The Life And Times Of Rachel Grape

Just Like That

It was Monday and her boobs throbbed. They looked bigger. She said to herself, "I am going to have one hell of a period." Her roommate did get into Gamma Beta and she was happy for her, "I am outta this popsicle stand. It's been real." Rachel smiled. She excitedly went over to Westin's.

"Oh my God, Westin! She got in! She is moving to the pledge room!" She exclaimed. He looked at her on the cold, October morn. "You can stay with me!"
"Maybe we need to rethink this."
"What do you mean?"
"I think we have taken this too fast?"
"Westin. I don't understand."
"Look, and I hate to say it, I think we need to break up."
"But I was going to your house. You were coming to mine. What is going on?"
"I love you, but I don't think this is right. I am so sorry."
"But Westin. Please?"
"It just isn't working out. I am so sorry."
"If it is something I did wrong, please let me know. I can make it better."
"Rachel, I know the whole fucking story."
"What? It was my sister. She is the one who slept around," she sobbed.
"No. Your mother slept with someone while she was married. My mom knew and she said you mom hung out with soothsayers and I want a Godly woman," he said, handing back her plaque. "Look, good luck. I'll see ya around, it let's just pretend this never happened."
"Westin, why are you doing this to me?"
"I just can't. I am sorry, Rachel. I hope you get a ride home for break."

He showed her the door and he broke down. He wanted to stay with her so badly, BUT when someone didn't do what Wendy said, she made their lives hell. One of his sisters dated a rocker and that was cut short. He loved Rachel, but she wasn't family. So, he chose his family and he hated his mother for that reason. He punched the wall. He watched her try to make it across the lawn and he ugly cried.

Rachel was crying, ugly crying. Snot running from her face and he hoped that she didn't do anything drastic, But per his conversation with his mother, he needed to break up with her. Rachel barely made it home, called her mom, and said she needed a ride home and to pack to go home for good. "I am sorry you paid for this. I will go to community college in the spring." Her mom was sort of relieved and her professors were saddened their top girl was leaving. Her dad would be there the next day to pick her up. Secretly, he was thrilled to have his girl home. He was glad that bullet was dodged. He knew how Wendy could be.

"You okay?" Elise asked Gilbert that evening as the winds roared outside.
"I am just heartbroken by my girl. Even in college, we Grapes get judged."
"I have always been proud to be a Grape." He kissed her.

Bonnie was secretly glad her sister was coming home. She missed her a lot and she said she was "going up to that school and kicking Westin in the balls." Bonnie took being a grape seriously.

Rachel sat in a fetal,position in her room, as three girls came and got all of Arianna's belongings. Arianna was talking about how she was going to run for pledge class president and this new life would be wonderful. "Don't know why she is so mopey. She is going to miss me! Or maybe she is a lesbo and is in love with me." The girls erupted in laughter. Rachel cried and barely slept when morning came.