Travenna State University

"Chapter 3: Making a Decision

The next morning, I woke up late almost missing my Bio 105 class. I was still a little shaken from the previous events of last night. I couldn't believe how we were treated. My father warned me that I and Zaveon would get the most out of any other candidate because we were considered legacies in the origination. I knew that hazing was illegal and wrong, but I had to be a member at any cost. In Bio class, Dr. Ross was giving a lesson on cells. Cells are the smallest unit of life that can replicate independently and are often called the "building blocks of life". He said in his raspy voice, "Any other questions?"

He muttered as he walked around the classroom. Then he decided to the let class go early.

"Jacob, I need to see you to talk about your grades in my class. Come by my office before the end of the day." He said in a serious tone.

I knew my grades were slipping and I couldn't afford to fail a course. I was on full academic scholarships and my father would kill me. After Dr. Ross' class "Lanverh told us all that next week will be take an exam on "segregation.? That meant for us to study study study. After leaving English 104, I quickly hurried to Dr. Ross' office. I was nervous about what he would say. In my mind, I thought he would drop me from the course or worst, the program. I knocked on his office door. He was sitting down in his brown leather chair and talking to a staff member on the phone. He pointed at me and asked to me to take a seat. As I looked around his classroom, I saw pictures of him, degrees and a corner full of fraternity items. I never knew Dr. Ross was Greek. He was a member of Rho Psi Psi. Rho Psi Psi fraternity was founded on March 15, 1921 on the Campus of Travenna State University, Goose Creek South Carolina, and the Alpha Chapter.

The fraternity has been rooted on brotherhood, integrity and rich service. The brothers of Rho Psi Psi were known as the smart ones who cared about brotherhood and service. They paid more attention to their GPA rather than who's smashing Brieshia Ronald's in Reed Hall. After heavily "I am little disappointed in you Mr. Simmons." He said in a strong tone. "You graduated in the top of your class and your on a full scholarship here. Why would you mess that up?"

I looked at him and said, "I'm trying to study more, I've just been busy a lot lately."

He stared at me while I talked and then said, "You do know pledging is illegal?"

I looked at him in shock. "I'm not pledging," I said while looking off at the wall.

"Mr. Simmons I'm not stupid nor was I born yesterday. I will say this only once. You are in school for a reason. Joining a fraternity is good, but education and class comes FIRST!" He continued in his deep voice. "Now I will let you make up the exams; just promise me you will study."

I nodded my head 'yes.'

Knock Knock Knock! Someone was at the door.
"Come in." Dr. Ross said.

A tall light skinned guy walked in the door. "Wassup Dr. R?" He said while going behind his desk."

"Jacob, this is another one of my students, Charles."

I knew who he was based on seeing him around campus and he was SGA President. He came over to dap me up, "I'm Charles," he said smiling.

I said, "I'm Jacob."

"You can go now Jacob and remember what I said."

I nodded and walked out. I felt very out place when Charles walked in the classroom. I ready to get out.

"Ayee yo Jacob, wait up," I heard someone say behind me. It was SGA Charles.

"Yo if you need any help or anything with the department, holla at me. Matter of fact, take my card." He said while texting someone. "Aight, I gotta head back to the office." He said while dapping me again.

I said, "Cool cool." Then, I got a text message from Zaveon saying to meet him at the campus cafe." "Zaveon and five other guys from last night were sitting at the table. "You want something to eat?" Zaveon asked me.

"Nah, I'm good." Honestly, I thought sitting at the table with the other guys was kind of lame, but I guess they wanted to form some type of brotherhood before actually getting on line.

Tyrone was at a table beside us talking to the freshman class president, Lisa Stevens. I was really ready to leave and go to my room to get some rest. It has been a long day and I didn't feel like being bothered with anyone. On the far left side of us I saw a few members of Rho Psi Psi siting down.

"Ay yo Jacob," It was Charles again. "Come sit with us."

I was confused as hell and didn't know what to do. My friends looked at me like I was crazy. Charles and his frat brother Don came over and rapped his arm around my neck, in a friendly way, leading me in the direction of their table.

"I'm Don," he said.

Don was also tall, but dark skinned. There was also two other Rho Psis' at the table, Jermaine and Rob "Charles said to Jermaine and Rob. They both got up and dapped me. Jermaine was tall and brown skinned with freckles. He was very loud and cocky. Rob was tall and light skinned, who was all about numbers and data. I looked back and saw my best friend Zaveon looking at me with confusion. Even Tyrone stared at me. I was nervous at first, but the brothers of Rho Psi Psi made me feel comfortable. They were more rateable and had a better understanding about life and goals.

I looked back again and Zaveon and the other guys at the table were gone. The Rho Psi Psi brothers asked me many things like where was I from and what I wanted to become in the future? The nervous side of me began to go away. It felt as if I've known these guys for years. I didn't see Rho Psi Psi anymore. We talked for at least 3 hours in the cafe until it closed. As we walked to the front door of the cafe, I saw Nu Nu Psi's, Bryan Kennedy.

"You can't speak Mr. Simmons?" He said to me while walking away.
I said, "Sup."He continued walking away. I knew I was in trouble. I knew something bad would be coming my way for interacting with the Rho's."
"Don't mind that fool." Charles said while putting his iPhone in his pocket. "I'm about to catch this shuttle and I'll see you around little homie." He said while running to the campus shuttle. Rob and Jermaine went to class and told me to keep in touch while Don stayed on campus.

"So where you off to?" Don asked me. I told him my room. He went into his phone and asked me for my number. I replied, "404-555-7322."

"Aight cool cool, I'ma send you a text for a event I'm having tomorrow."

"Aight, cool." I dapped him up. Then, I looked down at my phone seeing several missed calls and text messages from my bruhs.

I was pretty much done for the day. I just wanted to rest. I opened my dorm room door to see Zaveon and Tyrone on my bed looking at me shaking their heads. "Yo what the fuck mane, you trying not to get online or what?" Tyrone said in a heavy, angry voice. Zaveon just stood there quietly. I just walked to the other side of the dorm to put my shoes in the closet. "So you ain't got shit to "to say now?" Tyrone muttered."

"I'm good bruh, let's just leave it at that," I said tiredly.

"Yo, I'm not trying to do nothing, the Rhos came up to me. I didn't do shit, but sat at a table. Y'all niggas trippin'," I said while throwing my Jordans to the floor.

"Nigga fuck yo lame ass!" Tyrone yelled while slamming the door. I wanted to smack the shit outta him, but I didn't pay it any attention.

"Are you mad too Z? You saw when those niggas came to the table and grabbed me? I asked.

"Nah I'm not even mad, I know where your heart at," he said. I dapped him and told him that I'll be back in 20mins.

After a long hot shower I just wanted to go to be bed. When I walked back to the room, Zaveon was knocked out on Tyrone's side of the room. I jumped in my bed. I had a lot of shit running through my head. I was starting to question do I really want to join Nu Nu Psi, is it really for me? I got a text message from Don telling me that I'm invited to his birthday party tomorrow night at Club Levels. I told him I'll be there. Two minutes later I got another call telling me that I had an interview tomorrow at 8:23 pm for Nu Nu Psi. In my mind, I was totally fucked."