Summer
Even though the sky had gone crazy last night, classes still went on as normal.
At lunchtime, I walked to the building across the dining hall and walked down the steps to the off-campus student lounge.
It always smelled musty, and the furniture was decades old.
It was nowhere near as bright and airy as the other buildings on campus—like the lounge in itself was trying to say that scholarship students didn’t belong at an expensive private college.
A few of my acquaintances were huddled around the TV, watching news coverage on the Northern Lights.
The lights had happened across the half of the world where it had been nighttime. Scientists were baffled, and conspiracy groups were continuing to go nuts with their theories.
But instead of joining the group by the TV, I walked to one of the study tables at the other side of the room and started chowing down on the sandwich I’d brought from home, wanting to be finished eating before Trent arrived for our tutoring session.
“Summer Donovan,” someone said from behind me.
I put the remaining half of my sandwich down at the sound of my name, then turned around and saw none other than the president of Kappa Kappa Beta—Courtney herself.
She was petite, and her blond hair was so perfectly curled that she’d probably spent an hour on it before going to her first class.
Instead of a backpack, she carried a black Chanel bag just big enough to fit her laptop.
Her expression was totally neutral and un-readable.
“Hi.” I squirmed a bit in my chair, ready for her to question me about my time with Trent.
It’s going to be okay, I told myself. Nothing’s going on with Trent. I’ll be honest with her, and then she’ll leave.
Before I could continue my over-thinking, she pasted a friendly smile onto her face. “I know Trent has his session in ten minutes, so I’ll make this quick,” she said. “Rush week just ended, and I didn’t see you there.”
“You mean sorority rush?” I asked.
“Of course!” She laughed, as if the question was ridiculous.
Had the Northern Lights sent me into some alternate universe where Courtney cared if I attended sorority rush week or not?
I didn’t really think that, but that was how crazy it was that she was asking me this.
“You didn’t see me there because I’m not rushing a sorority,” I said slowly.
She squared her shoulders and widened her smile. “Well, I think you’d be a great fit for Kappa,” she said. “Which is why I came here—to invite you to have dinner with us tonight so the girls can meet you and see if we want to offer you a snap bid!”
I stared at her like she’d lost her mind and waited for some kind of punchline.
There apparently wasn’t one.
“Why do you think I’m a ‘great fit for Kappa’?” I asked, unintentionally mocking her bubbly tone.
It was hard not to.
If she’d noticed, she didn’t show it.
“Trent’s said such great things about you.
I thought it would be nice if you stopped by to meet the girls.
” She looked around and lowered her voice, like she was making sure no one was listening.
“And truthfully, we both know he wouldn’t have passed English last semester without your help. It’s the least I can do to thank you.”
“I’m just doing my job,” I said. “You don’t have to thank me.”
“I want to thank you,” she said. “And I know sororities are expensive, but we have payment plans. And financial aid. I’m happy to chat more about the details at the party.”
She seemed strangely genuine.
But it didn’t add up with what Lara had heard in the library yesterday.
Unless Courtney had approached Trent about it, and he’d assured her that nothing was going on between us?
That had to be it. It was the only thing that made sense.
And as crazy as it was, there was a part of me that wanted to consider it. No one had ever come this far out of their way to invite me to anything.
It felt surprisingly good.
Not like I could actually do it. I had enough on my plate with balancing school and my part-time job at the coffee shop.
I couldn’t risk my grades.
Despite the little temptation I felt to go and check it out, I had to say no.
“I appreciate the offer,” I said. “But I’m not sure I have the time for it right now.”
“That’s a shame.” She frowned. “Joining a sorority gives you amazing connections. The sort of connections that help you get fantastic job offers after graduation.”
“Really?”
“Yep! I’m sure the girls would love to tell you more over dinner. We’ll have free pizza. It’ll be fun!”
She elongated the word “fun” so much that it sounded like she was begging me to come.
“And you know what our philanthropy is, right?” she continued.
“I didn’t even know that sororities did charity work,” I said honestly.
“It’s called ‘Help Children Read.’” She smiled again and squared her shoulders with pride. “We help get books into classrooms with students in need.”
All right. Another point in Kappa’s favor.
She reached for the strap of her bag, watching me expectantly as she waited for an answer.
Maybe it wouldn’t hurt to give it a shot. It wasn’t like I was going to sign my life away to them on the spot.
It was one party.
Totally do-able. And if it was awful, I could always leave.
“I’d have to get someone to cover my shift at work,” I said slowly, shocked at myself for even considering this—and still shocked that she’d invited me. “If I can, I’ll be there.”
“Great!” She jumped slightly and clapped her hands together. “It’s at 6:30, at the Kappa house. See you there!’
She spun around and pranced out of the room, and I stared after her, wondering what exactly I’d gotten myself into.