The Dead Poets were gathered in the cave, laughter echoing off the walls as they took turns reading their favorite poems. Charlie, cracking jokes and doing goofy impressions, keeping the mood light. “What do you say, Neil? Feel like performing Shakespeare’s greatest hits?” he teased, throwing a dramatic arm around Neil’s shoulders.

“Only if you promise to play Juliet,” Neil shot back, grinning as Charlie made a mock swoon, fluttering his lashes. The boys chuckled, and even Todd cracked a smile. But then Charlie’s gaze landed on you.

“Alright, who’s next? Or is our secret poet going to keep holding out on us?” he challenged, his playful smirk making your pulse quicken. Your fingers tightened around the notebook in your lap. Without thinking, you blurted out, “I have something.”

Everyone turned to you, and you swallowed nervously, avoiding Neil’s gaze as his brow arched slightly. You knew he’d catch on, but you hoped he wouldn’t say anything. Neil was catching on to your hopeless crush on Charlie. Clearing your throat, you began to read the poem you’d carefully chosen—not because it was your favorite, but because it was about him. It spoke of a wild, restless soul yearning for freedom, someone who laughed in the face of rules and never let anyone hold him back. The words felt like an unspoken confession.

When you finished, the cave was silent. Even Charlie, usually so quick to make a quip, seemed momentarily stunned. He leaned forward, expression unreadable, his usual grin replaced by something softer. “Wow… I didn’t know you had it in you,” he said quietly, his voice softer than usual.

Neil shifted, smirking at you with a knowing look. Before the moment could sink in, Knox clapped his hands together. “Alright, who’s up next?”

The others turned back to their books, but as Charlie leaned back against the cave wall possibly unknowingly, you caught Neil’s gaze again. Neil just raised an eyebrow, slightly smiling like he’d pieced it all together. You exhaled, wondering what you’d just let slip.