Publication of any and all trademarks contained herein are not authorized by, associated with, nor sponsored by the trademark owners.
~~~
Chapter 5 – Pledge Class:
The Pledge Class is formed.
~~~
"Ok. Let's go over this one more time."
Jade Cross stood ominously over Luci Tennyson. The women were in Jade's room at the Mu Lambda Sorority House, with Luci seated in the middle of the small space. Jade's sorority sisters, the twins Mya and Brianna Marks, stood on either side of Luci, arms folded, grimacing down at her.
"Now, Luci," Jade said, "once you see Tamryn on campus, what are you going to say?"
"I'm going to compliment her. Tell her how pretty her hair is. How beautiful I've always thought she was." Luci was shocked at how robotic she sounded.
"Good," Jade said. "Tamryn's very vain about her appearance. Compliments are the only things that get her attention."
Jade paused to fluff up her thick, jet-black hair before continuing. "And what are you going to be wearing?"
Luci stared at the floor. "Something sexy."
"Good. Very good," Jade smiled
Luci shifted uneasily in her chair. "I don't know, Jade," she said. "Why do I have to go after Tamryn? I mean, damn! She's one of the meanest ones in Rho Sigma Tau."
Jade shook her head. To have won so many scholarships, this girl is dense, she thought.
"Because," Jade snapped, "as we said before, she's the only one conceited enough to fall for this. Sierra and the other girls are too sharp and too savvy. Tamryn's just arrogant enough to buy your bullshit."
Jade ran her hands through her hair, exasperated. "Anyway, once Tamryn bites, then what?"
"I'm going to invite her to my apartment," Luci said. "And tell her that I really need to talk to her. Tell her that I've always wanted to be with her and that I'd do anything to get her alone."
"And because she's too smart to go to your apartment, for fear of running into anyone she knows, what are you going to say when she refuses?" Jade questioned.
"I'm going to suggest going to a motel just a few miles off campus. And tell her that it's secluded and that there's even a whirlpool tub in the room."
Jade smiled. "Good. You're a quick learner."
Mya and Brianna stole a glance at each other. Mya shook her head.
Jade ignored them both and grabbed a black bookbag from the side of her bed. She went to her desk, packed several items inside, zipped it up and handed it to Luci. "Here's everything you need. You do remember the rest of the plan, right?"
Luci's hands shook as she stood and slipped the bookbag over her shoulder. "Yeah. I remember."
Jade then picked up a small, white envelope from her desk and handed it to her. "Good. And as promised, here's your first payment. You'll get the rest when you're done."
Luci took a quick glance inside, then slid the envelope into her back pocket. It was more than enough to pay her bills for the rest of the semester. Though her scholarships covered her tuition, books and fees, she often came up short on her rent and living expenses.
Now I can cut a few hours from working at the library and have more time to study, she thought. However, not one cent of Jade's money could stop the nauseous feeling that suddenly washed over her.
Jade walked over to the door and opened it. "Now, go. And don't waste time! You've only got a couple of days to get this done!"
Luci flinched at Jade's harsh words. She went to the door with her shoulders slumped.
As she passed by, Jade grabbed her arm. "And don't forget – your scholarships depend on this," Jade spat. "You mess this up and I'll make certain you lose everything!" Jade turned her arm loose and shoved her out the door.
As Luci stumbled out, she turned back as if to say something. However, Jade's icy glare quickly changed her mind. Luci, now spooked, scurried out of the room and down the hall.
Jade closed the door, a smug smile on her face as Mya and Brianna glanced at each other. Mya shook her head.
Jade was going way too far this time.
~~~
The warm Virginia sun streamed through the windows as Sierra sat at her desk, reviewing the last of the pre-pledge paperwork. It was now mid-October, and each of the seven lucky ladies that were invited to pre-pledge had submitted her preliminary application, her essay on why she wanted to pledge, her resume, unofficial transcript and her list of three references.
Sierra was also making notes for the sorority meeting she planned to hold later in the week. At the private Pledge Class meeting, her job was to lead the discussion to determine which girls would make it to the Private Tea and Interview session and which girls wouldn't.
By now, Sierra had reviewed all the documents submitted by the seven girls and discovered that a few more cuts needed to be made. As she referred to the papers in front of her, she focused on specific names and frowned.
"I hate that I have to reject these girls, but their grades and references just aren't up to par," she said as she put her head in her hands. Her head throbbed at the thought of disappointing anyone, let alone a girl who was really interested in joining her sorority.
Sierra sighed as she rubbed her temples. I need a break, she thought.