitably and I sigh audibly, because the truth is I have. I know exactly what seat he sits in during my class, what building his dorm is in, even some of his classes. I feel like a stalker,  but I'm really just trying to see if I could catch a glimpse of him outside of class. It may be awkward or weird, but I'm willing to take my chances if it means being friends with him above all else.

"A little." I admit. I look back at his paper, wondering if I could find a way to bring it up and make conversation with him.

"Well," Hercules looks at the door that I hear open behind me. "His French friend and I have become quite the acquaintances and he agreed to bring him here tonight."

"I'm sorry, what?" I ask, confused until I look up to where Hercules is watching and recognize the familiar tuft of frizzy hair that is now slicked back into a ponytail on the head of the infamous Lafayette. Behind him, is an annoyed-looking Alexander, his long hair isn't pulled back like it usually is, hanging loose. He wears comfortable jeans and a sweatshirt as he glares at his friend.

"What are we doing here again?" I overhear an agitated Alex ask. Lafayette turns and grins at him for a moment before seeming to make eye contact with Hercules and gesturing Alexander to follow him to our table. My heart speeds up and stops beating all at once.

"C'mon, ami. I want you meet my friend, Hercules. Besides, you've been holed up in that dorm of yours with that asshole all week." Alex rolls his eyes, but seems to take what he says to heart. I turn back to Hercules.

"What did you do?" I hiss at him, he just smiles and stands to greet Lafayette.

"Hello, Lafayette!" He cheers, patting my head once. "You know Professor Laurens, right?"

"Oh, of course." Lafayette says just as happily.

"John is fine." I mutter without really thinking.

"Ok then, John." Lafayette chastises. "This is my friend, Alexander. We were here a couple of days ago getting coffee."

I roll my eyes, they talk as though they haven't met each other before. "I recognize you." Hercules says conveniently. "Here, sit down." He pulls out a couple of chairs. "I'll go get coffee."

I want to roll my eyes again, but suddenly I'm sitting directly across from a certain Alexander Hamilton and I can't seem to make my mouth work. "Hey, John." Alexander says, sounding like the smart ass I know his cousin to be.

"Hello, Alexander." I choke out,  Lafayette grins not so subtly to Alex's left. I give him a look but he just shrugs.

"What're you up to, John?" Lafayette asks. "Is that Alex's paper?" He asks and Alexander raises an eyebrow.

"Uh, yeah actually. I was just grading the essays I assigned a couple days ago." Lafayette hums, seeming to accept this. "I have to say though," I turn back to Alex because he seems easier to talk to about this. "I can't seem to figure out why you're in a history class. You obviously seem to have a talent in writing." Alexander turns pink and looks at the table for a moment before formulating a response, his cheeks still slightly colored.

"I'm actually majoring in journalism. I just figured I might as well take a history class while I still have a scholarship to pay for it.

"Fair enough." I shrug and push my papers to the side. "So you like history then?" He nods.

"One of my favorite subjects." He flashes me a smile that I instantly return.

"Me too, I mean I wouldn't really be teaching it if I didn't enjoy it, but I mean it's really fun to read and teach and-" I cut myself off, realizing I'm rambling, though Alexander only smiles wider as we launch into a discussion about favorite subjects and favorite time periods and things only history buffs could really get excited about. It's still one of my best conversations in a while.

At some point, Hercules comes back with out coffee, and then when our cups are drained Lafayette heads off to his dorm for the night. The coffee shop doesn't close until an hour after that, but even then Alexander and I are still talking, his eyes shining with laughter, as I assume mine are. Hercules kicks us out, but Alex and I agree to meet for lunch on Monday during a break in both of our days at one.

Later that night, when I'm finishing up grading essays, I get an email from Hercules. It only says two words: Told you.

I don't respond, knowing anything I say will be in vain. He's right, Alexander and I hit it off, even if we are only meant to be friends. I still have trouble sleeping the rest of the weekend, thinking about lunch with Alexander, feeling my stomach churn and chest leap with anticipation.