Chapter 9: Thomas' POV

I stood backstage. The debate was beginning in 5 minutes. I had been told there was a new person on the team who had just moved here recently. I heard Professor Washington.

"Ladies and gentlemen, you could have been anywhere in the world tonight~ But you're here with us at King's College! Are you ready for a debate meeting, huh? The issue on the table, Debate Member Jefferson's plan to replace the hand dryers with paper towels. Debate Member Jefferson, you have the floor, sir." He said.

I walked out with the other guy-- Hamilton-- opposing me on the other side. "The hand dryers are loud and can distract students. They also give students a reason to stall in the bathroom, pretending they are drying their hands when they are just talking to friends instead." I began.

"Plus, nobody has time to sit by a hand dryer when they could easily just grab a paper towel and throw it away quickly and be done." I continued before being interrupted by Hamilton. "Not true!" He shouted. I ignored him.

"And another thing, we have the hand dryers where you stick your hands in. If students are not careful, they can burn their hands." I finished as my (handsome) right hand man James Madison walked in as my second.

"Thank you, Debate Member Jefferson. Debate Member Hamilton, your response?" Professor Washington asked him.

"Thomas, that was a real nice declaration. Welcome to the present we're running the real nation. If we replace the hand dryers with paper towels, that will cost us more money than keeping them." He said.

"The school could instead use that money to fund the medical students with the equipment they need. Tell me, what's more important? The hand dryers or the medical students?" He continued quickly, as if he was timed.

"One more thing." He continued on, but I drowned him out until I heard him insulting James and I.

"Thomas Jefferson, always hesitant with the professor. Reticent, there isn't a plan he doesn't jettison. Madison, you mad as a hatter, son, take your medicine. Dang you in worse shape then your student loan debt is in. Sittin there useless (you know what comes next). Hey! Turn around, bend over, I'll show you where my shoe fits."

"Excuse me?!" I ran over but was stopped by Professor Washington.

"Jefferson, Madison, take a walk. Hamilton, TAKE A WALK. We will reconvene after a brief recess. Hamilton, a word."

How could he say that? I didn't do anything to him. Knowing how people are, he's probably going to go to all of his friends and say I was bullying him. I did nothing! If anything, he was the one bullying me!

I went outside and sat on a bench, thinking about what had happened. Randolph (tjeffs brother) was right, I should never have joined the debate team.

I heard the door open as someone came out. It then occurred to me that I wasn't supposed to be out here. I froze as I heard footsteps. What do I do?!

I jumped up and hid by the wall of the school near a bush, so I could see who it was. It was that Hamilton kid, I'm fine being out here. I sat back down.

He walked over. "Professor Washington told me to apologize... so, I'm sorry. I'm Alexander Hamilton, it's good to meet you." He looked down as he said this.

I looked at him skeptically. Just a few minutes ago he was insulting James and I and now he's trying to be my friend? That doesn't make any sense.

I looked at him. "Okay... I understand." He said, sounding disappointed. He left. What if he actually was apologizing? I felt bad. I looked back at him.

"It's... it's ok." I said. He turned around, smiled, and walked back inside. I didn't hear the door shut until Hamilton was long gone. I looked over.

It was James. He walked over and sat down. "What's wrong?" He asked me. "Nothing." I replied, "I just was upset over what he said. He apologized."

"Just making sure." He said with a smile.