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TJ's POV
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        It was late in the afternoon, everyone was heading back to their dorms, except me... and the Schuyler sisters. At this current moment, we were standing outside.
        "Do you like her?" Angelica repeated, slightly angrier this time. She really wanted an answer.
        "I... I don't know..." I finally said, glancing down at the ground. Angelica was taken aback, clearly confused.
        "How do you not know?" Eliza questioned, stepping forward.
        "I just... I don't know! I mean, I always thought I hated her, but..." I combed gently through my hair, trying to think of something to say. Nothing.
        "It's okay, Thomas. We don't need an answer right now! Just in two minutes or we'll assume you don't like her." Angelica stated, making her voice flat at the last sentence. I gulped. What if I don't like her and say I do? But what if I do like her and say I don't? I just... I don't know. Then again, if I didn't like her, I probably wouldn't be so worried about saying something, right? Is that how this works?
        "Uhh..... yes?" I answered cautiously. Angelica covered her mouth and stifled a scream while her sisters jumped around behind her.
        "You have to tell her!" Angelica exclaimes, grabbing my hands. I shook my head.
        "No, I can't do that." I shook my head, remembering what she had told me; 'I can't love anymore.' Ever since that night any time I remember it, I remember those words, and my heart breaks a little every time I remember it.
        "What? Why not?" Peggy wondered, moving her sister aside.
        "Because, she... I can't get into it. The point is, she can't love me, that's all there is to it." I shrugged, putting my hands into my pockets. I walked away from the stunned sisters, not daring to look back. I wiped some stray tears from my cheeks. As I continued to walk, I stared at my hand. I was smiling... so what was this? I mean, sure, I had a crush on her, but... I didn't have that deep a regard for her. I opened my door and saw James sitting on his bed smoking, as usual.
        "Hey there, James." I said, setting down my bag. He puffed out a breath of smoke, then looked over to me.
        "Ah, Thomas. What's-... What's going on?" He asked, suddenly losing his previously calm demeanor.
        "No, I just... I don't know." I finally gave in. I sat down on his bed, placing my head in my hands.
        "Hey... want a cigarette? It'll help you relax." James told me, offering one up. I shook my head and gently pushed his hand away. I lay on my back, putting my arm over my face.
        "Listen, Thomas... I'm thinking of quitting..." James said suddenly. I removed my arm from my face and sat back up quickly.
        "Really?" I questioned, my surprise obvious.
        "Yeah. It makes me feel less stress, but more at the same time. There's also some dude blackmailing me for smoking in here." James explained, putting his cigarette out. I stared at him for a moment before he turned to me.
        "Thomas, something's wrong, and you know what. I've never seen you so nervous, and I would recognize that look in your eyes anywhere; you like someone, don't you?" James question, scooting a little closer to me.
        "What!? No! It's just a tiny crush." I told him, turning away.
        "Say what you will, Tommy, I know you wanna date her. Stop being so afra-"
        "She. Doesn't. Like me! Okay!? She... she's been through so much... I can't put this weight on her..." I whispered the last part as I slid off James' bed and onto the floor. James pat my back reassuringly while I stared up at the ceiling.
        "James... why do bad things happen to good people?" I asked, still staring upward.
        "When you're in a field of flowers, don't you pick the most beautiful ones?" James asked. I looked up at him.
        "Well, ye-... did you just quote Attack on Titan at me?" I scoffed when I saw a smile creep up his face.
        "You know it, man!" He laughed, patting my shoulder. I punched him gently in the side.
        "Bitch!" I exclaimed, chuckling a little, too.
        "Jerk!" James shouted, pointing at me in excitement.
        "Oh my god!" I exclaimed whilst throwing my hands up in the air. James rubbed my shoulder.
        "Y'know... I think that person feels like you do... they're probably scared, too. Trust me, it'll be alright." James mumbled after a while. I thought on it for a while, hoping that he was right. I stood slowly, wobbling a little bit. I walked across the room and lay myself down on my bed. That night, as I fell asleep I thought of (Y/n)'s sweet eyes peering up at me. I could feel myself relax in that moment, and I sunk into the deepest, most comfortable sleep I'd had in weeks.

