Cole Berrett
How is it possible that you blatantly ignoring my sext is somehow sexier than if you had actually responded?
Maya Silver
Magic. See you later!
I’ll be the one on my knees sucking your cock… in case that wasn’t clear.
Just as I’m tucking my phone into my bag, Jaden waltzes into the room. Their skirt swishes against the floor as they make their way to the desk stationed in front of the old-school blackboard. Clapping once, they greet us. “My apologies for the tardiness. Let’s jump right into things.”
I scribble notes furiously as I follow the lesson on how effective writing involves making conscious choices about words, pausing only occasionally so my fingers don’t cramp. It makes me jealous of Cole’s ambidextrousness. I can attest he’s just as talented with both hands, on and off the ice.
We split into small groups for a writing exercise during the second half of class. Marie’s arguing with Brian over whether including “um” in dialogue can be beneficial when Jaden waves me over to their desk.
My stomach drops to my feet. While I don’t think it’s possible to be in trouble during a class I’m voluntarily attending—and I haven’t done anythingtoget myself into trouble in the first place—that doesn’t make me any less nervous. Marie calls it teacher’s pet syndrome.
The skin around Jaden’s lips crinkles as they smile at me.They wouldn’t smile if I was in trouble, right?“Maya. I just finished reading your short story from last week and I have to say, I’m very impressed.”
My cheeks heat and my heart thuds heavily. “Really?”
Our only parameters were that the story had to include a royal saying the word “fucking idiot” on national television. I truly have no idea where they come up with these plots, but it did kick my creative juices into gear. Once I put pen to paper—or, more aptly, my fingers to the keyboard—the story flowed from me. I’ve never finished an assignment so quickly.
“Yes. I think you should continue with it.”
“It’s a short story, though.”
Way to state the obvious, dumbass.
“That doesn’t mean it can’t be something more. Seek out elements of your story that could benefit from embellishment or exploration,” Jaden suggests. “Add new characters. It’s your story, so you choose which direction it goes in. Think about it.”
“I will,” I agree with a smile.
As I return to my seat, Brian shoots me a questioning glance but is too focused on winning his argument to ask questions.
My mind wanders for the rest of the workshop, turning Jaden’s words over and trying to make sense of the advice.
I wrote the story the day after meeting Cole’s family. The genuine support and unconditional love they have for one another brought some of the lingering sadness related to my own upbringing to the surface. I needed an outlet for the despondence I thought I’d long ago buried, so I poured all my emotions into my writing assignment.
Apparently, it paid off.
The moment class ends, I call a rideshare and head to Airwave Arena. Only five months ago, I was attending my first hockey game, and now I weave my way through the crowds like an expert. Finding the suite is no longer a challenge, and Hank—a.k.a. Batman’s Butler—greets me with a welcome smile. The one surprise is finding Kennedy in the plush seats with her legs kicked up like it’s her personal office.
“Um, hi,” I greet her as I slip off my coat. “I thought you weren’t coming until the second period.”
She hops from the seat like a damn kangaroo and wraps me in a hug. “My! I did the event drop-off earlier than expected, so here I am. Lucky you. God, it feels like I haven’t seen you in forever.”
“It’s been five days,” I remind her. “And we video-called yesterday.”
“As I said, it’s beenforever.”
“Drama queen,” I laugh, shaking out of her embrace. Her smoke detector went off twice during the thirty minutes we were on the phone. “You’ve been the one bakingmore cookies thanThe Great British Bake Offdoes in an entire season.”
“I brought you some extras. You’re welcome. They’re in my purse.”
I eye her oversized black bag. “You brought cookies to the game?”
“Oh, calm down.” She waves a dismissive hand. “I saidcookies, notcocaine. And it’s no worse than you bringing your e-reader.”
