“So, how’s that book coming.” I mumble as I walk into the kitchen.

Peggy frowns. “Alex, I’d rather not talk about that.” She says.

“Fine. Have you talked to Angelica and Eliza lately? How are they?”

“Alex, when are you going to return John’s calls?” She asks.

“Probably when I unblock him.”

She scoffs. “Well, he’s not going to quit texting and calling me until you at least read his messages.” She says.

“I have nothing to say to him.” I state.

“Alex, you have to-”

“I have nothing to say to him!” I repeat, a little more angry than last time.

She frowns and looks down. “Right, sorry.”

I sigh softly. “I’m sorry, Peggy, really. I didn’t mean to flip out at you..” I sit down at the table with her. “I just.. I don’t want to be here right now. Being in this apartment brings me stress..”

“Well, maybe you should get out, then.” She says.

I raise an eyebrow at her. “What do you mean get out?”

“Stay with a friend for a couple nights. Just get your mind off the whole thing and escape for a little bit.” She shrugs.

“And what? Just leave you here all by yourself?” I ask.

“Alex, I’m sixteen, not six. And I’ve stayed home alone in New York before, in the house of a well-known rich family. I think I’ll be fine by myself in a college guy’s apartment in New Jersey.” Peggy chuckles.

“I can’t take any chances, though. If something happens to you, Angelica will have my head.” I bring up and she rolls her eyes.

“Just forget about Ange for a second. Think about you. If being in this apartment brings you stress, go and stay elsewhere until you don’t feel stressed by the situation.” She pauses. “Just don’t stay out for longer than a week, I don’t wanna be lonely that long.”

I nod. “Alright, okay, I’ll ask Francis if I can stay in his dorm with him for a couple nights.” I stand and go to refill my cup of coffee. “I’ll pack up before I go to work today.” I say.

“By the way, there’s something I think you should know.” She says.

I raise an eyebrow and turn towards her. “What’s that?”

“John isn’t staying with Carrie. He’s in a hotel room for now.” She says, searching my face for a reaction.

I knew what she was trying to say. He was hoping this wouldn’t last long, and he would be back soon. She probably assumed that meant he cared or something like that. I shake my head.

“So?” I reply. “I don’t care where he stays, as long as it’s not here.”

She sighs in defeat. “Just thought you should know..”

I nod slowly, biting the inside of my cheek. "Okay.. Well, I've gotta pack so I'm not late. I'll let you know what I end up doing."

She nods. "Alright, I'll probably go over to John's today. Anything you want me to tell him?"

"If there was anything I wanted to tell him, I would unblock him and call him myself."

"Fine, got it. It's probably better that way, anyway." Peggy says, a little salty but not enough for me to be worried about it.

I go into my room and start throwing stuff into a backpack, trying to drown out any sad thoughts with the thought of packing.

Timeskip brought to you by standing there like a man (ew) (no offense)

"Thank you, Francis, for letting me stay here."

"Like I told you, it's no problem. My roommate just dropped out a couple weeks ago, so the other bed is vacant anyway." Francis says, setting down his keys.

After I finished work, he suggested we go get dinner at this restaurant he really likes, and then go back to his place and get comfortable. So now we were back in his dorm.

"I know, it was just so sudden though-"

"Hey, it's fine, really. You don't have to keep thanking me or coming up with reasons to." He says, flashing me that smile that made me melt the first day I saw him.

Well, it didn't make me melt back then, because I was taken. But now that things are complicated, that smile was so comforting. So happy.

It kind of reminded me of John’s smile.

Wait, no, no stop, don’t think about him. He’s not worth it. I sigh and sit on his couch.

“These dorms are nice.” I say.

“Alex, do you want to talk about it?” He asks the same time I said that.

I frown and look up at him. “Um.. No?”

He gives me a look and then sits down next to me. “Come on, you can talk to me. Whatever you say here, stays here.”

I look up at him, studying his face. He was sincere. I felt like I could trust him.

“It’s just.. In high school, we were just fine. We would go on dates, sneak out late at night, talk about anything and everything.” I say quietly. “And then when we moved in together, it was like a dream. John was the first person in so long who wanted to be around me all the time. Who wanted to be a part of every little thing.”

He nods, giving me a sad look. “Oh, Alex..”

“And then he stopped being home as much. He was out and about every night. And then to cheat on me with Carrie?” I shake my head, my breath shaking. “Not only did he cheat on me with her, he didn’t think it meant anything that he slept with someone else. He thought it was alright.”

“It’s not alright, that’s never okay.” Francis confirms. “I’m really sorry you have to go through this.”

I lean into the couch. “It’s not your fault. It’s mine. I should have known that he would go and do something like that, people don’t change that easily.”

“Do you need a hug?” He asks.

“I need a lot more than that. I need a time machine.” I sigh.

“A time machine? For what?” He asks.

“So I can go back and never fall in love with John Laurens.”

He frowns and scoots a little closer to me. “Don’t say that. You said it yourself, you had great memories, great moments. Everything happens for a reason, and I know it sucks, but it’s true.” He says.

I look up at him and then throw myself into his arms, wanting him to hold me. Luckily he got the message and wrapped his arms around me, pulling me close. I grip his shirt, not looking up at him. “Francis, I don’t know what to do. I can’t go back to him, can I?”

He sighs. “You need to know he’s changed before you do. Honestly, I don’t think he’s any good for you. Not anymore at least.” I bite my lip and continue listening. “But, if you want to go back to him, I can’t stop you.”

I look up at him. We stare at each other for a few moments, and then I lean in to kiss him. I don’t know why, but I did.

He quickly pulls away, giving me a confused look.

"Why'd you pull away?" I ask.

"Because this isn't right." He says, keeping his distance.

I roll my eyes. "John and I are broken up, what does it matter." I lean in again and he places his hands out, stopping me.

"Alex, no. You guys aren't officially broken up, you were just telling me you wanted to go back to him."

"Yeah, but right now I just want to feel loved." I say, frowning gently. "If John can go with Carrie, why can't you and I do something, too? Get even with the son of a bitch."

"No, Alex. Final answer." Francis says sternly.

"That doesn't answer my question." I roll my eyes. "Besides, you like me, I know you do." I smile and lean in again.

"Alexander Hamilton, I will not be your rebound. This is not healthy, you don't actually want this, you just think you do." He tells me.

I stare up at him and sit back, shaking my head.  "I… I'm sorry.. I shouldn't be staying here.."

"No, you're hurting, you're not thinking straight. I'm going to be here to help you, but I will not be your rebound, okay? That's not a good way to cope." He says, looking me in the eyes.

I nod slowly, trying to fight back the urge to cry. "Okay… I promise.."

Francis smiles gently at me and nods. "It's alright to cry, Alex. I'll go get ice cream, and we can watch rom coms and yell at them together. How does that sound?"

I chuckle gently, wiping my eyes. "That sounds great.. Thank you Francis.."

"That's what friends are for, Alex."

1484 Words

I'm about to fall asleep so chapter before midnight for you lol

I know some of you are already on Tuesday anyway so it's fiinnneee