The Alpha Bet

by Stephanie Hale

  She claps her hands together with glee, our holiday obviously coming close to perfection in her mind.

  “We’ll see how great you think it is when you have to wear a homemade Pilgrim hat,” I tell her.

  We are quiet for a few minutes, watching the campus disappear behind us. Jentry clears her throat and seems to want to tell me something. I’ve been dying to ask her what happened after I left the Alpha house earlier but it didn’t seem right to put her on the spot like that.

  “They aren’t mad, you know,” she says, reaffirming Charlie’s thoughts. “Just hurt.”

  “It was an immature thing to do. I knew that eventually it would blow up in my face. I’m just sorry that so many other people got hurt.”

  “I should never have called Nationals then it would have ended that first day,” Jentry says, sounding guilty.

  “That’s the nicest thing anyone has ever done for me. You knew how bad I wanted to be an Alpha.”

  “I had my own agenda though,” she says, shaking her head.

  “It’s over, Jentry. It was fun while it lasted.”

  “I’m really sorry, GK.”

  “I’m fine. I’ve still got you, my classes, my family and Charlie.”

  She raises her eyebrows when I mention Charlie’s name. She looks about to warn me off of him when I hold my hands out in front of me.

  “He’s only seventeen, Jentry. He started college at sixteen just like I did. Isn’t that amazing?” I squeal.

  “Yeah, but Grace Kelly…”

  “It will get a bit tricky next year when he turns eighteen and I’m only seventeen but by then we can prove we have been in a relationship for a year.”

  “But, Grace Kelly…”

  “I know, I know. I might have to skip the family reunions for a while until his family forgives me for dragging them into my mess,” I tell her.

  “But, Grace Kelly. What about Charlie and Sloane?”

  One time Sean threw a container full of ice-cold water on me while I was in the shower. I feel the same way right now. I was so excited that Charlie and I could be together that I didn’t remember why we shouldn’t be. With everything else going on I had completely forgotten about his relationship with Sloane. How could I have been so naïve?

  ****

  Fifty miles later, I’m still smacking my forehead over the fact that I forgot Charlie bold-faced lied to me.

  “Maybe he just got confused,” Jentry says, sticking up for him.

  “No, he specifically said that they were just planning the Jingle Bell Run together and I heard Lindsay telling some active sisters that they aren’t going to participate this year because of the Zetas.”

  “Okay, so he’s a liar,” Jentry agrees, shrugging her shoulders. “Sorry, GK.”

  “No biggie,” I lie, feeling like the biggest idiot in the world for making out with Charlie in the library earlier tonight. “I’m telling him off when I get back to school,” I say, my embarrassment quickly turning to anger.

  “Look, there’s your family,” Jentry shouts excitedly as the bus pulls up to the terminal. I turn to look out the window and when I see my whole family, wearing Pilgrim hats, waving frantically at us. I forget all about Charlie.

  ****

  “If you feed me anymore, I’m going to make you sew elastic into all my pants,” Jentry jokes, digging into another piece of Mom’s pumpkin pie. This has been the best Thanksgiving ever. We’ve done nothing but eat, play games, and watch movies all day. I didn’t have to worry about putting on makeup, doing my hair, or even getting out of my pajamas.

  “Dinner was really great, Mom,” I say. Mom beams with pride and I wonder why it took me so long to realize how hard she has to work to make our lives run so smoothly. She winks at me. Sean tips the nozzle of the aerosol can of whipped topping into his mouth and fills it up. We all crack up watching him trying to swallow the puffy cream before it squishes out of his mouth. My dad pulls his shirt out of his pants and I know if Jentry weren’t here he would be unbuttoning them too.

  “You are the master of turkey, darling,” he says laughing.

  Sean and Dad disappear into the living room to watch football while Mom, Jentry and I stay at the dining room table to talk.

  “I’m not in the sorority anymore,” I blurt out. It has been killing me not to tell Mom about the Alphas since I got home and I just can’t keep it in anymore.

  “What happened?” Mom asks concerned. Jentry excuses herself, knowing I need some time alone to tell Mom the truth.

