Page 49 of The Bro-code

The Dean hands the typical folders with all the details about your new dorm room to four very unenthusiastic Zetas.

“At this point,” he says with a sigh. “Campus is completely full. I’m afraid the situation off campus isn’t any better. All the apartments within walking and reasonable commuting distance from here are full. We even looked at local hotels but we’ve had no luck with those. Aside from the increased cost of renting a hotel room, a few hotels have already closed down for the low season. After the mayor clamped down on airBnB's, that leaves the Grand Hotel. And that’s closing until the new year for extensive renovations, so all my office could do was to reach out to our other fraternities and sororities. In the full spirit of the Greek tradition, those other houses have opened their doors to the embattled Zeta Theta Beta.”

Embattled?

I swear I feel like the Barden Bellas in Pitch Perfect after the pussy incident.

Fear rears its ugly head that last night’s events might have attracted the negative scrutiny of the Dean and the smallest mistake could make us persona non grata on campus. As it is, I need to do damage control with our central chapter and make sure that they aren’t thinking about closing us down permanently.

That would be one terrible legacy.

Bay Woods: the Zeta president who burned the house down and caused the permanent closure of the Star Cove chapter.

A part of me wishes that I had taken Luca’s sister’s example and gone on a gap year rather than coming back to campus for my senior year.

If I think that two days ago I was leaving the royal yacht after an entire summer of pampering and traveling around the Mediterranean Sea, my current situation looks even worse.

But remember what I said about rock bottom and Murphy’s Law?

Here’s one life lesson for all of you.

When you think you’ve reached rock bottom, don’t complain about it. Because life has a sick sense of humor and fate will work hard to show you how what you thought was the bottom, was just a temporary low. Just when you think things couldn’t get worse, fate will give you one final push into the real bottom and laugh at your expense.

I know how this might sound overly dramatic, but stick with me and we’ll see how you feel in a few minutes.

“The Yucks?” Candace cries out. “You can’t possibly expect us to shack up with those girls, sir.”

I groan as the Dean goes on a tirade about how we’re lucky to be the recipient of the other Greek chapters’ kindness.

Tami, Liv and Viv are luckier to find shelter with the Kappa Alpha Lambda, who aren’t as prestigious as Zeta Theta Beta but are very nice.

A few more sisters will move into the Nu Omega Pi house and the Pi Omicron Psi.

“This leaves one last Zeta to re-home,” the Dean’s gaze lands on me again. “Miss Woods, we’ve found you a room in the Gamma Delta Tau house. Ladies, you’re now dismissed?—”

I know the Dean said we weren’t in the position to complain. I even agreed with him, for fuck’s sake.

“There must be a mistake,” the words leave my mouth on autopilot.

“There are no mistakes,” the Dean takes his glasses off, leveling his most severe glare in my direction. “Frankly, Miss Woods, I’m disappointed that you can’t be a role model to your sisters. When I said no complaints, I expected you of all people to get the message.”

He isn’t wrong. Even though he wasn’t quite so harsh when his own daughter complained.

“I know,” I agree, hoping to appease him. “However sir, can I respectfully point out that Gamma Delta Tau is a fraternity?”

The Dean nods. “I’m well aware of that, Miss Woods. I’m a proud member of Gamma Delta Tau.”

Right, I forgot about that.

“Then you must see how I can’t move into a house with two dozen men.”

If I thought Dean Williams would be sympathetic to my predicament, I was wrong.

“So?” he shrugs. “We have several coed dorms on campus and I don’t see a problem since I’ve been assured that you’re going to have your own room. As it is, you’re luckier than most of your sisters who will have to share a room.”

Yeah, but they don’t have to move in with their cheating ex. Of course I don’t say that. “You’re right. No problem,” I smile. “I’m sure one of them will be happy to swap with me?—”

“I’m afraid that’s out of the question,” the Dean cuts me off. “Those accommodations are final. Unless you have relatives in town or can find some other form of living arrangements, each of you will go to their allocated new quarters.”

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