(John P.O.V)

I rereading Alexander Hamilton's book. Honestly I was his number 1 fan. Probably not, but I liked to think I was.

I got up, deciding to do something useful with my life, which involved getting my computer and checking my messages. So I texted me friend Marie-Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de La Fayette. He was in France, but was coming back in a week because college was starting soon and I don't think he intended on skipping a course he'd been very exited for.

Turtle Boi: Hey Laf!

Baguettes: Hey Johnny boy how's America?

TurtleBoi: U live here Laf. It hasn't changed.

Baguettes: Idk it could have changed 😑

Turtle Boi: How much can it change over 1 week? Plus, it would be all over the media.

Baguettes: I got a boyfriend over 1 week

Turtle Boi: WHAT??!!!!

Baguettes: His nom is Hercules Mulligan he's going to the sane college as us next year

Turtle Boi: I need to meet him. Now.

Baguettes: Sure je vais add him

*Baguettes has added HERCULES MULLIGAN!*

Baguettes: This is my american friend

Turtle Boi: Is that really how u introduce me to people?

Baguettes: T'es one of the only

HERCULES MULLIGAN!: Hi

TurtleBoi: hi ur name is Hercules Mulligan?

HERCULES MULLIGAN!: how'd u guess?

Turtle Boi: intuition

(time skip brought to you because why not?)

I'd decided I knew enough about Hercules Mulligan, or Herc, and set my phone down. I went onto Instagram and looked through my pictures, lots of aesthetic outdoorsy stuff and lots of turtles. I went to the turtle tank and stroked one my turtles' shell lovingly. She turned her little turtle head to me and I felt happy. I had a turtle. She was cute. Turtles were happy, slow, calm. "Think like a turtle" was my motto. Yeah I know, it's a lame motto. I picked up the little creature and set her on my bed, letting her roam around happily.

"Shelley." I called to her. "Shelley."

Shelley had always been my most responsive turtle, and often responded to her name being called. And as expected, she turned her head and gave what is turtle for 'I'm having fun, leave me alone'. I sighed and stroked her shell again, taking a picture as she ambled around my bed and posting it. I don't know why I have my account, or why I post on it. I could just keep my pictures for myself. But it's not like anyone knew this account existed, except Laf and Peggy, who teased me mercilessly about my turtle obsession. But then I noticed I had a third follower, which intrigued me. Who had thought 'ooh look, turtles and flowers, let's follow this person'? Then I noticed I'd gotten a DM. That was even weirder, because Peggy and Laf had my numbers and usually just used WhatsApp or whatever.

I clicked on the DM and saw that it wasn't Peggy or Laf, which was kinda odd, but not really, as I said, they mainly used WhatsApp.

LittleLion: Hi.

I wondered if I should answer them, and then opted that I should, because I only had two friends and really needed to talk to someone. I may never end up getting close to this person, but it was worth a shot.

TurtlesandFlowers: Hey

LittleLion: Your turtles are really cute, what are they're names?

TurtlesandFlowers: The female (the one with the black shell) is Shelley and the male (the one with the lighter shell) is Baguette

LittleLion: Baguette?

TurtlesandFlowers: My friend named him

LittleLion: Your friend is creative, I'll give them that.

TurtlesandFlowers: No hes french

LittleLion: *he's

TurtlesandFlowers: wow. slow clap grammar freak

LittleLion: I've been told.

TurtlesandFlowers: So did you just message me for the names of my turtles?

LittleLion: Hmmm... maybe, maybe not.

TurtlesandFlowers: Ok, well should we get to know each other?

LittleLion: Sure, I guess.

TurtlesandFlowers: Whats your... favorite color?

LittleLion: Blue, you?

TurtlesandFlowers: Green. favorite animal?

LittleLion: Guess.

TurtlesandFlowers: Lion?

LittleLion: Yup. Are your favorite animals turtles?

TurtlesandFlowers: how'd you guess?

LittleLion: Just a hunch.

TurtlesandFlowers: well, it was a good assumption

LittleLion: Ok, what are your hobbies?

TurtlesandFlowers: I like drawing and reading Hamilton's books

I realized what I'd written. I just said reading one single author's writing was one of my hobbies. Oh I was so dumb. I'm not going to deny it, reading Hamilton's novels were certainly a hobby and possibly even a little obsession

LittleLion: Hmm... you too?

TurtlesandFlowers: What?

LittleLion: No its just... everyone I've met so far really likes those books.

TurtlesandFlowers: Yeah, Alexander Hamilton is a really good author

There was silence for a while, and I was fairly disappointed, hoping he hadn't left. 'LittleLion' seemed very nice and I wanted to get to know them better. And I was glad when I heard a slight ping as my phone informed me I'd gotten a DM.

LittleLion: mhm

TurtlesandFlowers: all good?

LittleLion: Yeah, why wouldn't I be?

TurtlesandFlowers: idk, you just didn't reply for a while.

LittleLion: no I'm fine.

TurtlesandFlowers: Hey can I ask a question?

LittleLion: Sure.

TurtlesandFlowers: What are your pronouns? I don't need your gender, or your pronouns if you feel uncomfortable, but I'd like to know if you don't mind

LittleLion: he/him

TurtlesandFlowers: same

LittleLion: I'm studying in New York.

TurtlesandFlowers: Cool! I'm learning in South Carolina

LittleLion: You can call me Alex if you want.

TurtlesandFlowers: Ok Alex, I'm John Laurens.

LittleLion: Well, Mr. Laurens, I have class and must leave.

TurtlesandFlowers: Bye.

I set my phone down and leaned back. That was the longest conversation I'd ever had with a stranger. Except Laf and Peggy, because I'd needed a conversation to strike up our friendship, but I'd known both of them for so long, they had never really been strangers. Oh yeah sure 'don't talk to strangers'. Mhm. Sure. You realize it's impossible to talk to someone who has never been a stranger. Even parents. When you're first born, sure you may recognize your mom, but I doubt you knew exactly who your dad was when you came into life. So it was fine for me to talk to a stranger. And I more or less knew his name, so he could technically no longer be called a stranger. But hey, there was a possibility I'd make a new friend, which I desperately needed.