Maria placed another stack of books into a cardboard box. She had already packed up a bit more than half of her room and the more she did, the more the reality of the situation was sinking in for her.

She placed another stack of books in, carefully arranging them to ensure they would be safe during their journey - her and her uncle's journey back to London, Ohio.

The verdict had come a few hours before.

Uncle John had left to speak with Nolan, with the Welton administration, and when he had come back, he looked at Maria with a bittersweet smile and shook his head.

It had been done.

Her uncle was taking the blame for Neil's attempted suicide because people like Mr. Perry, like Mr. Nolan, couldn't fathom it being their fault.

Maria glanced around the room, her sanctuary for the past few months, now stripped of its familiar comforts and returned to its original, bland design. The walls that once echoed with laughter, conversations, the sweet nothings that Charlie and her would mumble to one another when they hid away here during free hours, away from the others, now seemed barren and hollow.

It was hard to believe that the end had come so swiftly.

She moved to her desk, the last of the books to pack up and smiled softly, despite the pang in her heart, at the sight of a photograph. It had been taken about a month ago when Meeks had gotten his hands on a camera and Charlie had bullied a freshman into taking a photo of the entire group.

Maria smoothed her hand over the shiny surface, over the smiling picture of herself, then Charlie, then Knox, Neil, Todd, Meeks, Pitts, and even Cameron. She was seated on the bench between Charlie and Knox, with the others crowded around them. Knox was rolling his eyes playfully as Charlie pressed a kiss to Maria's cheek. Pitts was lazed out on the ground, his long legs stretching toward the camera as Meeks grinned, and knelt on one knee beside him with Cameron on the side. Behind the bench were Neil and Todd. Neil stood with his arm swung around Todd's neck, locking him into a hold.

She swallowed, feeling that uncomfortable lump in her throat forming again.

Maria placed the photograph delicately into the box, atop her books, her fingertips lingering on the glossy surface just a moment longer. It was a captured moment of pure joy, frozen in time forever and a testament to their bond - to their Dead Poets Honor.

As she closed the box, Maria couldn't help but think about everything that had happened, her mind flooded with memories of each and every one of her friends. Charlie, with his mischievous grin and eyes that sparkled with affection; Knox, the epitome of unwavering loyalty and passion; Neil, whose spirit burned so fiercely; Todd, the embodiment of growth and newfound courage; Meeks, with his contagious enthusiasm and unwavering curiosity; Pitts, the gentle soul who had found solace among friends. And even Cameron, whose path had diverged from them, leaving behind only a trace of the person he once was among them all.

Her heart felt heavy with emotions. Maria closed the lid of the box, sealing away the precious memories for safekeeping. She took a deep breath, attempting to find solace in the knowledge that the bonds they had forged would withstand the physical distance that lay ahead.

They had promised each other that.

She sniffled softly, letting a tear fall from her eyes as she stood alone in the room.

It was then that she heard a knock at her door and she quickly wiped her eyes, moving across the room to the door.

"Charlie," she breathed in relief when she saw her boyfriend standing there before her.

He smiled at her softly at her. "Hey, doll," he said. His eyes moved over her quickly, taking her in her red-rimmed eyes and something tugged at him. He stepped toward her, reaching for her hand and intertwining their fingers together.

"Maria, these are my parents," he said, introducing them. "Mom, Dad, this is Maria."

Maria looked up in surprise at the two adults standing before her. There was an undeniable resemblance between Charlie and his father - he was practically a carbon copy, but there was something in his mother's eyes, a twinkle of mischief, that Maria found familiar.

Charlie's father stood tall with a commanding presence. His salt-and-pepper hair was neatly groomed, adding a touch of distinguished elegance to his appearance.

Beside him stood Charlie's mother looked gentle and graceful - almost regal. Her hazel eyes were kind and compassionate, radiating a genuine warmth that drew people in. Her dark hair, streaked with strands of silver, cascaded down in gentle waves, framing her face.

Both of them possessed an air of sophistication and refinement, evident in their impeccable attire and composed demeanor and Maria remembered suddenly how well-off Charlie really was.

Charlie's mother extended her hand towards Maria, her smile warm and genuine. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Maria," she said. "Charlie has spoken so highly of you."

Maria shook her hand, her cheeks turning slightly pink. "Thank you, Mrs. Dalton," she replied softly.

Charlie's father stepped forward, extending his hand to shake Maria's. He gave her a friendly grin. "Charlie has told us how much you mean to him. It's great to finally meet the girl who has captured our son's heart."

Maria blushed deeper, embarrassment and happiness coloring her cheeks. "I'm honored," she murmured, casting a glance at Charlie.

He smiled at her, the look somewhere between amused and proud. He squeezed her hand gently, reassuring her.

Charlie's parents exchanged a brief glance at one another, identical knowing smiles on their faces as they looked on at the two teenagers, a little lost in their own world. They remembered when they had been like that.

Charlie's mother, with a twinkle in her eye, turned to her husband and spoke with a teasing tone. "Henry, it seems like our son has found his match, hasn't he?"

Charlie's father chuckled and nodded, his gaze shifting between Charlie and Maria. "Indeed, dear. It looks like Charlie has found someone truly special."

