The way John saw it, the beginning of the end started when he grabbed Lafayette's phone and sprinted out of the apartment without shoes on.

That made no sense, like most of the other things in his screwed up life, but he was done complaining. He'd lived his life, and he was happy with how it turned out. But if he wanted to start from where it had all went so wonderfully right and horribly wrong, it would be when he stole Lafayette's phone and ran.

Part One: Rise Up

John glanced back as he sprinted through the crowded New York City sidewalk, laughing breathlessly to himself as he caught sight of an irate Lafayette a block and a half behind. He upped his pace, feeling the vibration of an incoming call through his coat. Laf would have to run much faster if he wanted to find out what a certain Miss Adrienne had to say to him.

John skidded to a stop at a corner, frantically urging the street light to turn green. He resisted the impulse to answer the call before it went to voicemail; he wasn't that cruel. He glanced behind him again to check for Lafayette, and he cursed when he saw him only half a block away now, shoving through the crowds just like he had. The two college students made eye contact for a split second, and John didn't like the murder he could see in his 'friend's' eyes.

John glanced at the streetlight again, but it was the same fiery red it had been three seconds ago. He took a moment to consider the busy rush hour traffic, weighed it against the risk of facing the angry Frenchman, decided to take the course of action he had the highest chance of surviving.

John sprinted across the intersection into oncoming traffic, dodging cabs and waving sheepishly at honking cars. When a particularly loud and violent horn blast came from right fucking besides him holy fucking shit he jumped out of his skin and slid across the hood of a taxi that seemed exceptionally intent on running him over. He glared at the driver who was loudly and expressively cussing him out, and John returned in kind by flipping him off as he continued on, darting and spinning through traffic until he made it to the opposite sidewalk. He hit the white concrete and took off in a dead sprint, not risking a glance behind him. Lafayette was probably at the corner by now, but John was banking on Laf having more than the half ounce of common sense John was given which allowed him to make decisions like run out of an apartment into oncoming traffic in his socks.

John was acutely reminded of that last fact as he stepped in a puddle of melted snow, the freezing water sopping through his sock, causing him to curse even more violent. Looking back, it really hadn't been a good idea run out into twenty-degree weather in just socks, but it wasn't like he had time to lace up his winter boots. He had barely managed to grab a jacket before Laf was on top of him, wrestling for his phone back as the screen lit up.

Two more blocks were taken in a dead sprint and in no time the college was in front of him, and he bounded up the slippery steps, taking three at once (Which in retrospect was another shitty idea, but what else was new). He checked behind him again, looking for Lafayette, and his foot hit a particularly icy patch on the stairs, and then his feet weren't underneath him anymore, and the world became a constant cycle of cement, gray sky, and pain (Well the pain part was a constant, but whatever. Tangents). Cursing violently and flailing his limbs John attempted to slow his descent, but he couldn't stop his downward momentum and he landed in a nasty puddle of sludge and snow, the phone falling out of his pocket and lying besides him.

John laid there for a minute blinking and processing the last couple seconds. There was a dull throbbing pain in his left knee and wrist, and he didn't want to dwell on the icy water he could feel seeping into his clothes through his jacket. He moaned, and stared up at the sky, idly watching the pigeons fly overhead and waiting for the inevitable.

He really should have grabbed shoes.

"Oh, look at what we 'ave 'ere." A taunting voice came from above him. John groaned and shifted his gaze to the smirking Frenchman looming over him.

"Hey Laf." He managed to get out, earning a glare.

"John, why?" Lafayette sighed, reaching down and hauling John to his feet.

"I offer no explanation,[Fuck you that's why.] and now I'm freezing and soaking wet. Is Herc still at the apartment? I need socks, boots, and if possible change of clothes." John grumbled, scrunching his nose and running his fingers through his curly hair tied back in a ponytail, dislodging clumps of snow.

"No, he 'as already left, he was following us out the door, only a bit more slowly." Lafayette responded, and John groaned.

