“Is she sure this is okay?” I asked Valerie as we passed by the yellow caution tape wrapped around the front lawn.
Valerie shrugged. “She claims no one said we couldn’t be outside our house.”
“Does it make you uncomfortable being here?” I asked, knowing Sydney Lane’s death was the reason the house was closed for the year.
“A little.” She stepped ahead of me, walking faster. I took that to mean she didn’t want to discuss Sydney.
We walked under the tent weaving around the ten round tables covered with white linen tablecloths. Vases of fresh flowers sat in the center of each table. If I didn’t know this was for a sorority rush event, I would’ve thought it was for a wedding. We put the boxes down on the ground in the corner of the tent.
“Careful with those!” Chantel shouted.
We spun around, thinking we’d done something wrong, but Chantel was yelling at some frat guys who were helping set up the white wooden folding chairs around each table.
I whispered to Valerie. “Is she always this bossy?”
Valerie nodded. “House or no house. She’s not about to let anything ruin her reign as sorority president.”
“Tina!” Chantel shouted to Valerie’s roommate, currently fixing the flowers on the tables. “If any of those vases spill, it’s on you.”
Once Chantel turned back around, Tina mimicked her.
“I’m serious,” Chantel said, her stern tone meaning she meant business. “These girls might not be getting the whole Alpha Phi experience this year, but the Alpha Phis will remain the best sorority this college has ever seen.” Once her Elle Wood’s speech ended, Chantel pulled a long strand of lights out of one of the boxes. “Valerie! Hang these all around the tent.”
Valerie inhaled a long breath in an effort to stay calm then walked over to Chantel, yanking the lights from her hand.
“Watch it, Val,” Chantel said through gritted teeth.
My eyes narrowed as I watched their interaction.
Sensing me watching, Chantel’s eyes flicked to me. Once she noticed she had an audience, she smiled at Valerie and her tone changed. “You wouldn’t want to break any of the bulbs.”
Valerie said nothing to Chantel as she turned and walked away. “Are you sure you don’t want to rush the Alpha Phis, Sophia?” Valerie said as she passed by me with the lights.
It wasn’t a real question. She knew I’d be just fine without “sisters.” Especially, bossy sisters who thought they ruled the world.
***
Chase burst into Friday’s class late again. This time he leaned forward and asked the girl in front of him what our assignment was for the film clip that was playing. She showed him the directions. Not once did he look my way, which was fine by me. So was the fact that I hadn’t found him on my bed or in my room lately.
At the end of class, Professor Irons flipped on the light and handed out papers to the students in the front of each row to pass back. I scanned the paper as he explained our assignment. “By next Friday, view one of the Holocaust films I’ve put on reserve in the media viewing room at the library. Complete the assignment I’ve just distributed and submit it through the university portal.”
“Can we get the films online?” a girl up front asked.
“Sorry, we’re kicking it old-school with VHS tapes,” Professor Irons said with a coy grin. “Can you believe the library still has VHS players? They’re called VCRs.”
The class broke into laughter.
“These films are cinematic classics, and if you were to find them on the World Wide Web, they’re only on VHS which I’m guessing none of you have the ability to play on your modern technology,” he continued with amusement in his eyes. “I assure you, there are enough films to choose from that if you all end up at the library at the same time—which is unlikely since you’ll be working with partners—you’d still have your choice of films.”
Partners?
“There are six rows, five in each row,” Professor Irons said. “I’m going to make this very easy on you. The first row by the door, turn to the person on your left.”
My stomach dropped and I closed my eyes, knowing I was going to hate this project.
“Rows three and five do the same. Say hello to your partner for the term,” Professor Irons said. “Be sure to exchange your digits or whatever it is you kids say today. And be sure this first assignment is complete for Friday.”
The other students happily introduced themselves to their partners and exchanged numbers. I grabbed my things and stuffed them into my bag. “You know where to find me,” I muttered as I stood and hurried out of the room without even looking at my damn partner.
CHAPTER FIVE
I stayed in my room most of the day Saturday doing homework and watching movies while Chantel was off preparing for more rush events. She didn’t come home that night, likely spending quality time with Chase.
I ate breakfast with Valerie Sunday morning then returned to my room where I remained in yoga pants and a T-shirt for the entire day watching football, something my dad and I did religiously. He didn’t get the son he obviously would’ve liked to have, so I got to do all the guy things with him—and I wasn’t complaining. I loved sports, especially football.
Just after seven, there was a knock at my door. I crawled off my bed and walked to it, pulling it open a crack.
Unexpectedly, the door pushed all the way open, causing me to stumble back. Chase pushed his way inside my room.
“Whoa,” I said, spinning around to face him. “Chantel’s not here.”
“You know where to find me,” he said, using my words on me.
“I…”
He crossed his arms and leaned his ass against my desk in low hung grey basketball shorts, a tight-fitting navy T-shirt, and a backpack on his back. “Well, here I am. So, grab your shit and let’s go.”
I crossed my arms. “I’m not going anywhere with you.”
“It’s my grade too, partner.”
I let out a shaky breath. No matter how much I hated this—and no matter how much the universe was working against me—he’d been the one who was rude. Not me. I wouldn’t play his game. I was better than that.
I gave a sigh of resignation and walked to where he stood, stopping in front of him. “Move.”
He didn’t, his eyes now on my television. “Why are you watching football?”
I tilted my chin up. “Because I like it. Now move.”
He still didn’t budge, but something unfamiliar flashed in his eyes.
“I need my stuff,” I explained, knowing we’d stand like that all night if he thought I was kicking him out.
He pushed off my desk with his signature glare and moved to the other side of the room. “You changing?”
I spun to look at him. “Oh, I’m sorry. Are yoga pants and a T-shirt not good enough for frat boy?”
His eyes narrowed. “I meant do you need me step out so you can change.”
“Oh.” Idiot. I snatched my backpack off my chair and tucked my laptop inside. “Let’s go.”
He followed me out the door, closing it on his way out. We walked down the hallway in silence, two strangers—and enemies—trying to co-exist. I wasn’t short, but he was a full foot taller than me and I felt the height difference as we made it down the three flights of stairs and outside into the dark night. I hadn’t explored the library yet, so I didn’t even know where to head. Sensing my confusion, he began walking to the left of my dorm.