𝓘 𝓵𝓮𝓯𝓽 𝓶𝔂 𝓻𝓸𝓸𝓶 the next morning, pushing my way through the boys on the stairs, who's manners seemed to have been lost since yesterday, to catch up with Meeks who I could see ahead of me.

Calling out his name, the boy with glasses turned back and saw the situation I was currently stuck in. His eyes widened in response as a smile broke onto his face

"Jesus, Sophie" he laughed. He put out his hand grabbing onto mine and pulled me to him, getting me out of the crowd.

I thanked him as we rounded the stairs where Mr McAllister was shouting about the boys.

He noticed me and smiled "I don't mean you of course Sophia" he said before turning and shouting again "Slow down!"

Meeks and I shared a look before laughing and carried on towards our class. We got to the chemistry lab and I sat in the front by Knox's and Charlie while Meeks took a seat in the back.

"Morning, boys" I said pulling out my notebook earning two mutters of 'morning' back to me.

"Sleep okay?" Knox asked me, grabbing the pencil he had sitting behind his ear. I sat back with a sigh and nodded to him.

  Charlie sat up a bit before examining my uniform "new skirt Soph?" He said with his eyebrows raised before getting a slap on the back of the head.

"Watch it charlie" Neil said. Charlie turned around with an amused smile

"I don't know what you mean, Neil" he said before he turned back, giving me a wink.

I rolled my eyes, Knox looking between us "should I go?" He said jokingly standing up as I laughed and pulled him back down

"Park it, Overstreet" I said

"Am I really that bad?" Charlie asked as I rested my chin on my palm. I didn't get to answer as the teacher walked in and began talking.

"Pick three, Laboratory experiments from the project list and report on them every five weeks. The first twenty questions at the end of chapter one are due tomorrow" my mouth dropped open as I turned to look at the two boys beside me who's eyes were wide as groans filled the class

The next class was Latin and all Mr McAllister did was stand at the top repeating the same words over and over.

By the time we got to trigonometry I was already falling asleep and my attempt to look awake was failing miserably.

Hager walked up and Down the isles with his hands behind his back "your study of trigonometry requires absolute precision. Anyone failing to turn in any homework assignment will be penalised one point off their final grade" he said turning back to the front. My eyes went to Neil as I gave him a 'now', smartarsed look which he responded to with a sarcastic smile. Hager stopped and turned back to look at Knox "let me urge you now not to test me on this point"

We had left trig and we're on our way to English as Neil and Pitts played with a paper ball.

"So new teacher guys, you think Mr. Keating will be any good?" Knox asked all of us,  falling into step with me.

"Can't be any worse than Mr. Portius" Charlie said, pronouncing Mr. portius' name in a posh accent before coming to my other side and throwing his arm around my shoulder.

"Like you'll listen either way" I said looking up at him making the others laugh.

"I listen" he said defensively

"Yeah to your own voice" Meeks said as Charlie hit him with a book before we filtered into the classroom. Charlie and I took the two back seats as Knox's and Pitt's sat in front of us.

We were all getting settled and talking when Knox's voice sounded "hey spaz, Spaz" he said making the boy turn before Knox threw the paper ball at his head, as the boys laughed

"Brain damage"

"Knox, leave him alone" I said as he looked at Charlie putting his hands up in defence

"Yes mom" he said. Pitt's laughed infront of me making me hit him on the head. He went to turn but stopped when whistling filled the air. Mr Keating made his way out of the back room and down the isles and out the door. All of us keeping our eyes trained on him the whole time.

He stopped outside the door before popping his head back in "well, come on" he said, gesturing is to follow him. I turned back to look at the boys infront of me. Neil was the first to stand up and follow.

Everyone followed in suit while I grabbed my books and made for the door

"Cmon Dalton" I said looking back as Charlie who begrudgingly got out of his chair

"I just sat down" he complained, meeting me at the door, placing a hand on the small of my back.

We followed the other students to one of the hallways where the trophies and achievements were displayed.

I made my way to Knox and Neil while Charlie stayed by the door. Keating waited a moment before speaking

"O captain, my captain' who knows where that comes from?" I looked up knowing the answer.

From the corner of my eye I saw Todd do the same. "Anybody?" I looked back down as he continued

"Not a clue? It's from a poem by Walt Whitman about Mr.Abraham Lincoln. Now In this class you can call me Mr. Keating. Or, if your slightly more daring, O Captain, My captain" he said. I looked to my right where Knox was stood and took in the confused but judging expression he had in his face.

"Now let me dispel a few rumours so they don't fester into facts. Yes I too attended Hell-ton and survived. And no, I was not the mental giant you see before you. I was the intellectual equivalent of a ninety-eight pound weakling. I would go to the beach and people would kick copies of Byron in my face." He told us as a few people chuckled.

"Now. Mr.Pitt's." He said looking at the paper confused. Pitt's stood infront of Todd as he straightened up a bit obviously nervous to get called in "that's a rather you fortunate name. Mr Pitt's where are you?" He asked making Pitt's slightly raise his hand

"Mr Pitt's. Will you open your hymnal to page 542? Read the first stanza you find there" He asked as we all opened out books up.

