Dan Harwin and Tommy Kincaid sat near the fountain in the middle of the campus. They leaned against the statue of the college's founder, Alexander Welker because it provided a lovely shade from the September sun. Tommy bounced a rubber ball, but he only caught it maybe once in three tries. The nearby students were growing tired of fetching it for him.

"Dude, have you decided yet?" Tommy asked. He wasn't even sure if Dan was awake since he closed his eyes.

"About what?" Dan asked.

"Pledging. What else would I mean?"

"Oh, right. I'm probably gonna go Aeternum."

"Huh? I thought you were going to go Beta Rho with me. What happened?"

"I don't know. Beta Rho's rush didn't impress me that much."

"Hold on a second," Tommy said as his ball bounced away again. This time, he didn't seem that bothered by it. "I know what this is about. You changed because of your girl!"

"Stop saying that. I told you she's not my girl. Hailey is my best friend."

"Yeah, because you don't have the guts to tell her how you feel," Tommy said with a laugh. This made Dan sit up straight and look around. Tommy laughed harder because he understood why Dan was doing it.

"Keep it down, idiot. I told you it's not that simple."

"And I keep telling you it is. You two are crazy for each other. Besides, doesn't she know?"

"I told you she knew I had feelings for her when we were younger, but she doesn't know I still do. What happens if it blows up in my face? It might ruin our friendship."

"Dude, I appreciate it, but I don't think it would affect our friendship," Tommy said. It took a second for Dan to realize he wasn't joking.

"My friendship with Hailey! How high are you right now?"

"Not high enough. Hey, where's my ball?"

Dan let out a groan, followed by a short laugh. He ran his hand through his blond hair, which turned it into an amusing-looking rat's nest. Tommy noticed, but he said nothing.

"And no, I'm not changing my decision because of Hailey," Dan said after a pause.

"Liar. So it's a coincidence you picked the brother club of your girl's new group?"

"Okay, so she influenced my choice a little. Go Aeternum with me. They seem better anyway."

"I'll think about it," Tommy said, but he seemed more focused on finding his ball. "Oh, hey. Speak of the angel. Look who's coming," Tommy said and pointed to his left. "Sup, Hail."

"Hey guys," Hailey said as she approached. Dan stood up so quickly that he made himself disoriented. He heard Tommy snickering to himself and resisted the urge to kick him. "Oh, Dan. Your hair," Hailey said before reaching up and fixing it for him.

"Thanks."

"Dan, I have something important to ask you. I need a favor."

"Here we go..." Tommy muttered under his breath. This time, Dan kicked him.

"Okay, what is it?" Dan asked.

"Could you help me convince your mom to be our sponsor? I asked her, but she's still undecided."

"Oh," Dan said, and his shoulders slumped. Tommy burst into raucous laughter, but Dan couldn't muster another kick.

"Is something wrong?" Hailey asked.

"No! Nothing! I'd be happy to talk to her. She would be perfect for that role. You know she adores you."

"Thanks. You're the best," Hailey said and hugged him.

***

Meanwhile, Barb spoke with Hana, but it did not go how she had expected. After hearing what she said, she stared at her friend in disbelief.

"You don't want to be a founding member?" Barb asked. "Please tell me you aren't going with Phi-O."

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"No!" Hana said and waved her hand. "I still want to join, but would you call me crazy if I said I wanted to pledge instead?"

"Yes, I would. You're crazy, Hana."

"I don't want you to hand me a free membership. You know I've wanted to pledge for a while. I would have done it last year if Harrison didn't make you wait until you're a sophomore for some stupid reason. It looked like fun."

"Okay, I can respect that. And this means we already have two pledges locked in. You and Kennedy."

"So, did you guys pick a name yet?"

"I came up with something, but I gotta run it by Hail first. If she approves this, you're gonna love it."

***

Dan felt like he searched the aisles in the school library for ten minutes. "Why do they always design libraries like a maze?" he thought after striking out again. He was searching for his mother. She took a job as the school's librarian before Dan chose Harrison. Dan swore it had nothing to do with his decision, but that didn't stop Tommy from calling him a Mama's Boy. Dan's search continued. It took him a few more tries, but he spotted his mom two rows over.

"Hey, Mom," Dan said.

"Oh, hi, sweetie. How has your day been?" she asked, placing books on the shelf.

"It's good, but I wanted to talk to you about Hailey's club."

"She sent you to speak with me? That's not surprising," Cynthia Harwin said with a chuckle. "I didn't say no, but my work here keeps me busy. It would be wrong to say yes if I can't fully commit to it."

"I know, but it would mean a lot to her. It's the one piece of the puzzle she's missing."

"Someone better suited has to be out there. She picked me because I'm the only staff member she knows well."

"And because she trusts you."

