Debbie Date: Tue May 30, 2000 9:06am Subject: The going to college affair, part threeThe next morning, Napoleon woke bathed in sunlight, filtering in from the open window. He could hear Illya shower in the bathroom, and he stretched luxuriously.
As the shower turned off, he stepped into the damp and steamy room, only to catch Kuryakin dressing himself hastily.
"Good morning" Napoleon greeted Illya, and turned to give the other man some privacy.
"Good morning Napoleon" Illya replied after a moments hesitation.
Napoleon left his bedclothes where he dropped them and stepped under the shower, pulling the shower curtain around him while Illya tracked his movement.
"So, which classes do you have today?" The water streaming down over him muffled Napoleon's voice.
"English in the morning, same as you. I've also got physics at two". Illya replied.
"Good, we'll go to English together, get something to eat, and then I'll drop you off at physics. What time does it end?
"Between five and five thirty usually"
"Alright, I've got some errands to run, and I'll be there by five." Napoleon suggested.
"I've… I've also got an appointment in the evening" Illya brought up hesitantly.
"Oh? Where? Napoleon asked, curious.
"At the gym. I signed up for self defence last week"
The rest of the morning was passed in cool, but friendly companionship. At English class, Illya moved to his customary seat in the middle. He had made that seat his as it was far away from the edges enough that nobody asked him questions, and nobody could try and pull a prank on him. Napoleon, on the other hand, chose a seat at the back, keeping his ears and eyes open. The lesson passed quietly.
Dinner consisted of a few deli sandwiches and donuts on the lawn outside the college, eaten in the shade of a huge maple tree. They sat together, Napoleon doing some homework for the first time this term, and Illya finishing learning for a pop quiz the physics teacher held every five lessons, regular as clockwork. Napoleon dropped Illya off at his class and waited until the bell rang before he left. He had a few people to visit.
"You are aware that Russian classes began four weeks ago, aren't you?" Miss Wiseman checked.
"Yes, I am, but I'd really like to join"
"Well, I guess I do have a copy of the books I could sell you...." she hesitated. "But we have our first test next week, chapters 1 to 5. I'll tell you what. You come to the lessons, catch up on the homework, and agree to go over it with me on Friday afternoon. Then, if you pass the test, we'll say you enrolled late and register the score. If you don't pass or don't show up with the homework, the deal is off. All right? " She asked sternly.
Napoleon realised there was no swaying this pretty lady with his charm and decided to agree gracefully.
"Naturally, Miss."
That afternoon Napoleon spent more time than he had for the rest of the term doing homework. By ten to four, he had the first three chapter's worth of homework done, and he felt he had a reasonable grip on the contents. He was disturbed by one of his buddies, Jamie, or "boy Jamie" as some of the guys in the click had dubbed him. That was to keep him separate from "girl Jamie".
At a certain point, the conversation turned to a disturbing topic.
"So, you think your going to win the bet?" Jamie asked Napoleon
"What bet?" Napoleon asked, confused.
"To be the first one here to fuck the Russian" Jamie replied matter of fact manner.
"What bet exactly are you talking about" Napoleon asked softly and icily.
"Hey, I didn't mean anything by it! It's just that you're his roommate and been hanging with him, and well, there's a bet going for about a hundred bucks. Some guys figure as he's a fag anyway, he should be easy to get and what with his reputation and all that-"
"What reputation?" Napoleon asked. Seemingly calm, inwardly seething.
"Well, you know, before he transferred here? His previous college, well, a friend of his was a friend of a friend, if you get my drift, and he was seen getting in the car with another fag several times. They where really close, if you know what i mean. " Jamie hurriedly explained.
"And exactly who set up this bet?" Napoleon asked, still quietly. By this time Jamie was worried, having never seen Napoleon this way before, calm and direct. He knew him to be more of a fun-loving guy.
"Jesse Bain and what-is-name, Mack, Roger Mack. That's all I know! " Jamie exclaimed, getting up.
"Thanks Jamie. Oh, and if you hear any other rumours like that..." he hinted
"It's gonna cost you" Jamie warned.
"I'll pay. "Napoleon assured him.
Then he sat back to think. Before he was aware of it, the sun had dipped considerably, and the he found it was five forty five. Quickly he set off towards the college hall.