Page 11 of Reversal of Fate

7 – To Fraternity Row I go

Los Angeles, Friday, September 26, 2025, 7:55 p.m.

Julie looked at herself in the mirror. She wasn’t wearing a stitch of her own clothing other than her panties and bra. The shoes weren’t hers. Nor was the skimpy dress that barely covered her legs to mid-thigh. Not to mention how much of her cleavage was visible.

Her mother would have never allowed her to leave the house like this. What her father’s opinion on the subject was, she didn’t know. He hadn’t played a part in her life since her parents had divorced when Julie was four.

If she hadn’t seen photos of him, she wouldn’t even know what he looked like. He’d remarried six months after the divorce and moved to Europe with his new wife. Her mother had never truly moved on. She’d only occasionally dated, and then, in the summer when Julie had returned home briefly, her mother had told her that she’d been diagnosed with an aggressive breast cancer over a year earlier. She hadn’t wanted to burden Julie with that knowledge. It had come as a shock to Julie. Her mother had succumbed to the disease a week after Julie had come home, almost as if she’d held on just long enough to see her daughter again.

The funeral had been an intimate affair. Only a few local friends and colleagues had attended. After settling her mother’s estate, Julie had returned to UCLA and buried herself in an intensive summer program in nanotechnology. It had taken her mind off her mother’s death, but she still thought of her every day.

Julie looked in the mirror again. She didn’t look half bad in this, even though she’d never admit it to anybody. And although she might look pretty in this outfit, it didn’t mean she felt comfortable in it. Or in her skin to begin with. When it came to boys, she’d always been shy. Sure, she’d dated boys in high school, and had even been on a few dates during her first two years of college, but whenever things got too intimate, she bowed out.

She knew what other students were calling her behind her back: a cock-tease. She didn’t like the word, nor did she think it accurately reflected her character. She wasn’t trying to lead anyone on, she was just… well, choosy. Yes, that was a better description. She was just waiting for the right guy. Someone with whom she could have a real connection. And so far, she hadn’t met anybody who fit that picture. But maybe tonight she’d meet somebody who wasn’t just a shallow guy eager to get laid.

“What are you still looking in the mirror for?” Tonia said from the door.

Julie turned around. “Just making sure…”

“Making sure that you look gorgeous?” Tonia smiled.

No, it wasn’t what she’d been thinking, but her housemate wouldn’t understand that. So she lied instead. “Yep, just making sure it all fits.”

“Great,” Tonia said. “Belle, Michaela, Sandy, and Olive already left. Claire chipped her nails and has to redo them, but we’re not waiting for her.”

“And Emily?”

“As usual, she’s not ready. She’s only just taking a shower. She’ll follow us with Claire.”

Tonia was already heading down the stairs. Julie grabbed the tiny handbag Sandy had lent her, and followed Tonia.

She watched her new friend walk down the stairs, her curvy figure swaying from side to side. To be honest, she envied Tonia for her perfect figure. No wonder she was so popular with her fellow students. Tonight she was wearing a short red dress that was so tight that Julie wasn’t sure how she’d managed to close the zipper. Her boobs were practically spilling out on top, yet Tonia walked as if the world belonged to her. Because it did. Well, if the world was a fraternity house.

If only Julie had an ounce of her confidence. She sighed.

In the foyer of the house, Tonia looked over her shoulder. “Everything okay?”

“It’s fine. I’m just a little nervous. I don’t know anybody at that party.”

Tonia winked at her. “Not yet anyway.”

“Very funny. But what if nobody talks to me?”

Her friend rolled her eyes. “In that dress? Trust me, every guy with eyes in his head will talk to you.”

“Easy for you to say.”

“Trust me, I know these things. Now, get your cell phone out. Let’s show everybody how beautiful we look tonight.”

Julie took her cell phone out of her tiny bag and leaned close to Tonia, their heads touching, broad smiles beaming into the camera. Click.

They both looked at the result.

“Perfect,” Tonia said approvingly.

Quickly Julie posted it to her Instagram account.

‘A night out with my roommates before classes start #UCLA #alldolledup #partyon #studentlife #blessed #livingthebestlife #fraternityparty.’

“I wish I was a little less shy, more like you,” Julie said.

Tonia opened the door and stepped outside. “You know there is a cure for shyness, right?”

Julie stared at her, confused.

Tonia smirked. “Comes in a bottle. Alcohol, dummy, and there’ll be plenty of that where we’re going. You’ll loosen up, you’ll see.”

“I hope you’re right.”

Now one question remained. How much did she actually want to loosen up?