"Fucking Hell. Debate team is going to be miserable." He muttered, and Lafayette laughed. "It is no one's fault but your own. And I will be taking zis." He stooped down and picked up his phone, inspecting it for damage. He sighed when he saw the missed call and accompanying voicemail, and glared at John.

"I believe you have learned your lesson, but next time I will not be so kind." He threatened, and turned and stalked up the stairs, much more carefully than John had earlier. John watched him for a few seconds before Laf paused and looked back at John.

"You had better come inside, your toes will freeze and fall off soon if you don't." He informed him gravely, and John was suddenly aware of the burning sensation in his toes as they slowly went numb. "Fucking Hell." He grumbled again, and he dashed up the stairs, past Laf and into the warmth of college.

The college did in fact bring warmth, but it just made John even more aware of his soaking wet clothes, which put him in a foul mood. Stupid fucking Lafayette.

He started to walk through the lobby, glancing briefly at the lost and found area to see if there was something that would fit him. Walking closer, he came across a pair of boots that looked like his size, but up closer examination they were a size too small, which worsened his mood even more.

"Hey Laurens, forget anything?" He heard another familiar voice from behind him, and he cursed again, groaning inwardly as he turned around.

"Fuck you Mulligan." John said, but he doubted that Herc could hear him over the laughing fit he and Lafayette were having.

"Hey, did this to yourself man. In what world would grabbing Laf's phone and running turn out well?" Hercules replied, wiping away tears of mirth.

"I repeat my earlier statement. Fuck. You." John glared, and Hercules grinned.

"In your dreams Laurens."

John fought to keep a scowl on his face, then gave up and winked.

"You wish you had a piece of this." He gestured to himself, and the three of them laughed, and headed towards the Revolution headquarters.

"Did you guys hear about Angelica shutting Burr down last night at the festival?" Hercules asked, and John chuckled, his minute-long bad mood coming to an end.

"Yes. It was excellent. Burr came at her trying to make a move, and she threw it back in his face, along with a lecture on feminism and an attack on Jefferson. She was amazing." He chattered, grinning as he replayed the scene again in his head, remembering Burr's expression.

"She is a fearsome warrior." Lafayette agreed, and they came upon the debate room, one of John's favourite places in the universe. He got to argue till he was blue in the face and then get praised for it. It was great.

John peered through the classroom's window, scoping out who arrived before them, and his gaze landed on Burr, well more specifically, the guy besides Burr, and his eyebrows shot up. The man had long, well not as long as his and Laf's, brown hair pulled back into a low ponytail. He had an oversized grey sweatshirt on with a palm tree decorating the front. Even from here Laurens could see dark bags under his eyes, like he hadn't slept for a week. The man seemed to be avidly talking to Burr, waving his hands about and tapping his feet like he had five pounds of caffeine in his system. That was what caught Lauren's attention. The guy was a constant blur of motion, much like John himself.

"Hey. Heyheyheyheyheyhey. Guys. Guys! Who's the dude with Burr?" He asked, kicking Hercules' shin to get his attention.

"No idea. But if he's with Burr…" Hercules responded, trailing off meaningfully. John nodded in agreement, but smirked.

"He's cute."

"Non. John, you must leave the poor boy alone for at least ten minutes." Lafayette begged, but John flipped him off and smirked again.

"I will do whatever I want, don't try and control me french fry." He stated gleefully, turning and looking through the window again. "And he has long hair. In a ponytail. You can't tell me nothing." He grinned, and wiggled his eyebrows at Lafayette.

"Oh no." Lafayette groaned, and Hercules shook his head.

"Let's go, I gotta get to him before Angelica takes a bite of him!" John smirked, and yanked open the classroom doors, leaving his roommates behind.

"What time is it? Showtime!" He gleefully announced, taking advantage of his socked feet to slide into the classroom, skidding to a halt in front of Burr and his companion. He noticed Aaron roll his eyes and lean over to whisper something in the new guy's ear, but the new guy was watching John intently. John grinned and winked at him, sliding over.

