You're the Reason - J. Nathan Page 0,8

front lawn.

Valerie shrugged. “She claims no one said we couldn’t be outside our house.”

“Does it make you uncomfortable being here?” I asked, knowing Sydney Lane’s death was the reason the house was closed for the year.

“A little.” She stepped ahead of me, walking faster. I took that to mean she didn’t want to discuss Sydney.

We walked under the tent weaving around the ten round tables covered with white linen tablecloths. Vases of fresh flowers sat in the center of each table. If I didn’t know this was for a sorority rush event, I would’ve thought it was for a wedding. We put the boxes down on the ground in the corner of the tent.

“Careful with those!” Chantel shouted.

We spun around, thinking we’d done something wrong, but Chantel was yelling at some frat guys who were helping set up the white wooden folding chairs around each table.

I whispered to Valerie. “Is she always this bossy?”

Valerie nodded. “House or no house. She’s not about to let anything ruin her reign as sorority president.”

“Tina!” Chantel shouted to Valerie’s roommate, currently fixing the flowers on the tables. “If any of those vases spill, it’s on you.”

Once Chantel turned back around, Tina mimicked her.

“I’m serious,” Chantel said, her stern tone meaning she meant business. “These girls might not be getting the whole Alpha Phi experience this year, but the Alpha Phis will remain the best sorority this college has ever seen.” Once her Elle Wood’s speech ended, Chantel pulled a long strand of lights out of one of the boxes. “Valerie! Hang these all around the tent.”

Valerie inhaled a long breath in an effort to stay calm then walked over to Chantel, yanking the lights from her hand.

“Watch it, Val,” Chantel said through gritted teeth.

My eyes narrowed as I watched their interaction.

Sensing me watching, Chantel’s eyes flicked to me. Once she noticed she had an audience, she smiled at Valerie and her tone changed. “You wouldn’t want to break any of the bulbs.”

Valerie said nothing to Chantel as she turned and walked away. “Are you sure you don’t want to rush the Alpha Phis, Sophia?” Valerie said as she passed by me with the lights.

It wasn’t a real question. She knew I’d be just fine without “sisters.” Especially, bossy sisters who thought they ruled the world.

***

Chase burst into Friday’s class late again. This time he leaned forward and asked the girl in front of him what our assignment was for the film clip that was playing. She showed him the directions. Not once did he look my way, which was fine by me. So was the fact that I hadn’t found him on my bed or in my room lately.

At the end of class, Professor Irons flipped on the light and handed out papers to the students in the front of each row to pass back. I scanned the paper as he explained our assignment. “By next Friday, view one of the Holocaust films I’ve put on reserve in the media viewing room at the library. Complete the assignment I’ve just distributed and submit it through the university portal.”

“Can we get the films online?” a girl up front asked.

“Sorry, we’re kicking it old-school with VHS tapes,” Professor Irons said with a coy grin. “Can you believe the library still has VHS players? They’re called VCRs.”

The class broke into laughter.

“These films are cinematic classics, and if you were to find them on the World Wide Web, they’re only on VHS which I’m guessing none of you have the ability to play on your modern technology,” he continued with amusement in his eyes. “I assure you, there are enough films to choose from that if you all end up at the library at the same time—which is unlikely since you’ll be working with partners—you’d still have your choice of films.”

Partners?

“There are six rows, five in each row,” Professor Irons said. “I’m going to make this very easy on you. The first row by the door, turn to the person on your left.”

My stomach dropped and I closed my eyes, knowing I was going to hate this project.

“Rows three and five do the same. Say hello to your partner for the term,” Professor Irons said. “Be sure to exchange your digits or whatever it is you kids say today. And be sure this first assignment is complete for Friday.”

The other students happily introduced themselves to their partners and exchanged numbers. I grabbed my things and stuffed them into my bag. “You know where to find me,” I muttered