- Be in there! - I whisper.
Then the teacher's deep voice echoes asking me to come in.
- Hello, Miss Evans! - he says smiling. - I was expecting you a little later.
- Sorry to bother you! - I mean, coming in slowly and making a face. - I came earlier because I need a discharge. My head is hurting a lot, and I don't know if I'm able to follow the next classes.
- I see! - he says settling down. - Of course I can give you dispensations.
Keller signals me to sit down and get a part. He signs it and then he gives it to me.
- Here it is! - he smiles, sighing right away. - Taking advantage of the fact that you are here, I will be brief on the matter I will deal with you with.
- Something wrong?
- Yes and no! - he says by passing his hand over his head. - Miss Evans, I have checked the students' reports and would like to congratulate you on your excellent academic performance. However, I noticed that, despite the fact that you fulfill all the repertoire for your formation, there are still hours of extracurricular work to be done.
I'm worried about remembering Ryder's words and holding my breath. I couldn't believe I'd forgotten about that process, where I'd have to work extracurricular hours in some area as a volunteer.
- I'm so sorry! With so little time and all my dedication to my studies, plus this damn cock on my forehead, I ended up forgetting.
- It's okay! It's okay! I understand perfectly, and that's exactly why I decided to warn you. - he says by reassuring me. - There is still a chance for you to increase your academic curriculum.
- So, are there still groups that I can fit into?
- Unfortunately not!
- But you said...
- Yes, but there are no groups, but you can put yourself in charge of tutoring some students and help them progress in the subjects where they have difficulties. - he explains by taking a break to drink water. - I can enroll you in the program, and if you no longer have a student, I can refer you to Mr. Taylor.
- Ryder Taylor?
- Yeah. He doesn't have a problem with his subjects, but he needs to get his face-to-face average back. I sent him to do a thesis on the whole content of the semester and present the work on the day of my lecture, as an opening class.
- But it's six months till then! - I say stunned. - It is impossible to create work of this size in six months!
- I don't think so alone, so I asked him to look for her. This way you'll both help each other. - he says by folding his arms. - If you agree, and if it is well presented, perhaps I will turn it into your final thesis, even before the end of the period.
I close my eyes, watching internally, all my work run down the drain. I would have to meet a schedule if I wanted to graduate, which did not just count on attending classes and taking the exams, but would still have to submit a final thesis and meet other mandatory course requirements. I practiced dance classes as a physical education subject and still had to have a volunteer work project.
- Goddamn it! - grumbling.
- Are you all right, miss?
- Ah! Yes! It's just that Ryder and I don't get along very well. - I say sighing.
- I suggest you start being more friends, because you'll need each other. - he says by handing me a file. - That should be completed and delivered by next Monday, if you agree.
I make a face taking the leaf.
- Thank you, Mr. Keller!
- Go ahead!
Settling down, I leave his room and head for the nearest bathroom. Taking a little cold water, I soak my face and neck. I almost punched myself in the mirror remembering Ryder's final words.
- Calm down, Brooke! - I whisper, breathing deeply. - It's not the end of the world! Just apologize to the arrogant idiot and accept his cry for help.
As I grumbled, I walked down the hallway to the desk room, where I left the pantry. She asks me how I am and we talk for a few minutes. As I walk back to my accommodation, I think of the rules I will have to propose to Ryder so that he doesn't hinder the progress of our project, as well as a humiliating apology. For those who had already been humiliated two days before, a little more humiliation would do no harm. I knew very well Ryder's fame and knew he could jeopardize my schedule. I was determined not to let that happen.
After leaving my stuff in the dorm and taking a little courage, I go back to campus looking for Ryder. I went around for almost forty minutes without finding him, so I think of the only place on that campus where he could be, and I head towards one of the closets. I prepare for what I would see, but for my happiness, Ryder was leaning against the wall next to one of the rooms, talking to a brunette for a change. Franzo's forehead, for Ryder had two books in his hands, something
