Chapter Text
Todd didn’t know a lot of things. He wasn’t like his brother, the golden boy; a genius as the headmaster had called him. He didn’t know how to be like the other boys, he wasn’t loud, he never could just talk like the others could. He used to sit in class and watch the other boys goof around with each other, play fighting and yelling. He always wished he could be like them. As he got older he started to realized that he was less and less like the others. He wasn’t into sports, he didn’t like anything loud or violent, and he didn’t really care about girls. Girls. He remembered how all the boys in the class got so weird when the girls started getting older. Boys started to “go out” with girls. He didn’t understand it. He tried to talk to one of the girls in his class once, just to be like all the other boys, but was never able to work himself up to speaking. He tried to ask his brother, but he just told Todd to focus on school, not girls. So Todd did. He liked school, sure. But he felt so alone. He watched the other boys, so carefree, just so happy. .
When he was older, he went to his father about it
His father didn’t understand either.
“You’re brother was never like this, you know.” Of course he did. But Todd wasn’t his brother.
Eventually his parents grew wary of Todd’s “separation” from other boys and his school work.
“Todd, listen, your mother and I, we, we think it’d be a good thing for you to go to Welton now.” Welton academy. His brother’s old school. “Everybody knows us there, your brother, he, he was one of their brightest you know. They’ll have no problem with you starting at the beginning of next year.”
“We know it won’t be easy,” his mother said. “But this is what’s best for you. It’s what-” She gulped. “It’s what Jeffery would have wanted for you.” Todd didn’t really want to leave, but he didn't really want to stay either. He had nothing here. It’s not like he could’ve stood up to his parents anyway.
The first day at Welton Academy. His parents were so thrilled, or so they seemed, Todd could tell they were trying not to cry. Jeffery’s school. They sat in the opening ceremony, as the headmaster, Mr. Nolan ranted about the expectations of Welton, and how it would make them all “stronger, better men.” He wasn’t really paying attention, instead he looked around at all the boys here. They were all so prestigious looking, their perfect uniforms, neat-kempt hair, stone cold faces as they all pretended to be listening.
“Gentlemen, what are the four pillars?” His father tapped his arm.
“Stand up,” he said. Todd looked around, confused. All the boys were standing up, he scrambled to his feet.
“Tradition, honor, discipline, and excellence.” He did not say it with them.
After the ceremony, his parents led him up to the headmaster, they exchanged greetings, Mr. Nolan, remembering them, gave them the good old “your son was our best student, such a great young man.” speech Todd had heard from practically everyone.
At last he looked towards Todd. “You have great shoes to fill, young man.” He said strictly. I’m quite aware. Todd thought. He knew his parents loved him, at least he hoped they did, but he also knew they looked down upon him. They just wanted him to be Jeffery, nothing else.
He waved goodbye to his mother and father, they each hugged him and told him to “Do well.” Mr. Nolan guided him to the herd of boys, Todd followed them to something called the “Honor Room”. There was a sign indicating him to choose extracurriculars.
“You’ll be doing soccer.” The man behind the desk said.
“I-I'd rather do row-” the room was too chaotic, the boys were all loud, shouting to be heard over the sounds of their own voices. He swallowed.
“Next!” The man said.
Todd wanted to cry. He almost did. He’d always hated soccer. Soccer was such a boys sport. He hated the way it felt to run. He hated how he was always the one to never get the ball. He hated the locker rooms, where he had to change in front of everyone. He ran out to his assigned dorm room.
It was a mistake running into the boy, he didn’t mean it. He felt awful because the boy looked so nice, especially his eyes, they were dark brown and reflected the light of the sun, which lit up his whole face.
“Woah there, sorry!” the boy laughed. “You’re new right?” He smiled. When he did, the light in his eye seemed to dance, it was one of those contagious smiles, Todd couldn’t help but smile back a little. “I’m Neil,” he said. “Neil Perry. Uh, what’s your name?”
“Todd,” he barely whispered. “Anderson.” If it were possible, the boy's smiled widened, his whole face glowed now, his eyes sparkled with something Todd had never felt before.
“Oh excellent!” He exclaimed. “I’m your new roommate. Come on, I’ll show you.” He followed him.
“So Todd,” The way his name sounded in Neil’s voice made Todd’s heart leap into his throat. “Why’d you come here? I mean, why leave with one year left, right?”
“Uh, my, my brother he-” He took a breath, exhaling sharply. “My brother went here.”
“Oh so you’re THAT Anderson.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Nothing.” He smirked, looking to Todd, he found himself doing the same, before they both looked down again.
“Here we are!” Neil announces dramatically, swinging open the door.
“-I mean he’s a stiff!” Yells a redheaded boy who sat atop one of the beds.
“Richard!” Neil exclaimed with fake exasperation. The boys all laughed hysterically. Todd looked around, uncomfortable at the five unknown boys who sat in what was apparently his room.
“Todd, this is Charlie Dalton, Stephan Meeks,”
“Just Meeks.” The one with curly hair and glasses clarified.
“Knox Overstreet, Gerard Pitts and uh, Richard Cameron.”
“Also just Cameron.” He said.
“Right, well, Gentlemen, this is Todd Anderson, my roommate, so I hope you all-”
“Anderson?” Meeks said, “Like Jeffery Anderson?”
“Yes, uh yes, uh he was my brother.”
“Wasn’t he valedictorian? And also like National merit scholar?” Cameron said. “He’s like a superstar around here.” He playfully shoved Neil. “You’re gonna start having some competition around here Perry.”
They all started laughing, and Todd saw Charlie light a cigarette.
“The great Walton Academy gentlemen!” He said, an air of bravado.
“What are the four pillars?” Neil mimicked, taking the cigarette from Charlie and sitting next to him on the bed.
“Tradition, honor, discipline, and excellence!!” The boys shouted with sarcasm.
There was a rap at the door, and Neil quickly put out the cigarette.
“Neil, come here for a minute please.”
“One moment father!” he suddenly had a pretentious air to his voice. ”Come on, let’s give Todd some time to unpack right?” He patted him on the shoulder and Todd felt his face get red.
As they left, Neil turned, “Hey, want to come to our study group later?” He felt his heart skip a beat.
“Thanks.” he said quietly. Neil smiled, closing the door. Todd couldn’t resist smiling as well.