Once school ended, Charles took his time getting to the baseball field. Sure enough, Alexander was there.

"Hello, Alexander," Charles said.

"You know, if you apologize, I'll forget this ever happened," Hamilton said.

"Too bad. I don't regret anything I said," Charles snapped.

"Fine."

A bunch of Charles's friends had gathered around them. They started chanting "Fight, fight fight." Alexander noticed his friends running over to him.

"Alexander what are you doing?!" Aaron yelled.

"I thought we voted not to tell Aaron!!!" Alex yelled.

Lafayette panted as he stood next to Alex. "Yeah. He was walking towards the field and I tried to stop but he got suspicious."

"Alex, don't do this. You know better than that," Aaron insisted.

"He insulated John one too many times," Alex said. "I can't tolerate that."

Charles yawned. "Are we just going to stand here or what?"

"You don't have to do this," John said. "I can fight my own battles you know."

"Nonsense. I don't want him to keep hurting someone I love," Alexander said.

"I thought he wasn't your boyfriend, Alexander. Or were you just lying to me?" Charles taunted. "You two really are fa-"

Alex punched him in the jaw.

"I see how it's gonna be," Charles said. A sly grin crept across his face. He shoved Alex to the ground. He punched Alexander  repeatedly. Blood trickled down Alexander's face.

"Stop!" John cried.

Charles got up. He stared at John. "What?!"

"Don't fight anymore. This is my fault. I'm the one that should be fighting with you, not him," John said.

Charles rolled his eyes. "I don't care. You're both annoying."

Alexander got up from the ground. He snuck up behind Lee. He picked up a stick. He whacked Charles'ss head with it.

Charles spun around. "What the hell?!"

Alex suddenly regretted hitting him. "Uhhh..."

"You're going to regret that."

"I already do." Alexander slowly backed away.

Charles grabbed Alexander's shirt collar. He was about to punch Alex but Mr. Washington, Alex's adoptive father, who was also the principal of their school, walked up to them. Charles quickly let go of Alex. The bystanders scattered.

"What's going on?" Mr. Washington asked.

Alex looked down to the ground. "Well uh..."

"Alexander punched me and hit me in the head with a stick," Charles explained.

Alexander turned angry. "That's because-"

"Is that true, Alexander?" Mr. Washington asked. Alex nodded.

"And Charles, perhaps you could explain why Alexander's face is bloody? And why the back of his shirt is covered in dirt."

Charles thought for a second. "Well uh you see he..."

"Charles shoved him to the ground and punched him," Hercules chimed.

"Who made the first move?" Mr. Washington asked. Everyone pointed to Alex. "Alex I'm disappointed in you. You know better than to get into fights. And you too Charles."

"I told Alex not to, but you know how stubborn he is!" Burr added.

"It was only because Charles has been making fun of John," Lafayette elucidated.

"Is this true?" Mr. Washington asked. Charles nodded. Mr. Washington sighed. "Well... I guess I have to suspend you both. And Alex, you're grounded."

"What?!" Charles and Alex yelped.

"You're on school grounds still," Mr. Washington said.

"Crap," Charles said. "For how long?"

Mr. Washington looked at Alexander. Then at Charles. "For a week."

"Oh man!" Alexander said. "But what about your science projects? They are due Thursday!"

Washington blinked. He searched for something to say. "Guess you should've thought of that before."

"B- but turning in an assignment late gets detention! No exceptions!" Charles complained.

"Well. That's unfortunate, isn't it," Washington replied. "Come on Alexander, let's go."

"Bye, guys," Alex dejectedly said to his friends. They looked at him. Burr shook his head. John frowned. Alexander followed Mr. Washington. They got in the car.

Mr. Washington started the car. "Son, I'm sorry but-"

Alex's voice was harsh. "Don't call me son."

"You know I don't approve of fighting. But, I am proud that you were doing it for John, even though he didn't want you to."

Alex stared out the window. He was silent.

"I will talk to Charles and his parents."

Alexander said nothing.

"Look, son, I know y-"

"I'm not your son."

"I can't let you get away with punching a kid, just because you're my son."

"IF YOU CALL ME SON ONE MORE TIME I SWEAR..."

They pulled up to their house. Alex got out of the car and slammed the door. He stormed into the house.

Washington sighed. "Teenagers these days..."