“I’m taking you to the frat house so you can call an Uber.”
Why does a fizz of excitement start in my stomach at the thought of being in a frat house? Must be something Joelle said.
“Isthat allowed?”
He snorts. “Of course. We have parties and invite people all the time.”
“Toga parties?”
“No, that’s just in the movies. Though, sometimes there are costume parties.”
“What’s the craziest thing you’ve ever dressed up as?”
“Me?” He blushes. “Oh, I don’t dress up.”
“Why not?”
“Our old president didn’t like anyone to dress up as anything silly, so it’s only been the past year—while Nate’s been in charge—that we’ve tried things like that. I’m the vice president now, so I get to opt out.”
I push down the part of me that is impressed by Ben being the vice president of something. “But where’s the fun in that?”
“So, you’d dress up in a costume?”
“Sure. Why not?”
“Okay, next party we have at the frat, we’ll make it a costume party and I get to tell you what to wear.”
“Deal. But only if I get to tell you what to wear.”
He blushes deeper, looking down at his shoes. “Forget it.”
“No fun,” I tease.
He offers me a smile, but it’s a sad one.
“Here we are.” Ben stops at the end of the driveway of yet another mansion. This one is all red brick with sturdy pillars and a big banner with some of those ancient Greek letters you see everywhere on this row. I have no idea what they mean.
“This is Alpha Sigma Psi house,” Ben says, puffing his chest out with pride.
“Who chose the name?”
“Alpha Sigma has been Alpha Sigma for centuries. It’s tradition.”
“Was your father in this fraternity?”
“Yes.” He looks grave now. “And his father before him, and so on.”
I wonder what it’s like to bethat‘old money.’ All that privilege along with all those responsibilities and expectations.
“Do you like being in Alpha Sigma….” I forget the last part.
He perks up. “Yes. Especially now Priestley’s gone.”
“Priestley Rosenthal?”
Ben bristles. “You know him?”
“No, I just saw a video of him online playing a match.”
