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Chapter Text

He could survive a hurricane so he knew he could survive this.

Alex listened as the rain pelted down on the car roof sounding like mini thunder. Eyes cast out the window though he couldn't see anything through the whiteout rain that made the night look like day. Ocasionally thunder would actually crack and lighting would light up the sky but mostly it simply rained. It reminded him of a hurricane in a way with how much water was falling from the sky, how it never seemed to end. How no matter what it wouldn't stop. It had been raining for days this was simply the worst of the storm.

The trip from New York to Virginia was a long one, seventeen hours and nineteen minutes to be exact and Alexander was already tired by hour one.

His case worker Mrs.Maddison was new she'd driven up to New York to take over his case from Mr. Seabury. Something technical about him needing a caseworker in state or something. He didn't see why he needed a new caseworker he was just starting to like his last one. Last of many on a list of people who didn't like to deal with him, he supposed Seabury was just the same no longer wanting Alex and the trouble he caused.

Somewhere around the ten hour mark they stopped at a gas station and Alex considered running, about leaving the bathroom and simply running away but he knew his weak body couldn't handle running in the first place and he'd never outrun the slender fit woman that was this Mrs. Maddison.

He'd always been sickly it was part of the reason he was passed around so much, no one wanted a sick, rambunctious child. A angsty preteen and now no one wanted a sick teen who spoke too much and fought too often.

Residing himself to get back in the car, Alex couldn't help but to sigh. He simply wanted to belong and now he was being passed around a new state entirely. Great.

Looking in the rearview mirror Mrs. Maddison smiled that sort of smile Alex knew all to well. The smile that told him she was trying to be kind, but it was hard.

"Now Alexander, I know this must be scary for you, but the Washingtons are great people" She spoke softly like she was speaking to a hurt animal and it drove Alex up a wall. He hated when people spoke to him like that either because they assumed he was violent or because he was sickly.

"Sure they are" He couldn't help the sarcasm that rolled off his tounge. No home was ever nice for long if at all. Never.

"Now Alexander that is no way to talk" The sternness wasn't real, he wasn't that stupid, no caseworker was they were either scared of him or scared for him "The Washingtons are a Senator and a Lawyer they're amazing people who've already taken in a foster child and adopted him, wouldn't that be an amazing possibility?"

"Sure" He was too tired to fight her. He hurt and was just thankful at this point the car wasn't filled with absolute silence besides the rain that wouldn't seem to stop. Laying his head back on the headrest he sighed yet again and curled up in his frayed green hoodie. He just wanted to disappear even if only for a while.

This was his third emergency placement in a year. He knew how it went the family all frantic and kind because of the poor foster kid turned into people who withheld food for punishment or wouldn't give him his meds. He needed his meds that's the only thing he cared about.

The long car drive gave him time to think, pondering the new home and just how great it would be. He knew it wouldn't last but, he couldn't help how long the kindness would last. Some homes it was a month maybe two, the Lee's well, that kindness went on a whole year before the dad, Charles started molesting him in his sleep.

Shivering at the thought he sighed and looked back out the window at the whiteout rain hoping that maybe it was a hurricane and would swallow him whole.

The rainstopped as they pulled into Lexington but they drove right through and into some town over. He watched as the neighborhoods grew nicer and nicer, the houses getting bigger and bigger until they stopped at a gate. Mrs.Maddison stopped but didn't move to get called in or put in a code.

"Alexander please listen to me. Me and Mr. Seabury pulled some strings to get you into this home, so please play nice. Don't fight with their son or cause too much trouble for them. The Washington are family friends of mine so I'll be checking in and as much as I hate to, I will move you again if need be" Her voice was sickly sweet and sugar coated. Alex knew all too well he'd be moved again it was just a matter of time. Still, he looked up at her and nodded.

"Yes ma'am"

Nodding in what seemed to be apeasal she rolled down her window entered a code and pulled through the opening gates. Up the long drive up was a beautiful white house with a wrap around porch. Alex had never cared much for the houses he'd been placed in but this one was top notch. White picket fence, green lush yard, trees to sit and read in, it was stunning even for him.

Looking at Mrs. Maddison he had to wait for her to make her move first since he knew for a fact the child locks were on the doors. Watching as she got out, she took time to press her skirt from the drive, then circled the car to the passenger side to open the back door and let him out.

