My hot mentor

Chapter fifteen - I can't escape my feelings

Ashley's POV:

Here is one thing about me. No matter how much I try to deny it, I will never be able to forget about Ethan or what happened at the party. He said it wasn't fake for him. The kiss was a pretend, but everything else wasn't. I tried to explain to him the situation. He doesn't want to listen to me. He can't study with me if he is not a mentor anymore. That means I should search for someone else. I don't mind it, but he is good. I don't want to lose such a good teacher because he can't keep it together. I'm trying my best to make this work. Someone will say that no one knows what we do at his apartment. That is true, but I won't risk it. Soon is the book club reading he invited me to. I agreed because this can help me with my short stories. That's why, another reason is I have read the book they will discuss. Part of me wants all my fantasies to come true. You have no idea what I have imagined with him. Ethan is known as one of the best students in our career. I won't put a black spot on his name. He might not care about this, but I do. Maybe even more than I'll admit. I have never seen someone so passionate about writing. I can learn a lot from him. That is why our feelings should stay away from each other. I hope that I won't do something that I'll regret later.

I'm excited about the book reading. I have never been to such an event before. It will be fun. There is always a lot to learn. I'm glad that he invited me, but I'm afraid it wasn't only because of the book. As much as I want something to happen, I can't permit it. Sometimes, I wish I was more carefree. It should be his problem, not mine. When you care about someone, their problems become yours. I would love it if we can do something together. Well, I won't make any plans for that.

Currently, I'm in class. Soon is my test with mister Nelson. I'm nervous about this. He said his tests weren't easy. I have studied, but I think I need Ethan's help. He finally told me about the secret notes. So he read the book. I didn't expect him to do it. When the class finished, Emma and I went to the coffee shop. This time, I got a juice. I don't want anything else. We sat at the table, and she looked at me. I haven't told her everything. Also, Ethan and I don't do anything else besides studying. I won't tell her about what he said.

- What is going on? Your head is somewhere else. Are you thinking about Ethan? - she asked, whispering

- Is it that obvious?

- I mean, he looks hot and is your mentor.

- We are going to a club reading together.

- That is nice. It might help you with your work.

- Yes, but I'm afraid he is not doing it only because of the work.

- What do you mean?

- He started talking to me as if we were friends.

- Did something happen after the party?

- No. I can't let it happen. It will cost him a lot.

- To you too.

- I don't care. It's only my first year here.

- This doesn't mean it has to be the worst one.

- I don't know what to do.

- Don't you like him?

- Does Romeo like Juliet?

- Yes.

- Then? Please, don't ask me stupid questions when you know the answer. - I said, and she laughed

- Try to take the maximum. Focus on the people who will be there.

- I can't ignore him. I tried, and he didn't like it.

- I will say that you got lucky. Your mentor is a cute guy who likes you.

- Hold on. I never said he liked me.

- I think it's obvious. He didn't leave your side the whole night at the party.

- So?

- Where are you studying? I haven't seen you at university.

- Um, we are switching classrooms. It depends on the day and which one is free.

- Are you lying?

- Why would I do that? It's your choice if you will believe me.

- I'm sure he will respond to your feelings. What happened with the notes?

- He told me about them. Of course, I didn't say anything.

- Will you send him more?

- No. That was a stupid idea. I will never be able to talk to him face to face.

- Have you tried?

- You don't want to know.

- I think you need to be braver. He won't do anything to you.

- But he risks a lot. I can't permit it.

After my class, I went out for a while before my next one. I saw Ethan with his friends, but I didn't say anything. I have nothing to tell him. The other thing is that I'm a bit worried about mister Nelson's test. I don't want to fail. I might not have an A, but I want a good grade. My mentor can help me with that. Later, I went to my second class. I texted him to see if he had more free time today. We are supposed to go to the club reading, but it might not happen.

- Today, we'll discuss the book Misled on the Way. It was a small one, and I hope you have read it. Who will tell me what the book is about? Later, I'll ask other questions.

- Can I? - I asked, raising my head

- Go on, Ashley.

- To say it shortly. The book is about a woman. She is chasing her dream career. Her jealous best friend is misleading her. That way, she won't get the interview. She convinced her it was on another date. That's how the woman missed it. Since then, she stopped listening to her best friend and got what she wanted.

- Correct. What do you think about this? Did you learn something?

