Rachel smiled. “Well, I didn’t go to college, and we didn’t have sororities when I was in high school. But if they did, I probably wouldn’t have joined. Sororities were never my cup of tea.”
“That’s what I’m talking about,” Jasmine said.
“But my mother was in a sorority and she loved it,” Rachel added. “She was active until the day she died.”
“My mom is in one, too,” I added. “But she works so much she’s not able to go to meetings and stuff. I do remember all the good times she said she had in college, though.”
“Operative word—college,” Jasmine interjected. “They probably weren’t stupid enough to make people do stuff like push-ups and being somebody’s slaves.”
Rachel jumped in before we could get started arguing again. “The bottom line is you have to remember this is different. It’s high school. So, technically, it’s not a bona fide sorority.”
Jasmine twisted up her lips. “Somebody better tell the Thetas that because they sure think they are.”
I was about to protest some more, but Jasmine grabbed her backpack and headed to the door.
“I’m tired of talkin’ about this. Y’all got your wish, so everything’s everything,” she said. “Anyway, I’m out. My chickenhead brother should be outside.”
“Ooooh, tell Jaquan I said hi,” Alexis said, her eyes lighting up.
Jasmine rolled her eyes. “Yeah, right.”
Alexis and Jaquan, Jasmine’s fifteen-year-old brother, had dated for a couple of weeks last year—against Jasmine’s advice. And when he played her, like Jasmine said he does all of his girlfriends, she got mad at Jasmine. But they eventually worked out their differences. Alexis still flirted with Jaquan from time to time, though.
“You’re just upset because you wanted me to be your sister-in-law,” Alexis called out after her.
Jasmine waved her off. “Whatever, girl.” She laughed. “In your dreams. I’ll see you guys later.”
I was actually glad the subject had switched to Jaquan. I knew no matter what I said, we’d never see eye-to-eye when it came to the Thetas. And the fact that we were able to go from arguing about that to laughing and joking again proved to me that our friendship was strong enough to overcome anything—even Angel’s rejection from the Thetas.
10
Camille
I so did not want to go into the cafeteria. But as I looked over at Alisha, giggling like a little girl as she pointed at my outfit, I knew I didn’t have much choice. Luckily, I wasn’t the only one looking crazy. The six girls behind me were jacked up, too.
“Okay, ladies, let’s go,” Alisha sang.
A few of us let out groans as we marched toward the cafeteria. Only Tameka seemed like she wasn’t fazed in the least bit about dressing like some 1970s rejects.
Sure, me and Alexis were into the whole Theta thing, but Tameka had taken it to a whole new level. We’d only been pledging three days, but she was always brownnosing with the Thetas, trying to get on their good side. And she did anything they asked—no matter how stupid—with a big smile on her face.
As instructed, we went our separate ways as we passed the teachers’ lounge by the cafeteria. School officials considered it hazing when you made someone dress up against their will. So we’d been told to act normally and say we just felt like dressing silly if a teacher approached us. Of course, the teachers weren’t stupid. They knew the real deal, but most of them just blew it off, as long as it didn’t get too out of hand.
I made my way over to the soda machine while I looked around for Jasmine and Angel, since we always ate lunch together. I hadn’t seen Angel during first period, so maybe she wasn’t even at school, I thought. I felt a little guilty as I found myself hoping she wasn’t here because I really didn’t know what to say to her. I hadn’t seen her since we got our letters, and she wasn’t returning any of my phone calls.
I hated to tell Jasmine, but the Thetas had said that we had to eat with them today and every day during our pledge week.
“Eeewwww, who dressed you this morning? Stevie Wonder?”
I hadn’t even noticed Jasmine come up behind me. She ran her eyes up and down the bright yellow-and-black polka dot shirt and pink pinstriped pants I was wearing. The pants legs were tucked into white tube socks.
“Shut up! I had no choice,” I said.
She turned her nose up. “For real, though. What’s with the get-up?”
I sighed. Although Jasmine didn’t cut for the Thetas, I knew she’d never tell on us, so I told her the truth.
