My hot mentor

Chapter four - Welcome back

Ethan's POV:

My last university year will start soon. I'm lucky that I don't have to use a dorm anymore. That will be for the first-graders. I have to focus on my studies. I'm graduating, so I need to have good grades. No one will ask me this when I apply for a job, but it makes me feel better. I might be my boss, but I need more time. I might try to write a longer story, but I don't know how well it will go. I haven't done this before. I can always ask my teachers for help, but I should do this alone. Maybe I'll find my inspiration. Chloe has told me to look around myself more. According to her, I have missed many things. I know what she means. I have focused too much. That's why you shut down the world when you chase your dreams. I might try to get a bit loose this year. I won't betray my studies, but I won't be so focused on myself. I started chasing something when I came here. I have my progress. My last short story is successful. I have over one hundred and fifty thousand views on all the websites. I'm glad that people enjoy reading my story. I have a vision for my next one. I'm starting to think they are repetitive. Someone might give me new ideas. I have talked with Tyler about this. He thinks I need a break before my new one. I hope that I will find my inspiration this year.

I have a week to prepare for the new university year. This week, I plan to rest. I won't write anything. I should think about my next story. Well, I'll take a break. I might go out with Tyler. He goes out more often. We can invite Chloe and other classmates. Usually, I'm always with him. It's not like he minds. This is why we are best friends. Also, he gives me honest opinions about my work. There might be a contest this year. I heard my teachers talking about this. I have no idea what the price is. It's a chance for me. More people will see what I do.

Tyler and I are drinking coffee. I'm trying not to spend much money. Well, since I earned more, I started spending some. I looked around. I might do what Chloe told me. People were drinking coffee. Some of them were going to work. The little things that make people happy. Maybe I should have a routine. I became obsessed with myself and my stories. I looked at my best friend, who was on his phone. I took it to see what he was doing.

- Give it back, dude.

- You are ignoring me.

- Alright. What is the plan for the day?

- To go and get our schedules. I want to see how my classes line up. I might need to switch.

- This is so annoying. Can't we sign for everything like the first graders?

- They have fewer classes than us. Also, we need credits.

- I want all of them.

- You can't. They explained this in the first year.

- Administrative work is not for me. Can't someone do it instead of me?

- Like who?

- You.

- No way! Do it on your own.

- What a great friend you are.

- I will come with you. Isn't this enough?

- Maybe. I'm glad that I don't have to live in a dorm.

- Me too. I like my apartment.

- I always thought you would be in a house.

- I have been thinking about this, but I'm alone. I don't need that much space.

- There are smaller houses.

- But they are still too big for me.

- If you find a girlfriend, it might not be too big for you.

- I'll leave this to you.

- We'll see.

- You don't look happy.

- My brother knows about the opening party. I tried to convince him not to go. I failed.

- I already told you. I'll take care of him. Nothing will happen.

- But this is not your job.

- You can go, but he will see you. I mean, he will know why you are there.

- Can't you talk with him?

- I won't do that. Let him have fun. If something happens, I'll make him go to his dorm.

- Thank you. That's a big help.

- No worries.

- I believe you would want me to do something for you.

- No. I don't need anything.

- Will you sign up for that contest?

- I will as long as it can be present.

- I'm sure about this. Also, you will win. Your short stories are great. I don't think someone can beat them.

- Thanks, but I won't have such high hopes.

- But you should.

Tyler and I went to our university. Linda was at the reception as usual. All I need is my schedule. I have signed up for the mentor program since the end of the last semester. I don't have a student yet, but it's too early. They can sign up two weeks after the beginning of the year. Some of our teachers have told us they will be with us the next year. I wonder who my new ones will be. I walked up to her with a smile.

- Linda, how are you? Smiling as always.

- Save it for yourselves, kids. What do you want today?

- I only need my schedule.

- I believe the same goes for your best friend.

- Yes.

- Here you go.

- How many first graders do we have this year?

- Over a hundred. Why?

- Nothing.

- You will teach a student. It happens every year.

- I hope so. This is why I signed up for this.

- Come closer. I have to tell you something.

- What is it?

- I heard the contest might happen in November. I'm not a hundred percent sure. I heard teachers talking about it. - she said, whispering

- Thank you.

- You will participate. Right?

- I plan to do it, yes.

