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“Every function we had last year you were there. We even had the conversation about your mom’s pledge experience. I went out on a limb for you and pegged you as my choice to make it. Did I waste my time thinking you’d be right for BGP?”
    I didn’t know what to do or say. I just knew it was put-up or shut-up time. I put all of my cards on the table. I said, “No, you didn’t waste your time. I still want to be a Beta.”
    â€œWell, we don’t want our girls all up in someone’s face. We talked about this last year, girl. That’s a no-no! Show some class and self-respect. Y’all looked like you needed to find a hotel or something, yuck! You’ve got a lot of work to do and we need to talk about this now. So meet me off campus at the Elks Club in fifteen minutes.”
    Before I could say anything, she left. I knew the clock was ticking. As it says in my mom’s Beta handbook that I peeked at, the Vice President of the organization is the leader of the line. Penelope had spoken. Ticking her off wasn’t going to help my cause. I had to figure out how I was going to respond.
    Now it was on me. I had been given an order: either I could comply with it or ignore it. Make no mistake about it, whichever one I chose would pretty much determine my pledging fate.
    I wasn’t a rude person. I couldn’t just walk out of the party without saying goodbye to Creed. We’d connected. How could I just leave him high and dry like that? And I certainly would have been pissed if he did it to me. However, if the Betas were watching me, I couldn’t say goodbye or even explain to Creed what was going on. And in all honesty, I didn’t know where things between Creed and me were headed. We were friends, even though he looked like he wanted to rip my clothes off and get busy. I certainly wanted more than that, but who could say a relationship was in store for us and could I afford to take that chance? I had wanted to be a member of Beta Gamma Pi for years and here was finally my opportunity. I had the grades. I had the community service. And I had the heart. Yeah, the Betas were acting crazy, I mean what was this secret meeting all about?
    When I walked toward the exit, Chandra came up to me and said, “So okay, you just gonna bounce without saying a word? We came to this party because of you, girl. I can’t believe you were about to leave! Come with me and bring the truth.”
    â€œOkay, okay,” I said, motioning for her to come outside.
    Chandra looked crazy and said, “If I go out they ain’t gonna let me come back in.”
    â€œYes, they will, just get your hand stamped by one of the Betas,” I told her.
    I took her hand and gave it to one of the Betas that I’d seen at the store earlier. Her large stature was so overwhelming and she looked even meaner than she did before. Her sweatshirt read, Soror Keisha, a mean machine. I couldn’t imagine one person that she would vote to put on the line.
    â€œWhat you looking at? I just want my hand stamped,” Chandra said, just being real.
    I could have hit my girlfriend in her side. Though she didn’t want to pledge, I did. Now I was gonna get it for her smart comment. Keisha rolled her eyes at Chandra. And Chandra rolled her eyes right back at her. I was doomed.
    When we got outside Chandra said, “What in the world is up with you taking their manipulation? See, I don’t understand why you guys want to be a part of these sororities. These chicks think they own you guys or something. Well, they ain’t gonna treat me like I’m stupid. I’m somebody with or without being a member of their group.”
    â€œIt’s to be expected. It’s no big deal,” I said, truly hoping I was right in what I was telling her.
    â€œSo, where you going? Why’d you bring me out here? What you got to say? Let me guess, one of them wants you to go to the store for more