The Academy: Ashland

Mac & Cheese

            After twenty minutes, Markus and I finished cooking a giant pot of mac and cheese and I felt accomplished.

            (Markus laughed at me when I tasted the noodles before we put the cheese in. “You aren't supposed to eat them before we put the cheese in,” he said to me.)

            A few times, while I talked or when I was concentrating, I noticed Markus staring at me with a thoughtful look on his face. He looked at me like he was remembering something, or someone, and he looked sad.

            I watched as Markus pulled down two bowls and scooped two large helpings into them. Then he stuck two forks into the bowls and dropped one down in front of me.

            “Dig in,” he said with a grin.

            I laughed and immediately began to eat, “This is good,” I said with a mouthful of mac and cheese.

            Markus laughed and ate some, “You're right,” he said.

            “Of course I am. I'm always right,” I said. “Why would you doubt me?”

            “I do not know,” Markus said, as Seth walked in.

            “Is that...” Seth began.

            “Yup,” I said, pointing to the pot.

            Seth grinned, grabbed a bowl and filled it. “You didn't tell me you were making mac,” he said to Markus accusingly.

            “I didn't plan it, but Ashland needed food and she can't cook,” Markus said.

            “Really?” Seth tilted his head and continued to chew, “Are you like Trip?”

            “Uh, what?” Honestly? Who could have understood him? He shoved four spoonfuls of mac into his mouth.

            Seth swallowed, “Are your parents rich? Is that why you can't cook?” he asked.

            “I wouldn't know,” I said.

            “Oh... sorry,” Seth mumbled.

            I shrugged, “I always ate at Bailey's Diner that's why I can't cook.”

            “A diner? Everyday?” Seth asked.

            I nodded, “For five years, since I left my old residence,” I said.

            “Why didn't you just try to cook?” Seth asked.

            “No kitchen,” I said as the kitchen door flew open.

            “Hey Seth! Hey Markus!” Kelsey said, ignoring me, as she hopped onto the counter top. “Ooo mac,” she said when she saw the pot.

            “Off the counter,” Markus said.

            Kelsey hopped down a turned to Trip, who walked in after her, “Toss me a fork,” she said as she scooped out some mac and cheese.

            I finished my macaroni and out of the corner of my eye I saw Trip toss a fork over. The throw was off by a foot and was about to hit me in the face, when I reached out and caught it before tossing it to Kelsey. “Where's this go?” I asked Markus, ignoring the shocked looks from the other three kids.

            “Sink,” Markus said with a small smile.

            I dropped the bowl into the sink and started talking to Markus, as if the kids weren't there, “This place is almost as bad as the city at night,” I said. “I think that qualifies as the second time someone attempted to injure me without being provoked.”

            Markus laughed, “Welcome to the Academy,” he said “The one place on Earth, you know you're screwed.”

            I grinned, “I'll keep that in mind,” I said. “Later.” I called as I walked out.

            I walked back to my room and when I got there, I hooked my iPod up to my speakers and turned the music all the way up. Then, I collapsed onto the bed and fell asleep.