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Story: Neo (Valencia Ice Mafia #1)
neo
After a hot shower and my post workout smoothie, I stride into President Harmon’s office, my heart pounding a fierce rhythm against my ribcage. The room is posh, lined with mahogany bookshelves and adorned with prestigious awards. President Harmon, a stocky man with a stern face, sits behind his oversized desk, his eyes meeting mine with an unnerving intensity.
“Neo, have a seat,” he says, gesturing to the chair across from him.
I sit down, my mind racing. This meeting, out of the blue, has me on edge. He steeples his fingers, eyeing me like a chess player contemplating his next move.
“Just came from practice?” he asks, eyeing the state of my wet hair.
“Yes, sir. Getting ready for the big game.”
I see a moment of perplexity cross the president’s face; he does not know just how important this next game is for us.
“It’s with the Hawks,” I explain. “They are a tough Division 1 team with an enormous fan base. If we beat them, then the conversation changes about our chances in the finals.”
“Ah, yes, I’ll be tuning into that one. I can’t come because it’s my weekend with the kids.” His tone changes to a serious one. “So what I wanted to talk to you today about is your future. Neo, you’re aware of how important you are to our university, don’t you?”
I nod. “Yes, sir, I understand my role on the team.”
He leans forward, his gaze sharp. “Good. Then you’ll also understand why your decision to stay or go pro is of significant concern to me and the board of trustees of the university. We care about your future and want you to succeed.”
The air in the room thickens, and I can already sense he wants me to declare that I’m staying another year at VCU.
“Thank you for the concern, sir, but I have discussed the offers with my parents and I’m still weighing my options,” I reply cautiously.
President Harmon’s expression hardens. “Let me be frank, Neo. We recruited you when a lot of schools wouldn’t touch you with a ten-foot pole. You were an average player then, but you’ve become a dominant player here at VCU. We need you here. You staying could be the key to us winning the national championship. And we could change a lot more kids’ lives if we win. Think of the number of hockey scholarships we could give if we had more incoming dollars to the program.”
I feel a surge of pride that he desperately wants me to stay but also a flicker of resistance because of how he framed it–as if he’s done me a favor and now I owe them one.
“I appreciate that, sir, but my future?—”
He cuts me off, his voice colder. “Your future, Neo, is not just about you. It’s about this university, the team, and perhaps other people you haven’t considered.”
My brow furrows. “I’m not sure I follow.”
He leans back, a knowing look crossing his face. “Violet, the girl you’ve been seeing. She’s been through a lot, hasn’t she? I’m not sure if you kids even talk about things like this, but did you know she has a full ride to this university? Her scholarship is quite generous, funded by alumni donors who have... expectations.”
A chill runs down my spine.
“What are you saying?”
“If you choose to leave early for the NHL,” he continues, his tone laced with unspoken threats, “it might be... difficult to justify continuing her scholarship, given the circumstances.”
Anger flares within me. “You’re threatening to take away Violet’s scholarship because of my career decision?”
“Hey, it’s not something I want to do.” He rolls back in his chair, resting clasped hands on his rotund stomach. “I knew Violet’s parents when they were students at this university. Her mother had a promising future before she quit school. I don’t want that to happen to Violet. So this is not a threat, Neo. It’s reality. Decisions have consequences. Yours could have significant ones for Violet.”
I clench my fists, struggling to keep my composure. “That’s not fair to her. She’s earned that scholarship.”
President Harmon shrugs, an air of indifference surrounding him. “I wouldn’t say she earned it. The semester’s just about to start, so it’s too soon to say whether or not she deserves the money, but life isn’t always about what’s fair and who deserves what, is it?”
Why is this fucker talking so cryptically?
“I don’t understand what you’re implying. Just say what you mean, President Harmon.”
“I gave Violet that scholarship because of who she knows, but as quickly as it was given, it can be taken away. If I’m going to be completely honest, there are other students who deserve the scholarship more than her.”
“Can you even do that?”
“It’s a presidential scholarship. It’s at my discretion to whom it’s given and how it’s applied.”
“This is some bullshit,” I say, angry at the threat he’s made to Violet’s future, but he doesn’t falter.
“Think about the team, the university, and about Violet. We’re all part of a bigger picture, Neo. Your decision affects more than just your career. If you stay, she stays. Don’t be selfish, son.”
“I’m not your son.” I stand up, my body tense with anger and conflict. “I’ll make my decision based on what’s best for me and for those I care about, not because of any threats you make.”
President Harmon watches me, unflinching. “I hope you make the right choice, Neo. For everyone’s sake.”
I walk out of President Harmon’s office, my mind spinning with anger and confusion. How dare he use Violet’s future as leverage to manipulate me into staying at this university? But fuck, if he actually calls my bluff and pulls her money, this could destroy her.
I head straight to the ice house and see some of my teammates getting ready to eat and play some video games. They all look up as I enter, sensing my rage. Bass walks over to me with a questioning look on his face.
“Everything all right, Cap?”
“I just had a chat with President Harmon.”
“What the hell for?”
“I’ve been keeping some things from y’all,” I say loud enough for everyone’s benefit. “I got three offers to leave school and go pro with Vegas, Jersey and Toronto.”
“Oh, shit!” a voice says.
“That’s what’s up,” someone else chimes in.
“But Harmon threatened to take away Violet’s scholarship if I do it,” I seethe.
“Violet?” Someone rumbles. “Why is he fucking with her?”
“That’s not right!” Jack protests.
“I can’t believe he would use her like that,” Bass says bitterly. “Does Violet know?”
“He just threatened me. She doesn’t know.”
And she’ll never know.
Violet already doubts herself so much because of her learning challenges. I’m afraid she’d just use what he said to confirm the doubts she already has about herself.
“Then why was she so pissed the other night at the house?”
“She found the offer letters in my room before I could tell her about them.”
“Oh.” A few of them mutter. “Yeah, my girl would be pissed too.”
“She thinks I was just going to up and leave her,” I say. “Can you believe that?”
“And were you?” Shane interjects, as he descends from the second floor.
“My father was pushing me to take an offer. Now the president is pushing me to do something else. I just needed some room to figure things out.”
“And Violet just wanted you to let her in, so now you’ve got all the room in the world you want,” Shane quips.
“Where is she, Shane?” I point accusingly at him. “I know you know.”
“Tell him, Shane,” some others urge. “Stop gate keeping, man.”
“Seriously, I don’t know,” Shane responds earnestly. “Kennedy and I are barely speaking.”
“I know.” Deuce steps forward, raising his hand tentatively.
“Tell me!” I plead.
“She’ll be back in town Thursday.”
“How do you know for sure?” Bass asks him.
“I checked the trash outside, and she happened to print her travel itinerary.”
“Good work, grunt!” I applaud Deuce.
“Todos os vais al infierno,” Lucia says, eavesdropping as she walks upstairs.
“What did she say?” Bass looks at me.
“That we’re all going to hell.”