The Poets

Chapter Two

   Todd continues to tail behind Neil and his friends through the busy halls. They reach the doors, and Todd can feel the dread bubbling up inside himself. If this class is anything like the class before, he's going to need Neil's enthusiasm more than ever.

   Upon entering Todd sets his sights on the seat closest to the window. He enjoyed being able to watch life go on outside, despite him being trapped and forced to do tedious work. Hoping Neil is near he looks around and notices him seated directly behind Cameron. He can see Neil is distracted, getting all of his essentials prepped and ready. Todd uses this chance to look at Neil for a little longer.

   "God, he looks adorable in those glasses..", thought Todd admiring how the round glasses framed Neil's face, accentuating his big brown eyes.

   The door slams wide open catching everyone's eye, and snapping Todd's attention to the front of the class. A short middle aged man walks out the door, but rather than beginning the lecture he walks out the door. Todd looks at Neil wondering if this is a usual occurrence, but he could see Neil is just as confused as he is.

   "Well, come on..", Mr.Keating said waving for them to follow him

   This class was already turning out to be much more entertaining than Latin. Mr.Keating led the boys to the trophy case, going on a tangent about the meaning of Carpe Diem. Todd tried to hold his attention on Mr.Keating, but all he could truly focus on was how enthralled Neil looked. How his brow scrunched when Keating talked about seizing the day, how he chewed on his lower lip in concentration, and especially how his eyes were glimmering with excitement throughout the entire lecture.

   Before he knew it, the bell rang and the group of boys at the case dispersed. He looked around for any sight of Neil, but he was gone too. Sitting down on the bench in front of the trophy case, Todd looked at the photographs. His eyes settled on one in specific.

   The photograph was set perfectly in the middle of the case, as if it was there to antagonize Todd. His brother, Jeffrey stood in the middle of the photo with an accomplished expression on his face. He was shaking hands with Mr.Nolan, their parents behind him gazing at their son with proud eyes. Taking his eyes off the photo, the awards surrounding the photograph. Of course, all awards Jeffrey had won...

   Todd knew he would never live up to Jeffrey, he had just hoped he wouldn't be such a disappointment to his family. Now with these feelings about Neil, they might as well disown him.

   "HEY TODD!"

   He looked up to see Neil moving towards him, "What are you still doing over here?", He asked with an inquisitive tone, he noticed Todd is still mentally somewhere else.

"Here, come with me I wanna show you something..", still looking down at Todd with a smile waiting for him to follow

They walk through the dorms, and down the stairs. Todd gets more and more curious as the walk continues, "Neil...HEY NEIL!", Todd says trying to keep up with Neil's rapid steps. Finally Neil stops, causing Todd to trip a little. Looking around, Todd realizes he hasn't seen this part of campus yet.

"I come here when it all gets to be too much y'know..", Neil turns around to come face to face with Todd

They are stood on a wooden dock, the view is exquisite. The water is still with a pink hue from the sky. The only noise audible is the breathing of the two boys.

"It's...it's beautiful Neil...", Todd says fully taking in his surroundings

Todd begins walking toward the edge of the dock and plops down letting his legs dangle.

"Yeah, It is.", Neil mumbles, before sitting down right next to Todd.

The boys legs brush against each other, Neil retracts his leg away and looks out at the lake

"When did you start coming here..?", Todd looks at Neil, wondering why he would want a getaway. He's smart, handsome, what reason could he have?

"Ah, freshman year..it was uh pretty tough", Neil continues, "I didn't know anyone, it was all just so lonely. I'd go on walks to clear my head and get fresh air, and that's when I found this place..", Neil looked down at his hands, "It's stupid, but I feel like this is my safe place. The dock just has this power to instantly calm me."

Todd smiles at how open Neil is being, "That's not stupid Neil..", Todd says to Neil still looking into the still water. Neil looks at him with a grin, he gazes at Todd for a little longer than necessary.

Todd turns to look at Neil, instantly Neil looks back down at his hands, "So, why'd you bring ME here anyway..?"

"I thought you needed it...plus I wanted to show you, you're already doing better than me on my first day. You already made one friend..", Neil remarks with a smirk, he lays back on the dock with his eyes closed.

Todd is filled with a warm feeling when he heard those words leave Neil's mouth.

"A friend..", Todd ponders to himself with a smile, before laying on his back next to Neil.