Page 15 of Seeds of Friendship
“They said any girl who goes there is basically dead to Greek life,” Brianna adds, suddenly very interested in arranging her pens.
Fuck. Fucking Connor.
“That's—” I start, but what can I say? That Troy did sleep with Rachel but it was complicated? That we're not actually losers, we just forgot to apply for housing?
“Look,” I try again, forcing a confident smile. “I don't know what Connor's telling people, but Alpha Pi doesn't run the entire social scene. Give me your Instagrams. When we throw our first real party, I'll let you know. Then you can decide for yourself if we're worth the drama.”
They hesitate, but freshman curiosity wins. They exchange handles with me, though the enthusiasm from five minutes ago is definitely gone.
“Maybe,” Maya says noncommittally.
Professor Walsh walks in, saving me from further humiliation. But as I pretend to focus on his introduction to “market dynamics,” my mind is racing.
How the fuck are we supposed to have any social life if Alpha Pi has blacklisted us? They might not run everything, but they run enough. And freshman girls especially aren't going to risk their entire social standing for four random guys with a house.
We need to figure this out. Fast.
When class ends, Brianna and Maya pack up quickly, barely acknowledging my “see you around.” I watch them immediately gravitate toward a group that includes guys wearing Alpha Pi letters.
My brain's fried from Professor Walsh droning on about “synergistic market opportunities” for an hour.
I need caffeine. And probably something deep-fried. Or covered in sugar. Or both.
I pull out my phone and shoot a text to our group chat—creatively named “Oak St.”
Me:need coffee and strategy session. Meet at the coffee place in 10?
Me: this is an SOS
Troy: that bad?
Ethan: what coffee place?
Troy: It’s called CC’s, you can’t miss it next to the quad
Me: we're socially fucked
Ethan: on my way. I could eat
Troy: same
Ethan: Alfie?
Alfie: Cannot attend.
Ethan: love you too babe
CC's Coffeeis exactly where Troy said it would be—smack in the middle of campus, packed with students who all look way too put-together for a Monday. The smell of coffee and baked goods hits me like a religious experience.
Troy and Ethan are already there, having commandeered a corner table. Ethan's got what looks like three muffins in front of him.
“Stress eating already?” I ask, dropping into a chair.
“Bro, three different girls literally turned and walked away when I said where I lived,” Ethan says through a mouthful of blueberry muffin. “Three. Different. Girls.”
“One girl asked me if I lived in 'the freak house',” Troy adds darkly. “Connor's really doing a number on us.”
I grab Ethan's coffee and take a swig. “Okay, here's the thing. I have one goal at college.”
