SIXTEEN
Later that night, the Poets were in the shared bathroom, grooming themselves for the upcoming party, each showing a different degree of excitement according to their personalities – all but Todd, who looked like he would gladly bury himself in the ground. They all nudged him to stir him up and make him stop looking like a cesspool, reminding him he was not going to undergo root canal work, he didn't have to do anything but stay there and enjoy the pleasure of being in the spotlight for once.
Meanwhile, contemplatively observing a canvas in the hall, Mr. Keating was waiting for them as planned. Neil had begged him to help them with that, as they didn't want to celebrate Todd in a rush due to curfew, nor fear the bugbear of getting caught. The teacher had agreed and talked to the headmaster, so they were officially going all together to a vernissage, when he would actually dine out on his own to allow the boys to party without worries. The group caught up with the teacher and then squeezed into his car, noisily goofing around. Mr. Keating listened to their twaddle with a smile on his lips, feeling a bit like an uncle to all of them.
The trip was cheerful and tub-thumping but, when they turned around the corner, a breathtaking sight came into view and hushed them. Rows of small multicolored lanterns crisscrossed each other hanging above the whole street, leading to the guesthouse. Dozens of tiny light bulbs adorned two little trees on both sides of the entrance. Above the lintel, a silver banner glittered in all of its glory.
… Over the rooftops of the world…
"Oh my God…" Cameron exhaled, voicing everyone's thoughts.
They stared agape at the setting, the glows dancing on their stunned expressions. A tear glided on Todd's cheek, which caused the others to ruffle his hair, cheering joyfully. Likewise, Charlie found himself unable to describe what was happening in his chest. It was as if his rib cage was swelling up until it could no longer contain any emotion inside it. He shook his head, smiling.
Mr. Keating unloaded the guys on the curb, warning them not to get wasted and promising he would be back around 11 PM to pick them up. As Charlie was about to leave the car last, the teacher cleared his throat, catching his attention. The boy pulled back, a questioning look on his face.
"Neil told me the party is hosted by a friend of yours" he said.
"Yes, Captain" Charlie confirmed, slightly confused.
"Is this friend a he or a she?"
Charlie gulped. It was not against the rules to have a female acquaintance, was it? And even in that case, Keating would understand, right?
"A she, Captain" he answered cautiously.
"Has this lady something to do with your poem?" the teacher asked.
A faint flush spread on Charlie's cheekbones. He should have known better. Keating was always a step ahead.
"Yes, Captain" he repeated, his voice lower this time.
"And she did all of this for Todd just because he's your friend" Mr. Keating stated. It was not a question. Charlie simply showed a lopsided and a bit sheepish smile in response. The teacher took a deep breath, shifting his gaze to the honey lights. It became clear he was not looking at the actual scenery.
"It's never too early or too late for two soulmates to meet. You know, Shelley once said: Nothing in the world is single; all things, by a law divine, in one spirit meet and mingle." The teacher stared at him again. "A woman is a cathedral to be worshiped at every chance we get, son. Don't let this lady slip through your fingers."
Charlie beamed. He could never have such a conversation with his own father. A sudden thought struck him: if he ever chose to introduce October to anyone, that would be Keating.
"I won't, my Captain."
They fondly looked at each other, then Charlie joined his friends outside. Mr. Keating smiled wistfully before starting the engine and driving away.
The group nervously entered the hall, waiting for someone to welcome them. As usual, nobody was to be seen, and the connecting door was closed. Clearing his throat, Charlie tapped the counter so as to let everybody know they were there, and a melodious voice came from upstairs.
"Comin'!"
They heard a clicking sound before seeing the high heels' owner and, when they spotted her, Charlie's jaw dropped. He was also pretty sure his heart had stopped beating.
October was at the top of the stairs, a hand graciously rested on the handrail and a broad smile lighting up her joyful features. She was wearing a black halter strap dress with a sweetheart neckline; a flared knee-length skirt spread around her like a corolla. In the same color, her peep toe shoes had two thin crossed straps embracing her ankles. A tiny red rose blossomed on each of the straps' intersections, echoing the two bigger ones decorating the left side of her waist and the right side of her hairstyle: a high chignon, with some locks hanging freely to frame her face.
She climbed down the stairs, skipping the last two steps to head straight for Todd, hold him tight and kiss his cheek.
"Belated happy birthday, dearest" she said. He stuttered a thank you, as red as a beetroot. She then hugged the rest of the boys, ending up in Charlie's arms.
"Hi, ace" she greeted him, softly grabbing his tie and entwining their fingers.
"Hi, paradise" he said back, his free hand on her waist, making her giggle while rolling her eyes. He kissed her cheekbone ever so slowly, then the corner of her mouth, sending a delicious spurt of heat in her lower abdomen. She swallowed and turned towards the others, keeping Charlie's hand in hers.
