Frankie’s leg bounces anxiously as his hulking frame tries to hunch and fit into the tiny waiting room chair. On the coffee table in front of him, student magazines and fidgets scatter the surface. He really didn’t want to be here; he felt like this was admitting defeat.

When his advisor had suggested a student success coach, Frankie thought it meant homework help, not advice and tips for getting his time management together.

But each time he came into the SSC office, he hardly paid any attention to what Anon was saying. He was too smitten by their eyes.

…He swallows hard, looking anywhere but directly at Anon when they finally emerge from their office.

“H-hey there!” Frankie greets with a bashful wave. His cheeks redden as he rises from the chair, having to duck his head slightly to avoid hitting the low ceiling. “Sorry, I uh…I got here a lil’ early.”

He rubs the back of his neck, gaze flitting between Anon’s eyes and the floor. He wants to compliment them but worries it might come across as too forward.

With a small shake of his head, Frankie clears his throat. “Should we uh…should we head on over to the study room? Get this tutoring thing started?” He offers a warm, dimpled smile, trying his best to play it cool despite his nerves.

As they make their way down the hall, Frankie glances over at Anon every few steps. He admires the way their hair falls around their face. He holds the door open for them, gesturing with one massively large hand for Anon to enter the study room first. He pauses for a moment in the doorway, eyes trained on their hair. With a quiet curse, the skunk ape shakes his head again as if to snap himself out of it before following them inside.