My hot mentor

Chapter two - Last year at university

Ethan's POV:

Hello, my name is Ethan James. I am twenty-two years old and it's my last year at university. I can't wait to graduate. Last summer, I went to work for a company. They are writing short stories for their online newspaper. I wrote a few. You can vote on their website for the short stories. The one with the most votes each week gets promoted. I had one successful. The company plans to make a book including the promoted short stories. The author will be written at the bottom. This will be good publicity for me. I would love to get noticed as a future author. I study creative writing. That's why since my third year, I have been in the mentor program at my university. I like helping students. All I have to do is study with them. A mentor is a person from your career program. Also, he helps you understand the lessons better. Usually, it's recommendations for students in the first two years. I had more than ten students. You don't have to study with someone for a whole year. It's their choice for how long you will be with them. One, I had a student for only a month. We studied almost every day. I'm waiting to see who will be my student this year. I don't care if it's a boy or a girl. Our relations are professional. I can't involve myself with a student. Otherwise, I won't be a mentor anymore. This can't happen. I hope that I will have a great last year at university.

I can't wait for my last year at university to start. I want to graduate and move out of there. The good news is that I don't need to live in a dorm. It's obligatory for the first two years. With the money I earned last year, I got something small. That was in the beginning. I started uploading my short stories to one paid website. I earned enough to be able to get something a bit bigger. Also, I found other websites that gained me some popularity. I might invest my time in longer stories. That will happen if I have more time.

I have three weeks left from my summer vacation. I won't waste them at home. I got up and went to prepare myself for the day. I have sandwiches and a cup of coffee. Meanwhile, I checked my last story on the websites where I uploaded it. I had more than seventy thousand reads on all of them. This is a success for me. Later, I called one of my friends. He agreed to come home. Tyler is one of my best friends and a great supporter. He always reads my stories and tells me his opinion.

- Hey. What are you doing?

- Nothing. I'm preparing myself for the last year of university.

- Will you write another short story?

- I need to process the success of the previous one.

- It was good. Sometimes, you don't need many words to describe something.

- Short, but descriptive.

- Exactly. You are doing a great job.

- Thanks, buddy.

- What happened with the promoted story? I would buy a copy of that book.

- I have no clue.

- They will pay you for this. Right?

- I don't think so.

- Why not? It's your story.

- Yes, but I wrote it while still working for them. The fact that I'll get credit for it is enough.

- You can't be serious.

- I didn't do it for the money, ok? Also, I have other stories.

- But this one was popular.

- Tyler, forget about this. It doesn't matter.

- Have you published it in other places?

- Yes, I did. In all the websites I used.

- Do you even get paid for your work?

- Yes. I have told you this. Two of the websites are paid. Look at this. - I said and showed him my phone

- It's not much. I thought writers get paid more.

- I'm not that famous.

- Yet!

- What do you mean?

- I'm sure you will be successful. I smell it. I want a signed copy of your most famous book.

- For now, I'll keep it to the short stories.

- They can always evolve.

- True, but it won't happen now. First, I want to graduate. Later, I'll think about this.

- You don't have much time. Will you work somewhere?

- I plan to work for myself. Writing is a slow process. I can't snap with my fingers and create a story.

- Have you tried?

- I won't answer that.

- You have to be kidding me.

- I wish I was. Why don't we go out? I might get new ideas.

- Where?

- I'll let you decide this time.

- I know a good coffee shop.

- Don't you see the cup of coffee on the table?

- You can drink something else.

- Alright.

Tyler and I went out. I'm glad that he likes my stories. I accept criticism, but I like hearing nice things. Also, I receive comments from people all the time. Most of them are positive. I had a hater, but he disappeared. At least I think it's a guy. We went to the coffee shop and saw Chloe. She is not my best friend, but we have classes together. The other thing is that she is a mentor as well. I'm not the only one. She signed up for the same reason as me.

- Hello, mentor. - I said

- The year hasn't even started.

- But I'm sure you are one again.

- Of course. I won't miss a chance.

- Do you have any preferences this year? I mean, a boy or a girl?

- I don't care. Whoever it is. We are studying, not doing anything else.

- What will happen if you get involved with a student? - Tyler asked

- Involved in what way? - I asked

- I don't know. Let's say that something happens. It's not only studying.

