by Sherry Soule
Cole’s unwavering stare bore into mine. “You okay, blondie?”
“Yeah, and I’m glad you showed up. I got the closure I needed to finally move on, and Seth got an ass-kicking. I’m done here.”
“Let me walk you back to the dorm.”
Cole escorted me to Stevenson and paused at the door. “Do you have to go in? I have a knuckle or two that could use some kissing.”
“Thanks for defending my honor.” I took his hand and gently kissed the knuckles that had protected me.
REDEMPTION
That night I had a dream where I sold a bunch of paintings at an art show. The next morning, I woke up with an amazing idea on how to redeem myself with the Zeta Betas. I would raise money for charity by selling my artwork. I had a pile of canvases stacked against one wall of my room that I could sell. I was no Monet, but my stuff wasn’t half-bad. And it felt good to have a solid strategy. My epic plan was about as short and sweet as a pink sequined mini-skirt.
Since I didn’t have any afternoon classes, I grabbed my wallet, and rushed down the hall to knock on Colleen’s door.
The RA opened it with knitted eyebrows. “Can I help you? If this is about some creepy crawler bug, then stomp on it yourself.”
“I wanted to ask you if it would be all right, if I held a sort of art auction in the common room this Saturday to raise money for charity.”
She leaned against the doorframe. “I don’t see why not. Which charity?”
“I was thinking about donating the funds to the local animal shelter on behalf of Zeta Beta, the sorority I’m pledging.”
“I think that’s a terrific idea. What can I do to help?”
“Um, I’ll need some flyers and posters to promote the event. I can make a trip to the art store and get everything we need if you don’t mind helping me print them up.”
“It sounds fun,” Colleen said, nodding enthusiastically. “I’ll be pulling an all-nighter to study for an exam, so swing by after you get back.”
“Fantastic! I’ll see if I can get my roommate to help, too.”
I rushed downstairs and out into the sunshine. I walked the mile to the store and purchased all the supplies I needed. As I made way back to Stevenson, there was a noticeable bounce in my step. My chest warmed and I dimly recognized the unfamiliar sentiment as a spark of hope. This plan to redeem myself in the eyes of the Zeta Betas just had to work, and with any luck, they’d realize I was worthy of a bid.
I found Vanessa in our dorm room for a rare change and I told her about my idea, then asked if she’d like to help me design some posters and flyers for the auction.
“Sure.” She rolled up her sleeves. “I have some free time, so let’s get to work.”
I smiled. “Thank you, Vanessa. I owe you one.”
We went to Colleen’s room and laid out the supplies on the floor, then got to work. An hour later, Vanessa got us sodas from the vending machine and the caffeine rush made us talk non-stop and exchange freshmen horror stories. We laughed about our first college experiences and shared a few dating disasters. I was bonding with these girls without it feeling forced. As Vanessa would say, it was pretty awesome. After another hour, Colleen used the photocopier to print out about a hundred flyers for Vanessa and me to handout and post around campus.
“Okay, girls,” Colleen said with a yawn. “You’re on your own. I need to get back to cramming.”
“I appreciate all your help, Colleen,” I said, gathering the supplies.
“It was fun,” she said with a smile, and I caught sight of something green stuck in her clear braces. “I needed a short break, and I’ll be sure to buy something on Saturday. I know it’ll be as big success.”
Vanessa and I put the stuff back in our room, then traveled around campus handing out flyers and putting the posters up on bulletin boards.
“Why are you doing all this? Did the ZBs ask you to do it?” Vanessa asked.
“No. I just thought it would a great way to prove that I’m extraordinary by thinking outside the box. I’m not super athletic, and lately, I’ve felt academically challenged, so I figured using my creative talents might help boost my appeal in the eyes of the Zeta Betas.”
“Here take this!” Vanessa forced two guys walking by Stevenson to grab a flyer.
The taller guy elbowed his buddy. “What kind of art? Any nudes?”
“Well, you’ll just have to come by and find out.” Vanessa shot back, then turned back to me. “It’s an awesome idea, and sure to help you gain major points with the sorority.”
