"And Peggy!"

“Yes they have. I danced with Hercules Mulligan, a friend of Alexander’s. He had marvelous stories to tell. He’s a tailor but he’s worked with the Sons of Liberty! I danced with the Marquis as well, he was so graceful, I barely had to move my feet. I also danced with Father a few times. Have you been dancing?”

Ever since childhood, Peggy prided herself on her dancing skills, yet it seemed that Angelica’s company made her lose focus, giggling as she tried to whirl her sister around the room. She listened with curiosity as she reeled off tonight’s dancing partners, raising a brow as she neared the end.

“My, you have been busy, sister.”

Then, at the question, she nodded her head, glancing around the room before her eyes landed back on Angelica.

          she notices the stuff on peggy’s side of the room. it was all really nice. bonnie’s side, however, was a little boring compared to peggy’s. there were a couple photos of her mama, but not much else. she looks back at peggy. ❝ —–nothin’ from me. do you have any rules? ❞

“How about.. we don’t go through each other’s stuff without permission?”

It seemed reasonable to her, and she’d hate the idea of someone going through her personal things, even if they did become friends. Surely Bonnie would have to agree, although Peggy wouldn’t dare rifle through her stuff.

“And if you’re gonna have a guy over, let me know before so I have time to get out.”

“I parted with regret from the amiable family of General Schuyler. The ease and affability with which we were treated, and the lively behavior of the young ladies, will long remain with me.”

          already having been to the dorm to get all set up, bonnie was returning once again, this time with a notebook and muffin in hand. she notices a girl standing and smiling. this must be her new roommate. the redhead kindly smiles at her, wnting to make a good first impression. ❝ —–i’m your new roommate, sugar. i’m bonnie parker. ❞

Her parents had insisted that she leave most of her things back in New York, but Peggy still had quite a collection of trinkets that she’d bought. A patchwork quilt covering her bed, hundreds of photos that she’d started sticking up on her wall, little music boxes and ornaments along the shelves.

All of a sudden she felt a little self conscious about them.

“Bonnie Parker. Nice to meet you, I’m Peggy Schuyler.”

God, she was no good at this ‘making new friends’ business.

“I guess we’re gonna be living together then. For the next year, anyway. Any ground rules?”

Sitting on the edge of her new bed, bouncing slightly as she gazed around the room, Peggy tried to take in what was happening. Angelica had just left, having given her sister a kiss on the cheek and a whisper of ‘good luck’, and now she was alone. Alone in her new dorm room at Princeton.

Elation built up inside of her, butterflies fluttering away in her stomach at the thought. This was the start of something big, she could feel it. Yet, with a glance at the bed on the other side of the room, the furnishings of her new roommate already put in place, fear prickled her skin too. This girl would be the person she lived with for the next year.

The sound of the door opening tugged Peggy away from her thoughts, her feet pulling her upwards until she stood, awkwardly glancing at the girl who entered.

“Uh, hey. You must be the one I’m dorming with?”

“There’s also our mother. She’ll be easier to please.”

Mrs Schuyler would love Alexandra, Peggy was sure. Even if Philip Schuyler turned out to dislike Eliza’s suitor, perhaps his wife could turn his view around. That was a little comfort, although one that didn’t have to be faced just yet.

At Hamilton’s agreement, a light grin curved onto her lips, mind whirling with all the places to be shown. The tree that the Schuylers had tried to climb, although Peggy had gotten stuck at the top, causing their father to forbid them from tree climbing.. The flowerbeds where the sisters were allowed to grow their own buds. The patch where they used to set up a small pool, paddling when the summer days were at their hottest.

“Where did you grow up, Miss Hamilton?”

Peggy took one of the boxes from the other, shifting slightly so that it rested comfortably in her arms. The box was far too heavy to contain anything other than books or rocks, and it would be safer to assume it was the former.

“Is this some.. light reading?”

January, 1793.

Peggy had been told a great many things by her older sisters, gossip and stories all throughout her life. So when Eliza had mentioned that a young girl had turned up at the Hamilton household, claiming to be kin of John Laurens, the youngest Schuyler couldn’t help but become intrigued.

It was Alexander’s birthday celebration that brought together many friends and family members, all dancing and singing and laughing until they could no more. Peggy, however, had been told that Laurens’ estranged daughter would be here, under Eliza’s invitation.

She was immediately recognisable, standing at the edge of the room.

“Miss Laurens?”

Her lips tug into a grin and she nods and chuckles softly at Peggy’s response to Byrr’s name. She had the same one as well, when he decided to request she talk less and smile more. Two things that only served to irritate her. “ Alright then, that sounds good. Easy enough, I cannot seem to shut up about her most of the time anyways. ”

“Then you’ll be fine. He seems a lot scarier than he actually is.”

Leaning in closer, Peggy lowered her voice slightly, almost a whisper prevailing.

“Don’t be intimidated. He’s just.. protective.”

And he had every right to be, didn’t he? With three daughters now grown, it was certain that they would attract some attention. It was their father’s job to make sure they had a suitor worthy of them. Both a blessing and a curse for the young Schuylers.

“How about we go for a walk in the gardens? I can show you all the places my sisters and I used to play.”

Eliza could hardly hold in her pure elation. She felt bubbly and free, astonished that something so new and amazing could happen to her. And a certain Mr. Hamilton … Her stomach erupted into butterflies every time she thought of his lips pressed against her hand.

She was still swaying to the melody of the now-imaginary music when Peggy knocked – Eliza let her in with a grin, placing a hand on her sisters’ shoulder.

“ Did you see, Peggy? ” she whispered, voice full of wonder. “ How we danced … Oh, it was lovely– ” Her expression dissolved into a lovesick blush.

Standing in her nightdress, Peggy watched her older sister in dismay, having never seen her so elated by a man before. It was bound to happen to one of them soon enough, and she was so pleased that her dear Eliza was the first to experience such an emotion.

“Of course I did,” she replied, pushing the door shut behind her. “Everyone in the room saw you dancing with him.”

Pushing strands of loose hair away from her eyes, the younger of the two stared at her sister with a certain curiosity.

“Who was he?”

“Angie?”

Entering the room after a brief knock at the door, Peggy scanned her niece’s bedroom for signs of life. Ever since receiving the notice that her eldest niece was sick, she’d rushed over to the Hamilton household, preparing for the worst. Luckily, Eliza had informed her that it wasn’t as bad as she’d anticipated, but she was sure that poor Angelica wasn’t feeling great.

Now, seeing the girl in bed, so beautiful and yet so pale, Peggy offered a sad smile.

“May I come in?”