"Ooh, such elegance! Thank God I'm not among the judges of Mr. Hot Stuff, tonight, guys!"
Some pleased, some embarrassed, the Poets reacted in their personal way.
"You're stunning, too" Neil complimented her.
"Is that grandeur out there your doing?" Meeks asked.
"Of course. Like it?"
Todd nodded blushing, staring at her with watery eyes.
"And that's just the beginning. What do you say we start this party?"
As they all agreed, she opened the connecting door, gesturing with her arm towards the room, which was so different from the one most of them had once seen. The couch and armchairs had been moved and rearranged to clear some space. Gold and blue curled streamers were hanging from the ceiling, while clusters of balloons in the same colors popped up here and there; a jukebox was in a corner, waiting to be turned on. A huge table had been placed against a wall, displaying any kind of delicacy, from appetizers like pinwheels, crab puffs and deviled eggs, to main courses like sugar-glazed ham, meatloaf and Swedish meatballs; on another smaller table there were plenty of desserts, including a pineapple upside-down cake, a fruit cocktail cake and a peach gelatin salad.
She radiated pure joy as she turned to meet Todd's gaze, but the boy was utterly speechless. Neil threw an arm around his shoulders, squeezing him.
"C'mon, Todd! Are you a man or an amoeba? Say thank you! Tobie, that's amazing!"
October playfully curtsied, urging the group to enter. They filed inside and she was about to follow them, but Charlie grabbed her wrist and pulled her back. She rested her hands on his shoulders, while he wrapped her waist.
"How did you manage to put together all of that setting out there?"
"I'm very nice" she quipped, smirking.
"You bribed the mayor, didn't you?"
She openly chortled. Charlie stared at her, wondering if that sound could be made solid and captured in his hands, so as to be able to caress it, and sniff it, and sleep with a cheek on it.
"You're just magical. Did you do all of this on your own? For Todd?"
She smiled, pleased.
"Sure. And you better like the food, I spent the last two da…"
"Why?"
She tilted her head, staring at him.
"Because he deserves it. He deserves something for himself, and someone willing to do it. And he's a friend of yours. I'd do the same for you and the others. Including Cameron."
Charlie smiled, torn between sweetness and amusement.
"You're beyond words, you know that?"
She giggled, shaking her head.
"And I'm also taller than you tonight, you know that?"
"Good things come in small packages" he retorted, raising his upper lip and right eyebrow twice as usual.
October cackled. She then tried to wriggle out of his embrace, but he kept his grasp steady. Her questioning look soon turned into a mischievous one when she easily read his hungry eyes.
"Hmm. I know that gaze."
"What gaze?"
"That one. As if you want to ruin my lipstick."
"You never wear lipstick."
"Then I can't get why you're not reddening my lips."
Charlie smirked and leaned towards her, ready to kiss her until oblivion, but a sudden burst of notes blasted from the other room, startling them. Someone had turned the jukebox on, choosing a frenzied boogie-woogie.
"Come on, lovebiiirds! Stop smooching!" Pitts' voice came from the other room.
October chuckled.
"We better go and enjoy the evening, Darlie."
She pulled him by the hand into the room, where the Poets were already cavorting. She joined them as they took quick turns dancing with her. Charlie tucked his hands into his pockets and leaned against the doorpost, a crooked smile on his face. Watching the happiness on all of their faces – a happiness caused by her very actions and by the mere fact of being all together – he remembered the promise made to Mr. Keating: he wouldn't let her slip away, no matter what. And if she was meant to leave… Well, he would follow her. To the ends of the earth, if necessary.
A/N: A few notes for you, folks...
Mr Keating's line A woman is a cathedral to be worshiped at every chance we get comes loosely from an earlier version of the screenplay (specifically, the third draft), the original sentence being A woman is a cathedral, boys. Worship at one every chance you get. You may want to check this script out if you haven't yet, it's amazing. I think some of these earlier dialogues are in the novelization of the movie – but I'm not sure, since I didn't read it. If you did, feel free to confirm or contradict me ^^
I did massive research about what you could find on tables during '50s parties (the food must have been delicious, if the images I found are anything to go by!) and the whole birthday sequence (two more chapters about it!) has been a wondrous dive into that era. Unfortunately, I didn't drown in it :D
Last but not least, I would like to dedicate this chapter to xxJustBeingMexx and thank her thoroughly for her knowledge, her amazing ability to express herself, her support, her wonderful words regarding this fic, the time spent for me, her critical understanding and her help, both active – regarding my story – and passive, since I had read her wonderful extensive analysis in four parts about Dead Poets Society before I got in touch with her (go check it out!). I'm glad there are still people like you on the planet: it's a hopeful sign :)