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I sigh. Boys will be solid shits if you let them be. Soon, we’re waiting on the sidewalk, waiting for an Uber. I learned my lesson, trying to walk home the first time, though this will be an expensive solution if I ever come here again. The Uber shows up in less than five minutes, which is a relief as some guy on the porch starts begging for us to come back inside and keep him warm. Laughing at his insanity, we pile in quickly, and the car pulls off toward the campus.
“I didn’t want to stay for the after-party,” Wren reflects. “All the Thetas have left already or are leaving. So it’s a good idea to mimic whatever they do.”
Prisha nods. “Def. We don’t want a sleazy reputation. I’m sure the girls that do the walk of shame tomorrow aren’t getting into Theta.”
“They seem a little snobby,” Tracey says softly.
I jump in quickly to save her. “Actually, Helen spoke to me, and she’s okay. Very real, not a phony.”
Wren lunges toward me like she’s a freaking fangirl. “Helen Rowden spoke to you? She’s in charge of the Theta pledge drive.”
“Yeah,” I reply, refusing to get sucked in. “She seems nice.”
Prisha offers her opinion. “They must be thinking about you, Charlotte. You definitely want to watch what you do now. You better tell the dorm guys to back off. Tell them you want an alpha male.”
They all collapse into fits of laughter. I smirk, and the bad mood that had its grip on me eases up. “I only date Alphas,” I purr, flipping my hair, making them laugh harder.
“Your choice, Charlotte,” Wren adds, “We all are. This time next year, we’ll be living together in Theta house. We have everything Theta looks for. We aren’t trashy girls.”
Prisha lowers her voice. “Did you see the loud girl that was in the dining room with that obnoxious guy? She has an OnlyFriends account.”
Their eyes widen, eager for dirt, while my heart halts. I hold my face motionless, as if the wrong expression could give my dirty secret away. My gaze sticks to our shoes while Tracey asks to hear more.
Prisha continues with a fiendish smile. “Well, that girl hangs out at all the frats, and when she’s totally wasted, she’ll strip for them. Her friend films it. It’s disgusting to do that in a room full of drunk men. You can imagine what happens after.”
“And she shows her face,” adds Wren. “Like it’s perfectly normal to be a paid slut.”
They all laugh, and I have to join in. “I wonder why anyone would do that?” I ask innocently.
Prisha shrugs, losing interest. “It’s probably to buy books. I thought I was going to have to dip into my trust.”
“The cost is ridiculous,” Wren states absolutely. “I’ve had to call home already. My mother accused me of buying clothes. I had to take pictures of my books to convince her.”
“I get why some people would have to do it.” Prisha scoffs, then shakes her head. “But I would never do it.”
I don’t speak again. And I’m so happy when the school gates come into view. Unlike Stonehaven, the driver can enter the campus using the wide blacktop drive until we’re almost at our dorm. A metal barricade is at the end of the drive, and a chain is up between the two yellow poles. We get out of the car and immediately head into the dorm, splitting off to our rooms after saying quick goodbyes. I really want to crawl into my bed and pretend I never did the things I did.
Chapter 23
Charlotte
There’s a soft tap on my door, and then I hear my name. Instantly, my heart races in my chest as if it’s a car speeding out of control. I’m not going to live in fear of answering a locked door, but I creep toward it anyway. “Who is it?” I ask.
“It’s me...Tracey,” replies a muffled voice. “Can I come in?”
My body calms as if a switch has been flipped, and I unlock the door, then open it wide. Standing in her pajamas in the hallway, Tracey looks as anxious as I feel. I step to the side, holding the door open wider. She looks around before stepping in, checking out my room with a sweeping glance. Thankfully, the ring is stored in the bottom of my closet. She walks over to the chair and sits down while I sit down in the middle of my bed.
She shifts in the seat and then shyly meets my gaze. “I didn’t want to say anything in the car.”
Oh shit, she must know. Why else would she be acting so cagey? I guess she wanted to confront me alone. But why? It’s not really her business what I do. My mind races around, seeking excuses.
“I made out with him,” she whispers, and then her lips gently curl into a shy smile. “I didn’t want to tell them. But we made out, and it felt wonderful.” She giggles. “I let him put his hand up my shirt.”
I start giggling too. More from relief than anything else. “He is good-looking.”
“He’s freaking hot,” she squeals. “I thought I was going to melt when he asked me to dance. I had a boyfriend in high school, but Sam is in his own league...” She waves her hand in front of her face as if she’s lowering her body temperature. “High school was lame and awkward compared to this. We’re going on a date next Friday.”
“How far do you think you’ll go?” I ask, lifting a brow. “You don’t want to risk not becoming a Theta.”
