Sugar - Charlie Dalton

12

Walking onto the field, Clara was excited and nervous for what Mr. Keating had in store for their class today.

She watched him carefully, as he held soccer balls and a net in his hands.

"Now, devotees may argue that one sport or game is inherently better than another. For me, sport is actually a chance for us to have other human beings push us to excel. I want you all to come over here and take a slip of paper and line up single file."

Taking out a notepad, the man motioned Clara over.

"Yes, Captain?"

"Will you do the honors, Miss Perry, of handing out the papers?"

"Of course!"

The girl smiled happily, since this meant she also got out of the game. Lord knew she didn't want to play soccer with a bunch of guys.

After handing out the papers - giving ones to her friends she found fitting - Clara stood next to Mr. Keating who blew his whistle at poor Pitts.

"You know what to do, Pitts!"

"Oh to struggle against great odds. To meet enemies undaunted."

"Sounds to me like you're daunted. Say it again like you're undaunted."

Pitts gave a look to the others before repeating, louder this time. "Oh to struggle against great odds. To meet enemies undaunted."

"Now go on." The teacher yelled as the brunette gave a really good kick on the ball. "Yes! Next."

One by one, each boy read out his paper. But none seemed to reach the point of power Mr. Keating hoped for.

"To be a sailor of the world, bound for all ports."

"Next. Louder!"

"Oh, I live to be the ruler of life, not a slave."

Suddenly the teacher walked away and place an album on his record player, classical music now filling the air.

Clara giggled at the sight, what an odd class this was.

"To mount the scaffolds. To advance to the muzzle of guns with perfect nonchalance."

Finally it was one of her friends, Meeks, up to read. He had lost his confidence when the music played, reading very awkwardly against the rhythm.

"Come on, Meeks! Listen to the music." Clara called to the boy suddenly.

"To dance, clap hands, exalt, shout, skip, roll on, float on."

"Yes!"

Mr. Keating smiled at the girl, a twinkle in his eye.

Soon Clara's energy dwindled when Hopkins came up. He was a dumb boy in their class, who fed off his even dumber friend's laughs.

"Oh, to have life henceforth the poem of new joys." He then tapped the ball lightly with his foot before moving to the back of the line.

Clara and the older man shared a similar look of annoyance over the boy.

"Oh! Boo! Come on, Charlie, let it fill your soul!"
The teacher called out as Clare smiled.

"TO INDEED BE A GOD!"

Charlie punted the ball into the net, Clara cheering as he did it.

The rest of the class went, and when the bell rang, Clara stayed to help Mr. Keating pack everything up.

€€€

Later that day, Clara was slumped over her homework, but she just couldn't focus.

Neil was finding out today whether he got a role or not in the play.

The girl wasn't sure why, but the whole process made her nervous.

Suddenly, she could hear footsteps running down the old, creaky hallway.

Sticking her head out, she saw Neil. All smiles and holding a paper.

"Clare I got it! I got the role!"

The brunette immediately started squealing while hugging her brother. "Oh Neil, that's great! You did it!"

He nodded and began running down the hallway calling for Charlie. The girl followed, still so exhilarated from the news.

For once, Neil was going against whatever their father wanted.

"Charlie, I got the part! I'm gonna play Puck! I'm gonna play Puck!" Neil yelled, pounding on Charlie's door.

The others students heard the commotion and opened their doors as well.

"What did he say?"

"Puck?"

"It's the main part!" Clara told Meeks and Pitts quickly.

"Great, Neil!"

"Charlie, I got it!"

"Congratulations. Good for you, Neil. Good for you." Charlie smiled, hitting the boys arm before going back to his room. He sent Clara a wink before disappearing.

"Okay, okay, okay, okay." The boy smiled, sitting down at his own desk and pulling out his typewriter.

"Neil, how are you gonna do this?" Todd asked hesitantly.

"They need a letter of permission from my father and Mr. Nolan."

"You're not gonna write it." The boys mouth dropped open, causing Clare to laugh.

"Oh yes, I am."

"Oh, Neil. Neil, you're crazy."

"Okay. 'I am writing to you on behalf of my son Neil Perry.'"

The three were all laughing, all for different reasons.

"This is great!" Neil cheered, stomping his foot down.

All in all, Clara was glad her brother had finally gotten something he wanted from this rotten school.