- I can see part of my past there. Everything described clearly shows that the author had something similar in their life. The scene where the woman understands what happened is written with many details. It's like the author was talking about herself.

- Quick question. Ethan is your mentor. Right?

- How do you know? I haven't told every teacher.

- Because he has a specific style of teaching. It's noticeable.

- Then, yes. Ethan is my mentor.

- You are lucky. Ethan is the best mentor you can get.

- He was the only one available.

- If he is teaching you, I'm sure you won't have any problems here.

I guess Ethan is well-known to the teachers. I do feel a bit lucky. He is doing a great job with me. I got a text back from him. He has the whole day for me. That is great. I want to nail this test. Ethan told me to go straight to his apartment when I was ready. I only took a few things and walked out. He lives close to the university. Down the street from his place, I saw a small store. I can pick up a few things. I'm sure he will tire me out today.

- Knock, knock. It's me.

- Come in. I'm in the kitchen.

- Hello. I didn't know you could cook.

- Someone has to eat dinner. What is all that?

- We'll have a lot of work today, so I bought us some energy.

- What? - he asked, laughing

- You will understand. What are you cooking? It smells good.

- Come and check. This is my soup.

- Can I try it?

- Yes, but it's not ready, and it's hot.

- I don't mind.

- Here you go, but be careful. There is a reason why I use wooden spoons.

- I think it needs a little bit more salt.

- What? Sh*t! I forgot to put salt. There is none.

- That's why I'm here.

- What do you want us to do today?

- I need your help with mister Nelson's test.

- Oh, it's that time of the year. You are lucky that I have everything you need.

- What do you mean?

- I have the questions.

- What? How?

- Because he always gives the same, but in a different order. I keep my tests. Tyler and Chloe gave me a copy of theirs.

- Great. How many questions do we have? Twenty? Thirty?

- Ninety.

- What?

- You will have only thirty, but you don't know which you will have. He mixes them every year.

- How am I supposed to remember all of them?

- You have to be able to explain them to him. Mister Nelson will ask you to prove you deserve the A that you had. I mean, he wants to know that you haven't cheated.

- Great.

Ethan pulled out the questions. I don't know if I can learn this so quickly. I have seven days. I studied for this test. I feel like I don't know anything. I'm glad that Ethan can help me with this. He let me check the tests while he finished cooking his dinner. Later, we started with the questions. For an hour, I learned ten questions. That won't be fast. I have the whole day for this. Well, that is if he doesn't have plans.

- I think you need a break.

- No! Do you know how many questions we have?

- Yes, but you should rest. Let's open the cookies you got. By the way, these are my favorite.

- Really?

- Yes.

- Can I tell you something? Hopefully, you won't brag about it.

- What is it?

- You are an excellent teacher. Thank you for the help. I'm probably wasting your time.

- No, you're not. That is why I signed up to be a mentor.

- Yes, but you have other things to do.

- Today is a free day. I didn't plan to go out. Well, except for the club reading.

- I'm sorry about that. You can focus on something better.

- If you stay for dinner, we can continue with the lessons.

- Are you sure it's about the lessons?

- I live alone here. I won't mind some company. We have a lot to cover.

- Then why do you keep wasting time? Teach me something. - I said, and he laughed

- You are great. Let's continue then. Did you understand the first ten questions? Can I move on?

- Yes, you can. I understood everything.

- Good. I'll ask you when we finish.

- What?

- I trust you, but it's good practice to revise.

- Fine. I'll do whatever you say. You are the teacher.

- I'm in charge. We can stay all night.

- Oh, no. I'll go to sleep. You can study if you want.

- Alone? You will leave me alone.

- Yes. Enjoy the lessons.

- What if I don't let you go? - he asked and grabbed my hand, which electroshocked us again

- You need to stop with this.

- The fault that the electricity is around us is not mine.

- Yes, but.

- But what?

- Nothing. We can continue.

- Will you look at me? Please.

- Can we pass through this? I don't want to do it.

- Fine.

Ethan and I studied the whole night. He convinced me to stay for dinner. The soup was delicious. I had no idea he could cook that well. I guess he has many talents. I would love to see what else he is hiding. A talented writer and a cook. My brain started with the fantasies again. We won't live together. Otherwise, it would've been nice to try his meals every day. I should stop with this. Nothing will happen. We are too different. Also, he hasn't graduated. It's better if we keep it friendly. Studying with him is like magic. He is what I need. I hope I will pass mister Nelson's test with a good grade.