5
THE LAW OF ATTRACTION
VIKTOR
ISTEP OUT OF THE SHOWER, GRAB A TOWEL, AND DRY OFF.BEFOREICAN TURN AWAY, IGLIMPSEmyself in the foggy mirror.Right now, I’m the portrait of good health: strong, fit, still unbruised from gameplay.And before I can tamp it down, I’m filled with hatred for my healthy, able self.Why am I so fortunate?I’m here on a beautiful campus, surrounded by happy teammates, competing in a sport that brings us adulation.All I do is chase a piece of vulcanized rubber around the ice and people praise me.I should be doing real things that help people like my brother.
But I shake off this malaise.A team captain has to be positive and set a good example.And I promised my family that I would finish my degree, so I’m here.I can work to win a championship before I put aside hockey forever.
I wrap a towel around my waist and exit into the hallway where I run into Wally.As seniors, we have the best rooms in this house, two attic bedrooms with a shared bathroom.Our rooms are quieter and more private, and we don’t have to jostle for bathroom time.
Hey, Zee.Just going down to get set up for the party.He has a headset around his neck and his laptop under his arm.Wally is our resident DJ, and he takes pride in the breadth of his musical tastes.
Can’t wait to hear what new tunes you’re going to spin tonight,I say.
Wally’s normally worried expression transforms as he tells me about a new artist he’s found.Sometimes it’s disconcertingly easy to make people happy.I know the strengths and weaknesses of my teammates.Wally is an intensely competitive goalie with a long list of superstitions.Music is his release, something that brings him pure pleasure.Although with more introspection, Wally would realize that DJing allows him to control the mood of an entire crowd, just like he wants to control each hockey game.
Obviously, I’m overanalyzing.But I’m struck by how detached I am this year.I compliment Wally because I do enjoy his music, but being able to observe myself doing this makes me feel false.
Back in my room, I hang up my towel and pull on some underwear and stand in front of my closet.I don’t really want to attend tonight’s party, but since it’s at my own house, I can’t avoid it.Besides, it’s that period before hockey starts when I’m full of energy and have nothing to expend it upon.I should want to party, to do something.But after three years of college, nothing feels new or exciting.
It’s a warm night, so I choose a linen shirt and Japanese selvedge jeans.As I thread a polished leather belt through the jeans, I realize that dressing up no longer brings me pleasure.I’ve always enjoyed fashion, but now it feels superficial.
Once dressed, I delay by picking up my phone and checking the news again, then some group chats I’m in.Nothing new.Power outages in Ukraine continue; it’s tolerable now, but once winter comes, it will be life-threatening.I wonder how my grandmother is.My mother assured me yesterday she was fine, but so much can happen in twenty-four hours when your country is a war zone.
I pocket my phone and leave my room, locking my door to prevent any unwanted visitors.Horny, drunken partiers will go anywhere for privacy.
As I descend the stairs, the party noise gets louder and louder.It’s already wall-to-wall people, and I weave my way into the kitchen where the bar is set up and grab a drink.I join a bunch of my teammates in our big living room where the real party happens
Zee!My teammates greet me happily, and my bad mood recedes.
How’s the party going?I ask.
Great,Sinc says.Wally’s got everyone dancing already.
I look across the room where Wally is swaying to the beat.Most DJs need a platform but at 6’5”, he already has a bird’s-eye view.
A lot of the freshmen are hot this year,Bergy informs us.Tyler Bergstrom is obsessed with women, yet infamous for striking out with them.If he’d focus on being better at hockey, that might solve his women problems.
The freshmen are looking younger and younger,says Coty.Makes me feel like a dirty old man.
You are a dirty old man,Sinc jokes.He and Coty make up our top defence pairing, and they’re buddies off the ice as well.
Where’s Mats?I ask Sinc.
He points to the dance floor where Mats is sedately dancing while Cleo Nelson does crazy disco moves all around him.That’s their relationship in a nutshell.She’s on the women’s hockey team and a ball of energy.
Bergy is still eyeing all the women here.Those Alpha Zeta Mu chicks are total babes.
I follow his gaze and see four young women and a couple of guys.Not Destiny fortunately.I regret how badly that breakup went, but there’s nothing I can do now but avoid her until she cools down.Eventually we can patch things up.I usually stay friendly with the women I’ve dated.
Bergy pokes me.The cute brunette is staring at you.
I look over.One of the sorority womeniswatching me, a tall, slim woman who looks familiar.I can’t place her, surprisingly because she’s quite spectacular.A waterfall of smooth dark hair, ivory skin, curving pink lips, and a direct stare.How can I not remember meeting her?
Her attention is jerked away by a guy talking to her.I watch as she nods, then they move onto the dance floor.As they dance, there’s a sensation that something’s wrong—she shouldn’t be with him.Again, I’m puzzled.I never feel possessive about women, especially ones I don’t even know.
Are you interested?Bergy asks.