"To the virgins to make much of time?" Pitt's asked, Knox and I shared amused glances.

"Yes that's the one. Somewhat, appropriate isn't it" Mr Keating asked making a few of the boys chuckle once again, including Neil and I.

"Gather ye rosebuds while ye may, old time is still a flying, and this same flower that smiles today, tomorrow will be dying" Pitts read

"Thank you mr. Pitt's. 'Gather ye rosebuds while ye may'. The Latin term for that sentiment is Carpe Diem. Now who knows that that means?" Keating asked. Meeks put his hand up almost immediately

"Carpe diem. That's 'seize the day" he said causing Mr. Keating to nod

"Very good, mr?"

"Meeks"

"Meeks. Another unusual name. Seize the day. 'Gather ye rosebuds while ye may'. Why does the writer use this line?" Keating asked once again

"Because he's in a hurry" I turned back to the door where Charlie stood with his usual smirk  before Mr. Keating spoke up

"No. Ding" Mr. Keating slammed his hand down on an imaginary buzzer "thank you for playing anyway. Because we are good for worms lads" Mr. Keating caught my eye "and lady. Because, believe it or not, each and every one of us in this room is one day going to stop breathing, turn cold and die" Keating said

I shifted uncomfortably at the topic. That wouldn't happen for years right? I couldn't help but let my eyes trail to my brother who's eyes were already on me.

"Now I would like you to step forward over here and peruse some of the faces from the past. You've walked past them many times, but I don't think you've really looked at them." We all slowly gathered around the trophy case.

"They're not that different from you, are they Same haircuts, full of hormones just like you. Invincible just like you feel. The world is their oyster. They believe they're destined for great things, just like many of you. Their eyes are full of hope, just like you. Did they wait until it was too late to make from their lives even one iota of what they were capable? Because, you see, gentlemen, those boys are now fertilizing daffodils. But if you listen real close, you can hear them whisper their legacy to you. Go on, lean in. Listen. Do you hear it?" We all leaned in a bit looking at the photos

"Carpe" Mr. Keating whispered as Cameron turned and looked at him "hear it?" He asked before whispering a bit more "Carpe. Carpe diem. Seize the day, make your lives extraordinary" he said as we all stared at the bookcase.

✍︎✍︎✍︎

We left the building and made our way to the courtyard carrying our piles of books. "That was weird" Pitts said making Neil look at him

"But different"

"It was a breath of fresh air" I said, smiling behind Neil "not like the way the others teach"

"Spooky if you ask me" Knox said behind us as Cameron spoke up on my right

"Think he'll test us on that stuff?" He asked making me let out a sigh

"Come on Cameron, don't you get anything?" Charlie asked from my other side

"What?" He asked looking at Charlie before looking down at me "what?" He asked as I shook my head walking ahead of him.

✍︎✍︎✍︎

Sitting at my desk, I wrote down what I needed done when a knock came to my door.

"Sophie" I recognised the voice and I pulled it open to see Knox standing infront of me in his uniform.

"You okay?" I asked asked him as he came into my room

"Yeah, it's just Im having dinner with the Danbury's tonight. And there kinda important. And I was just wondering if you thought I looked okay?" He asked looking nervous as I inspected him before beginning to do up his tie. "it's just if I asked any of the guys they wouldn't be serious" he told me as I looked at him

"You look good Knox, but what's going on with the hair?" I asked him. His hair was all tousled and in his hand he held a comb.

"Well I went to ask Charlie and he messed it up. Will you fix it for me?" He asked leaning against my desk. I laughed and nodded before walking over and taking the comb from his hand. After I fixed it he stood and made his way into my bathroom inspecting it in the mirror.

He came back out and pulled me into a hug "thanks Sophie" he said as I smiled and pulled away. I straightened up his tie before patting his chest.

"No problem, have fun" I said. He made his way to the door before He turned back to me and smiled before waving and leaving.

✍︎✍︎✍︎

After dinner I went back into my room and showered before changing into something comfier than the hard skirts I was made to wear.

Pitts and Meeks were coming out their room with their radio when they noticed me. "Hey Sophie, you coming?" Pitts asked as  light from Neil's room caught my eye.

"Yeah I'll catch up in a minute guys" they nodded and went on while I stopped and knocked on the door. A distant 'come in' sounded and I opened the door to see Todd was sitting at his desk, suddenly straightening up . He was holding a crumpled up piece of paper.

"Hey Sophie" I smiled back and stood in the door looking around

"Hey Todd, you not coming to the study group?" I asked him as he shook his head a bit

"Eh no, I've got some history I wanna do" he told me as he fiddled his hands. From what I noticed about the boy since I'd met him, it was clear to anyone who had eyes that he was an anxious person. I had noticed earlier in the day when Mr. Keating was calling on people that Todd's eyes widened and he became flush.

"Okay, we'll if you change your mind don't hesitate to come find us" I smiled

"Thanks Sophie" he said before I turned and closed the door.

