If there's a fire

14.

"Alexander?" A soft voice said.

"John?" Alex asked, opening his eyes. The taller man stood over him, a soft smile on his face.

"You have extra class at three. It's 1:30, I just wanted to make sure you were up in time..."

"Wait- it's one... oh no, I slept so late?!" Alexander scolded himself. John bit his lip.

"I'm sorry, I didn't want to wake you yet..."

"No, it's fine John. I just need to get things done-"

"I already made sure all of your things were packed and read over and turned in that essay you spent weeks on that you wanted me to read-"

"John, you did? R-really?" Alexander asked.

How did he end up with someone so perfect?

But of course, he had ruined his chances of being with said person last night.

"Yeah..."

"Thank you so much!"

He hugged John, before quickly going to get dressed.

--

Thomas, unlike Alexander, had been up for hours- but he was worried about James.

James had slept, occasionally getting up due to a coughing fit. Thomas would help him, make him tea and take his temperature. He was running a high fever.

"Doll, you're not coming to class today. I know you want to as you wanna do debate but it's not worth it. It's Saturday, and class isn't mandatory. Please- I'll stay with you, if you like!" Thomas almost begged James.

James just nodded.

"Don't stay with me, I'll be fine. Sickness is just something I have to deal with. I used to get sick all the time back home."

"Didn't you ever get medicine?"

"We couldn't afford it, not along with my fathers medication." James told Thomas, who's mouth turned into an o.

"I'm sorry. I want to stay with you. I'll get some medicine from the RA and then be right back."

Thomas left and James sighed, leaning back.

Mentioning his father made him think- how was he? When James left, he'd been sicker than he'd ever been before, unable to get out of bed. If he didn't get better soon, and wasn't better by now, James was sure they'd lose their house. Knowing his father, they already did.

James couldn't help but be worried. He worried himself sick-

Speaking of which.

He stumbled to the bathroom, emptying his stomach before laying down on the cool bathroom floor. He sighed, rubbing his temples and cooling himself.

"James? James!" Thomas called.

"In here!" James said, using whatever strength he had. Thomas followed his voice, holding a bag of medicines.

"So, we have pain reliever, sore throat, headache, and chest cold relief." Thomas smiled, setting them all out for James. James smiled softly, looking up at Thomas. He reached out, grabbing his cheek and softly resting his hand on Thomas's face. Thomas smiled, resting his hand over James's.

"Oh- I'll go get water!" Thomas exclaimed, standing and quickly racing to get water for the sick boy.

James sighed, smiling after Thomas.

--

"Alexander, where is Jefferson?" Washington asked. Alexander shrugged.

"I saw him last night-"

A few who chose to attend chuckled, as if they knew what that meant. Alexander rolled his eyes.

"Madison was with him. I'm not sure where they are now."

Jefferson stumbled in, looking like he'd barely put himself together.

"Sorry, Madison is sick and I didn't want to leave him,"

The class laughed, and Washington made them quiet down as Thomas blushed, sitting in his desk.

"This is advanced debate, a class for future Lawyers of America. You were all chosen to do this class..." Washington droned on, and Thomas checked his phone beneath his desk.

"You okay?" He texted James.

After half an hour of no response, he was feeling nervous. Class didn't get out for another twenty minutes. He had to know if James was okay.

"You have obviously never been around someone sick before..." Alexander chuckled.

"Yeah- well- no! I haven't, our nanny always took care of us. I don't know what to do to help him..."

"I'm sure he's fine, Thomas. Just stop being so fidgety.

--

Why would Thomas ever trust Alexander?

James was anything but fine when Thomas got back, passed out on the bathroom floor. Looking pale and ashy. He was obviously sick, very sick.

Thomas tried to shake him awake, to no avail.

He did the only thing he could think of.

"Nanny Gable?" He asked, sniffing as he shook. A sweet, elderly voice rang through the phone.

"Thomas! My dear, how can I help you?" Her soft voice filled Thomas's ears, helping him to relax slightly.

"I think I may need you to come help me at school."