My head rests loosely on the upturned palm that lay squished against my cheek.

The waitress, an older woman whom I fail to recognize, pours me another cup of steaming coffee.

I relax immediately, letting the freshly brewed aroma engulf my tired senses.

I glance up at the analog clock, that hangs atop the diner's counter, right next to a flashy sign that reads 'Mel's Diner.'

He's late.

The bells chime, signalling someone's escaped the winter's cold, and entered into the warmth of the diner.

I glance at the red and blue 'open' sign, that swings back and forth against the glass door.

Charlie arrives, with a beautiful girl linked to his arm.

The illogical part of me almost wishes it would be a different girl. But every night, like clockwork, he arrives with the same one clinging closely to his body.

The face always remains hidden, but the long blond locks are a dead giveaway for even my unconscious self.

Her head nestles itself in the crook of his neck, as he guides them to a booth, one arm swung loosely over her body.

I feel as though weights are tied to my feet, as I remain rooted in place.

My arms might as well be chained to the table in front of me, as I lose all motion in my body.

I want to scream, to shout his name, but continuously fail to find the energy.

Then, just as quickly as my unconscious mind burdens me with such a nightmare, it ends.

"Good morning." Charlie spoke, a small smirk etched across his face, as he lie beneath me in my bed.

Morning? I thought incredulously, glancing at the clock that sat atop my nightstand, its dull glowing numbers read 9:00 AM.

I slowly stirred, yawning and stretching my arms out, as I made my way out of bed, wiping the bead of sweat that managed to fall down my forehead, while ritualistically thanking God the dream was just that: a dream.

"No." Charlie protested, snaking his arms around my waist, and swiftly pulling me back down onto the soft mattress.

He nuzzled his face into my neck, peppering soft kisses along my collarbone.

"Five more minutes?" He asks rhetorically, seemingly unfazed by my futile protests.

Suddenly I remembered the class trip with Mr. Keating.

I groan, turning around so I lay flat on my stomach, my head held up in my palms as I stare at him through hooded lids.

Charlie looked so good in the mornings. His hair was slightly disheveled, his cheek held a rosy tint and his lips were visibly more plump.

I fought the urge to ditch the trip all together. But I know it would hurt Mr. Keating to see us missing from attendance.

"We have that 'adventure,'" I say, mimicking Keating's previous singsong description of it.

Charlie releases an exaggerated sigh, burying himself deeper under my lilac covers.

"Do we have to go?" He asks, dragging out the vowels in 'have.'

I hum in response, slowly nodding my head, then resting it softly on his shoulder.

"Plus, I kinda want to meet the girl Knox is so hung up over," I add, giggling lowly.

'Mhhm,' Charlie groans, and I can feel the vibrations as I my head rests against him.

We lay intertwined for a few more minutes, before hurrying to dress and prepare for the events of today.

~

"Ah the last two!" Keating sings, as Charlie and I fall into line, earning a few judgmental glares from the more prim and proper students.

Charlie fastens his tie, as we fall into step with the others. Admittedly, we did look rather guilty.

"Now, I trust we will all be on our best behaviour." Mr. Keating spoke to the class, once we all found our seats on the bus. He gazed intently at the attendance list he held in his hand, dragging his index finger along the black ink, glancing up every so often to ensure all were accounted for.

My head rests against the cool, glass window, as I gaze at the trees and streets passing by with such speed.

The sun that sat amidst the cloudless blue sky, illuminated the fields that donned their winter coats. While, thick, heavy snowflakes fell with such ease and delicacy onto the sparkling ground.

"Nervous?" Neil questions, pulling me from my trance, his knee knocking against mine, as we shared the small bus bench. His knowing expression told me I didn't even have to answer, he simply knew.

"Maybe a little," I respond truthfully, tearing my gaze from the window.

"Is that bad?" I wonder aloud, succumbing to the nerves in which demanded to be felt.

Suddenly, an incredible sense of insecurity washes over me.

Charlie and I were in a better place than any, yet I still feared for the events of today.

"No," Neil begins sternly, while placing a gentle hand on my knee.

"She hurt you, she was supposed to be your friend, and she hurt you," he said softly, his thumb stroking to and fro, against the black nylons that clad my legs beneath my uniform skirt.

If there was one silver lining to Welton, it would be the incredible friends I've made. The friendships I've made with the dead poets, was the kind that blooms in the deepest part of your heart, growing from its seed which basks in the warmth that radiates from their love.

I suppose I needed closure. Closure would put an abrupt end to the reoccurring nightmares that continuously plague my sleep, and lift the hate that now burdens my heart. Although I haven't seen Lucy since the accident, maybe today is the day I finally get my closure.

"We're here!" Knox beams, swiftly turning around from his seat in front of us, to flash Neil and I

a toothy grin.

I smile warily, glancing through the fingerprint-stained window, at the public school students clad in letterman jackets and pastel coloured polyester skirts.

Letting out a shaky breath, and standing alongside Neil, I run my clammy hands down the sides of my uniform skirt. Unlike the public school students, who don pale yellows, pinks and blues, the Welton class, in contrast, sported much darker hues. Perhaps in accordance with the melancholic disposition that practically radiated from the vast majority of its owners.

Stepping from the comfort of the bus, I can only hope the unfortunate nightmares fail to become reality.

I've actually been to the diner in the picture & it's so cute! Felt like I was really living my retro fantasy haha 😋

Anyways, that's how I envision the 50's diner setting in my story!!