A/N: Hello, guys, here I am again :) New chapter is up and our friends leave for their homes...and "home" means "conservative fathers are here". Hope you will like it! Nushka, my dear friend, there's also a "Thief Lord" quote in this chapter, just for you!

Disclaimer: No, I do not own Dead Poets Society

"Our stories always contain average, ordinary people. They are the most unsuspecting victims of all"

(D.J Weaver)

Pitts's POV

Meeks and I were waiting in the courtyard for Nellie, Virginia and our parents to come. Students were all around us, hugging each other and promising to keep contact during Christmas vacation, exchanging phone numbers and addresses. A strong, cold wind was blowing and snowflakes were falling from the sky, covering the already dressed in white ground, giving the impression that we were standing on a white blanket. I would miss this cheerful atmosphere of the campus and, of course, my friends' company—after all, calling and writing to each other could not be compared with seeing the other face-to-face—especially when I thought how solemn and formal things would be at home.

Meeks was talking happily about what he would do home—the lucky one had the most progressive and relaxed parents I had ever met—and I was smiling, happy because of his excitement, although I couldn't share it. Returning home, even for two weeks, meant seeing my father again and answering a million questions about university and my grades and how important it was for me to study nonstop to "honor the family name as it was my duty to".

I had already taken my decision, though: I would play his game, but with my terms. I would tell him about the lessons, the professors and my fellow-students, although there was not anyone I had become very close friends with. Except Meeksie, who was like a brother, most of them were only acquaintances; a "good morning" here, a small help on the lessons there and that was it. And I surely would not say anything about Nellie; no, my friendship with her was something I wanted to keep for myself, without my father's conservative principles ruining it.

'So, what will you do, Pitts?' Meeks asked me and stared concerned at me. 'Except reading all the time, I mean. Why don't you go out a bit, have fun?'

'On my own, like some desperate lonely soul? I think I will pass, thank you' I laughed, shaking my head. I appreciated his efforts to make me more extrovert, but sometimes he was exaggerating. 'There is only one place I love to go, especially alone…A park near my house. At winter, when everyone is inside…It is my favorite place to visit and spend some time for myself'

'Suit yourself' the ginger-head shrugged goodheartedly. That was one of the many reasons Meeks had become my best friend: he never pressured me to do something I didn't want to. 'But where on earth are the ladies? They are not the kind of girls who spend hours in front of a mirror trying to look perfect for the journey home'

I burst out laughing; it was just impossible for me to imagine Nellie, who would break a record if she spent more than three minutes in front of her mirror, who had declared war to vanity, being late because of reasons like that. Not that she neglected her appearance, on the contrary, she was always tidy and neat; but, as she quoted, "what to do with a beautiful cover but a vile soul?".

'Knowing the girls, Virginia probably waited for the last minute to pack her things' I made another guess and it was Meeks's turn to laugh loudly. 'And Nellie is right now scolding her and saying that in the last minute you always forget something and so on and so on'

'Seriously, though, it's much more boring to prepare your things for the journey home than for the journey here' Meeks admitted, but then a horn distracted him as he looked at the gates. 'Well, it seems that it is time for me to return to the family grounds'

'Have a great vacation, Meeksie' I wished him and patted his back. 'I'll call you sometime'

'Oh, I know you'll do…I only hope you'll communicate with someone else as well' he chuckled at my blush that surely covered my cheeks at the moment and playfully hit me on the shoulder. 'Do not act as if the world will end if you call a girl'

'Okay, okay' I smiled to prevent him from going on with this issue. 'Now go, they are waiting for you'

'Merry Christmas, Pittsie! And give my wishes to Virginia and Nel, will you?'

'Of course!'

I saw him leaving with a wide grin and I was honestly happy that he returned to a house where he felt comfortable and could be himself. I sighed and looked around for the girls, while awaiting the car that would bring me back to the world of conformity and hiding behind the façade of the dutiful son who followed his father's orders without the right to express his own thoughts and dreams, as if he was nothing more than a machine.

'Hey, Pitts!'

Speaking of the devil, I thought and smiled at the two future lawyers who had just approached me; Virginia rolling her eyes and Nellie glaring at her.

'Sorry for being late; someone' Nellie hissed and, if looks could kill, poor Virginia would be already dead 'slept at four in the morning without even doing her suitcase!'

'And someone woke me at eight in the bloody morning shaking me as if the building was on fire, urging me to do my things!' Virginia returned the statement. 'I've told you, Nellie, I am very quick when it comes to packing!'