“The Thetas are making us wear these crazy outfits.” I sulked as I noticed people pointing at me and giggling under their breath. I didn’t know how much more of this I would be able to take. This whole pledging thing was truly over-rated. Yesterday, we had to eat some raw eggs. The day before that, we had to walk around school barefoot. Luckily, Mr. Washington quickly nipped that in the bud. Plus, I didn’t think it was fair that Alexis got out of being humiliated at school. I wished I went to a different school.
Jasmine shook her head at me in disgust. “I can’t believe you are letting those girls punk you like that. Do you see them coming to school dressed like idiots?”
Before I could respond, two of the girls pledging with me walked by in similar outfits. Jasmine laughed. “Y’all look like the three blind mice. I might have to find someone else to eat lunch with. Even I don’t want to be seen with you dressed like that. You’re killing my rep,” she joked.
I couldn’t help but laugh. “You don’t have a rep.” I looked at my outfit. “But you’re right. I wouldn’t want to be seen with me either.”
“Maybe I should catch up with you later.” She took another glance at my outfit and shook her head. “Make that tomorrow. Unless of course they make y’all wear diapers or something.” She laughed. “Naw, I’m just messin’ with you. If it doesn’t bother you, it doesn’t bother me. Are we sitting outside today?” She motioned toward the patio door.
“Ummmm, I know you really don’t want to be around me, girl. And it … it’s cool,” I stammered. “I have to sit with my pledge sisters anyway.”
Jasmine looked at me like her feelings were really hurt. She was about to say something, but apparently changed her mind because she shook her head and mumbled something about it not even being worth it as she turned and walked away. I felt bad about sticking Jasmine out like that. The Thetas had let us sit where we wanted the first few days, but then had made it clear that we all had to start sitting together today. I’m sure that was so they could torture us some more. I got my lunch and went and sat down next to Kim, one of my pledge sisters.
I didn’t see Tori at the table in front of me—until I heard her say loudly, “I know you see me. Don’t you have something to say to me?”
I took a deep breath before getting up and going to stand directly in front of Tori. I put on my fakest smile and repeated the daily greeting we were required to say every time we saw one of the Thetas: “Greetings, Big Sister Beautiful One. I humbly greet you this beautiful day with much respect and gratitude toward you for allowing me the opportunity to serve you. What can I do to make your day better?”
“Nothing right now, pledge. You are dismissed. Besides, you’re blocking my view,” she said as she tried to look around me. I turned to go back to my seat and saw Kalvin, one of the cutest boys in school and captain of the football team. He was standing a few tables away, laughing with some of his teammates. This boy was superfine and word around school was that he didn’t have a girlfriend. He and I had sixth period Spanish together. I’d had my eye on him for a couple of months and we had even flirted with each other a couple of times. It had never gone anywhere, though. But I was hoping that one day it would. That’s why there was no way I was going to let him see me looking like this. I quickly and quietly tried to ease back to my seat unnoticed.
“Camille,” Tori called just as I was about to sit down. “Get over here now!”
I walked back over to her
, dreading what she had in store this time.
“We’ve been discussing something and we need you to help us get the answer. I need you to go over and ask Kalvin if he wears boxers or briefs. And oh yeah, ask him if you can borrow a pair.”
My mouth dropped. Had she lost her mind? I thought about telling all of them what they could do for me, but I remembered how bad I wanted this. I would just have to explain to Kalvin later the reason for my appearance. Maybe he wouldn’t be too turned off by this outfit.
I slowly walked up to the football players and stood behind Kalvin. He was so engrossed in their conversation that, at first, he didn’t even see me standing there. One of his buddies looked up, smiled, and then nudged Kalvin.
“Oh, hey Camille,” Kalvin said with a confused look on his face. All of his friends had the same expression.
My face was beet red at this point. I almost turned around and took off running. I looked at my feet and asked quietly, “Umm, do you wear boxers or briefs?”
“What?”
