Chances

[disciplinarycase]

[The chairs at the juvenile holding center are a putrid shade of orange and uncomfortable to sit on. He knows why he's in here being forced to speak to adults he couldn't care less about, of course, but that doesn't mean he's feeling cooperative.

In fact, he's feeling rather sick. Maybe this time he's gone too far and that recruiter from the Garrison's going to want him locked up behind bars where all the hardened criminals go. Maybe this one isn't going to end in yet another detention after school and some angry disapproving looks from all the teachers who hate him anyway. Maybe he really has just fucked up so badly that he can't even fathom all the consequences.

His hands curl into tight fists in his lap. Just thinking about all the smug people who'll hear about this and say We knew Keith was a waste of time has him clenching his teeth as well. He hates them all so much, he can hardly stand all the knots in his stomach.

As soon as the door opens and some new person walks in, Keith hunches down in his seat, his shoulders rounded, but his expression is defiant.]

I know it was stupid, okay? Can I just go now?

Comments

[inordertobelieve]

[ Mikami is tired the moment he enters the room. Dealing with criminals is never fun but dealing with juvenile delinquents is considerably less fun than the baseline level of 'none of it'.

The kid's already talking, but Mikami has no intention of playing by someone else's tune and being rushed through this. He doesn't respond until he has sat down across from the boy, back straight and expression serious. ]

If you really do know it was stupid, then you know why you can't go.

[disciplinarycase]

[The knot in his stomach tightens when the man speaks, but he won't let that show. He's been on his own for so long, he can handle anything on his own. He has to have more guts than anyone else, and he won't let this stranger who's looking at him with such cold eyes see anything else.]

Yeah, because you won't let me go.

[A beat.]

I didn't hurt anyone and I was going to given the car back anyway.

[Sorry. He should say that he's sorry. But he's just too angry at everything. Angry at how good it felt to be acknowledged, how much fun he was having flying the simulation and being the best at it out of everyone only for it to be ripped right out of his hands because his teacher wrote him off. Angry for thinking there was hope. Angry at himself for proving her right.]