Chapter Text
Rain tapped against the widows lining the offices far wall, all droplets meeting up at the bottom. The sound soothing his overwork mind. It was a fairly gloomy day out, it hadn’t helped his mood.
That morning his day had started with an alarm reminding him he needed to get up for the hell that is called high school, getting up at 6:00am was never fun, he did his normal routine, brushing his teeth, he decided on a pair of, grey cargo pants, and a black hoodie for today.
He played with his hair a little more than usual, he had extra time before he had to leave, his hair slightly overgrown and naturally black and white. He inherited his eye colour, light grey, and slightly curled hair, as well as his height from his dad. He had his mom's looks though.
When he was ready to leave he had a heated argument with his mother about his grades. He wasn’t doing his best in school, not even passing at least five of his exams or quizzes since the start of the year.
Ranboo had been diagnosed with quite a few mental disorders as a kid, ADHD, depression, major anxiety, the list goes on. Most of the time he was at school he received tons of comments, he was told he was a freak, to off himself, he was repeatedly shoved and tripped by people he didn’t even know.
Right now Ranboo sat in one of his principal's office chairs in uncomfortable silence. His leg bouncing in irritation, during his third period he was called down, his mom had probably called in again about his grades. He unknowingly chewed at his nails.
This room is as familiar as his own at this point, he’d been brought to this room to speak “privately” about his missing assignments and countless meetings that involved his mom.
They alway tell him to speak up when he needs help in class, or when he has a question, apparently according to his classmates, he was stupid for asking easy questions, he hadn’t spoken up or raised his hand since. People often think that he just doesn’t care about his grades, that all he thinks about is the sweet release that came when the bell signaling the end of the school day had rung.
The only reason he’s on the edge of having to repeat grade eleven, halfway of through the year, is because no one will listen to him, when he tells his mom and the principal at school, about how he ends up coming home with a split lip and black eye, or the help he needs with his school work, they all say the same thing every time he tries to talk to them about it, ‘we will look into it’ or ‘we will try our best’.
He really doesn’t want to fail, he’s trying so hard, but he can feel the eyes on him when he’s trying to focus, the little chuckles after a whispered sentence was said, heads turning to look at him. In moments like that, he freezes, sinks lower into his desk, trying to hide his face from view.
He slouches in the chair, huffing out a breath and letting his mind wander, he remembers the day he learned how to balance on a skateboard, a couple years ago, he had found the thing in his mess of a garage, a bit scratched up, but it was good enough. He watched videos and searched up tips and tricks, he thought it looked fun so he’d give it a try. In reality it’s the only reason he gets up in the morning.
His last skateboard had ended up being in too rough of a state to use without the risk of breaking, and finally bought a new one using the minimal amount of money he saved. He enjoys the wind in his face, the adrenaline, and the feeling of being free. It kept his mind occupied when he was in a depressive or an anxious state.
Ranboo sat up in his seat when he heard a knock at the door, and his principal walked into the room, trailing behind him was the school's guidance counselor. His principal, in his usual wear, blue and grey button up, and black slacks.
His blond hair slicked to the side and a kept go-tee. Mr. Verlince. The councillor shut the door behind her, she’s wearing a black t-shirt, and a white cardigan over top, a pair of blueish jeans to top it off. Brunette hair cupping her face perfectly.
“Sorry for the wait, I was just filling in Ms. Liam” he seated himself behind the office desk, Ranboo currently sitting on the other side. Ms. Liam sat next to the principal, setting down a slim stack of paper on the desk in front of her.
“So, we need to take action,'' he gazed up at Ranboo from across the table, avoiding his eyes. He nodded, not making a move to speak. “Your grades aren’t getting better, and you’re still missing quite a bit of assignments. What’s going on? I thought we had a solution; raising your hand, asking questions?”
Ranboo feels almost disappointed in his peers. He didn’t know why, Ranboo had expected this, they didn’t do anything last time. He’s confused with Mr. Verlince. “I-I did do it, you know? Raise my hand and ask questions. B-but my classmates, they just mock me and I-,” Ranboo paused, he took a deep breath in, “I just- I try to focus, I do. But their comments and-“ Ranboo caught his words as Mr. Verlince raised his hand, wanting to say something himself.
“Mr. Beloved, your mother, you, and I, have talked about the bullying situation, we are still looking into it.” Mr. Verlince sighed, Ranboo huffed, this is getting on his nerves. “I would like to say something,” Ms. Liam butted into the growing argument, “Mr. Beloved,” Ranboo turned his attention to the counsellor.
“Mr. Verlince and I have papers on your recent exams and your overall success this year. You’ve barely been passing, your average is 45%” she raised her voice slightly, “you’re not going to pass if you keep this up for the rest of the year”.
Ranboo tensed, why are they so dense? He fought the urge to yell, “I can do the work just fine, yes I have a lot of missing assignments, but there is a reason behind it.” He tried to keep his voice as calm as possible, he spoke before they could cut him off. “My classmates are telling me to kill myself and you’re not dining anything about it!” He couldn't hold back the raise of his voice.
“If the teachers would do something about it, maybe suspend them? Do something! The only reason I can’t pay attention is because the only thing I’m hearing is the other kids calling me names and insults. I’ve practically missed almost half a year of this school work that I will need.” He stopped talking, needing a breather. By the time he was about to continue his rant, Mr. Verlince cut in.
“Ok, calm down, there’s no need to argue over this.” He said calmly. “I get where you're coming from, but we need to fix it. When you’re distracted in class, or not paying attention, you miss those lessons, then when you go into the next classes, you will be clueless.” He explained, Ranboo somewhat knew what he’s talking about, since it was already happening. He doesn’t have a choice but to listen, there's no point in arguing.
