Page 5 of Icebound Attraction

“Only if you want to be late on the first day!”

She points to the empty cup on the table and smiles.

“And you've already had one. I thought you wanted to work on your caffeine addiction,” she remarks.

When she sees my pout, she gives in.

“OK! We can pick one up on the way.”

“Hallelujah!” I shout with satisfaction, and we're off.

It's a twenty-minute walk to the student newspaper offices. I take advantage of this breath of fresh air to analyze the hustle and bustle around us and observe the campus. It's still surreal for me to finally be here.

We enter a modern building where all my journalism courses will be held and where the newspaper offices are also located. It's imposing and also a little intimidating.

Once there, Maddie, who's also part of the editorial team, introduces me to everyone, including the editor-in-chief, David, whom I had already spoken to on the phone, and she shows me to my office. Everyone has their own little corner, and there's a conference room for meetings. The computer equipment is state-of-the-art, and there seems to be no shortage of anything.

“You'll be working for the newspaper's sports section. Your first assignment will be to interview the captain of the ice hockey team. He can be a bit... special. But don't worry, you'll do just fine,” Maddie explains.

I frown, puzzled. I didn't even know the university had an ice hockey team, and I know nothing about the sport. In high school, I specialized in basketball. And the captain is... special? Is that why they're sending me to the front? Because no one else will talk to him? Maybe it's some kind of test or hazing. I see it as a way of proving my worth to them. Whatever, I'll get through it! I'm new here and I'm going to prove myself. In my head, I'm already going over the information I need to get to write a good article. The deadline is Wednesday. So, I've got five days to learn everything I can about the sport and, above all, convince the team captain to grant me an interview. Maddie said he knows I will come, but not that he agrees to a Q&A...

Back to work!

1 A speakeasy serving alcoholic beverages during the Prohibition era in the United States, from around 1920 to 1930.

2

Liam

We've just finished training and I'm sitting - still all sweaty - in front of Coach Franklyn's office. He's asked me to wait for him here, and since he's the coach, well, I comply without question. He probably wants to talk to me about next week's game and go over strategy.

“You were good today,” he says as he enters the room.

“Thanks, Coach. The team was also in great shape. I think we can easily win the next game, especially if we base it on...”

“That's good to hear, but that's not why you're here,” he cuts me off. “I've managed to get the university's administration to agree that this year's student newspaper will feature more ice hockey. It'll attract spectators and sponsors. Maybe a sports agent will hear about you too. It wouldn't hurt.”

When I hear the words ‘sports agent’, my eyes light up. My ultimate dream is to become a professional player. I'd do anything to get an agent to come and see us and show him what I'm capable of - and what the team is capable of. Regular articles in the student newspaper might actually help. Although... most journalists on campus are looking for scandal, or already have a story in mind that they want confirmed with targeted questions. It annoys me to no end. It's true that I've never been very gentle with them. That's probably why our games are hardly ever covered by the student newspaper. Most of the time, we just get an insert with the results. But with more detailed articles, we could attract more attention, and also recruit new players. We need new blood.

I nod and let the coach continue.

“One of the journalists will be at Monday's game and will ask you a few questions afterwards. Will that be all right?”

I nod, docile.

“No problem, coach. It's right up my alley.”

“Please behave yourself, Liam... It's important that we're presented in a favorable light. And don't forget that with the start of the season, parties and girl drama will need to be kept to a minimum. Do you think you can avoid flirting with half the university for a while?”

I laugh out loud.

“Don't worry, coach, I'll show my best side!”

I give him my most enticing smile, but it has no impact on him. Coach Franklyn looks at me seriously.

“That's exactly what worries me, Liam.”

I raise both hands and look innocent, but the coach remains unperturbed.

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