“I need a favor,” she says against my lips.
Chapter Two
Jemma
My stomach clenches in nervous anticipation of our next team-building assignment. It’s creepy quiet in the house. None of the girls at my sides appear to be breathing. Their backs are straight, hands at their sides, just as terrified as me.
Abby flashes a wicked smile at my pledge class. “Ladies, I have another mission for you.”
My older sister stands next to Abby Gale, the Kappa Delta president. Jordan beams with excitement, her smile so bright it should put me at ease. But it doesn’t.
Jordan glances in my direction, her eyes the same mossy green as mine. We’re separated by one year and have our mother’s red hair and pale skin. She gives me a look that says good luck, and nerves bubble up inside my chest.
“I know some of you think we’re making you do these things to embarrass you,” Abby says. “But I promise that’s not the case. All of us went through the same thing when we were pledges. These exercises will help you bond with each other and teach you how to work together.”
Abby tucks a loose curl behind her ear and clears her throat. “At noon sharp, we’re having a scavenger hunt, ladies. You’ll start on Greek Row and end at the Quad. Don’t let anyone fall behind, or all of you fail the mission.”
A few girls echo their dissatisfaction. I don’t make a sound. What’s the point? Our tasks so far have been pointless, and this one is no different.
I transferred to Strickland University in my junior year to make new friends and try new things. But this isn’t what I had in mind when my sister begged me to join our mother’s sorority.
After Abby finishes her speech, Jordan pulls me aside.
“Don’t worry, Jem. You got this.”
I lean into her and whisper, “How much more of this do we have to endure?”
“Not much.” Jordan cups my shoulder and gives it a reassuring squeeze. “I promise.”
“I hope so.”
“Try not to overthink it and have fun. Remember why you transferred to Strick U.”
I bite the inside of my cheek and nod.
Three hours later, I haul ass through the Quad with my pledge class. Sweat slides down my forehead, and my clothes stick to my body. My hair is matted to my forehead. I look like a wet animal and probably smell like one, too.
Starting at the fraternity houses, we had to collect random items on our scavenger hunt list. We worked as a team, some items more challenging than others. It was easy getting guys to hand over dumb shit like Magnum condoms and boxer briefs. Stealing—borrowing—one of the fraternity’s mascots was more of an issue, but we made a deal with the brothers.
I run across the grass next to Zoe and Riley, the two girls I have bonded with most in my pledge class. They laugh and point at guys across the lawn from us. We must take a selfie with a hot guy for our final task. Bonus points if he’s popular or plays a sport.
Buildings surround us on four sides, boasting a massive water fountain at the courtyard’s center. The Quad is a popular hangout for a lot of students. The building to my right has a large placard that reads Penn Hall, and to my left, Jefferson Hall, respectively, the junior and senior dormitories.
I live in Penn Hall. But I have spent little time there since I accepted my bid. Between school and sorority duties, I hardly sleep. I eat between breaks or on my way to class. The last month has been a nonstop rollercoaster of coordinated events.
Jordan waits with our sorority sisters by Jefferson Hall, their eyes burning a hole through us from across the lawn. The Quad is bustling at this hour, packed with at least a hundred students hurrying along the walkways to their next class. Others are lounging on the grass while some shirtless guys are playing football. Organizations set up booths on one side of the lawn, where students hand out flyers.
Running alongside fourteen other girls, I focus on the task. And I find my target. I lock eyes with a tall, gorgeous man with muscles for days. He smiles at me, and I take that as my cue.
I stop in front of him, my lips inches from his. “I need a favor.”
His beautiful blue eyes travel over the length of my body. “What’s in it for me, Red?”
“Red?” I clench my teeth. “Don’t call me that.”
He twists a lock of my hair between his fingers. “Beautiful. How about that?”
The most gorgeous man I’ve ever seen thinks I’m beautiful. Okay, maybe I hate him a little less than I did a few seconds ago. But I’m not cool with anyone calling me Red.