"Hi, welcome to the Pizza Joint, what can I get for you today?" I ask, sighing softly.

I requested more hours, since I quit doing John's homework. Luckily, it was Christmas time and they needed more workers anyway. I had a lot of money, but nowhere near enough to pay for my tuition, so here I am, back at my job.

I served multiple customers, including many Karens (they got worse this time of year), and tried holding back my regret. My manager could tell something was wrong, but he didn't bother asking. He's known me too long to expect me to say what's wrong.

Once my shift was finally over, I washed my hands and clocked out of the system, sighing as I put my hat and apron away. I grab my bag and walk out of the store, waving bye to my coworkers.

As I walk home, I run into three familiar faces. "I'm just saying, Pulitzer's a pretentious as-"

"Alex!"

I smile gently. It was Jack, Crutchie, and Davey standing by the bus stop.

"Oh, hey guys." I say, waving at them. Crutchie hobbles over and hugs me. "How're you guys doing?"

"Pretty good, how are you?" Davey asks.

I shrug. "Meh, tired of working." I chuckle gently.

"Yeah, no kidding." Jack scoffs. "Joe's being stingy with our salaries again."

"Ouch, that's no good." I say. I always hated Pulitzer. He didn't care for his employees at all, only the money he gets. "What are you going to do this time?"

"Go on strike!" Jack says proudly.

Davey quickly shakes his head. "No, no, we are not going on strike. Jack, we talked about this-"

"I don't remember that talk." Jack states very bluntly. "We're going on strike, and that's that."

Crutchie rolls his eyes. "Jack, are you sure that's such a good idea? Remember last time you tried that?"

I chuckle. "Well, you guys have fun with that, I gotta get home."

They nod and wave bye to me. As I walk, I can hear them still debating their strike.

I arrive home and call out like normal, and then try going straight to my room. Theodosia stands in front of me before I can climb up the stairs, though, crossing her arms.

"When's the last time you talked to Hercules and Lafayette?" She asks.

I shrug. "Halloween."

She rolls her eyes. "Alex, that was October 31st."

"Well, yeah. I know what day Halloween is on, it's the same day every year."

"My point is today is December 4th." She says. "You can't ignore them forever, you know."

"Watch me." I say, walking past her and go up the stairs.

"They were only trying to be good friends to you, Alex!" She calls after me. I continue walking, however, and plop on my bed once I reach my room.

I sigh and pull out my phone to see the usual two messages - one from Laf, and one from Herc - asking the same thing they asked everyday. I didn't want to ignore them, I just couldn't stand seeing them together, all happy.

And yeah, I know that's selfish, but I'm still hurting. It's not fair that they get to be in a healthy, happy relationship and I'm over here still getting bullied by the guy I used to like and his friends.

The door to my room opens and I don't even bother turning around. "Hi, Grace." I mumble.

"Hey, brat." She replies. "You're going to a debate thing all day tomorrow, right?"

I nod. "Yep, walking to the school at 7 in the morning tomorrow."

"Well, make sure you take Theodosia with you. I'm having a few guests over, and if I can get rid of both of you, it'd be perfect." She states.

"Gee, how did I get so lucky to end up in a loving foster home?" I ask sarcastically, looking up at her finally.

"Watch your tone, boy. Or I won't let you back in tomorrow when you get back." She snaps before walking out of my room.

I sigh and stand to close the door after her before changing into some sweatpants and a shirt with some rapper on it. I then plop down on my bed and attempt to fall asleep.

Timeskip brought to you by all the kids being depressed (wow calling me out lol)

"Is this going to be all day long?" Theo whines.

"Yes, yes it is." I say, and she groans in response. I chuckle. "What, you don't want to watch me debate?"

"Alex, I see you do that everyday. This time is no different."

"Except this time I'm competing." I say and she shrugs.

"So you're telling me I'm going to have to sit by myself, all day long, to watch you compete something you do everyday?" She asks.

"Nah, you can sit with our alternate, Aaron." I tell her.

"Alternate?" She questions. "You guys have enough people for an alternate?"

I chuckle gently. "Yes, we have enough people for an alternate."

We walk up to the school, joining everyone else standing there in the cold. They all look at me.

"Who's this? Hamilton has a girlfriend?" Jefferson teases.

"Don't be weird, this is my sister." I scoff.

"Um, we don't have room for her to come with us." Angelica whines. "Plus ones aren't allowed."

"Trust me, I don't wanna be here, either." Theo snaps at her.

A couple of the guys chuckle as Angelica glares at her, but Washington interrupts anything about to be said. "Enough, it's early and I'm freezing and frankly don't care. We have another seat, it'll be fine. Everyone get on the bus." He sighs.

Everyone gets on the bus and Washington stops me. "Everything alright at home?" He asked.

I nod. "Yeah, Grace made me take her with me. She had some guests over or something." I explain and he nods. He knew I was a foster kid, all the teachers knew. He was the only one I was comfortable talking about it with.

I get on the bus, sitting next to Theodosia. We get to the competition and compete all morning, Angelica barely losing to me. It pissed her off, but it pissed me off, too. I was doing way worse than normal.

At our lunch break, Aaron came up to me as Theo talked with Paine. "Hey, can we talk a second?"

I raise an eyebrow and sit. "Uh, yeah, what about?"

"So, Theodosia's your sister?" He asks.

"Well, technically, yes. She's my foster sister." I explain. He nods.

"Do you happen to know what her online name may be, by any chance?" He seems nervous, and I'm not sure why.

"Something about roses, why?" I ask.

He nods again, a bit slower this time. "I think..I think your sister and I have been talking for a little while."

I then think about the possibility. It's not likely that that was true, because the only person she really talks online to is Always Cold-

Oh my God, that's a terrible pun.

"You're Always Cold?" I ask, whisper shouting.

"Well, yeah, I thought it was funny because my last name is Burr-"

"Yeah, yeah I get it. It's not funny, but I get it. So you're the one Theo can't stop texting?" I ask.

He smiles and nods. "Yeah, yeah I guess I am." He leans in. "Does she, uh, like me back?"

I sigh. "Listen man, that's none of my business. Why don't you ask her yourself?" I bite into my sandwich.

"Okay, okay I will. I'll go talk to her now."

I chuckle and shake my head as he stands and walks over to Theo. He never was one to speak his mind, so this would be interesting to watch.

Right before he starts talking, I see two people sit at the table with me, diverting my attention away from Aaron.

I raise an eyebrow at the two in front of me. "What are you guys doing here?"

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