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August 10, 1953. Southern Virginia
7:30am, George is walking up the stairs to get Alexander ready for the day, his first day of school, The little boy never really went to an actual school, hasn’t been in a classroom with kids surrounding him at every corner, Home-schooling was the Washington’s prefered choice of education,but a little here and there now led him to carry a backpack.
His father knocks on the door, before opening it quietly to see the little boy snuggled up against his pretty pink blanket, lightly snoring, “Alex?” He steps in walking closer, “Alexander. Wake up.”
Alex groans, not wanting to hear his father’s orders, “just a few more minutes…” George pulls his blanket down, “cmon, it’s your first day, get up.” Alex whines for a moment till he realizes, “my first what?!” “Ah so that woke you up.. remember? First day of school? You’ve been chattering all night about it.”
“Right….” Alex sits up, rubbing his eye “Alright, your uniform is on the chair, I’ll be waiting downstairs.” Alex nods, as he watched his father leave swiftly, the little boy gets out of bed, walking towards his mirror, sighing to himself
George Washington was an average businessman, making around $3,300 suitable for a small family, Two parents and their little lamb.
Alex went into the restroom, cleaned himself, brushing his little curls into place, before rushing to put on his pink little uniform, he was perceived to be a girl by strangers it wouldn’t be a surprise to wear such a thing
Martha W. is setting up the dining table, toast on one plate and a different variation of jam, Alex is heard stepping down the stairs quietly, walking towards the dining room, “Morning' dear.” he looks up to see his loving mother as she picks him up and sets him down on his chair, “eat up, hon’ you don’t want you, nor your father to be late.”
George sits beside Alexander, “you’re growing up so fast…” “Dad-“ “it’s like you’re mentally growing, but physically the same.” he chuckles, “isn’t funny!” Alex reaches for the butter knife, spreading sweet orange marmalade on his even-toasted bread.
George clears his throat, “After you’re finished, we’re going to Laurens place.” Alex looks up at him, “why?” “Picking him up to tag along with you at school.” Alex blushes faintly, “Is it going to be everyday?” “Well.. for now until his father does something about it.”
Puppy love, a period of time where someone is emotionally and physically attached to one another, in this case Alexander has a crush on his “best friend” John Laurens, it’s a secret though shh….
“Finish up, Alex. I’ll be outside.” His father gets up from his chair, walking towards the front door, as Alex quickly swallows his last piece of toast, “Lexi, hon?” Martha looks down at him, “what is it…” she kisses his forehead, “have a great day…” he jumps off his seat, grabbing his backpack and out the door without saying anything
she smiles weakly
he runs out the door to his awaiting father, “are you excited, Alexander?” George picks him up, setting him down on his booster seat, “wait- I forgot something….” “What is it?” “buttons..” he sniffles, “she’ll be fine, Lexi. Don’t cry, mama will take good care of her.”
Buttons’ is Alexander’s stuffed animal given to him at his 5th birthday, he quickly developed an emotionally attachment to his little friend, carrying him to wherever he goes
“Fine.” he mumbled, George kissed his cheek, “look on the bright side, at least, you have laurens coming along, yeah?” Alex smiled slightly, as his father climbed onto his seat, starting the car.
Alex’s neighborhood wasn’t as bad, barely any crime, safe for children to play in, and often times it’s very quiet like a ghost town, the Jeffersons were several blocks away, the park was near, it was ideal for any small family
Alex felt the car stop as he glances over to see that his father arrived at Laurens home, old exterior and ugly in color, the gray was quite recognizable, Alex stared at Laurens walking towards his father’s car, and stepping in, sitting beside him
“Lexiiii!!” he squealed as he hugged him, “god I missed you!!” Alexander smiles weakly, “It’s been two days..” “So what? It felt like forever!” He blushes intensely, as George watches from the rear-view mirror, “ahem, are y’all ready?” they both look each other then back at the older man, nodding
Laurens slowly crept his hand onto Alex’s and held it tightly as the both look out the window, it was an average rainy day, puddles everywhere, mud trails all over the concrete, the sounds of the tire hitting against the water
Alex had an unpleasant expression on his face, likely worried about something.
“Alex?”
He turns to look at his alarmed friend, “you seem bothered.” “I’m not.” “Yes you are, your hand is shaking” he whispers, “I just-“ “you’re nervous, are you?” Alex nod, “don’t be, I’ll protect you from any bullies.” Laurens pulls him into a small embrace until they are interrupted by Washington, “we’ve arrived.”
