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

calisthenics, or maybe dropped off somewhere blindfolded and had to walk backwards

in movies. He's so thin and I don't think his body can take being paddled long 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 have to ask him about this anyways? Now I feel like it's my responsibility if he'll get into critical condition after hazing. The barista called out

Don't tell Kurt about this. I don't

smiled at him ruefully. "Good

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 than Kurt. I'm sure there are other ways to be cool but some college women always gets interested to

•••••

away from Aries." Tracy says as she starts to rub her

from my laptop and stared at

right." She sits

was one of

I just nodded.

one month. And be careful around those women he used to see,

try to stay away from him."

to my mind. "Tracy do you

surprised by my question and she just told me she's not allowed

•••••

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 the

too. I hurriedly ran towards him when some men who

see he's helpless already?" I

tried picking up all of 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.

you again. Thanks."

problem." I said while reaching for

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 was scared

you doing?" Alec

like he's some kind of dog?" I said out while I feel Nick's eyes

I-Week but that doesn't mean other kids can bully him too. Do you even see how he's so scared of you guys? Isn't that enough that

week,

my eyes at

careful around other frat men of Phi Delta Theta, you're not allowed to help the recruits like that. And no one would

gonna do anything about this

do anything at all. His eyes looking right at me and I think Alec was waiting for

"I'm fine Savannah. Thanks again for

get going." I hear

he's such an

says to me as he follows the other

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

Missed me?"

softly. "Hey little sis. Had eaten

bring me my favorite

do baby

haven't had dinner yet but I'll get myself some a

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

Same old Cameron.

surprised. Dad never takes

Next week I'll be

"Dream

way, It's Friday tomorrow. Wanna spend the weekend with

you really did

you up there tomorrow

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