"I told her I would think about it."

"She doesn't have much time, Mom."

Cynthia sighed and put the book she was holding back on her cart. "Is there another reason you want me to say yes?"

"What do you mean?"

"It seems you are manipulating me into being a matchmaker. Don't roll your eyes at me, boy!" she said, pointing a book at him. "You're hoping I'll put in a good word."

"I don't need a good word, Mom."

"Are you sure about that? A good word or a swift kick in the pants. One or the other," she said with a laugh and returned to her work.

"Mom!" Dan said, looking around as if trying to find help from an unknown source. "What is with everyone today? I'm fine with what Hailey and I have." When he said this, his mom raised her eyebrows but didn't speak. "Honestly!" he added.

Cynthia silently studied her son for a moment, making him shift uncomfortably. He expected a lecture, but she surprised him. "Okay, I'll do it," she said.

"Thanks, Mom!" Dan said and hugged her before leaving.

"A swift kick in the pants it is," she said to herself once he was gone.

***

Hailey looked proud as she glanced around the table at the five of them. This was their first official officer's meeting. She felt content to bask in the glory for a little longer but didn't realize how long she sat there silently until Shawna spoke.

"So, the inaugural gathering of the staring club is off to an amazing start," Shawna said, which drew a soft laugh from Felicia. That put a look of pride on Shawna's face that rivaled Hailey's.

"Sorry. I was soaking it in," Hailey said. "Should I get a gavel or something to kick things off?"

"I thought I was the judge," Felicia said.

"Okay, Felicia needs a gavel then," Hailey said. "Did you all get the copies of the constitution I emailed you?"

"Yeah, it was thrilling reading, but can I suggest something?" Shawna asked.

"You don't have to raise your hand, Shawna."

"Oh, right. Anyway, I don't like the name Sergeant at Arms. It sounds like a guys' club thing. How about—Dominatrix?"

"No, Shawna! That will give people the wrong impression!" Barb said with a horrified expression.

"Or the right one," Shawna said as she playfully stuck out her tongue. When she noticed the stares Barb and Hailey gave her, she frowned. "Okay, fine! Is Mistress acceptable? They can call me Mistress Shawna."

"Do we all have to call you that?" Felicia asked.

"You can if you want to, Fel."

"I'll allow it, but only the pledges have to call you that," Hailey said, rubbing her temples. "And Felicia, if she wants to." Felicia looked caught between terror and confusion. Barb fought hard not to laugh. "Moving on. Barb has an idea for a name, which is good because she rejected mine. She said they were boring," Hailey added, but she muttered the last sentence to herself.

"Okay, hear me out," Barb said. Once she had everyone's attention, she steeled herself and continued. "Kappa Mu Alpha."

Everyone stared at her in silence until Hailey spoke up. "How is that any less boring than the ones I gave you?" Hailey asked, sounding hurt.

"It has a double meaning, Hail. K-M-A. Kiss my ass. As in, kiss my ass, Marla. It will be our little inside joke."

"Oh, hell yeah," Keisha said with a grin, and the others followed suit.

"Plus, Mu is just fun to say. Moo! Maybe a cow can be our mascot. Ooh, and our club drink can be milk!" Barb said, which made the smiles falter.

"And you ruined it," Keisha said.

"Oh, come on! That was cute!"

***

"See, I told you, sweetie. It already sounds like you're gaining confidence," Mrs. Mays told Felicia on the phone later. Felicia sat alone in her dorm room. She told her mom about the meeting but omitted a few details. "I can hear it in your voice. You sound happier, and you're making friends!"

"Uh-huh," Felicia said. She felt terrible about leaving one name out of the list, but she had her reasons. Unfortunately, her mother must have been a mind reader.

"At least this means you're not hanging out with HER!" Mrs. Mays said. The last word came out so sharply it made Felicia jump. "I heard that. What's wrong?"

"N-nothing, Mom. You just startled me."

"I'm sorry, but you know I don't like that girl. She was a bad influence on you!"

When her mom said this, Felicia glanced at the posters on her wall. She regretted lying to her mom, but Felicia worried she would make her quit KMA if she knew the truth—or worse yet, pull her out of school. After all, she was paying for Felicia's tuition. Her mom had disdained Shawna since meeting her during Felicia's freshman year. Shawna disliked how Mrs. Mays spoke to Felicia and didn't have a problem telling her.

"The way she talked to me! And I think she might be a..."

"Mom!"

"Oh, don't censor me! I hate all this politically correct nonsense. Anyway, I'll let you get back to your homework. Keep me updated about your club."

Once Felicia ended the call, a tear trickled down her cheek. She wiped it away, but it was no use. The floodgates opened. Felicia drew her knees toward her chest and wrapped her arms around them as she leaned her head down and cried.