Page 14 of Only With You

Usually, they last for about thirty minutes to an hour, but now that Sienna is president, they’ll run up to two hours. There’s only so much she can talk about. Our philanthropy, issues that need to be addressed, and events coming up.

She’s passionate, I’ll give her that.

I sit up when I hear her say one last thing, but sink back into my chair when she says, “So, as you all know, semi-formal is in December, and with that being said, I wanted to tell the newcomers about our two simple rules.”

Even though semi is three months from now, we always get together around September and discuss who we’ll be going with. It’s unnecessary, because a lot can change from here to then, but it’s been a rule since long before I came here.

And because this is a sorority, and they like to be extra, we don’t just call out who we’re going with. It’s all based on position and seniority. Sienna goes first because she’s president, then the recruitment counselors, and so on.

The second rule is sharing our dress in the group chat. Just to make sure no one shows up wearing the same thing.

“This year, I’ll be bringing Landon Taylor,” Sienna announces.

I almost laugh, but manage to stop myself. I’m the only one who’s amused, because the rest of the girls seem shocked.

“Landon Taylor as in the basketball player?” Grace quizzically asks.

“Yes, him,” she replies as if it should be obvious.

“Sienna, you really think he’s going to come?” Breanna hesitantly questions. “He never comes to these things.”

She folds her arms defensively, eyebrows pinched together. “Of course he’s going to come. Just because he doesn’t talk to any of you doesn’t mean he doesn’t talk to me.”

No one makes a comment or doubts her, because when Sienna sets her mind to something, she’s persistent enough to get what she wants. I won’t be surprised if the Spawn ends up going with her.

The rest of the girls go around naming who they’ll want to go with and it’s no surprise that most of them are athletes or in frats. Though I’m right behind them, because I picked Finnick Kaminski. He’s a football player, and usually I stay away from athletes, but he’s the only exception. I’ve gotten to know him because we’ve had a few classes together, and I went to semi with him last year. He was nothing but amazing and sweet.

I zone out as the rest of the girls call out who they’re going with, and as soon as I hear “that concludes today’s meeting,” I get up and leave the house. As I’m about to open the door to my Rover, Sienna calls my name.

“Juli, wait.” I roll my eyes at her haughty tone and the way I know she’s smiling at the stupid nickname. She knows how much I hate it.

I force a smile and turn. “Yeah?”

“I know you’ve picked your date for semi, but if it doesn’t work with Finnick, I know Cole Austin said he’s interested.”

My heart lurches and beats frantically. My body seizes painfully at the reminder of that night with him.

“Are you serious?” My voice cracks in a whisper. “After everything that?—”

“Juli,” she cuts me off, placing her hand on my heavy shoulder. “Nothing happened. Why can’t you let it go?”

My heart bottoms out, landing at the pit of my stomach, tempting the water I had earlier to bitterly rise up. Shrugging her hand away, I open my door and look at her. “Because somethingdidhappen.”

“You’re being dramatic.” She heaves a sigh. “But if you want to go there, remember you were just as drunk as he was. I told you not to drink too much but you did. And you better be glad no one else knew about it, or you’d be kicked off the sorority.”

“Whatever.” I climb in, slam the door behind me and drive off.

Biting my quivering lip, I hold back the tears that threaten to spill as the memories of that night invade my thoughts.

Breathe in. Breathe out.

I close my eyes and firmly clutch my phone in my sweaty palm as I pace my room.

The mantra is useless because when my phone vibrates in my palm, my somewhat steady heart rate surges, smacking hard against my rib cage. A shiver racks down my body, and my breath becomes uneven.

I don’t know why I do this to myself. I should be used to it by now.

Once a week, every Sunday, I get a phone call from either Mom or Dad at the same time, 7:00 p.m. I’ve been getting these calls since my freshman year, and now that I’m in my senior year, I should know what to expect.

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