“You know somebody in DTK?” Colton asks in a rush. “That’s the fraternity I want to join. But it’s hard to get into unless you’re a legacy.”
“What does that mean?” I ask.
“Unless, like, your father or brother or cousin or somebody’s in it, it’s hard to get in. It’s the best fraternity on campus.”
“What’s so important about being in a frat?” I ask. I haven’t actually talked to Jeremiah about it yet.
“Good connections for jobs after school,” Colton says. “My father still plays golf and does business with people from his fraternity. But they don’t have a chapter of Kappa Theta here at MTSU. That’s what my dad is.”
“Why didn’t you just go to school where your father went?” I ask.
Colton glances at Kelsey, not answering my question.
Finished with his conversation, Jeremiah jogs up, his light brown hair bouncing everywhere. “Hey,” he says to me. “So your run went well this morning?”
“I finished in three hours, five minutes.”
He beams, crossing his arms. “Nice. How’s the knee? Did you get a good stretch in afterward? Or do you need a partner stretch now?”
“For the hundredth time, I do not need you to partner stretch me.” Ever since Jeremiah caught Matt doing those weird pretzel stretches with me, Jeremiah’s been offering to “partner stretch” me.
“How was your race?” I ask, thrilled to see he’s in one piece—no cuts, no bruises, all limbs intact.
“Not bad. I came in second place. Won a thousand dollars. That ought to cover my books for this semester.” I give Jeremiah a quick congratulatory hug and he tweaks my braid, like he likes to do.
“I haven’t been to the bookstore yet,” I say. “That’s really how much they cost?”
“It depends.”
Vanessa loudly says, “Ahem.” She, Kelsey, and Colton are watching us like we’re a movie.
“Oh,” I say. “I’m sorry. Guys, this is Jeremiah.” I introduce him to the girls and Colton and everyone shakes hands. Vanessa and Kelsey start sniggering like eighth graders and making eyes at the two of us. Jere laughs at that. I get a hankering to kill them all, Jeremiah included.
“So you’re in DTK?” Kelsey asks him.
“I am.”
“What year are you?” Vanessa asks.
“I’m a junior.”
She mouths at me, “He’s a junior!”
“What’s your major?” Kelsey says. Every person I’ve met in the past day has asked that question, and it’s starting to get real old because I have no real answer. Undecided but maybe physical therapy? Vanessa is majoring in accounting and Kelsey is thinking about journalism.
“Jere,” I say, rescuing him from the inquisition. “Colton is really interested in your fraternity.”
Jeremiah looks over at Colton, sizing him up. “You’re a friend of Annie’s? She hasn’t mentioned you before.”
Colton’s face starts to fall, but I speak up even though we’ve never hung out much. “Yeah, we went to high school together,” I say. “I’ve known Colton forever.”
Kelsey gives me a grateful look. No matter how much she and Colton try to play down their feelings, it’s obvious she cares deeply for him. They’ve been great friends ever since Kelsey moved into his neighborhood.
“We’re having a back-to-school party at the house tonight,” Jeremiah tells Colton. “We’re not starting rush until next month, but you should come to the party. Get to know some of the guys.” He walks over to another boy and grabs a couple fliers from him, then hands one to Colton.
“Thanks, man.”
Jeremiah offers the other flier to me, his eyes flickering to mine. “I hope you can make it. And Vanessa and Kelsey too.”
I look at the piece of paper. DTK: Back-to-School Beach Bash. Beach Volleyball Tourney. Bathing Suits Required!!!
“We’ll be there,” Kelsey says in a rush.
“Nice meeting you, Jere!” Vanessa says, then links her arm through mine and starts power-walking me toward the dorms. I glance over my shoulder at him and he waves.
Kelsey grabs my other elbow and hauls me even faster. Colton stays behind, continuing to talk to Jeremiah.
“Where are we going so fast?” I ask.
“You’ve been holding out on us, little missy!” Vanessa says.
“Who was that?” Kelsey says.