project quite a clean image when she needed to. She was like a mute swan—beautiful and delicate on the outside, but if you encroached on her territory, you’d likely end up with a few bruises after she spread her wings.
“That’s also impressive,” Sam said. “Shall we talk about sorority events and fundraising now?”
“Sure,” Aamee answered, a broad smile spreading across her deceitful face. “I’ve already been planning this year’s fall festival. It’ll be a costume party around Halloween, and all proceeds will go to the local women’s shelter. Theme still to be determined. How about you?” she asked me, knowing I wouldn’t have been in charge of anything of the sort.
“You know I’ve been helping with that, but it’s not my place to plan something of that magnitude myself.”
“It would be if you were president. How do we know you’ll be able to keep up with previous years’ events if we’ve never seen you plan one?”
“You got elected president without having to prove that.”
“I was running unopposed, remember?” she asked with so much sarcasm in her tone that no one in the room could have missed it. “Since you feel you’re so much more equipped to lead a sorority, I think it’s only fair that you should be required to plan a large-scale event also.”
The fact that Aamee had suggested it told me she was worried she might lose to me if the presidency came down to a vote today.
“Do I have a motion to extend the decision until Sophia can run her own event?” Sam asked.
A few hands raised in the air as the girls agreed that would be a good idea.
“I’ll need more than two weeks to plan something. Aamee’s been planning the party since the beginning of the school year, maybe even longer.”
Sam looked to the other officers, who seemed to nod in agreement with me. “That only seems fair. Near the end of the semester would give you the same amount of time as Aamee had to plan hers.”
“I think I’ll be fine with a November event,” I offered confidently. It was a daunting task, but I was sure I could find help, and I needed to prove I was more qualified than Aamee. Planning an event of the same caliber in less time would help with that.
“November it is, then,” Sam said. “Let us know when you have an exact date for your event and what it will be. I would assume that the judging would mostly be based on the event’s turnout, attendee opinions, and funds raised, but I’ll let you know of the exact criteria when the other officers and I have had a chance to talk over the specifics.”
Aamee and I muttered our okays, and Sam turned to the rest of the group. “I guess the voting is deferred until a later date after both events have been held and we’ve gotten an opportunity to review the feedback and fundraising efforts. Until then, good luck with your event planning, ladies. If you need your sisters’ help, please don’t hesitate to ask. And that includes calling on each other if needed. Remember, you’re still both a part of this sorority, and we’re all here for each other.”
Aamee and I both looked at each other, a silent exchange that both of us understood perfectly. We’d rather be eaten alive by a rabid animal than request the help of the other.
This shit was on.
Chapter Fourteen
S O P H I A
Though Emma and Gina wanted me to hang out for a bit, I didn’t spend time at the house after the meeting. I didn’t have much of a desire to be there longer than I had to, which did cause me to become at least slightly concerned that I shouldn’t be running for president. What type of leader doesn’t want to be in their own sorority house?
But after analyzing it, I knew my hesitance wasn’t indicative of my ability to be an effective president. I didn’t want to be in the house. Aamee asserted a certain power over some of the girls, and that power caused fear, which then resulted in them treating me differently. It was like Aamee had spent the beginning of the school year creating little robots who followed her every command.
Sophia is the devil.
Yes, Master.
Don’t talk to her.
Yes, Master.
I hoped if I became president, they would stop acting out of fear and see Aamee for who she really was: a Barbie Doll with the personality of Annabelle. And I wasn’t about to