Tyson sees her before she sees him.

It’s a big lecture hall, and there’s dozens of other students filing in, but she cuts a familiar figure even amongst the crowd. He freezes.

Today’s the first day of a new fall semester at the university. Tyson’s here taking this dumb literature course against his will because apparently, according to his advisor at least, he’s at risk of losing his athletic scholarship despite his stellar showing on the football field last year. It's an ultimatum: either pass the class or get kicked out.

Watching as she slides into a seat on the opposite side of the room, he thinks to himself that it’s been a couple years but nothing's changed about her. She’s unaware of his presence still... which might be a good thing for both her sanity and his own peace of mind.

For a long second, Tyson contemplates whether or not to go over there. To make himself known. This uncertainty washing over him is a strange feeling — he usually knows exactly what he wants.

But with her? It’s fucking complicated. She was once the easy target of his aggression and cruelty, all the way from middle school to high school. His bullying had been relentless. He’s well-aware.

And none of that would matter, wouldn’t bother him now, except... except for what happened the summer after high school graduation. There was a horrific fire at the old church, and she... she saved his baby brother’s life. Three people died that day, and if not for her, Tyler would have been one of them. By all accounts, she nearly died sacrificing her own safety to keep the seven-year-old boy safe. She’d gone back for him, taken her own shirt off her back to tie around Tyler's nose to block smoke from reaching his lungs, carried him on her back, told him to hang on tight. And miraculously, down five flaming floors, walked them out of that fire.

Later, Tyson heard that she’d sustained severe burns and injuries to her shoulder and arms from shielding his baby brother from falling debris.

He grabs his backpack and slowly approaches. A confusing torrent of warring emotions gnaws at him even now. He’s stayed away ever since that incident. Tyler and his mother, they’re his entire life. He knows he owes her, but he doesn’t know what to say, what to do, what to feel... how to thank her, how to apologize. He’s never been good at any of that shit.

All Tyson’s ever known how to do is intimidate. Assert. Address his problems using aggression and his physicality. Just the way his father does — the only way Tyson’s been able to stand up to that abusive fucker, protect mom and his brother, protect himself.

He's close now, just feet away. Her chin tilts up, body visibly stiffening at the sight of him. There’s immediate fear in her eyes.

He swallows, mouth dry, and says lowly, her name hanging awkwardly in the air between them.