[ Have 1 Jock Hangout | None | 20c ]
JULIAN: Hey. Addison. You, uh… you busy?
ADDISON: Nope. What’s up?
JULIAN: I, uh, need a little help. With some… uh… shturdy… shmurffing…
ADDISON: What was that? You kind of just started mumbling…
JULIAN: I need help studying, okay? It’s not a big deal!
ADDISON: Calm down, man, it’s all good! What do you need help studying?
JULIAN: It’s math. I’ve got a D- right now, and Coach says if I get an F, I can’t play! How stupid is that?! I guess I’ve got to do well on this test to get my grade up… but I don’t even know where to start!
ADDISON: Math, huh? I’m sure I could find a way to help with that…
[ Julian, A Level 3+ Nerd (Bailey) | 20m | 30c ]
BAILEY: Okay, Julian, this is going to be fun! I happen to be an excellent math tutor, if I may say so myself!
JULIAN: Let’s just get this over with…
BAILEY: Let’s just see your study guide here… okay, first problem. 2 and ¾ minus 1 and ½ equals…?
JULIAN: …numbers?
BAILEY: Oh boy. I’m drawing some pizzas, aren’t I? Okay… one more time… if I have one ten-slice pizza and five more slices… and I eat eight slices… then I have…
JULIAN: Six… I mean seven… I mean… uh… I don’t know! Enough to feel full!
BAILEY: It’s okay… we’ll get this… sooner or later… Come on, Julian, it’s not rocket science…
JULIAN: Just shut up, okay?! SHUT! UP!
You freeze in place, panicked! Julian lunges up, grabs his desk, and smashes it against the ground! It shatters violently!
BAILEY: Ahhhhhh! Splinters! One of my many weaknesses!
JULIAN: Forget this! Forget all you guys!
Julian storms out just as Autumn walks in…
AUTUMN: What’s going on?
ADDISON: I don’t really know… except that Julian has some serious anger issues…
AUTUMN: We should go help him…
BAILEY: Uh, we really need to fix this desk here… before a teacher sees what happened!
[ Spend 400 coins | None | 10b ]
ADDISON: There, that should cover it… all fixed up…
AUTUMN: Beautiful! I love abstract modern art! Is it an allegory for broken preconceived notions of education in society?
ADDISON: It’s… just a desk covered in duct tape…
AUTUMN: Oh! Right… I knew that.
ADDISON: Fixing the desk was the easy part… but making sure Julian doesn’t smash it again? That’s going to be a lot harder.
AUTUMN: He’s always been… hot-tempered… but I’ve never seen him just lose it like that. Something must have really struck a nerve…
ADDISON: Yeah, well, I don’t know how we’re going to figure out what it was. Julian’s not really the ‘talk about his feelings’ type.
AUTUMN: Maybe we could find someone he’s comfortable opening up to… someone with good people skills…
[ Julian, A Level 2+ Student Gov (Hadley) | 40m | 40c ]
JULIAN: What’s going on, Addison? What’s all this about?
ADDISON: There’s just someone I want you to talk to…
JULIAN: Is this about that stupid test? Because I’ve got nothing to talk about.
HADLEY: Are you sure? Because it seems like there’s something you’re holding back.
JULIAN: What are you doing here?
HADLEY: I just want to talk. It sounds like there’s something upsetting you.
JULIAN: Uh, yeah, there’s something upsetting me! If I don’t pass this test, I won’t be able to play in the game!
HADLEY: Tell me more.
JULIAN: Urgh! It’s just… it’s just so stupid!
HADLEY: What’s stupid, Julian?
JULIAN: It’s just… I don’t even see why it matters what grade I get on this math test! It’s not like I’m gonna be some fancy-pants math guy! It’s not like I’m smart! It’s like my dad always says. Playing football’s the only thing I’m ever gonna be good at. I shouldn’t waste my time trying to do anything else!
HADLEY: Your… dad says that?
JULIAN: Yeah. And he’s right. I’m just a big, dumb jock. That’s all I’ll ever be.
ADDISON: Julian… that’s not true.
JULIAN: You… you don’t think so?
ADDISON: No. Of course I don’t.
AUTUMN: You’re SO much more than a jock. You’re a great friend and a fun guy…
ADDISON: And you are absolutely smart enough to demolish this math worksheet.
JULIAN: You really think that?
ADDISON: We really do. And we’ll be there for you if you need any help.
JULIAN: ...thanks.
HADLEY: Here’s an idea. Instead of jumping right back into the worksheet, maybe you should do a little studying? Get yourself warmed up?
[ Level Julian | None | 50c ]
ADDISON: How you feeling, Julian? Did that studying help?
JULIAN: Yeah, yeah, I think I’m starting to get it! It’s like these variables are the opposing linebackers… And the quadratic formula is an I-Formation McKinley Double Play!
ADDISON: Julian, I have no idea how your mind works… but it sounds like you’ve got it covered!
JULIAN: Okay! What’s next?!
ADDISON: Well… I think we’ve gone as far as extra credit will take you. It’s time for you to go back to that worksheet. Think you can handle it this time?
JULIAN: ...I’ll give it my best shot.
[ Julian, A Level 4+ Nerd (Bailey) | 1h | 5r ]
ADDISON: Okay, Julian… it’s time to study… And remember, even if this doesn’t go well… if you get hung up… it doesn’t mean you’re just a dumb jock. Not at all.
JULIAN: I said I got this!
BAILEY: Okay… let’s start with the Pythagorean theorem…
And so, half an hour later…
JULIAN: So that’s the Quadratic Formula? That’s not even hard at all!
BAILEY: I’m glad you think so… because I think it’s time for your test!
JULIAN: What? Now?
BAILEY: I’m afraid so.
ADDISON: Don’t worry, Julian. You’ve got this.
JULIAN: Yeah… I hope so… Whoo! I did it! I did it! B+, baby, B+! That’s the best I’ve ever done on any test, ever!
AUTUMN: Congrats, Julian!
BAILEY: Seriously! You’re a really fast learner! If we keep this up, you’ll get an A next time!
JULIAN: ...what are you implying? You saying a B+ isn’t good enough? Only a big, dumb jock would get a B+?!
BAILEY: What? No, I… I just…
JULIAN: I’m just messing with you! It’s all good!
BAILEY: Heh… fair enough…
JULIAN: Seriously though, thanks for pushing me, guys. I… I guess I get caught up in what my dad says sometimes.
AUTUMN: Don’t let him get to you, Julian. You’re so much more than just a jock. You’re…
Autumn hesitates, like she’s struggling with something, then shakes her head.
AUTUMN: You’re a good guy. That’s all.
JULIAN: Thanks. And you’re good friends.
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