The Alpha Bet

by Stephanie Hale

  Just as I’m about to give up the last shred of hold I have on the picture, I can breathe again. Sloane isn’t on top of me anymore and the punches have stopped. I struggle to my feet to see Charlie holding Sloane by the collar of her jacket as she tries to connect her left fist to my face. Charlie jerks her back just in time.

  “I thought you might need some help,” Charlie says, cracking up when he sees my face.

  “You’re the best boyfriend ever. I gotta go,” I yell, taking off toward the Alpha house.

  ****

  I arrive at the Alpha house huffing and puffing so I take a minute to collect myself before ringing the doorbell. I swipe at my face with my jacket sleeve but the guacamole is all crusty now so it won’t come off. I stab the doorbell quickly, knowing that my nervousness about facing the Alphas is only going to get worse the longer I stand out here. I hear footsteps in the hall and blow out a breath I was holding.

  Lindsay swings the door open and eyes me with suspicion. “Grace Kelly?”

  “T is for traitor,” I say, thrusting the picture at her. I ditched the broken frame in a trashcan on the way over. Her eyes scan the picture and when she sees the Zeta pin, she covers her mouth with her hand.

  “Why did you…” she begins then stops.

  “Because you’re still my sisters.” I tell her, walking away.

  ****

  Christmas break is finally here. I shove another pair of jeans into my already loaded down suitcase. I completely aced my finals. I missed the deadline to enter the science fair but I figure it’s time to give someone else a chance anyway. Besides, it gives me my entire break to help Mom decorate, bake, shop and go out on the occasional date with Charlie.

  “So Lindsey is pretty sure that the Zetas are going to get their charter pulled,” Jentry beams.

  The whole Sloane debacle caused quite a ruckus on campus, even landing her on the front page of the school newspaper. Rumor has it the Zetas were so furious about her screwing up that they banned her from the house. A few days later, some moving men showed up and cleaned out her dorm room. I wish I could say that I’ll miss her next semester but that would make me a big, fat liar.

  “I’m pretty sure they would have killed me and buried my body had they caught me inside the house,” I say, shivering.

  “Yeah, but the Alphas are forever in your debt,” Jentry says, zipping her own suitcase. I nod in agreement, trying to ignore the stabbing pain in my chest at the mention of the Alphas.

  Lindsay and the other girls sent me a beautiful letter telling me how much they appreciated everything I had done for the house but I guess I was still expecting to be let back in.

  “You look really nice,” I tell Jentry, commenting on her black wrap dress and perfectly made up face and hair. She is spending the holidays with her parents after calling them and airing her feelings. I can tell she is trying to impress them. My eyes linger on her Alpha pin adorning the left side of her dress.

  “Aw, this old thing,” she laughs, gesturing to the dress. She winks at me, knowing she hasn’t fooled me for a second. “So that was super cool of Edwina Fay to send you all that stuff,” Jentry says, gesturing to the cardboard box full of her cosmetic company’s makeup.

  “You are welcome to any of it,” I tell her, touching the letter on my desk that was included in the box. Edwina wrote that even though she didn’t approve of the way I became an Alpha, she understood. She thanked me for defending the sorority against Sloane. It was nice to be forgiven from her, especially since Charlie and I are getting so close.

  “What a semester, huh?” Jentry says, appearing next to me, struggling with her many bags.

  “Yeah, who would have guessed,” I laugh, remembering the first time I saw her underneath Aaron’s dragon tattoo. So many things have changed since then, besides just my hair and makeup. I realize now that you can learn things from life that you’ll never be able to learn from a book.

  “Ready?” I ask, sliding on my jacket and grabbing my suitcase. “Charlie is waiting downstairs to take us to the bus station.”

  “Yeah, I know. I told him that I need to run an errand real quick,” she says, shutting and locking our door for the last time this semester.

  Chapter Fifteen

  “Charlie, can you make a quick detour to the Alpha house?” Jentry calls from the backseat of Charlie’s Jeep.

