K I N G

f o u r t e e n

elysian
adjective
beautiful or creative; divinely inspired; peaceful and perfect

Neil's POV
Mr. Keating's class was practically buzzing. Everyone leaned forward in their chairs as Knox stood at the front of the classroom with a piece a paper in his hand. Nervously, he cleared his throat.

"To Chris,'" he began.

Most of the class started to laugh. A few ever wolf whistled. Neil and Charlie shared an amused look before turning back to Knox.

This should be entertaining, he thought as Knox's ear turned red.

"'I see a sweetness in her smile. Bright light shines from her eyes...'"

One by one the class stood at the front, sharing their poems. Hopkins tried to pass off some rhyme as his poem. Charlie wrote about being a god. Meeks even wrote a ballad on his studies. However, Neil paid none of them any mind. His focus was entirely on Todd, who sat sinking lower and lower into his desk. Neil watched as he tapped his fingers restlessly against the wood of his desk, and sighed quietly. He knew Todd had been extremely anxious about this whole thing. Neil wasn't even sure he'd finished his assignment. This of course was confirmed when his friend told Mr. Keating

"I-I didn't do it. I didn't write a poem."

Neil winced as he heard the absolute defeat in Todd's voice. His worry for Todd skyrocketed as Mr. Keating began to manhandle him to the front of the room.

"'I sound my barbaric yawp over the rooftops of the world.' W.W. Uncle Walt again. Now, for those of you who don't know, a yawp is a loud cry or yell. Now Todd, I would like you to give us a demonstration of a barbaric "yawp"."

Neil felt his amusement rise at the pained look on Todd's face. He couldn't help but snicker.

"A yawp?"

"Not just a yawp. A barbaric yawp!"

Quietly, Todd muttered, "Yawp."

"Come on, louder," Mr. Keating encouraged.

Neil tried to catch Todd's eye to at least reassure him, however the blonde's gaze was fixed on Mr. Keating's feet. Todd let out another pitiful yawp.

"No, that's a mouse. Come on. Louder!"

Neil saw Todd's shoulder relax some as he stated louder, "Yawp.

Todd's blue eyes locked with Neil's, and Neil smiled encourgaingly at his friend. His smile grew even larger as he saw Todd start to stand up straighter, something sparkling bright in his eyes.

"Yawp!" He shouted louder. Neil heard Charlie hollering excitingly behind him.

"Oh, good God, boy. Yell like a man!" Mr. Keating shouted and the rest of the class clapped with him.

Todd let out a loud yawp and the class cheered, none as loud as Neil.

"There it is. You see, you have a barbarian in you after all." Todd started to return to his desk, but Mr. Keating stopped him. "You don't get off that easy Mr. Anderson."

Todd shot Neil a bewildered look. Neil could only shrug and failed to keep the smirk from showing on his face. He openly laughed at Todd's betrayed look. Mr. Keating points to a picture of Walt on the wall.

"The picture of Uncle Walt up there, what does it remind you of? Don't think, just answer."

"A m-m-madman."

Mr. Keating began to circle Todd like a shark closing in on its prey. "What kind of madman? Don't think! Just answer."

The class was quiet, in awe, as Mr. Keating pulled a poem right from Todd's lips. It was beautiful in Neil's opinion, the best poem he's ever heard. Pride started to swell in his chest as he and the rest of the class cheered and clapped for Todd. Todd was a real natural. Neil could see him writing poetry for a living. Huddled over his desk as he poured his soul out over a piece of paper.

If he was honest with himself, Neil could see himself right beside him.

Todd sat back down in his desk and turned to give Neil a huge smile, his blue eyes wide with happiness. Neil smiled right back as he watched his friend, warmth pooling in his chest.

    Yes, Neil could see himself staying with Todd for a long time.