Page 27 of Obligation
“C’mon.” He wrapped his arm around her. “I’ll take you out to eat. Anywhere you want to go.”
“You might regret saying that.” She playfully nudged his hip with hers. “I’m starving, so I’m going to eat a lot.”
“Bring it on,” he said, leading her toward his SUV.
Carissa stood in line with the rest of her pledge class and yawned. She’d spent all day—and most of last night—with Danny, and she’d had a great time. Even though they didn’t talk about any of their issues or work anything out, being with him had felt so much like old times. For a while, she’d been able to forget all of their problems. When she finally dragged herself into her room at 11:57 p.m., she’d collapsed into bed.
And then was promptly woken up at 5:15 a.m. by a text from Mallory. Pledges were required to be present at TOP at 8:00 a.m. sharp. Lateness wouldn’t be tolerated. Why Mallory had to send the announcement so damn early was a mystery to Carissa, but once she was awake, she hadn’t been able to fall back asleep. Now, she was about as functional as a zombie on downers, and she had no idea how she was going to make it through all her classes.
“Good morning, ladies.” Mallory walked the length of the line, pivoted on her heel, and walked back.
“Good morning,” they all mumbled in unison.
Carissa yawned again.
“I’m sorry.” Mallory stopped and tilted her head. “Did you ladies say something?”
“Good morning,” they all said louder and with slightly more enthusiasm.
Mallory smiled. “Better.” She held her hand out, and Amber placed a large manilla envelope in her palm. Amber set a tote bag on the floor near Mallory’s feet, then stepped back, out of the way.
The same sense of unease from their first pledge meeting returned, and Carissa’s stomach twisted. She was suddenly wide awake, though, and alert to whatever task they’d have to complete today.
“Core trait number four. What is it?” Mallory tapped her chin, then pointed the envelope at a girl standing near the end of the line. “Ella?”
“Um…” She hesitated. “Always own your choices.” Ella phrased the answer as more of a question, and Carissa held her breath, wondering if there’d be consequences for not knowing what core trait number four was. Admittedly, she didn’t know, either.
“Yes.” Mallory smiled again. “As a TOP sister, we always own every choice we make. We don’t blame others for what we do, nor do we deny a choice we’ve made, even if it happens to be a bad one.”
Carissa shifted on her feet and sliced a look at Tiffany, who was giving her undivided attention to Mallory. Tiffany hung on the president’s every word, her face lit up with excitement. Of course her friend would be excited—she didn’t have to worry about upsetting a boyfriend with silly sorority tasks.
“Friday night, you all made a choice,” Mallory said as she resumed pacing. “We gave you a task, and you allchoseto complete it. Youchosewhich of our lucky gentlemen you’d kiss. And youchosehow to make that happen.”
Oh, shit.This was not going to be good. The knot in Carissa’s stomach tightened painfully, and she had to force herself to remain upright when all she really wanted to do was curl up in the fetal position and go to sleep.
“Today, you have another choice. You can choose to own your decisions from Friday night, or you can choose to walk out the front door.” Mallory pointed at the door to emphasize her point. “So, ladies, what will you choose?”
No one moved.
“Wonderful.” Mallory clapped. “Part of owning your choices is in how you stand behind them.” She glanced over her shoulder and nodded at Amber.
Amber retrieved the tote bag and moved to stand at the end of the line near Ella. Amber wore a mischievous grin.
“At TOP, we never shame, judge, or belittle any woman for what she chooses to do in her personal time, or who she chooses to do it with. As a result, ladies of TOP do not ever do a walk of shame. Oh, no.” Mallory shook her head and wagged her perfectly manicured finger. “We do the stride of pride.”
Carissa sucked in a sharp breath.
“Amber, if you will.” Mallory waved her hand at Amber.
Amber proceeded to hand Ella a white T-shirt. “Don’t unfold it,” she instructed, then worked down the line until every pledge had a shirt. “Okay, now you may look.”
Carissa unfolded her shirt and held it out in front of her so she could get a good look. Across the front in purple and gold lettering were the words, Annual Theta Omega Pi Stride of Pride. Her name was embroidered in the upper left corner.Okay, this isn’t so bad.She turned the shirt around to see what, if anything, was on the back, and she instantly felt the color drain from her face.
The picture she’d texted to Mallory, the one where Carissa was kissing Bradley’s cheek, was printed on the back of the shirt. Other pledges laughed or commented on the quality of the photo. Carissa, however, slowly lowered the garment and stared at her sorority president. Mallory wasn’t seriously going to make Carissa wear this, was she?
“Alright, ladies. Put those shirts on and let’s go.” Mallory clapped again. “We’re going to go out there”—she once again pointed toward the door—“and do the stride of pride straight into the quad. We’re going to show everyone that we’re not ashamed of our choices.”
Tiffany gently elbowed Carissa and whispered, “You okay?”