'Oh, sorry, I didn't know that "throwing everything in the suitcase and creating a huge mess" is considered "packing" in your humble opinion!' Nellie's eyes turned to the sky, begging the heavens to give her patience. 'If you miss your train, though, don't say I did not warn you!'

'Leave her be, Nellie; after all, it is indeed very boring to pack your things' I interfered and chuckled.

'Thank you!' Virginia exclaimed and threw her hands in the air, as if she had found her right in this unfair world we lived in. 'Where is Meeks, anyway? Did he already leave?'

'Yes; he wishes you both a happy vacation' I replied. 'When will you leave?'

'I am waiting here, my father will send someone because he is very busy as usual' Nellie stated bitterly and I frowned; she had not told me much about her family life, but I had understood that she and her father were not on what we call "good terms".

'And I will take a taxi now, to go to the station, go back to my mum and finally be away from you idiots' Virginia said with her oh-so-known mocking smile. 'Please, try to not do anything stupid, I want to see you alive after New Year!'

'Oh, shut up, you mocking-bird!' Nellie teased her, while I was chuckling, and hugged her tightly. 'Don't forget to call from time to time'

'Of course I will call, who else will keep you on your toes otherwise?' Virginia asked, turned towards me and shook my hand. 'Merry Christmas, Pitts; try to have a bit fun'

'Will do' I nodded. 'Have a good time as well'

'What a girl' Nellie shook her head grinning after she left. 'Oh, well, I guess it's good to have someone as crazy as her—"crazy" in a good way, to make things clear'

'Madness never harmed anyone' I agreed, but my smile faded as I realized that I would not see her for two weeks; and that I would miss her a lot. 'So, what will you do home?'

'Oh, reading for college because some lessons are driving me crazy…Then spending time with my childhood friend, Olivia, who is engaged…And, of course, trying to tolerate my father and fix my relationship with my brother'

'Do you…Do you not get along?' I dared to ask and slapped myself mentally for my question.

'It's not that…We never really fought, we only were like strangers until some weeks ago' she revealed and I could see that this pained her. 'Now both of us have made some steps of making everything better, but I really want to see him'

'Is he older?'

'Three years younger he is, the baby of the family' she laughed. 'Our father always pressured him, of course, and that made Alexander quite following and passive, but the only thing I want is to be the sister I should be'

I had to be dreaming, right? Nellie "I-am-always-here-for-everyone" Russell, of all people, thought she was not a good sister?

'I am sure you are the perfect sister, Nellie' I said without even thinking and wondered since when the roles were reversed and I was the one comforting her, when she was the one who gave me courage with a single word.

Even though, my sentence had the wished result, because the worry disappeared from her eyes. She smiled brightly and, before I could realize what was going on, she wrapped her arms around me in a tight embrace. I gasped and I could bet that my cheeks were as red as a tomato, if not worse; not to mention that Nellie had never showed affection physically before. A caress on the arm, a pat on the back and that was it; but never a warm hug like this one. Instinctively, although awkwardly, I hugged her back; one arm around her shoulders and one resting on her back.

'Have a great Christmas' she whispered in my ear. 'And, if you want to call, feel free'

'You too' I smirked. 'And do not worry about your brother, everything will be well. Just…do not allow anyone to break you'

'As for that, I do not think I will ever escape. Children are caterpillars and adults are butterflies. No butterfly ever remembers what it felt like being a caterpillar' she quoted and pulled gently away. 'I know I am an adult now, but sometimes I still feel like a child'

Nellie's POV

I had told my parents I did not mind to return home by train. But, no, the daughter of known lawyer Victor Russell travelling on a train? My father had made clear that it was out of the question and that George, our driver, would come and pick me up. Forcing the man to travel all the way from Medford, Massachusetts, to Yale and then back again, only to not leave me alone…the man's trust in me was incredible. It was as if my father was afraid that I would run away or something; not that I had not thought about it in the past, but more logical thoughts had won.

'It is good to see you, Miss Russell' George told me while we were on our way. Honestly, I felt sorry about him; I knew him since I was a child, he was really kind and he had to obey my father's orders. 'If I may ask, do you have a good time here?'

'Yes, thank you, I really enjoy it' I smiled. 'Tell me, is my brother home?'

