8. Beta Theta House

***

I packed all my stuff simply because they all fit into my traveling bag.

I left the dormitories and got into one of the campus shuttles.

"Where to?" the driver asked.

"Um, Beta Theta house."

We drove through the huge campus and soon we were in the fraternity/sorority quarters of the campus.

I saw all the different houses. Huge and really beautiful.

The driver soon pulled up in front of one of the houses. The Beta Theta house.

I got out of the shuttle with my bag, wide eyed and in awe. The house was as big as the others. Very very beautiful too.

I walked up the stairs to the front of the house and knocked. Brandis opened the door for me and I got in.

I was led to a huge and beautiful living room where the other girls, who were also chosen, sat.

I joined them.

Blaire and the four others were already there.

"Now that you're all here, before we start, you have to know all the senior Beta Theta sisters."

Fifteen other girls walked in, all chick and expensive in their uniforms. Five were in baby pink short sleeve shirts like Blaire and the other four. They introduced themselves. They were the other five year three members.

The ten others of course were the mid year girls. Their shirts were blue in color, matching their heels too. They introduced themselves.

I wondered what our own colors would be.

"Now that you all know the members,  The Blues (Year twos) would each show you your rooms." Blaire said.

"But first, you should know that you are not completely part of the Beta Theta. You all have to undergo a series of tests and assignments to earn your badges. For all those who don't do the necessary, you might be dismissed from here and easily replaced with another. You have six levels to undergo." Lou stated.

There was fidgeting. I remained quiet And just stared.

Brianna raised a hand.

"Yes, Brianna?"

"Uh...was the private interview the first level?"

"No. It was only a part."

There was fidgeting again.

Blaire stepped forward,

"As you all know, tonight's a big party for the reopening and also in honor of the freshmen."

"Yes." we all replied.

"Well, that's where the second part of your level one drops in."

Lou continued from there

"I know all of you here have beautiful dresses prepared ahead for the party."

Not me.

"Well, you won't be putting them. Tonight, we the Beta Theta will chose what you'll wear."

There was fidgeting and panicking again.

Another spoiled princess raised her hand.

"Yes, Evie?"

"Does this mean, we'll all be dressed same??" she asked, nervously.

Lou smirked.

"Yes."

The girls panicked even more. I wanted to laugh so bad. Sorry for all 'em' fashionova gowns.

"Silence." Lou ordered and everywhere was quiet, "Don't worry girls. It won't be that bad. Plus, every other fraternity and sorority will be doing same. Now, to your rooms."

*

That house was huge! With thirty rooms, ten bathrooms and toilets.

The room I was given was bigger than the dormitory room. It was even more beautiful.

There was a big dressing, a two size bed, a red carpet on the floor, huge windows with a view on the campus and sorority/fraternity quarters.

There was a huge mirror on the wall and a beautiful table and chair. Wow. This sorority the real thing.

***

That night at eight, we were asked to line up in the beautiful living room. We did.

Blaire and the rest were there. Blair stepped forward.

"The party's at nine thirty. We got an hour and a half to prepare. Here are the clothes you'll wear."

Five Blues stepped forward and gave each of us the outfits.

We were given grey long sleeve t-shirts, blue jeans and black heels. When I saw the faces of the others, I almost burst out laughing. They looked shocked at what they had to wear for their first college party.

"We– we're gonna wear these??" one of the girls asked, shocked. They all looked like they were on the edge of crying. Oh gosh, I tried my best not to laugh.

"Oh my god, after all the beautiful things I bought to wear tonight, I'm gonna wear these?? With nine other girls??" another complained and they all joined. I remained quiet, loving how defeated they looked.

Lou raised a hand and there was silence. Then she spoke,

"If any of you here does not want to undergo this activity, raise your hand so you can be kicked out of here."

Not even a cricket was heard.

"Good. The Blues are gonna make you up. Photographs of you all will be taken tonight in the white room. The pictures will then be put up against the wall of the house's entrance so everyone coming in would know the faces of the Beta Babies."

Beta babies? Is that how they called the new girls?

"Once anyone reaches the sixth level, a new picture would be taken and this time, added to the other Beta Theta pictures in the legendary room for the next generations to come and see. I'm sure you all want that."

"Yes." was the choruses reply.

"Good. Now go prepare."

As the girls stood up, I raised a hand.

"Yes, Harlem?"

"I don't want make up."

Everyone stared at me.

"Fine. It's not necessary for level one. But you will have to apply foundation powder and arrange those curls a little."

That was manageable.

"Alright."

"Good. Now move."

*

I took a fresh bath, and wore what was given to us. It wasn't really different from what I normally wore.

After getting dressed, one of the blues came in and helped me apply some powder then she arranged my hair.

"I'm done. Go down for the pictures."

"Okay."

I stood up and went down to the so called white room.

We all lined up and one by one, pictures were taken.

My turn, I went to stand against the white wall. I saw the other girls fidget. Bella and Brianna weren't the only ones who disliked me and I knew it. Couldn't blame them, I wasn't from their world.

"Look at the camera." the senior Beta behind the camera said.

I stared straight ahead and the picture was clicked.

"Hmmm nice, Harlem." Blaire said, clapping. Lou smiled.

"Your photogenic." Lou added.

I nodded and smirked a little, before returning to the line.

Soon we were through.

"So, are we going to the club now?" Brianna asked.

"Yes, we're going to the party. But not at the club."

"What?"

"The Sigma chi fraternity is organising one. All senior year students, some cool year twos and a few cool freshmen, meaning, the only freshmen and year twos you'd be seeing there are are future members of fraternities and sororities and already present members. Do you understand?"

"Uh, no." I said.

Blaire turned to me.

"What I'm saying is, all senior year students will be there. Only the year twos that belong to a fraternity or sorority would be there and a few other cool ones. And finally, the freshmen that'll be present are the newcomers, otherwise known as the babies. Those who are beginners and trying to join a fraternity or sorority like you guys here. You get it?"

I nodded.

"Yeah. And what about the other year twos and freshmen?" I asked.

"They are the ones to go to the club. While we're going to the Sigma house. Okay?"

"Okay." was the chorused answer.

I was quiet. This was some sort of discrimination right? Only the cool ones were invited to fraternity parties and the less cool had to go to the club. Bravo.

"Now girls, let's leave."