The Wanderers Beginning: The Wanderers, Reborn, & Unforgiven (14 page)

             
As I cleaned up my things I noticed that Tristan was still working. “You coming Ella?” Jack asked.

             
“Yeah,” I said, but when we got to the door I stopped. “Can I catch up to you later?” I asked Jack.

             
“Yeah, no problem,” Jack replied before taking off.

             
I turned back to Tristan who was still sitting in his chair working. I waited until there was no one left in the class besides us and the teacher. Then I went back over to my seat and sat down facing Tristan. He still didn't look at me which I actually found irritating. I tried my best to wait until he acknowledged me but my patience was wearing thin. “Where were you all week?” I asked.

             
He finally looked at me and with a week smile asked, “Why, did you miss me?”

             
“Hardly,” I said, trying to sound convincing. “I was just curious, that's all.” I saw his lips twitch slightly and I knew he was trying hard not to smile. “So are you not going to tell me? Was it something illegal?” I teased.

             
“Why do you care?” he asked peculiarly.

             
“I don't. Like I said I was just being curious.” I had to look away so he couldn't tell I was lying.

             
“I had some business to take care of,” he said simply.

             
“What kind of business?” I pressed.

             
He finally stopped painting and gave me his full attention. “How badly do you want to know?” He raised his brows looking me over and I knew exactly what he was implying.

             
“Not that bad,” I said, getting up.

             
He chuckled and went back to his painting not saying another word. I waited for another moment before I had enough.

             
“Addio mia bella stella,” he said.

             
I turned around annoyed. “Why do you do that?”

             
“Do what?”

             
“You're not even Italian, you're Irish.”

             
“How do you know?”

             
“Because your last name is McKinnon which is pretty much a given.”

             
He smiled. “Would you prefer the Gaelic version, because I could do that? I just always thought it sounded nicer in Italian.”

             
I would have to agree. The little Gaelic I did know didn't roll off the tongue as nicely as Italian did, but I wasn't going to tell him that. So I simply responded with, “Whatever,” and left.

Chapter
nine

“Did you decide yet?” Josie asked impatiently.

             
“I still don't know.”

             
“Well they're having a party tonight in honor of new members and I think you should go. Maybe that will help you make up your mind.”

             
I doubt it, I said to myself. Josie had been on me all week about whether or not I decided to join Theta Kappa. And every day I told her my mind wasn’t made up. My classes didn't seem too overwhelming and I was a champ at multitasking, but I still wasn't so sure it would be the best idea.

             
I finally told Josie I would go to the party. It was just a welcoming party so I was sure it would be low key. She warned me we had to dress nice. So I went with my purple sleeveless dress, with a black belt, and black cardigan. Josie wore a strapless green dress that ruffled from the waist down and a little black jacket. I drove us to the sorority house, even though it was only a few blocks; it was too far and too cold to walk in heels.

             
The exterior of the house seemed to have an ominous glow emanating from all the windows making the house appear haunted. Once inside, we saw the place was lit from top to bottom with candles. “What's with all the candles?” I asked Josie. “It's very colonial.”

             
Josie rolled her eyes. “Didn't you ever hear of soft lighting?”

             
I ignored her, too distracted by the interior design. The house itself was exquisite. It had beautiful art all over the walls and hardwood floors covered with very expensive area rugs. Designer furniture and lavish curtains made from the finest silks; I was afraid to touch anything. I felt like I had walked into a museum. The only thing missing was the red velvet ropes.

             
“Welcome, ladies, to your new home.” Cadence announced coming down the stairs wearing a knee length gray and black cocktail dress. Her arms extended in a welcoming gesture. Most of the other sisters were dressed similarly making me feel a little under dressed in my plain purple dress. “Please, before we start tonight's festivities, feel free to take a tour of the house.”

             
The whole place was like a showcase. They had one wall with all their achievements and awards. A glass case holding trophies of competitions different sisters had won. Down the next hall were pictures of all the sisters over the years.