  “I only got in because I lied. I told them I was the niece of a previous member so that they would have to make me a pledge.” I admit.

  “That’s not like you, Grace Kelly,” Mom says shocked.

  “Believe me, I’m not proud of it. The worst part of all is that I let all the sisters down. They were all so nice to me and I just kept lying to them.”

  “Everybody makes mistakes. Maybe they just need some time to process everything,” Mom consoles me.

  “It doesn’t work like that, Mom. I’m not an Alpha anymore.” It’s the first time I’ve actually said it out loud and it immediately makes me start to cry. Mom scoots her chair back and comes over to me. She sits down in Jentry’s vacant chair and reaches over to pull me toward her. I rest my head on her chest wishing I could stay here forever.

  ****

  Five days later I’m packing my stuff as slowly as humanly possible. I don’t want to go back to school. I want to stay here, in my room filled with science fair and spelling bee trophies. I don’t want to face the Alphas, or tell Charlie that I know he lied to me. I just want to bury myself under my comforter and stare at my glow-in-the-dark constellations on my ceiling.

  “You have to go back. You can either do it with underwear or without,” Jentry teases, shoving stuff in my bag.

  “I don’t belong there,” I tell her, feeling sorry for myself.

  “You still have me, you know?” She says making me feel guilty.

  “I’m sorry, Jentry. I’m just so scared about how things are going to turn out.”

  “Everything is going to be fine. Besides you thought up that awesome science lab thingy, right?”

  My science fair idea. Jentry is right, that is something to be excited about. I have until midnight tonight to turn in my application. The science department is open until midnight just for last minute applicants. Most of the people entering go stand in line instead of mailing their applications. It’s kind of a status symbol to get your entry stamped. Last year I had to mail my entry since I was still living at home with my parents so I’m super-psyched that I get to stand in line this year. Who knows, maybe I’ll get recognized as last year’s winner by a few people. And then I have finals to look forward to in a few weeks.

  Most people would cringe at the thought of all-night study sessions but not me. I’ve missed immersing myself in my studies. And while my books and good grades will never take the place of the Alphas, at least it’s something.

  “You girls getting all packed?” Mom asks peeking her head in my room. Surprisingly she doesn’t seem completely despondent over the idea of me leaving. She even agreed to let us take the bus back to campus.

  “I’m going to go say goodbye to Sean,” Jentry says, winking at me. Mom hugs her as she passes by then plops herself down on my bed.

  “She’s a good friend,” Mom says.

  “The best,” I agree.

  “I’m sorry that I didn’t always trust you to make your own decisions, Grace Kelly. I should have had more faith in you,” Mom says lowering her head.

  “I’m sorry that I didn’t listen to you more. I could have saved myself a heck of a lot of heartache,” I confess, thinking about my decision to get involved with the Alphas.

  “I don’t think you should regret any of the decisions you’ve made. I never could have navigated college when I was your age. I’m really proud of you.” She beams.

  “You know what? I’m pretty proud of me too,” I laugh. She scoops me
up in a warm, vanilla-scented hug that I could stay in forever. How could I have hated these hugs so much just a few months ago? Of all the things I expected to learn at college, how much my mom and family mean to me wasn’t one of them. But it is definitely a lesson I won’t forget.

  Chapter Fourteen

  I’m so glad that Jentry thought to pack me this thermos of hot chocolate. I think some of my mom might have rubbed off on her over break. I sip the warm, chocolately liquid and it takes the edge off how bitterly cold I am. I am bundled up in three coats and a blanket on the sidewalk in front of the science building. I’m fairly certain that I already entered the first stage of hypothermia but I’m first in line, so I don’t really give a crap. It is eleven thirty-seven and the doors open at eleven fifty-five. If your entry isn’t stamped by midnight, you’re out. Okay, they’ve never actually turned anyone away yet but it’s still the status thing.

  There are thirty-eight people behind me eyeballing me, just waiting for me wimp out. So much for any fame or glory here. It’s totally cutthroat. But considering tuition money is on the line, that’s pretty understandable.

