Bad Rep (24 page)

“Okay,” I said softly. 

“But, not everyone feels that way, Maysie.  You still have your friends here and they are just as vocal that we should let you and Olivia sort this out between you, and that the rest of us need to back the hell off.”  I felt a glimmer of hope that not all was lost.  And I was relieved that I did have friends at Chi Delta.  Bonds that went a little deeper than coordinating our mixer outfits.

“Have you seen Olivia?” I asked, bracing myself.  Gracie cleared her throat. 

“Well, um.  She didn't come back to the house last night.  Apparently Milla spoke with her this morning and she stayed with Jordan.”  Well shit.  I felt like I had been punched in the gut.  Really, really hard.  I felt sick and those stupid tears started welling up again.

“I see,” I responded evenly. I was proud of how calm my voice sounded, even as I was screaming inside.  That dumb, two timing ass munch!  I should have known better!  I HAD known better!  And now I would be the one with the ruined reputation and nothing to show for it.  I hated Jordan Levitt!

“Yeah.  My Jordan worship is at an official end.  Sad to know he's just like every other douche bag out there,” Gracie said a little sadly and I had to smile. 

“He gives douche bags a bad name, Grace,” I muttered and Gracie laughed. 

“We're going to have to come up with a new name for Jordan that truly reflects his level of douchedom...something like douche hole or fucktard.  Give me a few hours and I'll think of something,” Gracie assured me. 

I was laughing so hard by then that for a second I had forgotten about how much I wanted to run away and join a nunnery.  We calmed down and I gripped the phone in my hand as a new wave of pain swept through my body. 

“But you need to talk to Liv, Maysie.  You're sisters.  This will rip the house apart.  I don't want to lose you in the sisterhood.  You deserve to be here as much as anyone else.  What happened was NOT your fault.  Jordan played you.  And if Olivia can't see what a lying asshole her boyfriend is, then let her have him.”

My heart constricted at her words.  My first instinct was to defend Jordan.  That he wasn't an asshole.  That he had wanted to be with me.  Then I remembered my quiet phone and the fact that he was right now, with Olivia, instead of trying to talk to me.  I
had
been played.  Goddamn it!

Gracie was still speaking and I had to refocus on our conversation.  I zeroed in on her words “chapter meeting tonight.” 

“Wait, wait, wait.  I can't come to the chapter meeting.  That would be like walking into a lynching.  You can't be serious?!” 

“Oh, I'm as serious as a heart attack, Mays.  You
will
be at that chapter meeting tonight.  Even if I have to drag you there by your hair.  It is essential for you to come.  You have to show the girls that you want to be in Chi Delta.  That the sisterhood
does
matter to you.  Consider this your first step in polishing your public image, girlfriend.”  I groaned, my stomach already a twisted knot.

“Fine. I'll go.  But if it's a bloodbath, it's all on you,” I intoned miserably.  Gracie clucked her tongue and I could hear her frustration. 

“Stop being so dramatic.  Vivian and I will come and get you and escort you there ourselves.” 

“Vivian?” I asked in surprise.  But then I remember how nice she had been when I was trying to find Gracie last night.  My heart warmed at knowing she was willing to put her neck out there for me like that.  As surprised as I was, I wouldn't look a gift horse in the mouth.

“Yeah.  She feels bad for you.  Apparently, she knows how it is to be on the receiving end of Chi Delta bullshit.  She wouldn't really go into it.  I guess it was something that went down when she and Olivia were sophomores.  But anyway, she's one more on team Maysie.”  I rolled my eyes, though I know she couldn't see me.

“Should you get t-shirts made?” I asked dryly. 

“Not a bad idea.  We could do cute little tanks and they could be pink and gold like our colors...”

“I was joking, Gracie.” I cut her off. 

“I know, Miss Serious.  We'll be at your apartment at 6:30.  Wear something cute.  You are to go in there looking fantastic and untouchable, do you hear me?  You can not show any weakness.  It will be fine!  I promise.” 

“Sure.  It will all be fine,” I responded tiredly.  We ended our conversation after that.  Neither of us had much more to say.  After getting off the phone I went into my closet and unearthed my best, no nonsense, black skirt and conservative green shirt.  It was cute but appropriate.  No high slits up my thigh or heaving cleavage.  Nothing that made me look like the slut everyone thought I was.

I spent the rest of the day alternating between napping and gorging myself on Ben and Jerry's Phish Food that Riley had so considerately gone to the store to get for me.  I didn't care about the fact that all of those calories would migrate down to my thighs.  All I could focus on was the sweet, ooey gooey goodness that was a complete endorphin rush in every delicious spoon full.

Riley stayed with me, refusing to leave me alone.  “I'm not on suicide watch, Riley.  You don't have to hang around here all day.  I'm sure you'd rather be with your hot new boy toy than playing babysitter for your judgmentally challenged bestie,” I said blandly after finishing my second pint of ice cream.

Riley pried the empty cardboard container out of my hands.  “Okay, enough.  You're making me want to puke with the amount of junk you're eating.”  She made a gagging face and I threw my spoon at her retreating back as she went into the kitchen.  “Don't you have to get ready for the super fantastic chapter meeting?” she called from the other room.

I stuck my tongue out at her even though she couldn't see it.  It was already 5:30.  I knew Gracie and Vivian would be there in about twenty minutes.  I guess I should pull myself together.  I got to my feet and shuffled off toward my bedroom. 
 

“
And get another shower, Mays!” Riley yelled down the hallway.  I let out a deep groan and changed my course to the bathroom.  Okay.  Time to put my game face on.  I could do this.  I could go there tonight and take whatever they wanted to dish out.  I mean, I wasn't alone in what went down.  I can't take all the blame, right?