        I woke up to shouting and screaming. I rubbed my eyes and looked over to James' bed and saw he was gone. I got up and walked out the door to find everyone rushing around. Everyone's words blended together, and only one piercing cry was heard above the noise.
        "Fight! Fight! Fight!" It was Hercules Mulligan. I rushed over to see (Y/n) grabbing Alexander's arm, trying to pull him away from an obviously drunk Lee, who he was holding up by the collar.
        "Alex, it isn't worth it!" (Y/n) exclaimed, trying to tug him away.
        "That's a lie! He deserves this!" And then Alex punched him, sending him to the floor. Lee stood up, smirking. I pushed my way through, glowering down upon him. Suddenly, his look of triumph dissipated. He gulped and scrambled off.
        "Alexander..." I turned around, a cold look in my eyes.
        "Y-yeah?" Alex asked, looking about as scared as Lee did.
        "A word." I led Alexander away with me around a corner.
        "What the hell was that!?" I shouted, my rage clear and radiating off of me.
        "I was defending (Y/n)! Don't tell me that you wouldn't ha-"
        "I wouldn't have if she was begging me not to! A woman like herself should be treated with respect! She should be listened to and cared for! Sure, sometimes it's okay to beat someone up for her, but not only if they're physically harassing her! Whatever the other person does, you have to do the same back! Not fight them if they were being verbally rude or assertive! (Y/n) is a beautiful, kind, amazing person and she deserves only the best! If she asks you not to do something, you listen!" By the end of my rant I was breathing heavily.
        "And why is that?" Alex asked, a devilish smile playing at his lips.
        "Why!? WHY!? Because she's the best damn thing that's ever happened to me! To any of us! That's your fucking 'why'!" I shouted. My blood was boiling and I was about to punch him in the jaw.
        "I think I got enough..." Alex said finally. Hercules, Lafayette, John and Lee came walking over.
        "Was that last part really necessary?" Hercules asked, moving next to Alexander.
        "I think it was. I needed more information, so I got more." He responded, shrugging his shoulders.
        "I'm just glad that we finally found someone for her." John said, chuckling and moving closer, followed by Lafayette.
        "It was important." Lafayette commented.
        "Should I go, or...-" Lee asked, pointing away from us.
        "Yes, Lee. We still hate you." Alexander huffed, rolling his eyes. Lee scoffed at him, leaving quickly.
        "Hamilton... what the hell is going on?" I asked, looking around at the four people.
        "We wanted to know if you actually liked (Y/n)... turns out that you do." Alex answered, smiling.
        "But, if you hurt her..." John stated flat, glaring at me as he gripped Alex's shoulder.
        "We'll cut you, comprendre, mon ami?" Lafayette smirked wildly.
        "Woah, woah; hold up guys." I chuckled, waving my hands in front of me, "She doesn't like me... not like I like her, anyway. I admire this, but... it's waste-"
        "Aha! That's where you're wrong! (Y/n) told us... some things recently and, well... she's just scared. I'm sure that if you really wanted to be with her, and you asked... she'd feel the same!" John exclaimed before Alexander elbowed him in the stomach.
        "Look, just... ask her out. As much as I hate you, I hate seeing (Y/n) upset far more... just don't do anything weird again." Alexander stated finally. Guess he heard about that night.
        "Not without consent, Mon cauchemar." I bowed sarcastically, smirking up at Alex.
        "Yeah, yeah. Whatever. Now scram, we have to practice the play for a bit. Show up soon. Don't mess this up." That was the last thing anyone said before they all left. I smiled to myself, feeling better than I had just a little while ago. I took a deep breath, then went off to find
(Y/n). I was going to do this... I had to do this... for the both of us.

For any of you wondering (which is probably no one) I did draw the picture at the top. I hope it looks okay! Catcha later ma Mellow Shmallows! :3