'He arrived only yesterday and I daresay that he is very eager to see you. He is with your mother, but Mr. Russell is in his office, he will return for dinner'

Apparently, luck was on my side; I would be spared from ironic comments and declarations that I was the black sheep of the family, at least for now. If I did not have that permanent feeling of suffocation, I would admit I actually liked my hometown and the family house; two floors, comfortable, almost like in a fairytale. But, now I was going there after so many months, a bad feeling was getting more and more intense inside me. I did not comment anything, though, and the only sound that filled the car was that of the radio; the "Shirelles" were singing Will you love me Tomorrow?, a song I loved.

When George left me in front of our house and went to park, I took a deep sigh and ringed the bell. Only a few seconds later, my mother opened and hugged me tightly, while I dropped my suitcase on the floor to hug her as well.

'Nellie, my daughter, finally you are here!' she said and caressed my hair. 'Welcome home, darling; I missed you so much!'

'I missed you too, mother. Tell me, how have you been?' I wanted to know as I entered the familiar environment. 'Are you well?'

'We are all very well' she smiled. 'And you? How is college, do you have a lot of work?'

'Yes, some lessons are very difficult, but a real challenge' I laughed. 'I like most of them, though, but do not ask me to read my Law books; not even I understand some things'

'"Law books" and "challenge" in the same sentence?' another voice was added and I saw my fifteen-year old brother coming into the hall from the living-room. The two of us were day and night concerning our appearance; he was a younger version of father and I had inherited mother's characteristics. 'Welcome, Nellie, long time no see'

I couldn't help embracing him; it felt so good, as if nothing would go wrong. He hesitated a bit, but then he returned the gesture and I could sense his smile. Seriously, who was this boy and what had he done to Alexander? He reminded me nothing of the closed and sometimes cold teenager I was used to.

'I missed you, sister, honestly'

'I missed you too, baby brother. Are you okay?'

'Great' he said as he pulled back. 'Well, well, my big sister is a woman and a student now! College agrees with you, Nellie, you are beautiful'

'Thank you' I smacked him on the arm. 'Not much lawyer material, though, according to some fellow-students of mine; they think that I am too sensitive to be a lawyer'

'Excuse me, are you sure they are talking about you?' Alexander raised his eyebrows. 'I would not want to encounter you in any court anywhere, you would defeat me in an instant!'

'Hmm…perhaps I would be a little nice if you were my opponent' I mocked him and we went in the living room to sit down. 'How is school?'

'Pretty good, lots of learning, same as usual' he shrugged. 'Is life at university different?'

'It is much more different and much more relaxed; I have time for myself and for my friends'

The next few hours passed like this, warmly, with the company of the two people I loved most. Conversation between me and Alex was comfortable and without the formality of the past. It was not a coincidence that the atmosphere changed when my father returned from work. At his sight I stood up and my eyes met his fiercely, for I was sure that sooner or later I would receive a verbal attack as a welcome gift.

'It is nice to have you back, daughter' he simply said, as if I was a colleague who had come to discuss business with him.

'It is good to be home, sir' I nodded towards him, commanding myself to stay calm. I had won the major battle, when we were arguing about whether I would go to university or not; I would win this one too, no matter what he would say.

Easier said than done.

'Now that you have experienced living on our own and…studying' he started during dinner and uttered the word "studying" as if it was a curse 'perhaps you should start considering the idea of leaving. After all, I am sure you do not expect to stay there, do you?'

'That is exactly what I consider, father' I replied and saw Alexander secretly giving me the thumbs up. 'I love my studies and I plan to finish them'

'You will stay at Yale for the next four years? And when do you plan to start acting like a proper woman and raise your own family?' he rose his voice, ignoring my mother's soothing words. 'You will be twenty-two when you will graduate!'

'And I will still be very young to marry' I added and balled my hands into fists in an attempt to control my anger as the memories of four years prior invaded my mind. 'I have told you already, I do not want to be only a wife and mother, I want to rely on myself and have a job I love! And you should respect that instead of forcing me to become something I do not want!'

'Eleanor Delia!' my father exclaimed. 'Do you think a man will want a disrespectful and stubborn girl like yourself as a wife? A girl who prefers university from a family?'

'If it means to play a role and not be myself, then I prefer to stay alone for the rest of my life!' I cried out.

'Why do you not follow the example of your friend Olivia? She has your age, has a fiancé and will marry in a few months, like you should do!'

'Olivia has her own way of thinking, her own priorities, and I respect that' my voice was calmer now. 'But, even if you do not like it, I am not Olivia. I am who I am and I am myself. And the sooner you get used to the idea, the better for all of us!'

A/N: So, everyone, that was it for now! Hope you liked the chapter :) Stay tuned, because we have conservative daddy Number 2 (a.k.a Pittsie's father) in the next chapter!