Ditching Greek | editing

40| In this Moment

"You are out of your mind," I huffed, pushing my palms on the table and rising up from my seat. "Is that what this whole meeting was really for? So you can just ramble about nonsense?"

"I knew you'd say that." Aaron shook his head, laughing softly. "This meeting isn't about nonsense. I've showed you evidence. Proof that she's not who she really is. It's time we strike back. Deceive some of their people now that we know for sure-"

"You know nothing for sure. You've shown me text messages that are allegedly linked to Hazel." I flung the stack of papers he had given me across the table. "For all we know this could've been a set up. It would make sense. People know that we are living together. Everyone on campus knows we're friends. I'm not shocked that Amy would try and make it look like Hazel or Monica was behind this as well. I know Hazel, though. And I know what she's capable of and this isn't something she'd do." I glanced around the table of unfamiliar faces. Most of them were frowning and the ones that weren't looking at me were squinting down at the papers Aaron had passed out, flipping through the pages. My eyes fell to Clyde in search of sympathy. "You know Hazel, Clyde. Tell them. Tell that she'd never do this."

He racked a hand through his hair, not meeting my gaze. "Well, you never thought Brandon would do what he did after either until that Vander revealed his plans to us."

My jaw nearly hit the floor. He could have his disagreements with me on what Brandon really did or didn't do, but bringing that bit of information up right now in front of a lot of people was wrong of him. I was trying to win an argument against Aaron here.

"You don't know that Brandon did anything for sure." I hissed.

"Neither do you," Clyde supplied earnestly. "Which also means you can't say you know what Hazel is capable of or not capable of."

I rolled my eyes. "Why d-"

"Enough." Niya's voice cut through my next response. She punched her fist against the hickory wood table, hard. "I don't want to hear another would coming out of the both of you." She scolded at us. "Aaron has other things to share with us. Other important things." She gestured to him, "proceed."

He cleared his throat and shuffled his papers in his hands. "First and foremost before I go on, I need to state that we all must go about our days without informing the people I've mentioned on this list. Greek affiliated members cannot be told what has been spoken about here tonight." He stared directly at me, holding on the gaze longer than necessary and sending a message my way. I knew exactly what he was asking from me. I couldn't tell Hazel or Monica about what I'd just found out. He had another thing coming for him if he thought I'd actually comply with that stupid request, though.

...

The meeting was dismissed, having ended with the farewell statement from Niya, saying that we needed to all be in close proximity of the campus during the Thanksgiving break next month and explaining that it had to do with what Off the Hill members were going to do in retaliation to what was revealed.

Niya exited the underground library first, leaving a trail of gold dust in her wake as she moved to one of the stairs. A few people stopped to admire her glow and beauty. I, on the other hand, stood there wondering how she covered that up on campus. I'd never noticed it until tonight. She most likely had something shielding it from humans. Or maybe we were the only ones who could see it and mortals simply couldn't. I didn't know.

Once everyone had filed out of the library through separate exits, only Aaron, Clyde, a few Clyde's frat brothers, and I went up to stairway that led to the XIX fraternity. Monica was waiting for us in the drawing room, nursing a cold glass of water in her hands.