I went through the paces and got my shower, blow dried my hair and put it up in a sensible bun at the nape of my neck.  Going into my room, I put on my skirt and blouse and opted for a very minimal amount of makeup.  Looking in the mirror I couldn't help but grimace.  I looked like I was heading to church with my parents.  Yuck.  This was so
not
me and I knew my sisters would see straight through my attempt at a good girl image.

I was tempted to change when my doorbell rang.  I heard Riley let Gracie and Vivian in.  I waited for the two girls to come down the hall but they didn't.  After five minutes, I went to find out what was keeping them.  Not surprisingly, Riley and Gracie were in deep conversation.  Three guesses as to who they were talking about.

“So have the two of you figured out how to fix my shit hole of a life yet?” I called out.  Vivian, Gracie and Riley looked up and I almost laughed at the near identical fake smiles they each wore.  If I wasn't so damn depressed I'd find the fact that they were conspiring behind my back really amusing.  Gracie and Riley didn't get along in the best of times.  Riley found Gracie's pro Greek stance obnoxious and vapid.  Gracie found Riley to be pretentious and snobby. 

“There you are!  You look great!”  Gracie chirped, coming over and giving me a hug. 

“Don't lie.  I look like I'm going out to sell encyclopedias.” I grumped.  Vivian chuckled and I gave her a smile over Gracie's shoulder.  “Hey Viv.  Thanks for coming tonight.”  I said sincerely after pulling away from Gracie.  Vivian nodded. 

“You don't need to thank me.  I've been there, done that, have the emotional scars.   These girls are ruthless when they want to be.  You'll need all the backup you can get.” 

Riley made a noise.  “Now why isn't that on the school's Greek living brochure?  I think that's a fantastic soundbite,” she snarked.  I thought my sisters would get pissed, but instead they laughed, shocking the hell out of me. 

“Okay, let's do this,” I said with more determination than I felt.  Gracie pumped her fist into the air.  I didn't miss the look she exchanged with Riley but I pretended not to notice. 

“Good luck, Mays.  If you need me to beat someone up for you, just let me know!” Riley called out as we left the apartment.  I shook my head but couldn't help but feel a little warm and fuzzy at the support I was receiving from my friends.  It made me feel like perhaps I could come out of all this with my skin intact.

Chapter Fourteen

Our ride to the campus was quiet.  We didn't talk at all.  Which I was fine with, I didn't know what to say anyway.  Vivian pulled into the parking lot outside of the Chi Delta house and for the first time since I had pledged, I didn't want to go inside.  This place that had been a source of happiness for me, had now become something much more sinister.

“
Come on, Maysie,” Gracie said softly, getting out of the car.  Not being able to put it off any longer, I got out and followed my friends up to the front door.  We had five minutes until the meeting started so I hoped most of the girls would already be in the chapter room. 

Clearly luck was not on my side tonight.  Big surprise.  We walked in and it was like the sound evaporated from the room.  At least twenty of our sisters were in the common room.  Every single one of them stopped what they were doing and looked up as we entered.  Not one of them said anything.  They glared at me as though I had walked in with a scarlet A branded on my forehead.

My palms began to sweat and my heart started to palpitate uncomfortably in my chest.  Gracie reached down and took my hand in hers.  I looked at her gratefully as she pulled us down the hallway toward the meeting room.  Milla stood in front of the door, not letting us enter. 

“What the hell is she doing here?” she hissed, giving me a once over and sneered.  I straightened my back and looked my “sister” straight in the eye. 

“I'm here for the sisterhood meeting.  Isn't that why you're here, Milla?  For the sisterhood?” I goaded.  We had a thirty second stare down before Milla looked away, her lip curling in disgust.

“Move, Milla,” Vivian grit out, shouldering passed the other girl so we could make our way into the room.  I wanted to train my eyes on the floor, not wanting to look at anyone.  But I couldn't.  That would be acknowledging my shame and I wouldn't do that.  Not here. 

My eyes fell on the head of the table, where Olivia held court.  She looked stunning, as always.  Nothing let on to the emotional turmoil of the last 24 hours.  Her black hair was shiny and perfect.  Her skin fresh, her eyes free of the black circles that ringed mine.  She looked...happy? 

Olivia raised her chin as I made my way to my normal seat, flanked by Vivian and Gracie.  Our eyes met and I could see the anger there.  Her lips quirked in revulsion before she looked away.  I swallowed thickly and sat down.  This was going to be a long evening.

Ten minutes later, the rest of the sisters had filed in and we were ready to start the meeting.  All eyes rested on Olivia Peer and waited for her to begin.  Slowly, she got to her feet and slammed the gavel in her hand down onto the table.  “I call this meeting of the Beta Pi chapter of Chi Delta to order,” she said with authority.

The first part of the meeting ran like any other.  Details of upcoming mixers.  Discussions about the Fall Ball.  Ideas for increasing our philanthropy efforts.  The president of our new pledge class gave a rundown of their meeting minutes.  Maybe this wouldn't be as bad as I had feared.

“Now, I think we need to talk about rush week and what we can do to improve things next for spring.” Olivia announced.  I blinked in surprise, sharing a shocked look with Vivian.  What we needed to change?  Rush had been a roaring success.  No one could deny that.  We were able to recruit every girl we had wanted. 

“We've had some complaints that our themes were trite and cliched.  That leadership was somewhat lacking.  I think we need to take a look at the way things went and whether this was how we want Chi Delts to be perceived by potential pledges.”  Olivia didn't look my way, but her words were meant for me alone.