Alex's P.O.V.

I sat in class, bored. I wish I had a free period so I could text John. There was just something about him that was just-  I don't know, he seems like such a nice person. I feel so bad, I've been so mean. 

The teacher turned around and I looked down at my phone, so did half the class.

                 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Unknown: the teacher isn't paying attention rn
John: why are you texting me
Unknown: I just told you, the  teacher isn't paying attention
John: Alexander, why are you texting me
                ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Shit. The teacher stood in front of me.
"Put the phone away Mr. Hamilton" he said. I loved this teacher. He was just the best. Just great. Awesome. Fabulous. I'm being sarcastic by the way. I nodded and turned my phone off.

He turned around and started writing on the board so I looked back at my phone.

                   ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
John: Alexander, why are you texting me
Unknown: huh?
John: stop. I know who it is. The french guy saw your number on my screen and asked me why I was texting you.
Unknown: oh.
John: yeah.
John: why are you texting me
Unknown: because
John: because why
Unknown: gtg or the teacher will take my phone
John: uh huh.
                ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I looked up at the board. True, it was boring, but it was better than having to explain to John why I texted him. I liked him.

The bell rang, I was the last to leave the classroom. I had lunch next so I didn't need to get anything from my locker. Walking to the lunch room I accidentally ran into John. I'll admit it was completely my fault, just not out loud.

"Watch it" I snapped. He looked fearful and it made me feel bad. It's not like I want to hurt him, my reputation depends on this though.

I got food and sat down at a table. I took out my phone and tried to text John.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Unknown: I'm really sorry

Message not sent. You have been blocked by John Laurens.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Great. I glanced across the lunchroom and noticed John sitting by himself. I had a decision to make: sit by John and get him to like me or keep being a jerk so I can keep a reputation that won't matter in two years. I thought it over. Maybe I could ask him to sit with me? Then it will look like maybe he just sat down and I didn't notice.

I walked over to his table. People stared and started whispering. The funny thing is they think I don't hear them.

"Wanna sit with me?" I asked him. He looked up at me a little scared but didn't say anything.
"It's fine, I get it if-" he cut me off
"Y-Yeah!" He sounded a bit relieved yet he still looked at me suspiciously. I went back to my table and he sat across from me. As soon as he sat down everyone else who had been sitting at the table got up and sat somewhere else.

"What the hell" I said as they stood up to go to a different table.
"We're not sitting with Turtle Boy" Lafayette said as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.
"And why's that?" I asked. Lafayette laughed and walked away.

I noticed John tear up.
"Why do they hate me?" He asked as tears rolled down his cheeks.
"I don't know" I said and sat next to him. He hugged me causing people to stare. I felt my cheeks heat up a bit. The bell rang.

"We need to get to class" I said still hugging him. He pulled away from the hug and nodded, wiping away tears.

Since we had the same class next we walked with each other. Mr. Washington taught the next class. I live with Washington, since I don't have parents and I'm still technically a child and everything. He agreed to take care of me. He's a great teacher too.

"Mr. Washington," I said
"Yes?"
"Can I sit by John?"
"Sure" He said with a smirk. I rolled my eyes and thanked him. I walked over and sat next to John.

Mr. Washington started teaching us about the revolutionary war. I felt John hold my hand, I started to blush a bit.

Paper was thrown at me and John, it hit the back of Johns head. I grabbed the piece of paper and unfolded it to read what it said. The paper said a lot of things about John, I refused to let him see it. I had never seen anyone say such hurtful things. I've probably said similar now that I think about it.

"We're going to the office" I say when the bell rings.
"No! Please no! They'll only harass me even more if I tell on them" he said.
"Then I'll punch them in the face" I said simply
"No." He said. I left the classroom and started walking towards the office.

"Please don't!" John begged as he followed me.
"Fine." I sighed "but they better leave you alone"
"Thank you" John said and hugged me.
"Can I ask you something?" I asked. He looked up at me with a huge smile- it was adorable.
"Yeah!" He said.
"Can you unblock me?" I asked. John frowned disappointed.
"Oh um yeah sure" he shrugged taking out his phone and unblocking my number.
"What were you expecting me to ask?"
"Oh- nothing I just um I was just curious?" He said making it sound more like a question. I looked at him quizzically.

Then it hit me- he wanted me to ask him out. My cheek started to heat up.

Another piece of paper was thrown at John and this time I saw Martha throw it. John picked it up before I could, he read it knowing if he didn't that I would.

"What does it say?" I asked knowingly
"Martha wants me to be her boyfriend" John said. I was shocked and hurt.
"Well, what're you gonna say?" I asked trying to hide all the emotions I was feeling. He shrugged "depends"
"Depends on what?" I asked certain to make sure they didn't end up a couple.
"Depends on if the person I like, likes me back" he said glancing at me then back at the paper in his hands.
"Who do you like?" I asked. He didn't respond.
"Who?" I asked.
"I have class" he said and rushed off to his locker. Great. He likes someone. Either way, John will end up dating someone and I'll probably cry every time I see him. I'm overreacting a bit, but I really like him.

       ————————————————

I got on the bus, sitting in the back. John hadn't talked to me since I asked who he liked. I thought it would be a good idea to text him.

                ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Alex: Hey, will you be busy awhile?
John: no, I don't have anything to do, why?
Alex: now tell me who you like
John: uhh...gtg do laundry
Alex: liar.
John: sorry
Alex: now you owe me. Tell me who you like.
John: Alex no
Alex: Alex yes
John: Alex no
Alex: aLex yEs
John: no.
Alex: yes
John: I like you. now shut up.
              ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The bus stopped at Washington's and I got out and ran inside.

"Dad! I mean- Mr. Washington!" I shouted.
"Yeah, son?"
"I'm not your son. JOHN LIKES ME" I yelled the last part.
"That's great" He said smiling. I ran to my room.

             ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Alex: willyoubemyboyfriend
John: wut
Alex: willyoubemyboyfriend
John: there's a space bar. Use it.
Alex: never mind
John: no, tell me
Alex: no
John: yes. You owe me.
Alex: I don't owe you for anything
John: you've punched and kicked me.
Alex: .............
John: and called me names.
Alex: ....................
John: and threw things at me
Alex: will you be my boyfriend is what I said
John: and you've- wait what
Alex: nothing.
John: I can scroll ya know.
Alex: .....
John: yes
Alex: what
John: yes
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I screamed into my pillow. Holy shit holy shit holy shit holy shit. (Who saw the Heathers reference? Anyone?)

                ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Alex: Yes to what?
John: shut up. You know what I mean.
Alex: oh sorry, babe~
John: shut up! -////-
Alex: aww is Johnny blushing
John: I hate you.
Alex: you love me.
John: shut up

Message not sent. You have been blocked by Alexander Hamilton.

Message received.

John: that's not what I meant. Just stop teasing me.
Alex: I can't do that.
John: you're so stubborn
Alex: thanks
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~