The Popularity Rulers Series 4 Book One A novel

Chapter Six-Fraternity shocks

Part Five

Craig stared at Greg.

"You really know why I hate this fraternity?", he asked him.

"Yes. You messed up".

"I didn't mess up; I never mess up".

"You can't believe in why they ruined you".

"Piss off!".

"Nasty".

***

"You can't tell me what I can...and can't do".

"Yes, what's the Popularity Ruler Super Uber-bitches of Delta Delta Delta sorority house say? 'Take your dress and rip it up'".

"That's stupid".

"Or, more to the point, 'Tear the suit frat boys wear during parties'. It's the same thing. Ripping. Isn't that the way".

"It's not the way".

"Maybe you're not cut out to be a frat boy?".

"Shit, you want to deal with the shit I have to take? The idea of being popular all of the time is consuming my soul".

"Your soul is theirs".

"Give me some of that apple cider?".

"Fine, but there's another inititation rite tonight".

"Another one?".

"Yes, to keep the Junior Popularity Ruler frat boys in check".

"Leave me out of that".

"You can't Craig. You got to be seen".

"Damn! I was gonna see Linda".

"Yeah, well, she'll understand the sacrifice her boyfriend makes for the fraternity. Besides, it's an excuse to get wasted".

And Greg patted him on the back with his strong hands...and grinned.

***

Craig smoked a cigarette.

Zeta Zeta Zeta was a nerds' paradise. But it wasn't his thing. He wanted to belong to a fraternity that wasn't full of nerds, scientists, and every teenager who thought he could cure cancer...and had book deals...and was on cable TV news...

...He walked down the garden path...and stopped.

He saw several Popularity Ruler girls smoking.

"Hey, where's Linda?".

"She's in a meeting", Ellery said.

"Sure, can you tell her that Craig asked for her?".

"Yeah, she's tied up right about now".

"What".

"Oh, it's a ritual sorority thing".

And she smiled.

***

"What's your name?".

"Ellery".

"You're a lesbian?".

"My, you are very perspective".

"I don't mean to...".

"No, you don't mean. Besides, I do have straight friends. Besides, in the aspect of life and death, you're struggling to fit in".

"Yes".

"I can understand. Frat life is full of boys who use power. Same as girls in their sororities. The system prevents us from cheering on our champions".

"In other words, it is not worth the effort to beat the Super-Uber bitches, and Super Uber-jocks. Because you'll lose".

"Exactly".

"Can I ask Linda out?".

"You can. But she's busy".

"I see".

"Yes".

"If you see her, let her know I dropped by. Good bye, Ellery".

"Good bye, Craig".

And she walked away...but not before Craig watched her intently with a strange sense of pleasure that he had talked to a lesbian who was hot...

...He passed Delta Delta Delta house...then rested his feet by the bench in the garden. He smelled the flowers, and wished he would find his true calling.

***

"What are you doing?", Meg asked Craig.

"What!".

"You're lost".

"Depends on why I'm lost. The idea of being disappointed by my frat brothers is an issue. I haven't seen you here".

"No, I am lost, too. Is this Delta Delta Delta house?".

"Yes, I was seeing my girlfriend. But she's away".

"Oh".

"Yes, so I was about to leave".

"Don't leave on my part".

"I...No. Craig".

"Meg".

***

"Are you a new Junior Popularity Ruler at the sorority?".

"I hope so. But there's a cut off point for all of the girls".

"That is the way they do at the frat houses".

"My brother was Head Popularity Ruler. He was the RA at Zeta Zeta Zeta house. And Phi Kappa Kappa".

"Oh".

"Yeah. I did double duty because Don McCredy was fired".

"I know him".

"Don. He was a obscure leader".

"He was sickly. He had bone cancer".

"I know".

"You saw him in hospital?".

"Yes, he was doing well with chemothrapy".

"So, anyway, are you in the second round of girls trying to get into Delta Delta Delta?".

"Yes, I told you".

"Yes, I'm sorry. I am flustered".

"Why?".

"Because of the crap that's happened lately".

"I can't help you".

"If you want a break later on, would you like some coffee and cake?".

"Sure".

"Then it's a date".

"What about your girlfriend?".

"She's too busy".

And he sighed again...as she walked towards the double doors of the sorority house. Then she turned around.

"You can break up with her if she's giving you no time".

"I'll think about that Meg. 'Bye!".

"'Bye!".

***

Page 7.