“That’s the hope.”
Vanessa glanced at her watch. “Ah, crud. I gotta meet up with my Earth Matters club,” she said, handing me the stack of flyers. “By the way, it’s awesome that you used recycled paper.”
“I had you in mind when I bought it. Thanks for all your help today.”
“Anytime, roomie.”
She trekked across campus and I went back inside and up to the room. I plopped onto the bed, feeling exhausted, but hopeful. I was burnt out, and after a quick shower, I went to bed.
The next three days flew by super fast. In between classes and studying, I finished five more paintings for the exhibit. Cole was super supportive of my plan, and even asked to commission a personal portrait of himself and his dog to help. He had a prior commitment at his frat the same night as my art show, so he wouldn’t be able to attend, but I knew I’d be too busy to hang out with him anyway.
On Saturday morning, Colleen cheerfully helped me rearrange the furniture and display my artwork against the walls: charcoal drawings, watercolors, and oil paintings. Most of them were landscapes, although some depicted a faraway world of vivid imagination and colorful dreams. Then we setup a table with yummy finger foods, along with bottled waters and two-liter bottles of soda.
I texted Brooklyn because she was my Big and I told her about the exhibit, including my plans to donate all the money to charity. Her text back was a bit baffling. Just four words.
Brooklyn: Very generous of you.
Me: Will U come?
No reply.
Me: No pressure.
Nothing.
“You ready?” Vanessa asked, blinking her big round eyes at me. “I’ve got thirty bucks to spend on one of your masterpieces!”
Laughing, I slipped on the plastic ring Cole had given me, and we walked to the common room. My stomach was churning and I wrung my hands on my shirt. The room was overflowing with students from every dorm and Greek house on campus. Expect Zeta Beta.
Colleen beckoned to us from across the room. We made our way over to her and stood to one side as more people got off the elevators.
“Here,” Colleen thrust a wad of cash into my hands. “You weren’t here yet, so I collected the money. You sold six pieces within the first fifteen minutes.”
“That’s awesome!” Vanessa exclaimed. “I’ll catch up with you guys in a bit. I need to mingle and buy something before all the good ones are snatched up.”
Colleen and I exchanged a smile while Vanessa hurried off to welcome three newcomers from her club. They all wore bright green T-shirts with the logo “Recycle or Die” on them. The rest of afternoon sped by in a whirl of conversation and laughter and art. And I loved every minute of it.
Outside the windows, the sky was darkening, and so far, not one Zeta Beta had shown up. My art auction hadn’t even made a blip on the ZB social radar. The room had thinned and only a few students remained. My shoulders wilted and I slumped onto a chair. The day had started like the sweet melody of a bluebird, full of promise. Now it sat like a cold cup of coffee waiting to be poured down the drain.
The elevator doors dinged, then opened. I glanced up and my eyes widened.
Brooklyn strolled out with a Coach purse tucked under one arm. “Hey! Sorry I’m late.”
I walked over to her, and on impulse, I gave her a hug. “I’m so glad you came. I think I’ve raised over eight hundred dollars.”
“Really?” She nodded in approva
l. “If you were a Zeta Beta, we’d have to let you organize all of our fundraisers, you seem to excel at them. The last one we had was a dull carwash that only brought in a hundred bucks. It was beyond dismal.”
“I would love to do that.”
I followed behind her while she moved around the room, examining the artwork.
“These are really good, Serena. I had no idea you were so talented.”
“Art is like part of my DNA,” I joked. “The one outlet that makes me feel sane.” Which was all true. I hadn’t lied once tonight and it felt strangely nice. “Painting has always fascinated me. When I was nine, my mom took me to a gallery showcasing some awe-inspiring artwork by new artists. I remember wandering down the aisles, stopping in front of each piece to gaze up at it in amazement as if every painting told a unique story. My mom bought me my first set of watercolors that same day and I’ve been painting ever since.”
“I wish I was more creative, but I guess God had other plans for me.” Brooklyn faintly smiled. “Now sports are my passion.”
“Not modeling?”
