DEAD POETS ARE NOT MINE. I WISH THEY WERE, BUT THEY'RE NOT. THE POEMS INCLUDED ARE MY OWN. THEY ARE ALL UNTITLED AND WRITTEN FOR THIS STORY.

I sighed as I flopped on bed in the room that I shared with my brother Charlie Dalton. Charlie had finally convinced my father to allow me to attend Welton Preparatory Academy with him. Father thought it was dangerous and a complete waste of money, but I had a male name so Nolan only had to fudge my gender. I was able to attend Hell-ton. Charlie also swore to me that he would mutilate any guy who touched me. The scary thing is I think he was serious, but with Charlie it is very hard to tell.

Charlie burst into the room with a grin on his face. "Andy, come on. Neil's here."

I jumped up and ran out of the room. Out of all Charlie's friends from Welton, Neil was the only one I had actually met before. He was like an older brother and was practically family. While Charlie acted like the irresponsible little brother he was, it was great to have Neil stay for a week to diffuse the anger coming from my parents. I rushed to hug him and was enveloped by bony arms.

"Hey, Neil. How was your summer?" I asked him.

"Great, little sister. Well, minus summer school to 'get ahead' for chemistry."

I nodded and let go as Charlie came into the room with Knox Overstreet and Stephen Meeks, both of whom I had met prior to visiting Neil. I noticed Neil's (very cute) roommate while the boys chanted their version of the Four Pillars.

"Hello. I'm Andrew Dalton. But please call me Andy," I introduced myself in my soft voice.

He looked a little shocked to see me, but shook my hand anyway. "Todd Anderson."

That prompted Neil to introduce the rest of the boys to Todd. Then Neil turned to me and said, "Charlie finally convince your father, huh?"

I nodded while Charlie explained that I wasn't allowed to be involved in sports (which didn't bother me), and I had to wear their uniform with no modifications. I was only at Welton to bring up the school's average GPA and so Nolan could collect my dad's money. But, I was also there to look after my little brother. Of course, Charlie didn't tell them that; I did and soon found myself in a headlock from Charlie. We flopped down on Neil's bed and I put my head on Charlie's stomach.

They started talking about other stuff when Neil's father burst in to tell him that he was dropping the school annual. Mr. Perry never was a fair person and was extremely controlling. Needless to say, he was not my favorite person.

After Mr. Perry left, I was left alone with Todd while the others comforted Neil. I felt drawn to Todd for some reason, maybe because we were both new. I thought of my parents and their views of Charlie and me. Charlie would become a banker like Daddy and I would be a *gulp* housewife to a rich guy that I wouldn't like with a million kids. I shuddered and paled. I looked up and found Todd looking at me. I blushed and looked away.

He asked in stammering voice, "D-did you-your parents l-like b-b-boy n-names?"

I shook my head. "My parents didn't want girls. When my mom was pregnant with me and Charlie, girls were not an option. When I was born, my dad cried. Instead of thinking of a girl's name, he named me Andrew James to remind me that I was a girl. That and he was too lazy to think of anything besides what he planned for. Three minutes later when Charlie was born, I was forgotten and that's how it's been ever since." I glanced up and said, "Sorry. It just hurts to know I was never wanted sometimes that's all."

I brushed past my brother into our room to prepare for classes. Charlie followed at me and said, "You know, Andy, I think this might be the best year I've spent here. And to think, it's all because I have my big sister with me."