course the video fucking lied because I’d lied in the video about Brody. Or Drew. Or… Whoever.
“I swear to whatever demonic god you worship that if you try to kick me out over this, I’ll—” I caught myself before I said something that would actually warrant me being kicked out of my sorority.
“You’ll what?” she asked.
“I’ll fight you tooth and nail on it,” I said, more calmly this time. “You’re letting your personal feelings toward me influence your actions as president. It’s unfair and an abuse of your position.”
“So says you.”
“You’re being ridiculous. My saying someone is gay isn’t even offensive.”
“It is when you say it like it’s a disease. And when you’re gossiping about a professor.”
“I already told you I wasn’t talking about Dr. Cranston.” I’d never wanted to hit someone as badly as I did in that moment. She was being deliberately obtuse, twisting the narrative to fit the plot she’d already created.
She cocked her hip and rested her hand on it. “Then who were you talking about?”
“How is that any of your business?”
“I doubt it was the business of your English class either, but it didn’t stop you from announcing it to them.”
“Oh really? Did you hear a name mentioned on that video?”
“I should sell tickets to this,” Carter interjected. “How would you girls feel about wrestling in pudding?”
I looked at him, bewildered. “Why are you still here?”
“Why would I leave? This is awesome.”
“Yeah, well, I’m done entertaining idiots today.” I pointed to Aamee’s phone. “Do your worst with that. You’ll be laughed out of the room.”
To emphasize a confidence I didn’t feel, I whirled around with purpose and walked directly into a firm chest. Two hands shot out to grab me and keep me from losing my balance. It wasn’t the exit I’d pictured, but I could work with it.
“Excuse me,” I said as I started to move around the person I’d bumped into. Before I made it a full step, I let my eyes drift up to see who it was. “What even is my life right now?”
“Hey, Sis,” Drew said. “Funny seeing you here.”
“Hilarious.” I eyed the cast of characters surrounding me. Each of them represented how terribly off course my life had drifted. When had my entire existence become a Shakespearean tragedy?
“Hey, Brody,” Aamee said, practically purring. It was gross.
“Oh, uh…hey. Gina, right?”
Aamee’s face looked like she’d just sucked on a lemon. Score one for Drew. I didn’t know if he’d intentionally dissed her or if it had been a legitimate mistake, and I didn’t care.
“It’s Aamee,” she corrected.
“She spells it with two a’s and two e’s. Wild, right?” Carter explained before extending his hand. “How’s it going, man? I’m Carter.”
Drew accepted the handshake. “Brody. Sophia’s older brother.”
Carter looked back and forth between Drew and me. “I can see the resemblance.”
I looked at him like he’d grown an extra head.
“We get that a lot,” Drew said.
“I don’t think you look anything alike. You could be a model, Brody.” Aamee moved closer to him and lifted her hand as if she was about to rub it down his arm. Or some other body part.
“Oh my God, stop flirting with him. He’s the one I was talking about in the video.”
Aamee jerked back and then froze in place, clearly surprised.
Drew, who still had his arm around me, turned his head so he could look down at me. “You were talking about me on video?” He looked nervous, which made me realize he was worried I’d been talking about his real identity.
I opened my mouth to say something that would reassure him, but Carter beat me to the punch. “Huh. Never would’ve guessed. That’s cool, though. I’m all about equal rights and shit.”
“Um, thanks?” Poor Drew looked so lost, and I felt bad that I’d made his life more difficult.
“You’re really gay?” Aamee blurted out.
Drew’s head recoiled a bit. “I am?”
I elbowed him slightly.
“I mean, I am. Yes. Have been for a while now.”
Jesus Christ.
Aamee looked like she was ready to breathe fire. Not only had she lost her shot with my “brother,” but the video that she thought would be my undoing was useless.
Game, set, match, bitch.
“Sophia never mentioned she had a brother. What year are you?” Carter asked.
Drew looked a little lost for a second before he fell back into his role. “Yeah, she doesn’t like to mention me because I’m so much better at everything than she is. Jealous little thing. I’m a senior. A very senior senior.”
“He should be graduated and gainfully