Soon enough, Philip had to go back to school. Though, it didn't quite make a difference since they hardly saw each other in person either way. They both decided it was too risky to be out in public together since someone could easily see them and the gossip in New York City was insidious.

Due to this, the distance was hardly noticeable. It was as if Philip was still a few block away instead of across the city. They wrote to each other nearly everyday, sometimes talking about things such as politics and other times simply conversing about how their days went.

Theodosia was now always in a considerably good mood. In fact, she was feeling better now than she had in the last five years. There was something about that Hamilton boy. Maybe his way with words, maybe the way he treated her as an equal despite the fact that she was a woman.

Theo could hardly contain her excitement as she tore open his most recently sent envelope. She practically lived to read his letters. They were the highlights of her days, the only thing she looked forward to aside from her studies. She held the letter gently as she began to read...

My dearest, Theo,

Theo froze as she felt a blush creep onto her face. She must have read that wrong, right? There was no way he'd written what she thought he'd written. So she scanned the first phrase again. Sure enough, it said, 'My dearest, Theo.' With a comma after 'dearest.'

She tried to think rationally about this. Surely, it didn't mean anything. It was probably just an honest mistake on his part. They were simply very good friends who wrote to each other often, nothing more, nothing less.

Still, she simply couldn't ignore the nagging feeling in her head. Philip was a poet, he always paid attention to things like that. If he wrote something, he meant it. Trying to shake something as insignificant as a comma out of her head, she continued to read the letter.

My dearest, Theo,

You tell me if this Joseph Alston continues these advances on you, I'll give him a piece of my mind. Men like him disgust me greatly. Even as I write this letter, the thought of him harassing you infuriates me to no end. This is most likely the cause of my shaky writing, though, it may just be the thought of you, darling Theodosia, that is making me a bit nervous.

On a more pleasant note, my fellow classmates and I are being given a recess this upcoming week. I know we agreed no meeting in public, but what if we were to 'accidentally' run into each other as we are going to the market later this evening? Surely, as the children of two politically figures, we're bound to talk to each other once in a while, right?

I keep thoughts of you on my mind, always. I hope you are doing well and I eagerly await your response.

Philip Hamilton

Theo rolled her eyes, but the blush on her face did not go away. If anything, it simply darkened. Philip was naturally a flirt, she'd learned, but it always caught her off guard whenever he'd slip a compliment or a certain phrase. It never failed to make her heart rate speed up.

Shaking her head, Theo decided that two could play at that game.

OoOoOo

Philip was grinning from ear-to-ear when he received a letter back from the girl that had been on his mind since they met at the ball. He simply couldn't keep his flirtatious ways out of the letters he wrote her. Though, some of his friends joked that he had found 'The One' solely based on the fact that he hadn't been flirting with other girls for months.

My dearest, Philip

Wait, what?

Did she just... Did that mean... what?

Fairly enough, he did the same thing. But he was a natural flirt, something she knew. A bashful smile crept its way onto his face at the thought of her flirting back with him. Maybe this was a sign. Maybe things were escalating between them. He continued to read her letter anyway, interested in what she had to say.

My dearest, Philip,

I told you not to worry about Alston. He's simply a boy with nothing better to do, I can handle it. I thank you for your concern, however. Besides, I haven't heard a thing from him in days. I suppose he's grown bored of my constant rejections. Do not worry, you're still my favorite of all the young men in New York.

As for your idea, I would simply love to meet you. How about the Thursday after you get back around noon? I shall tell my father that I'm going to pick something up from the market and you should tell your parents the same.

I must say, I am looking forward to your arrival. It had been too long since I've seen your delightful freckles and glimmering green eyes and I can honestly say I've missed both greatly. I shall see you soon.

Theodosia Burr II

By the time he finished the letter, Philip was sure his whole face was red. Theodosia Burr was certainly one of the boldest woman he'd ever met. Suddenly, coming home to his obnoxious siblings and awkward silence between his parents was worth it all to see Theo's beautiful face.

OoOoOo

"Excuse me, Miss? I couldn't help but notice your beauty from across the marketplace."

Theodosia stifled a laugh, trying to keep her eyes forward and not turn around. "Is that so, good sir?" she played along, faking aloofness. "And what makes you think I have any interest in conversing with a shady character such as yourself?"

The man leaned close to her ear. "Shady?" he repeated. "What makes you say that?"

Theo snorted delicately. "Philip Hamilton, you are the biggest flirt in New York City." She turned around and hugged him gently.

Philip grinned and hugged her back. "How are you? Is Alston still bothering you?"

Theo waved off his questions, pulling away from the hug. "Forget me," she insisted. "I want to hear about you. How is school?"

Philip smirked. "Easy," he answered. "I wish you could go, you'd put all my classmates to shame." He couldn't stand the thought that women weren't allowed to attend school. It annoyed him to no end that someone as brilliant as Theodosia couldn't go to school, but boys with half her brain cells could.

She giggled at his statement.  "Unfortunately, I doubt America's ready for women to attend school," she joked. Though, this had always annoyed her, she knew it was only a matter of time before things progressed.

He bowed like the perfect gentleman his mother raised him to be. "Would Miss Theodosia Burr do me the honor of accompanying me for a walk through the forest?" he asked.

Theodosia rolled her eyes, but took his arm. "She would love to," she answered.