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“And between every toxic love story between the immortal and the object of his fascination, the mortal always has the most to lose.”
* * *
I hadthe most to lose. In that, Aubrey was right. I blocked her number the moment she stalked out of my room, downing the vodka she left behind in the meantime. It stung, and I wondered if it was intentional. Vodka instead of wine as some kind of subtle, irritating punishment. Her words plagued me the most, in the deepest part of my mind, because I knew she was right.
So, I threw myself back into my first goal in this university: school.
I didn’t like to think or ponder about my problems. The secret to my 4.0 at school? When I felt overwhelmed, I worked through my emotions by being productive, not by facing my feelings. If I kept myself busy and booked enough, I never had to feel anything at all.
My mind was a horrible place to be, and I did everything in my power to stay out of it.
Besides school, House recruitment was winding up. Rose House invited pledges for a simple dinner at their home for the final round. Eager for the distraction, I RSVP’d.
“This is an optional, low-stakes invitation. Please come as you are :)”read the invitation.
Low-stakes, easy, relaxing. That was what I wanted right now.
They had decked their entire House in roses. Glowing pink roses lined the doors to the entryway. A carpet of red roses coated the entrance. An active member with bleached white hair, who introduced herself as Daisy, led me to a velvet chair on a long dinner table loaded with plates. Among the feast set out, little white roses served as magic, self-cleaning napkins.
“Please, eat,” the house chef insisted, a thicker woman with a colorful apron. She came out solely to address us. “No traps here.”
The food was divine. Savory, sweet, and heavenly—it made me feel genuinely full for the first time on campus.
President Wisteria came personally to talk to me. She surprised me by pulling me in for a hug. “I’m so glad you’re here, Luna.” Her face was genuine. “You are welcome to socialize with the actives here. They’re glad you’re here, too.”
I spent most of my time, however, chatting with the other girls my age. I was unfamiliar with many names since I hadn’t seen any of them in other Houses. It seemed a pretty even mix of those faking happiness because this House was their consolation prize and those that were genuinely happy to be here. An interesting dichotomy.
Cordelia was also here but seated away from me at the table's edge. When I beckoned her over, she waved me off mid-conversation. Another time then. I wanted to know why she was here when she was so young. Now that I’d ruined my relationship with Aubrey, she was all I had left.
I eavesdropped on some of the active’s conversations as I ate. Unlike past rounds, where potential new members were paired off one new member to one active, I was now surrounded by a semicircle of older girls.
“Why did you decide to buy The Oracle Musing’s merch?” a brunette with a McKenna name tag asked across the table.
“It’s cute!” Daisy spun herself off her seat. “It’s got the insignia of every House on it! All House love!”
“She only did that so more House girls would buy it!” McKenna snorted.
“Why would she aim her personal merchandise at House girls?” A blonde named Cassie asked.
“Because she knows we’re all gossipy, two-faced bitches who love to know the tea!” McKenna near-shouted. The actives collapsed into laughter beside me.
I was taken aback by how at ease they were. They weren’t even trying to impress me. Just having a conversation. Every so often, they would ask my opinion of something. It bewildered me every time. They spoke to me as if we were already old friends.
I felt a pang of sadness upon leaving.
I had to leave early to get to Fae House. They didn't bother to check the double booking because it was unusual for a new member to be invited to both top and bottom Houses.
The house mom snuck a pastry, wrapped in a to-go box, in my purse when I left. I munched on it while I went over to Fae house. No eating could happen there.
I walked alone to that House, adding jewelry as I went. Their house was exactly as I remembered. Enchanted, magic-spun, whimsical.
Many of them flexed their ears to tea-sipping potential new members, while berating those that had been dropped. Eating macarons with them, I saw what my future could be.
Dainty and delicate as their pointed ears, yet sharp enough to cut a threat to shreds.
Their garden party passed in a blur, and the next day, I redressed myself in finery for Angel House.
Angel House prepared their entire house in shades of white and black. The theme was film noir, and we chatted over silent movies while classical instruments played. It was a safe and regal affair. I felt bored the whole time, which disappointed me. Although lovely and classic, I ached for more.
