A/N: Okay, this might be the last chapter I write in Y/N's POV (not for the whole book! It'll only be for a little bit 😂). I was originally going to write in John's POV, but I didn't know how to start it 😂. Anywho, enjoy!

Y/N's POV

August 1776, New York City, New York

Eliza and I were in town. She wore her signature blue dress, while I decided on a light teal dress.

I had my sunhat over my head, and my hand was at my side. I could feel the sunlight penetrating my skin, but I chose to ignore the pain with a small frown.

Eliza walked on my left, and she gave me a concerned look. "Are you alright?" She asked. She was holding my left hand, so she didn't see how red my right hand was.

I glanced over at her and gave her a forced smile, "Yes. Just a little overwhelmed by the heat, that's all." I lied. Hopefully she'll be satisfied by the answer.

She watched me for a little bit as we kept walking. She sighed, "Y/N, I know that face. You're lying. Tell me what's really wrong." She pressed, her dark eyes full of concern.

'If I were to tell you, then you wouldn't want me near you.' I thought silently. I looked back at her and sighed, "Alright. I get sunburned easily. That's why I always wear a hat, so my face doesn't get burned. My hands are another story...." I trailed off, lifting up my right hand to show her. It was a bright red, and I knew that it would hurt a lot tomorrow.

Eliza gasped, "Y/N! Why didn't you tell me? I would've let you wear my silk gloves." She then grabbed my right hand, but gentle enough to not make me wince.

"I guess I didn't want to be a burden? You have already given me so much, Eliza. I could never repay you, even if I could." I said to her, brushing her hand with my thumb.

"Well, whether you like it or not, I am going to get you some gloves." Eliza said matter of factly before adding, "You don't have to repay me, Y/N, and don't ever think that you have to." She said quietly, squeezing my left hand lightly. I was grateful she didn't squeeze my burnt hand.

We kept on walking down the street, my eyes scanning over the stores. Most of the stores were preparing for the upcoming war. My chest tightened a bit as my thoughts wandered towards the imminent war. How many brave men will we loose?

We soon stopped at a tailor's shop. I was somewhat confused about why we were here, until Eliza started to drag me inside. "You don't have to get me them now. I can wait." I complained as we walked through the door.

"No friend of mine is going to burn up. Not if I can help it." Eliza said with a playful huff.

There was a buff man working behind the counter. He lifted his head when the tiny bell above, and smiled at us.

As soon as he raised his head, I knew who he was. I smiled back at him kindly, remembering his outburst at the tavern.

"Hello ladies. How may I help you?" Hercules asked, standing up and coming over to us.

Eliza smiled at him, "My friend is looking for a pair of gloves." She said kindly. I nodded in agreement.

Hercules rubbed the back of his neck, deep in thought. "I might have a pair in the back. I'll go check." And with a smile, he turned and walked to the back, leaving Eliza and I to look around at the dresses in the shops.

Eliza was looking at a blue ball gown, and I was looking at a light green dress when the little bell above the door rang. I heard loud noises, but from what I could hear, there were two people that just came in.

I glanced at the two men that came in, and my eyes widened in shock as I realized they were Hercules' friends. I watched them from where I stood by the light green dress. I slowly backed up and made my way towards Eliza, who was still looking at the blue gown.

"Eliza......psst!" I hissed, walking up to her and ducking behind the dress.

"Y/N? Why are you hiding?" She asked, but not bothering to lower her voice. I quickly shushed her before gesturing towards the front of the shop, where John and Lafayette where standing. They were most likely waiting for Herc.

"Oh! Is that the guy you have a crush on?" She asked, making her voice louder as she said crush. The two men must have heard her, because the glanced at Eliza, and then me, who was still hiding behind the dress.

I gave Eliza a look that could kill, before turning my attention to the guys. To my horror, they were making their way towards us. Eliza gave me a smirk as I tried to regain myself. I then pretended to look at the blue dress, as if the textile was the most interesting thing in this time period.

"Bonjour mademoiselles. I am Marquis de Lafayette. And zis is John Laurens" Lafayette greeted, gesturing towards John. I glanced up from the piece of fabric I had in my hand. The two men were smiling at the two of us. I gave them an awkward smile back before continuing to examine the dress.

Eliza smiled, "It's nice to meet you both. My name is Eliza, and this is my friend Y/N." She said, gesturing to me. I felt a hand on my shoulder, and I jumped. I looked at my shoulder and I realized it was just Eliza. She gave me that look that said 'stop being a wuss.'

I looked up at the two men, but my eyes kept straying back towards John. "It's a pleasure to meet you both." I said with a smile. My eyes looked into his, and his back to mine. His hazel green eyes danced in the sun, and his freckles accented his skin nicely. His curly brown hair was tied neatly back into a ponytail.

I didn't realized I was staring until John spoke to me. "You were at the tavern a few weeks ago, correct? Because you look very familiar." He asked, flashing me a small smile.

I nodded, "I-I was. I, uh, I couldn't help but overhear that you believe in abolition?" I stuttered, but at least I was trying to make small talk.