"Yo I'm John Laurens in the place to be!" He introduced himself cheekily, and shot finger guns at the new guy. Aaron sighed deeply and nodded at John. John responded with his usual greeting.

"Well, if it ain't the protege of Princeton College!" He exclaimed, grinning and sweeping into an exaggerated bow.

"Laurens," Burr got out through gritted teeth, "I swear if you greet me with that one more time I will-"

"No, you love it, I can tell." John cut in, standing upright again and cracking his back. "Say, do either of you happen to have an extra pair of socks and shoes?"

"Why on Earth would you need-" Burr trailed off and he glanced down at Lauren's feet. "You're kidding."

"I assure you, he is not." Lafayette's voice came from behind them, and John turned to see him walk up, and clap a hand on John's shoulder. "This- 'ow you say? Oh yes, moron ran out of 'our apartment in nothing but 'is socked feet."

"For the love of God, why- No, I'm not even asking." Burr grumbled, and Lafayette moved his attention to the newcomer.

"Oui oui, mon ami, je m'appelle Lafayette." He introduced himself, then blinked and shook his head. "I apologize, I am from-"

"France. Je m'appelle Alexander Hamilton." The newcomer said, and John raised his eyebrows. He had lived with Lafayette for two years now and he could get by in French. and This guy sounded fluent.

"You understand my words? You are wonderful!" Lafayette exclaimed, and leaned over the desk Alexander was sitting at to kiss his cheeks, and John grinned at Alexander's shocked expression.

"The new dude getting the typical French greeting?" Hercules asked, and John nodded.

"When was the last time he was that excited about either of us speaking French?" He mused allowed, and Lafayette drew back, glaring at his two friends.

"Maybe I would be more enthusiastic if you stopped saying nothing but obscenities in French and then saying- what is it? Oh yes- "Pardon my French." He sighed, and Alexander bit back a laugh.

"Hello brah, I am Hercules Mulligan." Hercules introduced himself, and Alexander smiled, and John could have melted. He had to lay dibs on this guy before the rest of the team came.

"A pleasure, I'm sure. My name is Alexander Hamilton." Alexander said, and John grinned.

"Nice to meet you Alexander. So what brings you to this ragtag army?" He asked, and Alexander raised his eyebrows.

"I wasn't aware I was enlisting, but I'm game. Burr brought be here because I punched the bursar and the counselor decided I needed an outlet for, I will quote, 'fits of passion.'" He rolled his eyes, then perked up again. "I didn't even know we had another debate team! The friggin King's Men hate me, they wouldn't let me join their team, not that I'd want to."

"You'll fit in just fine then." Mulligan stated, nodding approvingly. "I don't think one of us here can stand those dicks."

"That's an understatement." Burr muttered under his breath, and John nodded in agreement. He opened his mouth to continue, but Angelica dashed into the room, and he jumped to his feet.

"Is he coming?" He asked excitedly, and she nodded, grinning.

"Ok everyone, positions!" She yelled. John grinned and ran over to the windows to close the blinds, cursing under his breath as he slipped every other step.

"Are Eliza and Peggy here?" John yelled over his shoulder to Angelica, who glanced back from where she was helping Lafayette and Hercules drag desks to form an aisle down the middle of the classroom.

"Yeah, they're escorting him in." She smirked, and looked over at Alexander, who was looking a little bit lost. "Hey newbie. Stop standing there catchin' flies. Go stand in the closet and wait till someone gets ya."

"Really? You want to shove me in a closet? And my name is Alexander Hamilton. I am not standing in a closet! Why do you even want to put me in a closet in the first place?!" He snapped, but Burr got a hold of his collar and started dragging him towards the corner of the room. "Get your hands off me! I will not be shoved into a closet! I'm being hazed! Help!"

"Shut it Alex." Mulligan laughed from where he and Angelica stood on desks, now arranged correctly, creating a pathway from the doors to the huge oak desk at the front of the room.

