Peace of Mind

IV

After dinner with the Schuylers, it was like we were back in middle school. Peggy and I did everything together, and Eliza and Angelica usually joined us. We talked about everything, from Gil and Herc, to cute people at our school, to how much the biology homework sucked. There was only one thing that none of us talked about, even though he was on all of our minds- Alexander Hamilton.

I could tell by the way Eliza winced, or Peggy's head snapped up, or Angie straightened her spine anytime she heard a small tidbit of French in the cafeteria. How they would all look around when Charles Lee started yelling at someone. We all wanted to talk about him, but I think it was because of our complicated relationships with him that none of us could bring him up.

Peggy had been Alex's closest girl friend- not to be mistaken for girlfriend, though many people thought they were dating. He told her nearly everything, and spent plenty of time calling her about everything- guys, girls, homework. You name it, and they probably talked about it. Just like he and I.

My relationship with Alex was probably closer to what Angelica had, though. We were both close to him, and spent as much time with him as we could- for a different reason. See, Angie and I had something that brought the two of us closer together for a long time- we were both head-over-heels in love with Alexander Hamilton. She'd moved on, though- just like Eliza had.

Eliza had dated Alex for most of the time he'd been here. They were meant for each other, it seemed- the moment she first saw him, Eliza was madly in love, and so was Alex. She'd broken up with him last year though, after rumors about him cheating started to spread. False rumors, of course, started by none other than-

"John Laurens."

Thomas Jefferson himself.

"What do you want?" I refused to look up, not wanting to acknowledge his presence any more than I had to. Instead, I kept my eyes locked on the three girls across the table from me. No matter what I'd told Washington, I was not going to be friends with Thomas Jefferson.

"I wanted to apologize-"

My head snapped around, and I stared at him, partially shocked, but mostly pissed. Him, apologize to me, after everything he did to the man I loved?

"For, y'know, interrupting your session with Washington." He'd been staring down at his lunch tray the entire time he spoke, but he finally risked a glance at me. I met his look with a cold glare, and he looked back down. Next to me, I felt Peggy grab my wrist, a way of comforting me, as well as holding me back. She shouldn't have worried though.

"Apology not accepted," I replied, turning back to my lunch. Thomas stayed there for a minute, until the combined glares of the Schuyler sisters scared him away.

"What was that about?" Angelica's boyfriend, Aaron Burr, another of Alex's old friends, leaned forward. "He was just apologizing."

"He's a dick." I shrugged, took another bite of my sandwich, and turned to Angie. "How do you do that?"

"Do what?" Angie popped another piece of bubblegum into her mouth. "Scare him away?"

I nodded, and she laughed. "We were at a party, once, after a football game. He tried to make a move on me, I punched him, and he's been terrified of me ever since."

I laughed at that. "What a baby."

Eliza rolled her eyes slightly, but I could see a small smile on her lips as she leaned against her girlfriend, Maria Lewis.

"Seriously, though," I continued, sobering up a bit. "He's such a dick. He spent years making fun of- making fun of him, and now he's, like, king of the school."

Peggy shook her head. "It's so unfair. But he seems a little more... subdued, this year, I guess." She mused, shaking her head. I shrugged.

"Probably because he has no one to torment this year."

"Yeah," Aaron added. "Just wait for it. I'm sure he'll go back to being an absolute dick any day now."

* * *

"Mister Laurens." I looked up from the book on my lap to see Mr. Washington's smiling face. "It's your turn."

Closing my book, I followed him into his office.

"How are things with you and Thomas?"

Wow, Mr. Washington. Way to start simple.

"Same as ever. He's a dick, I try to ignore him." I shrugged.

Washington pursed his lips. "Please try with him. I'm not able to give you any information about him, but Thomas- he's going through some rough stuff. He's gone through rough things. Don't give up on him, okay?"

Washington looked earnest, like he actually meant it.

I rolled my eyes. "Yes, sir." I gave him a mock salute, and he rolled his eyes.

"Seriously, John. I'd like it if you'd hang out with him-"

"Fine, fine. Whatever," I sighed, nodding.

He glared slightly before continuing. "-which is why I've organized for both of you to come in at the same time tomorrow."

Fuck.