SING ME TO SLEEP -- neil perry

chapter nine: the first meeting

a/n IM SO SORRY THIS TOOK TWO WEEKS TO GET OUT. i have finals next week and its the end of the semester, so i've been working my ass of for school. blame my teachers. i'm hoping to write faster, i just have to figure out how to balance my schedule well, and its been a bit of a struggle. but i hope u guys like this chapter !!

anyways,  TW // slight homophobic slur 

Neil fiddled through his still not empty suitcase, looking for the flashlight that he knew he had packed in case of late night study sessions when he needed to be unseen. He found it and pulled it out. Flicking it on and off a few times, he was glad to learn that the batteries were still working well. He turned to look at his desk and noticed a beaten up book sitting on it that he had never seen before, Five Centuries in Verse, it was called. He opened the front page to try and find whose it was and saw the name J. Keating written in a sprawling script across the inside cover. There was a note written inside of it too, "To be read at the beginning of Dead Poets Society meetings." He heard a loud knock on the door and opened it to Professor Hager's scowling face.

"Go get ready for bed. Lights out in 15 minutes!" He said loudly, his voice echoing throughout the entire senior dorm. Neil nodded respectfully and Hager turned to close the door. Neil grabbed it before it slammed shut and slipped out with his toothbrush and pajamas in his hand. He walked down the hall to the already crowded bathroom, needling his way through groups of boys clustered around each sink until he was standing next to Charlie. He pulled out his toothbrush, spread the toothpaste on it and began brushing vigorously. He felt a hard slap on his back and almost choked as he was pushed forward and toothpaste flew out of his mouth all over the sink. He turned to see who had done it and saw Charlie running out of the room fast and laughing loudly. Neil yelled, wiped his hand over the back of his mouth and then began to chase him.

"Asshole," he yelled. "What did I ever do to you?"

"Nothing," Charlie yelled back. That was the answer Neil had expected. Charlie simply liked to incite anger everywhere he went and he revelled in the chaos that often ensued. Usually, Neil didn't engage him and just ignored it. Eventually Charlie would just give up, but for some reason, Neil felt like causing trouble today. He pushed passed all the boys in the bathroom, causing many of them to begin to talk loudly, asking what was going on. He grinned. This was absolutely going to drive Hager insane. Perfect.

He burst out into the corridor and looked around madly for Charlie. At the end of the hall, he saw Meeks pushing someone into a room and slamming the door shut behind them.

"Are you trying to hide Charlie from me?" He yelled at Meeks. "I don't think you realize what you're getting yourself into!"

Meeks shrugged and turned with his back to the door. Hearing the noise in the hall, many boys were now peeking their heads out of their rooms. It wasn't often that anyone dared to have any fun this soon before they were meant to turn their lights off. Neil walked slowly down the hallway. He was completely joking, but he wanted to intimidate Meeks as much as possible. There was a tap on his shoulder and Neil turned to see Knox standing walking behind him.

"Why are we walking slowly down the hallway?" Knox leaned down and whispered in Neil's ear.

"Charlie made me spit my toothpaste all over the sink." Neil whispered back. Knox's mouth fell open in a look of imitated surprise.

"What are we planning to do to him?"

"First, we have to get Meeks out of the way, and then I'm going in. He needs retribution."

"I'll deal with Meeks." Knox had a devilish look on his face. He was nearly a foot taller than Meeks, who stood at only 5'7 and Neil knew this was going to turn out to be a very funny evening. They approached the door where Meeks was standing stock still, looking straight ahead as if he were a guard standing in front of a treasure chamber.