Michael leans back slowly, looking more irritated by the second.
‘I need you to take this seriously, Zayden.’
‘I am.’
‘It doesn’t appear you are, and I’m losing patience with you,’ he says bluntly, voice gruff.‘We are happy to support you, but you need to be willing to meet us halfway here, and it’s frustrating to see that you don’t care.’
‘I do care.’I pause, rubbing my neck.‘I have trouble keeping focused in conversations,’ I admit.‘Can you repeat what you were saying before?’
Michael’s face softens a little, and I grit my molars at the sight of it.I hate that pitying look.
‘It’s essential you pass your studies to keep your scholarship.I think you should consider hiring a tutor, or some extra support for your assignments.You’re on the edge of losing your position on the team if you don’t improve your results.’
Scrubbing a hand down my jaw, I let my eyes drift closed.School has always been hard for me.Harder than it was for anyone I was friends with.Things got better when I was prescribed ADHD medication, but that’s only when I remembered to take it.It was easier when I had my routine at school, but now I’m on my own and my schedule is all over the place.I’m supposed to make checklists to make sure I stay on top of things, but doing that every day seems to be a challenge I haven’t quite conquered yet.
If it wasn’t for Mason to cheat off in class and Anya’s help with assignments, I wouldn’t have made it to high-school graduation.
‘Got it,’ I say stiffly.
‘I’ll email you a list of tutors that the university recommends.’
‘Sounds good.’
Pushing to my feet, I flip the cap in my hands and place it on my head backwards.Michael eyes me for a moment.
‘Thin ice, Zayden,’ he says, giving me a pointed look.‘I mean it.’
Unable to help myself, I give him a salute.I don’t think he appreciates it.
I knew this was coming.I scraped by last year on pure luck and the fact that all the classes were entry-level.This year, everything has ramped up a gear and I am struggling to keep up with the change of pace.
Heading out the door, I feel the coastal air spill across my skin, thick with salt and the faint scent of sunscreen.I drop my board onto the footpath, jump on and glide in an ‘S’ shape, cruising down the hill past a cluster of magpies.The Queensland heat presses down on me as I roll towards the university carpark.
The sound of the wheels rolling along the cement is soothing.A familiar sound that reminds me of the countless hours I spent at the local skate park.
This is what I love.Being outdoors.Surfing, skating, riding, running.Anything physical is like a drug to me.It fuels my body.Sitting down behind a desk, a computer in front of me and notepad to the side does the opposite, but I know I need to do the hard yards now to secure myself for the future.It will be worth it.
I glide up to the cafe door and step off the skateboard.The cool air washes over me as I stroll inside.I drop into the back booth, joining my teammates.
‘Where did you run off to after practice?’Andy asks, his mouth full of food.
Chatter breaks out across the table and I purposely ignore his question, stealing some of the fries from Christian’s plate.The last thing I need is a guy like Andy getting up into my business.Since Kai’s dismissal from the team, Andy’s been more bearable to be around, but I still don’t like him much – or trust him.
Vibrations in my pocket pull my attention from the banter around me.I withdraw my phone and stare down at the screen, seeing Mum’s contact.Shoving the phone back into my pocket, I sink back into the booth, feeling a headache forming behind my eyes.
That’s a problem for another day.
‘I need a beer,’ I mutter.
‘Already ordered you one,’ Christian says.
Smiling, I lean my head back and close my eyes.
‘Want to go out tonight?’Christian asks me.I slowly open my eyes and he leans forward, drumming his fingers onto the table.‘I feel like having some fun.’
My mind briefly wanders to the assessment due next week that I haven’t started.My headache pulses at the thought of it.
‘Sure,’ I reply.‘Count me in.’
