Non-stop •Mute Alex•

John Laurens

A/N: new goal, have at least 1000 words not including author's notes :)

Co-written by OwlWithAHat

Try not to kill me please. This one I'll admit was a bit rushed, but for good reason

My school gives insane amounts of homework :x

I know, not a great excuse, but it's pretty demanding nowadays. I want to go back to when we had coloring for homework :.c

TW: implied hate for LGBTQ+

*Backstoryyyyy*
I looked up at my father as he paced back and forth. I was such an innocent child. I asked him "What does it mean to be gay?"

He looked at me in shock, "I'm sorry, what?"

"What does it mean when you're gay?" I repeated. Little 13 year old me didn't know any better.

"When you're gay, that means you date guys instead of girls and laugh in the face of God." He spat. This was definitely a touchy subject.

"But I don't wanna laugh at God." I said innocently. "I just want to do what I please, which is date guys." I said quickly. I could tell my father was mad, but I wanted to get it over with because mother said he wouldn't like it.

"What did you say, John?" He strained.

"Um, I'm gay."

John Laurens P.O.V.
I watched silently as Alexander wrote notes vigorously for Mr. Washington's class. He's been here a few days and already is the teacher's pet. I mean I don't mind it, but it irks me. He doesn't even talk.

Oh yeah that's why.

Well, he can do whatever, he doesn't seem to like hanging out with us, so what's the point of trying to talk to him?

All of a sudden, he pulled his phone out. What? He's never pulled his phone out during lecture that I've seen. He chuckled and went back to writing. Wow, I'm not your friend or anything. Talk to me I'm bored.

He looked up at me questioningly. Dang, said it out loud. That keeps happening. "Sorry, meant to say that in my head."

He pulled his phone out and started typing. Whatever, dweeb; then I felt my phone buzz in my pocket. I looked at it and it said this is Alexander, hi. Welp, that's creepy.

"How's you get my freaking number you creep." He looked at me sadly and proceeded to type Lafayette... And turned his head to keep writing. Well now I feel bad awe.

I went to text him I'm sorry, when my phone was snatched away. "Mr. Laurens, I would like to speak with you after class." Snapped Washington. I can truly say I was paralyzed from fear. He was right behind me and had a booming voice. Alexander looked at me worriedly until Washington carried on with class, when he continued his notes.

After that, I couldn't focus. What did he want? I've never gotten in trouble before. Is he giving me detention for my phone? Does he think I started rumors or something? Did Jefferson tell him something? I looked across the room at him and see him asleep with his ear buds in. He's been mellow since the Alex thing, so it might not be him.

I guess I was a visual representation of a panic attack without actually having one, because I felt a hand on my knee. I look up and see Alexander looking at me with calm eyes.

He brought the palm of his hand come up to his chin to indicate breathe in, which I did, and then brought it down slowly to indicate breathe out, which I did. He gave me a thumbs up and squeezed my knee before going back to work. What in the world? That actually worked..

After class I silently walked to Mr. Washington's desk where he was writing down some things on hall passes. He looked up at me and folded his hands. "John, you are like a son to me along with Alexander, but I don't know him or his habits enough to pull him out of my class. He needs something concrete and close to home." He paused. "Along with those reasons, you are almost a straight A student, even when sleeping in my class." I blushed, I didn't think he payed attention, "Not only that, but you learn fast, and you are good experiencing new things."

"What are you saying, Mr. Washington?"

"What I'm saying Laurens is that I'm recommending you for a student exchange program."

I looked at him in surprise, "What?"

"It doesn't mean you'll get in, I'm just recommending you to the counselors. They were asking for students that we think could be eligible, and you were the one out of all my classes I chose."

I was wide eyed excited, I couldn't sit still. "Are you serious? Am I going across the country? Am I going to a different state?"

"Slow down, there are no details, it was just an idea. If not enough teachers suggest students then it's not happening. But I just want you to know that your name is in the office for this program." He finished.

The two minute bell rang and I jumped up, "Thank you, Mr. Washington! Thank you so much for this opportunity." I said and bolted out of the room to my locker.

I can't believe this, I could go across the country. Italy, Spain, France, the Caribbean, all the possibilities. Although I wouldn't mind going to a different state. Any would do, Michigan or California or Virginia. Florida would be nice. Either way, I'm so excited. I gotta tell the guys.

Group chat with FrenchFry and BRRAH

Me: GUESS WHO JUST GOT SUGGESTED FOR A STUDENT EXCHANGE PROGRAM
FrenchFry: Mon Ami when is this happening???
BRRAH: BRO FUXKING YES WHERE
Me: idk somewhere? Mr. Washington didn't say any details but I'm hoping it's soon.
BRRAH: Does Alexander and the girls know
Me: no, why would they know? I don't hang out with them enough for me to tell them
FrenchFry: I'll just tell them
Me: okie

I put my phone away as I walked into my third hour sitting down and patiently waiting for it to start. When all of a sudden, Madison walked in with an unfamiliar stoic aura. He's usually either jumpy or happy, but he showed absolutely no emotion. Very strange.

I tried not to let it bother me, but I can't help but want to know what was wrong. I'm so nosy fuck you John.

I continued to internally scold myself until my class started when I could finally put my mind at ease reading Shakespeare.