Chapter Two
LEONA
“Or should I say welcome to Emily Dickinson House!”
The brown-haired girl beckons me and I stand up.
I’m surprised when she hugs me tightly. Maybe this won’t be so bad after all.
Maybe I can be friends with this girl. Over her shoulder, I see another girl, smiling as well.
She is also very glamorous, dressed in a body-hugging blue dress with super long nails and super high heels.
“I’m Erin. Erin Coates,” the hugger says, releasing me and stepping back. “And this is Laurel Benson.”
Laurel gives me a little wave and another big smile, but she doesn’t get a word in before Erin begins talking again.
“It’s so good to finally meet you, Leona.
I think it’s so brave of you to be joining us after the term has already started.
Lots of girls would be put off by the thought that everyone has already teamed up, but obviously not you.
I think that means you’re not the type of person who is driven to fit in just anywhere.
I know you are selective, as you’re here with us, the crème de la crème.
“ She bursts out laughing, whereas Laurel just rolls her eyes and grins.
“In another ten minutes, you should know all about us,” she says with a fond look at Erin, who seems to be pausing only to take a breath.
Erin mock-punches Laurel on the arm. “Hell, I’m just giving the girl some much needed catch-up,” she says.
“You’ve picked a great week to start at Warwick…
,” she continues, “… because it’s Derby Days this week.
That means there is a lot going on. It also means that the houses — that’s what we call sororities and frats here — do lots for charity and to help the college.
You know, like sponsored activities or cleanups in the college grounds.
That type of thing. It’s also a great way of settling into your house, although of course you are allowed to change houses right up until the end of the week. ”
“Oh, I didn’t know that,” I say, surprised at the last comment.
“Well yes, some houses do offer the chance to join them as well. It’s usually the top ones, where they want to attract students who have shaped up better than their applications looked at first. It’s a way of creaming off the best students, if you ask me.
Anyway, there are also late starters like yourself, who houses might want. ”
I’m not sure I want to change houses, at all. Although I was allocated to Emily Dickinson by chance, I’m already impressed by the open and friendly welcome I am receiving. These girls don’t even know me, but seem prepared to welcome me at face value. That’s sort of the fresh slate I’m looking for.
“There is a big sports challenge today, if you like sporty things, and that comes with the added incentive that the top three winners get asked to join Valens House. They’re the top house here at Warwick.
They are supposed to be co-ed…” Erin continues “… but so far there are only boys there. The president is a real jock asshole called Zander Morrell.”
“Jock asshole is one way of putting it.” Laurel chips in in a slow drawl. “I’ve heard the man is a borderline sociopath, maybe even a psychopath; one of those ‘-paths’ anyway. He is someone you either love or hate, and someone you never want to cross.“ Her expression suddenly turns serious.
“Oh Laurel, don’t go frightening our girl off the place already,” Erin remonstrates. “Whether it’s true or not, you cannot deny the man is sex on legs!” Her mouth twists with something half-said. “Though yeah, there is something about him…”
“Oh God, just stop, Erin.” Laurel is rolling her eyes already. “The college also has about 21,999 other students as well, who Leona might like to meet sometime.”
Erin smiles sheepishly. “Sorry,” she concedes. “You’re right.”
“So, what else? Ah yes, there is a quiz in the library, if you’re the academic type.”
“Well, I do love sports,” I say, “and I was into a lot of different sports at high school. In fact, I am planning to become a sports reporter or writer.”
“Weren’t you the captain of a school and state team?” asks Laurel. “I can’t put my finger on it, but I want to say it was an unusual sport.”
I feel the chill of a possible judgment on my skin. “Yes, that’s right, boxing,” I say, brightening my voice to make it sound like a less unusual sport.
“Wow, boxing! That’s great,” says Erin, and I can tell she means it. “You look great for someone who boxed,” she adds. “I guess that means you won all your matches.”
“Pretty much,” I reply in a matter of fact way, but with a smile.
Actually, it was all my matches. Once I got into that ring, I was either going to win or they were going to have to take me out on a stretcher.
I loved the feeling of power boxing gave me; power over my own body and over my opponent.
It was as psychological a sport as it was physical and I reveled in the moment when my opponent realized that I seemed immune to pain and that I was more than willing to push the match to the limit to triumph over her.
That usually cinched it for me, before I’d even blinked.
Kids at school knew Leona the loner would rip you to pieces if you looked at her wrong.
The loner, who didn’t date, as boys were afraid I might attack them on a whim.
It was stupid and puerile. In fact, it only annoyed me because I sort of suspected some of it was true.
I didn’t care for high school popularity rituals and so I didn’t engage in them.
I didn’t date because I wasn’t interested in the movie-promised and party foreplay that was followed by vanilla college-boy sex, and which everyone else raved over.
I always wanted something darker and more dangerous. Sometimes I fantasized that they let me fight boys and then I got to fuck the ones that beat me… I pause that memory — that version of Leona will definitely not be attending this college.
“Maybe I could try out for that sports challenge, just to meet a few other sporty types,” I say optimistically. “Not that I think I want to swap houses, anyway.”
“That’s the spirit!” Erin actually claps her hands together in pleasure.
“And… well, tonight, there’s a big party over at Valens House, anyway.
” She looks at Laurel with an apologetic grin for bringing up the subject of Valens again.
“Their parties are always legendary,” she adds.
“Whatever you do this afternoon you must come to the party with us. It’ll be a good way for you to get to see who else is on campus. ”
“One thing at a time, OK?” says Laurel; ever the voice of reason, it seems. “Let’s get Leona settled in and then we can take her over to Valens’ playing field, to sign up for that sports challenge.
We can tell her all about the party, if she has any energy left after whatever Valens have cooked up for this year. ”