             
“Hey Ella, look at this. This guy looks just like your dad,” Josie said. I walked over to the picture Josie was standing by. I looked at the picture. It was a spitting image of my father, everything from his dark hair, to his piercing green eyes, and stern smile.

             
I read the caption underneath. Liam McCallister, Head founder 1935. Next to his picture was one of another man named, Robert McCallister, Vice President. I would have sworn it was my dad but knew that was impossible. My dad wasn't born until the 1960's and graduated from Stanford.

             
“He does have a striking resemblance,” I said curiously.

             
“Maybe he's your great grandfather?” Josie suggested.

             
Maybe, I thought. I never did see any pictures of him. It was possible, or an extremely weird coincidence. I made a mental note to ask my mom about it later.

             
“You have his eyes.”

             
Startled, I turned around to see a very dressed up Tristan. He was wearing a suit and tie as opposed to his normal polo and jeans attire.

             
“You clean up nice,” I said, trying not to stare because he looked really, really good.

             
“So do you, but then again you always look beautiful,” he smiled. All signs of his earlier issues gone. He was back to his usual carefree attitude.

             
“What are you doing here?” I asked, biting the inside of my cheek.

             
“As vice president of Theta Pi, I'm required to be here for initiation,” he said.

             
I looked to Josie. “Initiation? I thought you said this was a welcoming party?”

             
“Kind of the same thing, don't you think?” she said sheepishly.

             
I rolled my eyes and turned my attention back to Tristan.

             
“So I'm guessing this means you decided to join?” He inclined his head as though I had somehow confirmed something he knew all along.

             
I was about to tell him that I was still on the fence about it when I heard the sound of chimes.

             
“I believe you're being summoned,” Tristan said, holding out an arm for me. When I hesitated he said, “Oh c'mon Ella. I won't bite.” He winked and waited patiently for me to join him. I reluctantly took his arm and he escorted me into the meeting area.

             
All eyes turned on us as we approached. Girls started whispering to each other and made glances at Tristan and me over their shoulders.

             
“Ladies,” Cadence said, clearing her throat. Tristan bowed to me and walked up to the front taking a spot next to Cadence.

             
I turned to Josie. “What were they all whispering about?”

             
“I don't know, but I'll try to find out later.”

             
Cadence started speaking, bringing our attention back to the front. “Now, we will call everyone's name one at a time. When your name is called, please come forward to accept your pin and light your candle from the sacred one. Tristan may I have the pins?” Tristan handed her a tray of bright, jewel encrusted pins, and turned his attention back to the crowd.

             
Out of all the people, I knew he was only looking at one person – me. He never took his eyes away from mine. He winked at me and a few girls swooned, thinking that was meant for them, but I knew differently. Clearly this whole plan of trying not to like him was more difficult than I thought.

             
“Josie McNaughton,” Cadence called as Josie squeezed my hand, a big smile on her lips.

             
I watched as Josie took her candle from Cassidy, was pinned by Bailey, then used the candle Cadence was holding to light her own. “Welcome to Theta Kappa sister Josie.” I didn't have to see her face to know she was grinning from ear to ear.

             
“Ella McCallister.”

             
Crap.

             
              I guess I'm doing this.

             
I let out a deep breath and reluctantly made my way through the sea of girls. When I reached Cadence, she leaned in close and said quietly, “I'm to assume this means you've accepted our invitation.”

             
I wanted to say, “Clearly you already assumed I would or else you wouldn't have called my name,” but I bit my tongue. “Yes I have,” I replied instead, feeling like I might somehow regret every word.

             
“You have made a wise decision,” she smiled and lit my candle.

             
I turned to Tristan next. He smiled graciously and bowed his head. As I stepped past him on my way back to Josie, Tristan smacked me hard on the behind saying, “Way to go.”

             
I froze as my cheeks turned bright red from embarrassment. Cadence gave Tristan a dirty look but he just smiled. Appalled, I quickly made my way over to Josie. There were looks of shock, distaste, and amusement amongst the girls. Cadence had to clear her throat to silence the giggles causing my face to burn even brighter.

