“Yeah,” I said. I felt like my breath had gone shallow in my chest. I felt a little silly for being happy that someone like her knew my name, but it was exciting! The leader of the Tri Deltas knew my name.
“Since Granite House isn’t a real fraternity anymore, they can’t have certain rules like the Greek houses can. Like they can’t say that only men are allowed to live there.”
I frowned. “Meaning...”
“Meaning.” She grinned, suddenly wicked. “Tonight is the last night that they’re accepting ‘pledges.’ We had this idea that it would be fun to go and pledge to Granite House and see what they would do if a girl did it. No one has ever done it before. But we’re all already Tri Deltas, not freshmen, so…”
Suddenly it was all seeming to come together. “You want me to do that?”
“You don’t have to actually join Granite House. Just pretend you want to, at the party. Spend all night driving them wild.”
My jaw dropped. “But…”
Melody held up a hand, already foreseeing my protests. “You don’t have to do it. Don’t worry. It won’t affect your chances of getting into Tri Delta or anything.”
“If I do do it, though…” I glanced from Melody to Taylor and back.
Even Taylor looked surprise at her own sister’s suggestion. But she was smiling, too. “It could be fun…” she admitted slowly.
“I’ll bet the guys there would die of shock,” Bailey added with a wicked smirk of her own.
“And, if you did go through with the dare…” Melody shrugged one shoulder elegantly. “It would definitely go a long way to showing that you’re Tri Delta material.”
“Loyal,” put in another girl behind her.
“And willing to drive some guys wild on behalf of your sisters,” snickered another.
“It’s just one night.” Melody shrugged again. “But, like I said, no pressure…”
I could do that, right? Spending a night in a house full of guys couldn’t be that bad. Especially if they let me just sleep on the couch. Anyway, Bailey had some pepper spray and I could take that with me, just in case.
“Okay,” I said, after a long pause. “Sure. How hard could it be?”
Melody looked shocked and delighted. “Oh my god, this is going to be so epic. Okay, girls, no one go to the Granite party tonight. We don’t want to throw Juno off her game.”
My face blanched. I’d be going in there solo?
It’s fine. You can do this.
Taylor grinned. “We’ll make sure you look killer.”
“I don’t need to look killer,” I said. “I just need to walk in and spend the night.”
“No, Juno,” Taylor rolled her eyes. “They’re just as exclusive as the Tri Deltas. You think they’re going to let you walk in there and accept your pledge if you’re wearing jeans and a ratty old t-shirt? I don’t think so.”
I glanced down. I didn’t think the shirt that I had on was ratty. It was just one of my favorites, and well worn. Something that I wore when I needed to feel comfortable and safe. And being brand new on campus, comfortable and safe was exactly what I needed. I wasn’t like everyone else here. I had worked hard and was technically younger than everyone else. I turned eighteenth just a month ago.
But I could still do this. I would do this. One night was a more than fair sacrifice for a better university experience. If it helped me get into the Tri Deltas, it would be worth it.
“I think she’s going to need proof,” Veronica said. “You know, something to prove that she spent the night.”
Bailey rolled her eyes. “What, get a picture of one of the boys in pajamas?”
“Hmmm.” Melody looked at me and thought. “Not a picture. That can be staged. But you’ll figure something out. Something personal that they wouldn’t give to you.”
I laughed nervously. “I don’t want to steal.”
She reached out and patted my hand. “Not steal. Borrow. You’ll give it back once you’ve shown us.”
I swallowed, and nodded. “Okay.”
And so I let them dress me in one of Taylor’s dresses. I have my own, but they’re not quite the type of sexy that I needed. This dress is tighter than any that I own, and brighter too. It’s a shimmery blue that makes a statement.
And Taylor did my make-up too. Something to make my eyes and lips stand out and seem bigger. I’ve never looked like this in my entire life, and as nervous as I am, it does feel nice to know that I can look this good.
I’m going to walk into Granite House and make them want me, I think now, as I near the house, already pulsing with music and voices. My stomach drops with anxiety.
I can do it. And I’ll get to sleep in my own bed tomorrow.
I can already hear the party from down the block. No wonder the cops get called regularly. I wouldn’t want to listen to this 24/7 either. And most of the houses around here are filled with students living nearby. If they’re the ones calling the cops, then you absolutely know that it’s serious.
Ugh. This is so not my scene. I hate parties. And party boys. I have no doubt that every one of the guys who live in Granite House fit that description. They’re here to get a degree while shuffling through their classes hungover, barely making the grades and taking advantage of the last years in their life that they won’t have any responsibility.
They’re not here for anything else. Not to learn, or to bond with their brothers the way the Tri Deltas unite with their sisters. They just want to party for all they’re worth.
I can already tell.
I see the house on the corner. It’s huge, and I get why they called it Granite House after the fraternity was disbanded. It’s a giant, square, colonial monstrosity. Three stories of rosy pink bricks and delicate pillars and balconies that have no place on a house that’s filled with such debauchery. But it