“S-so what do you want me to do? I’m already really far behind, how will I catch up? And what are you going to do about my classmates?” He asked almost frantically, he had known that things would be fixed and that he would be able to learn properly, as well as the classmate problem. But there was just the tiniest bit of hope.
Mr. Verlince tapped his chin in thought, Ranboo is getting antsy, he just wants to leave, get this over with. “There’s a few options for catching up, however you may not like them. They will help you in the long run though.” He grabbed the paper sheet Ms. Liam was holding, she looked a little overwhelmed. It only took him a moment to glance down at the piece of paper to speak again.
“You have three options for catching up, however like I said, you might not like them.” Mr. Verlince looked up at Ranboo, he nodded. “Option one, you will attend a K and E class,” That’s an immediate no, in short K and E means Knowledge and Improvement, basically lower level school work then what he’s in now, he’s heard kids tell each other that being in K and E means your stupid and can’t comprehend the work level you should be in. Plus his mom would never allow this, before all this bullying and not being able to pay attention, he was always a good student, getting 80% and above.
“Option two,” Mr. Verlince continued, “find a tutor, if you can’t we would be happy to provide one”. Ugh, he would be fine with that if he wasn’t a socially awkward introvert, if he did end up doing this then he would have to get a provided one which would cost a lot less, it’s not like he can pay $40 an hour for a professional, his mom can barely even pay the rent on his house.
Ranboo facepalmed in annoyance. “option three,” he continued, “you can continue what you're doing and try your best to catch up and pay attention.” Well shit. He didn’t know what to do, he never does. Will he have to choose now?
His brian is so conflicted, he could leave it and continue with what he was doing now, but that won’t get him anywhere in his opinion. He could get a tutor, but in reality he can’t really make the decision with this type of stuff, his mom did that. But he did want to get better.
He hesitated to speak, afraid the wrong words would slip out of his grasp. “A-and what about the bullying?”. He so stupid, theres gonna be no change in that department. He always had a habit of having hope or confidence in things that he knew were wrong. Back when he lived in White Bridge, when he had friends, he was talkative, confident, a lot more put together and more extroverted. He hated the way things had turned out.
Mr. Verlince spoke, “right,” he paused to clear his throat, “within bullying situations it’s very hard to punish everyone,” he lost all his hope in that one, not even complete, sentence. Why did he think they would actually do something this time? This is how all their conversations about this topic end up, his life feels like a joke at this point. “But we will try the best we can to stop the violence toward you, physical and verbal.”
Ranboo scoffs under his breath, he hoped neither of them heard it. He’d have to fill his mom in on all this. “Now, we’ve already talked to your mother about this,” speak of the devil. “She had recommended that you choose to take the path of a tutor, that is if you want. If you do agree, your mother had said she wants you to have a provided tutor”
He couldn’t say no, he always followed what she asked of him. Whether that be chores or a future job. There is no way he’s getting out of this, he’s sandwiched between his mother's thoughts and his principal's suggestions. He can’t choose. “I guess that’s ok, as long as that’s what she said”.
Ms. Liam grabbed up a paper and slid it across the table, he glanced down at it. This document wasn’t his, there’s a small picture where a boy with shaggy brown hair, and what looks to be brownish eyes, and a green t-shirt, was located. Underneath the boys picture was his name, Tubbo Underscore, 17 years old. “This tutor will be assisting you through you missing work as well as the work you will be assigned now.
Ranboo knows this boy, he’s in his class, most of the time anyway. He’s also friends with the people who, for some reason, aren’t fond of him. He remembers one of Tubbo’s friends, Tommy Init, who had a track record for shoving him in the halls or throwing insults at him. Although he had never witnessed Tubbo insult him or shove him, the most he can think he had done to him was just giggle from afar when a so-called joke was told directly at his face.
But the boy confused Ranboo. One minute he’d be laughing along after some rumour was spread about him, then next he’d be sending small, almost apologetic looks towards him. He caught his gaze once in class, and he turned away before he could completely register the look. It’s almost like he doesn’t want to be caught in the act, like he can’t have anyone know he’s looking at Ranboo.
He glanced further down the paper, he had the average grade of 87% 's, that’s pretty good. He would’ve been able to get grades like this if his mind wasn’t so occupied with things that are being said. “Now, I’ve talked to Mr. Underscore before we pulled you into the office, he said he’d be willing to help you.” He paused, Ranboo turned his attention back to his principal.
“Your mother had agreed that he tutor you,” he guessed it could be worse, at least he somewhat knew this kid, even if it was just catching him looking at him, or overheard conversation about him in the halls.
He sighed, he really had no choice, he nodded. “Do you mind telling me who’s shoving and insulting you? That way I can deal with this situation.” Ranboo was almost suprise by the out of the blue question. He nodded to himself, gaining some confidence, “Tommy Init, Dream Wastaken, George Notfound,” he paused, there was no way he could name the whole school.
Ms. Liam is writing the names out on a loose leaf piece of paper, “what are the types of things that they would say?” This was ridiculous, had they not heard him say the thing they told him! He sighed, clenched his fists, “they tell me to kill myself, call me a fagot, stupid, that I can’t do anything, I could sit here all day and list tings I’m told”
The counselor had written this down too, “ok, anything else?” Mr. Verlince asked. He thought about it for a second, he didn’t want to be here any longer. “No” he knew as soon as he opened the door to his house when he got home, there was gonna be another argument about the same thing as this morning.
“Ok then, this paper has everything you and your mother will need to know about Mr. Underscore, including his address and phone number, his schedule is in the bottom right corner. It’s nice to finally have a solution to this problem.” He end his talk strongly, “ you should get back to class before the bell rings”