"To sum it up, resources are scarce. Individuals compete with each other for these scarce resources, and some end up being better than others. Sometimes it's luck, sometimes it's skill, but at the end of the day, some people will end up with more of the pie than someone else. Some unfortunate individuals might not even get a sliver of a slice. Yes, Mr. Alexander?" Victor Alexander put his hand down.
"But isn't that unfair? Assuming there is enough for everyone, why can't we divide the resources we have equally?" Victor asked.
"Unfortunately, Mr. Alexander, I'm teaching economics, not social justice. Fairness has nothing to do with it. Those who are gifted or lucky will get everything, and others will get nothing." The professor glanced at his watch. "I think we'll stop there. Have a nice weekend, everybody. Don't forget, your essays on economic inequality are due on Monday."
The sounds of bags closing and the dim chatter of conservation filled the room. Victor Alexander remained in his chair. "Fairness has nothing to do with it." He put his hand up to his chin, stroking the stubble with his thumb and forefinger. He began packing his things, when he felt a gentle nudge from behind him.
"Hey there, you!". Alexander knew the voice, and he readied his "sexy" smile before turning around.
"Heidi!" He threw his arms out and wrapped them around her. "You smell like cinnamon and hand soap."
She laughed. "You and that nose of yours. I had a roll for lunch, but it was sticky so I washed my hands." She held her hands up for him to see.
"Ah, I see. Too bad you missed a spot." He put his finger on her exposed midriff. She looked down only to get flicked by his finger. "Gotcha!"
She feigned outrage and gave him a playful punch on the shoulder. She moved a lock of her pristine hair behind her ear and looked downwards, thinking of what to say. "So, are we still going to celebrate tonight?" she asked.
"I'm not sure. I haven't started on this econ essay yet. Why don't you guys go to a bar or something?" Victor said.
"Oh, whatever! That's due on Monday. You have to support your roommate. He finally got that promotion he's been gunning for! What a responsible adult he's turning into. Whoever he gets with is going to be one lucky girl."
A slight scowl flashed across Victor's face, but he caught himself before Heidi noticed. He picked up his bag and made his way down the aisle, Heidi pacing him from the next row.
"Who is coming over to the apartment?" Victor asked.
"So far it's me and Aria. Peter might be coming out, and Jay, of course." She flashed a smile, but Victor was still lost in thought. "...so you'll be hanging out with us, right?"
Victor stopped and turned to her. He began to shake his head, but her cute brown eyes were just impossible to say no to. He bit his lip and acquiesced. "I guess so. It's a big accomplishment for him. I still have tomorrow and Sunday to work on this anyway." He managed a smile. Heidi returned one, giving his shoulder a squeeze.
"Thanks. It will really mean a lot to him." She began to walk away, but looked back as Victor called to her.
"So he is dating Aria, now?" Victor asked, wanting to remind her. She hid her disappointment well.
"Yeah." She looked down. "I guess he is. They've gone on a few dates." She seemed distracted.
"Lucky girl," Victor said.
"Yeah. Lucky girl," Heidi replied.
"What did you get for tonight?" Victor asked as his roommate walked through the front door of their apartment. Jay set the bags down and produced two handles of hard liquor.
"A bottle of Grey Goose for the ladies, and an 18 year old Macallan for the men." Jay held out the bottles triumphantly, flashing the toothy smile that made him so popular. Victor stood up and grabbed the blue box from Jay.
"Wow, Macallan 18? How'd you swing that?" Victor asked, scrutinizing the bottle. Jay took the box back and began opening it, pulling out the bottle and setting it on the bar top.
"I'm a big boy now. With this promotion, I make 50k a year part time, balancing college and bitches. I deserve this." Jay replied. Jay placed the Grey Goose next to the scotch, and began placing his favorite Glencairn scotch glasses by the two bottles. "I also got some La Fin Du Monde, for some beer action."
"La Fin du what?" Victor asked.
"La Fin du
Monde
. It's really great. Canadian. It'll fuck us up good. 9.5 percent." Jay said. "At least, it better fuck us up, that shit was 12 bucks for a 4 pack."
"Going all out for Aria, eh Jay?" Victor joked. Jay's faced turned serious for a split second, before he turned and smiled at his roommate. Victor reached for his coffee and sipped it nervously.
"You bet." Jay began to wipe the counter down, meticulously. "You know if things go right tonight...it could be the night I go all the way with her." Jay's eyes narrowed. "You know," Jay began, "Peter told me that she hasn't even done it with any other guy before. Farthest she got was giving a guy a handjob in a movie theater."
Victor spit out his coffee. "What? She told him that? He wasn't the guy she..."
Jay stopped Victor mid-sentence. "No! No. She told Wendy and then she told him." Jay closed his eyes for a beat. "But yeah, man, tonight is the night. Gonna pop that little hymen of hers." Jay began to thrust his hips in the air, pantomiming doggy style. "You know what I'm gonna say after I pop her cherry?"
Victor raised an eyebrow. "Oh god."
"You're mine now." Jay looked perversely giddy.
"Man," Victor said, shaking his head. "There is something extremely wrong with you."
"Yeah, I agree." Aria's sweet voice rang out from behind Victor, startling both of the men. Victor met Jay's wide eyed gazed as they tried to communicate telepathically about what to say next.
"Uh," Victor started, "How long have you been there Aria?" Jay held his breath.
"Just right now." Aria said, her brow raised quizzically. "You guys should really keep this door closed." Jay let out an audible sigh. "Why?" she asked. "Were you guys talking shit about me?" She put her hands on her tiny waist, feigning anger. She was wearing a tight tank top that hugged her soft curves, and a thin pair of khaki shorts that stopped mid-thigh.
"Yeah, we were." Victor said quickly. "We were talking about how we are going to destroy you at poker tonight." Aria laughed.
"No fucking way. I've been practicing my poker face. See?" Aria puckered her lips and narrowed her eyes. Victor burst out laughing, covering his face with his hand. He put his hand on her shoulder to balance himself. He noticed how soft her shoulder was. How round it was too. A bit squishy...
Yeah, my hand is on her breast
,
isn't it?
Victor realized. Victor froze in place and opened his eyes, confirming his hand was on her perky chest. His eyes quickly moved upwards to Aria's surprised expression. Victor pulled his hand back quickly, an apologetic smile crossing his face.
"Woah, woah. What are you guys up to over here?" Heidi's voice rang out from behind Victor, startling both of the men and Aria. "You know, you guys really need to keep your doors closed."
"How long have you..." Victor started.
"Long enough to see you copping a feel, pervo." Heidi gave Victor a wink. Victor looked over his shoulder warily, and was relieved to see Aria smiling at Heidi's comment. "Anyway," Heidi beamed, "let's get this party started!" She plopped another six pack of beer onto the kitchen table.
Empty beer bottles lined the kitchen counter. The two girls sat next to each other at the round kitchen table, peeking at the cards in front of them. The guys sat opposite, strategizing Jay's next move.
"Is Peter even coming anymore?" Heidi asked.
"Stop trying to delay the game, Heidi." Jay answered. "And no, apparently he got knocked out in boxing practice and had to get revived by some smelling salts. Wendy just texted me."
"That sounds terrible," Victor said. "Is he okay?"
"Yeah, he's fine. Wendy is tending to his wounds." Jay replied. "Doctor said he's got a big case of blue balls and she's the cure."
"What are you talking about?" Heidi laughed. "They aren't together."
"He's been taking her out, they've gone on a lot of dates. He's doing her." Jay quipped. Aria turned her head at the comment.