“Do you wear boxers or briefs?” I repeated, this time with more force. I looked at the guys behind him. All of them were cracking up laughing.
One of them said, “Yeah, dog, which one is it—boxers or briefs?”
Kalvin smiled like he finally understood. “Boxers, why?”
“Can a sista borrow a pair?”
“Sure, you want the ones I got on now?” he joked.
I shook my head no. “Maybe you can just bring me a pair tomorrow.” I didn’t know if I was supposed to get a fresh pair or what, but at that point, it didn’t matter. I was so embarrassed, I just wanted to get away.
“I guess I can do that for you. Whatchu gon’ do for me?” He licked his lips. Any other time I would have found that to be sexy and I would’ve flirted back. But considering how I was looking, I was so not in a flirtatious mood.
“How ’bout I just do your Spanish homework?”
“That’s really not what I had in mind.” He stepped closer to me.
I put up a hand to stop him. “I can do the homework. That’s it.” As bad as I wanted to get with him, I definitely didn’t want him thinking I was easy.
He moved back and laughed. “I guess that’ll have to do. For now.”
“Thank you.” I glanced over at Tori, who was no longer smiling. It was obvious she hadn’t intended on Kalvin trying to flirt with me. “Well, I better get going.”
Before I could say anything, he leaned over and kissed me on the cheek. “Keep your head up. Don’t let them get to you,” he whispered. “And maybe after this is all over, we can hook up.”
He actually seemed genuine, and Lord knows I’d love to hook up with his fine behind.
“That sounds good to me.”
Kalvin had never paid me much attention, probably because some girl was always up in his face. So I was happily surprised about him trying to talk to me.
“I gotta go,” I hurriedly said. “Thanks for the boxers. I’ll get them from you tomorrow.” I paused. “And I’ll give you my number in sixth period.” I flashed a big smile before I took off.
I never would’ve had the courage to approach Kalvin on my own, so if we did hook up, maybe one good thing would come out of the pledge mess after all.
11
Jasmine
“So you gave up on the Thetas?”
I turned to see C. J. standing against my locker, his signature smile making my heart flutter against my will. I totally did not understand why I was feeling the way I was now. I didn’t like C. J. At least not in that way, I tried to tell myself. But it’s like my heart was taking over or something because I found myself smiling back.
“Naw. That’s not for me,” I said, trying to maintain my hard composure.
“I didn’t think it was.”
“But I thought you said I’d make a good Theta.”
“I did say that. And I still think you would, but I just didn’t see you going through with it, you know, taking all that stuff they dish out.”
“I guess you knew me better than I knew myself.” I laughed as I closed my locker door.
He flashed that sexy grin at me.
“What?” I asked, clutching my history book closer. I didn’t like him staring at me like that. Camille is the boy-crazy one in our group. Yeah, I fell head over heels for Donovan, but for the most part, I wasn’t trying to get wrapped up in no dude. Shoot, I’d done that with Donovan and look what happened. He dumped me as soon as he got to college.
“What?” I repeated. “Why are you standing there grinning at me, looking all stupid?”
“Because you have a gorgeous smile. And you never let me see you smile. You’re always frowned up, like you’re ready to jump somebody or something.”
“Boy, what do you want?” I rolled my eyes as I continued to fight back my smile. I didn’t want him to think he was getting to me.
“I keep telling you I want you.” He moved closer to me. “I want you to be my girl.”
My eyes grew wide. C. J. flirted with me all the time, but he had never laid it out on the table like that. “Boy, please,” I managed to say after I gathered my composure. I stepped around him and headed toward the double doors that led out to the front of the school. I was hooking up with Camille and Alexis to head straight to our Good Girlz meeting. We’d tried to see if Angel wanted to catch a ride but she still wasn’t talking to any of us. Although I couldn’t for the life of me understand why she was mad at me. And Tameka was nowhere to be found. She probably was off shining Tori’s shoes.
“I’m serious,” C. J. said, running to catch up with me. “We’ve been playing games since we first met.”