- Good luck. I'm sure you can win.

- It depends on who the other participants are.

- It's open for first graders. I don't think anyone will participate because they still don't have the skills.

- Don't judge so quickly. Some of them might have talent.

- I'll believe it when I see it.

- Do you want us to bet? I can win.

- Why don't you focus on your classes? It's your last year here.

- Will you miss me?

- Don't expect that because many students pass here. It's only a job, so I don't involve feelings here.

- Maybe you should.

- I'm good. If you don't need anything else, you are free to go.

- Thanks, Linda. We'll see you soon.

Tyler took his schedule and went home. I will do the same. My last short story is good. Well, I should think about the next one. I went home and took my laptop. I have a shortcut to every website where I upload my stories. I started receiving comments more often. My focus was only two hours. The thing is that I want to fit much information in not more than three pages. It's not that easy. I called Chloe for some time. We went out after lunch.

- Thank you for coming.

- No problem. How are you? Your good mood is not here.

- I tried to write for a few hours. It didn't help much.

- I thought writing short stories was easier. I mean, you have fewer pages.

- Yes, but you should put as much information as you can.

- I see. I'm sure you will finish the success.

- Hopefully, you are right.

- Your stories are good. I have read them. You should be proud of yourself.

- You think?

- I do. Maybe you need a break. Why don't you rest until the beginning of the university year? It might give you new ideas.

- I'm trying to write a new story every two weeks.

- Why so soon? Take a break. I think you need it. Your brain is stuck with the same ideas.

- If I write every month, I'll have only twelve stories a year.

- So? Some people write one novel in two years.

- I'm not some people.

- Right. You are Ethan. I'm sure you will have success. Look what happened with the first one.

- That is the scary part. I didn't have a good one since then.

- Because they started getting repetitive. Take a break. That way, you can get new ideas. I think you need this.

- Thanks. I might do it. I need new inspiration.

- She might come.

- What?

- I mean, it might come.

- I'll pretend that I didn't hear that.

- Hopefully, you will find her.

- Maybe I will.

Chloe is right. I need a break. My stories started getting repetitive. I don't write in a specific genre. You can find everything in my stories. I want to try a longer story or a whole novel, but I don't have any ideas. I went home to rest. The nap didn't help me much, but I feel better. I decided to cook dinner. Sometimes, I order food. That is when I don't want to cook. Today is not the day. I was eating my food when I received a message from Tyler. Later, I called him.

- What is this?

- I found this online. It's a contest about something. You should try.

- Tyler, I write short stories. Did you even read what this was about?

- It's for writing.

- Yes. Writing a novel. I don't have that.

- Combine the short stories in a book.

- Tyler, it won't work like that. I don't have time for this. I'll take a rest.

- Finally. Who convinced you? I know it wasn't me.

- Chloe. I went out with her for coffee.

- Is something going on?

- No, why? We only talk. I know she is not the one. I don't feel anything.

- Yes, but she reads your stories. She can give you an idea.

- I don't want to talk about this now.

- How long is your break? We can do something.

- It will be until the beginning of the university year.

- How long? You have to be kidding me.

- I'm not. I might get new ideas when I go back.

- We can go out again if you want.

- Thanks, but I want to finish my dinner.

- What did you order?

- Nothing. I made it myself.

- Will you stop acting like an adult for once?

- Why? I am an adult. You too.

- Yes, but I don't want you to look like my parents. We are too young for that.

- Why are we best friends?

- Hey! I'm your best critic.

- For sure. That's why you like everything.

- Not everything.

- Tell me one story that you didn't enjoy.

- I need more time to answer this.

- See?

- Fine. We can have a watch party online.

- You know what? I might start writing.

- Oh, no. You are on a break. I'll use this to make you do something with me.

- Please, don't.

- Why not? You barely rest.

- I will do that. One day.

- I'll believe it when I see it.

I love Tyler, but sometimes, he annoys me. He is my best friend but acts like a teenager. I don't know what got in his head. I won't mess with this. I should focus on the new year. I don't expect anything to happen, but you never know. I have read a few articles about how to write a novel. I'm afraid that I won't have that many ideas for it. My teachers can help me with that. At least they will give me advice. That can help me write better stories. They were skeptical when I was a first-grader. I think they react this way to everyone. I hope that I will find my inspiration.