Laurens, I like you a lot!

Chapter 5

*A year or two in the future*

The weather outside is cold, and the boys and I are all bundled up. I, of course, am not used to the terrible winters, as I am from a hot island home where winter isn't really a thing that happens. The boys have dragged me to a ball, and I'm a bit nervous. Right now, we're walking there and everyone's in a great mood. We're a block away, but we can hear the band as clear as day.

I wonder if that beautiful Schuyler woman will be there. Her sister was a gem, but those eyes have burned a hole in my soul that only her presence will fill.

*An hour later*

Angelica Schuyler herself breaks away from her group of ladies and I watch her as she dances towards me, dodging the soldier boys who try to win her praise. I step towards her and take her by the hand.

"Hi, there," I say, pressing her hand to my lips while taking a bow.

I take one look at her strong face and say, "You strike me as a woman who has never been satisfied."

God! Why did I say that!

She looks confused and says, "I'm sure I don't know what you mean."

She pulls her hand back down to her side, and I realize that I was still holding onto it.

I continue, "You're like me. I'm never satisfied."

"Is that right," she asks, a thoughtful look taking over her stern expression.

"I have never been satisfied," I say again.

"My name is Angelica Schuyler," she says, putting out her hand for me to shake.

I firmly grasp it and say, "Alexander Hamilton."

She tilts her head at me.

"Where's your family from?"

"Unimportant," I say, dismissing her question. "There's a million things I haven't done but just you wait, just you wait."

She takes my hand in both of hers and turns back toward her sister. She gives her sister a nod and pulls me over to the girl with the black eyes. Up close, she's even more beautiful. I hope she doesn't remember me from the alley, she'll hate me if she thinks I'm a street rat.

"Where are you taking me," I ask, stopping as she pulls me.

"I'm about to change your life," she says and smiles over her shoulder at me with a sly grin.

I throw my other hand up and say, "Then, by all means, lead the way!"

We reach her sister and the black-eyed girl bows.

"Elizabeth Schuyler. It's a pleasure to meet you," she says, looking up at me.

"Schuyler," I ask, looking back at Angelica.

"My sister!"

"Thank you for all your service," Eliza says, capturing my attention once more.

I smile kindly and say, "If it takes fighting a war for us to meet, it will have been worth it."

"I'll leave you to it," Angelica says enthusiastically, and dances away. I hope Burr finds her and offers to dance with her.

I take Eliza by the hands and hold her close as we dance through the night.

*A few months later*

"Alright Alright, that's what I'm talking about! Now, everyone, give it up for the maid of honor, Angelica Schuyler," shouts Laurens, standing on a small wooden table. He's had a lot of alcohol, so I'm standing behind him, spotting him in case he decides to take a tumble.

"A toast to the groom," yells Angelica.

"To the groom," we all yell back in agreement.

"To the bride!"

"To the bride," we yell, smiling at Eliza, who's hiding her face behind my shoulder. She's absolutely stunning in her wedding dress, so I step away from her and gently nudge her forward. Everyone needs to be blessed by her beauty today.

"From your sister, who is always by your side!"

"Angelica," we begin to chant.

She smiles, but continues, "To your union!"

Eliza chimes in, "To the revolution!"

"To the hope that you provide. May you always be satisfied!"

Angelica takes a deep breath and looks at Eliza, straight in the eyes.

"I remember that night, I just might regret that night for the rest of my days. I remember those soldier boys tripping over themselves to win our praise."

She looks at Eliza again and smiles. Then, she looks at me.

"I remember that dreamlike candlelight like a dream that you can't quite place," she says stepping toward me. "But Alexander, I'll never forget the first time I saw your face."

I open my mouth to say something, but Eliza puts her hand on my arm and silences me

"I have never been the same, intelligent eyes and a hunger-pang frame. When you said "Hi" I forgot my dang name, set my heart aflame. This is not a game."

She continues on to replay our conversation. She's an incredibly witty woman who obviously constantly overthinks everything that happens in her life.

A more focused look takes over her face and she continues, faster, "So this is what it feels like to match with someone at your level? What the heck is the catch?"

She pulls her drink up to her chest and closes her eyes.

"It's the feeling of freedom, of seeing the light. It's Ben Franklin with a key and a kite! You see it, right?"

She opens her eyes and looks around. Then, she continues, "The conversation lasted two minutes, maybe three minutes. Everything we said in total agreement. It's a dream and it's a bit of a stance. He's a bit of a flirt, but I'mma give it a chance."

She looks at me and winks. As I chuckle, Eliza punches me in the shoulder playfully. Uh-oh, she just saw Angelica try to take a bite of me. I'm fairly certain she isn't too happy with her sister any longer.

Angelica smiles fondly and says, "I asked about his family, did you see his answer?"

Everyone around us starts murmuring. When Angelica and I were talking at the winter's ball, I didn't really put it on the line that I was an immigrant orphan. She, of course, knows now, but she didn't then.

We all turn back to her and she answers her own question by saying, "His hands started fidgeting, he looked askance. He's penniless, he's flying by the seat of his pants."

Everyone chuckles, and I feel my face go red. Eliza rubs my arm to console me, and I lace my fingers with hers so she'll focus on her sister once more.

Angelica continues to talk about me, going into detail about my character, and I must admit, I'm quite flattered.

"Handsome, boy, does he know it. Peach fuzz and he can't even grow it! I wanna take him far away from this place, then I turn and see my sister's face and she is helpless."

She looks at Eliza and smiles at her and says, "And I know she is helpless."

Eliza rests her head on my arm and smiles up at me. I look into her eyes and the sky's the limit. I need her to be part of my narrative. I want to let her inside my heart. I want her to be part of the chapter they will write someday.