Wicked (Somerset University #2) - Ruby Vincent Page 0,33

about my dreams for the Sallys. You know I’ve had them long before I set foot on this campus.

“My mother was president of this sorority. She is an amazing woman and she’s raised me on stories of the amazing women she shared this house with. You know that when I say I have the greatest respect for the people that came before us, I mean it. That the Sallys and their traditions have molded strong leaders is something I’ve known my whole life, and if I’m chosen as your president, these are the same principles that I’ll maintain.

“There’s been a lot of talk this week about changing the way we do things and naturally that worried a few of you. Why change what we know works?” Blair swept her gaze around the table. “And I say, we shouldn’t. Let’s not change the way we do things. Let’s improve them. There are more options, opportunities, and methods available to us than when the charter was put into place. Let’s take advantage of that. The Sallys became what we are by being strong, innovative, and willing to challenge themselves,” she said. “Growing is a challenge. It takes work and commitment, and I believe we can do it together.”

Blair sat down to raucous applause and her smirk wasn’t put away. She patted my hand under the table, passing on support.

“Miss Moon,” Kessler prompted.

I took a deep breath, imagined I was sitting on my porch wrapped up with Jaxson while watching Adam play, and stood before my entire sorority.

“I’m no good at giving speeches,” I began. “I want to say all of this in the best possible way, using all the right words. Reduce you to tears. Inspire you to vote me in as president of this sorority and the country.”

The girls chuckled.

“I’d like this speech to be perfect, but perfect is a tall order, so I’ll just go with honest. I didn’t want to join Sally house.”

The smiles I earned were wiped away under confusion.

“I didn’t,” I repeated. “It was my first year of university and I already had so much on my plate. Pledging, exercising, and bonding activities sounded daunting. But then I joined and all of that exercising saw me completing that obstacle course when a year ago I would’ve taken one look at it and fallen on my face. I joined and I made friends for life and memories that I’ll one day tell my kids— and some that I won’t.”

Laughing, the sisters’ grins returned.

“The Sallys will be a key part of the person I become, and I know that because in my short time here, it’s already had an impact on me.” I motioned out of the room. “I want every sister who walks through that door to leave a stronger, brighter woman, and that happens by creating a safe, inclusive space for all of us.”

I looked to Kessler. “I’ll be blunt. If I’m chosen as president, the initiation ceremony is gone. Girls will show their loyalty by showing up and kicking ass every day. They’ll give their trust if we earn it. Some of you might be thinking that if you went through it, the future sisters should too.” I shook my head. “We don’t have to be constrained by that thinking because constraining it is. Believing we have to continue doing things because it’s the way we’ve always done them, will only hold us back.

“Running, jumping jacks, and bench presses aren’t the only way to shape our bodies, so why not explore other ways? Healthy eating doesn’t end with loading a fridge with veggies, so why not take it further and learn how to cook those bad boys together? An obstacle course isn’t the only way to whip the boys’ asses, so let’s get creative.

“All I’m saying,” I continued over their laughter, “is I want to make the Sallys more than their past. I want us to be the sorority girls can’t help but join for every year to come.”

The girls cheered and clapped me down. It wasn’t the fanciest of speeches and I didn’t know the rules on sneaking “asses” into it. But it was honest.

I wanted to be president if it meant protecting the sisters and finding out what was going on in this house and next door. However, I had no plans to lie about the kind of president I would be.

Kessler dipped her head to the candidates. “Thank you, ladies. Wonderful speeches. Before we begin, does anyone have questions for one or more