conviction // a troy lougferd fanfiction

3

When he came to college that following week he felt like a whole different person.
His bag was packed with actual books for his classes and next to them the Bible.
As he entered the campus he was met by the image of Lint surrounded by a crowd of people.

As their eyes met, Lint flinched a little, but Troy smiled and waved, before finding his way to his class. There was a little sting in his heart about loosing his popularity, but it was soothed by loosing it to Lint, who he knew to be a better person.

He sat down in class and took out his books and paper, pens and highlighters.
Almost timidly he walked up to his professor before the lecture. "Good morning, Sir. I wanted to ask for help. You and I both know I haven't been the best student, but", he looked at him a little helpless, "I wanna do better" "How come the change of heart?"
Troy smiled. "I met Jesus and he saved me"
His professors eyes widened and then he smiled, pulled the cross pendant on his necklace from beneath his shirt.
"He never fails to surprise me", he sighed and patted Troy's shoulder, "I'll help you, kid. No worries, sit down, we'll get there"
"Thank you", Troy said and before he walked back to his seat, he stopped and added, "I'm sorry. For everything I put you through the past years. I wasn't the easiest person to be around, I probably won't be all the time now" "You're reborn in Christ and the old is forgotten, don't worry", his professor said and ushered him to his seat with a smile.

From a few seats away he heard whispered. "Did Troy Lougferd just apologize to someone?" "You heard that too?"
He looked over and saw Jax and Victory from the other steam sledding teams.
"I'm sorry for all the times I bullied you and called you names", he said to them, "I was a bad person, I'll try to be better" "Listen, Lougferd, if you think you can get in our heads before the finals you're-" "I'm off the team. Lint took my place. I know all of you are talented, so I'm looking forward to watching an incredible race", he quickly said and gave a light smile.

"Good morning class", the professor interrupted their conversation and Troy opened his notebook and began to write down whatever he thought might help him later. And as he began to understand more and more he also began to ask questions.
He sat in the room even after the class was dismissed, going over his notes and writing down more questions, before the bell reminded him to get to his next class.

He quickly sat down in the front and noticed the confused look of the teacher as he saw him quietly taking notes. He reached for the cross around his neck and fiddled with it as he felt anxiety running through his arms first and then up his neck. God, why does this make me feel like an idiot? I'm trying, am I doing it wrong? Please, help me. Help me.
He took a deep breath and held the cross so tight between his fingers it left an indent on the skin.

It came to a point where he found a question to ask and a little shaky he raised his hand.
The teacher sighed and leaned again his table in the front, nodding. "Yes. Mister Lougferd." "Uhm, I wanted to ask how the mechanism would work against the constant pressure from the steam holding it shut.", he said and the annoyed - ready to get uselessly interrupted - look on the teachers face faded into something pleasantly surprised.

He walked over to the board as he began to speak. "An excellent question, Mister Lougferd", he replied and took a peace of chalk. Troy let out a deep sigh of relief and quickly copied the sketch off the board.
"Was that understandable?" "Yes, thank you, Sir", he replied and a whisper went through the room. "I like this new attitude, it suits you, Mister Lougferd" "I'll try my best to keep it up, Sir"

As the teacher returned to his monologue, Troy kissed the cross pendant on his necklace and whispered silent praise to God for showing him the goodness in kindness and dedication.