Shannon: a dead poets society fan fiction

chapter 3

October 12, 1959

"Holy shit!" I bolt upright in bed, heart pounding, as I spot a figure standing by the door of my dorm room. For a split second, I’m convinced I’m dreaming—or in some horror novel.

“Morning, Shannon!” a familiar voice chirps, snapping me fully back to reality. It’s Neil, grinning at me, arms crossed like he’s completely comfortable sneaking into a girl’s room before dawn.

“Oh my God, Neil! What are you doing here?” I half shout, clutching my blanket up to my chest. “You scared the life out of me!”

“Relax!” He waves a hand, trying to contain his laughter. “I just came to see if you were awake. Figured you might need some moral support.”

I narrow my eyes, trying to decide if I’m annoyed or amused. “So, you decided the best way to show your support was by breaking into my room?”

“Didn’t break in,” he corrects, holding up a small, tarnished key. “Asked the custodian. He’s pretty understanding when it comes to emergencies.”

“An emergency, huh?” I repeat, folding my arms. “Well, I appreciate the thought, but maybe next time knock first.”

“Noted.” Neil grins sheepishly. “But come on, we’ve got class soon. And trust me, you don’t want to be late for class.”

I let out a sigh, finally giving in to his playful persistence. “Fine. Give me five minutes, alright?”

“Deal,” he replies, taking a step back. “And don’t worry, I’ll wait in the hall. Promise.”

Neil slips out, and as the door clicks shut, I let myself relax, rolling my eyes. Only Neil Perry would think nothing of storming a girl’s room to check on her. I rub my temples, a little embarrassed but grateful for his ridiculous sense of loyalty.

I quickly get dressed, throw my hair up, and splash some water on my face to shake off the lingering nerves. And as I look in the small mirror, I think about home—specifically, the endless mornings riding around on my brother's motorbike, our shared ritual whenever we wanted to escape for a while.

And these are the times I wish I was with Aidan, riding his motorbike through the Irish countryside, feeling the wind against my face. The thought brings a smile to my lips, even as a pang of homesickness settles in my chest. Here, everything feels so contained, like it’s built to fit a mold, while at home, there was always freedom to breathe, to roam, to be whoever I wanted.

With one last look in the mirror, I grab my books and head out, finding Neil leaning against the wall, waiting just like he promised. He glances up, his eyes lighting up as he spots me.

“About time,” he teases.

“Alright, Mr. Emergency. Lead the way,” I reply, feigning exasperation as we start down the hallway. The school is quieter in the early morning, almost peaceful in a way that doesn’t quite match its usual bustling energy.

“So, are you ready for day two?” Neil asks as we walk side by side. “I promise it gets better once you’re past the first week of shell shock.”

I smile, a little reassured by his optimism. “I think I’ll survive. Especially with you barging in at random hours to make sure I’m awake.”

“Oh, you’ll get used to it,” he replies, throwing an arm around my shoulder with a casualness that’s both comforting and disarming. “That’s just what friends are for, right?”

I glance up at him, surprised by his openness. “Friends, huh?”

“Yeah, friends,” he says with a nod, his tone light but sincere. “You’re one of us now, Shannon. That means we’re not letting you get lost in this place.”