Standing and stretching he was thankful to be out of the car. He again debated running away but knew yet again his body wouldn't handle the physical running aspect of it. Not with his scoliosis.

Holding back a sigh he followed Mrs.Maddison up the stairs and onto the wrap around porch. She knocked something quick and short, Alex almost wondered in the occupants inside even heard it but the door opened none the less.

Stood before them was a woman maybe in her late thirties with a waved bob and luscious mocha skin. She smiled warmly and opened her arms to Mrs. Maddison "Betty it has been so long"

Watching the embrace awkwardly Alex shuffled his feet and waited to be noticed. Flinching when Mrs. Maddison puts her hand on his shoulder and ushers him forward "Alex this is your new foster mother Martha Washington, be polite"

He'd always hated the term foster family and the names that came with it, like he was supposed to replace his own mother with a foster one. Still he forced a half smile and stuck his hand out "It's nice to meet you ma'am"

"Please call me Martha!" Shaking his hand firmly she ushered them inside and through an archway into the spacious kitchen. "Would you like a cookie Alexander?"

He paused for a moment . He couldn't remember the last time he had a cookie and had so openly been offered one. He supposed it was because Mrs. Maddison was still around but it didn't sound half bad and if they were chocolate chip he was sold anyways.

"Yes please ma'am, er, Martha:" Accepting the cookie held out in a napkin he smiled to himself. Chocolate chip, score. Munching on the cookie he watched as the adults exchanged words mainly about the weather or occasionally how Alex was in previous foster homes.

Mrs. Maddison finally pulled out an all too familiar file to Alex and handed it over to Martha. "Now since I know you I'm letting you fill out the paperwork at your leisure simply get it back to me within the week okay?"

"Of course we'll make sure to get it done" Smiling warmly she watched as Mrs.Maddison showed herself out before turning to Alex. "Would you like another? My Gil will eat them all when he gets home from school"

Nodding softly, he holds out his napkin "Please"

"So polite. Here you have as many as you want the tour can wait" Smiling warmly she set the plate on the island and patted the stool for him "I can also make lunch I'm sure you're starving"

He wanted to deny his hunger but right them his stomach growled and betrayed him, blushing he nodded softly and grabs another cookie to hide behind. Munching on the crumbly gooey cookie he heard Martha laugh before opening the fridge.

"Its alright I know growing young boys get hungry our son Gil is about your age though, I haven't had a chance to read your file yet can you tell me how old you are?"

"Almost fifteen ma'am, just a few more months" Alex hated his age, he felt too young for his mind. Like his mind was older. Though he supposed it was given how much he'd gone through. Finishing off his cookie he debated another but saw Martha had the stuff out for sandwiches.

"Our son isn't much older he just turned fifteen." Setting the food down on the island she smiled warmly "I don't know what you like so I pulled out everything we have but if its not too your liking we can go get something"

Looking across the spread his eyes landed on the peanut butter, he'd kill for a peanut butter sandwhich but the peanuts would kill him back. Deciding on a simple roast beef sandwhich which he made once he was sure Martha wasn't going to take everything away and simply tease him with the prospect of food.

"Once you've finished, and don't rush, I'll show you around the house. Your room is set up but if you want to redecorate even paint let us know and we'll get the stuff for it. We want you to happy here" Her warm smile caught Alex off guard, it was always so warm and friendly it reminded him of his mothers. Well, what little he could remember of her given she'd died when he was so very young.

Alex worked his way through two sandwiches before his body protested anymore food. Wiping his mouth he stood from the stool and looked at the still smiling Marhta "I"m ready ma'am"

"Wonderful, Gil will be home soon so lets make this quick he'll be so excited to meet you" Gently guiding him by the shoulder frowning but saying nothing when he flinches "Downstairs first"

Refraining from touching him further she leads him back to the entryway and through another arch to the living room, a massive room with a fireplace and huge TV. Bookshelves lined the walls some full of movies others full of actual books, through an arch was an office space and back to the kitchen was the breakfast nook and dining room. Up the stairs and to the right was Gilbert's room, to the left the Washingtons and at the end of the hall with it's own bathroom was Alex's new room.

Opening the door Martha smiled once more and nudged him inside "Now don't be afraid to rearrange or redecorate we encourage you to make the space your own"

The room was painted a soft yellow with a queen sized bed on the wall closest to the door with a dresser and desk on the other wall. It was plain but roomy. The door to his ensuite between the dresser and desk. The wall of windows being his favorite feature so far.

