SWIM (LAMS AU)

We Have A Problem

         Lunch had become Laurens favorite part of the day. No longer was he forced to sit in the cafeteria, shoulders hunched over his food in attempt to look smaller. Now he was making the trip down to the pool at noon every day, a towel in hand and a smile on his face.

        He was learning things about Alex too, the way he swam like he wasn't even human, the way his eyes darkened on the stormy days, the way that when he smiled it took up his whole face. And how he would never stop talking- and Laurens found that he was content with listening.

        And even now, he was listening to him talk as he drifted lazily through the chemically blue waters. Alexander sat on the edge of the pool, animatedly explaining the danger of bees going extinct, his voice confident and loud. Laurens was only half paying attention though, there was something weighing on his mind. 

       "Laurens?" Alexander asked, startling him into flinching and sinking into the water. He came up sputtering.

        "Yes?"

        "What are you thinking?" he asked, intense eyes suddenly and completely focused on him. 

       Laurens sighed, looking up at the ceiling to avoid Alex's gaze. He didn't really know exactly what was bothering him, but he was sure it had something to do with the fact that Charles and Samuel had begun noticing the close relationship between Alex and Laurens.

        "I'm not well-liked, Alex," Laurens started, "And a few boys have taken notice of our friendship- a few boys that don't like me."

         "So?"

          "So, I'm worried! What if they try to hurt you?"

          Alexander's eyebrows came together, "Well then I'll fight them," he boasted, and Laurens couldn't help but laugh at the thought of the small Alex fighting 6'4 Samuel, and Charles, who went to the gym before and after school every day. "Don't worry," Alexander murmured softly after Laurens had stopped laughing, "They don't matter, not really."

         They sat in silence for a moment, the only sound that dared to be heard was the soft lapping of waves against the sides of the pool. 

        "You're the only friend I have here, Alex," Laurens whispered, "You're the only friend I've had in a long time."

        Alexander fixed him with a look of surprise. Laurens seldom made statements like this, it was usually Hamilton talking non-stop. "You're the only friend I've had in awhile too." he admitted. Laurens wasn't surprised, he had a lot of things to talk about saved up inside of him.

       Suddenly their silence was broken by the loud tone of a bell chiming. Laurens spun around to face the pile of clothes in the corner of the room. It was definitely his phone, but who would be calling him during school? He pulled himself out of the pool, dripping wet and scrambled to answer the call before it stopped ringing.

         "Hello?" he said breathlessly. Alexander was looking at him, puzzled, from the other side of the room.

         "John? Thank god I got ahold of you, I need some assistance, could you get your ass over here ASAP?"

         Laurens raised his eyebrows in shock, "Mulligan?"

         "You bet. We have a problem over at the tailor's shop and I need you here."

        "I'm in school."

        "Come anyway."

        Laurens put a hand over his eyes, thinking. There was an exit near the pool, but surely somebody would notice and he wasn't sure he was ready to get suspended for Mulligan. "What kind of problem?" he said finally.

      He could almost hear Mulligan grin, "A French one." 

      And Laurens couldn't help but smile too. "I'm on my way."