Page 152 of Filthy Elites

“That was an accident,” I say, repeating what I’ve heard from Royer. “That kid had undisclosed asthma. Zeta Sig couldn’t have known that.”

The look he gives me is filled with pity—like he thinks it’s sad that I’m so dumb. “They forced Brandon Wheeler on a fifteen-mile hike with no water, no food, and zero supplies. He died on the trail, and no one found him for another twenty-four hours—after his roommate reported he didn’t come home.”

I repeat what I’ve heard Royer say. “Three other pledges passed out but still made it. There’s always a risk.”

“That’s only the one infraction people heard about. There are dozens of other violations to the hazing rules at Whittmore.” His nose wrinkles. “Things too disturbing to speak of.”

I tear the piece of paper securing the napkin around the silverware. “Well, whatever you want from me, it doesn’t matter. I’m withdrawing from school. I was in the middle of packing when you came creeping into the laundry room.”

He ignores the jab, leaning back against the shiny red booth. “You don’t want to see these people go down—even after what they did to you?”

“They didn’t do anything. I did it to myself. I opened my big mouth.” In more ways than one. “I knew the rules and broke them.”

“You were set up.” I focus on his fingers tapping the sides of his coffee mug, trying to blink back tears. “These people are no longer about brother and sisterhood. They’re about power and fucking with lives.”

I unspool my silverware, placing each one on top of the napkin. “Why do you know so much about it?”

“I work for the Greek council, and,” he sighs, running his hand through his hair. “I was one of them.”

My eyes dart up. “You were a Zeta Sig?”

“Yep.”

“Then why are you trying to destroy them?” Even after the hurt and betrayal, I still have feelings for Royer. He must have done this for a reason. Maybe Andrea has dirt on him, too? Even though it sounds crazy, I don’t know if I can hurt him. But Andrea… that bitch can die in a fire.

“People like Royer and Miller are trying to destroy it themselves. The history and traditions mean nothing if the charter is revoked, and they lock the doors. Girls like Andrea are nothing but bullies, and trust me, people notice. All those connections they want mean nothing from a banned member or worse, from a jail cell. They won’t come out of this unscathed.”

“I’m blacklisted,” I tell him, picking up the knife and spinning it on the dull tip. “I can’t get near these people. No parties, no second chances. I have less than zero power.”

“What if I told you there was a way in—a way to change everything—to get these groups back on track.”

“You don’t want to shut them down?” I ask.

He shakes his head, which makes his glasses slip down his nose. He pushes them back. “This is about saving the system, not breaking it. I want to get rid of the bad elements and start fresh.”

I stare at the knife, spinning it around and around. Twenty-four hours ago, I would have laughed in his face. I wanted so badly to be a part of this world, but that girl is gone. Shamed and humiliated. If I close my eyes, I can still taste Miller on my tongue and feel his sticky warmth on the back of my throat.

So yeah, I want to take down this system, but I also can’t help but wonder if I helped this guy then maybe I can help Royer too. If I can’t get him back, at least I can save him from snakes like Miller and Andrea.

Maybe, if I do this thing, Grayson can help me get the blacklist removed from my record and I can have my life back.

I look up from the knife and say, “Tell me what I have to do.”

FIVE

Reagan

Resignation is the excuse I give to Janelle and my mother when I change my mind and don’t leave as planned. My roommate seems unbothered, barely looking up from her laptop. My mother just sounds like she’s had too many glasses of wine.

The truth is that Grayson told me to stay put and that he’d contact me in the morning. I didn’t sleep, tossing and turning, replaying every bad mistake and decision I’ve made in my lifetime. Meeting Royer that night at the party. Was all of it fake? Everything? The hardest one to reconcile is the first time we had sex. It was my first time, and Royer… he did everything to make it perfect.

Can someone fake that?

Buzz

I grab the phone, making sure it didn’t wake Janelle, and read the message:Meet me in room 807, Corey Hall

There’s no name with the text, but I can’t imagine who else would be up at 8 AM on a Saturday. I know Grayson said he was in Zeta Sig, but I’m not getting that vibe. He’s too skinny and well, nerdy, and he’s trying to take down the frat.

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