Love Aint Always Pretty

Sirsnība

Translation: Sincerity

Origin: Latvian

8

SAVANNAH'S POV

Around two in the afternoon, I was inside a coffee shop reading this new novel that I borrowed from the library. Then I saw Billy on the same coffee shop, looking for a table.

"Billy!" I called out to him.

He turned to me and waved then started walking towards the table. Billy reminds me of my gay best friend Kurt who was always been bullied cos he was gay. Kurt was also a nerd and wore glasses like him. He was older than me and Billy exactly resembled Kurt. And I always feel sorry for nerds who gets bullied just cos of how they look. People in high school and in college are always so judgmental.

"Hi. How are you?" I asked.

"Great." He answers, wiping the sweat on his forehead.

"No frat guys that are haunting down your ass?" I asked before taking a sip from my frappe.

He pulled out a long list. "Nope. But they've asked me to buy them frappes on my own expense."

I gaped. "No they didn't?"

He nods. "It's okay. Today's the last day anyways. And tomorrow's the final day."

"This... I-Week you're telling me. What do they make you do?"

"It's some mental games and physical activities for five days of hell before the real initiation." He says.

"Like what?" God I'm so curious.

He exhales. "Some late night work sessions, servitude, demeaning remarks and yelling, there were some surprise requirements too, and some kangaroo courts. I had to memorize long stupid poems and I had to recite the Greek alphabet backwards and forwards before the match burned my finger."

I was appalled when he showed his finger. It was a little reddish.

"I had to face the spotlight by 2AM standing stone-faced while getting cursed by the wimpiest guy in the chapter who was inebriated by them. I always had to say yes sir to the brothers. I had to eat horrible foods. I gave up sleep and lived in squalor. And I have to continue carrying items around the campus for them." He continues.

I shake my head, flattered by what he just said. "Why... why do you want this?"

"Because I've never had friends in high school. I was a sore loser and nobody would want to be my friend cos my older brother Kurt is gay." He says.

My eyes narrowed. "Kurt Kingsgrove?"

He nods. "Do you know Kurt?"

"Yeah. He's like my best friend. But I didn't see you in my school. I didn't even know he had a brother."

"I went to a different high school so people in school won't know he's my brother. When the entire school found out, I felt like his shadow was following me everywhere I go. I'm embarrassed that he's gay. That my brother is gay. I never asked about his friends too so I didn't know you know him. Sorry."

"It's fine." I say softly. He's embarrassed that his brother is gay. Kurt is a fun man and he doesn't really look gayish when you stare at him. He doesn't even dress and try to act like a woman.

"I wanna be cool. I wanna have cool friends so girls will like me. I wanna prove to those who bullied me that I'm not like Kurt, that I'm not gay. If I'll join this fraternity, I'll be one of them and I'll gain brothers. I want to join the Spring Pledge Class someday so I'll be allowed to haze the next men who'll join next years for Phi Delta Theta." He said so proudly of himself.

"Hazing?" I asked in disbelief.

He nods. "Hazing is prohibited in the chapter. It's printed right in the Phikeia Manual."

this hazing going to

my research, lots of recruits like me will be forced to do calisthenics, or maybe dropped off somewhere blindfolded and had to walk backwards then we

enough by those heartless guys. Looks like this is so important to him and he's so eager to join it. He's so eager to get initiated. Why did I

now. Wish me luck for tomorrow. Don't tell Kurt about this. I don't want his gay ass to show up anywhere near me." He

at him ruefully. "Good

feel really bad right now. I really feel bad for him. He doesn't need to join some fraternity to gain friends and just to

•••••

Aries." Tracy says as she starts to

my head up from my laptop and stared at her. "Why?

sits on her

every new girl he sees. Nick hates him cos I was one of

I just nodded.

seen him being with the same woman longer than one month. And be careful around those women

Trace. I'll try to

Billy came to my mind. "Tracy do

was surprised by my question and she just told me she's not allowed to tell cos Nick will

•••••

on my arms. It was around lunch and I'm already starving. I wonder where's some good hotspot for lunch around here in WSU. As I kept walking, I see Nick and Alec together with these other two men, heading to a car

gasped inwardly. "What

his glasses fell on the ground too. I hurriedly ran towards him when some men who were passing by were kicking him. They were just looking at him too and

see he's helpless already?" I

the stuff that were scattered on the ground and helped Billy. I could see he's holding back he's tears and didn't want to cry. Why did he even sign up for this torture? And these heartless frat

again.

while reaching for the

of the stuff too. He walked up to me and grabbed the stuff from my hand. Billy quickly grabbed

you

way those kids kick him like he's some kind of dog?" I said out while I feel Nick's eyes

he's on I-Week but that doesn't mean other kids can bully him too. Do you

it's torture for a week, genius." One frat man answered me

rolled my eyes at

friend already cos you're friends with Tracy. But please be careful around other frat men of Phi Delta Theta, you're not allowed to help the recruits like that. And no one would dare

gonna do anything about this Nick?" The

I think Alec was waiting for him to speak too.

fine Savannah. Thanks

get going." I hear

such an

Savannah." Alec says to me as he follows the other two

left inside cos I was studying for my upcoming lessons next week. We didn't really have any exams but I think I was just used to reading notes in advance. My dad taught me to be like that since I was a kid and now I'm bringing the habit with me. All of a sudden my phone was ringing from my side table

Missed me?"

"Hey little

here and bring me my favorite steak on that

can do baby

but I'll

way for a meeting with dad and some clients." He

Same old Cameron.

surprised. Dad never takes

know. Next week I'll be

laughed. "Dream on

way, It's Friday tomorrow. Wanna spend the weekend with me? Ingrid's been forcing me to

you really

pick you up there tomorrow

morning will be fine. I'm