Not quite the nerd Cody was expecting...

A list was already forming in Cody's head of ways to butter up the girl in charge of the computer lab. If she was the shy and bookish type it wouldn't be too tricky at all. He'd just lay on a bit of charm, throw in some nice compliments, and politely ask to stick around. If that didn't work he could always show off what he knew about computers to show that he was worth while to keep around. Worst case scenario he could just lie and say that Ms. Mitchell was insistent that he be assigned there so it wouldn't be any good to turn him away. Making his way to the room labeled Computer Center he knocked on the door and waited.

No answer.

Cody shifted on his feet for a couple of moments before knocking again, this time a little louder.

Still no answer.

Surely someone had to be there. Vivian wouldn't have sent him off to an empty room, right? Deciding it'd be better to at least check before turning back Cody opened the door and peered inside.

The computer room itself was dimly lit with the windows to the room blocked off by dark lamp dampening curtains. Most of the light came from a series of computer screens each displaying varying information and websites and with a single floor lamp in an opposite corner providing a faint illumination for the rest of the room. A mess of assorted computer parts, cases, unplugged screens, and tech manuals littered a nearby table while the soft hum of multiple system fans running in unison filled the background with their consistent buzz.

"I don't remember saying you could come in." came a voice.

"Oh, uh, I knocked a couple of times..." Cody replied, scanning the room quickly to find the person speaking to him. Eventually he concluded it must be coming from behind the large desk that was facing his direction with three large screens turned away from him, effectively blocking his view of their contents or of the person operating behind them.

"I know. I heard you and I didn't say come in." replied the voice. Its tone was annoyed.

"Vivian... er, that is, Ms. Mitchell assigned me to come work here?" Cody hazarded, already aware that this he had started this conversation on the wrong foot. "My name's Cody, see, and I'm the new-"

"No thank you."

"Pardon...?"

"You aren't needed, so no thank you. You can head back to Vivian now."

Wait. What? Seriously?! He hadn't even had the chance to introduce himself and he was being turned away already?! This had to be some kind of mistake. At the very least she give him a chance to get a word in edgewise, right? With a stubborn sense of determination Cody stepped into the room further and closed the door behind him.

"Look, I think we started on the wrong foot. I just really need-" he started before an aggravated sigh cut him off.

"No, you look." Sudha said, standing from her seat behind the desk and giving Cody his first actual glimpse of her. She definitely wasn't what he had been expecting.

Standing behind the desk was a young Indian woman, looking to at least be Cody's age, currently sporting a look of absolute annoyance. Her attire definitely fell short of any nerd stereotype and looked much more fitting on a skateboarder or punk as she wore what appeared to be a t-shirt for a band Cody had never heard of and a pair of jeans that had long been torn at the knees. The plaid shirt that had been tied around her waist, the beanie on her head, and the single stud nose ring in her left nostril completed the look. While her dark skin, long black hair, and clear complexion would definitely have her considered beautiful by anyone the scowl on her face told him that trying to flatter her was not going to end well for him.

"I said, quite clearly, that I don't need you. You'll only get in my way, mess up what I'm working on, or at best annoy me with whatever it is you think is worth talking about. Get it? So go on back to Viv and tell her to give you a different babysitter because I've got better shit to do, alright?"

With her peace being spoken Sudha flopped comfortably back into the large desk chair and resumed typing away. For a while Cody could only stand there dumbfounded. He didn't even begin to have chance at impressing or charming her enough to convince her to stay here and he was already being turned away like he'd seriously ruined an interview. Honestly it... kind of hurt. Not just because of his needs for the extra time when school would begin but also the abrupt and sudden way that he was shot down.

"Are you still here?" came Sudha's voice from behind her screens.

"Yeah... sorry, I guess I'll just... go." he replied. The dejection in his voice must have been apparent because an incredibly guilty sigh was came in response.

"Look, alright, I'll give you a test interview. If you pass you can be my assistant. That fair enough?"

"Oh! Y-yeah, sure!"

"Good. First question, can you code?"

"Well, I hadn't before but..."

"So that's a no. Can you build a system from scratch using second hand parts?"

"I might need to look up the information." Cody could already feel the pit in his stomach returning.

"So no again. You're not looking good here, you know. Final question. Do you know anything at all about Linux?"

The blonde gave a defeated sigh and said no. That was that then. At least she had given him a fair chance this time, but it looked like he had still struck out.

"Well, that's zero for three. You better hope you ace the extra credit." Sudha said just before Cody turned to leave.

Extra credit?

"Er... extra credit?" he asked, a slight worry of where exactly this idea was going.

"Mhmm. My cock, your mouth. Do a good enough job and I'll think about keeping you around. It's pretty much your only chance of staying but it's up to you though. The door is behind you otherwise."

God damn it, it was exactly what he thought she might have meant. Still, it was the only chance he had left if he really wanted to stay assigned to the computer lab. He'd already come this far after all...