Anna's Twist On Dead Poets Society

Fall

The next day was Friday. Neil was in Rose's room talking about auditioning for the play, and Rose was listening intently. The days were growing shorter and colder. For some reason, everything felt bitter to her. She was becoming jumpier than she already was, this, of course, was because she knew that her time was soon going to be up and she wasn't ready for the horrid things her teacher would do. She often fell silent during DPS meetings, lost in thought. At night she would either have nightmares, or dream of home and her old life. Every day she grew tired quickly, something didn't feel right. The boys were lively as ever and kept her sane. They could always find a way to cheer her up no matter what. Rose loved them for that and would be forever grateful towards them. 

"Rose, can you imagine me up on stage! The lights shining in my eyes, the audience captured in the story!" he said dramatically. 

Rose giggled, "I can see it now, Neil Perry for one night and one night only!"

Neil smiled and ran over to her, he then tickled her forcing her to fall onto her bed. 

"You know I would have more than just one show! I'd be a star!" he exclaimed.

Rose laughed, gasping for air, "Sure you would!"

He looked at her, "I would be, I'll prove it to you!" he then started to recite lines from A MidSummers Night Dream. Rose watched, her eyes big. As he finished she looked up at him amazed. 

"Neil Perry, you are a truly talented actor, and I would pay the world just to watch you act," she said, walking over to where he was standing. 

"Is that so... Miss. Buffay" he said, taking her waist. Their faces just inches away. 

"Nope!" smiled Rose, who turned to run away, but was not quite fast enough. Neil grabbed her waist, lifted her on the bed and began tickling her again. 

"No fair!" he screamed. Rose laughed but started breathing heavily like she couldn't catch her breath. Neil stopped and a look of concern projected onto his face. He always felt so bad that she was forced to wear something that caused her such pain. 

"Are you alright?" he asked.

"Yes, it's just uncomfortable," responded Rose. Neil nodded. 

"I know I've known you for a little while now, but I still don't really know you that well. Do you mind sharing, just with me at least, how you ended up here?" asked Neil staring into her ocean blue eyes. 

Rose tensed up, but she felt as if she needed to get out what she was holding in, to somebody. Neil noticed the hesitation and then said, "You can trust me." With this Rose told him everything how her parents died, how she was given to Mr.Nolan, and even how the Latin teacher abused her. Tears welled up in her eyes. 

"Neil, I'm tired all the time, because I'm obsessing over this problem. I have nightmares, and I miss my old life. The only thing that keeps me happy are you guys. And I loved you and your friends more than you will ever know." finished Rose. It should also be known at this moment Neil also had tears in his eyes. 

Neil then pulled her into his chest and rubbed her back. "I can say on the account of all dead poets we love you too. And I will always be there to protect you from that man, and if he ever lays one hand on you, he won't live to see the sunrise. "

Rose cried onto Neils sweater, and he held her tightly, as if he would let go she would slip out of his arms. They stayed that way for a long time, neither one wanted to move. 

Neil than remembered a song his mother used to sing and began to sing it to Rose. "Lavenders green, dilly dilly, lavenders blue, if you are queen, dilly dilly, I shall be king. Who told me so, dilly dilly, who told me so? I told me so, dilly dilly, I told me so."

Rose then drifted off to a peaceful sleep. Neil looked down at her sleeping, he then set her down gently and began to take off her stiff layers. When he was done he went to his dorm got his Pj's on and went back to Roses room. He tucked her into bed and climbed in next to her. Rose felt his breath behind her and layd back into him. She never felt so safe than in that moment.