exactly is the Alpha Chi type?” I ask, throwing my bag over my shoulder as I rise from my seat and collect my tray.
“You know...” She shrugs, following suit.
Everyone else does, too. They’re also bouncing looks back and forth between her and I, feeling the tension that’s suddenly arisen.
“No, I don’t, Viv. That’s why I’m asking you,” I counter.
“I don’t mean it in a bad way, Jules. Alpha Chi girls are just those girls, the ones who look like they have everything they could possibly want. They’re polished, always primped and—”
“I don’t have everything I want,” I interject, immediately resenting her presumption. I’m always mistaken for this exact stereotype. Don’t get me wrong; I didn’t want for nothing. My parents loved me and gave me a great life, but they also taught me responsibility. “Most of what I have now, I worked for. Did I have a good childhood? Yeah, but my parents taught me the value of hard work. I like Alpha Chi for their beliefs and what they do. It has nothing to do with their visual aesthetic.”
Viv holds her hands up in surrender before reaching for her tray. “I swear I didn’t mean it in a bad way. You just have the look is all.”
Sure you didn’t.
I stand there as she walks away with Danny, Tyrone, and Zak, breathing through the wave of irritation quickly hurdling through my veins.
“Ignore her,” Winnie whispers. “She’s intimidated by you, and if you ask me, jealous too.”
“Intimidated? By me?” That’s a first. “I’ve been nothing but nice to her since I met you guys. And jealous of what?”
Winnie tips her head for me to follow, leaning in close as we start for the cafe’s doors. “She’s crushing on Rone, and unfortunately for her, it’s clear her affections are unrequited. I actually think he’s kinda into you.”
Into me?
My eyes flick forward to where he’s standing by the trash cans with the group. I won’t lie; my cheeks heat slightly. I can see why Viv’s crushing on him. He’s ridiculously handsome. Now that I’m really looking at him, it’s like I’m looking at Kaia. He’s the male of her; dark, almost ebony eyes that can see into your soul, perfectly white—and utterly suave—gleaming smile, smooth, deep brown skin. Clean-shaven, low fade. He even kinda dresses like her.
He’s not who I’ve got my eye on, though…
“Well, she doesn’t have to worry about me getting in the way,” I tell Winnie. “I’m not looking for anything right now.” And that’s as much as I get to say.
We toss our trash, set the trays on top of all the others, and head outside with the group. A few of us have another class to get to, but I think Danny and Winnie are done for the day. I can feel Viv’s eyes on me from between them as Tyrone sidles up beside me and we fall into step.
“If it makes you feel any better, I don’t think you look like the Alpha Chi type,” he says quietly.
“Meh, it’s whatever. She’s probably right. I mean, look at me.” I motion down the length of my body, mentally shaking my head at my outfit choice.
Distressed jean shorts, a white and pretty sheer, crop-top style blouse that ties in the middle. Can’t really be getting mad at people for assuming I’m that girl when I kinda, sorta dress like that, huh?
Rone follows the motion and hitches the shoulder. “You look cute to me, and you got kicks on, not heels like some of these chicks.”
I laugh ’cause he’s right. Some girls walk around here like we’re going to a club rather than class. Blows my mind a little, to be honest. I have to drag myself out of bed in the morning to look presentable, and they’re out here strutting around campus in six-inch heels.
I. Would. Never.
“I still say you shouldn’t go, Gwen. The invite is too vague. It’s shady as fuck,” I overhear not too far away, nearly stopping me dead in my tracks.
Somehow, I manage to keep it moving, and without making it too obvious, I turn my head enough to catch sight of a trio occupying one of the many benches around campus. One of them is in my ethics class. I think her name is Cindy, and she’s sitting next to who I presume is Gwen. She’s holding the exact same black invite Kaia got in her hands.
“I agree with Cin,” the other girl says. “The fact that there’s no mention of who it’s from