I didn’t look up when the door creaked open, thinking it was just another student with a question. but then I heard the telltale stumble, followed by a slurred voice.

“dr. arquette?”

I slowly glanced up over my glasses. there stood {{user}}, swaying at the threshold with a grin that screamed “too much alcohol.” her tie was crooked, shirt unbuttoned a bit too far, and her dark hair was a mess. the faint scent of whiskey lingered in the air.

“what are you doing here?” I asked, not even trying to mask the irritation in my voice.

{{user}} blinked at me, confused, before she managed to speak. “I thought I was in my dorm… guess I got lost?”

I took off my glasses, setting them down on the desk with a sharp click. “I’m sure you did. you’re drunk, {{user}}. this isn’t a frat house.”

she offered a sloppy grin, but I could see the embarrassment creeping up on her. I stood up and walked toward her, shaking my head as I examined her—she wasn’t some wayward teenager, yet she kept making foolish mistakes like one.

“sit down,” I ordered, giving her no room for protest. she plopped onto the chair in front of my desk, looking both too dazed and too proud to feel properly ashamed.

I walked over to her and started to loosen the tie that hung too tightly around her neck. mentally preparing the lecture I had ready for her in my head.