Dead Poets Society By N.H. Kleinbaum

CHAPTER 12

Knox flew out of Ridgeway High and raced back to Welton as fast as he could, riding against the blinding snow and over the icy roads. Back on campus, his friends were just finishing their class with Mr. Keating. They were huddled around Keating's desk, laughing, when the bell rang.

"That's it, gentlemen," Keating said, snapping his book shut. Several of the boys groaned, wishing they didn't have to move on to Mr. McAllister's Latin class.

"Neil, could I see you a moment?" the teacher called, as the boys gathered their books and headed out the door. Neil and Keating waited until the others had left.

"What did your father say? Did you talk to him?" Keating asked.

"Yeah," Neil lied.

"Really?" Keating said excitedly. "You told your father what you told me? You let him see your passion for acting?"

"Yeah." Neil felt the lie grow bigger. "He didn't like it one bit, but at least he's letting me stay in the play. Of course, he won't be able to come. He'll be in Chicago on business. But I think he's gonna let me stay with acting. As long as I keep my grades up." Neil avoided Mr. Keating's eyes. He was so embarrassed by the lie that he didn't even hear what the teacher said to him. He grabbed his books and said he had to run, while Keating stood looking after him, puzzled.

~

When Knox finally reached campus he ditched his bike near the kitchen at the rear of the main classroom building and raced inside, cold but triumphant. He stopped for a moment to enjoy the warmth and smell of the huge cooking area, and helped himself to a sweet roll that had just come out of the oven. He ran into the corridor just as classes were changing and immediately spotted the gang.

"How'd it go?" Charlie asked. "Did you read it to her?"

"Yep!" Knox grinned, swallowing the last of the sweet roll.

"All right!" Pitts slapped him on the back in congratulations. "What did she say?"

"I don't know," Knox replied.

"What do you mean, you don't know?" Charlie was puzzled. The boys surrounded Knox before he could escape and ushered him into a classroom, closing the door behind them.

"Okay, Knox," Charlie ordered, "start from the beginning."

~

That night, the boys milled around the dorm lobby waiting to go to Henley Hall with Mr. Keating for the production of A Midsummer Night's Dream. Knox slumped on a chair by himself, still bewildered by his encounter with Chris, exhilarated and confused at the same time.

"Where's Nuwanda?" Meeks asked. "If we don't hurry we're going to miss Neil's entrance!"

"He said something about getting red before he left," Pitts said, shaking his head.

"What does that mean?" Cameron asked.

"You know Charlie," Pitts laughed, just as Nuwanda scampered down the stairs.

"What's this getting red?" Meeks asked. Charlie checked around. He opened his shirt and revealed a red lightning bolt painted on his chest.

"What's it for?" Todd wanted to know.

"It's an Indian warrior symbol for virility. Makes me feel potent. Like I can drive girls crazy."

"But what if they see it, Nuwanda?" Pitts asked. Charlie winked.

"So much the better!"

"You are crazy!" Cameron said as the group headed out of the lobby. As they neared the door, they passed Chris, who was just walking in. Knox nearly fainted.