Academy X by Andrew Trees

Author:Andrew Trees
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing Plc
Published: 2009-01-30T16:00:00+00:00

DANGEROUS LIAISONS

At school the next day, I felt enormously pleased with myself. Chalk one up for the little guy, compliments of John Spencer, humanitarian. I entered the room and surveyed the students with a benign smile on my face.

"Today, I want to talk about Emma's realization that she loves Knightley," I said. "So, any thoughts?"

"He is so much older," said Ally, "isn't that kind of gross?"

Rebecca was studiously silent—her father had remarried a woman who was at least a couple of decades younger, and he insisted on bringing her to school events.

"Is it any different from what goes on today?" Laura asked. "Look at all of the older men with younger women."

"And older women with younger men," Jacob chimed in, "talk about disgusting."

"At least they are both from the same class," said Caitlyn.

"We haven't talked much about class in the novel yet, but that has a big effect, doesn't it?" I asked.

"People in that world are not supposed to aspire to something outside of their station," Laura complained. "You're just supposed to accept it."

"Yeah, but it's not that way anymore," Rebecca said. "We talked about this in U.S. history. The Revolution changed all of that. We're a meritocracy."

"Really? What about this school?" I asked.

"Class is everywhere at this school," said Laura.

"And if you're in the wrong group, there's no escape," said Marcus forlornly.

"That's what losers say," replied Caitlyn.

Marcus looked like he wanted to crawl under the table.

"Caitlyn," I said angrily. "I want you to apologize to Marcus."

"I have nothing to apologize for."

"Then you can leave," I said.

"Fine," she said, packing up her books and walking out.

"Can I leave?" Jacob asked.

"No!"

The rest of the class was subdued and uncomfortable. Afterward, I walked back to my office in a funk. Günter was waiting for me. He gave me a pat on the arm.

"You should have just taken the holiday today," he said.

"What are you talking about? There's no holiday," I said.

"Perhaps not an official holiday, but it is the week after a number of students were notified if they would be accepted off of the waiting lists," he said.

I gave him a confused look.

"You are familiar with the college admission holiday season? A day off before the SATs to rest. The following Monday to recover from the strain. When college letters arrive. A few days off in the fall to visit schools and then another few days to revisit schools in the spring. The day off before college interviews to relax. Is any of this ringing a bell?"

"But getting off the waiting list?"

"Hey, I don't make the rules."

"If this is some 'holiday,' what are you doing here?"

"Oh I'm not going to classes," Günter replied, "I'm just here to work on the newspaper."

He gave me another sympathetic smile and left. A few moments later, there was a knock on my door, and Caitlyn entered.

"I'm very upset with you," she said.

"Frankly, Caitlyn, I don't care. Your behavior in class today was totally inappropriate. I've never been more disappointed in you," I said.

"Oh, it's just one stupid class.

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