𝐀 𝐓𝐨𝐮𝐜𝐡 𝐎𝐟 𝐈𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 | 𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐠

❥ 𝑻𝑬𝑵

MATEO||

"Mateo, you're going to retake this year," the director says with that overly clinical tone, her eyes narrowing as she looks at me. It's as if she believes her words will somehow shock me into caring.

I don't even blink. I've been called into her office two days ago, but I don't remember much of that conversation. My mind was too preoccupied with... other things. My roommate, for example.

"Okay," I say, my voice flat, barely even registering the words as they leave my mouth.

The director lets out a frustrated sigh. "No, you don't understand. If you don't pass this year, you won't be able to go to college. Your results are way too low. You didn't even get half of the passing grade in your exams!"

I can feel my eyes roll automatically. Does she really think I care?

She starts going on about my last science exam, but I'm tuning her out. Honestly, none of this matters to me. I'm not here for the school, not anymore. I'm here because of my mom.

She'd be crushed if I flunked out.

The director prattles on about how I failed every exam, but I'm not really hearing it. I never wanted to be here. The only reason I still show up is because my mom works herself to the bone, doing two part-time jobs to keep a roof over our heads. She's always said she wants better for me, but what does that even mean?

I don't care about grades. The truth stings, but it's there, lurking beneath the surface. And I know I should care, but sometimes, I just feel numb.

I'm snapped out of my thoughts when the director scowls at me, clearly frustrated with my lack of response. "You're throwing away everything your mom's worked for, Mateo. The least you could do is try!"

I wince at the accusation. I know she's right. I know I'm disappointing her. It's been eating away at me for weeks now, but I just don't know how to fix it.

I stand up, my legs stiff, ready to leave this whole conversation behind me. I can't even look at the director anymore. "Look, I've heard you. I get it. I don't need to be lectured. Let me go." I turn to walk out.

But she stops me, her hand shooting out to block my way. "No. You're not leaving until I finish talking."

I stop in my tracks, groaning. I turn back, flopping back down onto the hard wooden chair with exaggerated annoyance. "What now?"

Her eyes narrow as she stares at me, her patience clearly thinning. "I think we can get one of our top students to tutor you."

I can't help the scoff that escapes my lips. "Great, just what I need—another nerd trying to fix me."

She sighs like I'm the most difficult person she's ever encountered. "Look, Mateo, I'm trying to help you. If you want to graduate, you need to pull your grades up. And if you want to get into college, you need to show some effort." She taps a few keys on her computer, and a list of names pops up.

"Okay," she says, holding the paper out to me. "I'll show you who I think would be best for you."

I glance at the first name. "Leonel Ramon. He's a year younger than you, but he's one of the smartest students we have. He can tutor you in math, science, and English."

I glance at the picture on the paper: a blonde guy with braces, a fake smile plastered across his face. He looks like someone who's never had to try hard a day in his life. I'm not interested.

I let out a breath. "Pass."

She seems unfazed by my lack of enthusiasm and moves on. "Next, Lindsay Juliet Morins. She's in your grade and can tutor you in geography. She's a history whiz and smart in other subjects too. The problem is, you'll need another tutor for the other subjects, and she's not available all the time."