BAD REP(64)

“Gracie.  Seriously.  I can't feel any worse.  So just tell me the truth, please,” I begged, knowing I was a complete liar.  Because I could feel worse.  A hell of a lot worse.

Gracie sighed again.  “It's bad, Maysie.  Most of the girls are pissed.  Some of them are being extremely vocal in wanting you out.”  I closed my eyes.  I suspected this could be a possibility but some part of me hung onto the hope that “sisterhood” would be stronger than my current drama.  Guess not.

“Okay,” I said softly.

“But, not everyone feels that way, Maysie.  You still have your friends here and they are just as vocal that we should let you and Olivia sort this out between you, and that the rest of us need to back the hell off.”  I felt a glimmer of hope that not all was lost.  And I was relieved that I did have friends at Chi Delta.  Bonds that went a little deeper than coordinating our mixer outfits.

“Have you seen Olivia?” I asked, bracing myself.  Gracie cleared her throat.

“Well, um.  She didn't come back to the house last night.  Apparently Milla spoke with her this morning and she stayed with Jordan.”  Well shit.  I felt like I had been punched in the gut.  Really, really hard.  I felt sick and those stupid tears started welling up again.

“I see,” I responded evenly. I was proud of how calm my voice sounded, even as I was screaming inside.  That dumb, two timing ass munch!  I should have known better!  I HAD known better!  And now I would be the one with the ruined reputation and nothing to show for it.  I hated Jordan Levitt!

“Yeah.  My Jordan worship is at an official end.  Sad to know he's just like every other douche bag out there,” Gracie said a little sadly and I had to smile.

“He gives douche bags a bad name, Grace,” I muttered and Gracie laughed.

“We're going to have to come up with a new name for Jordan that truly reflects his level of douchedom...something like douche hole or f*cktard.  Give me a few hours and I'll think of something,” Gracie assured me.

I was laughing so hard by then that for a second I had forgotten about how much I wanted to run away and join a nunnery.  We calmed down and I gripped the phone in my hand as a new wave of pain swept through my body.

“But you need to talk to Liv, Maysie.  You're sisters.  This will rip the house apart.  I don't want to lose you in the sisterhood.  You deserve to be here as much as anyone else.  What happened was NOT your fault.  Jordan played you.  And if Olivia can't see what a lying * her boyfriend is, then let her have him.”

My heart constricted at her words.  My first instinct was to defend Jordan.  That he wasn't an *.  That he had wanted to be with me.  Then I remembered my quiet phone and the fact that he was right now, with Olivia, instead of trying to talk to me.  I had been played.  Goddamn it!

Gracie was still speaking and I had to refocus on our conversation.  I zeroed in on her words “chapter meeting tonight.”

“Wait, wait, wait.  I can't come to the chapter meeting.  That would be like walking into a lynching.  You can't be serious?!”

“Oh, I'm as serious as a heart attack, Mays.  You will be at that chapter meeting tonight.  Even if I have to drag you there by your hair.  It is essential for you to come.  You have to show the girls that you want to be in Chi Delta.  That the sisterhood does matter to you.  Consider this your first step in polishing your public image, girlfriend.”  I groaned, my stomach already a twisted knot.

“Fine. I'll go.  But if it's a bloodbath, it's all on you,” I intoned miserably.  Gracie clucked her tongue and I could hear her frustration.

“Stop being so dramatic.  Vivian and I will come and get you and escort you there ourselves.”

“Vivian?” I asked in surprise.  But then I remember how nice she had been when I was trying to find Gracie last night.  My heart warmed at knowing she was willing to put her neck out there for me like that.  As surprised as I was, I wouldn't look a gift horse in the mouth.

“Yeah.  She feels bad for you.  Apparently, she knows how it is to be on the receiving end of Chi Delta bullshit.  She wouldn't really go into it.  I guess it was something that went down when she and Olivia were sophomores.  But anyway, she's one more on team Maysie.”  I rolled my eyes, though I know she couldn't see me.