"I'll leave you to get settled" Rubbing his back she left and went back to what Alex could assume was the kitchen. This all felt too nice.

Stood at the door he looked at the wall across from it and out the windows that lined the wall. Setting his bookbag down on the bed, he walked past it and looked out the sprawling windows. Through the windows he had a view of the back yard, the large pool, the tree line that went on forever and the patio where he could see Marhta setting up with a book.

Turning back to his room he smiled at the desk. He hadn't had a true desk in so long and to have one all to himself he couldn't believe it. Flopping on the bed face down his sighed to himself maybe this wouldn't be so bad after all.

Chapter Text

The moment George walked into the house his wife was pulling him to the office with a hushed tone.

"George, oh George thank god you're home. Gil is staying at Hercs for a few hours but our new foster son you have to read his file." Martha's voice was hushed down low and full of sorrow and still some tears. She grabbed the thick file from their shared desk and handed it over quickly "The first twenty pages are foster homes alone George"

Furrowing his brow the older of the two took the file handed to him and opened it slowly seeing his wife was right that the first twenty pages that had been paperclipped together was nothing but a list of foster home.

"How many are there? Theres what five per page?" He kept his voice low just like Martha assuming the boy was already in their home with how she spoke so quietly.

"Six on the first and five on the rest, thank god there only one sided I...George why wasn't anyone kept this boy? He seems so polite with a few outbursts mentioned on paper but this, all these homes. I'm so worried for him, please I've already made up my mind to keep him" She spoke rapidly as she did when upset, hanging off of her husbands arm with tears starting to build yet again.

"Now dear take a deep breath I'm sure there's reason, lets not make too hasty of a decision here" George felt for the boy he did but, if forty-one foster family's had grazed past him, passing him along like a soiled set of sheets then something was missing from the file.

"George" Martha spoke firmly she couldn't believe him, she knew he was catious but to say such a thing felt heartless to her "We can't pass him around not again I refuse to"

"I didn't say we'd pass him around" Hugging her around the shoulders he sighed softly but smiled at her gently "What I said is lets give this some time before we just up and decide we're keeping the boy forever he doesn't even know us yet and he's what fifteen maybe sixteen he's probably angry at the world like Gil and his friends he'll need time to settle"

"He's fourteen George"

"By God" Those plain words shook him, his file said his first family was when he was five, fourty-one home in almost ten years. Fourty-two now technically. The math couldn't be right, it had to be wrong or that was four and a half homes a year. By god was right.

Setting the file down on the desk he turned to his wife and hugged her tight. Perhaps he's already misjudged this boy as many others probably had. Judging him for an outburst or turning him away for normal childish things they simply didn't want to or couldn't deal with.

"Text Gil to come home alone tonight while the boys are always welcome, they might overwhelm poor Alexander" Rubbing her back softly he pulled away and gave her a soft smile "I'm going to introduce myself"

Making his way up the stairs and to the back bedroom George knocked as soft as his big hands would allow. Slowly the door opened after a couple of minutes followed by a teen with striking auburn hair and dark eyes that held a tiredness he shouldn't at his age.

"Son, I'm George Washington your foster father. May I come in?" He saw the quick flash of a scowl before the tiny teen opened the door enough for the larger man to enter.

The room hadn't changed even though he knew his wife had told the boy to feel free to rearrange. The only difference being the small ratty bookbag on the bed. Looking at him from by the bed with as much space as possible Alex furrowed his brow.

"Sir?" His voice though it didn't shake, sounded like it wanted too. Eyes squinted at him in suspicion as he observed the older man.

George knew he was an imposing man, standing six foot four with his shiny bald head and dark eyes. Gilbert once told him his presence while comforting to those who knew him, others found him threatening.

"I wanted to introduce myself, kid. We'll be living together after all and I thought it was appropriate we get accquainted." He stuck his hand out firmly towards Alexander and smiled as warmly as he could trying to come off sweet as his wife did.

Eyeing his hand Alex took a step back and narrowed his eyes wary of the man before him. "It's a pleasure sir I'm sure but I wont be here long"

"Now son" He started

"Don't call me son"

The outburst caught him off guard. No one had ever stopped his endearment before not even little Gil when he first moved in all upset about his parents. Taken a back George simply nodded and tried again.

