It All Started with a Lie

Chapter 1

The stranger's eyes met mine as he took a few steps towards me, towards the safe, grabbing his paper out from his bag. I shut the safe before he could add it to the pile. "You can turn in your paper as soon as I have that golden pen."

He sighed, running a hand through his curly locks. "Seriously?" There was no ounce of humor left to voice. There was actually never an ounce of humor in his voice.

I nodded, staring him down.

With a slight eye roll, he agreed. "Fine. Let's find that damn pen."

Couldn't have said it better myself. We ransacked the entire room, looking in every possible hiding spot we could think of, in the desk, behind the books on the shelves, in the chair cushions; it was nowhere to be found. He and I did not talk the entirety of the time. I'm sure I had tried to spark a few conversations but he seemed like he'd rather be anywhere else but here and my mind was concentrated on one thing, that golden pen. I needed to get into Beta Sigma Xi. My future as a dancer at this school depended on it. I could not spend yet another four years being hated by my teammates. All my hard work would be nothing if they hate me. One slight scowel from them and I'd be an outcast. The only thing soothing my nerves was Emma, at least I would always have her. If every other dancer hates me, she would still stand by my side.

"I found it!" The handsome stranger held up a sleek golden box; the professor's golden box, where he stored his golden pen. Because every man needs a gold box for his gold pen.

I jumped in excitement, grabbing the box from him. "Thank you so much!" I began to open the lid to take a look at the Professor's prize possession, but it was snatched out of my grasp before I got the chance. The stranger gestured towards the safe. "You can have it back after you open the safe."

I laughed, figuring it was a fair trade. I opened the safe, allowing him to turn in his late assignment. He gave me the box as my eyes caught the clock, watching it get nearer and nearer to one. Emma. I thanked the handsome stranger, and ran out before he could say more. I didn't even get his name, but I was sure I'd be able to find him one day on campus if ever needed. He can't be easy to miss.

I shoved the golden box in my bag and sprinted to the bell tower. I took the staircase up to the roof. Emma was still there, clinging to the chimney for dear life, her eyes squeezed shut. "Emma?" I asked.

Her eyes flew open. "Lexi, oh thank goodness you're here!" She stared up at me like a lost puppy.

I dropped my bag down beside her, glancing to the top of the bell tower. "I'm gonna go grab your item and then we'll get out of here."

She nodded, attempting to smile. I didn't waste a second, and began climbing the bell tower. It was a short climb to the top, but one wrong move and I'd surely be hospitalized, if not dead. I'm sure there was an easier entry from inside the building, but it was not one that we had time to find. I made it to the top, climbing into the bell room. I have never stood next to an actual bell, and from the ground it looked so small, but standing beside it, it was massive in an almost scary way. So large I finally understand why people are scared of being crushed by one. It made me wonder what the handsome stranger might look beside it. Would he too look small? Ignoring the thoughts of him, I began my search for the mystery item. I found it tucked inside the bell itself, a small Beta Sigma Xi pin. "I got it!" I shouted down to her.

I could not see or hear her response, so I only assumed she heard me. I climbed back down, thankful when my feet hit the ground; we were running out of time. I could barely coax Emma off the roof and practically have to drag her away from the safety of the chimney, and by the time we made it down, there were only fifteen minutes before we had to return with our found items. Thankfully, the second Emma was ground level, she returned to her usual self, a sense of urgency kicking in. She grabbed my hand and ran. I have never been much of a runner—quite frankly I despised it—but for Beta Sigma Xi, I would run miles. Emma, on the other hand, ran track all of highschool, so when returned to base, while I was bright red, drenched in sweat, and panting, Emma looked perfectly fine. Gods, I hate running.

Our matador grinned a devilish grin as a form of greeting. "Two more pledges! Please, bring me your retrieved items."

I waved Emma on first, giving me a chance to catch my breath. She handed our matador the small, metal pin. She inspected it closely, ensuring its authenticity, before that same smile returned to her face, and she dipped her finger into a bucket of crimson, sticky liquid, smearing the house symbol across Emma's cheek. "Congratulations Emma St. Clair, you have been officially accepted into Beta Sigma Xi. We look forward to swearing you in." She then gestured for Emma to take a seat.

It was my turn next. This was it, the moment I had been dreaming of. The finish line was a step a way and my future secured. I took a deep breath, clutching the small golden box to my chest, before handing it to her. I knew that in doing so, I ensured the failure of the final pledge who had yet to arrive, and I nearly felt bad for her, but there was no time to sympathize her feelings when my entire future relied on this moment. There was nothing more important. I did it.

Our matrador took the box from me, smiled that devilish smile, and cracked it open. I nearly expected the box to glow, and maybe it would have had the pen been inside. Her grin quickly fell, as did mine as I saw the contents of the box: a small, yellow sticky note with the words 'Death to Beta Sigma Xi' scribbled on it. "Is this some kind of joke?" She snarled.

My eyes grew wide, as I frantically defended my honor, my life. "No! I didn't put that there. I don't know who wrote that—" but before I could even finish, she tossed the golden box at my feet, grabbed the silver bucket and raised it above my head. Crimson covering my body, dripping down my eyes and covering my face, seeping into my eyes, leaving my vision red. My mouth fell open, every muscle in my body stunned.

"You are a disgrace to the Beta Sigma name!" She threw the empty bucket at my feet just as the sixth pledge arrived. I couldn't even turn to look at her, but I saw my matador leaving me to check for the sixth pledges item and return only to draw her finger across the smear on my face. She congratulated the sixth member, then signaled for everyone to exit, leaving alone to my own sorrows. I stood there, letting my future disappear, covered in pig's blood, watching the world around me end again. It will always be this way. I will always be the girl everyone hates.  I collapsed to the ground, remaining there until the liquid dried and crusted to my skin.

I failed.

A/N
Hi lovlies!
I have missed you all so much! I know it's taken me a long time to get back into writing, but I'm back and promise I'll give you an explanation for taking suck a long break soon.

Thank you so much to @KateRose1108 for inspiring and encouraging me to actually get up off my ass and write this book. I would not have found the motivation to do so without her love and support in this book.

Thank you all so much for reading my book and I'd love to know what you all think of the rewrite.

I'm sad to get rid of the ballroom scene but I needed something a bit more plausible that allowed for a more realistic set up for the rest of the book.

I'd love to hear what you all think and don't forget to comment and votes. Your comments are really what encourage me to keep writing and I am so thankful for each and every one of you!

QOTD: What is the best thing that's happened to you this week?

Lots of love,
Rachelle <3