"HERE COMES THE GENERAL!" Came a shriek from the door, and they flew open, revealing Eliza and Peggy heralding a resigned Washington.

"Ladies and gentlemen!" Burr yelled, shouting from the corner where he gave Alexander a final shove and slammed the closet door behind him.

"HERE COMES THE GENERAL!" John added his voice to the chorus of students, jumping onto a desk besides Lafayette.

"THE MOMENT YOU'VE BEEN WAITING FOR!" Burr yelled, getting into the spirit.

"HERE COMES THE GENERAL!" The students cheered again, and now everyone but Burr was standing on a desk lining either side of the aisle. Washington was holding his head in his hands, still standing at the entrance to the classroom.

"THE PRIDE OF MOUNT VERNON!" Burr shouted, grabbing Washington's arm and escorting him down the aisle lined with students.

"HERE COMES THE GENERAL!"

"GEORGE WASHINGTON!" Burr finished, jumping onto Washington's own desk and displaying Washington, who look very much like he would like to strangle every last one of them.

"How long are you guys going to keep this up?" Washington sighed, looking up at his students still standing on the desks staring at him.

"As long as you're our leader in the war against the King's Men." John grinned, hopping down from the desk and hit the floor, his feet promptly sliding out from under him, causing him to crash to the ground. Again. "Fucking Hell!"

"Someone please help John get his life together." Angelica muttered, and John rolled over onto his back.

"I heard that." He stumbled to his feet, grabbing a desk to pull himself up.

"Son, why don't you have shoes on?" Washington asked, and John held up a hand.

"I don't want to talk about it. How 'bout we start the meeting, yes? We've got a newbie." He directed the conversation away from himself, and Washington nodded apprehensively.

"Please tell me you didn't lock him in the closet." He pleaded, and John just grinned at him, causing Washington to groan. "You locked him in the closet. Eliza, please unlock the door and get him out."

Eliza smiled and slid of the desk, her long dark hair flowing behind her. "Of course." The closet door was shaking with what John assumed was Alexander beating on it. Now that John was paying attention and not shouting, he could hear Alexander pounding on the door and yelling threats, which made him laugh. Those were some very creative insults.

John had started the tradition of sticking a newbie in the closet till Washington noticed because of a moron called Charles Lee, a person whom John would very much like to punch in the face. He wouldn't shut up about how the team should be run, and how everything was so terribly disorganized, and basically bashing everything he could think of. Eventually, John got sick of it and grabbed Lee by the collar and threw him into a closet, locking it behind him. It had taken Washington nearly an hour to notice Lee's absence, which was still a record.

"Thank you! At last someone rescues me!" Alexander's voice sounded clearer now, and John looked towards him. He was dramatically thanking Eliza, who laughed and took his arm to escort him to Washington.

"I'm not sorry!" Angelica yelled, causing Eliza to roll her eyes.

"I really am sorry Alexander, but every newbie has to sit in the closet until Washington notices. You're lucky John mentioned you, otherwise you would have been in there as long as Charles had." She said, and John nearly groaned aloud at the repeated mention of freaking Lee.

"Yeah well Lee is a-" He began, but Washington cut him off.

"John, please." He put a hand on John's shoulder. "He is a valuable member of the Revolution."

"Whatever." John muttered, and shook Washington's hand off. He would punch friggin Lee in the face eventually. Fucking Lee.

"My name is Elizabeth Schuyler, but my friends call me Eliza." John tuned back into their conversation, and watched Alexander kiss Eliza's hand, making her turn red and giggle.

"Alexander Hamilton. If it takes getting locked in a closet for us to meet, it will have been worth it." He flirted, and John stifled a laugh. This guy was smooth.

Washington sighed, and turned to Alexander and Eliza. "I'm sorry you were locked in a closet, that really wasn't an impressive first introduction to our team. I'm George Washington, administrative head of this debate team.

