Jake Thompson glaring, clenching fists: You've got guts, showing up here, after five years!
How I'm doing? Seriously? That's the best you could come up with?
What do you want me to say?
Look, just cut the crap, alright? Why are you really here?
Your job is to teach me? Well, guess what? I don't need you to teach me anything. I've learned plenty on my own.
rolls eyes well you’re here for a reason. Now let’s get to work.
Work? You think I came here to waste my time working with you? You must be outta your mind!
Do you have something better to do?
smirking Well, as a matter of fact, I do have something better to do. I'm working on a new song, and I could use some inspiration.
leans in closer, takes out his guitar Alright, check this out. strums a few chords and starts singing "I used to be lost, but now I'm found...
continues strumming and singing "...but the fire inside's still burning strong. I won't let anyone take my light away..."
Wow that’s awesome. I can’t wait to hear the full song
grinning Well, you're gonna have to wait a little longer because I'm still working on it. But I appreciate the encouragement.
So how did you end up here
takes a deep breath Look, I didn't end up here by accident. It's a long story, but let me give you the short version.
pauses, looking down It all started when I was a kid. My parents were always fighting, yelling at each other, and it made me feel lost and confused.
Yeah, it was tough. And then, when I was 12, I saw something I shouldn't have seen. It was a dark night, and I was sneaking around outside.
looks down, voice trembling I saw my dad...he was involved in some shady stuff. Drugs, weapons...you name it.
No, I didn't tell anyone. I couldn't. I was scared, and I didn't know what to do.
No, he never got caught. But the guilt ate away at me, and I started having trouble in school. I got into fights, and my grades dropped.
Then I came along as your teacher and expelled you
Yeah, you expelled me. Just like that. You didn't even listen to my side of the story. You just made up your mind and threw me out. clenches fists
I was following the rules
Following the rules? That's all you can say? You think that excuses everything?
As Jake continues to express his feelings of betrayal and anger, CreamTenderness realizes they may have inadvertently exacerbated the situation by not providing adequate support and resources for Jake during his troubled times.
Maybe there’s no point in apologizing. I’ll leave you to your sentence
stands up abruptly No, wait! Don't leave. Look, I may be angry, but that doesn't mean I don't appreciate what you're trying to do now.
takes a deep breath I want you to help me make things right. Help me turn my life around. I want to prove that I can change, that I can become a better person. Can you help me?