Alpha Nobody and Her Hockey Captain

Forced Partners

Ashford's POV

I slowed my pace without realizing it.

Selena walked beside me with both hands clasped tightly in front of her. Every few seconds she glanced at the ground, then toward Lecturer Kelvin's office, then back at the ground again.

She looked terrified.

"We're only going to see a lecturer," I said.

She forced a laugh. "That's exactly why I'm scared."

I looked at her. "...Scared?"

She nodded. "I'm a scholarship student."

She said it so naturally that it took me a second to understand.

"If a scholarship student gets called into a lecturer's office unexpectedly..." she smiled weakly, "...it's usually bad news."

I frowned. "I never thought of it that way."

"Most people don't." She laughed again, but this time it sounded hollow.

"I could lose my scholarship… or get suspended.."

She listed the possibilities as though she'd imagined them a hundred times before.

For someone who smiled so much, she worried a lot.

"It's probably nothing," I murmured.

She looked at me. "You really believe that?"

I nodded. "Yes, I do."

Her shoulders relaxed slightly. "Thanks."

We reached Lecturer Kelvin's office a few moments later. The door was closed, so I knocked.

"Come in."

We entered together. Books covered almost every shelf in the office.

Lecturer Kelvin was writing something when we walked in. Without looking up, he pointed toward the chairs.

"Take a seat."

We sat opposite him. Selena perched nervously on the edge of her chair. While I leaned back.

After signing the last page, Kelvin finally removed his glasses.

"I'm sorry for keeping both of you waiting."

"It's alright, sir," Selena answered immediately.

Kelvin smiled before folding his hands together. "I'll get straight to the point."

He looked at me first. "Ashford."

I looked up. "Yes, sir?"

"You've settled into the university quite well."

I arched an eyebrow. "I suppose."

"But your academics haven't." He said, straight to the point.

I almost smiled. "My General Mathematics?"

Kelvin nodded. "I called you about it. But it's better to have an open conversation."

I shrugged, and silence settled between us.

He opened a blue file. "As part of the university's academic policy, student-athletes who are academically at risk are encouraged to participate in the Academic Support Program."

I raised an eyebrow. "I've heard of it."

"I'm glad,” he said and pulled another document from the folder.

"This semester we're making it compulsory for students whose grades fall below the required standard."

I didn't like where this was going.

Kelvin turned toward Selena. "Miss Camelia."

She immediately sat straighter. "Yes, sir."

"You volunteered as a student tutor. Right?"

"I did."

"And according to the department..." He smiled. "...you're currently the highest-ranked tutor in General Mathematics."

She blinked. "...I am?"

"You scored ninety-eight in the last test."

Her eyes widened. "I didn't know, sir."

I looked at her. Ninety-eight? She certainly didn't look like someone who would casually score almost full marks.

Kelvin continued. "Which brings me to the reason I invited both of you."

He closed the folder. "I've decided to pair the two of you together."

Neither of us spoke. I genuinely thought I'd misheard him.

"...Excuse me?"

"Selena, you'll be tutoring Ashford until the make-up examination."

I looked at Selena. She looked just as surprised. Good. At least she hadn't planned this.

I cleared my throat. "Sir..."

Kelvin smiled. "Yes, Ashford?"

"I appreciate your confidence..." I chose my words carefully. "...but I'd rather have someone else."

Selena's smile disappeared. She immediately lowered her eyes.

"I understand." Her voice was quiet. "If another tutor is available..."

Kelvin shook his head. "There isn't."

He slid a paper toward me. "Miss Camelia is my first choice."

I glanced at the list. Her name sat comfortably at the top. The only male tutor was almost ten points behind.

"...But still." I rubbed the back of my neck. "I'd be more comfortable with a male tutor."

The office became quiet. Kelvin studied me for a moment.

"May I ask why?"

I hesitated. How was I supposed to explain?

The last female tutor I'd had ended up confessing to me. When I rejected her, she spread rumours across campus that we'd been dating. It became such a mess that I swore never again.

"It's... personal."

Kelvin nodded slowly. "I see."

He leaned back in his chair. "Unfortunately, your personal preference doesn't change the department's decision."

I frowned. "Sir—"

Kelvin sighed. "Mr. Ashford, if you want to pass General Mathematics, you need a tutor."

My eyes dropped slightly. "I know. But…"

Kelvin's expression softened. "Let Miss Camelia help you. It costs you nothing."

I sighed. "It's not that simple."

Before Kelvin could reply, Selena spoke. "It's okay."

Both of us looked at her.

She smiled politely. "I don't want to make anyone uncomfortable."

She looked at Kelvin. "You can assign another student."

Something about the way she said it bothered me. She sounded used to being rejected.

Kelvin sighed. "I admire your kindness, Miss Camelia."

He turned back to me. "But my decision stands."

I folded my arms. "...And if I refuse?"

Kelvin answered without hesitation. "Then you refuse the Academic Support Program."

I waited. "And?"

"You'll write the make-up examination without academic support."

I chuckled. "Fair. I agree.”

"If you fail..." He paused deliberately. "...you become academically ineligible."

I frowned. "What exactly does that mean?"

"It means you won't be allowed to represent New Colorado College in official hockey competitions for a month."

The room fell silent. My jaw tightened. Kelvin knew exactly where to hit. Without competitions, everything I'd worked for this year would disappear.

As if reading my thoughts, he spoke again. "I understand you're proud. I know you'd rather solve this alone. But pride doesn't earn grades."

I looked away. Damn it. He wasn't wrong.

The only alternative was asking my father for help. I'd rather fail honestly than owe Darren Callaghan another favour.

I let out a slow breath. "Fine."

Kelvin smiled. "I'll take that as a yes."

"I didn't say yes."

"You didn't say no either."

I almost laughed. This man was impossible.

Kelvin opened his notebook. "Now. We need to decide when your tutoring sessions will take place."

He looked at Selena. "When are you free?"

She immediately looked embarrassed. "I work part-time."

Kelvin nodded. "I know."

"I clean the arena in the mornings before class. I volunteer as a sports medic…I tutor first-year students twice a week. I also work at a café on weekends..."

She counted on her fingers before smiling apologetically.

"The only time I'm usually free is after evening lectures."

Kelvin turned to me. "And you?"

I took a deep breath. "There's morning practice. Afternoon practice. Team meetings. Brand collaboration.” I paused and looked at Kelvin with a ghostly smile.

Kelvin kept quiet for a moment. Then smiled.

"It seems your schedules actually match."

Selena looked at me nervously. "I... if evenings are inconvenient..."

I interrupted her. "They're fine."

She blinked. "They are?"

I nodded. "They'll have to be. I don't want to be a burden to anyone."

Kelvin closed the file with a satisfied smile. "Excellent. Your first tutoring session begins this evening."

Selena smiled so brightly that, for a split second, the entire room seemed lighter. That smile…it reminded me of someone…

I looked away before she noticed me staring.

This evening. Something told me my life had just become a lot more complicated.

Selena stood up and nervously stretched out her hand for a handshake.

I forced a smile and shook her. The minute my hands touched hers. Her eyes… changed colours?

Am I hallucinating?