Page 31 of Obligation
Mallory’s text demanding their presence had been cryptic. Equal parts curiosity and nervousness filled Carissa as she and Tiffany walked to Greek Row. The air was chillier than normal for this time of year, and a drizzling rain had started to fall.
“So, what do you think we’re going to have to do tonight?” Tiffany asked.
“I have no idea.” Carissa shrugged. “But whatever it is, I hope it doesn’t require a lot of energy.”
Tiffany laughed. “Yeah, right. Everything they’ve made us do so far has required a certain level of energy.”
“Okay, let me rephrase… I hope it doesn’t require a lot ofphysicalenergy. I am wiped after the week I’ve had.” Carissa yawned.
She and Danny had been getting along great, too—right up until a few hours ago when she had to cancel their date in favor of going to the sorority house. Danny had been pissed and hung up on her. She texted him a heartfelt apology that he ignored.
While she understood that he was upset—she would’ve been, too, if he’d canceled plans with her at the last minute—she didn’t understand why he was being so selfish. She hadn’t lied to him about wanting to pledge a sorority, and he knew she’d gone through the process.
Her phone chimed, and she scrambled to get it out of her pocket, hoping and praying she had a message from Danny, that he’d calmed down and realized he’d overreacted. But nope.
Cayla: Hey, buttface. I have to go out of town for a work conference next month. Wanna cat sit for me? Wiggles will need food, water, and snuggles.
Carissa smiled. Wiggles was her sister’s long-haired, polydactyl cat, and he was a judgmental, temperamental furball on a good day. He wanted love and attention onhisterms, and if anyone tried to force love on him when he didn’t want it, he’d draw blood. But Carissa loved that stupid cat regardless and always jumped at the chance to watch him.
Carissa: Hell yeah I do! I love me some Wiggles snuggles.
Cayla. LOL. Dork.
“Who’s that?” Tiffany nodded at Carissa’s phone.
“My sister. She needs me to cat sit for her next month.” Carissa slid her phone into her back pocket. “You can come with. I know Cayla won’t care, and it might be nice to get out of the res hall for a few days.”
“Count me in.” Tiffany laughed.
The Theta Omega Pi house came into view. As was normal on a Friday night, Greek Row was bustling—houses lit up like Christmas trees, music blaring louder than a rock festival, and throngs of people making their way from house to house. But, for once, TOP wasn’t throwing a party, and for the most part, the house wasn’t filled with people.
Carissa and Tiffany walked inside. The rest of the pledge class was already there, sitting in a circle on the floor in the main room. At least they’d been instructed to dress comfortably, and everyone had followed that directive, most of the girls in sweats or yoga pants and oversize hoodies.
“Oh, good. You made it.” Mallory waved at them to join the rest of the ladies. She was dressed similarly to everyone else, which was a momentary shock to Carissa. She’d never seen Mallory look so relaxed.
Carissa sat cross-legged next to Ella, and Tiffany sat on Carissa’s other side.
“Great, now that you’re all here…” Mallory clapped. “We’re co-hosting the homecoming bonfire with the Beta fraternity. They’ve already agreed to handle the logistics of the fire, safety measures, and the mandatory donation to attend.” She stood in the middle of the circle and turned slowly to include all ten girls in her speech. “We’ve agreed to supply a variety of drinks and s’mores.”
“Don’t worry—we’ve already purchased all the supplies,” Amber interjected. She, too, was dressed down in a pair of fuzzy pink and purple pajama pants and a simple white T-shirt. Her hair was pulled into a high ponytail.
Mallory nodded. “The homecoming bonfire is one of our biggest fundraisers of the entire year, which means we’re going to need all hands on deck.”
Carissa had zero issues with pitching in to help however she was needed… except for the fact that she knew Danny was going to get angry with her. Again. She’d promised him they’d go to the game and bonfire together, and now she’d have to change the plans. Again.
A big part of her had hoped she’d be able to prove him wrong, to show him that she could still make time for him while also pledging TOP, but every single time something like this happened, he gleefully gave her a smug, “I told you so.”
“So, we’ve listed all the different jobs on folded sheets of paper.” Mallory grabbed a bowl from the fireplace mantle. “Each of you will draw a job, and that will be your responsibility tomorrow night.” She made her way around the circle, holding the bowl low enough for each person to reach in and snag a slip of paper.
When the bowl finally reached Carissa, not many slips remained. She snatched the first one her fingers touched, pulled it out, and unfolded it. A single word was written across the paper: S’mores. Okay, that didn’t sound too bad, though she had no real idea what this job entailed.
“Okay, where are my drink girls?” Mallory asked.
Tiffany and another pledge—Vanessa—raised their hands. Disappointment settled on Carissa’s chest with the knowledge she wouldn’t be working with Tiffany. But that was one of the TOP traits:always look for ways to expand your horizons.Carissa figured getting to know new people was one way of expanding her horizons.
“Great! You two sit tight for a few minutes. You’ll be working directly with me.” Mallory smiled, then glanced around the circle again. “Okay… who’s working on S’mores?”
Carissa raised her hand. So did a girl named Georgia Rose. Carissa had only spoken to Georgia Rose once before, briefly, but she had seemed really sweet.