- First, you won't be a mentor anymore. I believe it's permanent.

- I think you might get a warning or something.

- Yes, but if you are no longer a mentor, you can get involved with that student.

- Maybe. I haven't searched for that. I never had problems.

- It's not too late to start.

- No, thanks. I prefer to keep it clean.

- It can't be that bad. What if she is pretty?

- Instead of worrying about me, check yourself.

- Why? I'm good.

- Are you sure? You are checking out girls, but you don't do anything. I have seen people in high school have more successful relationships than you.

- I don't want to date now.

- We are old enough for that. You can try. - Chloe said

- You two are single, too.

- I'll wait until I graduate and find a stable job.

- If she likes me, she will come. - I said

Chloe stayed with us in the coffee shop. We invited her to join us, but she refused. Everyone has plans. I started thinking about what my friend said. I won't get involved with a student. It's good to know what can happen. Technically, I'm not a teacher. I won't grade anything. The mentor helps people to study. That's it. I don't see anything wrong with that. Tyler and I went to play bowling. We are too old for this, but he still enjoys it. Also, I don't have a better idea.

- You used to love this game.

- Yes, when I was in my first year at university. My interests have changed. There is nothing wrong with that.

- Your stories shouldn't be the only thing in your life.

- What do you mean? I do other things.

- But your focus is on this one.

- We talk about my salary. I earn my money with this. Of course, it will be my main focus.

- But it's not the end of the world. Live your life.

- I can do that without a problem.

- Will there be an opening party this year?

- I don't think so. That was interesting only the first two years.

- Shoot.

- What?

- It will be my brother's first year. I forgot about that. I'm so stupid.

- Where is the problem?

- You know what happened the last time he was at a party. I have to look after him.

- Don't you think he grew up from this?

- No. I should go to that party.

- It will be awkward for your brother to follow you.

- Then what should I do?

- If it will make you feel better, I can go. He won't know I'm there because of him.

- Really? Will you do this for me?

- Why not? I will do something different than my daily tasks.

- Thank you so much. I hope he won't do anything stupid.

- Relax. I'll be there.

We played bowling for some time. I was home for dinner. Mom called me to go and visit them. I planned to have a calm day at home. That might be tomorrow. I took some things from my fridge and went to their house. We don't live that far away. I have a car, but I don't use it often. It was a gift from my parents. I'm glad that they support me so much. In the beginning, they were a bit skeptical about my career choice. They have accepted it, especially since I started earning money from it. Maybe this is what they needed to see to understand me.

- Hey, mom.

- Hey, come in. I'm glad you came.

- Why not? I planned to stay at home, but I'll do this tomorrow.

- You are always at home.

- I was outside almost the whole day.

- Nice. I think you should go out more often.

- Mom, can I decide this? I'm not a little kid anymore. I came here because you pleased me.

- So I have to please you to come here.

- I moved out to be alone.

- Kid, I'm glad you are here.

- Hey, dad.

- Let's sit at the table. Dinner is ready. - my mom said

- It smells good. What is this?

- It's my famous lasagna. I hope you will like it.

- I will.

- Are you ready for university? It's your last year.

- I am.

- I believe you are in the mentor program again.

- Of course. I won't miss a chance.

- I'm sure this can help you with your final exams.

- It will, for sure. This is a good practice for me.

- At least you will learn something. Younger people can teach you something.

- I prefer not to take any advice from first graders. They still have no idea what they are doing.

- It's not like you are the most mature boy. - my dad said, chuckling

- Yes, but I know what I want from life.

- What do you want? To be a successful writer?

- Maybe. Why not? I can make a whole book of short stories.

- Why don't you make longer ones? Maybe a novel. I would read it. - my mom said

- I haven't thought about that. For now, I will continue with my short stories.

- Dream big.

- I prefer to keep my feet on the ground. It's safer that way.

- Dreaming won't be a bad idea.

- No, thanks.

I still think my parents don't believe in me and my success. Becoming a famous author doesn't happen for a day. It needs more time and dedication. Some of the best authors were rejected many times before they got the offer of their lives. The same thing might happen to me. I can try writing a book full of short stories. Currently, I'm only posting them online. I can collect everything and make a small book. The good thing is that I can share them everywhere. There is no strict policy on any website. That gives me the freedom I need. I hope that more people will read my work.