Wicked (Somerset University #2) - Ruby Vincent Page 0,28

a chance?” asked Palmer. “We’re still newbies. One of the older sisters are locked to win.”

“That’s what we’ll play on,” I replied. “The older sisters will keep Zeta Rho the same. But Blair and I will make changes that benefit everyone. We’re giving the Sallys a makeover. Right, Blair?”

Blair appeared hesitant for a moment, like she was looking for the trick in my words, then she smiled. “Yes, exactly. The upperclassmen are the old. Valentina and I are the new. I’m sure more sisters will go for it than you think.”

Mai raised her hand. “You’ve already got me. So what does a sorority presidential campaign involve?”

Sofia was quick to answer. “It involves a six-hour Netflix binge and then Val and Blair making dinner for the sisters to get them all in one room and share why they’re best for the house.”

“Hmm. That’s a good idea, Sof,” I said. “But did part of you come up with it because you don’t feel like making dinner tonight?”

“You’re just a better cook than me, Val. I’ve accepted it and I’m happy to let you take over feeding me.”

The girls cracked up.

“I want that chicken thing you made last time. With the peppers,” Mai threw in.

“Yeah, yeah,” I muttered. “I heard something about a Netflix binge.”

We messed around for the rest of the day, and then Sofia sent me off to the kitchen to win some votes. As always, the smell of my cooking lured my sisters in like bees to the hive.

The Sallys encouraged a healthy diet by keeping the kitchen stocked with organic veggies, leafy greens, beans, lean meats, and fruits. Whenever we were low, the sister charged with the task bought more with money from the treasury.

It was all our food since our dues paid for it, but it didn’t come with a chef and a fair amount of the girls didn’t cook. Coming in and filling their hungry bellies with home-cooked deliciousness was sure to win me some love.

“Val, can you pass me the salt?” asked Blair.

Me and Blair, I corrected. What does this mean? Are we working together or against each other? I like her ideas and actually think she’d make a good president. But I have to win if I’m going to find out what’s going on around here.

“Sure, Blair.”

Hannah, one of the juniors, pulled up a stool at the island. She rubbed her hands together. “What are you making us tonight, Val?”

“I’ve got a request for chicken parm stuffed peppers.”

“I’ll have an order of that.”

I laughed. “In exchange, hear our spiel for why we’re best for Sally house?”

“The least I can do.”

I couldn’t say how well it was going, but at one point, the other candidates wandered in and non-subtly threw themselves in the ring. It started off a real discussion about what the Sallys wanted Zeta Rho Sigma to be going forward.

“Don’t get me wrong,” said Faith, a sophomore. “Leighton was a great president and she made sure we had a lot of fun too. It’s just sometimes I felt like I was on a drill team.”

“It’s one of the duties as president,” said Heather, one of the other candidates. We were all in the dining room, munching on my creations and sipping lemonade. “We have to implement an exercise routine for the sisters.” She cut eyes to me. “Anyone who promises otherwise is saying they’ll go against the charter.”

“But three-mile runs, backyard drills, and weight-lifting?” I replied. “Plus, a military-style obstacle course for a spring break trip when a friendly game of basketball would have been just as good.” I nudged Blair. “Tell them your ideas.”

Blaire didn’t hesitate. “We could do yoga or play sports like Val said. We can run, jog, and walk. There are fun workout classes held in the gym that we could take together. We’re not talking about throwing away the charter,” said Blair, gesturing at both of us. “Just getting creative with it.”

“We can’t get creative.”

“Why?” This was asked by me, Blair, and half a dozen other girls.

Heather sank back in her seat, forehead wrinkling. “Because...”

Eliana jumped in when she trailed off. “Because the Sallys who came before us put up with weight-lifting and obstacle courses and came out just fine. Are we saying we can’t handle it?”

“We’re asking why we have to,” Sofia cut in. “Of course we can do the extra volunteer hours, maintain the minimum grade point average, and train like army recruits, but we have to ask ourselves what the Sallys are about and how these