Chapter 7

John's P.O.V.

Wow. Just wow. That's all I could think in that moment. Alex, he hurt himself. He was alone. He was sad. I opened the door to the Starbucks that I worked out. It was 11:57, my shift started at 12:00, and I got off at 4:00. At this point, I had no idea how I was going to work today. I tied my apron around my waist, put on my hat, washed my hands and got to work.

I pulled out my phone from my pocket. 3:45. Almost. This day was going way too freaking slow. All I could think of was Alex. The way tears fell down his face, so elegantly, like they practiced many times before. The image of his wrists implanted itself into my brain. I just wanted to help him. School started tomorrow and I was currently at work. I met Alex almost a week ago. Yet, none of that mattered. I wanted to sit next to him and tell him that everything was going to be okay. I wanted to hold his hands, and make him feel like he wasn't alone. I wanted to hug him until I squeezed all the bad out of him. I wanted to kiss him.

"Mon ami, why is it that every time we come in here, you are starting off into space?!" I looked up, only to see Herc staring at Laf, as per usual. But this did not stop the fact that Alex was alone right now. I left him."Hey guys. What's up? What would you like to drink?""Umm, Johnny Boy. You okay?"No. "Yeah. Drinks?""Same as always, please." They walked over to the table closest to the counter so that they could still talk to me as I made their drinks. I wasn't in the mood to talk. There was nothing to say. I put the lids on both the drinks and slid them across the counter, towards Hercules and Lafayette. "Here you go guys." "Thank you mon ami. Now, I think I speak for both Herc and I when I say that something is bothering you, and we, as long-time friends of yours, would like to know." Herc smiled and nodded, agreeing with Laf."My shifts over in 10. We can walk back to campus together, okay?" I guess I would be telling them about Alex finally. Alex. Just his name made my heart beat faster. (A/N that was such a cliche line.) I wiped down the counters, served my last customers, and went into the back to clock out. Since school started tomorrow, I checked in with my boss, reminding him that I wouldn't be in for my normal shifts for a while. "Hey Mr. Reynolds?""Mr. Laurens! Is everything alright?" "Yeah. No, everything's fine! I was just here to remind you that I won't be in for about a week. You know, just to get into school smoothly and all.""I appreciate the reminder John. Here," he said as he reached over to a file draw, pulling out an envelope. "Here is your pay from the last week. Stop by tomorrow to grab today's pay, okay?" I nodded. "Alrighty then. Have a great day John, and good luck with school.""Thanks. I'll see you tomorrow!"When I walked back out into the main part of the cafe, I saw Hercules and Lafayette still sitting at the same table as before. They were talking quietly, but their faces said enough. God. It bothered me how oblivious they were to the fact that they both adored each other. I wish I had someone like that. I wish Alex would see me the way Lafayette saw Hercules, and vice-versa. Alex. I was going to tell them about Alex. "Hey guys! All set?""Oui! Let me just throw out these cups." While Laf walked over to the garbage, I whispered to Hercules. "You know he's like in love with you." He just stood up, pushed in his chair and laughed. But I could see him stifling a blush. Once Laf walked back over, we headed out the door. We walked down the sidewalk in silence. John, they are your best friends. Tell them. "Hey guys?""Yeah Johnny Boy," Hercules replied."About my roommate. Well, he kind of found me in the dorm crying the first night he was here. He was really nice when we met, and he just left to "go for a walk". He said he needed fresh air. He was different. I started thinking about my past and all that crap and, well, I guess I just cracked. He walked into me crying on my bed," I lied. I hadn't told anyone about the whole eating thing. Plus, I was getting better. There was no point of bringing it up. "Anyway," I continued, " I know that you guys would never judge me, so I don't know why I have been hiding it and pretending like it wasn't there. Basically, Herc, Laf." I turned my head to face them, making eye contact. I stopped walking, and they followed suit, realizing that this was important. "Guys. I'm gay. Which, yeah is a big deal and whatever. But, I think I have feelings for Alex. We talked a lot that night, and we have gotten really close. And, I know I only texted you guys telling you that I had a roommate and that he was majoring in law too, but there was so much more I had to say about him." Both of them just stared at me, then each other. Then, in almost a split second, their arms were wrapped around me, and I was hugging back. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you guys sooner," I said as I pulled away. "Mon ami, don't be sorry. You did nothing wrong.""Laf's right. You can always talk to us, but only if you feel comfortable. And it makes sense now."We started walking again, but the last thing confused me. "What do you mean?""Nothing bad. Just that over the phone and text, you were very short when I brought up Alex. I wondered why. But I guess it makes sense now."Before I responded, we were back on campus. "I appreciate you guys sticking through my craziness with me. Means a lot.""Anytime mon ami. Like Herc said, We are always here for you."With that we gave each other one last hug, and walked towards our dorm buildings. I will admit that you might classify my speed as more of a slow jog, than a walk. But, Alex was upstairs alone. I needed to see him again. I needed to see him happy. I guess I wasn't paying much attention because I soon found myself on the floor. I had ran straight into someone, them knocking me down. I looked up, apologizing one too many times. It was a pretty girl with straight black hair. She was wearing a bluish green dress. "I'm so sorry," I said, for the seventh time. "Don't be. It was as much my fault as yours." I smiled. She was sweet. "I'm Elizabeth Schuyler. You can call me Eliza. You work at the coffee place right?" "Yeah that's me. I'm John, by the way. John Laurens." I reached out my hand and she gladly took it, shaking it. "Pleasure to meet you John. I'm sorry again. Hope you didn't hurt anything. I'll see you around!" "Yeah, hopefully!" I smiled and Eliza waved as she walked away. The world still has kind people. Kind people. Alex. I dusted off my pants and, as fast as I could, entered the building. Once I was at the dorm, I took a deep breath. I grabbed my key out of my back pocket and unlocked the door. "Alex. I'm back." Silence. I looked around. No Alex. Walking into me and Alex's room, I heard something. Very faint. But there. It got louder the closer I got. Snoring. On his bed was a sleeping Alex and a laptop, on with a document open. I shut it and placed it on the desk. I grabbed a blanket from my bed and put it over Alex. I stood there, admiring the gorgeous man, who looked at peace. I bent down and placed my lips gently on his forehead. "Goodnight Hamilton."I walked into the kitchen, made myself dinner and ate it all. I was proud of myself. Alex would be proud too. I was lucky to have him. He may have had a fucked up childhood, but that was the past. I was going to do anything and everything I could to make him happy.

After watching TV for a few hours, I went back into my room. I looked at my phone. 9:45. Alex was still sleeping. God. He made me helpless. I changed into my pajamas, climbed into bed, turned the lights off, and slowly fell asleep thinking of Hamilton.

(A/N: don't feel like editing this so im not gonna. Hopefully its good for you!! Over 1.5k words. Wrote it in one shot. Its 11:09pm . Again. I should be sleeping. BUT ANNOUNCEMENT!! You probably all know but Leslie is gonna be a dad you guys!!! Okay anyway. Goodnight. Again, I apologize for the awfulness of this unedited work. Then again, i have no idea if it's bad cause I didn't read it.)

Love yourself 💕