"Alex can I call you that?" He wanted to be gentle with the boy despite his anger issues he hid so well.

"No, only my friends call me that and I don't have friends" He was angry his eyes rimmed with unshed tears and a fire behind his eyes that made even George feel it.

Nodding once again he looked out the window before bringing his gaze back to the small angry teen still standing so far away. "Alright Alexander lets try this from the top ok?"

"If you say so sir" His voice was still clipped and high not yet having dropped in puberty. He seemed like a little dog to George small but full of fight to prove himself. It made him miss their French Bulldog, Toaster.

"My name is George feel free to call me such, I know my wife is letting you call her Martha. We're very open in this family so don't be afraid to ask any questions you have so-kid." He didn't want to come off harsh or mean to the already skeptical teen before him but he didn't know what else to do to make him trust him.

"Now our son Gilbert will be home shortly and I'm sure he's eager to meet you so wash up and you guys can meet over dinner" Nodding as if the conversation went well which it had in his mind, George grabbed the doorknob and closed it on his way out only hoping and praying that Alexander saw it as well as he did.

Making his way back downstairs George entered the kitchen before letting out the sigh he'd been holding in. "Martha dear I'm sure the boy simply hates me"

"Oh I'm sure he doesn't he's just scared you remember how Gil was and John, poor John with his father. And Toasty, he came from the shelter how scared he was with his tail between his legs. Alex is just like him honey" Her words comforted her husband. Soft honey voice always a comfort to her family. Circling the island she handed her husband the plate of cookies and rubbed his back.

"You didn't see how he looked at me" He protested his heart feeling sour for being so judgmental earlier especially now that he's met the boy "He may be like Toaster but he's so angry at me, I think he's had a bad home or two with foster fathers. You should have seen the way he looked at me Martha. I thought he might kill me if looks could kill"

"Lets give him some time like you said earlier. Take a breath, eat a cookie and wait for Gil to get home I'm sure everything will be fine in the end we just need some time together" Stepping away she smiles softly as a call rings through the house "See he's home now"

Entering the kitchen the teen smiled and looked at his parents "Oui I is home! Mère I knew you said to come home alone but John, you know how his father is oui. Please I couldn't leave him to rot"

Smiling sadly Martha nodded and ushered the hidden teen out of the entryway "He's always welcome now go wash up dinner is almost ready and Alexander will be down so lets make a good impression" Patting her hands on her apron she smiled and looked at the two boys sternly "And don't even think of sticking your head in on him before dinner let him rest okay?"

"D'accord mère" Pulling his curly haired friend up the stairs Gilbert smiles and tugs harder as he stops at his door and looks at the room at the end of the hall "What will mère know?"

"Laf your mom said not too. What if he's mean?" John wasn't usually a cautious kid more brazen than anything but he knew what it meant to be from a bad home and if the foster kid was anything like some of the horror stories he'd heard from their friend Aaron then he didn't want to get into a fight with a kid he just met.

"Oui but he can't be too bad let's' see? Just for a moment" Cocking his head towards the door he grabbed his friend's hand and led him down the hall to the back bedroom knocking light enough his mother wouldn't hear.

Chapter Text

Alex peace was interrupted by a knock and a french accent.

Whoever was on the other side knocked harder the second time around hoping to probably wake him if he was sleeping.  "Alexandre! Please answer we're excited to meet you!"

Finally opening the door Alex grumbled something about not being left alone before finally answering politely "Hey, I um don't really feel like company right now"

"Ah but dinner is almost ready! Surely you must come eat, me and John must learn so much about you!" The taller teen spoke his French accent still thick and his curly hair bobbing around as he spoke.

"Hey don't wrap me in with you like that!" Wrapping his arm around the taller teens neck the other pulled him down to rough up is curly puff.

Watching the two interact Alex felt out of place, he simply wanted to be left alone but everyone in this house seemed to want to bother him. Everyone but Martha who's yet to speak to him since he arrived several hours prior.

"My name is Gilbert Lafayette-Washington but you may call me Gilbert or Laf either is fine!" Taking a dramatic bow the boy entered the room with a wide smile and a boysterous laugh.

Looking back at the other teen still stood in his doorway Alex raised an eyebrow. He was pretty. That's the first thing of note. With caramel skin and hazel green eyes. His brown curly hair tied back at the nape of his neck. He felt a blush run up his neck when their eyes met. "Are you uh coming in too?"

