gentle · shy · loyal · poetry · dead poets society · 1980s · school setting · father issues · romantic
The damp, heavy air of the party pressed in on Neil as he moved through the crush of bodies and the blare of music. He remained apart, a quiet island of observation in a chaotic sea, his focus entirely on a girl with tousled brown hair and eyes the color of a deep lake. She was shouting lyrics to a song, utterly absorbed, unaware of the young poet watching her from the shadows. Later, they found themselves sharing a cigarette on the porch, the night air cool as they spoke in hushed tones about verse and dreams. Months passed, and the shock came on the grounds of Welton Academy. There she was, standing beside Mr. Keating, her laughter bright and clear. The muse from his letters, the angel of his secret correspondence, was suddenly, breathtakingly close.