they've lived - dead poets society one-shots

On the language of science

Y/n was always a smart girl. Actually, smarter than the average. She thought of it as a blessing, up until the point when she no longer could find a school that would've been satisfying for her curious mind. That's how she ended up in Welton, an all boys private school in Vermont as a special guest. They made up a science scholarship, so it wouldn't be too questionable, why was a girl learning alongside the boys. Her staying was enjoyable, to say the least. For one, she finally found the mental challenge she was looking for. Also, she managed to get into a friend group, which was the most loving and supporting in the school. At least for her, it surely was.

'What do you think y/n?' a question snapped her out of her daydreams and she confusedly stared up at the man in front of her.

'Sorry Captain, I've gotten kind of caught up in my thoughts...' she admitted, not daring to look up at her teacher. Some boys snorted, as it was pretty rare that y/n couldn't answer when she was asked. However, Mr. Keating didn't seem to mind at all.

'Ah yes' he cried out. 'Young souls and their fantasies! What a beautiful thing, isn't it? To be able to exist in two places at once, to travel overseas without ever leaving your place. Once your mind sets off, there's nothing you can do about it, right? Now y/n, tell us what were you thinking about!'

In a split of a second, she went red. Not in a, a-slight-pink-shade-settled-down-on-her-cheeks kind of red, but the her-whole-face-looked-like-she-got-sunburnt kind of red. For her greatest relief, since she was sitting in the first row, aside from her teacher, no one could see it.

'C'mon, there's nothing to be shy about! We're all friends here' he chuckled, knowing quite well how awkward she felt, but decided to push her a little more anyway. 'Were you thinking about lunch? Or someone? Someone close to you, perhaps?'

That was when she finally gained control over herself and decided to turn the tables.

'No, Captain' she grinned. 'Actually, it's funny how you mentioned daydreaming as an utterly positive, beautiful thing' and as she expected it, Mr. Keating played along.

'And why's that, Miss?' he questioned.

'Hm, to quote Freud, daydreaming and fantasies can be seen as an early signs of mental illness. I can't see why symptoms like that should be called beautiful.'

The class erupted in laughter. She was a smart little thing, they all knew that, but turning the conversation so scientific so suddenly was not what they have expected. The expression on the professor's face was unreadable, what made her a little anxious. She, by no means, wanted to hurt her favourite teacher's feelings. She sat there in agony, and that was when a voice echoed through the silent room.

'She's actually right. It came from the idea, that daydreaming is an un-doing, which was looked down upon in a world, when all they expected from you was productivity.' It was Meeks, who sensed the tension in the air, and tried his best to make his friend less anxious. They were sitting next to each other, and y/n raised her gaze at him, mouthing a 'thank you' in his way. He shortly nodded and looked away quickly, as he felt his cheeks getting heated. The girl always had that effect on him. If only he knew why.

Mr. Keating let out a long sigh and smiled at the two.

'I did not doubt her words for a second, but thank you for your insight Mr. Meeks, it is always a delight to hear your opinion! However, I have a question for you: do you believe in all this, you just said?' his smile never left his face for he already knew the answer.

'No Sir' the pair said in union, glancing at each other for support. y/n just opened her mouth to say something, but the bell started to rang furiously, indicating that the lesson was over. Students immediately were pouring out of the classroom, leaving the group of friend to be the only ones remaining in there.