𝙱𝙸𝚃𝙴 𝓜𝓮

FAILING!?

Lane rubbed his eyes, yawning as he sat on the uncomfortable lunchroom chairs. He couldn't even function right now, clenching onto his energy drink like his life depended on it.

He couldn't go back to sleep after that dream, the image of  Cameron's hand down his pants practically burned into his retina. Lane shook his head, groaning as his headphones drowned out everyone else around him.

Lane was practically in space, being brought down back to Earth by a tap on his shoulder that made him jump.

"Holy shit!" He yelped, turning around to see the guidance counselor standing behind him. She wasn't amused by his choice of words.

Lane's fear faltered, rubbing the back of his neck. "Sorry for the swear, Mrs. A. You just- surprised me."

Mrs. Anderson sighed, "It's alright, Lane." She said, rubbing her temples. "Mr. Hansen would like to speak with you in his office. He had told me to retrieve you."

Lane let out an audible groan, grabbing his backpack and slinging it over his shoulder. He started to drag his feet towards Mr. Hansen's office.

'What the hell does Mr. DUI want with me?' Lane thought, trying to rack his brain to figure out what he had gotten in trouble for.

He turned the door handle, popped the door open, and stepped inside. 'Oh god damn it, did someone catch me smoking behind the school again?'

Mr. Hansen was at his desk, his hands folded as he looked up at Lane.

"Ah, Mr. Fisher, glad you could meet with me. Please, have a seat."

Lane nodded, tossing his backpack on the ground and plopping down into the chair.

"Good morning, Mr. Hansen."

Mr. Hansen reached over to a cream-colored folder on the edge of his desk with a sigh, sliding his glasses on.

"Y'know, in my thirty-five years of being an educator,"

"Oh shit, here we go," Lane mumbled to himself.

Mr. Hansen cleared his throat to get Lane's full attention, "In my thirty-five years of being an educator, I have never, NEVER seen a student with grades this low."

"Grades? Really?" Lane raised his brow, shifting in his chair so that one leg was crossed over the other.

"Yes. You currently have thirty percent in biology, and it's dropping your GPA to a 2.5," Mr. Hansen grumbled, looking up at Lane. "And how many times have I told you that our dress code allows zero spikes or chains? Take them off, and- is that eyeliner?"

Lane groaned, starting to unsnap the clasps of his bracelets. "You called me here to talk about my grades, not my clothes."

"Regardless," Mr. Hansen sighed, "Your grades are below average, and you need to bring them off before the end of the year or you won't be allowed to walk at graduation."

"Excuse me?" Lane spoke up, his tone laced with slight concern.

Mr. Hansen nodded, opening that cream-colored folder to reveal a hefty pile of failed quizzes and tests. "Do you not view education as a priority?

Lane shrugged. He just didn't like (or understand) science.

Mr. Hansen took Lane's silence as a no. "You'll have at least two months to bring your grade up. That includes retaking tests, turning in missing assignments, and keeping up with current assignments."

Lane's eyes widened in disbelief, "What- Are you kidding me!"

Mr. Hansen nodded, printing off a paper of all the assignments that Lane needed to complete before the end of the two-month deadline.

Lane scoffed, flipping the paper over in his hand. There were like- ten assignments he was missing, and the rest of the assignments, quizzes, and tests he had failed and needed to retake.

"Do- Hold on a damn minute." Lane slapped the paper on Mr. Hansen's desk. "You expect me to attempt to turn in papers I don't even remember getting and retake tests I didn't understand in the first place before my two-month deadline?"

"Yes, I expect you to have all of this work completed before the two-month deadline. Is there something I'm missing?"

"Are you fucking high-"

"You will NOT disrespect me with any form of foul language!" Mr. Hansen yelled, his face and even some of his bald head a little red now.

"Woah, okay okay. I'm sorry." Lane apologized quickly before anything else happened, "But, do you really expect me to complete all of this work in two months? Especially work I didn't even do in the first place?"

Mr. Hansen took off his glasses, groaning as he rubbed his temples, "Lane, for the love of god-"

He sighed, "No. I figured you would need someone to hold you accountable. Especially because you are incapable of doing so."

Lane rolled his eyes, Mr. Hansen pressed a button to signal his secretaries office,

"Ms. Conroe, send in Mr. Miller, please?"

Lane's eyes widened, 'Miller?' He shifted around, looking towards the door.

"You wanted to see me, Mr. Hansen?" The voice spoke cheerfully, creaking the door open. Lane felt his stomach drop.

"Thank you for joining us, Cameron. Please, take a seat." Mr. Hansen smiled, offering the seat that was right next to Lane.

"Oh God damn it," Lane mumbled to himself.