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."

is this hazing going

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

so important to him and he's so eager to join it. He's so eager to get initiated. Why did I have to ask him about this anyways? Now I feel like it's my responsibility if he'll get into critical condition

now. Wish me luck for tomorrow. Don't tell Kurt about this. I don't

smiled at him ruefully.

away from me. I pity him. He's Kurt's brother and I 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 prove to them that he's different

•••••

starts to

up from my laptop and stared at her.

right." She sits on her

hates him cos I was one of those women he played with. Aries is the type

I just nodded.

around those women he used to see, cos they'll hate you to death. They don't

the warning Trace. I'll try to stay away

do you know where they usually initiate the

she just told me she's not allowed

•••••

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 while talking and

gasped inwardly. "What the

hurriedly ran towards him when some men who were passing by were kicking him. They were just looking

you see he's

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 men

you again. Thanks." Billy

while reaching for the book away

pulled my head up and Alec was already picking some of the stuff too. He walked up to me and grabbed the stuff from my hand. Billy quickly grabbed it from Alec as if he

you

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

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

it's torture for a week, genius."

my eyes

Delta Theta, you're not allowed to help the recruits

you gonna do anything about this Nick?"

all. His eyes looking right at me and I think

Savannah.

I hear Nick

such

to me as he follows the other two who were also following

was just used to reading notes in advance. My dad taught me to be like that

Missed me?" I

"Hey little sis. Had eaten dinner

bring

can do

haven't had dinner yet but I'll get

way for a meeting with

Same old Cameron.

I was surprised. Dad never takes him to meetings. "Wow.

week I'll be

"Dream

see. By the way, It's Friday tomorrow. Wanna

you really did miss

So, pick you up there tomorrow around seven

Saturday? Saturday morning will be fine. I'm sure Ingrid still have