He wanted to punch himself for stuttering but he couldn't help it. He knew he was bi though he leaned more towards men but now it just confirmed it.

"Uh yeah sure" Rubbing the back of his neck the beautiful boy walked into the room and smiled "I've always loved this room its so yellow and warm.

Finding himself smiling Alex nodded before turning away to face the window "Yeah its nice here, better than some of the other homes I've been in"

He hadn't meant to stay the last part but it came out just as it had when talking to his social workers. He didn't exactly care if people knew but he wasn't willing to share more than the basics of most of his homes. Running a hand through his hair he cursed at a knot and mumbled about a hair tie.

"Careful don't let Martha hear that mouth she'll wash it out with soap" Handing over a hair tie the teen smiled "I'm John by the way, John Laurens"

"Alexander Hamilton" He stuck his hand out, he didn't feel threatened between the boys. He knew he could handle himself in a fight with kids his own age.

"Bet you don't go by Alex huh?" It was a joke, he knew it was, but something about hearing the boy call him Alex made something tingle made something light a fire he wasn't used to. This wasn't anger this was that once in a while passion that he felt like when he was writing.

"Uh You can call me Alex if you'd like" He blushes as his hand was shaken back firmly

"So Alex, I hear we're having spagetti for dinner" The smile told him that John was being friendly but all it did was make his stomach churn. Alex hated spagetti. Especially after house twenty-two. Mrs. Taylor made it far too often and too badly for it to be any good.

"Oui! Mere makes wonderful spaghetti! You are in for a treat!" He'd almost forgotten the french teen was even there but he spoke and ruined the illusion of it being just him and John.

Walking over Laf slung his arm over Alex's shoulders and laughed fondly "I can't wait to show you around!"

Alex hated every minute he was being touched. He wasn't fond of it after so many foster homes and it didn't feel to great with all the scars atop his skin but he simply grit his teeth and bared it. If he was mean to their son there was a chance the Washingtons would kick him out so soon and he hadn't even been here tweny-four hours.

Following the two boys downstairs Alex couldn't help but to feel anxious. Dinner would involve George and he was a tall man with an even bigger presence. Stopping at the bottom of the stairs Laf continued on but John stopped. Smiling gently and holding his hand out softly.

"You're worried about George aren't you?" The smile was kind but there was a sadness too it "I know the feeling, my dad isn't uh nice and George scared me at first too"

Moving to stand beside him on the stairs his gentle smile never wavered "He's a scary man, he's big and intimidating but he's so kind just like our friend Herc. He's big and mean looking but he's not I promise. My dad, my dad hits me and I bet the system wasn't nice to you but trust me when I say George won't hurt you because if he ever lays a hand on you I'll go back to Juvie."

Alex wanted to cry. He felt the tears on his waterline but he wouldn't let them fall not here in the entryway at the bottom of the stairs. John was sincere and shared a fact that hurt and was honest with him, wanted to protect him and he'd simply just met him. Squeezing the hand offered to him he smiled through the tearyness and nodded.

"I'll try" That's the best he could offer was a try to trust the older man but John was right he was so much larger and so intimidating.

"Here, I'll sit next to you at dinner. If he makes a move I'll sock him what do you say huh? I'll punch him so hard he grows hair again"

This time a laugh left Alex. Abrubt and teary but a laugh none the less and that made John smile so wide his freckles turned pink. He was beautiful and that's the one thing Alex knew for sure.

He followed John to the dining room and the two of them sat on the opposite side from Laf. The french boy frowned at his friend leaving him for his new foster brother but didn't say a word. John sitting so there was a seat between Alex and George.

"So Alexander, have you settled in alright?" Martha smiled and spoke softly she always did. It comforted Alex and reminded him of what little he could remember of his own mother. Maybe this foster mother wouldn't be so bad.

"I'm alright ma'am, erm, Martha. The room is beautiful" He was telling the truth he loved the view from the wall of windows.

"I'm glad you're enjoying it. We'll take you by the school tomorrow to get you registered for classes I'm sure you're excited to get back your file says you haven't been in some time" Her smile was genuine and it set Alex at ease despite the closeness of George at the end of the table.

