Page 2 of Obligation
She set her phone down long enough to get dressed and apply light makeup. When she picked up her phone again, she had four new texts.
Danny: I’m happy for you.
Danny: I really am. I know this means a lot to you.
Danny: We haven’t spent much time together lately.
Danny: A sorority is a huge commitment. Will you still have time for me? Us?
“Are you friggin’ kidding me?” Carissa grumbled, brows pulled down in a scowl.
“What’s wrong?” Tiffany shimmied the dress over her hips.
“Danny.” Carissa sighed. She read his messages to Tiffany. “I mean, I get he’s upset because we haven’t seen each other much since the new semester started, but he knows how much this means to me.” She shrugged. “I just hoped he’d be a little more supportive.”
“We all know how crazy the start of a new semester is, and he’s been moving all day. I’m sure he’s just stressed and doesn’t mean to make you feel bad.” She slipped the spaghetti straps over her shoulders. “Danny loves you too much to ever hurt you.”
“Yeah, you’re probably right. We should go see their new place tomorrow.”
“I’m good with that plan.” Tiffany smiled.
Carissa composed another text, hoping she could calm his fears, because she really didn’t want to fight with him. And, partly, because she was still carrying around a million pounds of guilt for what she’d done—and for the massive lie she was living. Then again, if Danny hadn’t done what he did… She shook the thoughts away. Now wasn’t the time to dwell on the mistakes they’d both made.
Carissa: I’ll always have time for you. I love you. We’ll come over tomorrow and spend the day, ok?
Danny: Ok. Love you too. Call me after your meeting?
Carissa: Ofc.
She added several heart emojis and hit send. Hopefully, when they saw each other tomorrow, things would be fine. They always were better in person than on the phone anyway.
As soon as Tiffany and Carissa were dressed and ready to go, they left their residence hall and walked the short distance to Greek Row. The early evening air was warm and smelled of fresh cut grass mixed with the sweet scent of hydrangeas. Students milled about, engaged in various activities, but it was easy to pick out which co-eds were headed to nearby sororities and fraternities.
The massive, meticulously groomed Theta Omega Pi house came into view, and a renewed sense of excitement filled Carissa. She clutched Tiffany’s arm, and they strode up the stone walkway. The front wraparound porch was decorated with purple and gold balloons and streamers. A banner that read “Welcome Pledges” stretched from one white column to the other.
A table was positioned at the top of the porch steps, and two blonde girls with matching purple TOP shirts greeted them with vibrant smiles.
“Welcome to Theta Omega Pi. Name, please,” said one of the stunning blondes.
“Carissa Jordan,” she said and promptly handed over the card she’d received earlier.
The blonde checked Carissa’s name off a list while the other girl held out a thick binder.
“Thanks.” Carissa took the binder and hugged it to her chest.
“And you are?” asked the blonde with the list of names in front of her.
“Tiffany Ward.” She, too, relinquished her bid card and received a binder in return.
“Please head on inside.”
With a nod, Carissa stepped inside the TOP house. The foyer, decorated similarly to the porch, opened directly in front of a wide staircase. Floral garland adorned the banister. To her left was the dining room and attached kitchen. To the right was the common living area and where a small group of women stood chatting.
“In here, I guess,” Carissa said with a shrug.
Tiffany followed, and they found an empty spot near the fireplace. Everyone else had binders, too, and Carissa took a moment to study hers. Her name was written in elegant cursive beneath the embossed Greek letters. She flipped open the binder to find pages upon pages of information about the history of the sorority, the members—past and present—and the core values and expectations of a TOP woman.
“Hello, and welcome, new pledges. I’m Mallory Marks, President of Theta Omega Pi.” She strode into the room wearing a gorgeous knee-length purple dress with silver heels. Her short, brown hair was held back on one side with a gold barrette, and her lips shimmered with a soft pink glitter gloss. “Please, find a seat.” Mallory gestured to the furniture.
