Page 28 of The Academy
Yes,Rhode texts back.She just checked in.
Who is she going to see?Simone writes. It’s none of her business. Should Simone explain that this is the first time Charley has chosen to Intervis? She’s mentioned to Rhode that Charley is having a hard time making friends. It’s only fitting that Simone should take an interest.
Simone’s phone pings. A text from Rhode:Andrew Eastman.
Simone drops her phone like it’s hot.
Simone isn’t the only one who’s shocked that Charley is Intervissing with Andrew Eastman. Rhode can’t quite believe it either.
“East?” he says to Charley.
“Yes,” she says. She signs her name and writes down her destination: Room 601.
“He knows you’re coming?” Rhode says.
“I’m not showing up uninvited, if that’s what you’re asking.”
That’s exactly what Rhode is asking. East is, quite literally, too cool for school. Rhode doesn’t have him for English; he’s apparently doing an “independent study” with Ruth Wully. Rhode asked Ruth about him the Monday after First Dance because he suddenly had a new curiosity about the kid.
Ruth said, “I’ve taught him the past two years, so I’ve learned how to handle him.”
“He has remedial issues?” Rhode asks. This is the only reason Rhode can think of why East wouldn’t be in the regular curriculum.
Ruth laughed. “He has issues, but he’s not remedial. He’s a smart kid, brilliant, even. He just doesn’t want to do the work.”
“Isn’t he worried about getting into college?”
“He claims he’s not going to college,” Ruth said.
“What?”Rhode said. “Then why is he here? This is a prep school,collegeprep.”
Ruth held her palms up. “You can ask someone else about East, but I’m not talking. Student-teacher privilege.”
What,Rhode wonders now,does Charley see in someone who doesn’t even want to go to college?Is it the obvious? Does she think he’s hot? Maybe the better question is,What does East want with Charley?Is he paying attention to her in exchange for help with his independent study? Is heusingher?
Don’t go up there!Rhode thinks.Getting involved with East is a big mistake!
But instead, he smiles. “Have fun, see you at eight.”
“Thanks, Mr. Rivera,” Charley says, and she steps into the elevator.
A second later, Rhode gets a text from Simone.Who is she going to see?
Ha! Rhode thinks. Wouldn’t she like to know. It gives him a perverse thrill to type the name:Andrew Eastman.
As Rhode waits for a response—what will Simone say?—there’s a disruption coming from upstairs. Pounding, a girl yelling.
“Open the door, Hakeem!”
This is followed by a chorus of other voices:Seriously? Leave the dude alone! What are you, psycho?
Rhode trudges up the stairs, where he finds Taylor Wilson in tears.
“He won’t answer the door,” she says. “He won’t talk to me at all, but I know he’s in there.” She pounds on the door again. “Hakeem, open up!”
“Try your other boyfriend!”someone calls out from the end of the hall.
Rhode says, “Guys, that’s enough!” To Taylor he says, “If Hakeem isn’t coming to the door, it’s safe to assume he wants some space. Why don’t you go back to South, and you two can chat in the morning?”
