Bad Rep (Bad Rep, #1)(56)

Olivia raised her chin as I made my way to my normal seat, flanked by Vivian and Gracie.  Our eyes met and I could see the anger there.  Her lips quirked in revulsion before she looked away.  I swallowed thickly and sat down.  This was going to be a long evening.

Ten minutes later, the rest of the sisters had filed in and we were ready to start the meeting.  All eyes rested on Olivia Peer and waited for her to begin.  Slowly, she got to her feet and slammed the gavel in her hand down onto the table.  “I call this meeting of the Beta Pi chapter of Chi Delta to order,” she said with authority.

The first part of the meeting ran like any other.  Details of upcoming mixers.  Discussions about the Fall Ball.  Ideas for increasing our philanthropy efforts.  The president of our new pledge class gave a rundown of their meeting minutes.  Maybe this wouldn't be as bad as I had feared.

“Now, I think we need to talk about rush week and what we can do to improve things next for spring.” Olivia announced.  I blinked in surprise, sharing a shocked look with Vivian.  What we needed to change?  Rush had been a roaring success.  No one could deny that.  We were able to recruit every girl we had wanted.

“We've had some complaints that our themes were trite and cliched.  That leadership was somewhat lacking.  I think we need to take a look at the way things went and whether this was how we want Chi Delts to be perceived by potential pledges.”  Olivia didn't look my way, but her words were meant for me alone.

So this was her plan.  To make me look even more like an idiot in front of our sisters.  I had already been branded the slut, why not the moron who couldn't chair a rush event as well?  She wanted to tear me down so far that there was no way I could ever climb up again.

Looking around the room, most of the girls were nodding, refusing to look at me.  I noticed there were a few that looked unhappy with our president's announcement.  “This is bullshit,” Vivian growled under her breath.  Because of course this wouldn't just affect me, this would impact Vivian as well.

“Well, I really wonder if maybe we need some new blood handling rush for the spring.  Come up with some new ideas,” Milla suggested sweetly, not shying away from looking at me.  She was enjoying this.  Stupid bitch.  Vivian gripped the arms of her chair and sat forward.

“We had the highest turn out for the fall than any other year.  Every single girl we offered bids to, accepted.  Our skit kicked ass.  I don't see what the problem is,” she said sharply, staring Olivia and Milla down.

I hated that there was a division happening there.  These girls had pledged Chi Delta together.  Vivian, Olivia and Milla were always together.  And now they were split apart.  Because of me.

Olivia flicked her hair back and waved her hand in dismissal.  “Don't get so defensive, Vivvie.  It was just a suggestion.  I know a bunch of us had concerns over doing the same things again.  Thought we'd shake it up a bit.  It's nothing personal,” she said innocently, smiling our way.  I ground my teeth together.

“Not personal my ass!  You know exactly what this is about.  If you want to address your beef with Maysie, then do it on your own time.  Do NOT bring the rest of us into it.  And don't you dare sit there on your throne and think you can tear me, Maysie or any of us down!”  Vivian had gotten to her feet and looked prepared to do battle.  I was shocked to see perky Vivian seething with anger.

I had a feeling that these thoughts spewing from Vivian's mouth like vomit had been festering for a while.  I should say something.  I couldn't let Vivian fight my battles for me like this.  But right then I just wanted to disappear.

Olivia narrowed her eyes at Vivian then turned her steely gaze on me.  Her face relaxed and she started laughing.  Milla joined in, followed by most of the sisterhood.  Vivian's face was a scary shade of red.  “Oh, Vivian.  Chill out already.  I think you're reading too much into things.  But since you brought it up, I think we should address the huge elephant in the room.”  Olivia stopped laughing and turned to look at me.

I withered a bit under her stare.  “Everyone knows what happened last night.  Everyone on campus knows what happened last night.  But none of that matters.”  Olivia's words were clipped.  “Maysie, what you did was wrong.  More than wrong.  It was a complete violation of everything our sisterhood stands for,” she admonished me harshly and I felt like a little child.  How could this girl make me feel so horrible?  Oh, wait...because I was so horrible.

“I know, Olivia.  And I'm so, so sorry,” I told her, hoping to make this right in some small way.

Olivia's eyes held mine and I saw no warmth there.  No understanding, no compassion. I only saw the same anger and betrayal that I had witnessed last night.  “I'm not sure what to do about all of this.  But Jordan and I talked a lot last night.  We hashed out a lot of our problems.  And I think we're in a really good place now.  So in a way, I should thank you, Maysie.  You helped Jordan realize how much he wanted me.  Wanted us.  And we're now stronger than ever.”  Her eyes glittered coldly and I felt like I might pass out.

Olivia finally looked away from me and turned her attention to the rest of the sisterhood.  “So, you see...the best woman won.   And we can put all of this behind us.” What a backhanded way of putting me down.  Everyone looked at me and I knew there would be no putting this in the past.  Hell no.  If anything, Olivia's words only fanned the flames.