Ch17

NOVA

I'd be running and blabbing my mouth to my best friend if this had happened the week before. Yeah, I'm not about to make that mistake twice. But this... this is huge.

I can't keep this to myself. I have to tell someone. And I can't talk to Ava. I literally ended my friendship with her.

After the first two classes, I retreat to the cafeteria and find a table that's secluded. My head is reeling so much. I'm thinking about Bethany's offer. I'd be a bloody liar if I said I wasn't considering it.

Becoming a part of the Sigma Omega is like every girl's dream. It wasn't part of mine when I still had a place I belonged to. The media department. But now... it's my only option.

Fuck. I'm thinking like one of those half-brained girls I used to dislike before. But do I have any choice here? Joining doesn't even mean people will accept me just yet. So what do I have to lose?

The chatter and laughter makes me look up. Few girls have just made their way into the cafeteria. Among the girls, is Ava. They look all too cozy and at home as they form a line and get their lunch.

Ava gets hers and turns. Our eyes meet and she stares at me for a while before walking off to join her new friends.

I feel so stupid for feeling the way I feel. She's laughing and flipping her hair, while I'm sitting here still missing what we had as best friends.

With a sigh, I say fuck it and I get up, ignoring the looks the girls throw my way when my chair screeches loudly against the granite floor.

I leave the cafeteria, walking slowly until I get to the empty dining hall that Bethany's sorority use for lunch. With a sigh, I push the door open slightly and step inside.

I've never actually been in here before. It's an unused classroom, converted into a dining hall by the founder of the Sigma Omega. I and Ava used to say how ridiculous it was that they got a dining hall while the rest of the students had to manage in the cramped cafeteria.

"Hey," I say in my inward voice.

The girls all look up one after the other. Bethany first, Halana second, Genevieve third and then Kayda last. These four girls are the untouchable in Ridgeview. When you put it that way, if you get an invite to the be a Sigma Omega sister, you'd be pretty much untouchable as well.

It's ironic thinking about this now. It's so obvious how I used to hate this kind of lifestyle.

"Welcome, welcome." Bethany stands, a large smile on her face as she stands and walks over to me, enveloping me in a hug.

"Thank you?" I say, putting on my best poker expression.

The other girls are just staring at me. Bethany turns, facing them. "Girls?" She tilts her head. "Be nice."

"Welcome Nova." They each start taking turns to say.

"We've been expecting you. Well... I didn't think you'd come but..."

"She doesn't have a choice." Kayda interrupts, eyeing me.

I stand still, not understanding what the hell is going on. From the looks of things, the girls don't want me here. They don't like the fact that I'm here. Only Bethany seems excited to see me.

"What made you decide so fast?" Bethany asks me.

I hesitate, but then I don't have to. "I... I saw Ava with her new friends." I answer honestly. "And Kayda's right. I don't have a choice." I add the last part bitterly.

"Where are the rest of the girls, Beth? You said we were getting three new members?" Genevieve speaks, looking up from her meal of... vegetables. I've heard that she's a vegetarian but I don't know how true that is. Seems true to me now.

Almost immediately, the door opens and two girls breeze in. Serenity and Gia. I have AP English with Gia and another class with Serenity. Both girls are smart. Smart as in they'd never think about joining a sorority except... well except they're like me.

That has got me thinking. What the hell is actually happening? They're actually picking desperate girls.

"Because we need you girls, we're going to be quick." Bethany says. "Kayda?" She glances at the brunette who rolls her eyes and stands.

"I don't know what you girls think of us but we're not that. Being a sister in our sorority has so many perks. Seeing the way you girls get bullied and ignored doesn't sit well for us. So... we offer a onetime invite to be an Omega Sigma sister. You should also know that we're not doing this because we pity you. We don't do charity. Every one of you has something we want." Kayda hurriedly takes her seat and Halana stands.

Unlike Kayda, she's smiling. "But..."

That's right. There has to be a but. Nothing comes for free here. I fold my arms, wanting to hear what the condition is.

"Each of you has to do something first. I mean... to be here, you have to earn it. Gia... step forward."

Gia exchange glances with Serenity but she does step forward.

"You are to steal exam answers from..."

"Wait... what?" Gia blurts out, her eyes widening. "I don't understand."

"You understand me perfectly. I've studied you all and each task fits you girls." Kayda says. "Mr. Georgie's Chemistry final. We need a copy before Friday."

"I'm... I'm not stealing anything." Gia retorts.

Kayda shrugs. "Then don't. The invitation disappears. So do the privileges."

Gia's lips part. Oh fuck this. I kind of knew this would happen. Nothing goes for free in this school. Not especially a privilege like this.

Bethany stands up and walks to Gia. "No one's forcing you. Every girl in this room has a choice. Walk out that door and nothing happens. But if you stay... you'll earn your place."

Gia slowly backs away, swallowing hard. "I... I need to think about this."

Bethany smiles. "Take all the time you need." She faces Serenity. "Yours isn't hard. Your task is simple. The principal keeps every disciplinary report locked in his filing cabinet."

Serenity frowns. "...Okay?"

"We need a copy of Noah Carter's disciplinary record from sophomore year."

My head snaps toward Bethany. Noah? Noah's my brother. Why the hell would they want my brother's file?

"I can't do that," Serenity says immediately.

Bethany merely smiles. "Then don't." Same reply they gave to Gia. I know what's coming next. Me. Bethany's eyes settle on me.

I can't seriously wait for what they want me to do. I'm sure it must be something impossible as well. They're going to test my morals. Try to break me.

Bethany reaches into a pile of envelopes and pulls out a black envelope. She didn't give the other girls envelopes. Why just me? She walks toward me until we're barely a foot apart.

"I made yours personally." She presses it into my hand. "Don't open it yet."

I look down at the envelope. My name is written across the front in silver ink.

"You'll open it after everyone leaves. Unlike their tasks..." Bethany tilts her head. "Yours is worth watching."

I suddenly don't want to know what's inside.

Bethany smiles wider, noticing my expression. "Oh, don't look so scared. You already know the boy."