Chapter Text
Connor was used to this. He was staying behind class after school with his guidance teacher, except this time she wasn't scolding him or telling him that he had to do a better job of attending his classes and actually paying attention instead of goofing off. She was simply waiting for someone else to join them, tapping her pen in an attempt to make the time go by quicker as they sat in silence.
"You didn't call my mom again, did you?" Connor asked.
"No, I figured she would just come in, listen to what I would have to say, then leave with you, then you would continue with your antics despite my warnings and talks with you, your brother and mother." The teacher, Miss Brown, said in response, forcing a smile at Connor.
Connor grinned nervously and he fiddled with his hands as he looked around the room.
"Sorry I'm a few minutes late, Miss. I was just catching up with some of the other students."
Connor's eyes widened as he recognised that voice to be none other than Malcolm Pace. He looked over and saw the blonde haired male enter the classroom, shutting the door behind him. Malcolm seemed to pause when he saw Connor sitting across from the teacher.
"No worries, Malcolm. Please, sit down." Miss Brown smiled at Malcolm.
Malcolm obeyed and he went over, sitting in the seat next to Connor.
"...Okay, Miss, what is this?" Connor asked, leaning in slightly as he shuffled to the edge of his seat. "Malcolm and I are never in the same room to meet with teachers after school. Unless if you're killing two birds with one stone by awarding him for being the perfect student and punishing me with weeks of detention at the same time-?"
"Connor, if you could just quiet down and let me speak?" Miss Brown smiled at Connor.
Connor managed to press his lips together to prevent himself from speaking up again. Malcolm looked at Miss Brown curiously, also wondering why he and Connor Stoll were here together.
"Connor, your grades have been..." Miss Brown grimaced slightly. "Well, to be frank, terrible."
Connor bit back a smile, knowing that wouldn't be appropriate in this moment of time.
"Yeah, uh-huh." Connor nodded.
Miss Brown continued, "And we need your grades to improve. Now, Malcolm, you have the best grades in your year, so I was hoping that you could tutor Connor to help improve his grades and ensure his future at this school with us."
Malcolm and Connor both blinked.
"Tutoring?" Connor choked out.
"I... Do I have a choice?" Malcolm questioned, adjusting his glasses.
Miss Brown smiled. "Technically, yes. But...ideally I'd hope you'd say yes as you are quite considerate towards your classmates, and Connor is in dire need of further help, and I thought the best solution would be his classmate assisting him."
Malcolm forced a smile. "I...will do my best, Miss..."
Connor raised his eyebrows.
"Woah, no, no way! What about Travis? He and I always get in trouble together, shouldn't he get some sort of tutoring too?" Connor questioned.
"Actually, your brother manages to keep his grades up despite his shenanigans." Miss Brown said. "He passes by fine in his classes."
Connor scoffed.
Miss Brown smiled and looked at both Connor and Malcolm.
"Very well, I shall check back in with you both in a few months. You two should discuss what days you should study, and I recommend at least two days a week due to the state of your current grades, Connor. You may leave now, boys."
Connor and Malcolm glanced at each other before getting up from the chairs and exiting the classroom.
"... What days work for you?" Malcolm asked Connor as soon as they stepped out into the hallway.
"Dude, you don't gotta do this." Connor shook his head. "I mean, you and I both are...total opposites, I'd make you go crazy."
Malcolm rolled his eyes. "Well...if you want to fail all your classes and drop-out, then..." Malcolm trailed off.
Connor paused and grumbled.
"... I'm free any time." Connor mumbled, answering Malcolm's question.
Malcolm nodded and he pulled out his phone, handing it to Connor. "Well, give me your number. I need to work around my own schedule and see when I can tutor you."
"What are you so busy with anyway?" Connor asked as he grabbed Malcolm's phone and typed in his phone number onto a new contact.
"Uh...none of your business?" Malcolm forced a smile at Connor.
"I was just curious." Connor muttered as he handed Malcolm his phone back. "I guess you'll text me with what days you'll tutor me?"
Malcolm nodded, slipping his phone back into his pocket. "Wow, how did you know?"
Connor gave Malcolm a look and Malcolm adjusted his glasses.
"I'll text you later. And, hey, don't be a pain when we actually do these sessions?" Malcolm said, giving Connor a slight pleading look.
"No promises." Connor smiled before he turned away and walked off, far away from Malcolm.
Of course Connor had to end up with tutoring sessions with Malcolm as his tutor. The world loved punishing him just for having some fun.