Total pages in book: 89
Estimated words: 87439 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 437(@200wpm)___ 350(@250wpm)___ 291(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87439 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 437(@200wpm)___ 350(@250wpm)___ 291(@300wpm)
“You’re just now telling us that you know who vandalized Zeta Tau?” I ask Jamie. “This could have been disclosed in an email or before the meeting.”
“Whoa, you’re already using words like vandalized. That’s why I knew I should wait and do it this way.”
“You thought this would set us at ease?” Ty asks.
“Eh,” is all Jamie says, shrugging.
“Well, we’re glad you caught him,” Marcus says. “But we need to notify the authorities. We need to write up a report for the destruction of property.”
“What, huh?” Jamie asks, like he’s just woken up in class and been surprised with a question. “Is that really necessary? I’ve held a meeting, punished Miles, and we’re happy to pay for the damage.”
“It’s important to remind everyone of the codes of conduct we all agreed upon,” Marcus says, “including what falls outside the umbrella of pranks, such as destruction of property. We don’t have a quote yet for the cost, but we’ll have to repaint because he used permanent paint, which is specifically against the rules.”
“And then we pay for the damage,” Jamie says. “Problem solved, right? It was an Omega Psi guy, but Miles’s action does not represent our house.”
I have to speak up. “I find it convenient that every time one of your frats is involved in a situation, you say it was a one-off. Or that it doesn’t reflect Omega Psi.”
“It’s just true,” Jamie doubles down.
“The prank you pulled on Ty and me last year was not a one-off. That was done by Omega Psi on two other rival frat presidents who have since graduated. Your frat was repeatedly fined for violating our codes of conduct through several fights and pranks.”
“You guys said you thought that prank with you was funny,” Jamie says.
Funny, but not because we were tied up together, but because of what happened after.
Which Jamie sure as hell doesn’t know.
And now, it’s not just a funny memory, but a hot one.
Kind of wonder how I didn’t see it that way when it was happening.
But it’s beside the point.
“What if one of us had been sick?” I ask. “Or needed to go to the hospital from alcohol poisoning?”
“That didn’t happen, though, did it?”
“You’re missing the point,” Ty says. “By creating a culture where your frats think these things are acceptable, you set the scene for something dangerous to happen.”
“This is different,” Jamie says. “Miles, explain what happened.”
Miles continues looking around the room, as though he’s in a daze from whatever weird-ass ritual took place before he arrived. “Uh…I think I was being nice to Zeta Tau calling them glory holes because I think glory holes are useful.”
“What the—” Marcus starts.
“Miles,” Ty says, “could you just tell us why you did that, please?”
I appreciate Ty for keeping this circus on task. At least attempting to.
“A bunch of Zeta Tau guys were bullying one of my boys at the last party, so I was just letting them know they can’t get away with that.”
“What do you mean by bullying?” I ask.
“Teasing him. Pushing him around. He’s not as big as a lot of the guys.”
A pulse of anger shoots through me. Nothing I hate more than a bunch of fucking bullies, and now Marcus is earning a few looks from us.
“I didn’t know about any of this,” Marcus insists.
“Okay, in that case,” I say. “We’ll get some names and investigate this situation further, ensuring both sides are held accountable for their actions, but, Miles, that doesn’t excuse what you did. There are protocols for bullying, so next time, please consult your president, who is there to keep you all safe.”
“Yeah,” Jamie tells Miles. “You know you could talk to me.”
“I know how to deal with assholes,” Miles blurts.
It seems like he’s not absorbing any of what’s being said.
“I can’t really do much about the fact that Omega Psi is for loners and rebels,” Jamie notes.
“Thank you for coming, Miles,” I say. “Can you guys head out, and we’ll finish discussing this with Jamie.”
The other Omega Psis escort their housemate out, and Jamie is quick to defend his frat. “So this was all just provoked by some asshats at Zeta Tau. This is what happens at frats. Can’t we just call it even?”
Now he’s making me feel like I’m being a Marty, but I stand my ground. “Jamie, you can’t deny you have some responsibility in all this. It’s our job as presidents to keep our frats safe, and Omega Psi’s wild reputation and behavior have become concerning for the other frats. I think we all would like to see you encouraging your brothers to observe the rules set for all of us to abide by. Because you can pay for damages and deal with fines for this, but if your frats don’t feel they can come to you when issues arise and there are more instances like this, there would be consequences. Omega Psi members can be banned from parties, events, TaskFrat challenges, and if you really overstep, we can have you disbanded as a frat altogether.”