On the Ice (Stick Side, #1)

by Amy Aislin

Alex kicked JP’s foot with his under the table. “What’s going on with you today? You’ve been in a mood since we got here.” JP stole the crust out of Alex’s hands and took a bite. “Hey!” “I have a student,” JP said around his mouthful, “who’s this close to failing out of my class. Pretty sure he knows it too, but does he come see me during my office hours today? No. I don’t want to fucking fail this kid, but if he doesn’t show up to talk to me about it, what am I supposed to do?” “Who the hell fails creative writing?” “Right?” “He’s not turning in his assignments?” Alex guessed. “No, he is. They’re just not any good.” “So, he’s half-assing them?” JP dropped the rest of the crust on the tray and wiped his hands on a napkin. “Thing is, I don’t think he is. I think he’s putting as much effort as he can into them, but he’s just…not a writer. He doesn’t understand the structure of a story. I think he’s a science major. His writing reads more like a lab report than a story.” JP sighed. “Fuck, I need another beer.” Alex got up and headed for the order counter where he got them each a beer, giving his friend a moment to stew. Grabbing the bottles by the neck with his good hand, he made his way back to JP, set the beers down, and said, “Is there a tutor who could help him?” “The English department has a few on the roster,” JP said. “But they tutor in English lit, not creative writing.” “You’ll think of something.” “I think the reason he didn’t come see me—” JP winced. “—is because I...