  “Alpha house? I thought you meant you needed to go to Walgreen’s or something. I don’t think this is a very good idea, Jentry.” I pipe up nervously.

  “It’s okay, GK. The sisters are all already gone on break. I just have to check and make sure nobody left a flatiron plugged in or anything.” Jentry’s explanation sounds pretty weak but Charlie heads toward the Alpha house anyway.

  I’m startled when Charlie pulls on the curb in front of the house instead of using the back parking lot.

  “What’s the use of having a Jeep if I can’t off road a little bit?” He laughs, noticing my shock.

  I open the door and jump out onto the sidewalk. I pull the seatback forward to let Jentry out. She delicately pulls herself from the back of the Jeep trying not to do damage to her dress or heels. I glance at the Alpha house and it looks like Jentry was right. There isn’t a light on in the place. Just being so close to the house still stings. I’m starting to wonder if I’ll ever feel differently.

  “It’s kind of creepy with no lights on. Can you come in with me?” Jentry asks, starting to shut the Jeep door.

  “Oh, no,” I shake my head. It’s bad enough just standing outside. I know the Alphas aren’t mad at me anymore but I’m sure they wouldn’t be too jazzed about me being inside the house either.

  “Charlie will go in with you,” I offer, raising my eyebrows to plead with him. He shuts off the Jeep and jumps out.

  “Let’s all go. Safety in numbers,” he says teasingly.

  “Come on,” Jentry says, grabbing the sleeve of my coat so that I can’t run away from her. Charlie gets behind me and places his hand reassuringly on the small of my back. Even through my jacket his touch has a calming effect on me.

  When we get to the front door, I can’t help but remember the first time I went through it. I would still rather suffer through the eye patch again if it meant getting to stay an Alpha. Jentry swings the door wide open and I realize it was a good thing she double-checked the house. I can’t believe that Lindsay would leave it unlocked before leaving town.

  The three of us step into the darkened foyer where only a night-light illuminates the house. I don’t remember that being there before but I guess I better get used to not knowing what is going on in the house. Charlie kneads my shoulders with his hands, probably knowing how hard being here is for me.

  “Thanks for coming in with me, Grace Kelly,” Jentry shouts.

  “Um, sure. No problem,” I respond in a normal voice. She’s been acting sort of jittery all night. I think the stress of seeing her parents is finally getting to her.

  My stomach plunges when I see the first flicker of light coming from the direction of the great room. But when the melodic chanting of the Alpha song begins, I understand. The Alphas have tricked Jentry into thinking they were gone when really they were waiting here for her initiation ceremony. The original ceremony got canceled after the mess I made of everything. I shouldn’t be here. This is a sacred time between sisters.

  I know I should bolt out of the house but my feet seem cemented to the marble floor as one-by-one the sisters make a circle around the foyer. They are all smiling as they sing about lifelong bonds. When the circle is complete, Lindsay steps forward. She is smiling, so I guess she isn’t too upset about me busting in on their party.

  When she extends her arm I think that she is going to hand Jentry the unlit candle she is holding. Then I notice that Jentry already has a lit candle in her hands. She is beaming up at me. I’m still not getting what is happening until Lindsay stops directly in front of me and hands me the candle. I look back to Jentry as if to question whether this is ac
tually happening. She nods her head yes vigorously.

  “Grace Kelly Cook, you have proven to be an extremely loyal pledge. The Alphas would like to extend a lifelong invitation of sisterhood to you. Will you accept?” Lindsay asks smiling, making my mouth drop to the floor.

  This one’s a no-brainer. “Absolutely!” I answer, tipping my candle toward hers to light it. She hands off her candle to Jentry who is beaming brighter than either of the candles she is holding. My fellow sisters and Charlie cheer as Lindsay sticks my Alpha pin onto my collar. Lindsay doesn’t even notice that she has to stick it onto the collar of a sweatshirt because I’m so underdressed. GK would have cringed at the inappropriateness of my outfit. But the Alphas don’t care about stuff like that. As I glance around the room at my best friend, my boyfriend, and all my new sisters, I realize that I never needed a hypothesis, or a makeover. I just needed to be myself.

