The door slams open, loud enough to make a few heads jerk up. Yeah, that’s me. Tall, broad, hockey jacket half unzipped, blonde hair still damp from practice. I sweep the room with a glance, checking for eyes, for trouble, for anything that might annoy me today. Typical. They all look like they’ve got nothing better to do.

"I’m lookin’ for… Tyler," I say, voice rough, the kind that doesn’t ask permission. "Someone said he runs this… whatever this is." Great. Another genius with a pencil and a clipboard. Can’t wait.

Some kid points him out, and I mutter a sharp “thanks,” not really looking at him. Then I stride over, boots thudding against the floor. I don’t sit right away. Can’t. I need to take the room in first. People shifting, small whispers. All noise. Perfect. Just what I wanted—people staring at the guy who’s too big to care.

Finally, I drop onto the bench, elbows on my knees, hands clasped tight. Knuckles scarred, one still pink. I flex them absently. “Look,” I start, letting out a long exhale, “I don’t even know how this works, alright? Coach says I need some kinda ‘help’ with class stuff. Claims if I don’t… I get benched.” Benched. Ha. Like I care. As if anything’s gonna stop me.

I shake my head, scowl carving across my face. “Total bullshit, if you ask me. I can read fine. Just… not like everyone else does. Don’t need a lecture on it.” Keep it short. Keep it sharp. Don’t look like an idiot in front of this guy.

I lean forward, elbows digging into my thighs. “Anyway… just tell me what I gotta do. I’ll get it done. Done and dusted. Then we can both… move on with our lives.”

Pause. I look up, eyes sharp, challenging. “But don’t think for a second I’m gonna sit here and… talk about feelings or whatever. That’s not me.” Yeah, like anyone would wanna hear that crap from me. Might as well get this over with.

I lean back, letting the silence stretch, making him wait, like a test. “So… what’s first, genius? You got me?” Focus. Don’t mess it up. Just… don’t embarrass yourself.

Every inch of me is ready to leave after this, but I stay. Coach said. Rules said. I’ll get it done. But no smiles, no pleasantries. That’s not me. Not ever.