An Offer I Can’t Refuse #3
Of course there are libraries on campus, but that’s beside the point. I need a quiet, private space to study. If I have to live at home, my senior year is going to be hell on earth.
Madison closes the presidential speeches and directs us to the living room where the caterers have set out a mouthwatering buffet.
Sam grabs a plate and flanks me as we peruse the choices.
“That was a total shitshow. And I have no one to blame but myself for it. Even if Gen got the heads up about the dorm disaster before me, I should have predicted that we would have more eligible applicants than rooms in the house. It wasn’t a secret that this year there are more juniors and seniors than in previous years.
” She whispers. “There’s no way anyone is gonna vote for me when Gen had everything already figured out.
I might as well drop out of the election now and save my dignity. ”
I put a couple of pigs in blankets and mini quiches on my plate.
“I think Gen would love to run unopposed. But babes, I wouldn’t count yourself out yet.
” I point out some of the other seniors who are grouped in small clusters as they eat dinner and talk.
“Gen hasn’t only been a bitch to us in the three years we went to school together.
I’m sure there are a lot of sisters who don’t want her as their president. ”
“Do you really think so?” She torments her bottom lip with her teeth.
“I know so.” I reassure her. “All you have to do is talk to the sisters and make sure you remind them who we’re dealing with. Do they really want to be controlled by Bitchy Barbie?”
My dig at Gen causes Sam to snort. “Shut up, you’re gonna make me choke.”
“I mean it, Sam. Besides, did you hear her plans? She wants to increase the membership fee and make it so that the next rush class is a bunch of clones of herself. I much prefer your idea of inclusion, and I bet I’m not the only one.
Come on, let’s go do the rounds. I’ll help you talk to everyone.
We aren’t going to hand our sorority to Gen without a fight. ”
“You’re just helping me because you want to live in the presidential suite this year. Admit it.” She giggles.
I offer her a dramatic eye roll. “You got me.”
The rest of the evening is a disaster.
My prediction that Genevieve isn’t loved by most of the sisters isn’t entirely wrong, but it’s amazing what the promise of a nice living accommodation can do to sway someone’s vote.
Literally every sister we speak to tells us that while they love Sam’s agenda, they love not having to share a room more.
The worst part is that I can’t even blame them because I’m in the same boat.
Gen wins the presidential election by a landslide. But that isn’t the only thing that doesn’t go my way.
The raffle is the last nail in the coffin of this terrible night. My name isn’t called, so I don’t get a room in the Zeta house.
Like the amazing friend she is, Sam, who was luckier than me, offers me to crash with her.
I’m grateful for the offer, but it doesn’t improve my living situation much.
Sam has been given one of the smallest rooms in the house.
Sharing a full bed for a whole year won’t be much better than sleeping on my parents’ lumpy couch.
One thing is to do that on the occasional sleepover, but it’s far from ideal before exams.
I guess it’s the lesser of two evils though, so I thank my BFF. “I promise I’ll be a good roommate. You won’t even know I’m there. I promise.”
Before Sam can say anything, Gen’s catty smirk cuts into our conversation. “Aww, you two are so cute.” Her tone is sugary sweet, and my hackles immediately rise.
Gen is never nice unless she wants something from someone or she’s ready to strike.
“I don’t know if my best friends would be so nice to offer me to bunk with them in a teeny tiny room.” She looks between me and Sam. “You two must be extremely close. Unless, of course, you’re more than friends.”
I set the record straight. “Not that there would be anything wrong if there was more between me and Sam, Gen, but we’re just friends.”
Sam backs me up. “It isn’t any of your business, but Talia is right.”
“What a shame.” Gen giggles. “You two would be adorable together.”
Agreeing with Genevieve wasn’t on my bingo card for tonight, but she’s right. I wish I liked girls that way, but sadly when it comes to my sexuality, I’m straighter than an arrow. And so is Sam.
“Is there anything we can help you with, Gen? Or were you just wondering if Talia and I are dating?” Sam bites out.
Gen’s jaw ticks at Sam’s tone. “You know, being a sore loser doesn’t become you. If you had won, I would have congratulated you rather than giving you attitude.”
So this is why Gen was being nice. She came to gloat.
If her behavior didn’t piss me off so much, I would laugh at the ridiculous idea that she would have conceded politely if she hadn’t won the election. “Congratulations, Gen.” It sounds more like a “fuck off” than a real compliment, but tonight it’s the best I can do.
Thankfully, Gen is too self-absorbed to pick up on the nuances of my tone. “Talia, can I speak to you for a second? In private, if you don’t mind.”
I’d rather cuddle with a spitting cobra, but there’s no way to refuse without being rude.
And since, for better or worse, Gen is our new president, I follow her to a quiet corner of the living room.
Now that the rooms have been assigned, most of the sisters are either moving their things in or have left for the night.
“I couldn’t help but hear that your parents downsized their house, and you were counting on having a room in the house?”