I spendthe next several days obsessing about Jason and Leo in equal measure. I know the former is alright now, but I’ve yet to close my eyes at night and not see his contorted face. And Leo? Well, let’s just say that was the most bizarre conversation I’ve ever had with a guy. It started out normal. What’s your name? What’s your major? But next thing I knew, he was asking me if I had visions. And what is it he called me? Sentient? Of course I’m sentient. I’m a person, not a toaster.
I have a sociology paper due in two days and I’ve been so out of sorts, I’ve hardly written a word. On top of that, tonight is the Kappa Phi Theta open house. I’ve considered bailing out, especially because they’re not a sorority that interests me, but there’s no way I can do that to Liv. Last year, she and I were nothing but strangers trying our luck with the roommate lottery, yet we bonded right away and now we’re nearly inseparable. Best friends. She’s been looking forward to this open house for weeks and she insists she needs me to go, too. According to her, I have the right look for KPT, whatever that means. She’s so strikingly beautiful that I fade into the background whenshe’s beside me. I’d say that’s why she wants me with her, but Liv isn’t like that.
The other reason I need to go tonight? Mom. Now that I’m a sophomore and eligible to join a sorority, she’s been nagging me every chance she gets. In fact, last weekend when I talked to her on the phone, she asked, yet again, if I’d gone to any Rush events.
“No, Mom. Official Rush doesn’t start until January.”
“But there’re parties, aren’t there?”
“Yeah. Sort of. Open houses.” No matter how many times I’ve tried to explain to Mom that Rush is different here than it was at the big state school she attended, I can’t penetrate her thick skull.
“Go to those. They’re important. I was already a Tri-Delt long before I was officially a Tri-Delt.”
Thank god there’s no Delta Delta Delta chapter here at Brownhill. The last thing I need is to join my mother’s sorority, no matter how great it may be.
“Going to one next week.”
“Oh good. That’s my girl.”
Annoying as she is, Mom’s right that going to a sorority open house is a strategic move. If you make a good impression with the sisters, they’ll remember you come Rush. Of course, if you bomb at an open house, there’s no way they’ll bid on you in January—even if, in the meantime, you win the Nobel Prize, Miss Universe, and American Idol.
As Liv and I dress to go to KPT, she frowns skeptically at the pantyhose she’s unpackaged. “I hate these things. They’re so minuscule. How am I supposed to get my huge ham hocks into these?”
“Your hocks aren’t huge,” I assure her as I slide my arms into the blazer she lent me, the satin lining cool against my skin. I’m not a jacket kind of girl, but I agree that it’s more appropriate for KPT’s “wine and cheese” than my usual hoodie and leggings.
Once Liv has twisted herself into the pantyhose and deemed my hair acceptable, we cross the hall to pick up Caitlyn and Alyssa, two other sorority hopefuls, and set out for the short walk to the KPThouse. It’s dark and cold out, but for once it’s not windy—a rarity in the mountains.
Our dressy shoes clip-clop on the sidewalk as we leave campus and turn onto a downtown side street. Alderford is such a small town that if it weren’t for Brownhill College, it probably wouldn’t qualify to be on a map. But it’s quaint and safe and easy to get around on foot. I don’t even have time to get chilled before we arrive at KPT, where we’re welcomed by yellow and pink balloons tied to the mailbox with curling ribbon. Fairy lights line the front bay window, and topiaries stand guard on each side of the open front door.
As soon as I enter, I’m struck by the difference between a sorority house and a fraternity house. Since I started going out with Zander last winter, I’ve practically lived at the O-Chi house, at least on the weekends. And in that time, I’ve become intimate with its sticky floors, dust bunnies, battered furniture, and rancid smell. Maybe once a month someone will clean the kitchen and bathrooms, but I’ve never seen any of the brothers use a vacuum.
The KPT house, on the other hand, smells like bubble bath, flowers, and expensive perfume. There are actual lamps in the living room, not those cheap halogen things that stand on the floor, and—wonder of wonders—the sofas match. The sisters are as lovely and elegant as the decor, all refined manners and beauty-pageant smiles. Impressive, considering I’ve seen several of them at parties, just as drunk and rumpled as the rest of us.
At the refreshment table, I go straight for the wine and ignore the cheese while Liv nibbles on some crackers. As we circle the dining room table, I peer into the kitchen. I’m not sure why, but I half expect to see Leo in there, leaning against the counter and watching us all parade by. I’m also not sure why, when I don’t see him, I’m disappointed. I’ll hedge my bets he’ll be at the next O-Chi party, though. Whatever his business is with me, he’s not through yet. And since I’m half-fascinated, half-terrified by him, the thought leaves me alltangled up inside.
Caitlyn and Alyssa have disappeared, but I stick by Liv’s side. I’m here more for her than for myself, so I don’t bother to start any conversations with the sisters. Nevertheless, it seems like they all want to start conversations with me. Lara, a girl I’ve seen at a few O-Chi parties, greets us and, after barely sparing a glance at Liv, says to me, “You’re Betts Peterson, aren’t you?”
“Yeah?”
“Aren’t you going out with Zander O’Leary?”
“Yeah.”
“Omigod, he’s sooo hot.”
Like I’m going to disagree.
“Peyton!” She beckons to a movie-star blond. “Come and meet Betts. She’s Zander O’Leary’s girlfriend.”
“Oh, yeah.” Peyton smiles at me. “I’ve seen you before.”
She’s been at the O-Chi house quite a lot lately, but I’ve never had a conversation with her. Probably because whenever I see her, she’s stumbling up the stairs in the wee hours with Braden. Or slipping discreetly out of his room in the morning.
I link an arm through Liv’s. “Have you met Olivia Shah? She’s my best friend and roommate.”
Peyton and Lara’s eyes dart to Liv. Peyton seems impressed by Liv’s beauty, but Lara can’t be waylaid. “How did you meet Zander?” she asks me, but before I can answer she squeals, “You have got to be the cutest couple at Brownhill! Look at your eyes. Look at her eyes, Peyton. Aren’t they pretty? You’re a natural blond, aren’t you? I’m so jealous.”
Jealous? She’s a Jessica Rabbit redhead. Why would she be jealous of me?
