English writing tutor Steve Smith only has two more semesters to graduate from Vermillion College in California. Then he hopes to get a top-paying job writing copy for a tech firm. Until he reaches his self-fulfilled dreams, however, he’s working his way through school without borrowing from his successful Chinese-American parents. Vermillion football star Jason Woodard, on the other hand, grew up in a state-run home and is struggling to make his athletic scholarship and all that goes with it mesh with his academic requirements. He too is about to finish but, having put off first year English composition, has to rely on the writing lab where Steve works for help with an essay about love. Since Jase says he’s never encountered love, he can’t figure out how to write his essay. As they talk about love, they discover two things: falling in love is easier than talking about it and nobody in the school’s athletic program wants two guys to fall in love. When the abuse of athletes across the country comes to light, Steve realizes Jase too has been abused and needs more help than a tutor can give.

A Short Essay on Love

“I didn’t…I don’t think…” Jase seemed to lose his train of thought. “You’re back. I don’t know what’s going on. Your mom brought soup.”


As he took in the whole scene, Steve was even more shaken. It was bad enough his mom was there with her medicinal, really awful tasting swill, but his dad was there, too. He wondered with a shudder if his grandma was lurking somewhere as well.


“Uh, hi, mom. Dad.” He bent to give his mother a quick kiss and hug. “What’re you guys doing here?” Shouldn’t they be at home, sitting in front of the TV watching the…


Then it struck him. The news reporters he’d been fighting off. His parents had probably seen him pushing past them and had come to help. He knew it wouldn’t matter if he told them he had everything under control.


“Don’t I get a hug and a kiss?” Jase sounded pathetic from the couch.


Chapter 13