Page 37 of Vengeful Queen
But my optimism dips on Wednesday. The day starts out okay, but in the evening, we’re herded into the basement. It’s earned the nickname of Kurt’s pleasure den. No one dares say it loud enough for Kurt to hear. The bottles of alcohol from the attic reappear down there. And the bowl is filled to the top with slips of paper.
“I’m not getting my bare ass paddled,” whispers Jaxon. He looks around for Sam or Jake, but they’re not around.
“We’re going on a field trip,” Kurt announces. “March single file out the house and down the hill. Stay together.”
Kurt leads the way, and a few of the brothers even joke with him. I don’t. It’s like going on a field trip with Pennywise. The walk isn’t far, but instead of heading onto campus as expected, we take a detour to Metler Lane. We end up in the backyard of Theta house. Theta house is pretty plain—a suburban colonial with a long backyard hidden behind a privacy fence. The only nice thing about this house is the built-in pool, but the tarp is still covering it.
Kurt smiles at nothing funny, and his stupid grin makes my hair stand up. He looks at each one of us and then shouts, “Strip!”
Bryan stares. “But this is a sorority house.”
“The sisters must be obeyed too,” Kurt replies. “And no talking unless you’re spoken to.”
Bryan has done everything he’s been asked to do. His gaze lifts to a window on the second floor. A curtain twitches, and a face appears in the window. More faces appear, and we’re being watched by a group of bug-eyed girls. The window must be slightly open as laughter floats down to us. It’s almost dark by five, but there’s still enough light to see us clearly.
Bryan’s complexion turns to ash that’s visible in the fading light. The guy isn’t in the best shape, so I’m not surprised when he takes off running and flees the backyard.
Kurt shakes his head and then barks at us, “The ladies are waiting, pledges.”
I expect Jaxon to strip first. He gives no fucks. But Asher grabs his tie, yanks it off, and tosses it onto the ground. That gesture unfreezes the rest of us, and soon clothing is piling up. Helen opens the back door and folds her arms, watching the awkward striptease. Rumor has it that she’s not as straight-laced as she pretends to be. She steps aside, and two sisters come out of the house holding strips of cloth. I exhale in annoyance as one of the girls blindfolds me and leads me by my arm into the house. Herded like sheep, we enter naked through the back door to cheers and wallops. We stay faithful to Charlotte but never talk about what happened that night.
CHAPTER 17
Charlotte
“People are still trying to get tickets.” Heather waves her hands in excitement. “We may have to do this again next year.” She runs off to direct the caterers on where to set up the guests’ tables.
On the Friday after Hell Week, Gamma spends the afternoon decorating Buckley Manor for the charity talent show event that night. Officially, it’s called Songs for Charity since each sorority decides to sing. Theta was the last holdout. My name is only mentioned on the program as a donor, while Gamma’s name is front and center. Once again, Isabel warns me my ass is on the line, but I have no doubt Gamma will be the star.
Raine plays the piano like a freaking prodigy, and Jaxon puts them all through their paces in rehearsal. I didn’t know what to expect from Gamma after the Kappa mixer. But the sisters refuse to bend. We decide to protest in style by wearing matching white tuxedos and glamming it up. The hallway by the offices is closed off and stands in as a makeshift dressing room. Girls run around in circles, half dressed and practicing scales while applying makeup. I peek out into the audience from stage left. Every table is filled as the waitstaff bus plates off the tables. It’s time to show off.
“My butterflies are tap dancing, dammit.” Raine holds her stomach. She looks beautiful in her tux with her hair slicked back in a huge white bow.
“You are a flawless talent,” I tell her. “These people are lucky to hear you play.”
She pecks my cheek and hurries off to walk on stage with Jaxon in his black tuxedo. He welcomes the guests and thanks them for attending. I can’t stop staring at him with his shoulders even broader in his jacket and his pants emphasizing his slim hips. He winks in my direction, and I flush without shame. I intend to rock him tonight.
Jaxon sings a standard while the participants switch out scenery. He hams it up on “Sway” a la Michael Bublé. Eyes gleam, and hands clap in appreciation of his smooth vocals. He holds out a hand and motions for someone backstage to join him.
Elina walks out in an eggshell-blue dress, and he takes her into his arms. He sings romantic lines into her ear, “Only you have that magic technique. When we sway, I go weak.” She laughs as he spins her into a circle, looking gorgeous. She hurries off the stage to applause as the song ends.
With light steps, I leave Asher and Hudson at our table and join Raine at the piano. Everything is going perfectly. A few more songs and then it’s Gamma’s turn.
“Who’s up next?” Raine asks. “I don’t have their music.”
Isabel checks her clipboard. “It’s Theta,” she moans, heading backstage. “I’ll shove a stick up their asses and get them moving.”
Raine glares at the stage. “They’ve been practicing in private.”
A Theta pledge runs over to Raine and hands her a CD. Raine stares at the plastic as if it should be in a museum. I slip it out of her hands and put it into the player we used during rehearsals. We sit back down as old dance music plays over the speakers.
A Theta pledge comes out on stage dressed in a bright pink dress that mimics eighties Madonna. She’s lightened her hair to platinum blonde and tied it up in a big black bow. A flashy rhinestone collar is around her neck. She stands on the top riser on the stage as three more pledges walk out onto stage dressed as men. One is dressed in leather; the second is in a preppy pullover sweater, and the third has on a tank top exposing fake tattoos.
A cold chill stiffens me. I glance over at Helen, who casually smiles in my direction. Madonna sings loudly over the speakers as her lookalike on stage lip syncs. Some boys kiss me. Some boys hug me. I think they’re okay.
She stands on the stage closest to the table where Hudson and Asher sit. She mouths the line, I am a material girl, while smiling at my two guys. Her sisters fight over her, trying to kiss and hold her while she serenades her jewels. It’s an inside joke, but I know who they’re shaming.
It’s obvious to me I’m the one being roasted, but how many people get the allusion to the boys? Maybe the audience doesn’t get the reference, and those that do think it’s in reference to my OnlyFriends account and not the three boys I’m involved with. My love life is not Theta’s concern. I glance over at Asher, thankful he wore a black tux to show his solidarity for Gamma. Snickering and loud laughs follow as the three sisters surround fake me and try to kiss her at the same time. Phony me runs away, over to a velvet box, and holds up a rhinestone ring. She kisses it instead. A material world. They prance around on stage until the CD finally stops, then disappear backstage while the Thetas watching laugh like it was funny.