Chapter 23
Carmen and Lena headed into the Chi Theta intake meeting. The room was filled with lavender and cream, the sorority colors. Carmen was completely in awe.
“This is gross,” Lena said, looking at the lavender punch on the refreshments table. “There is no way I am drinking that shit.”
“Lena, that is Chi Theta punch. It’s served at all Chi Theta events,” Carmen said to Lena, who was frowning at the lavender and cream cookies.
“How the hell did they make lavender—?” Lena was interrupted when three ladies walked up to her.
“Lena Jamerson, we were hoping we would see you today,” Torrance, the president of the Chi Theta chapter, said as she hugged Lena. There were two other girls smiling behind her wearing the Chi Theta letters on their shirts.
“Um, thanks. This is my friend Carmen—”
“Hi,” Torrance cut her off to give Carmen a quick hello, and immediately began speaking again to Lena. “Your mother is legendary here. We have the most beautiful picture of her in the sorority house. Why haven’t you been to the house yet?”
“I guess I have just been busy.” Lena forced herself to smile.
“So it looks like your man is going to lead us to the NCAA tournament. We came so close last year because of him,” said one of the girls behind Torrance.
“Well, let’s hope so.” Lena was not happy about the fake hello they gave Carmen. She felt bad for her friend. Carmen wanted it so bad, and she was treated badly. Lena didn’t want it at all, and they were kissing her butt.
“Lena, why don’t you come with us so you can meet a few of your future sorors,” Torrance said. She never stopped smiling.
“Sure, come on, Carmen,” Lena said. That was the first thing that made Torrance stop smiling.
Carmen noticed the look on Torrance’s face. “Oh no, you go ahead. I want to review my packet again one last time.” Carmen decided to avoid an uncomfortable situation.
Lena looked at her one last time to make sure it was okay. Carmen agreed.
“Okay, well then she will be back really soon, Carla.” Torrance put her arm around Lena. They walked off, leaving Carmen standing by the refreshments.
Carmen started to lose her nerve. She knew it couldn’t be a good thing that Torrance didn’t care enough to even remember her name.
More women started to show up, and Carmen took a seat on the second row; she had heard that they know the girls on the front row were too anxious.
An attractive girl took a seat next to Carmen.
“Well, this is nerve-wracking,” the girl said to Carmen.
“Tell me about it.” Carmen turned her face to wipe a tear from it.
The girl looked down at Carmen’s application. Carmen went through the complete application very thoroughly. She put her letter of intent and essay on resume paper and rewrote her essay numerous times. She wanted everything to be perfect.
“Wow, your packet is thick. That has to be a good thing. Mine isn’t that thick. I knew I should have done more volunteer work,” the girl said.
“I’m sure you will be fine.” Carmen wasn’t in a talking mood. She noticed Lena and a few of the other basketball girlfriends surrounded by the members of Chi Theta. “Well, it looks like my friend is a shoe in.”
“Really. Well, maybe she can put in a good word for you, maybe for me too. You know we’re both going to have a hard time if they realize our lifestyle choices.”
Carmen looked at the girl, realizing that she just let her know that she was also a lesbian.
“By the way, my name is Misha, and your roommate is stalking me.”
“Girl, you’re Misha? Shit, you got my bruh’s nose so wide open. I have never seen her like this over any woman before.”
They both laughed. Carmen felt more at ease now.
“Really, that’s interesting to know; I will keep that in mind.”
“Girl, please let Cooley take you out, she really is a wonderful person, one of my best friends in the whole world, more like family.”
“Really, that’s also good to hear, but I don’t know if I can get past the reputation, you know.”
“I feel you, but she is trying hard. It’s just going to take the right woman, and, honey, she believes it’s you.”
They both laughed again. Lena walked over and joined them. She had a huge smile on her face.
“What are you smiling at?”
“Oh, nothing at all. They’re about to start.”
“Lena, this is Misha, the girl that Cooley is stalking.”
