Pledges 3 -- Interest Tea
~~~
Meeting the potential new members.
~~~
Lincoln University was located on an idyllic 500-acre plot of land just off the Virginia coast. The crisp ocean air swirled easily around the students as they hustled to make it to their 8am Monday morning classes.
Daniel Cross watched the hurried students from his window, 4 stories up, in the Faculty Administration building. Gray dotting the dark brown hair at his temples, the stoic man was impeccably dressed in a sharp navy two-piece suit. His coffee brown skin matched the dark blue color perfectly.
Looking at the students, he remembered those days. A time when it was a luxury to be so carefree; free of the pressures of the real world. He sighed as he looked across his desk. Looking past the various papers and books scattered there, his gaze settled on a framed photograph.
Picking up the picture, his eyes watered at the memories flashing in front of him. He stared at himself, his wife and his daughter. Everything he'd done, he'd done for them. They were all so happy once.
Now his wife was gone, a victim of a tragic car accident only 3 years ago. His daughter, still very much in his life, was either painfully distant, or angry and spiteful. He was at a loss for what to do. Being Provost of the University, he was charged with helping the students sort out their own issues. But how could he, when his own family was in shambles? He sighed heavily. He had to do something.
The intercom buzzed on his desk, interrupting his thoughts. "Mr. Cross?"
"Yes, Madeline?"
"Jade is here."
"Thanks. Send her --"
Before he could switch off the intercom, the door flew open. Jade Cross stormed across the room to stand directly in front of his desk. Eyes blazing, the slim 5'10" beauty, hands on her hips, glared at the weary man in front of her.
"Daddy!"
"Jade," he smiled. He moved from behind his desk to embrace his only child, but she quickly moved away.
"Daddy, we have a problem!" Determination set firmly in her voice.
"What is it, sweetheart?"
"It's Sierra Morgan. And those awful girls. Daddy, they're making my life miserable!"
"What happened, honey?" Daniel motioned for her to sit, but she was having none of it.
"Well, nothing yet. But they're holding an event. A sorority tea. On Friday."
Exasperated, he closed his eyes and rubbed his forehead. "Jade, what's the problem this time?"
"Daddy, why are they even still on campus? You know what they do!" she spat. "And they do it to each other! You know what kind of girls they are!"
"Sweetheart --"
"Those nasty girls need to be kicked off campus for their whorish behavior. I mean, everybody knows about them."
"Knows what?"
"Daddy! You know..."
Daniel tried a diplomatic approach. "Ok. I've heard some rumors. But even if they're true, those girls aren't breaking any laws. And they're not violating the University's Code of Conduct." He thought for a moment. "Wait, I thought they were pretty much good girls. I mean, didn't they win Sorority of the --"
"Daddy!"
Daniel cringed. "I'm sorry, sweetheart. I forgot." Being at odds with his daughter tore him up.
He enfolded Jade in a warm embrace, but he could feel the tension in her thin frame.
"Daddy, I just want to be happy," she pouted. "Those girls are just awful. Nobody likes them. Why can't they just leave?" Overwhelmed, she crumpled into loud sobs.
Daniel gently stroked her back. "Honey, I don't know what you want me to do. Without proof that they're doing something wrong, I can't do anything about Sierra or her group." He pulled back and looked his daughter in the eye. "Just forget about them, and concentrate on school, ok? Please?"
"So you won't help me get rid of them?"
Incredulous, Daniel Cross stared at his daughter. "Honey, I can't."
As sudden as they fell, Jade's tears quickly dried up. She yanked herself from her father's embrace, and wiped her eyes. "I guess I'm on my own then. Thanks for nothing." She turned and walked out, leaving the door wide open.
Daniel sat down behind his desk and rested his head in his hands.
"Shall I bring you some aspirin?"
Daniel looked up. Madeline, his secretary, stood in the doorway. Dressed in a modest blue skirt and blouse, her warm smile tugged at his heart. She is such a sweetheart. I wish Jade was as concerned about me, he thought sadly.
"Yes, please. Thank you."
Madeline nodded, and closed the door.
Daniel rested his head back in his hands as frustrated tears began to fall. It was going to be a long year.
