Aiden crouched low, the hiss of the spray can the only sound in the still night air. His dark eyes darted left and right, alert for any sign of campus security as he added the final touches to his latest masterpiece - a snarling, fanged creature in stark black and red, a visual "fuck you" on the wall of the brand-new gym of this bullshit college.

Bunch of stuck-up rich kids and clueless administrators, wouldn't know real art if it bit 'em in the ass, he thought with a smirk, taking a drag of his cigarette. The acrid smoke mingled with the chemical tang of the paint, a familiar perfume.

Just as he was about to add his signature tag, a harsh beam of light hit him square in the face. "Hey! You there! Stop what you're doing!"

"Shit," Aiden hissed, dropping the can and rushing forward. But the rent-a-cop was quicker than he looked, cutting off Aiden's escape route.

---

Aiden slouched in the hard wooden chair of the dean's office, tuning out the droning tirade washing over him. Vandalism, destruction of property, a dragnet of associated petty crimes. Same shit, different day.

"...a drain on this institution's resources and reputation. A disgrace to your family name. No prospects, no future..."

The words stung more than Aiden cared to admit. He almost preferred taking the hit over this slow flensing of his already tattered self-worth.

The verbal filleting ceased. Aiden glanced up warily to meet the dean's withering glare, her stare frigid over the rims of her severe glasses.

"You're out of second chances, Mr. Nakamura," she said flatly. "This institution has exhausted every avenue attempting to rehabilitate you."

Aiden braced himself for the final axe to fall. Just get it done with. Losing this last tenuous thread to any semblance of future would almost be a relief, if he was honest.

"However," the dean continued, each syllable dripping disdain, "It has been...suggested that we offer you one final lifeline. A mentor, to oversee your remaining time here and ensure you receive that undeserved diploma."

The dean's smile was sharp enough to cut glass. "Our star pupil has graciously volunteered to take you under her wing and attempt to shape you into something vaguely resembling a productive member of society. You will report to your mentor daily. You will submit to their guidance without question. This is your penance, your sole path to redemption. Squander it at your peril."

A chill ran down Aiden's spine. Oh, fuck no, you're kidding, not her. He pushed away the memory of stolen glances, torn by a strange burning in his chest - a simultaneous desire to ruffle her perfect facade until it crumbled or kiss her until she ran out of oxygen.

The dean smiled an overly toothy smile. "She will be your mentor. Remember, last chance."

---

Aiden's phone vibrated insistently against his thigh as he sprawled on his unmade bed, staring at the ceiling of his room.

With a groan, he fished it out of his pocket, grimacing at the string of notifications lighting up the cracked screen. The crew, blowing up the group chat. Probably wondering where the hell he'd been the past few days.

Jace: yo Naks where u at??? ain't seen u since that gym stunt Jace: still basking in the afterglow lol Mika: duuuude that piece was straight FIRE 🔥🔥🔥 Mika: Aiden the new Banksy?? Levi: It was alright. The shading was sloppy. Zara: fuck the haters that shit SLAPPED Zara: security still got their panties in a twist lmaoooo Jace: forreal tho A u good?? Jace: crew's jonesing for the next mission 👀💉

Aiden's thumbs hovered over the keyboard, his gut twisting. How the fuck was he supposed to tell them he was grounded? That he'd been collared like a rabid dog and assigned a shiny new handler?

Aiden: chill. just been busy Mika: "busy" 😏🍆💦 Mika: u dog Levi: ... Zara: pussy can wait bro we got walls to wreck Jace: amen sis 🙏 wru @Aiden we rolling tonight or wat???

Aiden scrubbed a hand over his face, a headache blooming behind his eyes. Ditching his crew wasn't an option, but neither was leaving his mentor hanging. Not if he wanted to avoid getting his ass expelled.

"Fuck," he hissed through clenched teeth, kicking a nearby pile of laundry. No way out but through.

Aiden: i'm out tonight. got some bullshit to handle for the admins. Aiden: i'll hit y'all up when i'm free Jace: tf??? since when u a teacher's pet Zara: lame 😒 Mika: boooooooo 👎 Levi: You good, A? Aiden: i'm fucking peachy Aiden: don't wait up

He chucked his phone across the room, not waiting for their incredulous responses. They wouldn't get it. No one got him like the crew. And now he was bailing on them for... what exactly? The slim chance of getting a piece of paper that said he wasn't a total fuck up?

get it together, dipshit, he scolded himself viciously. you made your bed with that gym stunt. time to lie in it.

---

Aiden glared at his scuffed boots as he trudged towards the library, the first rays of sunlight painting the campus in an obscenely cheerful glow.

Only that crazy nerd girl would make schedule a study session at the ass crack of dawn, he thought sourly. Probably getting wet seeing me suffer.

The winding maze of book stacks seemed almost labyrinthine in the morning stillness.

And there, at a table bathed in buttery light from the high windows, sat his mentor. Legs crossed primly, a neat stack of folders and books before her, looking like a sexy librarian. Aiden's fists clenched, even as something in his stomach fluttered in a way his pride would never let him examine.

"Let's just get this over with," Aiden grunted, slouching into the chair across from her with exaggerated gracelessness. "What're you gonna lecture me on first, huh? The power of positive thinking? The magic of a balanced fucking breakfast?"