Pledge

25. Changes

25. Changes

Mitch felt like he was floating as he made his way into the fraternity house that Monday night, just in time for their meeting.

He had been in a downright giddy state since Date Party. He had spent the rest of the evening with Scott, and watched closely as brothers slowly tried to chip away at the giant wall that he had built around himself.

He even saw Brad and Scott hug.

He glanced over at Jax as he took his seat on the couch. This was one relationship that hadn't quite been mended that night, and his heart sank for his big, as he looked into his sad eyes.

But then he thought about how, indirectly, this was all kind of Jax's fault, anyway.

"Alright, everybody, can I have your attention?" Avi asked, standing. Jax eyed him with a confused expression. Jax was the one who was supposed to call them to order. Avi shot him a small smile of apology. "I just need to say one thing, if that's okay?"

Jax nodded, sadly, and Avi clapped his hands together once, excitedly.

"As you know, tonight is an important night. I will be proposing something to you that's completely new, and drastically different. But I want you all to keep an open mind, okay?"

The group nodded, and Avi continued. "I am also formally asking for you to vote for me as Pledge Master for next semester. I hope that you'll consider it, because I have some pretty excellent news, if you do."

Avi was beaming, and it was actually funny, how cheesy he looked. "If you vote for me as PM, I already have my assistant picked out and willing to help me. As such, I want him to be here for the vote, and he has... tentatively agreed."

The room was filled with hushed conversations and mumbling to one another. "So, here's what I'm asking. If I bring Scott Hoying through that door right now, will you all just... be cool?" Avi asked, laughing slightly. "Please, no bombarding him? Let him just sit down and join us? He's adamant that he doesn't want it to be a big deal."

Brad clapped his hands twice. "Sounds good, Av. Anyone who makes Hoying uncomfortable, you'll have to answer to me."

Avi facepalmed. "That's kind of exactly what we're trying to stop doing, Brad."

The group laughed, and a relieved buzz filled the room as Kevin shifted down the couch to make room for Scott to sit between him and Mitch with a knowing smile. Mitch felt butterflies as he waited. He hadn't been told that this was going to happen, but he was very happy that Scott was taking steps to let his walls down again.

Avi disappeared and returned with Matt and Scott behind him. Matt took a seat on the floor and Kevin patted the couch for Scott to take a seat beside him. Scott shot Mitch a small smile as he settled in, and Mitch hoped that Scott couldn't hear his heart beating through the couch cushions.

Mitch watched as Jax seemed entranced, looking at the blond. Avi began a Powerpoint on the projector screen, but Mitch was too deep in thought as he watched his big to register what was being said.

He tuned back in as Avi displayed the old tentative schedule of call-outs, with the new one next to it. "So as you can see, everything is shifted. The first three weeks are pretty much the same as Week 1. It will ease the pledges in. Staff Party and Exile have been moved to Week 4, because let's be honest, they're more intense than we ever admit. Staff Party can't single one person out. Exile is to be done with heavy clothing."

Mitch looked around the room to gauge everyone's reactions. They all seemed to nod along, but Jax didn't appear to be listening. He was still looking at Scott with an unreadable expression.