Free The Academy by Laura Antoniou

wasn’t in the room.
    He had somehow managed to get out of his clothing and shove it all in his luggage to minimize any mess he might make, before collapsing face down onto the shockingly thin sleeping mat. The next thing he knew, a strange slave was gently opening the shutters and once again, he was the only one in the room. Chris’s futon, out and pristine last night, was already put away, and on the table was a note that simply read “Review the track 1 seminars and choose two.” The Academy schedule was open to the event listings and there were several tabs inserted on various pages, with Chris’s neat script indicating papers for Michael to read.
    When does he sleep? Michael wondered, clutching the coffee mug protectively. Back in the states, coffee was a treat for him, despite the fact that Chris was rather a caffeine freak himself, drinking it at all hours, even late at night. But this is no treat, he thought, grimacing. This is life-saving medication . He gulped at it desperately and groaned again. The schedule and its attached papers seemed so huge and complex, with lists of meetings, seminars, presentations, and special discussion groups. He hadn’t been ready to examine it, only shoved it under his arm for later perusal. He thought that maybe another coffee, then another shower, and he might be ready to read fine print.
    “You’re looking a little worn this morning, kiddo,” came Geoff Negel’s nauseatingly cheerful, deep voice.
    Great, Michael thought. I’m never going to get rid of him, ever.
    “Morning, Mr. Negel,” he mumbled. As he started to rise, he felt Geoff’s hand gently on his shoulder.
    “No need to get up for me, Mike. There was a time when we were equals, remember?” He walked around Michael’s spot on the stairs and took a deep, theatrical breath. He was dressed in white shorts and a soft looking summer sweater, his tan clean and glowing, his silvered hair brilliant in the sun. Michael felt like he was a troll looking at a knight. “Beautiful day, isn’t it?”
    “Yes, sir,” Michael grunted.
    Geoff looked down at him, his mouth compressed suddenly in what looked like genuine hurt. “I’m sorry you’re mad at me, Michael, and somewhat in the dark as to why you are. I’m very happy for you; accepted to study with Anderson, and now the single student of her protégé—that’s very impressive. You’ve come far since I first met you. You deserve to go much, much further. If you’re holding some sort of grudge against me, I wish you’d tell me what I did, so I can apologize for it.”
    Michael lowered his own head to avoid those piercing, ever so earnest eyes. What am I supposed to say now? I hate you because I spent all that time with you learning things that my new teachers think are the cause of every thing bad in the universe? I want to avoid you because you were there for one of the biggest fuck-ups of my life, and I have no idea how many people you’ve told about me?
    “I—I’m just not feeling well today, sir,” he mumbled. “I’m sorry that I’ve made you feel uncomfortable. I—I’ll try to be in a better mood.” Not an acceptable apology at all, in addition to being a piece of misdirection that Chris would slap him into next week for, but what did he care? Geoff wasn’t like these people he was learning with now, he wouldn’t be able to tell. Besides, Geoff Negel was nothing to him. Nothing.
    “I see,” Geoff sighed. “Well, if you’re going to hide behind what passes for manners, there’s not much I can do. Sorry to bother you, Mike. Try to drink some grapefruit juice, that’ll help rehydrate you. Feel better.” He started to move away, and Michael made no move to stop him.
    Other people came and went, exploring, or on their way to one of the outbuildings. Michael sat as still as possible, waiting for the pounding to stop echoing. He was also waiting for the feelings of self pity and anger to wash away. Damn Geoff Negel anyway! Damn him for being