The Lost Schuyler

Chapter 8

February 14th, 1780

    It's been two years since Hamilton had to go home. Today was Angela's father's ball. She couldn't wait to see her sisters again. Though Hamilton was sent home, he was still invited to attend the ball. As Angela walked into her own house, she saw her sisters greeting guests that walked in. She felt awkward having her own sisters curtsy to her, and almost did it back but remembered she was a boy.

    Angela soon saw Hamilton talking to Angelica and ran over to him with Laurens. "Aaaayy Hamilton in the flesh!" How's it been!?" Laurens exclaimed while pulling Hamilton away. Angela knew Laurens' act was slowly fading every day. She knew the feeling of putting up an act for so long. Hell, she had to act like a boy.

    Angela saw Burr and Hamilton talking. They were talking about marrying a Schuyler Sister to become rich. Angela was angry but didn't say much. Soon, Alexander was pulled away from the crowd by Angela's own sister, Angelica. She quietly followed behind, curious about what she wanted him for.

    They kept walking until Eliza came into view. Angela was confused. "Elizabeth Schuyler, pleasure to meet you." Eliza curtsied with a giggle. Alexander turned toward Angelica in confusion "Schuyler?" Angelica just laughed "My sister." Alexander shifted his attention back to Eliza. "Thank you for your service." Alexander just took Eliza's hand and kissed it. "If it takes fighting a war for us to meet it will have been worth it." Angela saw Angelica's face change in a form that only a sister would understand, "I'll leave you to it."

    Angela watched as Angelica slowly walked away. She followed after her onto the balcony and watched as she sat on a bench. She waited a few minutes before going to sit next to her. "It's a beautiful night, what's got you so down?" Angela said, looking up at the stars in the sky. "Oh, you wouldn't understand. It's just love problems..." Angelica muttered with a nervous laugh.

Angela couldn't help but smile and turn towards Angelica "Yeah, I understand. My best friend and I both understand." Angelica laughed and turned towards Angela "So you also get that feeling that you have to pretend to keep people safe and happy?" Angelica asked and Angela couldn't help but giggle. "That feeling is like second nature to me" Angela replied.

The night was filled with Angelica and Angela talking about random things. To not seem suspicious, she asked a question that, of course, she already knew the answer of but she had to make sure to not blow her cover. "How many siblings do you have?" Angelica's mood suddenly changed. "I used to have three siblings... But recently, one ran away with no trace of her except for a note." Angela felt the guilt creep into her heart as she watched her sister sadly look back up at the stars. "She said she'd come back, but I miss her and her crazy schemes. Every time someone asks me what I want in life I answer with what she always wanted. Women's rights." Angelica giggled, looking back on her sister's crazy words.

Angela put her hand on her sister's shoulder. 'I'm right here, Gelica. When this war is over I'll come back. I promise.' Angela thought before standing up and holding her hand out. "Care to dance?" Thank god she asked Laurens for dance lessons before this. Angelica giggled "Certainly."

The two sisters made their way to the dance floor. Angela grabbed Angelica by the waist and hand and started swaying to the beat of the slow song. Angelica, of course, followed her lead and happily danced with her new friend.

After the dance, Angela was pulled aside by a crying Laurens and she already knew Laurens found out. "Why!? I loved him first! This shouldn't have happened. We shouldn't have come, I could've been happy for a few days longer." Laurens cried out, tears streaming down his face. Angela just held Laurens in her arms as he sobbed.

The party soon came to a close and the soldiers made their way back to Valley Forge. Laurens was quieter than usual and Angela couldn't do much but hold his hand and whisper how it's gonna be ok in his ear. Once they get back to camp, Angela and Laurens immediately go to the lake near the camp. The two soldiers sit down on a log and stare out to the water rushing by in sections. "Out of all people, a Schuyler Sister had to take him away. Am I just unlucky?" Laurens said with a laugh drier than the sand on a sunny day

Angela couldn't stop the frustration from getting in her head. She was happy her sister got Hamilton but her other sister and Laurens are suffering from it. Angela weighed her words carefully in hopes to spare Laurens' heart. "I'm sure it's just desperation to hide his feelings for you. He'll give up on her in a week tops." Angela laughed which made Laurens chuckle after. "Thank you, Thomas." Laurens smiled and Angela nodded "Just don't start breaking yourself because of him. If he can't see a handsome and pretty amazing young man right in front of him? I can tell you that he's not going to make it far in any relationship." The two sat there for a minute before standing up again.

"Let's go find Mulligan and Lafayette before one ends up injuring themselves or each other." Laurens cackled as they walked back towards the stables where the 'Revolutionary Set' usually hung out.

When they got there, they saw Lafayette and Mulligan drunkenly singing while swaying around. "RaiSE a GLasS tO FrEedOM~" They both sang in unison and Angela couldn't help but join in, drunk or not. "Something they can never take away, no matter what they tell you~" Laurens smiled and put his arm around Angela's shoulders "Raise a glass to the four of us!" Everyone looked at each other before yelling "TOMORROW THEY'LL BE MORE OF US, telling the story of tonight~"

It was late, probably midnight and the 'Revolutionary Set' was nowhere close to tired. They managed to make their way back to the river. They were all mellowed out from the singing and playing.

"Do y'all think the British will be coming soon? We've been doing this for so long that I can predict when they'll attack." Mulligan blurted into the silence as they all stared at the fish swimming. The group shrugged "We deserve the break we got, though." Angela replied. "Let's head in. I'm finally tired." The group agreed and went to their separate tents.