  The End

  If you enjoyed The Alpha Bet, you’ll love my new novel,

  High School Hangover

  Here’s a special sneak peek of the first two chapters.

  Chapter One

  For a brief moment of insanity, I’d actually considered throwing my GPA just to avoid having to give this valedictorian speech. I wish I was one of those naturally gifted speakers who could make people laugh while delivering an important message, but I’m more the type that feels the urge to hurl before getting in front of a large crowd. Besides, humor isn’t really my strong point, which I blame on my insanely high IQ. But it doesn’t matter because I am killing my speech, in a good way. I’m so glad I trusted my instincts and didn’t do the ridiculous graduation rap that my grandparents suggested.

  “In conclusion, our generation is inheriting historically high unemployment rates, monumental student loan debt, and a health care crisis, but I believe that we should face these challenges head on,” I say confidently.

  I obviously had nothing to worry about because my fellow classmates and the gymnasium full of loved ones who came to see them graduate are absolutely riveted. Some people’s mouths are actually hanging open. Mom’s advice was to lean more sentimental, but I’m really glad I ignored her, too. I couldn’t imagine that people would want to hear my kindergarten memories when there are so many crises in the world. Besides, regurgitating facts and current events are what I’m good at, not making small talk about dances, clubs, and parties I never fit into.

  I’m feeling so brave that my eyes scan my graduating class for one face in particular. Leo Doolin. His eyes meet mine and he winks flirtatiously at me. Leo Doolin, God among mere boys, just winked at me! His gesture shocks me so much that I bump the podium I’m standing behind and my note cards go fluttering to the ground. I start to panic then realize I only have one last line to recite. I take a deep breath and deliver my pièce de résistance.

  “The rest of our lives are not going to be easy. But I truly believe that some of us will persevere,” I finish. I wait patiently for the applause to start, but it is so quiet I’m pretty sure I could hear a cricket chirp.

  “Thank you,” I add into the microphone, thinking that maybe the crowd doesn’t realize my speech is over, even though that last line should have summed it up for them. I step slightly back from the podium still waiting patiently for my accolades.

  I sneak a glance at Leo again and he flashes me a thumbs up. At least somebody appreciated the twenty hours of writing and rewriting that went into my speech.

  It starts to feel super awkward just standing here, so I back slowly away from the podium. I’m about to turn and walk off the stage when the crowd starts cheering wildly. I clutch my hands to my chest and barely hold back tears.

  I had hoped for applause, but I’d never expected a reaction like this. I’m beyond happy that everyone was so moved by my speech. The cheers soon turn to howling laughter. Over the cheers, I hear a ruckus starting behind me.

  Still basking in the crowd’s approval, I turn around very slowly to see what’s going on. I’m completely unprepared to see Parker Zinn, resident class clown, mooning the entire gymnasium. Principal Wrigley is trying to wrestle him off the stage which only results in Parker spinning out of his grasp. Suddenly, Parker’s man junk is facing the crowd and mere inches from me. I twist around so fast I practically give myself whiplash. I bend down and grab for my note cards trying to hide my face that is now scorching in humiliation. I’m not sure if I’m more embarrassed about seeing a boy’s private parts for the first time or realizing that the crowd was cheering for Parker and not my speech.

  “Thank you, Janey,” Principal Wrigley grunts, still wrestling with Parker.

  “It’s Laney,” I correct him then scurry off the stage. You would think that consistently getting the highest GPA every quarter for the last four years might make him remember my name, but apparently not. I wonder if anyone in my graduating class will remember me after today or if I will just become that girl who had her valedictorian speech punctuated by a joker’s genitals.

  I make my way back to my seat without meeting anyone’s eyes. I’m sure I’ll be a laughing stock at all the graduation parties this weekend. Not that it really matters since I haven’t been invited to any. No one intentionally excluded me; I did that all by myself. Socializing always took a back seat to academics. I’ve always admired some of my classmates, Leo in particular, who could party and still maintain a high GPA. I just never felt like I could balance it. Besides, being social has always kind of terrified me. Books are predictable, people are not.