Maria couldn't help but feel a wave of warmth and acceptance wash over her. The genuine affection and joy radiating from Charlie's parents reassured her that she was welcome and that there wasn't any protest against their relationship.

Charlie placed a reassuring hand on Maria's back, his touch grounding her.

"We just wanted to stop by and say hello," Charlie's mother said. "You two should spend some time together. We won't keep you any longer."

Charlie gave his parents a grateful smile. "Thank you, Mom," he said. "I'll walk you both out."

As they stepped out of Maria's quarters, Charlie's mother turned to him and in a motion of affection, found his hair again and brushed it back. "She's very pretty, Charlie," she remarked softly.

"I've always thought so," Charlie said cheekily.

His mother laughed. "You've found yourself a lovely girl."

"I know."

"Do well to keep her," she said. "Even with what will happen - we'll support you both throughout it."

"I will."

His father clapped a hand on Charlie's shoulder, giving it a reassuring squeeze. With a proud grin, he gave his son a thumbs up. It was a silent gesture that spoke volumes, conveying his approval and support for Charlie's choice.

"We'll be going now," his mother said and looped her arm around his father's.

"Okay," Charlie said. "I'll see you soon."

His parents nodded. With a final wave, they turned the corner and disappeared from sight, leaving Charlie alone. He turned back, quickly moving inside to find Maria and found with great pleasure that she was already standing by the doorway waiting for him.

"Hey," she said softly - her voice tender and delicate - and melted into his touch when Charlie placed a hand on her waist and guided them both further into the space.

"Hey," he mirrored and bent his neck to meet her lips with a kiss. Their lips connected with a gentle urgency, a shared understanding that time was slipping away, and they wanted to hold onto each other a little longer.

Maria's arms moved to wrap around Charlie's neck, tugging him closer to her as Charlie's hands encircled her waist, revelling in the way she felt against him.

The kiss began softly, a delicate brush of lips, but it quickly deepened as their mouths moved in sync, their breaths mingling. It was as if they both hoped that somehow, with this one kiss, they could be even closer, they could somehow bridge the impending distance that loomed before them.

Their lips molded together, their bodies drawn tightly against each other, seeking solace in the intimacy they shared. Maria's fingers found their way to Charlie's neck, bracing against it as if trying to anchor herself to the present moment. Charlie's arms enveloped her, holding her tightly, as if he could protect her from the uncertainties that lay ahead.

Their kiss was filled with a bittersweet intensity, a mingling of desperation and tenderness.

As their lips finally parted, a shared breathless silence lingered between them.

Charlie pressed his forehead against Maria's. "We'll make it work, doll," he said gently. "I promise you we'll make it work."

Maria swallowed. "Charlie, we're going to be so far away from one another," she said. "You'll be here in Vermont while I'll probably be back in Ohio - in London, Ohio."

Charlie pulled back to search her eyes. "Doesn't mean we can't make it work," he said and then before he could stop himself. "I don't know if it's too soon to tell you this, but I know it might be too late if I don't say it now -"

"Charlie -"

"I'm falling in love with you Maria Keating," Charlie said, holding her gaze. "I'm falling so in love with you and I really don't want to let you go. So I'm telling you now, that I'll make this work. Letters, phone calls, everything. We'll make it work until we can be next to each other again."

"You promise me?" Maria's voice sounded so delicate that Charlie had to swallow around the lump forming in his own throat.

"I promise, doll."

Maria swallowed, her heart fluttering in her chest. She reached up to gently caress Charlie's cheek. "Charlie, I... I'm falling in love with you too," she confessed, her voice barely above a whisper. "It's scary how much you mean to me, how much I can't imagine my life without you."

Charlie placed a hand over hers, holding her there. "I'll do whatever it takes to make this work. I'll write you letters, call you every chance I get, and count down the days until we can be together again."

Maria's eyes shimmered with unshed tears as she took a deep breath, her voice trembling with emotion. "Charlie, I want to give you something," she said and pulled away from him momentarily. "But in return, you have to promise me something too."

Charlie looked at her curiously, his brow furrowing slightly. "What is it, sweetheart?"

Sweetheart.

Maria glanced down at the delicate ring on her finger, the garnet gem twinkling up at her. "This is my mother's ring," she explained, her hand trembling as she removed it slowly. "My father gave it to her when they were going steady. I'd like you to have it."

Charlie's gaze softened, "Maria..."

"I want you to have it," she continued, her voice filled with determination. "Keep it with you as a reminder of me. But you have to promise me, Charlie," she looked up at him, meeting his eyes, "promise me that you'll give it back to me one day, so it's an assurance that you'll have to return it to me and we'll be with each other again."

Charlie looked at her for a moment before he reached into his own pocket, retrieving a gold ring with intricate carvings on it and a blue sapphire in the center. "This is my class ring," he said. "Really, I was meant to give it to you when we started going steady."

Their eyes met, filled with understanding and unspoken devotion.

Maria carefully placed the ring into the palm of Charlie's hand at the same time he pressed his class ring into her hand.

"We'll make this work, doll," Charlie said again for himself, for her, for the both of them.