Page 5

Moscow, Idaho

M addie’s a talented photographer, and she’s done some modeling, so she knows how to make her Instagram seductive. The Pi Phi sisters want to build up their house’s reputation so they can be more competitive with the top ones like APhi.

Maddie does her part, creating a scene befitting a Disney movie.

Seven beaming, modern-day Cinderellas, Maddie among them, pose on the steps of the Pi Phi sorority house in matching white tank tops.

The four older sisters have on matching pink miniskirts, and the three younger girls wear matching denim shorts.

The archway behind them is covered with pink balloons.

Maddie captions it: I ran home! #pibetaphiUI .

Kaylee comments: THATS MY BEST FRIEND!!!! I love you so much!!! 4LIFE BABY!!!!

Of course Kaylee knows how disappointed Maddie is. And she hurts because Maddie is hurting. Showing wisdom beyond their years, the friends accept the idea that widening their respective social circles will be good for both of them.

In other words, they’ll play the game of Greek life.

Kaylee can’t fail to express her own unmitigated joy about her acceptance into APhi.

Which is why she posts a photo of herself smiling with two new sorority sisters in front of the Alpha Phi house with the caption What flo rida said #welcometomyhouse (referencing the rapper’s 2015 hit “My House”).

Maddie comments: So happy for you bestie.

Their public Instagrams, TikToks, and Snapchats tell the story of their growing closeness with their new sisters and new best friends. Privately, Kaylee and Maddie remain as tight as ever, quietly maintaining their lifelong bond IRL (in real life), as the expression goes.

Maddie’s posts reflect her new friendship with sorority sisters Sophia Whitehead, who is in the year above her, and Ashlin Couch, who, like her, is from Coeur d’Alene.

Kaylee’s posts show weekend activities: attending U of I football games on campus, traveling to Seattle with her APhi sorority sisters, and nuzzling her boyfriend, Jack DuCoeur.

What they don’t post is pictures with each other.

The two keep up this illusion of separateness well into the next semester… when the balloon of unreality surrounding them is abruptly pierced.

In March 2020, COVID strikes.