Pining For The Pines | Ford Pines x Reader x Stan Pines

Chapter Three

I let out a small breath before walking into the guidance counselor building. The front desk lady gives me a warm smile as I stop at her desk. "Good afternoon dear, is there something I can help you with?" I nod as I respond. "I have a meeting with Mrs. Matthews."

The woman nods with a smile as she picks up her phone. "I'll let her know you're here, and then you can head right on in." The woman pauses for a moment as she dials a number before directing her attention back to me. "What's your name sweetie?"

"(Y/N). (Y/N (L/N)." I respond, rocking slightly on the balls of my feet. She notes my name down on her paper before lifting the phone receiver to her ear. "Mrs. Matthews? Yeah, (Y/N) (L/N) is here for her appointment with you."

After another moment the call ends and she looks back at me. "She's ready to see you. Head down that hallway and her office. It'll be on your right."

"Thank you." I say before starting down the hallway. I find Mrs. Matthews' office and knock on the open door to get her attention. A small hum comes from her as we make eye contact. "(Y/N). It's good to see you. Come on in, have a seat."

I step inside and slowly shut the door behind me before walking over and sitting down in the chair across from her at her desk. She takes a file out of her drawer and open it up before looking back up at me.

Mrs. Matthews looks at me with a light smile. "So I called you down here because you have the option to get an early start on your senior project this summer. Would you be interested in doing that?"

My eyes widen slightly as I process what that means. "Wait. So does that mean colleges would be scouting me out earlier?" She nods. "Yes, there's been some interest for you to start your project early. A few select schools are taking a keen interest in your aptitude for psychology."

I stare at her for a moment. "Really? How. I mean I agree that I did well in the class but how did those colleges get that information?"

Mrs. Matthews grins as she picks up a couple pieces of paper from her folder. "Your psychology teacher wrote you a letter of recommendation. I'll admit it's a rare occurrence, but it does happen every now and then when a teacher becomes passionate enough about a student's ability and future prospects."

This is crazy. I can't believe this luck. "I'd be more than happy to work on the project earlier." I say after taking a moment to think it over. "Are there any stipulations or other things I'd need to know?"

"The main thing would be that you'd be presenting your project twice. The first time near the middle of the school year for these few colleges that are specifically interested in you." She starts off.

"Then you'd present it again during the date all of your peers have to." She explains to me while taking another paper out of the file. I nod along with her words. "Alright. That doesn't seem too bad. Two chances to get into a college of my choosing basically."

"The way you look at it certainly is beneficial." She smiles again. "It's not often you see teenagers who are keen on pursuing advanced opportunities." She pauses for a moment as she looks through the papers. "Did you have any schools in mind?"

I shake my head. "No. I don't have a preference of what school I get into as long as I can study psychology." She hums in response. "You'd likely have a higher chance of getting into a more well-known school since you're working on your project early."

"They'd have more interest in you as well as likely offer you more financial opportunities in order for you to attend." Mrs. Matthews sets the papers back into the folder before looking back up at me. "Which is another factor."

"Really? I could get scholarships from this?" I never worried too much about financials because I always knew loans were an option but getting my schooling paid for debt free would be even luckier.

She nods again, a small smile on her face. "Considering the fact that a few schools are already showing intense interest in you. I'd say it's very likely for you to get a large scholarship. Likely enough to fully cover your tuition."

"Wow alright." I breathe out. "Yeah I'm definitely interested in this then. Thank you for the opportunity." Her smile widens at my response. "That's my job, sweetie."

"We want to give our students the best possible advantages we can." She closes the file before continuing. "All I need you to do is let me know what your topic for the project will be before summer starts, then you're free to do whatever you see fit to get it completed."

My eyes dart around the room as I think for a moment. "Analyzing the cognitive processes underlying creativity and innovation." I say, my eyes reconnecting with hers. "That's what I want to do my project on."

Mrs. Matthews grins, impressed by my choice. "That's certainly a hefty topic you've picked for yourself. Are you sure you think you'll be able to fully finish it by the end of the summer?"

"I can do it." I give her a large grin. "And it will turn out perfect." She chuckles and smiles widely once more. "Excellent." She grabs a pen and writes down my chosen topic on a note. "I'll make a note of that for the schools interested. Now all I need is for you to sign this paper and then you'll be free to go."

She hands me a paper and a pen. I quickly skim over it seeing that it just outlines all the conditions she explained to me before I pick up the pen and sign my name. "I'm looking forward to seeing your work when you finally present it." She says as I stand up from the seat.

"I can promise you it won't disappoint." The bell rings signaling the end of class and the start of lunch. "I better get going. Thank you again." Mrs. Matthews stands up and nods. "You're very welcome. Have a good rest of your day, (Y/N)." She says as I start to head out of her office.

─── ☾ ⋆*･ﾟ:⋆*･ﾟ ───

Stan and Ford listen intently as I explain about my project. "I still can't believe you're going to be presenting early." Stan comments, his mouth already full of a half-eaten sandwich.

I nod my head excitedly. "Right? I'm still shocked that colleges are even interested in me this early." Ford smiles at my excitement. "They're interested because you're a smart and hard working student. With your aptitude for this subject it's no surprise they're interested." He reassures me.

His words make me feel warm inside. "That's sweet of you to say." I then dramatically put my elbows on the table as my head rests in my hands. "I already have so many ideas on how to make this project. I need to start doing research soon."

"Oh. You're definitely in your "nerd" element now." Stan teases, smiling at my enthusiasm. "You look just like Sixer here when he gets all excited about his projects."

I turn my head to look at Stan who's sitting next to me. "I can't help it, psychology is so interesting." Stan rolls his eyes, but smiles fondly at me. "I know, trust me. I've had to sit through and listen to Ford geek out about every aspect of science every now and then." I just laugh sheepishly in response.

"You know you love my science talks. Don't deny it." Ford smirks as he crosses his arms over his chest. I laugh slightly at them as they go back and forth with one another.

"I tolerate your science talks. There's a difference." Stan retorts. Ford just rolls his eyes. "Just admit you find them interesting. You've said you did that one time!" He argues back.

"Stan being interested in science? A complete shocker." I joined in, acting completely shocked by this revelation. He rolls his eyes at my comment. "Oh ha ha. Laugh it up you two." Stan grumbles sarcastically.

Ford laughs and grins widely at my comment and his twin's grouchy expression. "You gotta admit. It is hard to imagine you finding science remotely interesting." He teases.

"We'd be more than happy to convert you to our side though." I joke playfully. Stan gives me an unimpressed expression. "Yeah no thanks."

"You'll come to the side of science and nerdiness sooner or later, trust me." Ford says before we share a look before we both start to laugh, getting the attention of a few others at nearby tables.