John looked happy that I brought that up, "I do. I think all men, no matter the color of their skin, should be treated as an equal." He said proudly, but then his look turned into one of embarrassment, "So I'm going to guess you were there when I was drunk?" I gave him a small smiled and nodded. I was about to say something, but someone came up behind me and spoke to John.

"Guys, haven't I told you both enough to not flirt with my customers?" Hercules said from behind me. I moved towards the side of the aisle, so he could get around me if he needed.

"We can't help it if they are cute." John pouted, glancing over at me. I caught that glance and looked away quickly. If I could blush, I would be as red as a strawberry.

Hercules chuckled before handing me a small box, "These were the only pair I could find. If they don't fit, I can make you a pair." He said, smiling down at me. I smiled back, "Thank you, sir."

I guess no one really saw my hand before, other than Eliza, so when I opened the box, I could practically see everyone staring at my hand.

"Mon Dieu, your hands are bright red!" Lafayette exclaims. I felt awkward underneath their stares, so I shifted on my heels before shrugging, "My skin is super sensitive to the sun." And with that, I quickly pulled my gloves over my hands.

I looked up and met John's worried stare. I gave him a reassuring smile before turning to Eliza, "Well, shall we go? We got what we came here for." My eyes must have told a different story, because Eliza gave me a disappointed pout, "Alright, I'll go pay." And with that, Eliza made her way to the counter, Herc not far behind.

And she left me in an awkward situation with Lafayette and John.

"So......does it usually get that bad?" John asked as the others were out of earshot.

"I guess it depends on how much the suns out, and how long I'm outside." I said slowly, looking up at him.

"Is zat why you wear a sunhat?" Lafayette inquired, lifting his eyebrow in the process.

I nodded and took off my hat, "Otherwise my face would be as bright as a tomato." I shuddered at the thought of the poisonous plant.

(Tomatoes were thought to be poisonous until the middle 1800s, which is pretty interesting)

"Y/N! Are you ready?" Eliza called, standing by the door. I nodded before looking back at the two men.

"It was nice to meet you both." I said with a kind smile.

Lafayette smiled, "It waz a pleasure, mademoiselle."

I looked up at John. He gave me a warm smile before reaching his hand out and grabbing my gloved hand. He kissed my knuckle and said, "I'll be seeing you around, hopefully?" I just stared at him before nodding slowly.

If I weren't already dead, I would be dying all over again. I could feel the nervous butterflies grow inside of me, and if my heart were pounding and my blood coursing through my veins, my face would look as read as my burnt hand.

"I-uh-should get going." I stammered. John kept staring at me before realizing he was actually staring. His face turned a crimson color as I waved him goodbye. I then proceeded to make my way towards Eliza, a light grin on my face. Before going outside, I put my sunhat on.

Once we were down the street from the story, Eliza burst, "What did you guys talk about when I left to pay????? Did he ask you anything important??" She pressed. Both her hands were on my arm as she begged for answers. I rolled my eyes playfully.

"They just asked about how bad I could get burned, and I basically compared myself with a tomato." I shrugged as we kept on walking. Eliza didn't look satisfied with that answer.

"I swear, that was the only thing we talked about, butthenJohnkissedmyhandwhenwewereleavingandaskedifhewouldbeseeingmearound." I mumbled the last part, looking away from Eliza in the process.

"What was that? I couldn't hear that last part." Eliza said, a smirk playing across her face. I chuckled a bit before repeating myself.

"John kissed my hand when we were about to leave, and he proceeded to ask if he would be seeing me around." Eliza seemed satisfied with that answer, but as we walked along the streets of New York City, she turned to me and said, "I'm going to be a bridesmaid at your wedding." I laughed at that comment.

John's POV

'Good going, John. Way to make things awkward.' I thought as Y/N walked out of the store. I stared after her for a little bit, or that's what I thought, but then Laf was waving his hand in my face.

"Uh, Herc? I think he iz, how you say, broken?" He said, proceeding to wave his hand in front of my face.

"Huh, what? No I'm not." I huffed, looking at the Frenchman.

"And this is why I told you not to flirt with any of my customers. Otherwise you'll be falling head over heels for them." Hercules chuckled, making his way over to us.

"I'm not that obvious, am I?" I asked, looking at the two.

Herc smacked my back playfully as he made his way past me, "You're very obvious, John. Oh, and if you marry her in the future, I call dibs on being the flower girl."

I laughed before looking out the window again. I couldn't see her anymore, which made me feel a bit sad.

'Will I even see her again?'

2076 words

Holy frick, I don't think I've written this much before!!!!! (I stayed up until 2:00am to write this, so you're welcome 😤)

Anywhoooooo, John would totally be me in a relationship, because I am an awkward human being.

Also, I think my updating schedule will be once a week (or more, because this book is amazing so far).

I knows it's not a lot, but 9 reads?!? I wasn't really expecting people to read this honestly 😂

And I'm sorry this chapter was so long, but I kind of like writing long chapters? It just keeps my creative juice flowing.