Chapter 10
"Francis Kinloch," Maria muttered under her breath. She opened an Instagram tab and searched the name. At least three different accounts with the same profile picture popped up. It was a picture of him and John. John looked different, though. He was skinnier and smaller. She clicked on the top profile, and all the posts but one was almost three years old. The post was a short video dated to a few hours ago. Francis was topless and acting like one of those disgusting white cis straight males, humping the air. The caption was 'Getting redy for baby😫🍆💦'
That's where Maria took a break and thanked whoever decided to make her a lesbian. The caption alone made her want to throw up. She decided that John was definitely in some trouble. He would never want to go out with someone who did that.
my sister's hOt
💄💋:
send help
now.
www.instagram.com
[video attached]
baby💛:
gdaidbsisbjsjaba
ew
wOrk woRk:
what in the straight tik tok-
kill all men.
Yes I know this is Instagram
👖👕🧵🧷:
How'd you find THAT
baby💛:
Is that kincock?!!!
Alexander Hamilton:
I need bleach.
Cinnamon Roll:
^^
Baby💛:
Same
👖👕🧵🧷:
^^
💄💋:
^^
wOrk woRk:
^^
baguettebItch🥖:
^^
Alexander Hamilton:
Can't John see this chat?
Cinnamon Roll:
Wait yea
👖👕🧵🧷:
You good mah dood???
-
Maria put her phone away and searched for other social media platforms. She did this for about another two hours, occasionally sending pictures and videos to the group chat.
The others spammed the group chat with questions for John. John still hadn't responded by the time Maria got back to the hotel. He wasn't even there when she got back.
6:57
"Guys, what time did John leave again?" Maria asked.
"I don't know, but I just texted Kincock. He says, why the fuck would I have him." Peggy quotes, one hand mimicking the marks. "Oh! Also, before that, I said, hey this is Peggy. Ya know, John's best friend? And then, he responded with- actually, I'll just let you read it." She threw the phone to Maria.
Kincock
Hey👋 this is Peggy
Ya know, John's BEST FRIEND???
Hey
Saw your Instagram pics
Damn girl
You fine as hell
Wanna come over?
Ew no
Aw babys playin hard to get
Fuck no
I'm gay
Don't matter to me
Is John with you?
Why the fuck would I have him
-
"Ew." Maria scrunched up her nose and threw the phone back at Peggy.
"So I should block him, but I also have to interrogate him, so..." Peggy shrugged. "I'm just gonna start doing that now. Sooner I get it done, sooner I can block the creep," she muttered, turning around and shooting finger guns at Maria.
-
Francis sighed and kissed the top of John's head. "Fine, I guess you can go back if you really want too."
"Can you drive me? It's raining and it's late," John asked, grabbing his phone and putting it in his backpack.
"Can't sorry."
So John pulled out his phone, careful not to let the pouring rain ruin it. He typed out a message to Herc, asking him if he could pick him up. Herc, of course, being the mom friend, said yes. He walked to a nearby store, trying to show that he was definitely not at Francis' hotel room.
-
Alex's breathing picked up with the weather. It wasn't quite storming, but it was still raining hard. With John still out, Herc picking him up while Peggy, Laf, and Angelica were interrogating Francis, and Martha and George out for dinner, Maria and Eliza were at his side holding his hand.
"Alex, Alex, breathe with me, honey. In, two, three, four. Out, one, two, three, four, five, six, seven," Eliza counted, and Alexander followed.
They repeated the breathing exercises a few times until Alex could stand up. Just like last time, he put on headphones and blasted the music in his ears. This time, he was listening to 21 Chump Street.
A few minutes later, John and Herc walked in. John gave Alex a short glance before turning away from him and running into the bathroom.
John paced around the small room. "Get over him. You have a boyfriend. There will be consequences." He repeated this aloud over and over again until he thought it stuck. Until he could say it without being flustered.
I am not in love with Alexander Hamilton.
-
I am not in love with Alexander Hamilton.
Maybe it was a lie, all just an act. Maybe John Laurens was still in love with Alexander Hamilton. Or not, but no one would know. That's what's important here.