             
Cadence called the remaining names, one by one, to come forward to receive their pins, until the last one was finished. “Those of you who have not been called, I'm sorry, but you did not make the cut this year. I will ask you to now leave and I thank you for your interest.”

             
A few girls with saddened expressions left the room; some crying and some cursing. I personally did not understand what the big deal was. I could have cared less, but to some I guess acceptance meant a lot.

             
Once all the non-members departed, Cadence started her speech again. “Ladies, Welcome to Theta Kappa. You may now blow out your candles.” The room slowly dimmed as we each blew out our candle. “Now it's time to party. We're going to head next door and please leave your candles in the box on the table.”

             
So much for a quiet evening.

I decided to stick to the nonalcoholic drinks, especially since I had driven. The house next door was smaller than the sorority house. It didn't have much furniture, only a couch here or there, and definitely not designer. The place was very low key compared to the sorority house. I later discovered this was where they held most of their parties and tonight was no exception. Even though tonight was just a private party for the new members of Theta Kappa and Theta Pi, there was no doubt it would be anything less than their typical wild, crazy parties.

             
Not being in the party mood, I wandered around the house, venturing upstairs, to see if maybe there was a more private area with less people. The first door I tried had a half-naked couple rolling around on the bed. I quickly closed the door although I highly doubted they even noticed me. “Wow, some people don't waste any time, do they,” I said to myself.

             
I walked down the hall and found another door. I knocked first this time. When I didn't hear a response I opened the door slowly to find an empty room with a futon and some chairs. I turned on the light and closed the door behind me. I carefully sat on the futon afraid of what I might sit on. After what I just witnessed, who knows what could have happened on this couch. Letting go of the thought I leaned back closing my eyes and listened to the bass of the music vibrate through the walls.

             
I was instantly brought back to reality when I heard a toilet flush and a faucet begin to run. I sat up, ready to leave, when Tristan appeared from the bathroom. “Sorry, didn't know anyone was in here. I'll leave,” I said quickly getting up.

             
“Don't go,” he said and I stopped. “Sit, relax, I promise I'll be good,” Tristan said innocently.

             
I sighed and turned around. I knew the only way I was going to be able to get through this was to be myself. “What are you doing up here? I thought you'd want to be downstairs drinking and taking some poor girl as your next victim.”

             
“Ella, Ella, Ella,” he said shaking his head. “When are you going to realize I'm not that guy?”

             
“Really, then how come every time I see you, you have your arm around a different girl?”

             
“I can't help that I'm loved,” he smiled reminding of the guy he was the first time we met. I turned to walk out. “Ella wait...sit.” He pointed to the futon. I hesitated until he started to beg me with his eyes, causing me to give in. He padded the spot next to him, but I chose to sit at the opposite end to be safe.

             
He leaned back casually, one arm resting on top of the couch, watching me intensely. I waited for him to say something, anything, but knew I would have to be the one to break the silence. “Okay, you have five minutes to prove to me you're not an arrogant, stubborn, chauvinistic pig.”

             
“Arrogant yes, stubborn yes, a pig...sometimes, but that's just what's on the surface.”

             
“Oh so it gets worse?” I quipped.

             
He just laughed and then turned serious for a moment. “Everyone has layers Ella. I happen to have a lot and so do you.” I saw his cocky smile start to play on his lips. “Now, how about we start taking away some of those layers, starting with your sweater.”

             
“God Tristan!” I stood up to leave. “You can't even be serious for one second.”

             
Tristan got up to stop me from leaving. “I'm sorry,” he chuckled. “This time I promise I'll be good. Cross my heart,” he said, making an X with his finger over his chest. I let him pull me back over to the couch, but kept my distance by sitting at the opposite end. “Why so far away? Don't you trust me?” he asked innocently.

             
“No,” I said simply. But to be honest, I almost didn't trust myself. Being alone with him makes resisting him a lot harder. I was determined to hold my own.

             
A devilish smile danced across his lips and he slid closer to me. So close if I tried to move I'd fall off the couch. Not in the mood to deal with his shenanigans, I decided to try and hurry this along. “Last chance, no more jokes, and no more cheap, tawdry come-ons.”