I’m going to kill her. This is no cozy gathering. This is an event, complete with a two-story-tall pink rose made entirely from pink roses on display out front.
River lied to me. Even after we renewed our friendship vows over lunch—a stuffed crust with extra sausage. What’s our vow? It’s a joke from way back, but I take the first part seriously: Thou shalt always tell the truth. Thou shalt always share crunchy snacks.
I walk up to the front porch. Every visible surface is covered with flowers. Some of River’s pink-clad sisters are lined up to take donations and give away flowers to all who enter.
Yeah. The flowers are set inside shot glasses that include unlimited tequila refills.
“Hey, I’m a friend of River’s,” I say to the first girl, a blonde holding a clipboard.
“Name?” She clicks her pen.
“Huff.”
Her eyes light up. “Huff? The Huff?”
“Errr…yeah?”
“Ohmygod, you guys! This is River’s friend!” The other girls in the reception line stop what they’re doing. Their eyes wash up and down my scrawny frame, and while they say nothing, I can tell from their frowns I’m not what they expected.
What did River tell them? That I’m ripped? Handsome? Whatever the case, she lied. Again.
“Huff!” River’s head of straight black hair pops from the front doorway.
“Hey, Riv,” I say, gritting my teeth.
River steps onto the porch. “Ohmygod! Everyone, this is Huff. Huff, these are some of my sisters. Bren, Jenn, and Megan.”
The three women offer polite nods.
“We just met,” I say as the line to enter the party backs up behind me. Everyone’s staring. I have no words. I feel beyond awkward.
“Great. Come inside so you can meet the rest.” River drags me by the hand to introduce me to all forty-something of her sisters and their boyfriends. Not one of them smiles, shakes my hand, or says a word. It’s like River’s been indoctrinated into a cult of haters but is oblivious to their toxic vibe.
We enter the kitchen, and she offers me a beer from the ice bath in a metal tub.
I don’t take it. “River, we need to talk.”
“Oh no. I see the look on your face. You’re about to blow a gasket.”
I lean closer to her so only she can hear. “I’m not blowing anything, Riv. I just want to talk.” A lie. What is she doing hanging around all these unfriendly people?
“Sure. Okay. Let’s go to the backyard.”
She sets my beer back in the tub and pulls me along. All the while I’m wondering if she’s the same person I once held up on a pedestal. I still do.
“Okay. Here we are. What do you want to say?” River smiles tightly.
“Who are these people?”
“You mean my friends?”
“Yes.”
“I’m not sure what you’re asking,” she says.
“If you haven’t noticed, they’re all dicks.”
“Huff, they just need time to get to know you. That’s all. And once they do, you’ll see how nice they are.”
“Nice? Every guy here looks like he wants to kick my ass.”
“Don’t you think you’re overreacting?” she says with a sharp bite to her tone.
“No.” I cross my arms over my chest. “I don’t.”
“So that’s it, then. You’re not going to give my friends a chance?”
Chance for what? To spit on me? “They don’t want me here, Riv.”
“Well, I do, and you’re my guest. Plus, I haven’t seen you face-to-face in, like, forever.”
“Then let’s leave. We’ll go grab burgers. Catch a movie.”
“Can’t. Tonight’s a big deal for our sorority, and I’m in charge of making sure everyone gets rides home from the rushes. Designated ride coordinator.” She points to the giant words on her pink shirt.
I didn’t even notice what it says. Mostly because I keep avoiding looking at her new body parts out of respect.
She continues, “Please stay? Just one hour and then you can go find your shell.”
It’s not a shell. It’s my chicken feathers.
“Pleasssse?” she whines.
She knows I can’t say no to her, but staying is a bad choice. I can feel it in my gut. That, and every guy inside looked at me like I’m a piece of juicy chicken in need of a good chomp. What is it about me that provokes instant hatred from complete strangers?
I’m cursed. I have to be. What other reason is there?
“Come on. Let’s get you some shots. It’ll take the edge off. Then you can decide if you want to stay.” River takes my hand and drags me inside through the back door into the kitchen, where a couple of guys are talking up two “flowers” in pink shirts. The larger guy, with cropped dark hair and really big shoulders, takes one look at me holding hands with River and snarls. Maybe he doesn’t appreciate me being with a Kappa Nu. I’m not one of them, and this sorority seems to be his turf.
I need to get out of here. One hour. That’s it. Then I’m gone.