Trigger warning!! Mentions of suicide. Its not a whole lot, but if you need/want to bypass that part, avoid the chunk that begins and ends with -~-

Also, sorry for the choppiness of this chapter.

Chapter 11

The beginning of junior year sailed for Alex. He managed to work his way up to second the class, outranked only by Aaron Burr, whom he formed a strange bond with while competing for the number 1 place. He grew accustomed to campus life, although weekends he typically went home to James, and worked at Usnavi’s bodega for a little extra cash.

His roommates became his best friends, although the group had expanded to make room for a few others.

Life was going really well for Alexander, he was happy.

Three days before Christmas, the students were allowed to leave campus or go back home for Christmas break. Laf was staying in New York with a grandmother, Herc went home to Philadelphia, while John went to South Carolina to be with his family. Alex had stayed behind on campus for an extra day, to tie off all loose ends before the new year, and finish his online class before the rapidly approaching end of the semester.

He went home to James’ on the day before Christmas Eve. He hadn't been back to James’ place for around a month because he had lots of weekend work at school.

When Alexander arrived, he knocked on the door, since his key was buried in the bottom of his backpack. There was no response, so after another minute he began to fish out his key.

-~-

When Alex opened the door, he saw something more terrifying than even the worst days of the hurricane back home. He let out a noise that was somewhere between a shriek and a sob, then slammed the door shut before collapsing against it, gut wrenching cries raking his body. Eventually one of the neighbors heard Alex's cries, and called the police to take care of everything, also contacting Usnavi to take care of Alex, who at that point had cried himself to fitful sleep, curled in a ball against the door.

The note left by James’ feet would haunt Alex constantly for the next few days, weeks even.

I'm sorry Alexander

Alexander spent his first American Christmas sobbing and trying to pick out funeral flowers for his last remaining relative.

Alexander returned to school when break ended, although he wasn't really there. He walked around in a zombie-like haze, even Mr. Washington had pulled him aside to ask what was wrong. Alex had planned to brush him off like he had with everyone else that day, but with a few soft words and a caring look, Alex had collapsed into a desk, telling Mr Washington everything between broken sobs. Alexander told him about how James had promised him they'd pick out a tree, and decorate and make cookies and do all sorts of holiday things since it was Alex's first in America. He told him what he had seen when he got home and the sympathetic yet steely gazes of the officers that had taken away James’ body. He told him about the funeral and how Usnavi had taken him in, but wouldn't be able to afford caring for him for very long, and how the social worker had said that he may have to be sent back to the Caribbean.

By the end he was hiccuping, covered in about and still sobbing, but somehow was in the arms of Mr Washington, wrapped in a fatherly hug.

-~-

By spring break, Alexander was living with Mr Washington and his wife Martha. They had somehow completed the adoption process miraculously fast, and after one more set of paperwork, Alexander would legally be their son.

Although Alex was still broken from all that had happened, he began feeling like his life was looking up. He had a family again. The Washington's treated him like one of their own, took him under their wings immediately.

Alex spent two weeks of the summer in South Carolina with John, and four days in Philly to see Herc again. Lafayette was in France, but Alex FaceTimed him frequently too. Most of Alex's summer was spent visiting and applying to colleges. He had looked at a few colleges a long distance away, but ultimately only applied to in-state schools.

In the middle of the fall of senior year, Alex received his acceptance letter into Columbia University. Each of his three other roommates ultimately decided to go to Columbia as well. Alex couldn't have been more excited for college.

Alex graduated from King’s High School that year as valedictorian, finally passing his friend and academic rival Aaron Burr for the top spot.

Freshman year of college passed in a sleep deprived, coffee induced haze for Alex. He was doing well in the school though, and had even gotten a job, conveniently working at a coffee shop on campus.

Sophomore year is when the real story begins.

I'm sorry about how awful this is...

Stay fiery my homies

Aaron_burrn