How Did I Get So Lucky As To Find You? | Hamilton College AU [DISCONTINUED]

Chapter Twelve

hONEY

YOU'VE goT a bIG sTORM cOMinG

Lieutenant Colonel John Laurens POV

I wish I could say that was the last time.

I said that last time! It became a past time.

We've been doing this for nearly a month. I text Alexander.

Turtle_Boiyo🐢: did you tell her yet??

Alex❤️❤️: No, I'm about to tell her.

Turtle_Boiyo🐢: you keep saying that, but you never do!!

Alex❤️❤️: I know! But, I mean, it's difficult to tell your girlfriend that you're gay for your best friend.

Alexander POV (oopsy doopsy)

"Who're you texting, Alex?"

"No one," I say, trying to shove my phone in my pocket. Unfortunately, I miss and it drops onto the ground. Shit.

I reach down to pick it up, but Eliza snatches it off the ground and unlocks it.

I look down at my food, knowing the phone will open straight to the texts with John. In my peripheral vision, I see Eliza's expression turn from amusement to confusion to anger. I shift my gaze to the floor.

"Hey, the detail in this flooring is really ni-"

"You're cheating on me?"

I open my mouth to speak but no words come out. I feel my eyes start to well up with tears.

"With a man, no less! And your best friend to boot."

"Eliza..."

"I have no more words to say to you, Alexander," she says, walking away.

"Eliza! My phone-"

Eliza throws my phone on the ground, cracking the screen with her heel.

"Goodbye, Alexander."

Everyone in the restaurant is staring at me now. I quickly grab the remainders of my phone, pay, (giving the waitress the biggest tip I can afford), and leave.

I go to walk out to the car, but it isn't there. I mentally curse myself, remembering that Eliza's chauffeur drove us here. I call an Uber and wait. It starts to rain soon after. I duck under the nearest tree and wait.

I hear my phone ding, but I can't see the notification with the cracked screen. It barely had enough life in it to make an Uber call. I try to check it anyway, but the battery goes dead. There's a pay phone close by, so I head over and call John.

"Hey, John-"

"Alex? What happened? Why are you calling me from a pay phone?"

"Phone died. I called an Uber, but I don't think he knows where I am, and I don't want to wait for him. Can you pick me up?"

"Of course, babe. I'll be right there."

"Thanks, John."

"See you there, bye."

"Bye."

I hang up the phone and sit under a tree. I put my face in my hands and let the rain hit my head like bird droppings. I let my hair out of my ponytail and let it sit around my shoulders. I must look stupid. I'm sitting in the rain in a tuxedo. I suddenly see some lightning in the distance.

Ohhhh no oh no oh no oh no oh no oh no.

I rush to the pay phone I called earlier and dial John's number.

"Hello-"

"John! Come quick-"

"You've reached John Laurens' voicemail. Sorry, I can't come to the phone right now. I'm either driving, in the middle of a movie, or ignoring you. Call back soon! Or don't."

I hang up the phone and run to the restaurant. I duck under the roof and wait for John.

I hear thunder a few minutes later. Okay, the storm isn't close. That's good. I'm still shaking nonetheless. A puddle is forming in front of the restaurant, growing rapidly from the rain.

"Alex?"

I turn around to see my brother, James.

"James? What's going on?"

"I'm sorry, Alex."

"What?" I ask. "Why are you sorry? What are you sorry for?"

"Alex, I'm not-- it."

"I can't hear you, James! You're cutting out!"

"Alex-- Behind---Watch--!"

"James-"

I can't speak anymore, and a wave of water engulfs me. My hair covers my mouth and nose, making it hard for me to breathe.

"Alex!"

I hear a voice. I try to call out for help, but no words come out.

"Alex, it's me, John!"

I try to make sense of the name, but I can't.

"Alexander, please. It's JOHN!"

Wait... is that John?

"John?"

"Alex!"

I look up to see John staring down at me. His face and hair are dripping with rainwater. I also notice his eyes welling up with tears. He wraps me in a hug.

Then I do something that surprises even myself.

I kiss him.

We've been going on dates and stuff for nearly a month, but this is the first time we've actually kissed. For real, at least.

I wish we could stay like this forever. It just feels right.

After a few seconds, I pull away.

"Will you be my boyfriend, John?"

He looks confused. "What?"

"I'm sorry, I knew I was going too fast-"

"Alex, I didn't say no, did I? Of course I want to be your boyfriend."

"R-really?"

"Alex," he starts, "there's nothing I'd like more."

Thunder strikes again, and I bury my face into John's coat.

"Let's go home."

I nod and we walk back to John's car. Once the car turns on, some musical theater music blasts through the speakers. I nearly fall over.

"MAN, THE MAN IS NON-STOP!"

John laughs, turning down the volume. "Sorry about that."

"No, it's fine. It distracts me from the storm."

"About that, Alex. Would you feel comfortable telling me why you don't like storms?" John asks me.

I hesitate. "I don't want to say right now. All I will say is that it's the reason why I have to take pills for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and depression."

John nods, and we finish the drive in silence, except for the soft music playing in the background, occasionally making John laugh.

Once we get home, I flop onto my bed. A few moments later, I feel John's arms wrap around my frail body, warming me up.

And for the first time in many years, I genuinely smile.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sorry for all the recent angst. I promise some nice fluffiness will come soon :)

Love Y'all~

-Lauraaaaaa

{1,000 words}