Hello there, my lovelies! Let's just ignore the fact that it's been almost three months since I've updated this story since I'm a terrible procrastinator and instead rejoice in the knowledge of knowing that this story hasn't been abandoned. (Although in my defense, I did say that there would be sporadic updates). Either way, I hope you all accept my apology in the form of this chapter, which is probably trash (and uneventful trash at that) because I'm a bit rusty when it comes to this story. Please don't maul me, y'all. ~Shaymie

They weren't dating. They were barely even friends. John knew that he had no right to be so… jealous. Jefferson and Alex were broken up and made it perfectly clear that they hated each other and would probably never get back together. And even if that wasn't the case, if there was even the slightest chance of them getting back together, it was none of his business. He didn't stand a chance with Alexander. He'd ruin him and he knew it. He knew it and yet… He wanted him. He wanted to be with him. He felt this magnetic pull to him.

Pull yourself together, John, he berated himself, shaking his head as he threw himself face-first onto his bed. He scrolled through his phone until he found the contact cautiously named Alexander, with a question mark because he knew that the shorter boy had only been borrowing someone else's phone. He hadn't even known the guy for a month. But even before they had met, he'd liked him. He was head over heels for this guy that he barely even knew. He didn't think it was possible for him to feel such strong emotions for someone before. He hated most people, or they would hate him, and he didn't blame them. He was an asshole. He pushed people away before they could get close to him because he was a fucking mess. He was a stoner who couldn't control his temper and lashed out at anyone who tried to talk to him. Everyone except for Alex, that is.

John sulked until the next day, when he rolled out of bed with a groan and got himself ready for school. The house was eerily silent as he brushed his hair. Normally his siblings would be running around making a racket. He didn't want to admit it, but this isolation plan his father had was having an effect on him. The only people who could tolerate him were his siblings, and now that they weren't here, loneliness had started to creep in. But he refused to go crawling back to his father. That would be admitting defeat. He was fine. He could deal with this.

He trudged his way to school, letting out an agitated huff when it started drizzling. How much was it going to rain? There were still puddles dotted around the ground from the downpour yesterday. His mood soured further when he remembered how scared Alexander had been during the storm. He had never seen anyone look so… terrified before. He'd never seen anyone curl into the fetal position before, either. He didn't know what the dude's deal was with storms, but it wasn't his place to ask. He knew he wouldn't appreciate anyone nosing into his business.

"Wait up, Laurens!" John looked back and saw Alexander running over to him, waving excitedly. He couldn't help but grin at the shorter boy. His bad mood was instantly washed away. He'd never seen anyone look so excited to see him. People normally ran away when they saw him. He slowed his pace to let Alex catch up to him.

"What's up, Hammy?"

"I just… wanted to know if you were okay. You seemed a bit off yesterday," Alex frowned, shifting his backpack onto his shoulder. "You can tell me if something's wrong, you know. I-Isn't that what friends are for?"

"I was just feeling a bit sick yesterday. It's no big deal." John managed to stammer out as Alex visibly relaxed, his grip on his backpack loosening. He was shaken by the use of the word "friend". As pathetic as it was, he had never had a friend before. He'd had acquaintances, sure, but never someone to call a friend. All of the people his father introduced him to either hated him or had better things to do than hang around with the stoner with anger issues.

The amount of concern Hamilton had for him was… surprising. It certainly wasn't unwelcome. After spending so many years basically taking care of himself-he had been the one to nurse himself back to health whenever he was sick, he was the one to take himself to school for the past five years since his father didn't give a damn, he was the one who had to get a job to pay for his school lunches because his allowance had been cut off-it was nice to have someone else worry about him. It made him feel a little bit less alone.

"As long as you don't push yourself," Alex murmured, looping his arm with John's. If he noticed the blush that spread across the taller boy's face, he didn't comment on it. John felt his heart pounding as they walked into the school. Did Alexander not know the effect he had on him? Did he know that he occupied John's waking thoughts? Did he know that he was probably the most gorgeous guy in this whole damn school?

"So, are you coming to Laf's Halloween party?" John blinked at the sudden change of subject and shook his head. Nobody ever invited him to parties. It was hard to be invited to parties when you didn't have any friends. And parties weren't really his thing. They were far too crowded and the idea of willingly spending more time with people from school didn't sound that appealing.

"It would be kinda hard to show up to a party if I don't know the dude's address."

"I'll text it to you later!" Alex grinned, finally disentangling himself from John's side. He waved to his friends, who were standing near some lockers, and looked up at John, the silly lopsided grin still on his face. He didn't seem concerned about how hanging out with the school stoner would make him look. "Which reminds me, I'll be getting a new phone after school today. Or rather, a phone of my own. So we can text whenever we need to. In case you have any questions about algebra or something like that."

"Uh, okay." Jesus, this dude was like a hurricane, constantly changing subjects and going from one thing to the next. If he was anyone else, he would be annoying. But because it was Alexander Hamilton, it was cute and sort of endearing. John couldn't help but to smile around him. Though he hated to admit it, he was getting attached to Alex. Every bone in his body was telling him not to get too attached, but it was too late. He was already in too deep.

"You have work after school today, right? So maybe we should move your tutoring session to lunch or something. You can sit with me and my friends. Don't worry, they won't bite. Well, Peggy bit someone once, but that's only because the guy was creeping on Betsey. Look, just sit with us at lunch, alright? You won't regret it."

...Well shit. How the hell was he supposed to say no to such a cute face? He cleared his throat and rubbed the back of his neck, shrugging halfheartedly. The small motion excited Alex, who clapped his hands together and looked up at him with bright eyes. John let out a minuscule sigh. What kind of trouble was he getting himself into? Hopefully Alex's friends weren't a part of the majority of people who hated him.