That Summer in Nevis (Lams)

Chapter 9

3rd Person

The group spent the next couple of hours unpacking, and resting, and relaxing. The Washingtons explored the beach while Peggy took another nap. Maria and the other Schuylers took pictures of the window view for instagram, Laf was doing his hair, Herc was sketching a summer outfit, and Alex and John were both reading. Alex looked up from his book when John started laughing and wheezing.

"John...what are you reading?"

"I-I, um, a book?"

John was sweating buckets. He didn't want anyone else to know about his strange hobby. Lots of people thought it was weird and disturbing. John didn't want Alex or any of his friends to view him that way.

"About?" Alex moved his hands while talking to show he needed elaboration.

"It's not that interesting anyway!" John squeaked.

"You were literally crying from laughter, John. What? Was it some weird and extremely gay fanfic about that musical we all love?" The small man laughed at his crazy theory, while John stayed silent and played with his shirt. "Wait- Actually?"

John nodded, and Maria burst into the room. "Wassup, my dudes!"

"Ria! Laf! Herc! Did you know John reads some gay shit about the founding fathers?"

Maria started cackling, and slapped Alex's knee. "Did-Did I know? Ha! Good one! Peggy and I were the ones who showed Johnny that sin. And we met at an after school fanfic club! Judge us if you want, some of that stuff is really good."

"I'm a sucker for gay shit. Show me a good one!" Laf said, and the other boys agreed.

John was relived. No one thought he was weird and had problems. "Ooh! Ria! What's that one called? The one with-with- you know..."

"Oh! Um...that one!"

"Are y'all okay? What are you talking about?" Herc questioned.

"Okay, I'm warning you now, I'm about to change your life. It's not really changing your life positively, but if you're up for it, download this app." Ria showed everyone an app on her phone. "Make an account, and search up: *insert book name bc I don't know what to call it.*"

Before the Washingtons returned, all they did was read gay fanfics. Angelica and Eliza came over, and started reading with them. They laughed, they cried, and made lots of mistakes that they promised never to speak of ever again.

"Okay, boys, what-"

Mr. Washington stopped himself when he saw the kids crying. Angelica was holding Eliza, Maria was hugging John, and Laf and Herc were cuddling. Alex was pacing in front of the mess of tissues on the ground, muttering curses to himself as tears fell from his eyes. Mr. Washington stood there staring at the group before calling his wife.

"What's wrong, Dears?" She cooed.

"He-He died! Lin fucking DIED!" John cried.

Mrs. Washington responded with something that was a reference to the book, and everyone started sobbing.

"Just breathe. Breathe, children."

Everyone snapped out of their sad state, and started screaming 'Breathe' from 'In the Heights'.

"W-What's wrong with them, Martha! It's frightening me!" Mr. Washington yelped.

"I don't know. Let's leave them alone for a while. Give them some space. Come, let's check on Peggy."

By the time dinner rolled around, Peggy was awake, and the rest of the them calmed down. Dinner was silent though. They ordered some food and ate in the boy's room.

"What's wrong with their faces?" Peggy asked Mrs. Washington.

"I don't know...we came back from the beach, and they were all crying. John said something about a Lin?"

Peggy's eyes widened when she realized what had happened. She jumped up from her spot on the floor, and comforted the others. "I'm so sorry, I didn't know. Words fail to describe the amount of emotion you all just experienced. Why did you decide to read that one?"

"It was John's and Ria's idea." Alex responded.

The Washingtons got up and left. The energy in the room confused them, and it was annoying. New trends and other stuff that the younger generation did was hard to understand for the aging couple. They hoped the next few days would be different and better. Little did they know, it would only get worse.

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