Zoe's Office - May 22

[bigdamnprincipal]

Zoe was doing her best not to be distracted by thoughts of her date with Fraser as she waited for a certain wayward student to arrive in her office.

[For Tyler]

Comments

[tyler-gone.livejournal.com]

Eventually, Tyler walked into the office, hands in pockets. "What?"

[bigdamnprincipal]

Zoe's eyebrows raised a little at that greeting. "You might want to try 'Good afternoon, Principal Washburn' in the future," she said, getting a good feeling that this might not be Tyler's only visit. "Come in, and have a seat."

[tyler-gone.livejournal.com]

"Good afternoon, Principal Washburn," Tyler said as he flopped into a seat. "How may I help you on this lovely day?"

His sarcasm was ...well, kind of concealed. Especially if you were inclined to overlook it.

[bigdamnprincipal]

Zoe is willing to overlook the sarcasm, for now. "I see you've managed to heal from your little experiment in the common room. Are you feeling better?"

[tyler-gone.livejournal.com]

"Much better," Tyler said honestly. "I'm supposed to get the bandages off tonight."

[bigdamnprincipal]

"Good," Zoe said seriously. Just because a student exhibited horrible judgement, it didn't mean she wanted him to pay for it physically. At least, not too much. "So, what exactly were you attempting to do when you nearly blew up one of our common rooms?"

[tyler-gone.livejournal.com]

Tyler bit his lip. He had a feeling that might come up.

"I wasn't so much trying to do anything," he said. "I was just trying a new formula."

"It didn't work."

[bigdamnprincipal]

"Just so you know, we have science labs for that sort of thing, equipped with all sorts of shiny materials to keep you from hurting yourself, or putting anyone else into danger."

[tyler-gone.livejournal.com]

"I didn't know about the labs," Tyler muttered, turning his face to the floor. "Would it help if I said I don't want it to happen again?"

[bigdamnprincipal]

Zoe regared Tyler for a moment before nodding. "That does help, yes. Learning from your mistakes is never a bad thing. But that doesn't mean that I can just let this slide." She settled back in her chair. "Tell me, how are you with books and organization?"

[tyler-gone.livejournal.com]

Tyler considered it. "I'm okay," he said. "I guess I'm pretty good at keeping track of details, movements, that kind opf stuff. And I read some."

He wondered why she was asking.

[bigdamnprincipal]

"Well, that will work out very nicely." There may have been just a hint of a smug look on Zoe's face. "With students on vacation for the summer, we've become short staffed in the library. I need you to go there and let them know what your schedule is - they know you're coming, and if you sign up to work one day a week there, we can pretend your failed formula didn't happen."

[tyler-gone.livejournal.com]

Tyler facepalmed. "Wonderful," he said. Then he realized it could have been much, much worse, and straightened his shoulders.

"Thank you for the opportunity, Principal Washburn. Who do I need to call?"

[bigdamnprincipal]

It was always nice when there was no arguing about a punishment. "Speak to Rory Gilmore. She's the library aide who's here for the summer, so she can explain everything that working there entails."

[tyler-gone.livejournal.com]

"Okay," Tyler said, shoulder slumped. Rory seemed .... nice. Sweet. Harmless.

Like library duty.

"Is there anything else, Principal Washburn?"

[bigdamnprincipal]

"No, I think that covers everything," Zoe said, shaking her head. "You're free to go."

[tyler-gone.livejournal.com]

Tyler did not exactly take his time about it; he was in the hall before the principal had a chance to change her mind.