Skyler
I can’t stop smiling in the limo ride to Ralph’s. Somehow, I landed Cassie as my Little. I’ve known all week – found out on Tuesday and have been showering her with gifts and clues ever since – but tonight was the night she found out, and it was priceless.
“Did you really not have a clue that it was me?”
“Well, I hoped it was, but all your clues threw me off!” she says, giggling. “You said you had blonde hair and you were a Poli Sci major. I thought it was Jess at one point.”
“Well I wanted it to be a surprise!”
“It definitely was,” she says, still smiling.
Our limo is packed with ten other girls.
It’s tradition after Big/Little reveal that all KKB sisters convene at Ralph’s, a dirty, old bar just off campus that’s been around longer than the library.
Most of the new Big/Little pairs take limos just for fun.
It’s cheesy and kind of lame, but it’s tradition.
“Hey,” I say, touching Cassie’s shoulder when I notice her smile slip. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing,” she tries, shaking her head. I give her a pointed look and she sighs. “I don’t know. I’m so happy, Skyler. I am. I was freaking out thinking you weren’t my Big but you are and now we’re going out and it’s going to be so much fun. But…”
“You’re thinking about Paris, aren’t you?”
Cassie frowns. “She’s changed so much already, Skyler. She’s always been a little… refined, I guess. But now she’s getting snobby. And mean. And it’s like now that we’re not in the same sorority, she doesn’t think it’s fit for us to hang out. Like, ever. I don’t understand it.”
I really want to punch this Paris chick right in the left tit, but for now, I need to make Cassie feel better, so I put on my happy face.
“Listen, she’s just going through the growing pains.
College changes people in a lot of ways.
I know sisters who have plenty of friends outside of the sorority and friends in other sororities, too.
If Paris is saying that’s why she can’t be friends with you, she’s using it as an excuse for something she’s been thinking for a while now. ”
Cassie’s frown deepens and I realize that probably didn’t make her feel better at all. Cool. Great job, Skyler.
“But do you remember what I said when we first met? By the fountain?” I ask and Cassie nods. “Well, it’s still true. Your time in KKB is just beginning, but just know you’ve got an army of sisters on your side and we all want to get to know you better and form a lifelong friendship with you.”
She smiles at that. “I know. I’m excited. And you’re my Big!”
I squeeze her in a tight hug. “Hey.” I pull back, assessing her. “Did I ever tell you the stories behind some of the girls’ nicknames?” Cassie shakes her head no. “Well, I just realized we probably sound completely crazy to you, huh?”
She giggles. “Sometimes. It’s kind of hard to follow.”
“Well, let me clear it up. So, Ex is short for Erin Xander. Also, it’s kind of an inside joke between the other girls and I that she’s always someone’s ex, never someone’s girlfriend.
We’re still not sure how that happens.” Cassie laughs and I join her a bit before continuing.
“Lei’s is easy, it’s just the second half of her name.
Everyone has always called her Ash and she bitches about it, so we call her Lei to get her to shut up. ”
Cassie chuckles again and I see the worry start to truly fade. “I like that. Kind of like how they call you Sky.”
“Right,” I agree. “It’s just a shorter version of our names.
J-Love’s is the most fun, I think. It’s kind of like J-Lo, but J-Love.
It started because she used to say she was in love with every guy she hooked up with.
Now, it’s just because she’s a heartbreaker.
That girl is always hooking up with all kinds of hotties on campus and making them fall in love with her.
Man eater, that one is.” I smile, shaking my head.
“I try to keep up with her and give her a run for her money, but it’s tough. ”
“What does Bo stand for?”
“Oh, that’s her actual name. It’s Chinese for precious, I think.”
“Neat.” She pauses. “What do you think my nickname will be?”
I look up toward the neon ceiling of the limo, contemplating. “Well, you’ll be Little Nug to me. That’s all I really know right now. But who knows, maybe you’ll get a nickname from the girls, too.”
“I like Little Nug.”
I smile just as the limo pulls to a stop in front of Ralph’s. “Me too. Now let your new Big buy you a drink!”
“Um,” she stammers, wrapping her fingers in her wild red hair. “I’m not twenty-one.”
“Neither am I,” I say with a wink. “Not yet. But, according to these…” I trail off, pulling two fake IDs from my purse. “I’m twenty-two and you just turned twenty-one last week. Happy birthday!”
We both laugh together as we file out of the limo and into Ralph’s. The bouncer checks our IDs with a smirk and I’m pretty sure he knows they’re fake, but he lets us in anyway and slaps neon green wristbands on our arms. Perks of being in a college town.
We meet up with Jess, Bo, Ashlei, and Erin at the bar.
Jess is still a little sour about Bo not taking a Little, but she apologized to her earlier this week and they’re trying to work on building their relationship before adding another sister to their line.
I actually kind of think it’s smart. Erin and I are pretty close, and Cassie seems like the perfect addition to the family.
They haven’t had much one-on-one time yet, but that’s mostly because Erin is insanely busy.
With the way Cassie is showing interest in school already, I have a feeling they’ll have that in common, soon.
Jess and I exchange glances and devious smiles when Matt shows up with Clinton and a few more of their brothers.
We found out earlier today that we’re officially eskimo sisters – meaning we shacked up with the same guy.
Although, luckily, neither of us have any hard feelings.
He was a distraction for me and he figured that out when I showed up wearing green to their stoplight party.
Jess feels the same way – though she did mention he may be distracting her again in the near future.
Adam Brooks slides up to the bar right between Cassie and I just as we finish our fifth game of flip cup. His dark eyes are hooded from his buzz and he grins goofily at each of us. “Well if it isn’t the slip-n-slide sisters.”
“Wow,” I turn to face him completely, bringing my drink with me. “I like our reputation already, Little.”
Adam’s brows shoot up. “Little?” He looks from me to Cassie and back again. “Well hot damn. Congrats, ladies.”
“I guess that means you should buy us a shot, right?” I ask as Cassie blushes and tucks her hair behind her ear. She’s so innocent and cute. Dear Lord, help her with being my Little.
“You know what,” he says, leaning up with a grin. “You are absolutely right.”
He orders us three lemon drops and we throw them back and talk between more games of flip cup. My buzz is pretty strong now and the more I see his little dimple, the closer I lean in.
“You girls should come to the A-Sig concert next month.”
I cock a brow. “Oh yeah? No offense, but Alpha Sigma events are usually pretty lame.”
“Yeah well,” he says, tilting his drink back. “I’m going to change all that this year.” He throws a wink at Cassie and I can’t help but smile. This kid is cute.
“What do you think, Little Nug? Should we go?”
Cassie’s grin grows wider. “Well it wouldn’t be a party without the slip-n-slide sisters, would it?”
Adam points two fingers in her direction. “She’s got a point.”
“I guess it’s settled then. But, I do have one condition.”
“Oh?” Adam asks, amused.
“Dance with me.” I don’t give him the chance to reply before I pull him out onto the packed dance floor, sticky with spilt liquor. Throwing my arms around his neck, I move my body against his in time with the heavy bass of the music.
After a few songs, I lean in and speak over the music. “So, you’re changing Alpha Sigma’s reputation, huh?”
“That’s the plan. As long as my douchebag president stays out of the way.”
I smile, my lips grazing his neck just a fraction. “Better be careful messing with the man in charge.”
He shrugs, pulling back to catch my eyes with his. “What can I say? I like a challenge.”
I return his grin and just like that, there’s a new player at the table.