Living at the Frat House - A College Romance

“Maybe they kicked her out for getting fat. Eating cereal for every meal has to be sending all that sugar straight to her hips.”

Melody reaches across the table and takes my hand. I pull it away. “It really is okay, Juno. The world needs sluts, and frats need people to fuck. And it’s fine to be one of those people. You just need to embrace your real self. Veronica is right. We know all the best frats, and I know we can find a good place for you to get fucked that won’t kick you out after a month.”

“It’ll be at least two months,” Veronica laughs.

That laughter makes me blush harder. They’re bitches, and I don’t have to stand here and take it. The fact that Taylor is standing there grinning like she’s won the fucking lottery is further proof of what Bailey told me. She hates me and she isn’t bothering to hide it.

I stand up and take my bowl of cereal with me. It’s stupid of me to think that that would be the end of it. They follow me through the cafeteria. “Listen, Juno,” Melody calls after me, voice way too loud. “It’s really okay. It’s my job on this campus to help freshman girls like you find your place, and the fact that you’ve decided that your best place is with your legs spread is your prerogative.” The other girls are laughing with her now, and people are looking at me. I’m not blushing anymore. Now I can feel the blood draining from my face and like I might pass out. She keeps going. “But if that’s what you want, I want to help you. I’m sure there are plenty of guys in here who want a slut-toy like you. Especially once they find out that you were kicked out of Granite House for fucking everything that moved.”

I want to be stronger than this. I want to walk away and ignore the words that are hitting home, but I can’t breathe and tears are clouding my vision. What can I say to this? Denial will only confirm my guilt to them, and now everyone within hearing distance thinks that I would do anything for anyone, when nothing could be further from the truth.

“Who said she was kicked out of Granite House?” A voice says from behind me. I know that voice. There’s no way I could ever forget it, and every cell in my body leans toward Malcolm.

He steps around me, not looking at me and not touching me, but standing in front of me enough that he suddenly became a shield. And the people that had been watching know who he is. If Malcolm says something, then they’ll believe it.

The problem is that I have no idea what he is going to say.

“The last time I checked,” Malcolm says loudly, “Juno still lived in Granite House. Her things are still there. She still has a key. You can check with student services, she doesn’t have a room on campus.”

Silence spreads through the air for a moment, sinking in. “And who Juno decides to sleep with is her business alone, and no one else’s. Why are you spreading lies?”

Melody straightens her shoulders. “They’re not lies. My information comes from a member of Granite House. You think that he would know.”

“Ohhh,” Malcolm says. “You mean Jack? The person I threw out on his ass for hazing and attempted sexual assault? If that’s who you go to for information, then you should really check your sources more thoroughly. Aren’t you a journalism major?”

Melody stiffens further, but says nothing. I see the moment that Malcolm sets his eyes on Taylor. “And I’m glad your sister is here too, so I can tell you some truth, since you’re so concerned about the state of the fraternities and sororities on campus. Two years ago your sister threw a party at your parents’ house while they were out of town, and my brother drank too much. That was his fault.

“What wasn’t his fault was that your sister begged Juno not to call the ambulance so that she wouldn’t get in trouble for that party. Did you know the doctors said that if it had been called any later he might have died? You’re responsible for her if she pledges to Tri Delta. Might want to be careful. You wouldn’t want anyone dying on your watch to ruin the reputation of the perfect sorority. You all need to keep up your standards, right?”

The look on Melody’s face is stricken and the girls with her look absolutely sick to their stomachs.

“So stop spreading lies about people you don’t like, take care of your own house, and check your own backyard the next time you want to call people sluts and trash,” Malcolm finishes.

It’s like a unanimous decision makes the Tri Delta’s move. They start walking for the exit immediately, not saying anything, and Taylor follows them. Melody turns and holds out a hand. Her eyes are hard. “Not you.”