Soar // Hamliza

• chapter 17 •

• Alexander •

Physical therapy has quickly become the highlight of my day. And that's saying something, since it only started two days ago.

The first day of therapy wasn't really us doing anything but talking, me introducing myself to my physical therapist. However, it was nice to meet someone new in a new environment and have some new conversations.

The second day, we started working on actual physical therapy things. He had me lay down flat on my back, carefully navigating around IV lines and the bruises and bumps that covered my body. He lifted my legs up and moved them all around. It felt a little weird after all these months, but it felt good at the same time.

Now, on day three, I was texting Eliza before my next appointment. She was telling me that she had had a girl's night with her sisters the night before, and I was more than ready to hear all about it. I loved listening to Eliza talk, or in this case, reading her texts and trying my best to imagine her at my bedside, filling my ears with her light, happy voice.

Unfortunately, I had to leave for the appointment just as she began to tell me about the masterpiece that was Giselle, performed by the NYCB. I quickly shot her a text while her little gray typing bubble danced on the screen.

alexander: hey love, i hate to cut you off right now, but i've gotta run for an appointment. as soon as i'm able to, i'll get back to you again and you can tell me all about your night. actually - i'll text you after to let you know that it's done, you should come give me a visit if you can and tell me about it in person. i love you, my darling betsey.

I waited for a moment as my nurse got my wheelchair all ready to go. Eliza answered after a moment.

eliza: alright! i would love to come visit you, i want to hear about what you've been up to, too. i'll clear my schedule for the rest of the day, it's dedicated to you, my love. i love you, my dearest, alexander.

I smiled, noting her comma after dearest, and clicked my phone off, tossing it onto my bedside table in it's usual spot. My nurse helped me transition from bed to wheelchair and I slid my mask on over my face to protect myself from the hospital germs.

I was really liking my therapist, he was funny to talk to, and did a good job explaining exactly what it was he was trying to do. I found myself interested in the things he was saying and methods he was using.

By the end of our session, he looked at me with what I assumed was a smile - I couldn't fully tell through the mask.

"I'm optimistic, Alex. I think with the strength you had before all this, your recovery will be fairly smooth and you'll be allowed on your feet in no time." He said, shaking my hand before saying his goodbyes. The nurse wheeled me back through the hospital and into my dreary old room. So much for a change of scenery.

I texted Eliza to tell her to head on over for a visit while I stared off into space for a while. My head hurt the way it usually did, and my legs ached from the movements the physical therapist had been doing to them. I wasn't used to moving my legs like that after so long being confined to my bed. I didn't mind the muscle aches, though. They gave me a little bit of hope, made me feel like there was some sort of progress.

Twenty minutes after my text, Eliza entered the room, wearing a pair of leggings and a sweatshirt I had given to her ages ago. I smiled at the sight. She looked so pretty, even when she wasn't trying. I couldn't help but admire her. God, she's so perfect in every single way.

She pulled up a chair right next to the bed, grabbing my hand and holding it. The nurses and doctors were getting a bit more strict, telling us to avoid the whole bed-sharing routine and to cut back on the kissing just in case Eliza happened to be sick. They told her she was off the hook for a mask, unless she came in with the whole group the way they did on Fridays. All of them had to start wearing masks lately, just to be safe.

After our initial greetings, we fell into an easy conversation about what had been going on. She raved about Giselle, going on and on about how beautifully the show was portrayed by the company. She smiled to herself and took a breath before continuing.

"It really got me thinking that maybe, just possibly, I want to be a part of something like that. I know, I don't attend a ballet school, but I have experience, right? I've done variations, been in shows. I've been dancing my entire life. Could you see me with a company?" She asked me, excitement glowing in her eyes. She looked so happy.

"I think you absolutely could be in a company. You have such a talent, so much passion and love for dance. I could totally see you doing that." I told her with whole-hearted confidence. Her face lit up and she smiled widely at my answer. I wouldn't have even surprised if she began to squeal in joy. It was such a sight for sore eyes; she was just so, so beautiful. I told her this.

"No, no, I'm not!" She said, waving her hand at me and blushing. I shook my head with a little smile.

"Elizabeth Schuyler, I can say with more confidence than anyone in the world that you are by far, the most gorgeous girl I have ever laid my eyes upon." I said. She laughed and blushed harder, and I felt a genuine smile spread across my face. She gasped out a few giggles before responding.

"Alexander Hamilton, I can say with more confidence than anyone in the world - including you - that you are by far, the most handsome, perfect man I have ever had the pleasure of seeing, meeting, and loving." She said. It was my turn to have my face turn pink. I didn't get flustered a lot, but when Eliza let it show, she had a way with words that just enchanted you.

"Does that make us the best looking couple to ever live?" I joked in response. She burst into giggles and nodded, taking my hand.

"We're the sun and moon, we're that good looking. A power couple, one might say." She said. I nodded before pondering for a moment.

"Who is the sun and who's the moon?" I asked. She leaned her chin against her hand and thought for a moment.

"I think we take our turns. Moonlight is created by sunlight, and I think when one of us is the sun, we still try our best to cast the spotlight to whoever the moon is for that day. We don't try to outshine each other, we don't try to take over. We work together, for one another." She said with a small smile. I couldn't help but smile again at that.

"Dang, Eliza. That was pretty deep." I laughed. She nodded happily and took my hand, squeezing three times to say 'I love you'. I squeezed back gently four times: 'I love you more'.

This moment was the happiest I had been in a while. Maybe things really were looking up for me.

a/n: with all the talk about alex's friends wearing masks, i remind you all: please wear your masks when you go out in public, especially if you're in a state like me where covid cases are on the rise! you could potentially be saving someone's life. we're all in this together, we all need to do our part so this goes away as soon as it can.

i know there are a lot of people out there who are like me- i have lots and lots of anxiety regarding the pandemic and people being sick and things feeling like they're always in chaos. if you're struggling with things like this, shoot me a message and i'm more than willing to try to help out. like i said: we're all in this together. let's come together as a community and do our best to make positive changes.