Goes On // Dead Poets Society

epilogue.

Ridge Academy, NY
4/24/60

Being at Welton was exactly what Charlie needed. He stayed there up until Wednesday when he finally got tired of crashing on the dorm floor and eating leftovers stolen from the dining hall. One thing he didn't miss was Hellton Hash. So he packed his things and gave all his friends tighter hugs before taking the long trek back to Ridge where he had the rest of break to think about everything that had happened. The time to figure out exactly what he needed to say when he saw Evelyn again.

The first few nights back with Nate were weird. Especially when Nate filled him in about Evelyn finding out about his crush. Nate assured him she made no mention of reciprocating the same feelings but Charlie was just glad she knew. In a way she deserved too, even if they were together now. That's not the kind of thing you go your whole life without knowing. Especially when it's one of your best friends that you've known forever. If she did reciprocate any feelings for him he would honestly understand. They had been there for each other longer.

When Sunday rolls around he's able to convince Violet to leave their dorm room, let Charlie wait in plain sight for Evelyn's return. Evelyn couldn't avoid him if he was in the one place she needed to go and never expected him to be. So he sat against the soft pillows of her bed, reminiscing on the very first time he laid against them, wishing he had his legs tangled with her own. Patiently waiting and desperate to see his girl after all this time. He needed a hug whether she was still mad at him or not.

It's when he's watching a particular cloud of smoke from his cigarette drift towards the open window does he begin to hear the turn of the lock on the door. He sits up quickly, eyes cast on the dark oak as he hopes it's finally her coming back. Of all the times he pictured this conversation this week he did not imagine how fast his heart would be thrumming in his chest. The anticipation of finally getting to see her after all this time. He hated that he couldn't call her and hear her voice. Ever since he started at Ridge he hadn't gone that long without talking to her.

"Charlie?" she's too confused to be mad, but only for a second, because her curious brows turn upward sharply as she remembers fairly quickly her anger towards him. Charlie ignores it and smiles anyway, watching as she closes herself into the room.

"How was break?" he tries and she rolls her eyes, ignoring him as she lifts her duffel bag to the top of her desk and unzips it so she can unpack. "What, not good?"

"I thought you didn't smoke" is all she says and Charlie glances at the filter in his hand, the end glowing red and he sighs before reaching and snuffing it out on the window sill.

"I don't but I was able to recover my stash and you'd be surprised how nerve wracking it was waiting for you" he says and Evelyn can't help but look at him and see if he was lying. He had only mentioned the stash once and that could only mean he went to Welton while she was gone.

"You went back?" she whispers, torn on prying further into the subject or still being angry with him.

"Yeah, I needed to figure out some things and I really needed to see my friends" he tells her and her hands that were unpacking slowly begin to stop as she gives him all her attention.

"Oh, that's nice" is all she can bring herself to say and Charlie chuckles, moving to jump off her bed and approach her. She can't help but admire how handsome he looks in his white t-shirt and black sweatpants. It's clear he's been waiting for her since breakfast and her heart soars at the thought.

"It was, especially because the guys helped me realize what an idiot I was" he says with amusement dancing in his eyes and Evelyn can't help the small laugh that leaves her as he says this.

"You are an idiot" she confirms, unable to stop her hands from reaching out and wrapping around his waist. Charlie accepts the embrace, needing it just as much as her.