  “I wish I could say that I was surprised,” I hear a voice say from behind me. I turn to see Charlie grinning mischievously. I hate that I get partial feeling back in my feet from the heat Charlie causes to course through my body. Hormones are such traitors.

  “I’m just waiting to kick your butt again,” I smart off, promptly turning away from him.

  “I like a girl who is confident,” he laughs, lowering himself down in front of me.

  “Hey, no budging,” the guy behind me says. He lowers his Suduko puzzle book while giving Charlie a warning with his eyes.

  “Dude, chill out. I’m just talking to my girlfriend,” Charlie defends himself, holding his hands out like he’s innocent.

  Girlfriend? Did I hear him right or is it so cold that my hearing is now in jeopardy?

  “How was your Thanksgiving?” Charlie asks innocently.

  I hate that I want to tell him all about my weekend and ask about his. How can he look so adorable in his Carhartt overalls and earmuffs? It isn’t fair.

  “Do you think I’m stupid?” I ask him, tightening my stocking cap over my ears.

  “Um, no,” he answers, looking confused.

  “So why would you flat out lie to me?” Disgusted, I toss the remaining cocoa in my cup in the grass and screw it back on the container.

  “Grace Kelly, I honestly have no idea what you are talking about.” He looks so innocent that I have to resist the urge to kick him.

  “When were you going to tell me that you already have a girlfriend? I mean, we’re in the same sorority house. Okay, were in the same sorority house. Did you really think I wouldn’t find out?” My voice is getting louder and I don’t seem to be able to control it. Charlie and I are attracting the stares of my fellow science fair participants.

  “Are you accusing me of dating someone else?”

  “Stop playing dim. I know all about you and Sloane Masterson.” I can almost taste bile in my mouth just saying her name.

  “Oh, this again?” he groans. “I told you. Sloane and I were only planning the Jingle Bell Run together. I don’t know what she thought was going on but nothing was,” he says defensively.

  “That’s funny because the Alphas aren’t doing the Jingle Bell Run this year.” I think I have him with my revelation but as soon as I see the look on his face I realize that I have been completely wrong. It all makes sense now.

  “Sloane is a Zeta, not an Alpha,” we both say in unison.

  A million memories come flying at me all at once. The fire that would shoot from Sloane’s eyes every time an Alpha dissed a Zeta, the Zetas running for Sloane’s car when Jentry and I were driving it, her absence at some of our functions. She is trying to infiltrate the Alphas for the Zetas. Once she goes active she’ll know all the Alphas secrets to use against them. I’ve got to help my sisters.

  “I’m really sorry, Charlie. I had it all wrong. I’ve got to go fix this,” I say, tearing the blanket off and tossing it aside. I stuff the thermos into my old backpack and throw it across my shoulders.

  “You can’t leave right now, you won’t be back in time to enter the science fair.”

  “This is more important,” I tell him, tearing off across campus.

  I realized about halfway across campus that I have absolutely no proof that Sloane is a Zeta. I can’t just go barging into the Alpha house with some story. They’ll never trust me after what I did. I have to get proof.

  The Zeta Sigma Alpha house is a stately three-story brick Colonial adorned in multi-colored twinkle lights. The smoke coming from the chimney immediately dashes my hopes that maybe none of the girls have returned from Thanksgiving break. I sneak around the back of the house to a partially filled parking lot. Three of the ten windows in the back of the house are illuminated. Somehow I have to figure out how I can get proof that Sloane is a Zeta without being noticed by any of the other Zetas. I’m sure they probably have a wanted poster of me hanging in the house after Sloane told them I was the one who sliced their panties. If they bust me, I’m dead.

  The back door enters into the kitchen, which looks empty. I get an idea that just might work. I peel off my excess coats and backpack and stash them under the wooden steps leading to the back door. I wrap my hair into a short ponytail and secure it with a rubber band. Quietly I turn the knob to the back door, which luckily, pops right open. I tiptoe into the kitchen, leaving the door cracked behind me. I have a feeling I might need a fast exit.

