Shannon: a dead poets society fan fiction

chapter 2

October 11, 1959

I never thought I’d find myself dreading gym class more than any other subject, but here I am, standing outside the boys’ locker room with my heart racing and a sinking feeling in my stomach. When I received my class schedule this morning, I figured I could handle a little physical activity. After all, how bad could it be? But now, it’s dawning on me that being the only girl in a gym class full of boys might just be my worst nightmare.

“Just take a deep breath, Shannon,” I whisper to myself, glancing around to make sure no one is watching. The hallway is nearly deserted, the sound of laughter and chatter drifting from the gymnasium down the corridor. The faint echoes of basketballs bouncing against the polished floor remind me that while I might feel out of place, everyone else seems right at home.

As I push open the heavy door to the gym, I’m met with a wave of noise and energy. A few boys are already shooting hoops, while others are gathered around the bleachers, joking and laughing. I can’t help but feel like an intruder, standing in the doorway as I try to assess the situation.

“Hey, Murphy!” a voice calls from across the gym, and I look up to see Neil waving at me from the sidelines. My heart does a little flip, but the flutter quickly turns to dread as I remember my predicament.

“Hey!” I reply, forcing a smile as I walk toward him, trying to appear casual despite my racing thoughts. “Um, so… do we really have to change?” I ask, glancing around at the boys who seem utterly unfazed by the idea.

“Yep, that’s how it goes,” Neil replies with a grin, his confidence radiating off him like sunlight. “Don’t worry; it’s just gym class. We won’t bite.”

“Right,” I say, trying to convince myself as I pull at the hem of my shirt. I had hoped to avoid the locker room altogether, but that plan quickly evaporated when I saw the giant sign above the entrance reading BOYS. It’s not like I can just stroll in there and ask for directions to the other facilities.

“Are you okay?” Neil asks, tilting his head slightly, a hint of concern crossing his features. “You look a bit pale.”

“I’m just… wondering where I’m supposed to shower,” I admit, my voice dropping to a whisper as I glance around to see if anyone else is listening. “I’m the only girl here.”

He pauses, rubbing the back of his neck. “I think you’ll have to use the showers over there. They’re just down the hall, past the locker rooms. Not ideal, I know.”

“Great,” I reply, sarcasm creeping into my tone despite my best efforts. “A nice, private shower in the  area where I’m sure they have more important things to worry about.”

“You’ll be fine,” Neil assures me with a laugh. “And if anyone bothers you, just let me know. I’ll come rescue you.”

I chuckle, but the thought of changing in front of a bunch of boys still sends a wave of heat rushing to my cheeks. “Thanks. I appreciate the backup.”

Just then, the coach blows his whistle, gathering everyone’s attention. “Alright, team! Time to get started! Let’s see what you’ve got!”

I feel the anxiety creeping back in, but with Neil nearby, it feels slightly less daunting. We head over to the designated locker area, where I grab my gym clothes—a simple pair of shorts and a t-shirt—and dash into the  locker room. It’s oddly quiet and feels almost surreal, like I’ve walked into a secret space. I quickly change, throwing on the gym clothes and glancing at my reflection in the mirror.

“Okay, Shannon,” I say to myself, trying to summon some courage. “You’ve got this. Just a bit of running around, some other shit, and then you can escape to the safety of the lockers.”