Chapter Text
Syrok moved toward the door to exit the classroom with the rest of his classmates. He had exactly 14 minutes and 3 seconds to get to his next class, a class that would take him 15 minutes to walk to at his normal rate. Today, obviously he would need to walk more quickly. If a Vulcan could be annoyed, he could certainly be described as such. But Vulcans did not get annoyed, so of course he was not. It was just that these things didn't tend to happen on his home planet; if a class was meant to end at a certain time, it did so. This was one of many things he'd had to adjust to during his time on Earth. He simply observed that the instructor had gone over his allotted time, and that now he would have to walk more quickly, or else be late. Being late was... unacceptable. Only now a female human was standing in his way. Intentionally.
“Hello.” Holly said, trying to give the Vulcan her most disarming smile. It was a practiced expression on her part to get her through most social interactions. One might think that interacting with a Vulcan, a culture known for its stoicism might make things a little easier, but no. If anything, she were only more nervous. The Vulcan, for his part, didn't smile in response, but neither did he glare. He simply stared. Holly wondered whether she'd annoyed him, but then chastised herself. Vulcans had unfailing control over their emotions. He couldn't be annoyed; she was simply thinking in too much of a human way. She would have to school her own emotions if she were to gain his respect.
“What is it that you want?” he asked flatly. Syrok wanted to ascertain her purpose, deal with it, and move on to his next class. His internal clock counted the seconds the engagement was taking and the speed at which he'd now have to walk. That speed was steadily, if infinitesimally, increasing.
Holly stood straight and looked him in the eye, shoving her awareness of her nerves aside. “It's my understanding that you're doing really well in this class.” Doing well was an understatement, of course. The instructor had posted a plot of the grades to the most recent test. There had been a single data point that spiked at 100%. All eyes in the class had been on the Vulcan. Everyone knew it had been his grade. Holly hadn't been so lucky. Her own grade lay in a small lump nearer to the failure end of the scale. While the others quietly seethed at the Vulcan's success, Holly had felt a longing pang of jealousy and desperation. She was sinking quickly and failure was not an option. She would need to take action. “I'm having significant difficulty in understanding the material. I believe it can be beneficial in such situations for one to seek out a tutor. I'd like to ask you for your help -- if you'll tutor me in this class in your spare time. I'd be really grateful and willing to discuss some terms of repayment if required, and I won't take it personally if you decline.”
Holly's heart sped but she kept her countenance calm. Straightforward. She had rehearsed the speech throughout much of the class -- thus losing even more of the class material, of course. She admired Vulcans superior intellects, superior logic and countenance... almost to the point where it hurt. While the others in her class had a certain discomfort and distaste for this Vulcan, the odd man out, she had only admiration. Approaching him was like approaching a rock star. Surely he would decline her offer, and yet she hoped with desperation that he would indulge her. She needed to pass. Failure was simply not an option. She also quietly worried about her offer of repayment. She'd debated with herself whether to even offer, but she was terrified that if she didn't he would certainly not help her. She didn't have any money, though. It was why she didn't already have a tutor. Holly's hope was that she could make it up to him in some other way -- perhaps doing his laundry or cleaning his dorm. Certainly she couldn't exchange tutoring for another class. Vulcans were perfect.
Syrok stared at the girl for a few seconds. A tutor. He was familiar with the concept. He didn't know who this girl was, although he'd seen her and knew where she customarily sat. He had never been approached by one of his classmates before. He found the situation to be disorienting, and somewhat exhilarating. While he could not comprehend how the girl could be doing poorly in such a trivial class, he was intrigued at the potential to interact more closely with a human. Syrok's seconds ticked down to his next class. “Very well. I agree to meet you to discuss the class material. You must excuse me now. I must get to my next class. How should I contact you?” He didn't want to waste time jotting down his information for her and he doubted she would memorize it if he spoke it. It was better for him to contact her. She surprised him though by efficiently handing him a piece of paper containing the relevant details.
“Thank you.” her shoulders sagged slightly with relief. “I 've taken the liberty of writing down my contact info for you . I 'll try to remain easily available so that we can discuss an appropriate place and time for the meeting.” Holly kept her hands clasped gently in front of her, reminding herself do not touch him, do not offer a hand or any such thing. She stepped to the side gracefully and gave him a nod. She would n't keep him any longer.
Syrok returned the nod, assuming it was polite, and strode past the girl, already walking at the exact pace required of him to reach his next class on time. He glanced at the paper. Her name was Holly. What a curious human. The interaction had been surprisingly tolerable.