Sons of Liberty University | Hamilton College AU

Chapter 21 - End and My Beginning

John

I didn't know why at first, but I was kind of scared for Alex. The way he was always tensed up around me, in the open, like he could be attacked at any moment.

I found out why at the Halloween party.

Looking back on it now, the signs were everywhere. The way he clutched at me like the world was ending, the way he looked around crowded hallways with fear in his eyes.

God, if I had only seen the signs. I should've paid more attention to him. I should've kissed him goodbye every single day after every single class and told him how much I love him. I should've been holding him close to me. It was his first party, what the hell was I thinking, getting drunk like that?

Let me step back.

It was finally Halloween, and there is no such thing as no alcohol at a college Halloween party. Alex had agreed to come with me because he wanted to make some friends. All of our friends were there, from the Schuyler sisters to Herc and Laf making out in the corner (it was turning very, very gay very, very quickly, so we left them alone) to Aaron Burr doing the nay nay with a chick named Theodosia.

And Thomas Jefferson hoisting a short guy who looked disturbingly like Hercules up by his waist and hugging him to death, saying something along the lines of, "JEMMY'S FINALLY HERE, GUYS!"

And there was Alex and me, standing near the snack table, laughing at everyone.

"Can we just stop and look at what Burr's doing?" Alex slurred, drunkenly laughing. He only had a sip of beer and he was already quite intoxicated. My little Alex was so innocent. At least Eliza was only gone after a drink and a half.

"HEY, BURR!" I yelled, only half in realization of what I was saying. "GET SOME!"

Burr then proceeded to flip me off whilst spinning Theodosia around.

Goddamn dance majors and their fancy footwork, am I right?

I felt Alex sidle up to me and put his head on my shoulder, wrapping his arms around me. "I love you, Johnny," he said softly and adorably.

I smiled, my heart melting. "I love you too, baby girl," I whispered, wrapping my arms around him in turn.

A slow dance came on, so I led Alex onto the dance floor and began dancing with him, holding him as close as possible. It was the song "All of Me" by John Legend.

"You mean so much to me," he whispered.

What would I do without your smart mouth?

Drawing me in, and you kicking me out.

"You have no idea," I responded likewise, resting my head on his.

You got my head spinning, no kidding, I can pin you down.

For a while, we just danced. It felt like there was nothing else but him, me, and the song floating to our ears.

You're my end and my beginning.

Even when I lose, I'm winning.

Our lips met, and sparks flew.

The song ended after a few minutes, and we broke away.

"Hey, I'm gonna go to the bathroom," Alex said.

I shouldn't have said "okay". I should've gone with him. I should've done something to stop it, but I didn't.

I didn't know what was coming.