My mind began to race again as I dissected what Atlas said. They’d watched me during my senior year.
“What is the graduation rate?” Roger asked as if he cared.
“One hundred percent.”
“Impressive.” Roger nodded at Atlas’ response. “And I thought the age of the proper gentleman was gone.”
“Is it a big school?” Pam quickly asked.
“Omnia Academy is very small. The student body is eighty. Twenty students graduate every year, and another twenty students are accepted.”
“Is the mentor like their guidance counselor?” Roger asked. I wondered if he realized how ridiculous he sounded.
“Yes. But the mentor isn’t there solely for academics. They are there for the student for the entire four years of their education. They speak daily to one another and meet twice a week.”
“How many mentors are there for a student?” I asked.
“Just one.”
Just one. Atlas would be my mentor.
“What are the areas of specialty that are taught?” I asked, but then clarified my question. “What could I get my degree in? Or what could I do once I graduate?”
“There isn’t a specific degree you could earn. It’s an intense four-year curriculum, and you’ll be taught in a multitude of areas of study. You’ll learn aspects of everything that will make you desirable to assist some of the most important and influential people in the world.”
“Sounds very important,” Pam said.
“So, he’d go to a four-year college to assist someone behind a desk?” Roger asked. He huffed out a laugh and added, “Or pour someone tea?”
“It’s much more than that, Mr. Craig. Ryder will be learning life skills that are invaluable.”
“Life skills, huh? Like some manners?”
“Manners and etiquette are part of the curriculum, yes.”
“Good. He’s a bit lacking in that area,” Roger told Atlas.
Atlas and I made eye contact, and I couldn’t tell if he believed Roger or if he thought Roger was full of shit.
“At the end of four years, Ryder will also be fluent in superior conversational skills in eight foreign languages,” Atlas explained.
Fuck that. There’s no way.
I shook my head and said, “I don’t think learning eight languages is something I can do.”
“I don’t think so either,” Atlas said. He kept his eyes on me while he picked up the coffee mug and took a sip. “Iknowyou can. And I know youwill.”
What was this guy smoking?
“Where is the academy? Or are there campuses in several cities?” Pam asked.
“No. We have one campus in New York City.”
“Oh,” Pam said and turned to look at Roger.
“Um, look, I think you may have wasted a trip out here. Ryder can’t go to a school in New York.” Atlas cocked his head to the side as he looked from Roger to Pam.
“We care for several foster children, and there just aren’t enough funds to send Ryder to school in New York,” Pam said.
