Chapter Text
Clay scrolled through twitter as his roommate typed away on an essay. “Have you talked with your professor about changing your grade?” Nick asked.
Clay shook his head. “Not yet.”
“Dude, I literally had Davidson last semester. He’s a pushover. If you ask for an extra credit assignment, he’ll give it to you.” Nick turned in his chair to face his roommate. “You’re already good at computer science, you just need to apply yourself.”
Clay shut off his phone. “I know. But I don’t think he likes me very much.”
“What makes you say that?”
Clay chuckled. “Maybe cause everytime he asks me to answer somethin, I’m not paying attention. I also kinda sorta… mocked his accent”
“Idiot.” Nick rolled his eyes. “This is why all the teachers called you wasted potential back in high school.” Nick and Clay had been best friends since they met in high school.
“Ouch man.” Dream rubbed his temples. “School’s just not for me. I’ve always known that. Why do you care so much about my grades, anyway?”
Nick smiled. “Because we’re friends, Clay. And I want to see my friends succeed and be able to have anything they want in life.”
“Damn bro, when did you get so sappy?” Clay joked. “Speaking of, you’re like sap that got stuck on my shoe. You just won’t leave me alone.” Clay checked his watch. “But I do appreciate it… Sap.”
Nick laughed. “That better not become a nickname, I swear...”
“No promises.” Clay stood up and grabbed his bag. “I better get to class before I give Professor Davidson another reason to hate me.”
“Good idea.”
…
“Clay… Clay!” Clay snapped out of his trance to his professor trying to get his attention. “If you don’t want to learn, I suggest you leave and give other students the opportunity you obviously have no regard for!” The brunette professor was obviously fed up with his student’s inattention.
Clay heard a few of his classmates chuckle. Dumbasses, of course they would laugh at his embarrassment. “Sorry, it won’t happen again.”
“That’s what you said last time!” His professor was short and his cheeks were slightly rosy from annoyance. “See me after class, Clay.”
Clay slouched in his chair, trying to hide from his classmates' stares. “Ok.” He mumbled.
Within a few minutes the bell rang and his classmates filed out the doors. He stayed in his chair, picking at his nails out of anxiety.
“Clay.” Professor Davidson approached his desk and pulled up a chair to the other side. “We need to talk about your performance in this class.”
“My- performance?” Clay fiddled with his hoodie strings.
“Yes. I’m concerned you're not reaching your full potential.” The smaller man pushed his glasses up. “Look, I know you’re smart. But intelligence alone won’t cut it here. We need to think about what you need moving forward.”
Clay huffed under his breath. “What I need is a beer and a hot chick.”
Professor Davidson cleared his throat. “That’s not what I meant, nor is that appropriate to talk to your superior about.”
Clay hadn’t meant for him to hear the comment, but he never backed down. “Oh c’mon.” He pushed himself up in his seat, resting his chin on his hand. “You can’t be much older than me, you don’t even look old enough to be a professor.”
Davidson’s face went slightly red. “I’ll have you know that I am 24! I have two degrees in computer science and am plenty qualified to teach.”
Clay raised his eyebrows. “Well I’m 21, so I was right, we’re about the same age.”
Davidson scoffed. “Hardly! You act like a rebellious teen in my class!” He brought his voice back down. “I want you to succeed, Clay. Let me know what I can do to help that happen.”
“Well…” Clay saw his opportunity. “My grade was really brought down by the last test…”
“I’m not raising your grade, Clay. You need to earn it.”
Clay raised his hands. “I didn’t mean to just raise it. I meant maybe I could do extra credit or something, in order to combat it.”
“Oh.” His professor thought for a moment. “Alright, I can probably create some assignments to help raise your grade. But, I also want you to come to weekly tutoring sessions so you don’t get behind.”
“But Mr. Davidson! I don’t have the money for that!” Clay protested. He had already spent so much on this university, he didn’t have any extra to spare.
His professor shook his head. “No, no, don’t worry about the cost. I’ll waive the fees since I’m the one making you go.” Davidson flipped through his planner. “Do Friday nights work for you? It seems to be my only opening… Unless you wanted early mornings, but most students sleep in.”
Clay nodded. “Fridays will be fine. Thank you!”
Davidson stood and pushed his chair back to its original location. “No worries! Just make sure you don’t be late! Friday at 7!”
Clay began collecting his items. “I won’t!” He slung his bag over his shoulder and waved goodbye to the brunette. Maybe Professor Davidson didn’t hate him after all.