*Trigger warning, theme of suicide*
The boys in the foyer of HENLEY HALL. CHARLIE isn't there. NATALIE emerges in costume.
Meeks: Hey! Hey Natalie!
Natalie: Hey, I shouldn't really be here but Mrs Noel's got my other shoe, I left it at her house.
She is looking around, panicked.
Pitts: You nervous?
Natalie: Mm-hmm. Yes.
Cameron: You're going to smash it.
Meeks: We've been excited all week.
Pitts: Really excited. Neil in tights!
They laugh.
Natalie: Where's Knox?
Todd: Chris – Chris came to school!
Natalie: Are you serious?
Todd: Yeah, we had to leave without him...he said he'd walk.
Natalie: Where's Charlie?
Todd: "Getting red".
Natalie: "Getting red"? What?
TODD shrugs.
Todd: He's still in the bathroom. "Getting red", that's what he said.
CHARLIE comes out.
Natalie: What's getting red?
He unbuttons some of his shirt to reveal a lightning strike painted on his torso. NATALIE frowned.
Todd: What is that?
Charlie: It's an Indian warrior symbol for virility. Makes me feel potent. Like I can drive girls crazy.
NATALIE starts to do his buttons up.
Natalie: Better cover it up then, it'll distract from our play we've been working on for months. Idiot.
Charlie: See? It's already working –
The boys laugh, NATALIE rolls her eyes. CHARLIE takes her aside. The boys turn their backs to give them "privacy".
Hey, are we alright?
Natalie: Of course.
CHARLIE turns a little grave.
Charlie: Neil told me you were leaving.
NATALIE's smile fades.
Natalie: I was going to tell you all later, at the wrap party. I wanted us to all be happy.
CHARLIE looks down.
Charlie: It's my fault.
Natalie: Nuwanda.
NATALIE lifts his chin with her finger.
Nolan was looking for any excuse to chuck me out. It's just sooner rather than later.
Charlie: I'll miss you.
Natalie: I'll miss you.
They hug. NATALIE pulls back.
Hey, before that symbol starts to work I've got a play to perform!
NATALIE spots MRS NOEL.
Charlie: Good luck! Break a leg.
Natalie: Thanks - Mrs Noel!
Mrs Noel: Natalie!
The play happens and both NATALIE and NEIL are wonderful. CHRIS and KNOX are sat together, holding hands. The boys enjoy themselves. NATALIE winks in CHARLIE's direction. MR PERRY sneaks in towards the end to watch. There is a standing ovation.
YOU ARE READING
Dead Poets Society: Keating's Niece
FanfictionNatalie: I want to be an English teacher. I want to learn from the best. YOU are the best. Keating: You want to be a teacher. This is how a teacher lives. "In the crawl space under the stairs, chalk for a pillow". God must've been called because th...
