EIGHTEEN

"Okay, guys, time to celebrate!" October called, clapping her hands once and standing up, soon followed by the boys. They were all calmer and more relaxed by then, after a whole evening spent dancing, playing cards and darts, feasting, boozing and telling jokes sitting on the floor in a circle. Meeks and Pitts offered to clear some space on the dessert table, while Todd began acquiring a rich red nuance.

October disappeared in the kitchen and came back holding up a huge rectangular cake with white cream dollops all around the base, blue and golden arabesques and blurred abstract drawings on top, along with letters in the same colors:

Happy birthday Todd
Make your life extraordinary

Blue and golden candles were proudly flaunting their frolicsome flames on it. When she entered, heading towards the table with a sweet motherly smile on her face, the Poets cheered and started to sing the classic Happy Birthday song.

Neil had an arm on Todd's shoulders, so he squeezed him smiling as soon as he realized the boy's eyes were two pools of emotion, then he pushed him towards the table.

"Come on, make a wish!" October encouraged him. Todd cast a glance at Neil, who beamed back, then closed his eyes and blew out the candles, causing thunderous applause to burst out.

They all hugged him affectionately before fetching the presents; October began slicing the cake, while Charlie helped her hand the plates out.

Sitting on the floor with their dessert, the group observed as Todd unwrapped the first gift, finding the watch. He stared at it agape.

"Like it, pal?"

"Try it on!"

He took his old one off and fastened the new leather watchband on his wrist, admiring the glimmer of lights on the golden case.

"Thank… Thank you, guys. I-it's wonderful" he stuttered, then he spotted the note attached to the gift. He unfolded it and six different kinds of handwriting winked from the paper.

Maybe you won't believe that, but I do think that words and ideas can change the world. You just have to find the right ones. Happy birthday. Richard

I'm tall enough to tell you that you constantly have to look at things in a different way. So strike out and find new ground. Happy birthday, Todd. Gerard

As Thoreau said, The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation. Don't be resigned to that. Break out! Live to be the ruler of life, not a slave! And have a great one, man. Nuwanda

Remember the poem you made up during Mr. Keating's lesson? That's the real Todd. So never give up. Memento audere semper. Free up your mind. Use your imagination. The universe is boundless, but you may contribute a verse. So what will your verse be? Just choose it. Many more happy returns. Stephen

I know you're shy, but you have to strive and find your own voice. We all have a great need for acceptance, but you must trust that your beliefs are unique, your own, even though others may think them odd or unpopular. Have a fabulous birthday, pal. Knox

My present is actually the party, I don't want to take credit for the watch. I hope it has been enough to make you happy on your special day. Because I'd like you to be always happy. And I'd like you to do whatever you want, because you can. Don't wait until it's too late to make from your life even one iota of what you are capable. As Robert Frost said, Two roads diverged in a wood and I… I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference. Remember that, dearest. I wish you a wonderful birthday. October

Salty streams were flowing freely on Todd's cheeks at that point. He just looked his friends in the eye, unable to form coherent words, but they were all smiling at him, not in need of any gratitude.

"If this is the reaction, I better discard my gift" Neil whispered in his ear, amused.

Todd sniffed, then accepted the second package containing the two books and the pen.

He lightly caressed the cover of the poetry collection. Then, on the first page of the blank book, he read:

Keating was right, you have a barbarian in you. So here you have these untouched pages. I want you to pour your soul onto them, no matter if nobody is going to read your work, or if it's stupid. Show the world who you are, what your heart is. And promise me you'll never be ashamed or frightened about what you have inside anymore, because it's not worthless, it's not embarrassing. That's wrong. What you have inside is worth a great deal. And I love that. Happy birthday, Todd. Yours, Neil

A minute passed, then another one, and maybe more. Todd kept his stare on the signature, after having read the message over and over. The handwriting was completely blurred by then, but he just couldn't lift his head. A teardrop fell on Neil's name, bleaching it.

The Poets stood up grinning, patting him on the shoulders, and left the two alone so as to enjoy the cake and some more drinks.

Neil made their arms collide with a playful hit and, when Todd finally raised his irides, he welcomed him with a blinding smile, softly brushing away his tears with his own thumb. The shy boy threw himself into Neil's arms for an ever-so-tight clasp and the two of them, one openly crying and the other stroking his roommate's hair, lingered clinched for an indefinite amount of time. It was only the voice of a reluctant October, aware of the clock ticking, that made their bubble pop.

"Did someone say photograph?"

The Poets threw themselves on the two boys, laughing. They huddled up together, staying close to each other, as October fished out an instant camera, sat in front of the group turning the device around so that the lens was pointing at them, and shot a series of pictures. When they were able to take a look at them – some blurred, some cut at weird angles, some simply perfect – they could spot Todd's thankful eyes, Neil beaming, Pitts' funny faces, Cameron looking dirty at an amused Charlie, Knox's melancholic smile, Meeks' white glasses due to the glare of light and an overjoyed girl among all of them.

Standing next to the open window, Charlie blew out a puff of smoke and put out his cigarette. He sensed October's presence before seeing her, so he reached out to enfold her.

"Tired?" he asked.

"No, it's just… I'm touched, I guess. Look at them" she exhorted, making him spin around. "Look at this. I'm so glad I could do something for you all. Something to let you be happy together."

Charlie observed his friends sprawled here and there, then embraced the whole room with a glance, smiling.

"I know what you mean. Everything is perfect. And you're to blame."

He pulled her in close to kiss her temple and she contentedly sighed, resting her head on his shoulder and closing her eyes.

"Hey, Tobie. Did you make the birthday cake as well?" Meeks chipped in, bringing her back to reality.

"Sure, Stephen. I made everything you ate tonight. Did you try the jelly?"

"Yep. I'll try anything once."

"Except sex" Charlie jested, earning a condescending look from his friend and a mild slap on his chest from October, who then focused back on the bespectacled boy.

"Don't mind him. Is that good?" she asked, pointing at his plate.

"Scrumptious" he confirmed. Next to him, Pitts nodded, his mouth full of sponge and cream. Knox was already eating his third slice.

"Come on, Richard, you can say it out loud. I'm your favorite chef" she teased the red-haired boy, who grimaced.

"Well, you're not that bad, I guess."

October stuck out her tongue playfully and Cameron couldn't help but give the hint of a smile. She then brought her attention back to Charlie, and combed the tuft on his forehead. He rested his hands on her waist, feeling immensely serene, but then he saw her expression, and grasped something off.

"What is it?" he inquired, locking eyes with her.

She bit her lower lip, looking overall apprehensive.

"Isn't the school newspaper due soon?"

"Yeah. So?"

"They will get it's you behind the article" she murmured. Charlie heaved a resigned sigh.

"I know."

"You also know what will happen?"

Charlie let his gaze drift outside the window before answering.

"Maybe. Detention, or something. I don't care."

"What if they expel you?"

"They won't."

"And what if they insist on you to fink?"

He brought his pupils back to her. His voice didn't falter when he spoke again.

"I'd rather die."

October gave a soft smile, cupped his face in her hands and kissed him slowly.

"I never doubted that."

A/N: Finally! This chapter didn't want to be written :D But we're done with the birthday, I guess you know what is coming now ;)

For those who don't know, Memento audere semper is Latin for "remember to always dare".

I hope you're enjoying the story so far. Feel free to let me know or correct any mistakes ^^