My High School Revenge

Chapter 5

The week flies by, with having to adjust to my new schedule and routine. Every day is classes: bio lecture, bio lab, chem lecture, chem lab, and writing for science majors. I got acquainted with my new job; the equipment was up to date, the other person who would be joining me was professional, and my supervisor happened to be very knowledgeable and flexible with my schedule.

Walking into my meeting with Tate on Wednesday, I had expected him to behave differently than he had. He told me to meet him in the library, which I did. Then he sat down at the table across from me. He kept it appropriate throughout the entire interaction. Only asking me questions about my first week and how I was doing balancing school and work.

After he walked me out of the building, he was swarmed by the media: Remington’s journalists and the local press. I wasn’t aware that there was a local press. I squeezed past them when they started asking him about his hopes for the season and his future NFL aspirations, but didn’t stick around to find out his answers.

When I got back to my room, I found that Julie had accepted a flower arrangement for me while I was out with Eli’s signature on it. There was no message, just the flowers. Guess this was his way of apologizing for lying about me. I wouldn’t really know, since he never did back then. It wasn’t something that people of his wealth and status did. Even if he were, I wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of a reply right away; I chose to let him stew in his regret.

It’s Friday evening, the night of “the” top fraternity on campus’s fall term kick-off party. I thought about canceling after I was finished with work. But when I saw Margaret’s message about meeting in her room to get ready for the party. I decided then that it would look bad on me to flake on her and to miss the first party I had been invited to.

After our hair, she rummages through her closet. Throws on a black mini skirt and an auburn corset top. Then she looks over at the outfit I’m in: skinny jeans and a low-cut tank top.

“Babe, you are not wearing that tonight,” she says as she pulls out clothes and sets them on the bed. “This is your real first impression, and this party is more than just hot guys and getting wasted. It’s about mingling, networking, and finding your people. I have to caution against having too much to drink. Most of us have a few drinks to stay aware. There’s always something going on working in the background at these parties. Especially this one; they are making their selections tonight. Nothing for you to worry about; just stick with Jule’s and me.”

She hands me a matching mini skirt and a crimson corset top. I want to refuse, but I don’t, as I see the look in her eyes tells me that doing so would be futile. When I change into it, I look over myself in the mirror. I’m glad I didn’t.

The skirt accentuates the curves of my hips and butt, making my legs seem longer than they are. The corset top pushes my boobs up practically to my ears, but I can live with it. Lastly, she lets me keep my black high-top Vans.

It’s a quarter past nine when Julie collects us to walk over to the party. We aren’t the only ones heading there. Handfuls of people join along with us, a few feet ahead and behind. Approaching, I make out a building around 4,500 square feet, with a bouncer standing outside.

“Names,” he demands.

“Margaret, Julie, and Cherry,” Margaret responds.

“Go on in.” He moves away from the door and allows us in.

Bass echoes off the walls of the foyer, lights are dimmed, and voices trail out toward us.

“Drink?” a male dressed in waiter attire asks.

He lifts his bin up, showing a selection of beers, wine coolers, and hard seltzers, all of which are still closed.

Margaret reaches in and pulls out two hard seltzers, handing one off to me, and a wine cooler, which Julie takes.

“Welcome to the selection party,” the waiter says. “I wish you good luck in your endeavor here.”

Margaret loops her arm through mine and pulls me further into the house. Dark mahogany staircases wind their way up to the second floor. My attention is immediately drawn to the two men at the top. Dressed in slacks and polos with an emblem on the right of their chest, Tate and Eli look down on us.

Julie grabs hold of my arm and pulls me to her side, already sensing that I want to bolt.

“Hey, don’t worry about them. We’re here with you. We got you, girl; let’s go dance.”

She pulls me through the living room. I can make out only so much through the bodies and the dim lighting. People are already making out on couches and lounge chairs. Fresh air hits my exposed skin. The music is louder than it had been, and on the lawn a projector is set up displaying the Buffalo Bills preseason game.

With nothing catching my interest yet, I crack open the seltzer. Jule’s is already half done with hers, waiting in line for beer pong. Goosebumps erupt on my skin.

The feeling of eyes on my back makes me turn around, just in time to see Tate and Eli walking out the back door. Their eyes lock onto me. Something in the way they hold onto mine has me unable to look away from them. There's an animalistic hunger that resides in their eyes. Margaret knocks my shoulder, breaking me out of the spell.

“Dude, they were so eye f*****g you,” she laughs.

I laugh off her comment, chugging my drink. When I turn around, they’re now sitting down, with a girl draping their bodies over them. They seem uninterested in them, even if they’re pushing their boobs up against them. No, they aren’t fixated on them. They’re too busy watching me. When I make eye contact with Eli, he smirks and pulls a blonde in, whispering something into her ear.

I turn away instantly. Not showing that I care whatsoever in their debauchery. I’m further saved from having to witness the orgy that could take place in less than thirty minutes, as Margaret brings me inside.

“So, I have to confess something, Cherry,” She says, rounding her way to the kitchen. “I’ve actually been here before. My brother wanted to stop by and check out the place, so I was forced to tag along for their tour. Now that I am well-acquainted with Alpha Psi Delta, I can give you a personal tour without one of these douchebags getting in the way.”

“Alright, lead the way.”

“Okay, so the kitchen, as you can see, is humongous. The fridge is fully stocked, with a personal chef. Two housekeepers come daily. There are stairs behind the laundry room back there that lead to the basement.”

She points out past alumni as we walk up the staircase. Noting the founder and other achievements she’s practically memorized.

“There’s a shared shower bathroom space on this floor. The two rooms at the end of the hall belong to the President and Vice President who have their own private bathrooms.”

I find myself just nodding my head at everything she points out and notes. I won’t lie. Every single room grabs my attention. It’s immaculate on the second floor. But it has a homey feel to it.

“You’ve seen the backyard, of course.” She grabs hold of the doorknob belonging to the President and twists it.

“What are you doing?” I ask in a low whisper.

“C’mon, you can’t say you’re at least a little curious what the President’s room looks like.”

“I mean, yeah. But what if we get caught?”

“That’s all part of the fun, babe.”

She pushes the door open; we creep in inch by inch, making sure that no one is inside already after confirming that it’s empty. We fully enter the room.

It’s not what I had expected it to be. Clothes are thrown about on the bed. Books are stacked in a way that has no order. And a hockey stick leans up against the desk. When I look down at the jersey that hangs from the chair, a panic takes over me. The name on the back of it says Richardson.

The door to the room slams closed. Leaning up against it is Eli’s tall, imposing frame. He’s wearing a smug-ass face and reveling in the fact that he caught me in his room. Knowing full well that sneaking into his room voided his promise to give me space.

“It’s good to see you here, sweet Cherry. I thought I was gonna have to sneak into your room tonight,” he says, pushing up from the door and now standing close to me.

“That’s breaking and entering, Eli. There’s no way that you would even be able to get into it in the first place.” I retort.

“You think I care about that? Remember, baby, I have my ways. There was no way in hell anyone was keeping you away from me. Speaking of which, thank you so much, Margaret, for escorting her. Now if you can give us some privacy for a second.”

“You’re welcome, asshole. I’ll be just outside the door, Cherry.”

“What the f**k!” I scream at her.

Before she can say anything, Eli shuts the door in her face.