Page 103 of Fast

I’m gonna kill Heather, I promise myself. This is the last time she drags me into the unknown. I was more than happy to blend in with the freshmen crowd. I don’t care about being popular or whatever this is about.

“You’ve got this, Zara.” Heather cheers, her smile warm and encouraging.

That does the trick. I can’t stay mad at her because I know she genuinely wants to include me and be my friend. Heather is the classic popular social butterfly, but she’s kind and supportive, so I want to make her proud.

“My name is Zara Fields,” I begin. “I grew up all over the place, moving often to follow my dad’s job. I spent the past two years at a prep school in Connecticut, and I just came back to California to attend college here. I don’t know many people in town just yet, but Heather is my next-door neighbor, and she invited me to come here tonight. My hobbies are reading and baking. A fun fact about me? My dad was a professional motorcycle racer, so I can tell most motorcycle makes and models by the noise they make. I’m an only child like Heather, and I’m excited to make new friends on campus and in town.”

I must have done ok. Heather is beaming at me.

“That’s awesome stuff,” Candace says, doing that strange silent clapping thing by snapping her fingers. “The Zeta sisters and I would like to offer you dinner. Then the fun part of our sleepover will begin with rom-coms, pillow fights and some yummy, low cal snacks. But before we begin, you can set up your sleeping bags in the den. Follow Courtney. She’s going to show you the way.”

Under different circumstances, I would laugh at how cliché the activities planned by the Zetas are—pillow fights? Seriously?—but I have something else to worry about.

“Heather,” I whisper-yell, as she walks out to her car to get hernight kit. “I didn’t bring anything. I don’t even own a sleeping bag. Why didn’t you tell me?”

Heather links her arm with mine, smiling at the Zeta sister who’s watching us and making notes on her clipboard. “I’ve got you, babe. These rush events haven’t changed since my mom and my aunt were Zetas, so I’m prepared. You can’t come in here with any old sleeping bag. There are certain designers that willmake you look good in front of the sisters. And I made sure I got everything in pairs, so you and I match.”

Oh. “Thank you, Heather. Can I pay you back for the stuff you got for me?” I ask as we arrive to her car.

“No way.” She pulls me into a hug. “I’ve liked you from the second we met Zara. Now you’re my neighbor and you’re Chance and Ares’s sister. We’re family. If I keep saying it, you better believe I mean it. Besides, I know rushing Zeta Theta Beta wouldn’t have been your first choice. I’m grateful you came here just because I asked you. This is what friends do, and getting you the stuff you needed for the sleepover was the least I could do.”

“You’re such a sweetheart.” I smile, hugging her back.

But you know what they say about speaking too soon? Everything Heather has gotten us is Pepto pink. I feel like I’ve been catapulted in a remake ofLegally Blonde. The PJs she bought are skimpy pink silk camisoles with matching shorts. They would be ok, if all the edges weren’t trimmed with feathers. Pink, fluffy feathers. There are also pink slippers with a kitten heel and… more pink, fluffy feathers.

I’m too shocked to say anything, but Heather must have known exactly what she was doing when she chose this nightwear.

After dinner, we get shown to the downstairs bathroom to get changed and when we join the other girls in the den, I understand the method to Heather’s madness.

Candace and the other Zeta sisters are in very similar PJs and sleeping bags; our stuff isn’t identical—which would probably be a faux pa—but we look like we fit in.

“Good night, potential pledges,” Candace says. “Just be aware that Zeta sisters don’t snore.”

A myriad of candles come to light once the light is turned off.

“Hmm, these are elegant candles,” I whisper to Heather. “I guess it’s safe since we’re going to be asleep. But the effect is a little creepy. Real candles feel more romantic.”

Angela fluffs her pillow, glaring at me from her spot on Heather’s other side. “Candles aren’t permitted in this house, since the old Zeta house burned down last year.”

“Oh, sorry. I didn’t know.” I say, surprised by the animosity in her tone.

Heather glares at her friend. “Angie, what’s your problem?”

I elbow her, shaking my head. I wonder if somehow Angela knows about me and Lev. Whether that’s the case or not, I don’t want to cause a scene in here, especially since being a Zeta is so important to Heather.

“Just so you know,” Candace sits up from her spot to look at the three of us. “Not allowing candles in the house is purely a precaution. Our old house did burn down last year, but that was arson and it didn’t involve a candle. The person responsible for the fire is in jail right now. But we almost lost our chapter because of what happened, so it’s better to be safe than sorry. If you relay Zeta history to someone, make sure you know what you’re talking about. This will teach you a lesson.” The sorority president grabs her pillow and hits Angela with it.

“PILLOW FIGHT!” The other sisters yell.

“Yay!” Heather squeals, hitting me square in the face with her pillow.

I gasp, looking at my new friend with mock outrage. “You didn’t.”

Before I know it, everyone is laughing and hitting each other with pillows.

At home, I use an orthopedic hybrid pillow made of recycled bamboo that supports my neck and back, even though I’m a stomach sleeper. Here? Almost everyone has pillows stuffedwith feathers, and before I know it, those suckers are flying everywhere.

By the time the fight dies down, and everyone is settled into their sleeping bag, my stomach hurts from all the laughing. Who knew that pillow fights would be so hilarious?

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