Bad Rep (Bad Rep, #1)(55)

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?