Page 27 of Blake University: HBCU Chronicles – Yon & Imole

Three and a half weeks had passed since received her golden letter from Veta Xi, marking the beginning of her pledging journey. What started as excitement quickly transformed into an overwhelming ordeal.

Yon had warned her that pledging would be challenging, but she hadn't anticipated the extent of the demands. The process felt relentless, especially under the leadership of Shawna, the sorority's president. Shawna's disdain for was palpable, and she seemed to take every opportunity to make the process more grueling for her.

The line of sixteen sisters felt the weight of Shawna's commands, but bore the brunt of it. Tasks piled up, sleep became a luxury, and her academic performance began to suffer. The physical and emotional toll was immense.

Adding to her stress, Stormii's behavior had become increasingly erratic. She was distant, often avoiding conversations, and her usual vivacity was absent. Lala had noticed it too, expressing concern over their friend's sudden change.

's relationship with Yon also felt the strain. Their interactions were limited to brief, stolen moments when he would sneak by late at night. Even then, exhaustion overshadowed their time together.

As Mega Phi Psi’s pledge week commenced, the campus buzzed with activities and events. While others celebrated, felt trapped in a cycle of fatigue and obligation. The joy she once felt about joining Veta Xi was overshadowed by the relentless demands and Shawna’s hatred for her.

The air was thick with anticipation as the sixteen pledges stood in formation, their black pledge attire clinging to their weary bodies. Shawna paced before them, her heels clicking ominously against the tiled floor of the Veta Xi house.

"Ladies," Shawna began, her voice dripping with disdain, "we've reached the point in our process where loyalty is tested."

She paused, letting her gaze sweep over the line, before stopping in front of .

"Stormii," Shawna called out, beckoning her forward.

Stormii stepped hesitantly out of line, her eyes avoiding 's.

"Would you like to share what you told me earlier?"

Stormii swallowed hard, her voice barely above a whisper.

"I... I saw leaving the dorm after curfew last night."

Gasps echoed among the pledges.

's heart dropped.

"That's a serious accusation," Shawna said, turning to . "Care to explain?"

opened her mouth, but no words came.

"Silence speaks volumes," Shawna sneered. "Ladies, let this be a lesson: betrayal comes from within."

Later that night in the dimly lit common room of their dorm, sat on the couch, her head in her hands. Lala entered, followed closely by Stormii.

", you okay?" Lala asked.

"Do I look okay?"

"I didn't mean for it to go that far." Stormii confessed.

"Then why say anything at all?"

"Shawna cornered me. She said she already knew and just needed confirmation."

Lala shook her head, "So you threw under the bus?"

"I panicked. I'm sorry."

looked up at Stormii, searching her eyes, "Sorry doesn't undo the damage. I would have never done that to you. You know she doesn’t like me. You’ve seen her singling me out since we started. I just don’t get why you would do me like that."

“Stormii, you foul for that shit. could have easily said something about your midnight rendezvous to wherever with whomever."

Stormi looked like she wanted to cry, "I understand. I'll do whatever it takes to make it right."

“Whatever, the damage is done."

got up off the couch and walked to her room, shutting the door behind herself.

The dorm room was dimly lit, the soft hum of the desk lamp casting elongated shadows on the walls. sat on her bed, knees drawn to her chest, her phone pressed to her ear. The events of the day replayed in her mind, each memory a sharp pang of hurt.

"I just... I can't believe she did that," whispered, her voice thick with emotion.

On the other end, Yon's voice was calm, and grounding. "I'm so sorry, . That must have been incredibly painful."

"It was humiliating. In front of everyone." She paused, trying to steady her breathing. "I thought Stormii was my friend."

Yon sighed, the weight of her words settling between them. "Sometimes, people surprise us, not always in good ways. But remember, this doesn't reflect on you."

"I keep wondering if I did something wrong."

"No, . You didn't. Trust is built over time, and unfortunately, sometimes, it's broken."

She leaned back against the headboard, the cool wood grounding her. "I just feel so alone in this."

"You're not alone. I'm here for you, always."

A tear slipped down her cheek. "Thank you, Yon. That means a lot."

They sat in silence, the connection between them a comforting presence in the midst of her turmoil.

Tree

The room still smelled like sex and regret.

Stormii sat on the edge of Tree’s queen size bed, tugging her hoodie over her bare body. Her hair was a mess, eyes glassy with exhaustion and shame. She didn’t look at him, didn’t speak. Not yet.

Tree stood across the room by his mini-fridge, sipping a Gatorade like he hadn’t just blackmailed her into another round. The neon light from his gaming setup cast sharp shadows across the wall, making the space feel even more claustrophobic.

“You’re quiet tonight,”

he said, glancing over his shoulder.

“That mean you finally ready to stop lying?”

Stormii rubbed her forehead.

“I told you, I don’t know anything about .”

He scoffed, tossing the Gatorade cap at the trash.

“You really gon’ sit there and lie to me after I gave you this pipe?”

He walked toward her slowly, deliberate.

“You keep actin’ like I won’t ruin you.”

Stormii’s head snapped up, eyes flashing.

“You already are.”

Tree chuckled darkly.

“Nah. Not yet. But I will if you keep wasting my time.”

He pulled his phone from the nightstand and tapped a few times.

“Remember this?”

The video played without warning. Her voice. Her laugh. Her face lit up in the flickering light of a party—bare legs curled under her on this same bed, back when it all started.

“She dumb loyal,”

the old Stormii giggled.

“Like, is always going to be that nerdy wanna be girl that nobody likes. For crying out loud, she hasn’t even had a boyfriend yet. She dress weird as fuck and that hair. A rat’s nest waiting to be combed. I don’t even know why I be hangin’ with her half the time…”

Stormii's heart dropped. She reached for the phone.

“Tree, delete that. Please.”

He yanked it away with a grin.

“Nah. Not until you give me what I asked for. I know you know something. You used to ride that girl’s coattails until she stopped letting you.”

Stormii covered her face, her voice small.

“If I tell you, will you delete it? For real?”

He leaned in close, face inches from hers.

“You know I don’t bluff. Make it worth it.”

Stormii hesitated, then sighed.

“She’s supposed to be in the library tonight. Late. Trying to catch up on her Criminal Law midterm. Yon won’t be there he's out doing line stuff.”

Tree’s eyes sharpened.

“She gonna be alone?”

“She usually is when he’s busy,”

Stormi mumbled.

“She’s been tryin’ to pull her grades up.”

He smiled, slow and satisfied.

“That’s the kind of intel I like.”

He hit delete on the video in front of her, letting her see it disappear.

“Happy now?”

she asked, barely able to meet his eyes.

Tree leaned back against the wall, arms folded.

“We both got what we wanted. Ain’t that what friends do?”

Stormii stood and grabbed her clothes, the shame clinging to her heavier than the hoodie.

As she slipped out the door, he pulled a black hoodie over his head and checked the time.

If he moved fast enough, he could be waiting for in the library before she even had a chance to notice him.

Tonight was the night.