Pulling at his ponytail he nodded "Yes ma'am, it's been a while I've been in too many homes recently to be enrolled properly"

"Well let's fix that because you're not going anywhere" Alex wanted to cry. He'd never been wanted since his mom died and here was a kind woman telling him to relax because she wanted him in her home.

"Martha" George warned and it just caused the teen to want to glare at him. He didn't, he kept his composure but when he looked over he saw Johns unhappy look.

Alex bit his lip and ignored George, he knew he told John he'd try to trust him but the adult made it hard. Looking at Martha with his hopeful look he couldn't help but to smile, trusting her was easy.

After dinner Alex looked at Martha uneasy but knew he had to ask for his meds in case she'd forgotten about them, he needed them. Especially with his mental state.

Walking up to her as she cleaned up the kitchen he hesitantly tugged on her sleeve from behind waiting for an outburst but one never came. She simply turned around and smiled "Yes Alexander?"

"I uh, I need my meds" Fiddling with his hoodie some more he sighed almost expecting her to deny them. 

"Of course thank you for the reminder, lets get those down and taken" Reaching into the cabinet by the stove she pulled down the ziplock bag of his meds from the other over the counter drugs in the cabinet. "Can I trust you to take what you need while I finish up dishes? Mrs. Maddison didn't explicitly tell me your on any watch" 

"I can take them ma'am, thank you" Slowly he pulled out every bottle and took one from almost half of them methodically counting them and sighing softly at the amount in his hand before he took them dry. 

Frowning Martha looked at him and handed a glass of water "That doesn't seem fun here drink this, do you need food with them or was dinner enough?" 

"Dinner is enough I just I need to take them everyday" Watching her nod she then smiled and turned back to him her hands soapy from the dishes. 

"Why don't we get you a pill organizer do you don't have to count those everyday and then we can work on setting an alarm so none of us forget." Smiling to herself and nodding she spoke again "We'll get this down don't worry you're not going anywhere so I need to know as much as I can!" 

Chapter Text

Enrolling Alex in school took longer than anyone expected.

Principal Adams had been completely unhelpful in the end. His secretary Mrs. Abigail had done most of the work and had been so kind through the process of getting all his records and enrolling him in the school. Finally, by lunch time he was told his schedule and let out with a guide.

Aaron Burr was his guide's name; they shared most of the same schedule and that's why they'd been paired together. Alex followed behind him quietly and they'd been halfway to the cafeteria before Burr finally spoke to him. "I'm Aaron Burr, sir, and you don't belong here"

"I'm sorry what?" He was used to rude but right off the bat through him for a loop, he hadn't expected the kid to be so mean given his demeanor, but he was, and it seemed entirely targeted.

"I mean what I say. You act like you don't belong, so you don't. You mutter to yourself, and I don't think you're aware, but your best bet is to talk less, smile more and keep to yourself" His voice was clipped and short, quiet, like he didn't want to be noticed beyond the point of the conversation.

"Yeah, why don't you keep your advice to yourself. Martha wants me for your information, so I don't care what some kid I just met says. I belong in this school so get used to me being here" Crossing his arms Alex stood firm in his spot as Burr simply sighed and turned to face the front again back to Alexander.

He didn't start to walk again simply stood still and took a breath "You're too quick to fight, you're like a lion in the wild. An animal unable to think rationally, take a breath follow some advice and you won't end up hurt but trust you will end up hurt if you continue to take everything so seriously."

"You think your advice is friendly, but you simply come off as a pompous overzealous asshole who thinks you know everything why don't you follow your own advice and talk less. You'd be more tolerable" Taking the school map the office secretary gave him he walked past Burr giving him a hard shoulder check before finding his own way to the cafeteria to hopefully find John and Laf.

The sound of the cafeteria hit him before he found it. Walking through the double doors Alex immediately went looking for the curly hair he found familiar. He found John first still in the lunch line but getting close to sitting down. Making his way to him he ignored the protests of him cutting in line, he wasn't getting food anyway.

"Hey Alex!" Waving to him John smiled and pulled him closer "What are you doing here? Do you start today? Who's your guide?"

"Some kid named Aaron Burr but honestly he can suck my dick" It's the first rude thing Alex had said since he'd been placed with the Washingtons.

Laughing hard and loud John pulled him through the rest of the line and to an empty table "Wow you got some spunk I like it. What did oh so righteous Burr do to piss you off?"

