Carpe Noctem - Dead Poets Society

Chapter 3: What now?

Thankfully, none of the other teachers were awake when Mr. Keating's car pulled up at an ungodly hour. No one so much as stirred while they crept back into the building. Despite the other poets' worry for Neil, they all found their way to sleep. They all breathed steadily in their beds, some of their faces etched with concern. Not that Neil knew, but he wasn't really thinking about the others anyway.

Well, no one was awake, until someone got woken up.

A phone rang in Mr. Nolan's office, waking him rather abruptly. The principal of Welton rubbed his eye as he picked up the phone.

"I'm afraid it's a rather bad time to be calling." His tone is sharp and quipped, not particularly in the mood for any nonsense.

"Hello, Mr. Nolan. I apologise for the inconvenience, and for calling so early."

"Ah! Mr. Perry? It's quite alright."

"I want to withdraw Neil from Welton."

"Sorry- you want to take him out of Welton? I'm very sorry to hear that, Mr. Perry. Is this a recent development? If it's a result of the school, I can assure you, we will have the issue fixed-"

"No, no, nothing of the sort. I'm simply refusing to pay for that child. He is no longer my son, so why should I pay for his education?"

"You've... Disowned him?"

"Yes." He hisses, the venom dripping from every word.

Mr. Nolan is a bit lost for words, but decides to keep it professional.

"Right. Then, I'll let him know."

"Good bye, Mr. Nolan."

"Good bye-"

The line beeps on the other end. Mr. Nolan takes the phone from his ear, peering at it in the dim light. Mr. Perry has hung up, and won't be calling again for a long time.

_____

"I almost got shipped out to some military school, Todd. Away from you, away from everyone. I'm so glad you showed up when you did." Neil mustered a half smile, not feeling like he could ever repay Todd for what he'd done. How he'd saved him.

"I couldn't imagine Welton without you." Todd murmured, as he felt Neil's hand wrap around his.

"I'm sorry for making you leave your own house, and all. I really didn't mean to, I-"

Neil cut him off by nudging his shoulder.

"Hey, that wasn't your fault. And, it's not such a bad thing." Neil squeezed Todd's hand.

"I'm glad you're here, and it's great that you... Stood up to him. But-" Todd squeezed his in response.

"It's not a bad thing. I'm here, with you. That means it's not bad at all. This is a good thing, Todd."

Todd sighed, knowing that right now, he couldn't quite convince Neil that there might be hell to pay from his father. He instead just played along, hoping to soften the blow when the realisation hit.

"Okay, yeah. You're here, and that's what matters."

_____

Mr. Nolan watched from the window as a car pulled into the parking lot, and Mr. Keating got out. Neil and Todd followed suit, entering the building. They all seemed to be in a rather calm but happy state. That is, until they saw Mr. Nolan.

"Mr. Keating. Boys." He acknowledged them with a nod.

"Mr. Nolan! It's- It's a bit early, don't you think? What, with it being" -Keating glances at his watch- "Two AM, around that time."