Our Secrets ~ Dead Poets Society

Chapter 1

Addie stared out of the window, watching the large building come into view beyond the trees. She tried to ignore the feeling of anxiety building up inside of her as she rested her head against the glass. The last thing she needed was for her nerves to bubble over, letting her mask of indifference slip, and beg her parents to turn around and take her home.

She knew this was a good thing. Or at least it was better than her previous school. But the idea of starting over, meeting so many new people terrified her. Her only source of comfort was knowing that her best friend was coming with her.

Addie could see her blonde hair now as they pulled up outside the school. She threw the car door open and ran out, ignoring the shouts from her parents.

"Faye!"

Faye whipped around, her face lighting up as she laid eyes upon her friend. The two girls wrapped each other in a tight hug under the shadow of the immense building that loomed over them intimidatingly.

"I missed you so much!" Faye exclaimed, unperturbed by this new beginning, as they pulled apart.

"I missed you too. How was your summer?"

Before the blonde could reply, Addie's parents appeared behind her. "Nice to see you again Faye," greeted Addie's father.

"You too, Mr. Young."

The girls' parents them turned to each other, leaving their daughters to catch up.

"Are you dreading this year too, or is that just me?"

"That's just you," Faye said, a small smirk plastered on her face. "We've been going to an all girls school for years! This is going to be great."

"For you maybe," Addie sighed.

"Trust me, you're going to love it here. I'll make sure you do." Faye wrapped am arm round her friend's shoulders. "Besides, nothing can be worse than our old school." The blonde gave a fake shudder, making Addie chuckle.

"And it's students," she mumbled, her smile dimming as she thought of the girls who had made her life miserable.

"Well, now we never have to see them again."

The friends had both transferred from Henley Hall, which was not far from Welton and was basically its sister school, so Addie wasn't too sure about that. She didn't really see the point of girls attending Welton, but if it meant she could leave her old school, she didn't care. At least being in a different building meant no one could really do anything to her.

The crowd started to move then as the doors opened and students and parents poured into the building. The girls walked in side by side, their parents following closely behind. Addie noticed a few other girls in the hall as they entered, all different ages than her. There were still many more boys than girls at Welton, her and Faye being the only female juniors.

They sat and listened as the headmaster droned on about the upcoming school year. Addie had to repress a laugh when he mentioned that no boys and girls were allowed in the same bedrooms. She didn't need to worry about that. She groaned internally however, at the thought of whoever Faye would bring to their dorm. Being the only girls in their year, the friends would be sharing a room, much to their delight. Lost in her thoughts, Addie didn't realise people starting to leave until her mother nudged her side.

A few minutes later, she was saying goodbye to her parents, retrieving her things from the car.

"Be good and focus on your studies. Don't be getting distracted by boys. No dating, however handsome they may be." Her father gave her a stern look, oblivious to the fact that his daughter had no interest, and had never shown interest, in dating boys. Addie knew she could never tell her parents that she liked girls, not boys. The only person who knew was Faye and Addie was terrified that it would end their friendship when she had told her. But her friend was very supportive and it was the first time Addie felt like her feelings weren't wrong and she was allowed to love who she wanted.

"Don't worry, I'm sure I can resist their dashing good looks," she responded, dryly.

"Goodbye Adeline. Do try to make things better here."

Addie felt a small flare of anger at her mother's words. It wasn't her fault that the girls at her old school were bitches and her grades slipped due to their insults ruining her ability to focus on school. She was always good at school before the bullying started and she promised herself she would prove her intelligence to everyone this year. She put on a fake smile before answering. "I will." And she knew she would. "Goodbye." She gave her parents a quick hug before searching for her friend.

Upon seeing her, Addie picked up her bags and made her way over.

"You ready?" asked Faye, looking over at the school. They watched the sun disappear behind the building, casting a large shadow over them.

"Not really, but I guess I don't have a choice in the matter."

Faye smiled and linked their arms before walking into what would be their new home for the next few months.