"He said some shit about how I don't belong here and to not get comfortable and something about talk less smile more" Sighing he hung his head his long auburn hair falling into his face. "He's such an asshole for no reason I didn't even say shit to him but apparently I mumble and it pisses him off."

"What?! That's crazy man you totally belong!" The teen that spoke was a big kid. Almost as tall as Laf with a beanie on his head and a strong jawline. "I'm Hercules by the way but totally feel free to call me Herc"

Nodding Alex looked at Laf who simply laughed and nodded as the two sat down with them "Herc's our gentle giant as one would say."

"Tell us more about Burr I'll kick his ass" John stabbed a tater to with his spork "I love a good fight, and telling my friend he doesn't belong doesn't sit with me"

"He called me a wild animal John, a lion or something" He was upset the spark of fire in his eyes and everyone saw it.

"Oh, but Mon Ami you are like a petite lion you've got spark that sits like a roaring fire. I will call you lion and screw with Burr because fuck Burr"

Sighing he nodded and looked at the table his stomach growling, going almost unnoticed because of the roar of sound in the cafeteria.

"You hungry Alex?" Of course, John noticed and it made Alex's heart feel warm. The beautiful boy was so observant.

"I'll be okay till I get back to the Washingtons I don't have any lunch money" Picking at the sleeve of his ratty hoodie he sighed and looked away

"Nah don't wait have some of mine I never finish it all anyways" Shoving his lunch tray between the two of them he smiled and cocked his head to the side. "Go ahead, the tater tots are amazing"

Nodding softly Alex took a tater tot and popped it into his mouth. He wasn't used to so much food being offered to him, between the Washingtons and John he felt as if he'd put on some weight and he wasn't sure how he felt about it.

He talked through lunch and relaxed into the group only being drawn from it when the bell rang and he realized he had to go to his next class. Sat next to John the two looked over his schedule and talked through the best routes to get there.

"Political science? As a freshman you must be in advanced classes all around, we have an enemy in that class he's such a dickwad" John stuck his tongue out and sighed "Thomas Jefferson, watch out for that asshole"

"Even his name sounds prestigious" Fake gagging Alex looked at his schedule and made a note of the name "I'll avoid him all I can I don't need any more enemies"

Laughing John smiled and nodded. His smile was so bright and warm, and the prettiest Alex had ever seen. He felt like a whole new person whenever he saw it.

Finally leaving he made his way to his classes keeping his head down and his eyes on his own paper hoping to not make a single sound as to be noticed by Burr who seemed to be staring holes into the back of his head in every class.

He'd almost made it through the day sitting with two classes left and it just so happened that Political science was one of them.

Sitting in class he'd almost gotten away with a silent classroom until a kid with a purple sweatshirt made the most ridiculous comment to his friend.

"The poor need to simply stop reproducing, work harder, and get into college instead of working dead end jobs that lead nowhere"

"What the fuck" Alex was glad the teacher had stepped out for a moment because he didn't need a lecture about his mouth right now.

"Oh, I'm sorry, someone who does not agree must be a poor" Turning in his seat to face Alexander the kid looked a little too much like Laf for his own comfort and the teen beside him was far too much like Herc.

Startled but undeterred Alex sat up in his seat and scoffed "So what if I am? Going to tell me to kill myself to lower the poverty population?"

"Well, I won't stop you if you decided to take a swan dive off the building" Crossing his arms the teen sneered and laughed "What? Scared to responded? You must be new here I don't recognize your ugly face"

"I am new, and I'm not scared of you. Your point of view is clearly inaccurate, uneducated and stated from a point of wealth and privilege you clearly have never stepped outside of." Glaring he sighed and stared him down "I'm Alexander Hamilton by the way and apparently I'm the one who's actually going to shut your loudmouth up"

"Thomas Jefferson you little lion of a man" Standing he towered over Alex intimidating yet he refused to shrink back and faulter.

"Mr. Jefferson you must have a good reason for standing in my classroom!" The teacher entered Mrs. Knox or something stood in the doorway with her arms crossed and her face stern "You better sit down, or I will call your parents yet again"

Sitting down Thomas glared at Alex once more before turning back around in his seat. Relaxing from the fight the smaller boy sighed and looked at the teacher, he could handle himself in a fight, but he wouldn't turn down some unexpected help. Resting his head in his palm he shook his head and waited for the bell to ring so he could see John in art.