When I got to the student room, it was bustling with conversations and my boys were over to the left. Upon me entering, cameron turned to look at me "sorry Sophie" he said grabbing his books and moving one seat to the right leaving the seat next to Charlie unoccupied

"It's fine cameron, thanks" I said sitting in the chair.

"We're doing chemistry" Neil said from across the table as I nodded and grabbed my chem book and opened it to the page they were on. 

"You guys get question 7?" Charlie asked from beside me as I read the question 'what is the three names for the fundamental laws of chemistry and what are they?'

"Oh cmon Charlie one of them is your name" i told him as he shrugged "Lavoisier Law, which is the law of mass conservation. Proust law, which is the law of decimate proportions and the Dalton law is the law of multiple proportions" I told him as he wrote them down

"And that is why i keep you around" I rolled my eyes at him as cameron scoffed beside me

"That's not the only reason" he said earning a smirk from Charlie and a glare from Neil

After a while we were done with those and we moved onto trig. I noticed Todd come in, but instead of coming over to us, he gave me a quick smile and made his way to the other side of the room. I followed him with my eyes before a hand reached out and grabbed my chin turning my head and focus back to him.

"Focus" Charlie said to me dropping his hand from my face. Pitts and Meeks were at the end of the table now messing with their radio as Cameron stood over Neil.

"Just replace these numbers here with 'x' and 'y'" Cameron said as Charlie looks at me clueless. I leaned over showing him how I did it.

"Of course" Neil said

"Of course, so what's the problem?" Cameron asked as Charlie jotted down what I had done. The door shut behind us as we all turned towards it to see Knox stood staring into space.

"How was dinner?" Charlie asked. Knox continued to stare straight forward in his own little bubble, the question going in one ear and out the other.

"Huh?" He asked absentmindedly as I shared a look with Charlie

"How was dinner?" I asked him again when he finally zoned in

"Terrible. Awful" he said taking off his jacket and sitting in Cameron's seat

"Why what happened?" Charlie asked as Knox  as he leaned forward and sighed

"Tonight, I met the most beautiful girl in my entire life" he said before turning to me "aside from you obviously" a light smile danced across my face.

"Are you crazy? What's wrong with that?" Neil asked as we all zoned in on Knox

"She's practically engaged" he said finally looking at us "to Chet Danburry" we all let out groans for him.

"That's guy could eat a football" Charlie said. I looked at Knox sympathetically squeezing his arm.

"That's too bad" pitts said as Knox looked at him

"Too bad? It's worse than too bad Pitsie. It's a tragedy. A girl this beautiful in love with such a jerk" Knox said as Pitts leaned forward

"All the good ones go for jerks, you know that" he said shaking his head as Charlie leaned towards me

"Pitsie doesn't think your one of the good ones" I looked towards Pitts who was looking between Charlie and I.

"That's not what I meant" he defended beginning to get red in the face as meeks looked up from the radio shrugging

"Sure she has you doesn't she" Charlies tongue pressed into his cheek as I looked at Meeks trying to suppress my laugh.

"No she doesn't" Neil said looking between Charlie and I, causing Charlie to smirk at his words as I rolled my eyes and focused back on Knox

"Ahh, forget her. Open your trig book and try and figure out problem five" he said. I gave him a look as Knox looked up at him shaking his head

"I can't just forget about her Cameron. And I can't think about trig" he said tapping my book. I looked at Knox sympathetically before he leaned towards me, and hugged me while putting his head under my chin

I shared a sad look with Meeks as I petted the boys head.

"We got it" Pitts said as knox sat up and we all leaned forward before the door swung open and Hager walked in

"All right gentlemen. Five minutes" Hager said as Pitts pulled the radio onto his lap. Charlie looked up at me before looking to Hager amused.

"Does that include Sophie aswell? Seeing as she's not a gentlemen" he asked making me look at him with wide eyes and kick him under the table as Hager let out a sigh.

"Yes it means Miss Perry to, Mr. Dalton. Thank you for the clarification" I closed my book and stood while grabbing the other books as Charlie leaned across me.

"Did you see her naked?" He asked Knox before turning making me hit him with a book

"Is that all you think about Charlie" I asked rhetorically as I left behind him.

"Not all the time" he said looking back at me "sometimes I think about you" he said smiling making my eyebrows pull together "but I mostly think about girls naked" he said finally as we turned the corner

"Yeah well as long as none of those naked girls are my sister your safe" Neil said from behind us.

Charlie looked back shaking his head "No. No of course not" before turning to me and smirking

"Your disgusting, Dalton" I said as we reached his and Neil's doors.

"I know" Charlie threw his head back and laughed, opening his door.

Neil pulled me into a side hug before kissing my forehead. "Night, I love you"

"Night, I love you too." I said as he let go

"Hugs"

"Kisses" I moved away from the door as he shut it.

"Night gorgeous" Charlie called out as I turned to look at him walking backwards.

"Goodnight Charlie" I said before he smile and disappeared into his room. I reached my room and opened my door before putting my books onto my desk. I turned to close my door as i caught Todd's eye .

"Night Todd" I said as he looked a bit shocked

"Night Sophie" he said, a ghost of a smile on his face before he disappeared into his room and I closed my door.

Good night hell-ton.