  “Dude, your speech sucked,” Matt Wood says. He holds his palm up for me to high five anyway. After being lumped next to him alphabetically for the last twelve years, I can’t say I’m going to miss him. But I slap his palm back just to be a good sport.

  None of that matters now, anyway. In a few months, I’ll be headed off to college. It’ll be a fresh start and I’m determined to find a way to connect more with people while maintaining straight A’s. At college, I’ll have it all.

  Principal Wrigley hands Parker off to the school security officers and bolts back to the microphone. “Students, if you would please move your tassels,” he says, clearly rushing the ceremony before anyone else gets any bright ideas. We all reach up to our graduation caps and move our red and gold tassels from the right to the left side. “Ladies and gentleman, it is my honor to present you with the newest graduating class of Higginsville High School.”

  Screams of joy echo through the gymnasium as ninety-seven caps go sailing through the air. I take mine off and tuck it under my arm so it looks like I threw it. I’d worked way too hard for this silly cardboard hat to fling it through the air, never to be seen again. I know they are all identical, and it’s not like we are still in grade school with lice running rampant, but still, this one is mine and I want to keep it forever.

  Mass confusion ensues as the relatives descend onto the gym floor. I’m quickly surrounded by my mother and my grandparents. My entourage pales in comparison to the brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, and cousins flocking to my classmates, but I try not to care.

  “I guess I should have done the rap after all,” I admit.

  “You were amazing. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise,” my mother, Karen, dotes, messing with my valedictorian sash. She throws her arms around me and pulls me toward her. I hug her back and try to stop myself from wishing that it was Dad’s arms around me instead. I just miss him so much. My parents promised that nothing was going to change when they got divorced, but they were wrong. Everything changed.

  “It was depressing,” Grandpa chimes in. “I felt like I had just got done reading the obituaries.”

  “Thanks, Grandpa. Don’t sugarcoat it or anything,” I say.

  “Don’t listen to him. He’s getting senile,” Grandma adds.

  “What do you mean, getting?” I tease. If only I could be as comfortable talking to everyone else as I am my grandparents.

  “Ooh, let me see your diploma,” Mom says, backing out of our embrace, grabbing my dip
loma out of my hand. She opens the faux-leather cover to peek at the document inside. Her eyes get misty as she sees my full name printed in black ink across the middle. Laney Nicole Wentworth. I ran my finger over my name so many times during the ceremony I’m surprised it didn’t get smudged.

  “I’m so proud of you, and so is Dad,” she says.

  “Thanks, Mom,” I force out, through gritted teeth. I hate it when she tries to speak for Dad. I know that he is proud of me, and I don’t need her reminding me.

  The divorce was three years ago and I still can’t articulate how I feel about it. Sometimes I’m mad, but mostly I’m just sad. I feel like Mom made the decision to end it and Dad never even got a say. As much as I love her, it’s been hard not holding that against her.

  “We did it,” my best friend, Erika, shouts, pulling at my gown trying to get a hug. I’m thankful for the distraction.

  “I’m so proud of you,” I say, squeezing her tight. It was touch and go for a little while on whether Erika was going to graduate, but I tutored her to help bring her grades up. Erika is a complete social butterfly who took pity on me freshman year when I was too afraid to even eat in the cafeteria. I never understood the phrase “opposites attract” until I met her. She has been the best friend that any girl could ask for. She never complains when I bail on her to study, which is a lot. She balances out my tendency to be completely anti-social most of the time.

  “Gotta jet,” she says, then she disappears as fast as she appeared.

  My stomach drops as her gown vanishes into a sea of black, realizing that soon I won’t be seeing her every day, or even every week. I’m going to miss the fun and spontaneity she brings to my life. She really pushes me out of my comfort zone, which even though I hate to admit, I do need sometimes. Erika has been a bit of a crutch for me socially and I’m secretly terrified I might go back to being the girl too scared to even eat in the cafeteria again without her. But I’m determined to do things differently at college.