Chapter 3: Together Again

Carrie and Kristina looked quite attractive, even if it was for just Thai food and a night at the movies. Carrie’s tan legs were revealed tastefully in the plum outfit she was wearing. Her dark brown hair was clipped up, showing off her pretty face which was colored to complement the skirt and jacket she wore. Kristina wore a hunter green dress with a cropped jacket and flat ankle boots.

The movie was good and Kris was enjoying her time with her friend as they made sarcastic commentary every time the lead actress made a blunder to wind up back in the arms of the male lead, Gerard Butler. But towards the end of the movie, Kris started thinking that her companion would be leaving her soon for her date with the guy who’d called after Reese. It hadn’t been a voice she recognized but she had certainly liked it. Carrie assured her it wasn’t ‘like that’, but it didn’t stop Kris from nudging her with a naughty wink.

As they stepped onto the road after the show, a car drove by, the driver honking its horn. Carrie waved back.

“Who was that?”

“Either Lou or Gav.”

“They got a new car?”

“Lou did,” Carrie replied as they got into their own ride.

“How do you know it’s Lou’s?”

“Seriously? How many Mustangs of that color do you know that also have ‘bad ass’ written on the windshield?” countered Carrie as her friend started the car.

Kris giggled in surrender and started driving.

She inched along on the side of the road, allowing all impatient drivers to overtake them. Every time oncoming traffic appeared Kris would slow to a near stop. She almost stalled the car twice and kept making little whimpering noises if any cars sped by them too fast or too close.

The whole time her heart was in her throat and she felt as though her chest would explode. She was barely breathing as she moved the car forward, but she was thankful that her panic wasn’t overwhelming her completely. She knew she had the steering wheel in a death grip and that her muscles were on the verge of seizing up she was so tense, but she was taking her doctor’s advice and going little by little.

Patiently, Carrie gave her directions to a building near the outskirts of campus. Kris recognized some of the landmarks but said nothing until the car was parked.

“Oh my goodness,” she sighed when she killed the engine. Leaning her forehead against the steering wheel. “That was horrid.”

“I am glad we arrived in one piece,” Carrie muttered.

“Very funny!”

Carrie knew how scared Kris had been to start driving again after the accident. She noticed how her friend’s hands were shaking and she reached out and placed a hand on her shoulder. “Well done sweetheart. That was a good first step to overcoming the fear.”

“Thanks Carrie.”

The two took the path to the door of their sorority house. It seemed deserted, but Carrie used her key to open the door. Kristina took a deep breath and let it out.

“It has been a long time.” She looked around the outer lobby with its half circle shape that accommodated a receptionist’s desk.

By most standards this sorority was anything but easy to get into. Doors opened by voice command and fingerprint identification. There were no door handles; to get past this section of the house you had to be escorted by a sister. The wall behind the desk was tinted mirror glass, similar to the type used in interview rooms at police stations. A set of French doors were the only visible way in.

Carnerie stepped to the side when they reached the door. “Would you like to do the honors?”

Carrie watched as her friend wiped her hands on her dress.

Kris placed her fingertips on the small black screen and watched the laser as it passed each finger. When she removed her hand, the screen displayed an unusual welcome message. It read “Welcome back Hawk!” before displaying the traditional message.

Kristina read it aloud, “ID acknowledged, Kristina Hawkins, Gamma Phi Delta.” With a whoosh the door opened and as soon as they stepped through, it shut in a similar manner.

A great big map of the building was available for reading. “Gamma Phi Delta Headquarters” was the title of the map. Kristina had always loved the structure of the place. Just seeing the map made her smile.

As her eyes roamed over the poster, Carrie looked at her watch. “I’m actually kind of hungry. Let’s grab something to eat and then I can drop you off at home before heading to my thing.”

Reluctantly she tore her pretty blue eyes away from the picture and headed toward the kitchen. She had almost forgotten that Carrie had other plans.

