“It’s only my first month as a professor, but it beats teaching high school, that’s for sure,” I reply, watching from the corner of my eye as Alan thumbs furiously on his phone, his limited attention span now devoted to constructing a wall of text bigger than the one his wife just sent.

“Uh huh,” he sighs, chugging the last half of his beer. “Anyways, so look man, sorry I’ve got to bail early again, but you know how she gets.” He cracks an invisible whip over the bar before standing to fumble for his wallet.

“I’ve got you,” I say with empathy. “But you’re buying next time, sweetheart.” With a playful wink, he’s out the door. I can’t say that I blame the guy, I mean, I’ve been in his shoes before. Granted, it’s been different as of late, with more distance between me and Amanda.

My watch reads 5:24, and this college bar is near empty. It’s got all of the kitsch decor you’d expect—University memorabilia and abandoned lingerie adorn the walls, sharpie signatures commemorating nights past fill the empty spaces between. It’s not my first choice by any means, but it’s conveniently close to our new house. I’m sure the atmosphere will change drastically by the end of the week, after the start of fall semester. For now I’m enjoying the peaceful ambience of a college town nearing the end of summer break.

The silence doesn’t last long, interrupted by the front door bursting open with an energized commotion. I look over, my eyes squinting against the afternoon sun that floods the dim room, to observe a lively group of coed girls. After some flirtatious maneuvering past the bouncer, they proceed towards the bar. Before I look away, I have to do a double take, my stomach dropping when I recognize you, one of my former students.

What are the odds?

I suppose an encounter like this is inevitable. However, you’d only just graduated last year, which means you have no business being in a bar. Is it my business? It’s probably best I make a quick exit to avoid any potential awkwardness.

“Check, please.”

—

Hello! I’m looking for a writing partner to play my former student in a long-term romantic affair. I’m imagining this initial encounter eventually leading to a drunken one-night hookup. We agree to go our separate ways, until the first day of fall semester, when we discover that you’re enrolled in one of my classes.

I want to hear what you have in mind for your character. What’s her personality like, and what was our relationship like during your tenure as my student? Were you the troublemaking type, a thorn in my side since day one? Or maybe you were the perfect student, an attentive willing participant?

Shoot me a message, and feel free to bring some ideas to the table. Let’s build a world we’re both excited about.