“You might’ve been playing games, but I wasn’t.” I kept marching across the grassy area at the front of the campus. I don’t know why I couldn’t stop and hear him out because quiet as it was kept, I was really starting to feel him.
C. J. grabbed my arm and stopped me. “We both were playing games.”
I snatched my arm away. “Really, we weren’t. Or at least I wasn’t. I really didn’t like you. You were a jerk with a capital J.”
C. J. smiled and held up one finger. “Aha!”
“Aha what?”
“You said, ‘didn’t like you.’ As in past tense.” He stepped closer to me again. I could smell his Cool Water cologne. I loved Cool Water. My brother wore it all the time. Only his didn’t smell as good as C. J.’s because he was always putting on too much.
“So, tell the truth, Jasmine.” He gently ran his hand down the side of my cheek. “You like me now.”
I swear to God, I wanted to jerk away from him. Turn up my lips, roll my eyes, suck my teeth, anything to let him know he was crazy. But it was like my brain wasn’t sending the message to my body. In fact, I actually felt goose bumps popping up.
C. J. didn’t give me time to shake myself out of my trance. He leaned in and kissed me lightly on the mouth, letting his tongue peek out just a little bit to dance around the edge of my lips.
He leaned back and licked his lips. “Mmm, cherry lip gloss. My favorite.” He stared into my eyes, like he was looking through to my soul. Dang! I took a deep breath. That so sounded like some sappy mess Camille would say.
C. J. took my hand. “Jasmine, I know I was a jerk, with a capital J,” he said with a smile. “But that’s because I was a boy who didn’t know how to let you know I thought you were so fine. But I’m a man now. And I am totally feeling you. And I’m stepping to you the right way.” He paused. “You think about that. I want you to be my girl. And I’m not gon’ rest until I have you.”
He leaned in and quickly kissed me on the lips again, before dropping my hand. He pulled out a folded-up piece of paper, then pushed it down in my jeans pocket. “Here’s my number. Call me.” He walked off before I could will my vocal cords to work again.
“Oh. My. God!”
Alexis’ voice startled me out of my trance. She and Camille were standing right behind me. I hadn’t even noticed them walk up
. Both of their mouths were wide open.
“That was some Rico Suave stuff!” Camille gasped.
I shook my head, finally coming to my senses. “Whatever,” I replied. I definitely was not about to let them see me swooning over C. J. of all people.
“Was that nerdy C. J.?” Camille asked.
Alexis leaned to the side and watched C. J. get into his souped-up black Toyota Camry. “Girl, ain’t nothing nerdy about that boy. He is too cute.”
“I know,” Camille echoed. “It’s like he grew into a totally different person over the summer. He used to be scrawny and nerdy. I mean, he ain’t all buff or nothing; he’s that skinny sort of fine.”
“Mmm-mmm, like solid. And girl, that pretty chocolate skin. Lord Jesus, help me.” Alexis laughed as she gave Camille a high five.
I don’t know why, but I felt a tinge of jealousy. “Would you all stop talking about him like he’s a T-bone steak or something.”
Alexis giggled. “Sounds like somebody’s jealous,” she sang.
“Whatever. I don’t want that boy.” I turned and marched toward the parking lot. “Alexis, where’d you park?”
Camille and Alexis quickly followed me, laughing. “Jasmine and C. J. sittin’ in a tree. K-i-s-s-i-n-g,” Camille sang.
I stopped and turned to them. “Oh my God. Would you grow up?” I told Camille.
Alexis draped her arm through Camille’s and joined in, singing, “First comes love, then comes marriage. Then comes Jasmine with a baby carriage.”
I rolled my eyes, turned, and continued walking. “You guys are so first grade.”
They both caught up and walked on either side of me. “Okay, okay. We’re just being silly,” Alexis said.
“But tell the truth.” Camille jumped in front of me. “You like him, don’t you?”
I stopped before I ran right into her. I contemplated telling them no, but then I thought, why was I lying about it? I was almost grown. These were my girls. If I couldn’t tell them how I was feeling, I couldn’t tell anyone.
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