Page 32 of Massacre Monday

“It’s really none of your business.”

His eyebrows shoot up. “So we’re doing that now.”

“Doingwhatnow?” I ask through gritted teeth.

“Pretending like we haven’t talked about this for a few years. That we aren’t friends who tell each other this kind of stuff. Which I guess that means it’s ayes.”

“What about you, huh? Didyoufuck a bunch of girls last night? Haul a sex slave over the wall? How many, Mitch?”

Another tense moment of silence passes, and his eyes drop to my lips. Finally, he takes a deep breath and says, “Sorry. Didn’t mean to— Can we practice this week? I need to rehearse.”

The fall showcase isn’t that serious, but I still want it clean. And I can’t do it without him.

Relieved to be rid of the awkwardness of that conversation, I nod. “Yeah. Probably Friday. I’ll let you know.” I scoot over so I can grab my bag, then stand. “I’ll text you.”

“Pip,” he says, laying his hand over mine on the table. “Iamsorry.”

I offer him a pity smile and leave.

It’s come up before over the last few years. Mitch wants more than I want to give him. Things can get confusing on the dance floor when he holds my waist, when our hips shift as one, or when our sweaty bodies grind on each other… All of that. But I’ve never felt that sizzling spark that I have with?—

Here I go again. At one time in my life, I would have said Nico. But I haven’t thought much of him since Ryan forced his way into my life, clearly trying to ruin it.

Good thing I’ve got him blocked.

That evening,Elina calls us to a meeting to review the Massacre Monday wins and losses. Dread is not a strong enough word to describe the gnawing sensation deep in the pit of my belly.

It’s as ifeveryonealready heard I lost our house a point. The glares aren’t as painful as the sisters who are straight upignoringme. Even more hurtful is when I hear, “All talk. She wasalltalk. Ugh, Ihatepeople like that.”

“Yeah, what a letdown.Sigma’s savior,she isnot!”

“Thinks she’s better than everyone and wound up losing. Serves her right, honestly.”

Amelia grips the back of my arm and pushes me forward in the line to our seats. With a harsh whisper, she says, “Don’t you dare listen to those fucking cunts. You hear me, Pippi Freidenberg? You’re amazing, and they’re jealous of all that you are. Justwaitingfor an opportunity to tear you down. Well, you’re not going to let them.” With a glance over her shoulder, she says, “We’ll get them back, even if it’s winning everything on Thriller Thursday.”

For the first time, I reallylookat my friend. Outwardly, she’s like a Barbie doll, with her long legs, blonde hair, thin body, and stacked rack. Pure beauty. Beneath that, however, I get the sense that she probably had to deal with a lot of mean girls over the years, and I’m curious if that’s why she choseSigmaoverOmega,where she was expected to pledge.

“Thank you.”

Grabbing my hand, she squeezes as we take our seats. Elina enters the room, and my head swivels around, searching for my roommate. But she’s not here…

“Have you seen Gwen?” I whisper to Amelia.

“No. Not today.”

My stomach churns, worried about where she could be. Pasting a smile on my face, I try to sound casual. “How was it for you last night?—”

“This is an informal recap before Sunday’s official meeting,” Elina gains everyone’s attention from the podium. “Thingsweren’t looking good last night for quite some time. In fact,Iotahad the numbers on us at first.”

Shocked gasps and murmurs travel through the room.

“Sigma’s saviorfailed us.” Elina has the gall to look at me when she says it, and all eyes follow hers as more grumblings erupt around us.

If I could fight them all at this moment…I would.

“But we had a surprise sister take the lead for us, earningSigmaenough points for the victory over the other sororities. Amelia Joseph, get up here! You get the prize ribbon this year!”

My eyes widen as my friend stands and makes her way to the front of the room with a round of applause and cheers in the background. I’m relieved to hear that we scored enough to win and join in with the others to praise her.