Homework (Lams AU)

And 21 Nights

Peggy's POV

"Guess John's ditching, again." Eliza groans, looking at the clock on her phone.

Angelica raises an eyebrow. "I haven't seen him for a week now. What's his problem?"

I shrug and stand up from leaning against the lockers. "I don't know, but I'm going to find out."

I start walking down the halls and my sisters follow me. "Wait, what?"

"How?" Eliza asks.

"I'm going to his house." I state.

"Peggy, we have school." Eliza says sternly.

I stop and stare at her. "Okay, and? Our friend hasn't been seen or heard from in a week." They stop and look at each other. "You guys stay here if you want, I'm going to go to John's house."

I walk out of the school and to no surprise, they don't follow me. They never really thought I had good ideas, so there was no point in trying to convince them. Once I arrive at John's house, I ring the doorbell. I was the only person John's dad actually liked, so if he was home, he would've been okay with me coming over. He's not usually home, though.

John opens the door, looking very, very tired. "Oh, hey Peggy." He yawned. 

I shake my head. "John, you look like hell." I tell him. I walk in and he sighs and closes the door behind him. 

"Look, if this is about me not showing up to school, I'm just very sick and-"

"Bullshit." I interrupt. I sit on his couch and motion for him to come sit next to me, which he does. "I call complete bullshit. What's really wrong?" 

He sighs and hesitates, looking over to the side. "I don't know..I'm conflicted." He mumbles. 

"With what? Are you thinking of art school again?" I ask, tilting my head. "Because you know my sisters and I completely support your idea of dropping the law school idea and going to art school instead."

He chuckles gently and shakes his head. "No, no I'm not going to art school." He freezes and looks to the coffee table. "Well..Actually, it is one of the problems.." 

"Okay, what exactly is the problem?" I ask. 

He grabs an envelope and pulls two separate papers from it, showing them to me. "I got accepted to both Princeton and an art school in New Jersey.." He explains. 

I smile widely. "No way, that's awesome!" I wrap him in a hug. "So, what's the matter, then?"

"Pegs, I can't go to art school. I only applied because I didn't think I'd get in. My dad's never going to let me go to a school for art." He sighs and pulls away. 

I study his face. This was a way bigger issue than art school versus law school. It had to be. "Okay, and you skip school for a week because of that?" I ask, crossing my arms. 

He hesitates and looks over at me. "That depends..Do you believe it?" 

"Absolutely not, John." I say bluntly. "I know you too well to believe you'd skip school for an entire week over a college decision. So, what's wrong?"

He pauses and sighs, looking around as if to make sure no one was around. "Peggy, how did you know you were..Well, attracted to the same gender?" He asks shyly.

I smile gently at him. He was the only one who knew I was lesbian, and I intended to keep it that way for a little longer. I just wasn't ready to share with everyone yet. 

"Well, after my last boyfriend, I realized I really just didn't know how to love males in a non-platonic way. All of my relationships had failed miserably because I just..Couldn't actually feel the same way about them that I did women." I explain and he nods. "Why, what happened?"

"If I tell you, you have to promise not to tell anyone. And I mean anyone, Peggy. Not even your sisters." He says, staring me right in the eyes. 

I nod. "Bitch, please. You know they never listen to me anyways." 

Timeskip brought to you by Naooooomiiiiiii Rooodriiiiiguez cuz I'm lazy and y'all already know what happened

"Hold on, so Alex has been doing your homework since last year?" I ask. He nods. 

"And you slept with him last week?" I ask, a little more shocked about this.

"Yeah, I did. We almost kissed the day the fight happened-"

"So Charles Lee was telling the truth? You did run off with Alex after saving him from that fight with Jefferson?" I ask, raising an eyebrow.

He nods slowly, his entire face a bright pink color. "Y-yeah, it was me. But after that happened, I invited him over again and I actually kissed him that time and-"

"And then..You slept with him.." I repeat. He hides his face in his hands 

"I don't know what to do! I can't see him after that, what if he calls me out on it or something?" He says, though it was kind of muffled by his hands over his face. 

I place my hand on his shoulder. "Well, he hasn't said anything to us or anyone as far as I know." I sigh. "Do you..Do you like him? Or is he just another fling?" 

He looks at me with a sad look in his eyes. "I think..I think I may like him.. But I compared it to one of my flings right in front of him..What if he hates me?"

"Well, I highly doubt he hates you. Everyday he looks over at us like he's looking for someone. I thought it was odd, but I get it now. Has he contacted you in any way?"

He nods. "He's called and texted a few times.. But I can't bring myself to answer him." 

"John, you have to talk to him." I tell him and he sighs. 

"I know, I know..It's just..What if someone finds out? Or worse, what if my dad finds out?" 

I frown gently. He was so scared of his dad. Always seeking his approval for literally no reason whatsoever. I've told him multiple times to screw him and come live in my basement, but he refuses to leave his sister. 

"Okay, but you can't lead him on like that, or it'll never happen. I don't even know if the bastard orphan is capable of having feelings, though." I shrug.

I see him pause and think for a moment. "Who came up with that nickname?" He asks. 

"What name? Bastard Orphan?" I ask and he nods. "Um, I think it was Angelica, why?"

"Just wondering..Do you know why?" He asks.

I think about it and then shake my head. "Actually, no. Angelica seems to, though. She knows a lot about him and I just never bothered to ask." 

"Hm..Interesting." He looks at me. "Peggy, will you come with me if I meet up with Alex after school?" 

I nod. "Of course I will, John. You know I've got your back." I smile at him and he hugs me. I hug him back. "Next time, don't hide shit like that from me. From my sisters, sure, but you and I? We tell each other everything, okay?"

I hear him chuckle. "Of course, Peggy."

1216 Words