When Two Worlds Split

Forget

I slowly, but surely, managed to climb from the bottom of the bed, silently.
I quickly pulled on my clothes, making Lafayette turn around for my own decency.

Which doesn't even make any sense, considering we had sex last night-

Oh, well. I had to figure out some way to stay away from home, and this is what I had to do to keep it that way.
After pulling on my clothes and making myself look manly,
Lafayette tugged my arm and pulled me out of the cabin for lunch.
-
"Alright, boys- you remember the rules."
I blinked, whispering to him.
"What are the rules-"

"And if you forgot!" The man, who stood in front of us, continued.

"No fighting each other! No biting, no smacking, no punching, no tackling, no kicking, no kneeing, no stealing, and no roughhousing."

He glared at us all intensely. The man was tall, with a scruffy black beard and mediocre clothing. He had broad shoulders, and gray strands in his hair.

"On with you," He finished.
Lafayette walked the opposite way of me, after telling me I had to go.

The boys around me turned and headed for the nearby pot to collect food. The smell of sweat was rancid, and I couldn't stand it. I coughed.

"Oh, someone's got the pox!" One boy laughed from a crowd.

I turned. The young, blonde-haired boy glared up at me, with his crew of other teenagers. They looked about my age.

"It's the new boy." He spat at me, with a pitiful tone.
"He's got flimsy arms." Another one with darker hair said. One of them grabbed my sleeve and tugged it.
I pulled my arm away, rubbing my elbow.
"Hey, leave me al-"
The blonde one kicked my shin. He expected me to falter, but I was a woman who had more strength in my legs than these boys combined.
I stepped back.
He literally spat at my face.
I wiped it off, disgusted. He grabbed my collar, his face inches from mine. His breath was minty, surprisingly. Who had snuck in the peppermint leaves?

"Listen here, newbie." The boy stared, his eyes tracing over my eyes, to my chin. He glared down to my chest, which had luckily been covered and tightened to a flat chest.

"We're the big kids out here." He said.

I tried to speak.

"Ah, ah. Keep it shut. You listen to me.
You call me Geoffrey. Now, here are the real rules.
When I ask for your food, you give it to me.
When I ask for you to go off, you'd better oblige."

He them let me go, by shoving me towards the dirt.
I wiped his germs off of my shirt.

"This one will die off, just like the rest." Geoffrey said.
"Shame." Another spat.

"What is going on here?" I heard Lafayette's voice, echo behind me.

"Nothing, Sir."
The boys saluted.
I turned, to see him. He felt a few inches taller, now that I had seen him in his protective stance.

"Good."
He walked off. For a brief moment, I just wanted to hug him and say thank you, but I was Payton, not Peggy. 

The boys cut in front of me.

"H-hey!" I managed to say, in my manliest
voice.

"Peg-.." Lafayette stopped.

"Payton." I corrected.

"Payton, let them pass."

"But-"

"If you try to fight back, they'll kill you. And you are in no shape for this place." Lafayette sent a disapproving glare to me.

"Are too."

He shook his head, and then he sent out a long sigh.

"Let's see how long it takes for you to realize."

I turned back around, feeling the dirt-filled breeze pass by. I was getting closer and closer to the food.. but it was much more disappointing when I got there.
It was gray, and cabbage floated to the top of the bowl. We also got stale loaves of bread.

I revolted. It made me cringe. I miss Angelica's food.
Taking a seat, I poked the bread with my finger. Lafayette couldn't eat with me, because he was a higher status. That meant he ate with Washington, and the rest of the high-tier commanders.
But, somehow, he managed to get a few words to me.
"Peggy," he murmured.

"Don't harass, and don't make a scene. Refrain from talking. I know it seems like you could take on these guys, but,"

"I get it." I mumbled.

"And eat your food, before someone steals it."

He walked away, looking high and mighty in his black heeled boots and blue clothing.

I ate the cold soup, alone.

I managed to nibble on the bread. Just watching the other boys scarf down the food made me hurl in my throat.
The rancid smell of sweat and blood passed again. I held my nose.
I had to learn how to get used to it.
I am not Peggy Schuyler anymore.
I am Payton Schumer, for the rest of my time here.