By the time John was out of the bathroom, the Washingtons had just gotten home, and Peggy had finished interrogating Francis for the day. The storm still hadn't receded. Actually, it only got worse. Alex was burrito wrapped in a signature Elizabeth Schuyler blue velvet throw blanket with headphones still on, eyes screwed shut, and trying to shut out the overwhelming sound of the rain. They were all in their coordinated hotel rooms, both rooms with the tv on.
"-a tropical storm here in Nevis," The reporter announced. "No need for anything too extreme just yet, but I'm sure we'll be fine."
"It's just like last time," Alex panicked. "They'll say, 'It's just a storm,' when it's not. It's not just a storm. I-" He started hyperventilating, and his brother was immediately by his side.
"All will be fine mon petit lion," Laf reassured, rubbing his back through the blanket. "And even if it does get worse, which it will not, we'll be prepared. The town will be prepared. It is not like before."
Alex nodded, and Laf hugged him before coming up to John who was watching the entire scene.
"Mon ami, I wish to speak to you." John shifted his weight uncomfortably between his legs and followed Laf onto the umbrella-covered balcony. Laf shut the door and sighed. "What the hell, John? We had a deal, and now you just go off and start hooking up with this random asshole?!"
"I-"
"I am fucking not done. You have been more distant, and Peggy's trying to convince me that Francis Kincock is the fucking problem, but I'm sure it is not. You are the problem! My brother is heartbroken, but he is not showing it because you have no idea how amazing he is at hiding things. That is of course his feelings for you. It was so obvious, and he was going to confess too. He had this whole elaborate plan!" Laf keeps ranting on for about another ten minutes. "...congratulations."
John took a deep breath, trying to hide the tears shimmering in his eyes. "Y'know, sometimes things just don't all work out the way we plan, Laf," He spits before sliding the glass door open and slipping back inside.
John grabbed the backpack from before, clothes still inside, his phone, and the room key card. He slipped on a hoodie and went outside for a walk.
"Hey, hey, babe, you okay? You look...upset for lack of a better word," Herc asked when Laf finally came back inside.
"Yes, of course, mon amour," Laf answered, glaring at the door John walked out of not fifteen minutes ago.
-
It wasn't the loud, annoying sound of the rain distracting John. It was the hoodie he grabbed and slipped on from his luggage. Alex had gifted that one to John on his birthday last year. Black with white print, I swear I'm not obsessed with tur- aw isn't this little guy adorable? and a cute cartoon turtle. It was perfect for him.
He wasn't in love with Alexander Hamilton, so why did his heart flutter at the thought of the adorable man? Why did he smile when the other did? Why was he so intrigued whenever he spoke?
Then, his mind shifted to Laf, to the conversation they just had. You have no idea how amazing he is at hiding things. John scoffed at that comment. No one knew what happened behind closed doors in the Laurens household. No one saw what happened after his mother's death three years ago. Sure George knew his father had some problems, but that wasn't even the half of it.
John's hand drifted up the left soaked sleave to a scar left by a beer bottle being shattered on it. He could remember that moment exactly.
"The hell you've been?" Henry slurred, taking another swig from his corona bottle.
All the lights were off and all the curtains were closed. John could barely see in the house, so he did the only logical thing; flicked the switch and turned on the lights.
Henry hissed at the new setting. "You still haven't answered my question."
"I was at Alex's house," John answered simply.
"Why? You haven't spoken to me all day."
"I-" What would he answer with. He couldn't just upright say he didn't feel safe. His father would be pissed. "You just seemed tired. I-I didn't want to disturb you."
"Yeah? Well, now I'm tired. Tired of all your fucking bullshit. You never want to talk to me. I just sit here alone and suffer. Is that what you want? Huh?! For your old man to suffer?!"
"No-"
"You probably want me do die slowly, right? All you wanna do is play with your friends. Y'know what? I don't want you to hang out with them. Faggots aren't they? Actually, I forbid it," Henry declared.
"But they're my friends! I can't just-"
"Shut up! Just shut up, boy!" Henry yelled. "You're so annoying! A fucking pest! You will do what I say, and that's final!" And then he threw the bottle. "Do you know how fucking expensive you are? How much money I spend on you?!"
Luckily, you can barely remember anything when you're drunk.