Author's Note: just something that came to me as I was thinking about Todd and this last scene. Hope you enjoy!
Disclaimer: I don't own anything :)
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I sat with the rest of the students, listening almost in a trance to Mr. Nolan drone on. My thoughts kept turning to the last week, always asking why.
Why Neil? Why Mr. Keating? How could I have been so cowardly…I didn't even stand up for him!
Suddenly Mr. Keating knocked on the door and strode in. We all watched as he went into his old room to gather up the rest of his things. I kept trying to figure out a way to let him know I didn't mean it, I didn't think it was his fault. When he came back out, I tried. I tried, but Mr. Nolan roared over my voice.
I turned back to my desk, cursing my lack of bravery. How could I help it? For so long, I had always done what others wanted me to…I never wanted to stand out. And now, irony of all ironies, I wanted to stand out—I needed to stand out.
Carpe Diem.
Words whispered…as if from some wind floating about the room.
Carpe Diem.
What could I do? Then, I knew. I knew as strongly as if a lightning bolt had struck me.
Carpe Diem.
I leapt to my feet and climbed to the top of my desk, shaking a bit. Then I raised my voice just as Mr. Keating was opening the door.
"O Captain, my captain." I was hoping, praying he'd turn around. I ignored everyone around me, just waiting. Suddenly others began standing on their desks, repeating what I had said. Standing on our desks…
And he knew. He knew. "Thank you, Boys. Thank you." He murmured softly enough that we weren't sure we had heard him, and then he strode out the door.
I was smiling, tears in my eyes. He knew. Something he had told us all at our very first class, I saw happen. What he had taught us was true, and none of us would be the same.
Carpe Diem. Seize the day boys, make your lives extraordinary.