A LOT OF EXPLAINING TO DO #2
Well, I was busy being passed out. And I didn’t have my phone. I’m okay, but it could have so easily gone the other way. I’m not excusing Angelica or Dougie; I’m only grateful that my life wasn’t ruined by that one night.
There’s a heavy silence in the room. Then Jordan breaks in. Not to be nosey, but do you know exactly who on the hockey team rescued you?
Well, I didn’t actually see them, but I was told it was Viktor, Antoine C?té, Jack Sinclair, and Roy Matsumoto. Which reminds me that I still need to thank Jack and Roy.
Jordan coos, Oh my god. Only the four hottest guys on the team.
I can’t help but laugh at her reaction. As if it matters who rescued me when I was unconscious. But my laughter breaks the tension, and the others join in.
Then Jordan adds, It was really nice of Vik to look after you last night and this morning. Do you think that maybe he does like you?
I must put an end to this whole revenge scheme. Before he dropped me at my residence this afternoon, he reiterated that nothing would ever happen between us and I needed to get over ‘my big crush.’ I make finger quotes. Honestly, the past three days have been the most humiliating of my life.
Des moves to the arm of the sofa beside me. Evie, obviously last night was nothing we would have imagined happening in a million years. But you’ve done everything we’ve asked. I really think that you’re Alpha Z material, and I’m going to make sure you get a bid this week.
I have to admit, this invitation is not as satisfying as I anticipated.
Yes, I’m happy to get this opportunity, but my new look and my new friends are not what I anticipated.
Mia is lovely, and Jordan, Des, and all the freshman pledges are nice, but I don’t feel that sense of belonging that I’d hoped for.
Maybe if Angelica had looked out for me last night, I’d feel like I was valued.
But instead I had to depend on the kindness of Viktor and his friends, all strangers.
I look down at the flower patterns on the rug. I’m kind of wondering if Alpha Zeta Mu is the right place for me.
Des stares. What do you mean? Everyone wants to join our sorority.
The thing is, you’re all so confident and pretty. But you’ve been like that for years. Everything’s new to me, and when I let myself think about what might have happened, last night was pretty scary.
Mia pats my shoulder. I go on.
Of course, I’ll learn how to handle these things eventually. But being in a sorority that’s known for having the most popular women may not be the right fit for someone like me.
That’s what we’re here for, to help and guide you. Des’s pitch sounds exactly like my first rush day here.
But we haven’t done a great job of that, have we? Mia interjects. We encouraged Evie to do something she wasn’t comfortable with, just so she could get in. And then when she told us she had failed with Viktor, we made her try again. That doesn’t sound like the kind of big sister you can trust.
Jordan’s eyebrows rise in shock, but Des doesn’t get mad at Mia. Instead, she lets out a huge sigh.
This whole revenge thing was stupid, wasn’t it?
I was so angry at Viktor that all I wanted was for him to get a taste of his own medicine.
But hearing about how he rescued Evie made me remember what a great guy he can be.
He broke up a fight at party we were at.
And another time, he helped this drunken freshman get home after she passed out on the sidewalk.
That heroic quality was one of the things I really liked about him.
Hearing that further convinces me that Viktor could never care for me. I’m just another in his long list of good deeds.
Des puts a hand on my other shoulder. If I haven’t made this clear, we’d like you to join our sorority because you will enhance it.
You’re smart, hard-working, and yes, beautiful.
And look how poised you are after what happened.
Most freshmen would have completely fallen apart.
She takes a deep breath. This whole Revenge Squad was my worst idea ever.
Alexa and Mia tried to talk me out of it. Ugh.
So, nothing’s going to happen to Viktor, right? I remember how sad he sounded after his phone call this morning, and I’d like to help him in return for all he’s done.
No, it was stupid to begin with. Des raises her right hand. I’m officially disbanding the Revenge Squad. Thanks, everyone, for your efforts, but maybe we were lucky that it didn’t work out after all.
Yeah, the karma would have been terrible, agrees Jordan.
Mia smiles. But look, we got Evie out of it.
Des nods. I’ll talk to the executive committee, and you’ll get your invitation this week. You can decide what you want to do, but I really hope you’ll join.
If you do, I’m hoping to be your big sister, Mia adds.
And for the first time, I do feel welcomed here. Thanks for all your reassurances. I would like to join.
Mia walks me to the door, and I turn to face her. She’s been the most authentic person here, from the way she helped me to her doubts about what we were doing to Viktor. Mia is proof that beauty comes from within.
I want to tell you how much I appreciate everything you did for me. I really love my new appearance, but I’m going to tone down the sexy parts.
Of course! I could tell you weren’t comfortable in that mini-skirt.
And that’s something you have to watch out for.
Guys can tell when you’re not feeling confident and that’s when the scummy ones prey on you.
She scrunches her nose. That doesn’t sound like victim-blaming, does it? I’m just trying to pass on some advice.
I lean forward and hug her. You give the best advice—for fashion and life.
She squeezes me back hard. I have another new friend and my dream sorority. Maybe my Monarch life is finally turning into everything I hoped for. I calculate the time in Moscow to see when I can phone my mother with the good news.