“Oh really? You got Cooley’s nose wide open. You go, girl.” Just then the members of Chi Theta made it to the front of the room. Torrance talked about the Chi Theta history and what they were looking for in women. She let the girls know that if they were picked how much time and money was involved in the process.
Once the presentation was over, it was meet and greet time with the Chi Thetas again.
“Come on, girls, come with me.” Lena proceeded to introduce Carmen and Misha to all the members of Chi Theta. This time they were completely open and responsive to them.
Carmen was happy, but couldn’t help but wonder what Lena did to get them to actually meet her, although she really didn’t care. All she wanted to do was wear those letters.
After the meeting, the three girls headed toward the U.C.
“So, tell me, do you really think I should give Cooley a chance?” Misha asked Carmen and Lena.
“I think it wouldn’t be a bad idea, but I do have to say that you have to be a strong woman,” Carmen said to Misha.
“Yeah, Cooley is the female version of Brandon. There are always going to be girls trying to get what you have. That’s why you need to be on your toes.”
“I hear you. Maybe I will give her a chance. I have to think about it,” Misha said, noticing two cute studs sitting on a bench. “Damn, she’s cute.”
“She’s also a ho, but I bet she’s in the competition this week. Oh shit! Y’all know what? This weekend is the Jr. Sexy Stud Competition at the club. Both of you should come.” Carmen looked at Misha and Lena. Neither was enthused.
Misha frowned. “I really am not a club type person. And those shows are boring to me.”
“But this isn’t any show; this is the Jr. Sexy Stud Competition. The sexiest studs in Memphis are vying for the title. Cooley’s in it.” Carmen smiled, nudging Misha on her arm.
“You know what, I think I will go.” Misha smiled, “Can I ride with you?”
“Well, then, I will go too, and we can take my car.” Lena smiled. She was actually curious to see what the show was going to be like.
“Cool. I’ll meet y’all at your dorm. Cooley puts the room number on every flower she sends.” Misha smiled, “See you later. I have to head to the library right now.” Misha headed off, leaving them together.
“She seems really nice. I hope she gives Cooley a chance,” Lena said.
“Yeah, I hope so too. After tonight I bet she will.” Carmen smiled. She felt her phone vibrate; it was Nic.
Lena noticed the huge smile on her face. “I am guessing that is Nic?” She smiled at Carmen.
“Yeah, she just texted me. She saw me leaving the center and wants me to come back.”
“Well, you better get going.” Just then she heard Brandon call her name. “Oh, I’m going to meet up with Brandon. Have fun with Nic.” Lena gave Carmen a hug and ran to catch up with Brandon.
Carmen headed back to the U.C., where Nic was sitting on the step with a rose in her hand. Carmen smiled. She couldn’t believe just how gorgeous Nic really was. She was six feet, which was a plus because Carmen loved tall girls. She had a nice build, and her hair was amazing. Carmen found out that she was mixed Hispanic and black. She spoke Spanish fluently.
Carmen spent most of the little time they knew each other together on the phone. They would spend hours talking about various topics. They would laugh when they realized how late it would be sometimes. Nic made jokes about how country Carmen talked and how she couldn’t understand some Memphians. She was so happy, but she was trying to pace herself. She knew that usually something in her life that was too good to be true usually was.
“You’re looking good,” Nic said as she hugged Carmen.
“Thank you. I just left the intake meeting for Chi Theta.”
“Oh, that’s right. You’re trying to become a sorority girl, stepping and yelling in high-pitched voices all over the place.”
They laughed. Nic always made Carmen laugh. For once, Carmen felt very relaxed with a person she wanted to date.
“So, what do you want to do?”
“Well, I was hoping to take you to grab a bite to eat, unless you’re full on sorority food.”
“No, silly ass, I didn’t eat anything. That sounds good.”
Just as Carmen and Nic were heading to her car, Carmen heard her name. She turned around to see Tameka walking up. She looked very upset.