She wrinkled her nose. “Nah. It’s just a cool way to make extra money for school.”
“Speaking of money. Tomorrow, I’m going to donate everything on the Zeta Beta’s behalf to the local shelter.”
She watched me closely. “I gotta hand it to you. This was a surefire way to get back in our good graces.”
“Well, it wasn’t the only reason. I’ve recently become interested in helping animals,” I said honestly.
“Look, Serena,” Brooklyn said, eyeing an enchanting watercolor of the lake that Cole had taken me to on our first official non-date. “I feel bad about trying to force you to get Professor Grossman fired.”
At least one of the Zeta Betas had a conscience.
“Why did you?”
She bit her lip and sighed. “It was Claire’s idea. A sort of test that she wanted the PNMs to take.”
“What kind of test?”
“It doesn’t matter now. And what you did today was mind-blowing. I’m gonna talk to Jade when I get back to the house and try to smooth things over.” She stepped closer to the painting. “I’ll take this one. It’s very serene.” Brooklyn removed a wallet from her purse and handed me two crisp one hundred dollar bills. “Can you have someone deliver it to Zeta Beta?”
“I’ll do it myself.”
“Great. I have to run. I’m on that midterms grind and I have to study at the library all weekend.” Brooklyn leaned down and air-kissed both of my cheeks. “See ya soon.” She got back on the elevator and waved goodbye.
I had done it. I’d exceeded at winning over Brooklyn and my art show had been a big hit. My thoughts were interrupted as my phone beeped with a new text message. I pulled my cell out of the front pocket of my jeans.
Cole: Sorry I couldn’t make it 2nite.
Me: That’s OK. I was busy.
Cole: Fraternity duty called, otherwise I would’ve come.
Me: I know. But it was better that U didn’t.
Cole: In case, the ZBs showed?
Me: Something like that.
Cole: How did it go?
Me: HUGE success!!!!
Cole: I knew it would be. I’m proud of U.
Me: U know what? I’m proud of me, too.
Cole: Call you tomorrow. Sweet dreams.
I shoved my cell back into my pocket and gazed around the room. Only four paintings remained. I twirled the ring on my finger and grinned. Everything would work itself out. For once things had gone my way.
Still…now was not the time to delude myself with optimism. The Greek gods seemed eternally against me for whatever reason. My life had become flipped horribly upside down by a series of ominous threats, nasty rumors, and even blackmail. And the only place I’d found solace was in the arms of the off-limits frat boy I should be avoiding.
But even with Cole’s good luck charm, bad things kept happening to me.
INFRACTION
After getting a summons from Jade a few days later, I threw on some clean clothes and made my way across campus to sorority row. The front door was unlocked when I arrived at Zeta Beta house. I paused in the foyer, where I spotted Brooklyn’s cousin, Amber.
“Hey!” Amber said. “You okay? You look kinda pale.”
“I’m fine. Just curious why we’re here.”
“Probably to chat about a fundraiser or something,” she said, her pearly whites nearly blinding me. “Incidentally, I heard about all the money you raised by selling off your artwork. That’s pretty amazing. Everyone at Zeta Beta was impressed. You may have outbid me.”
I smiled. “Maybe. But that wasn’t why I did it.”
Amber shrugged. “All’s far in the sorority wars.”
“I donated all the money in the Zeta Betas’s name the next day, but all I got was a thank you text from Jade.”
“What did you expect? An early bid? You’re lucky you got that.” Amber pointed to a note on the table near the vase I’d broken my first time in Zeta Beta house. “It says to go to the basement.”
I followed her downstairs where the other three pledges, Raven, Marisa, and Jenny stood talking.
We must be gathered to hear me publically humiliate myself. Guess I was supposed to de-pledge in a dank basement. But where was Zeta Beta trio? A horrid feeling of claustrophobia struck me. I just wanted to get this over with.
“What do they want now? A DNA sample? Or to pick up more of their damn dry cleaning?” Amber said, sitting in a huff on one of the dusty armchairs. “Pledge Hell is never gonna end.”
