K I N G

t w e n t y - f o u r

habromania
noun
delusions of happiness

Neil's POV
The sounds of applause was deafening. Neil bowed with the rest of cast, basking in the glow of the performance. It had been a dream. Everything he imagined it would be. Soon the curtain fell, separating Neil from the rest of world. The sounds of the crowd cheering echoing throughout the theatre. Neil smiled as some of the other cast members patted him on the back. As Neil started to walk off the stage, wanting to go see Todd, he felt a light tap on his shoulder. Turning, Neil saw a shy, pink faced Meredith wringing her hands together nervously.

"You okay?" Neil asked, leaning forward slightly. Did she have a fever?

Meredith didn't answer but threw herself onto Neil. Neil stumbled backwards as Meredith latched onto him and pressed her lips onto his. Immediately Neil recoiled and pushed her away. Meredith's bottom lip trembled as her eyes swam in tears.

"Meredith...." Neil trailed off awkwardly, rubbing the back of his neck.

"No, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have--" Meredith's breath hitched and she ran off the stage before she could finish her sentence.

Guilt swarmed Neil. He couldn't give Meredith what she wanted. Neil couldn't help but wonder if his father would have approved of Meredith and him. Neil snorted as he changed from his outfit, throwing it into his bag. Knowing his father, he'd probably already planning an arranged marriage for Neil. Neil froze before he started to laugh. Hard. He was bent in half as fat tears rolled down his face. He laughed until it suddenly turned into sobs. Because his father would do something like that. Neil felt sick as he wondered what his father would do if he had seen Neil tonight.

Slapping his face lightly, Neil started to talk to himself. "Snap out it, snap out of it! He probably didn't come. Probably has no idea--"

"Neil!" A familiar voice shouted over the crowd gathered outside Hanley hall.

Neil turned and smiled at the blonde boy. Just seeing Todd lifted Neil's melancholy mood. They embraced tightly. It was all that the two dared to do in such a public scene.

"You were born for this role," Todd whispered, his hot breath tickling Neil's ear, causing a pleasant shiver to shot down his spine.

"I know!" Neil boasted, pulling back with a large smile.

"Mr. Perry!" Mr. Keating shouted, waving to the others behind him. "I found him boys."

The rest of the Society came barreling into the pair, crowding around them.

"Perry, you were great!"

"Yeah, I was blown away," Meeks said.

"You're lucky you were so good, it look away from the ridiculous outfit you were wearing," Knox commented, knocking Neil's arm with his elbow.

Neil smiled and thanked them all, even Knox with the backhanded compliment.

"Ya ready boys?" Charlie shouted.

Neil let out a loud laugh as they all let out a large yamp. A large warm hand clasped gently down onto Neil's shoulder. Mr. Keating sported a proud grin as he said,

"Congratulations Neil. You have a real talent. I was left speechless."

Warm flooded his stomach. "Thank you sir."

"Did you get the chance to spe--"

Small hands wrapped around Neil's middle, pulling his attention away from his teacher and the question he'd been dreading to hear from his mouth. Neil looked down to see Violet. He bent down to hug her tightly to his chest, lifting her off the ground.

"Violet!" He shouted happily as he spun her around.

Violet let out peals of laughter before saying, "You're a king now!"

"Why Queen Violet, do you really mean it?"

"Of course! You even have a crown," Violet said as she reached into Neil's bag and placed the crown of twigs onto his head.

"Neil," his mother greeted meekly.

Neil frowned at his mother. She looked worn out, as if something was sapping the strength from her.

"Mother? Are you al--"

"Neil, you're coming with me," his father spoke calmly.

Neil didn't fight his father's vice-like grip as he drug him to the car. Violet buried her head into his neck, sniffling. Neil petted her head and murmured comforting words as he placed her into the back seat.

"Neil! Neil!" Todd shouted, his voice filled with concern.

Neil closed his eyes as it broke his heart that he couldn't go to him. Anger welled up inside of him as his father spat at Mr. Keating to stay away from him. Neil tried to crawl out of the car, but his father shoved him back inside before climbing in himself.

Neil rolled down the window and shouted out, "It's okay Mr. Keating! I'll be okay."

Neil's eyes were locked onto Todd's despite the fact his words were addressing his teacher. Neil could see Todd didn't believe him.

Neil didn't believe himself either.