"Welcome to your first day at Beta Beta!" Amber said cheerfully.
She had long enjoyed showing the newest pledges around the sorority. As the sorority president, she tried to be a positive example to the younger girls. They were usually new to the university as well, so she wanted to be extra welcoming.
Today she was leading a first-year student through their modest sorority house. This was Lisa, who had been at the university for less than two weeks, but she had a strong academic record and Amber thought she showed leadership potential.
"Thanks Amber! I'm so excited to be your newest sister," Lisa replied, blushing. She was still growing accustomed to being away from home, and had been feeling on edge all day. It was intimidating to live with other girls her age for the first time. She just wanted to fit in and learn all she could from them.
"Right this way, Lisa! It's early, so let's see who's in the kitchen," Amber offered, pointing ahead.
They walked down a short hallway before emerging into the kitchen, where three girls were seated around a large circular dining table. Amber introduced them, pointing to each of them in turn.
"Heather, captain of the university's cheer squad and the sorority's social chair," she said, nodding at a girl with blonde pigtails.
Heather looked up from her breakfast and beamed at Lisa.
"Welcome! Who's this? Our newest pledge?" she asked.
"This is Lisa. It's her first day at Beta Beta!" Amber said warmly, then turned back towards Lisa.
"I'm sure you'll be seeing more of Heather at our social events, Lisa," she said, giving Lisa's shoulder a friendly pat.
"There's Jessie, business major and sorority vice president," she continued, indicating a girl with thick brown curls. Jessie was staring intently at the back of a cereal box and offered no response.
"Don't mind her," Amber whispered to Lisa. "She hasn't had her coffee yet."
"I heard that," Jessie mumbled around her spoon.
Amber chuckled, turning towards the third girl at the table.
"And that's Rachel, applied economics major and the sorority's Treasurer," she said proudly, pointing at a girl with a long brown ponytail. Rachel was staring at her phone and distractedly waved a hand without looking up.
"C'mon Lisa, I'll show you the lounge," Amber said, rolling her eyes. Her sisters weren't helping her make the best first impression. She'd have words with them... later.
Lisa gave a timid wave and followed Amber. They arrived at the lounge, which featured a large sectional sofa and a big-screen television. It was early yet, and no one was around.
"I guess everyone's still waking up," Amber said, sounding disappointed.
"Anyway, let's get you to your new room!"
Lisa followed Amber down another hallway, relieved that they hadn't encountered anyone else. She had pledged Beta Beta for the academic excellence and moral character of its sisters, and meeting so many of them in such a short time was awe-inspiring. She hoped she was making a good first impression.
They arrived outside a doorway in the residential wing.
"I'll let you get settled in," Amber said.
"Your roommate should be along shortly. See you this afternoon for our house meeting!"
She smiled, then turned and walked down the hallway, disappearing around a corner.
Lisa peered at the doorway. There was a small paper taped to the wall, on which Lisa & Ella was written in pink ink. The "I" in her name was dotted with a pink heart, dutifully filled in by its author's pen until it was solid pink. She stepped inside the room, closing the door behind her.
