Chapter Text
Getting out of South Carolina was a dream come true for John, although the only reason he got out was for him to fix his 'little problem' as his dad called it. He didn't understand why his dad couldn't accept the fact that John was gay. There was no hope in 'fixing' him.
As soon as he stepped off the plane he felt free for the first time in his life, no dad to push him around here. He hailed a cab to camp.
Once he tipped the cab driver and got his bags from the back. As John stepped into camp he felt so alive yet terrified. This was the first time he had gone out of town since his mom died, except for his dad's business trips. God he hated his father everything he said was some absurd comment on how he was a disgrace.
When John walked up to the older lady checking people in. He must of looked a lot more nervous than he thought he did, "You're first year here?" She asked. "U-uhh y-yeah I'm John L-laurens" he stammered, mentally beating himself up. 'Come on John be cool... Don't let people think you're a nervous little anxious...' The rest of his thoughts were cut off by the woman, "Don't be nervous, and John dear? If you need anything I'll be here. I'm Martha Washington by the way." "T-thanks ma'am" John managed.
John walked slowly into the cafeteria where everyone was. As soon as he walked in a girl about the same age as John he guessed dressed in white ripped jeans and a yellow top grabbed him by his wrist and pulled him over to a table with 10 other people. " Hey I'm Peggy and I'm non binary, they them pronouns please." They said. " Cool I'm John Laurens and I'm--" he was interrupted by a voice "Wait... Are you related to Henry Laurens?" He matched the voice to a smaller guy. 'Damn he has cute eyes' John thought Y-yeah" he stuttered, "he's my dad..." "Leave" he demanded. "What?" John asked in a weak voice. "I.Said.Leave. I don't want your damn rich pretentious blood at this table. What are you doing at this camp anyways?" But by the time that he had asked the question John had ran off to a deserted table getting weird looks from everyone. "ALEXANDER FUCKING HAMILTON" Peggy yelled. " I WAS HAVING A GODDAMNED CONVERSATION AND YOU AND YOUR DAMN POLITICS GOT ON THE WAY." They proceeded to pick up their bag and sit down next to John who's head was in his arms on the table. "Hey Johnny you ok?" He flinched at the mention of one of his mom's old nicknames for him. "Don't like that name ok that's noted ." Peggy said, "I'm sorry you met Alex" they said glaring at the back of his head, "he's an asshole, John?" John picked up his head revealing that he was crying. "John please don't let him get to you. You seem different than your dad." They said rubbing his back. "Thanks, I hope I'm different than him, for starters I'm gay so he sent me here... I'm guessing he wasn't expecting this is what it would be though." Gesturing to the pride flags painted on the tables. Peggy was going to respond but was cut off by two new people who moved from Alex's table. "Hey man I'm sorry about Alex he can be an ass. I'm Hercules by the way. Yes that's my real name, but please call me Herc. I'm pan he/him pronouns" "it's fine about Alex. Nice to meet you Herc," John said. Then the girl piped up. "No it's not ok, I can tell that you aren't like your dad. I'm Eliza, Peggy's older sister." Peggy scoffed at that, " Yeah by like a year." Their argument was cut off by a microphone screaming. "Whoa there" a taller man said "I'm George Washington and--" the rest of his 10 minute speech was drowned out by Herc and Peggy telling John tips on how to get away with breaking the rules with Eliza shaking her head, but adding some of the better tips.
After the speech everybody got their cabin numbers, John lucked out by getting #5 with Herc, but the other half of the cabin was unknown.