Standard Disclaimer: I do not own Dead Poets Society... I am just inspired by it.

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By our next pass day, we're all firmly settled into our usual school routines. Classes and activities, meals and study sessions absorb the majority of everyone's attention. I'm more grateful than ever that Todd helped me earn back the trust of the others last term. That old saw about not knowing what you have until it's gone is true. I was always so busy avoiding closeness with anyone for fear they'd guess my secret that I never realized how much I liked them all until they turned away from me.

But now the camaraderie is back. This time, I'm not going to mess things up for myself. Now I know what being a good friend is all about... and I'm going to make sure I am one, to all of them.

And that's starting by helping carry the costume gear into town on our bikes. Todd and I don't have anything too bulky for ourselves, but Knox has a big horned helmet and a wooden greatsword as part of his Siegfried costume. As if that wasn't enough, Meeks and Pitts have some rather large bits and pieces as well, which I can only describe as brightly colored motorcycle helmets with scrub brushes stuck on top... four of them, presumably two for them and two for Amy and Tina.

We manage to get ourselves and all our paraphernalia into town without dropping things more than a couple of times along the way. As planned, we head straight for the pizza parlor this time, and claim adjoining tables to wait for the girls to arrive. We order a couple of pizzas, a plain cheese and one with the works, plus a couple of pitchers of Coke.

The girls and the food arrive at the same time. There's a flurry of greetings exchanged, then we all sit and grab some pizza before pulling out what we've come up with for our costumes so far. Carol looks especially proud of herself for finding the perfect accessory for her Rosie the Riveter costume... a man's tool belt, with a hammer and a small rivet-setter hanging from the loops.

Knox, Chris, Meeks, Pitts, Tina, and Amy are all trying on their respective helmets... Chris has white-feathered wings on hers where Knox has horns... and laughing. Then Meeks notices that Nuwanda and Ginny are empty-handed. "Hey, you two, haven't you worked on your costumes yet?" he asks.

"Of course we have," Ginny replies. "But we're Cinderella and Prince Charming. Would you bring a white ballgown into a pizza parlor?"

"We showed each other our costumes when we auditioned for The Taming of the Shrew yesterday," Nuwanda adds. "And Ginny's got a point about bringing white into a pizza parlor."

Meeks, who just managed to drip sauce on his shirt, blushes. Tina grabs a napkin and mops him up with a grin. "At least you'll be wearing a red shirt to the dance," she quips.

Todd looks at Linda, who also auditioned. "What parts did you all get?" he asks with a smile. "I forgot about the auditions, so I didn't ask Charlie last night."

"Ginny is going to be Bianca," Linda smiles. "And Charlie is Lucentio. I'm going to play the widow who marries Hortensio at the end."

"Congratulations, all of you!" Todd applauds and the rest of us join in. "We'll be sure to come see the play and cheer for you all." Everyone agrees with this plan, tentative as it might be. Then we get back to the dance plans.

Carol looks over my father's old Air Corps uniform. "I like the dark brown shirt with the light tie," she comments. "I don't think I've seen any military uniform like that before."

"Father said that was a way to be different," I explain. "Since the Air Corps was part of the Army until 1947, the Air Corps did what they could do distance themselves from the regular army, as far as uniforms went. Dark shirts with the light ties, for example, and flight groups would make up patches based off of the nose art of the ranking pilot's plane."

"That's interesting," Chris comments. "Someone ought to write down things like that, so they'll be remembered. It's always the little things that get forgotten, yet that's what makes history so interesting."

"You can always write it, Chris," Knox smiles. "You did say you wanted to teach history while I'm in law school, after all. Why not write a book while you're at it?"

Chris laughs. "I think I'll have enough to do," she says. "But speaking of writing..." She reaches into her purse and pulls out letters for all of us guys. "Mr. Keating wrote again."

Todd and I both smile as she hands us our letters. But we try not to be too obvious about wanting to take off from the group to read them. Fortunately, the pizzas and Cokes are just about gone and everyone is getting ready to part company anyway. The couples all stroll out holding hands, while Linda and Carol decide to head back to Henley Hall to get an early start on their French homework.

I look across at the common, but as it's now peak leaf season, the grass is crowded with people photographing the town and the trees. Todd frowns. "I say we pick up some snacks and go back to school. It'll be quieter there. Maybe we can take a scull out," he suggests.

"Sounds like a plan to me," I agree. "Especially since it's going to be too cold to row soon. We can read our letters on the lake."

A stop at the store gains us a bag of potato chips, ham and cheese grinders, more Cokes, and Hershey bars. We cycle back and stow the food in our room, then take ourselves to the boathouse. McAllister is on duty once more and greets us with a smile.

"Back for a row, then, lads? Mr. Anderson, I'm glad to see you did get into rowing this year," he says as he unlocks a scull for us and gets out the oars. Then he drops his voice. "Your older friend's wedding went well, and his bride is quite the sweet lady. I think they'll be very happy together. Don't tell the Dean, of course, but if you come by my office Monday afternoon, I'll show you a picture of them." With that, he shoves the scull away from the dock and walks back into the boathouse.

Todd and I grin at each other as we row away. "Fancy McAllister going out there for the Captain's wedding," I chuckle.

"I wonder if Nolan knows he went?" Todd laughs.

After we make a couple of circuits of the lake, we ship the oars and pull out our letters.

Dear Richard,

I'm glad to hear that you and Mr. Dalton are no longer enemies, even if you're not good friends. That's one of life's hardest lessons, you know, that of getting along with people you're less than fond of being around. But it's one that every man needs to learn, as you can't always choose the people you work with. Make friends where and when you can, by all means. But practice diplomacy with the ones you would prefer not to call friends, and you'll increase your chances of success in almost any endeavor.

Congratulations on getting into the biology club this year. As I recall, you always did favor the sciences over literature... not that I consider that a problem, despite being an English teacher. I expect you'll do well with it, especially since it is your choice, and not something chosen for you.

As to your date for the Halloween dance, I'm sure you'll have a good time. I'm glad to hear that both your date and Todd's are aware that you are escorting them as friends only. It does make things easier when everyone is open about their intentions and expectations. I'm sure you'll have a good time, even if you do have to dance more frequently than you would had you gone stag. Dancing really isn't all that bad, I promise.

Things are going well here. I'm very much enjoying married life, as well as teaching at Berkeley. College teaching is less restrictive than even I'd expected. I think I'll be very happy here, especially with Jessica by my side. With any luck, you'll not only get to meet her, but perhaps also our first child when you come out here for college. She hasn't made any announcements yet, but I am a bit suspicious of her behavior lately. Perhaps I'll be telling you officially by my next letter.

Your friend and Captain,

John Keating