"My name is Alexander Hamilton. And I think I can overlook the closet incident if someone buys me coffee." Alexander replied cheekily. Laurens wiggled his eyebrows, at Eliza, who turned red and glared at John.

"So what exactly do we do here?" Alexander asked, and Washington smiled and clapped his hands together.

"Let's get started so you can find out on your own. Seats!" He ordered, and everyone scrambled to find an empty desk. John found himself sitting between Lafayette and Alexander, and he grinned, instinctively scooting his table closer to Lafayette's before remembering Alexander's smile and reconsidering.

Eh. He'd ogle the new guy later. Besides, seemed like Eliza had gotten to him first.

"Ok, before we begin our meeting, we have to talk about the incidents involving the King's Men." Washington stated, and John groaned inwardly.

"Sir, if this is about the tea incident there is absolutely no evidence tying any of us," Mulligan started, and Angelica finished his statement.

"We destroyed all said evidence." She smirked, and she and Hercules fist bumped.

"I'm going to pretend I didn't hear that, because I am still a member of the school board and am obliged to report all rule breaking." Washington said pointedly, but John caught a glimpse of a small smile when Washington looked down and shuffled his papers.

"Getting back to my original print, I am referring to the violence that has erupted between our two debate teams," Washington said, and John grinned, until what Washington said sunk in. Shit. He glanced over at Lafayette who was nervously tapping his fingers on his desk.

"I'm sure all of you have heard about the various scuffles that have happened over the past month. Look, we can't have this type of thing happen if we want to succeed. We can't give King any ammunition against us, and he can and will twist reality until he is in the right and we are in the wrong. We have to be smart." Washington ordered, and John caught a glimpse of Burr nodding his approval.

"John, I am directing this towards you." Washington added, and John's mouth dropped open in outrage.

"Are you kidding me?!"

Washington sent him a look. "Son, you've been involved four out of the five fights that have been reported, and I think we all know that there have been many more unreported incidents. You need to keep your head down, the last thing we need is one of our top debaters expelled." Washington informed him, and John's stomach lurched at the thought of being expelled. He couldn't. He couldn't go home.

"Fine." He muttered, and chewed on his bottom lip. Fine. He'd just have to stay off the radar for a little bit.

"Thank you. And that goes to the rest of you too." Washington continued, his gaze leveling on Lafayette, Hercules, and Angelica, who shifted uncomfortably.

"Moving on from that. As you all know, Yorktown is coming up in five months, which may seem like a lot of time but believe me, it will be upon us before we know it. So far, Thomas is our top debater, followed in order by Aaron, then Lafayette. Remember, these standings are not final. They could change at any time, and any newcomers," he gestured to Alexander, who sat forward eagerly, "may certainly rise up and become our top debater."

"I am not throwing away my shot." Alexander said confidently, and John raised his eyebrows.

That was hot.

"I'm sure son." Washington chuckled, and stood up and walked down the aisle. "Today we'll work on quick debates. Seeing as Thomas won't get back until second trimester ends, James will be paired with Charles Lee until Thomas returns. Alexander, you'll be paired with Aaron, if that's alright with both of you?"

Alexander and Burr both shifted uncomfortably, but neither of them protested, so Washington took that as assent.

"Good. Now let the debates begin!"

Hello lovlies, London at your service. So I'm making my big debut on with this hopefully competent story. I'm just going to quickly explain myself, then let you all go on your merry ways.

So the name's London as you already know, and I am certainly not new to the fanfiction writing business. I've kept myself busy on wattpad, and decided to wander over here to start my venture into Hamilton fanfic writing.

Speaking of that. This is going to be a John Laurens-Centric Modern AU, which I found were severely lacking, then the plot bunnies attacked and here I am. There are going to be various dark themes in this work, so if that's not your cup of tea you can go back, no judgement from me, I swear.

And moving on from that, I am on a hunt for a decent beta. I'm not picky, so if you're interested shoot me a message and we'll talk!

Finishing up with that, I'll see you lovlies next week with the next installment.

London out!