Chapter Text
It wasn’t a regular week at Welton academy. Well it was, but it was the end of exam week and summer was just around the corner.
Everyone knows Charlie Dalton is a party animal, so it wasn’t a surprise when he announced to half of Welton on Thursday afternoon that he will be throwing a ‘end of year’ party at his parents’ house Saturday night because they were away on a business trip, just at the right moment.
“Hey everyone! I’m throwing a party Saturday night, my parents’ house!! Everyone is welcome! You probably know where it is, as it’s the biggest in town.”- Charlie announces in the dining hall proudly and sits down where the poets are.
“Charlie, your parents are really ok with it? - Neil asks worryingly.
Charlie sighs, laughing through his nose. - “Neil, I just love how innocent you are sometimes. Of course not! They’re away for the whole weekend so it won’t be a problem! I have a key “just in case”, remember?”
Neil just stares at him in response and takes a deep breath, Cameron interrupting him, before he has a chance to speak. “That’s not a good idea, Charlie!”
“Will you shut up, Richard? If you don’t think it’s a good idea, then don’t even come!”
“I didn’t say I didn’t wanna come, stupid!”
“Will you two stop fighting for one goddamn day?” - Meeks raises his voice for the first time in weeks.
Cameron and Charlie give a disapproving glance at Meeks before settling back to their seats.
“Okay, Charlie, I know that you really wanna party, so do I…so I say we do it, we really deserve it after this hell of a year in Welton.” - Neil says in an approving voice.
“Yes! That’s what I’m talking about, Neil! - Charlie pats him on the shoulder.
“We really do deserve it!” - everybody agrees.
Only Todd stays silent at the table, not saying a word.
“Todd, you are coming, right? - Knox asks him, noticing how quiet he’s been.
“Oh, yeah sure.”
“Good.”
It’s the same day after dinner, and everyone is back to their dorms. Neil and Todd get back to theirs and they both collapse on their beds.
“Ugh, today was exhausting!” - Neil murmurs.
“Yeah! I’m so happy exams are over.”
“Me too.” - Neil turns his head and gives Todd a little smile. “Hey, you are coming to Charlie’s party, right?”
“Um…Neil, I don’t really know.”
“Why, Toddy?”
“I just…it’s embarrassing.” - Todd looks down and starts blushing.
Neil stands up and sits next to him. “No please, tell me.”
“I haven’t been to a real party before, Neil…and you know how in my last school I was an outsider and didn’t really have friends so I never got invited to things…I don’t know how to act around so many people and I mean, it’s Charlie’s house, a lot of people are gonna be there.” - Todd blurts out as if in one breath.
“Oh, Todd…” - Neil pulls him into a hug. “It’s okay. I know you have social anxiety and stuff, but I think it’ll be good for you!”
“Yeah?” - Todd speaks up, pulling away from the warm embrace.
“Yeah. You know, all of the poets will be there, we’re your friends and you have nothing to worry about. There’ll be music, food and it’ll be fun, I promise! Maybe you will get used to it!”
Todd smiles at him. “Thank you.”
“No problem.” - Neil kisses him quickly on the cheek and pulls him in for another hug.