Alex unbuckles himself, opening the car door and jumping out fearlessly, “woah there, you seem a little ecstatic?” George rolls down the window, “have a great day, if anything happens be sure to call..” Alex nods, taking laurens hand, “we’ll be fine. Besides, I have a friend with me.” He turns around walking into the school
It was loud, very loud, children crying here and there, screaming from one classroom, it was a devil’s playground.
Alex skips along to his classroom, looking at the door then back at laurens as he waves goodbye, “everything will be fine..” he opens the classroom door to see a teacher lecturing the morning announcements, “oh, who’s this little one?” Alex steps in, walking towards the teacher, whispering his name into her ear, Mrs. Adams was a delightful appearance she’s sweet, kind, and understanding unlike the other teachers
She claps her hands, gathering everyone's attention “everyone, please welcome Alexander..” Everyone stared at the little boy whose hands grasped along the teacher’s skirt shyly, “she’s new this ye—“ one of the students corrected her, “it’s actually he.”
The boy who just now spoke was Randolph Jefferson the second oldest son of the jeffersons, he’s known for being highly intelligent and charming
Mrs. Adams gulps, “o-oh” she clears her throat, correcting her mistake, “he’s new this year.. Please make him feel welcomed and comfortable.” Alex nods quietly, walking to the empty back seats, “psst..” A little girl tried getting his attention,”psst.. Alexander?” she taps on his shoulder, and waves as he looks up at her, her name is Theodosia Bell, he waves back, “you seem exhausted?”
“I’m not.”
she pinches his cheek, “you’re so silly.. it looks like you’re going to fall asleep..” poor little boy wrote all night in his diary, leaving no room for rest, “ How come you wear girl’s uniform?” “boy’s uniform is too uncomfy..” she sighs, “I agree, they’re quite ugly.” Alex groans and rests his head on his arms, drifting off to sleep
________
“Alexander?”
Mrs. Adams speaks a little louder, “Alexander??” he immediately woke up, “ngh..” “Alex? Could you tell me what 2+2 is?” he rubbed his eye, 6.. no wait! 4! I meant 4!!” Randolph bursted out laughing, “you’re completely humiliating, anyone could’ve gotten that correct!”
Alex looked around to notice a sea of soreing eyes, the sounds of giggles made him snap. The teacher was the first to notice, “Alexander…” he stood up and ran out the door, never seen for the rest of the period, “Randolph!!” “Oh what’s the deal? He was being abnormally stupid.”
the little boy sits in the bathroom stall, sobbing out his embarrassment, “I made a fool of myself!” He kicks the bathroom wall, “I need buttons.. I need laurens…. I’m scared..”
“You need what?”
A soft snicker can be heard from outside the stall, “Oh don’t tell me you’re into that laurens, bastard.” he sniffles, Randolph “W-what do you want!” “Listen.. I want you to let me in, I want to apologize.” Alex naive as he is, stands up walking over to the door, unlocking it, “wha-“
“You stupid bitch…”
Randolph knocks Alex down, as his little body can’t handle this, “stop please.” “Shut up!” he slaps him harshly, leaving a red mark on his pale cold skin, “I’m sorry..” “There's nothing to apologize for, bitch. Stop crying!” he wipes away his tears, “laurens isn’t going to save you anytime soon.”
“What.”
The older kid laughs, “he’s being dealt with, no worries..” “What did you do to him!! Tell me!” He pulls away, eyes widen in amusement, “woah there, wannabe toughie.” Alex struggles to move his weakened body, “don’t you dare attempt any shit you won’t finish.”
Alexander bit his arm, causing him to groan, “you little shit..” “tell me where laurens is…” he growls, “I’m not finished with you yet….” he grabs his hair, “you’re a fucking mistake alex.” “A FUCKING MISTAKE.” “Boys aren’t suppose to wear dresses..” he squeals in pain, “let go of me..” “fine.” he smashes his head onto the wall, as he wept
“You won’t be seeing laurens, anytime soon.”
And there he left the little lamb’s body bleed all over the stall, the thick scent of cinnamon and rust, filled it quickly
“Papa..” he sniffles, “I’m scared… laurens where are you..”
He’s gone.