Letters by Her [Book 2]

Chapter 4

Dusty grimaced and recoiled beneath her blanket as sunlight seared against the back of her eyelids. "Rise and shine," Ashley ordered, her voice unnaturally sharp.

"What, no," Dusty protested, pulling herself into a protective ball. "Sorry, Sleeping Beauty, but we've got to be at the Kappa Pi house for ten. We're pledging today, remember?" Dusty had a vague recollection of the conversation they'd had about joining a sorority.

"Go shower, and you'll feel much better, I promise," Ashley said.

"Can you at least close the curtains?" Dusty pleaded.

"No."

****

Standing in the hallway of the Kappa Pi house, showered and in fresh clothes, Dusty didn't feel all that much better. She felt sick and exhausted all at the same time, but she was doing her best to focus on the immaculately dressed member of Kappa Pi who was strutting before the line-up of twenty-two girls who had turned up that morning to pledge.

"We are only taking twelve pledges," declared one girl. She was tall and elegant, with her black hair in a neat bun at the nape of her neck. She wore a pleated white skirt and a bright green polo shirt emblazoned in pink with the sorority logo. She looked achingly perfect.

"It's my job as pledge chair to decide who we want," she continued. She spoke slowly and with confidence. "So for the next few weeks, it's me, Taylor Patterson, who you guys need to be sucking up to. The rest of the house doesn't want your home-baked cookies, flowers, or even tickets to the opera. Bribes are forbidden, remember that. At Kappa Pi we pride ourselves on following the rules."

If Dusty had thought that the fraternity house was impressive, then she hadn't been prepared for the sheer wonder of a sorority house. Everything inside was immaculate. From the hardwood floors to the pristine magnolia walls. Pictures of previous alums were scattered on the walls along with the sorority emblem. It felt like a sumptuous home rather than a student dwelling.

"As you of course know, our previous alumni have gone on to be CEOs of great corporations, media executives, surgeons, and congresswomen. At Kappa Pi we want girls who are driven and dedicated in achieving their goals."

Beside Dusty, Ashley stood listening intently. She'd dressed in a blue tennis dress and looked equally as immaculate as Taylor Patterson. You'd never have guessed that Ashley had been out partying the previous night. In comparison, Dusty felt like a mess. She'd pulled on some jeans and an old T-shirt as Ashley was cajoling her out of their dorm room. Her hair drew back in a messy bun. She didn't look like Kappa Pi material.

Taylor went through the line-up of girls, asking them to state their name, their major, and why they would be a key asset to the house. "What do I say?" Dusty whispered to Ashley as other girls in the line confidently introduced themselves.

"Mention being head cheerleader," Ashley whispered back.

Dusty frowned to herself. She wasn't comfortable using something that didn't really feel like a true reflection of her as currency to gain access to the sorority. She wanted to do things at Princeton on her terms.

"And you," Taylor was now standing before Ashley, having already assessed her outfit and given a nod of approval. "Ashley Castennetta, majoring in political studies, and I'm a legacy."

"A legacy, nice." Taylor gave another approving nod. "And you." She stood before Dusty and waited. Dusty took a quick intake of nervous breath.

"Dusty-Rose Black, majoring in mathematics, and I'm a classically trained violinist."

"Violin?" Taylor smiled slightly at this. "I played cello." She moved straight on to the next girl, leaving Dusty unsure if she'd done enough to impress the pledge chair and gain access to Kappa Pi.

"You play the violin?" Ashley whispered, sounding impressed.

"I used to," Dusty answered.

"Awesome." Taylor's decision about the twelve girls allowed to pledge was both swift and brutal. She called a dozen names, the girls whose names she didn't call had to leave. Dusty felt as though she were a part of some daytime reality show. There were even tears from those who didn't make the cut. But both Ashley and Dusty had made it through.

Ashley squeezed Dusty's hand with excitement as they stood in a now much smaller line. "So you will be our pledges," Taylor welcomed them. "Despite what you will undoubtedly hear around campus regarding rush, we don't make our pledges suffer. If you keep your grades up and attend our social events, chances are you'll become a part of the sorority officially before spring."

Some of the girls clapped excitedly at this. "Remember that as much fun as college life is, not to lose focus on your studies, as they are, after all, the reason you are all here," Taylor told the younger students.

Finally dismissed, Dusty realized just how tired she was. As she and Ashley began to walk back towards campus, she yawned and stretched, desperate to get back into her bed. It was infinitely more comfortable than the bunk she'd been sleeping on in the trailer.

"I need a nap," Dusty noted. Ashley didn't respond; she was busy texting on her phone. "Who are you texting?" Dusty asked.

"Brad." Ashley giggled. "Want to go to a party tonight?"