“Sheesh, you’re getting on my last nerve¸” Raven said, rolling her eyes. “We all have to do the same rituals. It’s a sorority tradition.”
The Zeta Beta trio regally descended the staircase and we all faced them.
Jade stepped forward, her expression pinched as she addressed the five of us. “We need to have a serious chat, ladies…” After a pause, Jade glanced at Brooklyn, and a dark unreadable look passed between them. “We’ve got a serious problem, and we think one of you will be able to help us clear up any confusion.”
Brooklyn crossed her arms, and Claire made eye contact with all the pledges, expect me.
Jade’s shoulders stiffened. “It has come to our attention that two girls, one pledging this sorority and another PNM over at Psi Theta, have both allegedly sent an email to their professors offering to trade sex for grades. Of course, both of these girls deny it. For now, we are inclined to believe them, and I’ve spoken with the Psi Theta president and we agree that something strange is going on, and neither of us wants to damage our chapter’s rep. So, we’re going to need someone in this room to confess immediately.”
Brooklyn moved beside Jade. “We’re pretty sure that it’s either a pledge that’s pulling this shitty prank or a sister from one of the sororities, but we’ll start with you guys.”
Amber’s lips parted and she let out a low scoff. “Who would do something like that?”
“And why two pledges from different sororities? It doesn’t make any sense,” Raven said.
Brooklyn’s gaze darted in her direction. “That’s why we’ve gathered you here tonight, to get to the bottom of this friggin’ mess and avoid it becoming a sorority witch-hunt.”
Jade stepped forward. “I promised the dean that we’d take care of this in-house. If whoever did this doesn’t confess tonight, we’ll consider letting the school board investigate, and that person will be expelled.”
No one said anything. The pledges glanced at each other silently. Claire flicked a glance in my direction like I was some big stinky pile of dog doo she’d just stepped in.
“Zeta Beta is about sisterhood, about strength,” Jade said and gazed around the room, driving her message home to every member of her audience. “And it’s about doing what’s right and putting forth the best image we can for our chapter.”
“We’ll give you ladies some time to think it over,” Claire said, then turned and went back upstair
s with Brooklyn and Jade.
Jenny ambled closer to me. “Hey, weren’t you the girl that the STD rumor was about?”
“No.”
“That’s not what I heard,” she said.
I rolled my eyes. “Are you serious?”
Jenny spoke slowly as if I was a dimwitted child. “Yeah, I’m friggin’ serious. Only some big slut would offer a professor sex.”
Oh, no, she didn’t!
I balled up my fists. “It’s not me. But thanks for asking.”
Before I went nuclear on her ass, Raven moved closer to us. “We know it was you, Jenny. You’ve already screwed most of the brothers in GAD.”
“Who I date is known of your damn business!” Jenny spat.
“It is when I’m trapped in a basement accused of sabotaging another pledge,” Raven shot back.
“I just thought I’d try to speed this process up, but whatever,” Jenny said.
Jenny strolled over to Marisa to probably accuse her next. Instead, she whispered something into Marisa’s ear, then the two girls turned to stare at me. Marisa elbowed Jenny, then they stalked across the room.
“Sooo,” Jenny said with one hand on her boney hip. “Besides that STD allegation, there are some other curious rumors floating around campus about you, Serena. And this whole thing has become so very trashy.” Her lips puckered like she’d eaten a sour lemon.
I was afraid to ask, but swallowed and did anyway. “Like what?”
“It seems there are a few conflicting reports on why you transferred to Beaumont,” Jenny said.
The other pledges stopped talking and moved closer to the three of us.
My heart sank. Crap, crap, crap. I couldn’t even remember which lies I’d told everyone. But to keep lying now would only make matters worse. Denial seemed a safer choice.
“Why do you care?” I asked.
Jenny sneered. “Because myself and the others pledging this chapter don’t want to see Zeta Beta’s reputation soiled.”
“Yeah,” Marisa said. “The only sophomore whose an art major with the initials S.D. is you, and that blurry photo featured with the article looks exactly like you. Then there’s the fact that you made up all these wild ass stories about why you came here, so why should we believe you?”