Kris waited in the door way until Carrie could find the light switch. It was very dark without the lights on. As Carrie found the lights, Kris heard the click, saw the lights flicker on and people pop up yelling cheers of surprise.

She jumped back as her heart leapt into her throat, terrified for a moment.

Kris stood still, surprised indeed. “Oh, wow.” She blinked and then looked at Carnerie who was watching her. “You planned this?”

Her friend didn’t have to feign her innocence. “Me? Oh no, not me.” She didn’t get a chance to tell her that the ‘sexy guy’ from the phone suggested they stop by the sorority house.

A voice behind them said, “You can give me a little credit. Somebody hinted where you’d be and we set it all into action.”

The speaker was a lanky, spiky haired, blue eyed blond who was grinning from ear to ear.

“Gavin.” They both smiled.

He pretended not to hear his cousin Kristina and said, “Mmm, Carrie always good to see you.”

Kris gave Gavin an indignant shove in the chest. “Hey, what kind of host are you Gavin?”

When he looked down at her, it was with the same huge smile.

“I’m really happy to see you Kris, you have no idea.” He gave her a big bear hug to prove it. He only relented when her face started to go red. “Welcome back, sweetheart.”

“Thank you. I’m glad to see you too, Gav.”

Gavin’s red-headed sister came over and said, “My turn,” and gave Kris a big hug too.

“Lou, who could forget you? How have you been?”

“I’m great, everything is great…”

The rest of the sorority sisters crowded around and took turns hugging her and crying happy tears over how glad they were that Kris was finally out of hospital.

Everyone looked so happy to see her on her two feet. She was about to say something when she stopped. “Wait a minute. I know that voice… it can’t be- she dropped out last year!” she scanned the crowd and halted when she saw another girl standing and staring at her.

“Mak Sanders,” she said the same time the other girl was saying, “Kris Hawkins!”

They squealed in excitement and rushed to greet one another.

“Kris, it has been so long!”

“Tell me about it.” She assessed her friend. “You look so well!”

“Thanks. You too.” Mak giggled and said, “By the way, it has actually been two years.”

“How’s your health?” they asked in unison. Laughing a little, Kris said, “You first.”

“I’m better. Stopped chemo though.”

Kris nodded, her black hair shining as it bounced.

“What about you?”

“I’m okay physically.” She flexed her arms, grinning.

“I can see that.” Mak giggled again. Sobering she asked, “Mentally?”

“It’s a bit foggy.”

They sat chatting about themselves, catching up. Mak did most of the talking naturally, but Kris liked being brought up to speed. When Makayla broke a moment of silence, she did so with a rueful smile. “I have to go soon. I have a late date.”

“Ooh. Have fun then, don’t let me keep you.”

“I will definitely see you around.”

“I’m counting on it. It was great seeing you, Mak.”

“Likewise, Hawkins. Mwah, I’ll see you around.”

Kristi spent the rest of the night reminiscing with a lot of people. She remembered almost everybody; those she didn’t were either new or they hadn’t been too close. Eventually general well-wishers left the house and only GPD society members and their fraternity brothers remained.

She sighed loudly.

“What is it?” a red-cheeked guy named Joe asked.

“Nothing, I’m just happy to be back.” She grinned.

“So are we,” said Ernesto, “It’s hard to do your job. I hate kids.” Everyone laughed. He was a mature entry student and thought first years to be juvenile.

Marco saw the glint in Kristina’s eyes and chuckled, “I think the initiation instigator is already thinking up a boot camp scheme for her first years.”

“What is wrong with a little sweat and a few tears to build character?” Kris asked innocently.

“The so called ‘country clubbers’ are back together again,” Evy sighed blissfully.

“Won’t Marvin be fuming.” Ronda smirked, thinking of a rival society head.

Kristina was clearly pleased and seemed settled. Everyone could tell that she was content and thrilled to have made so much progress in one night. However, the rest of the society was treading on thin ice. Carnerie noticed the oddly tense atmosphere sadly and changed the subject.