Chapter 5 #3
“Sorry. It’s just funny, thinking of them doing something like that,” Nate said, shaking the seemingly absurd notion from his mind.
“I’ve been nothing but a nuisance to them for as long as I can remember.
‘Too smart for my own good,’ as my mother always says—getting into trouble at school because I’m bored—however they choose to phrase it, based on the day.
Trust me, they are glad I’m out of their hair. ”
Renn knew, based on his attitude, a “sorry” wasn’t warranted. To Nate, it was simply fact, and he wasn’t sad about it either. He seemed just thrilled to be away from his family too.
Renn didn’t know why—he never would be able to explain it, even after all their years of friendship, but he felt like he could be completely honest with Nate, and so he was.
“My dad and I have had a bit of a complicated relationship. I get it, to a point. Let’s just say, as a parent, he could have done better.
He’s a good person, but he has a chance now that I’m here to make up for lost time, so to speak.
” It was more than he intended to say, and Nate pondered his words for several seconds.
Maybe I said too much, he thought, but then Nate shrugged and wasn’t adverse to it in the slightest.
“Well, my parents aren’t great people and they aren’t great parents, so you win.”
Before Renn could reply, a tall, skinny man in his mid-fifties was strolling toward them.
“Aldrenn Anton and Nathan Hayden, I presume,” he said sharply.
“Yes,” they replied in union.
“It’s ‘Yes, Sir’ or ‘Ma’am,’ depending on your superior.” He glared. Renn could have sworn he heard Nate make a sound like he was trying to hold back a laugh.
I think I’m going to like Nathan Hayden, he said silently to himself.
“Yes, sir,” they said.
“I’m Professor Tredway, and I am your RA, so it goes without saying, I am your superior here at Armstrong Hall and in class. Any questions?”
Renn and Nate exchanged a quick glance sideways to one another and shook their heads.
“Good. Follow me and I’ll show you your room.”
They stepped in behind him without hesitation. Professor Tredway began sharing information on the way, explaining where meals would be available and other amenities, never pausing to ask if they had questions along the way.
“I hope we don’t have to run into him often,” Nate said under his breath.
“Actully, an officer told me this morning he teaches Early Applied Science, so I wouldn’t count on it.” He grimaced.
“Damn.”
Armstrong Hall was extensive, so the tour took much longer than Renn had expected.
When the professor finally brought them to their room on the top floor at the end of the hall, Renn could feel Nate’s relief, like his own—they could finally be free of this man.
He explained how the lock was programmed to their thumbprints and could only be accessed by themselves and him, but not to give him any reason to do so, and then explained how they could find the extensive list of rules listed in their room and on their NexTabs.
“And one more thing,” Tredway added, unamused.
“You two are the only early admission students this year, but I caution you not to let it go to your head. Just because you are younger doesn’t mean you’ll get easier course work and for one of you in particular .
. .” He narrowed his eyes on Renn. “A famous name won’t save you from failure. ”
Nate’s eyebrows rose so high they disappeared under his curly hair.
Renn simply smiled. “Of course, sir. I’m sure my father is aware of that . . . admission as well.”
Nate attempted to cover his laugh with a cough. The glare from Tredway was clearly meant to intimidate him, but it failed in what was probably its usual effect.
“I’ll be keeping a close eye on you two. Now, enjoy the day, because the term begins tomorrow.” Without another word, he left them standing in front of their room.
“Oh yeah, me and that guy are going to be best friends, I just know it,” Nate said sarcastically.
Renn did his best to bite back his amusement as he placed his thumb on the reader near the door and it instantly unlocked.
The room was spacious, with a large skylight on either side of the sloped ceiling, two full beds, and large desks. Toward the back of the room appeared to be a closet for each of them and a bathroom. All their luggage had already been brought up—stacked near the beds in neat rows.
“Not too bad,” Nate said, surveying the room. Renn nodded in agreement.
“Should we get the unpacking out of the way?” Renn asked.
“Might as well. Then I’m taking a nap.”
They started unloading their suitcases, discussing favorite sports teams, and where they grew up, and when they had finally packed everything away, they both flopped onto their beds. For a moment, they lay there, in comfortable quiet.
“Hey, Renn, can I ask you one more thing?” Nate asked.
“Sure.” Renn had his eyes closed already, but he didn’t mind.
“Are you scared? About The Academy, I mean. Like maybe this will be too hard?”
Renn opened his eyes, glancing in Nate’s direction. He was staring up at the ceiling, his arms tucked behind his head.
“Not at all,” he said genuinely and before Nate responded, he knew exactly what he would say.
“Good. Me too.”