My Date with the Frat President

Ch. 21 - See You Next Tuesday

"I really do like him, Brooklyn," Sophie says, coming back from her date with Bradley. "It's not just a rebound thing, if that's what you're thinking."

I sigh. "That's not what I'm thinking. Aiden just doesn't think he's the dating type."

Truthfully, I just don't trust Bradley. He suggested to me that he knows I was at the house on the night of the hazing. He was so terrifyingly calm as he brought it up to me. I'm worried he might start snooping and figure something out. I deleted everything off of my computer, but who knows. Joe was able to get access still.

This could be very bad. For me. And then in return bad for Sophie.

"It's not like we're that serious or anything, Brook. It's been two dates."

Two dates too many.

"I know," I say. "I'm just saying be careful. He also just doesn't seem like your type. I mean compared to—"

"Seriously? Compared to Joseph?" Sophie rolls her eyes. "Brook, Joseph betrayed you. He's a snake. I'm not going to compare the guy I just started seeing to a serpent."

There's no point in continuing the argument with Sophie. She's stubborn enough as is.

"Fine."

"And! We can walk to STD together!" Sophie says, a huge smile on her face. "This is going to be so fun for us!"

I try to smile, but I have a gut feeling that this is not going to be so fun for us.

"Alright, I'll talk to you later. I'm going to wrap up some work at the library," I say and throw on my backpack. "See you."

My mind replays the conversation Bradley had with me at the frat house a few weeks ago. He seemed so certain it was me, that it was my video that was leaked.

He's right, of course. But I wasn't the one who leaked the video. I wouldn't do something that would have hurt Aiden like this... well, not anymore I wouldn't.

I feel a knot growing tighter in my stomach.

If Aiden finds out I was the one who took that video, he is going to be so heartbroken. He is going to hate me for what I did.

"Brook!"

I snap out of my thoughts, stopping just outside of the library and lifting my head to see Aiden jogging toward me. "Hi, Aiden."

He engulfs me in a hug and kisses the side of my head. "I was just going to text to see what you're up to."

"Just going to do some work," I say and point to the library. "We can meet up in a few hours?"

"Shoot, it's already 8pm..." He glances at his phone. "I told the boys I'd host a pregame at 9:30. Why don't you come to the pregame? I mean, what are you doing studying at 8pm on a Saturday anyway, Brook?"

"I really need to work on my paper," I say. "What about tomorrow?"

Aiden clicks his tongue. "Uh," he pauses, "I actually think I have a brotherhood event."

"That's okay. Is it all day tomorrow?"

"Yeah, and you know I'd say come over and hang out until it's over, but because of everything with the video, we aren't allowed to have guests over during events."

I nod. "I get it. So... Monday?"

"You are going to hate me..." He cringes before he says, "I've got chapter. I have to prepare an election speech. You know how big this is for me."

"Of course. I can help you draft it, if you want?" I suggest.

"Nah, nah, I want it to be all my work. I really want to make it come off as genuine, 100% me. Especially with all the heat I've been getting."

"Okay." I try to smile, but it hurts a little that he doesn't want my help. I am a writer, and he knows it's my passion. "Tuesday? Or wait... Taco Tuesday is a sacred event these days at Sigma Tau, huh?"

"Oh, don't be like that, Brook," Aiden laughs. "I'll see you Tuesday. We can make tacos at your place."

I force a smile. "Okay. I'll see you Tuesday then."

He leans down and kisses my cheek. "Good luck studying, nerd. See you Tuesday." He heads off in the direction of the gym.

How can it be this difficult to make plans? My gut is telling me that Aiden actually just doesn't want to spend time with me. Maybe he's bored? Isn't at a thing frat boys do?

I shake my head. I'm letting my own insecurities get in the way of something amazing between me and Aiden.

Inside the library, I find an empty table to set up shop. I spend about 15 minutes trying to start my discussion post but my thoughts distract me too much.

I end up on Instagram.

I'm mindlessly scrolling through reels until I see that Aiden just posted a picture. He has a total of 3 posts, including this newest.

The post is of Bradley and Aiden, both in button down shirts with drink spills creating a pattern. They have red solo cups. The caption is: Beer Die Champs with the little dice emoji. This must've been from the party this weekend.

So unbelievably fratty. It almost makes me laugh knowing that Aiden is so much more than this basic picture.

The first few comments are from his frat brothers, mostly just using a variety of emojis to communicate. What is it with guys and the 100 emoji?

My stomach twists when I see the most recent comments. They're vile comments, calling Aiden terrible names and saying he needs to be kicked off campus.

I try to click on the users to see who is saying such disgusting things to another person, but when I do, the app refreshes and I lose the post. I go to Aiden's profile. The post was taken down.

Did Aiden take it down? I try calling him, but I go straight to voicemail. He declined my call. I feel a twinge in my chest.

I start packing up my things. There's no way I can focus on doing homework right now.

As I turn to leave, I bump into someone. The person drops their papers all over the library floor. I can hear them sigh in annoyance.

"I'm so sorry," I say and bend down to help pick up their things.

"Hey, Brook."

I stiffen when I realize who it is. "Joseph."

He looks different. Tired. The circles under his eyes have darkened and become much more prominent. It looks like he hasn't slept in a long time. His hair is greasy, almost as if he hasn't showered either.

"How are you?" He asks, as if we can have normal conversation right now.

I try to hold back the anger that's boiling up right now. He leaked the video. He's the reason Aiden is getting those terrible comments...

But it was my video.

"I'm fine. You?" I reply in the respectful manner, even though I don't care how he is doing.

"I'm not great, Brook." His voice is hushed, since we're in the middle of the library. "I miss Sophie. I miss you. I messed up. I know that," he says. I can hear the genuine pain in his voice. "Can we talk about things?"

"I don't want to hear what you have to say, Joe," I say. "And Sophie moved on, by the way. You should too."

I brush past him and walk out of the library. Holding back tears of rage, tears of guilt, I try calling Aiden again.

Voicemail.

Again.

Voicemail.