  I listen to the sounds of the house but all I hear is the normal creaking of the house, the furnace kicking on, and some faint sounds of music wafting down from the registers. I head for the refrigerator to find something to use to cover my face. That way if a nosy Zeta busts me, she’ll just think I’m a fellow sister exfoliating her dead skin. I reach for a tub of guacamole when I hear the stairs in the foyer creaking. I flip the lid off and slather smushed avocado all over my face leaving small eye and mouth holes.

  I hear the kitchen door swing open and I quickly shove the container back on the shelf and bury my face in the frig. My heart is beating so fast that I’m pretty sure it’s visible through my T-shirt. If I make it through this, this is definitely my last undercover task. I guess this is kind of like my last Alpha task, even though, technically I’m not an Alpha, or will I ever be.

  “Hand me a water, Katie,” a sleepy voice says from behind me. I grab a bottle of water and hand it behind me without turning around. “Thanks,” I hear the girl say as she shuffles over to a cabinet. I pretend to investigate my options in the frig while she rummages through the cabinet.

  “Night,” she says, shuffling back out of the room. I shut the refrigerator door and take a minute to catch my breath. That was way too close. I have to get my proof on Sloane and get the heck out of here.

  I crack the door open and peek out. I don’t see anyone so I slip out of the kitchen and head toward the living room. I just need something that puts Sloane in the Zeta house. Some sort of documentation or something. I slide along the hallway wall until I reach the room.

  The Zetas great room actually looks similar to ours. A plush sectional sits in an L-shape taking up most of the room. One wall is made up of bookcases filled with framed photos. A plasma television hangs above the still smoldering fireplace. I’m about to investigate other parts of the house when my eyes fall on an eight-by-ten photograph of Sloane wearing a black dress and pearls. Just below the dip of her pearls is a shiny gold Zeta pin. I rush to the bookcase and grab the frame. I skitter back down the hall to the kitchen with my face tightening from the hardening guacamole. I wish I could take the time to wipe my face but I don’t want to spend another second in this house.

  I slip quietly out the back door, the frame safely tucked in my arms. I’m ecstatic imagining how I’ll save the Alphas from leaking their secrets to a mole. Surely they won’t be able to hate me after this. I grab my coats and
backpack that I stuffed under the steps. I lay the picture down carefully while I slip into one of the coats because it is freezing. It is bad enough that I have avocado freezing to my face.

  “What do you think you are doing?” A familiar voice says, causing bolts of fear to run through my body.

  I turn slowly to see Sloane glaring at me then glancing to her picture. Confusion registers on her face, clearly I must really resemble this Katie person, because it takes almost a full second for Sloane to see past the avocado and recognize my eyes. It gives me just enough time to grab the picture and bolt from behind the Zeta house.

  “I’m going to kill you when I catch up with you,” Sloane screams from not too far behind me. Somehow I don’t think she is just saying that.

  My mind automatically wants to start figuring out how far the Alpha house is, and at my current rate of speed, how long it will take me to get there. But I shut it down and focus on the physical act of getting to the Alpha house. If I trip, I’m dead. I jump a shrub on the Zeta property line and head toward the front of the house where I have a better chance of running into more people.

  I hear Sloane’s shoes crunching the gravel behind mine then nothing, meaning she jumped the shrub too and is practically close enough to touch me.

  “Help me,” I start screaming, hoping I’ll scare her off.

  “Nobody is going to help you,” she yells, lunging on my back and knocking me to the ground. I land on top of my arms, which are still holding the picture frame. The weight cracks the glass on the frame. I clutch it tight as Sloane tries to pry my arms from under me.

  “It’s over, Sloane. I’m telling the Alphas everything,” I yell, muffled from having my face kissing the ground.

  “You won’t be telling anyone anything when I get done with you.” She punches me in the side and even though my coat is puffy, it smarts. The punches keep coming until I’m about to give up. Maybe the Alphas won’t need proof. Maybe they’ll just take my word for it. Yeah, right. I can’t believe I failed the Alphas again but my arms are loosening and I can’t hang on anymore.