~~~
Sierra was amazed at how quickly Friday rolled around. Busy with the sorority, work and classes, the week raced by. Exhausted at the end of each night, she slept alone; desperate for a restful night's sleep.
Once Friday hit, however, she was rejuvenated with a fresh burst of energy. Today was the Mixer, and she was as excited as she'd ever been.
Rho Sigma Tau hosted an official welcome party on campus a few weeks ago when the semester first started, but the first Interest Tea of the year was always extra-special. It would be their first look at the new group of girls who were interested in pledging this year. It would also be the girls' first look at their sorority, so Sierra wanted everything to be perfect. Or as perfect as humanly possible.
At about 3:30pm on Friday afternoon, Sierra left her job at the campus library. Clad in her sorority sweatshirt and a cute denim skirt, she briskly made her way over to the Student Center building. Greeting several of the students inside, she headed upstairs to the fifth floor. Thankfully, the elevators were working. As she stepped in, she heard a loud voice.
"Sierra! Wait!"
She held the elevator doors open as a six-foot tall statue sprinted down the hall, her arms stuffed with a handful of bags.
"Hey, Miko!" Sierra laughed. "What's all this?"
Miko panted as she stepped inside the elevator and set the bags down. She fought to catch her breath as the doors closed. "I thought I'd bring all the decorations. I was done with class, so I wanted to come over early."
"Thanks, sweetheart. I'd kiss you, but your ass is entirely too tall." At only 5'4", Sierra was dwarfed by Miko's 6'1" frame. "In fact, I probably only come up to your ass."
"That's ok," Miko winked. "You can grab it and rub on it if you like, baby!"
"You're awful, girl! Just awful!"
Arriving at the room, the girls quickly went to work. For the next thirty minutes, the two ladies carefully arranged the setup.
Right next to the door sat the registration table, complete with neatly printed name badges for the members and all of the guests. Several tables around the perimeter of the room were decorated with sorority paraphernalia, such as photo books, clothing and other cute trinkets. Two elaborately decorated sorority paddles, each four feet high, were proudly displayed near the back. Dramatic long-stemmed pink roses were on every table, carefully placed in antique gold vases, and each of the tables was fitted with a beautiful gold tablecloth.
Two front tables, also covered with the gold tablecloth, were reserved for the Chapter officers. Rows of chairs were set up neatly in the center of the room to accommodate all of the guests. At the back of the room were two additional tables set up for refreshments. Two of Miss Mona's staff were coming to deliver a batch of tasty treats just before the event began.
"Wow! It looks great in here!"
The two girls looked up to see Lina walk in. "I'm sorry, guys. I hate that dance rehearsal ran late. I just got done," she frowned. "I wanted to help set up."
'It's ok, Sugar," Sierra said. "I'm just glad everything looks ok."
Just behind Lina, Courtney and Trina strolled in. Both were juniors and also members of Rho Sigma Tau. "Hey ladies!" they greeted in unison.
"Hey, is Tamryn here yet?" Courtney asked.
"No. She should be here soon," Sierra replied. "Why?"
"I got something for her ass," Courtney smirked. "I'll be right back!" She nearly flew out of the room.
"What's that all about?" Sierra asked
"Dunno. They've been beefing all week, though." Miko offered.
Several minutes later, Courtney returned, a satisfied smile on her face. Shrugging, Sierra let it go and concentrated at the task at hand. The girls quickly put the finishing touches on the room while chatting and enjoying each other's company.
Ten minutes later, the group heard a loud shriek. "I hate this broke-down building!"
"What the--" Sierra said, recognizing the voice immediately.
Tamryn limped in, beads of sweat dripping down her face. Her damp waist-length hair hung limply against her back. "Why is the elevator broken, today of all days?"
The girls looked at each other quizzically. "It's not broken," Miko offered. "We just used it a while ago, and it was fine."
"There was a sign," Tamryn said, gasping for breath. "Elevator Out of Service."
"What sign?" Sierra asked. Suddenly she looked at Courtney, who had a wide grin on her face.
"Courtney, go take the sign down," Sierra ordered. "Hurry. Before the girls begin to come."