Time Doesn't Change the Past

Chapter Three

Disclaimer: I do not own the Dead Poets Society. If I did, would I be writing this? Most likely not. I would have written a sequel script instead.

A/N: This one is dedicated to everyone who has reviewed and for everyone waiting ever so patiently for the update. As always, please review. I love knowing what you all think. If there's also an idea or something you'd like to see in a chapter, add it. I'll see if I can write it in, no matter what it is. I've always liked a challenge. Enjoy!

By the time the lunch hour rolled around, Todd was certain he was drowning in homework. If it were possible, they had more work cut out for them already than they did daily last year. Groaning slightly under the weight of the multiple textbooks he carried, Todd dropped them onto his desk in the dorm he shared with Knox. He had an hour to eat and get ready for the last few classes of the day. They were American History and Senior English Composition. They had a new English teacher this year and Todd wasn't so sure he was going to like him. No teacher was ever going to be able to compete with Mr. Keating. That much Todd was positive of. It was mainly the fact that it was going to be another cold reminder of how Neil wasn't there anymore. The roommate that became his first true best friend was also the first friend that he had lost. The situation was still hard to handle if he dwelt on it for too long. His thoughts were thrown off course when the sound of something heavy colliding with the wall was brought to his ears.

Knox had decided to drop off his own books. In fact, it was more like he decided to throw his books into the room instead. Todd raised an eyebrow when Knox collapsed onto his bed. "Rough first day so far?" he asked.

Knox groaned and pulled his pillow over his head. His voice was muffled as he responded to his roommate. "A whole new year at Helton, Todd. A whole new year!"

Todd sat down beside him. "Don't forget that you have college and then law school afterwards." When Knox grew silent he began to get nervous. "Knox?" The only response he got was the pillow being smashed into his face.

"Don't remind me!" Knox warned him. His glare wavered and turned into a laugh. "Then again, carpe diem, right?"

Todd responded with his own lopsided grin once he picked the pillow up from the floor. "That's right. Seize the day." The two mulled over those life changing words until Charlie stopped by. Apparently they were taking too long and they needed to get some lunch before it was all gone. The three boys headed down to the Welton dining hall and took their usual seats. Before long, they'd be back in class and drowning all over again.

Twenty senior boys sat in their English classroom in anticipation. It was the same room as Keating's last year. Like the plague, everyone avoided Neil's seat. No one dared to sit there which was probably for the best. Todd glanced up at the clock. Their new teacher would be there at any moment. Todd was sitting in his old seat while Meeks sat beside him that year. Meeks had decided he needed a new perspective. The youngest Anderson boy had a feeling it was because he wanted to be as far away from Cameron as possible. He couldn't blame him. All of the initiates felt the same way about the ginger-haired fink. His eyes swept back to the clock just in time to hear the sound of someone walking into the classroom. All at the same time, the boys looked over to the classroom door as their teacher stepped inside. Todd's jaw dropped open and he was sure the others had a similar reaction. As if in a trance, the boys watched as their teacher went to the blackboard and wrote their name in chalk.

"Good afternoon, class. My name is Miss Wells," a young brunette greeted. "I'll be your teacher this year for Senior Composition. Before we begin, are there any questions?" she asked and gazed out at the room.

Before Charlie could stop him, Knox's hand was in the air. "But….you're a girl," he pointed out bluntly. Hushed laughter went throughout the classroom as their female teacher smiled at Knox's comment.

"Dean Nolan decided to try something different. He said that he wanted to avoid what happened last year. He went with a new approach," Miss Wells explained.

Todd cringed and sank down into his seat. His sudden movement caused the newest staff member of Welton to look over his way. Oh God. No. Look away! Don't ask, don't ask, don't ask. As if she read his mind, she took a step towards him.

"You must be Mr. Anderson," Miss Wells said. Todd frowned in response. She didn't need to ask. She knew his name already? That couldn't be a good sign. "Dean Nolan warned me all about you. The funny thing is….I don't see where he's coming from. Then again, they always say to be careful of the shy ones."

Todd flushed in both embarrassment and disbelief. The first day wasn't even over with yet and he was under the Dean's critical eye. The year was going to be even harder to deal with than he had originally thought. Todd quietly cleared his throat and looked down at his desk. His shell felt safer at the moment then replying to her. When he gave no response, Miss Wells backed off. Todd opened up his textbook to the page she instructed them to do so and pretended to comprehend what was on the page in front of him. What exactly had Nolan told her? Why was he being watched? What did they expect him to do? And why did he have the feeling that he would soon take on the task of rising to their expectations?