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."

hazing going

sighed heavily. "Tomorrow. By 1AM I think. Based on my research, lots of recruits like me will be forced to do calisthenics, or maybe dropped off somewhere blindfolded and had to

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

for tomorrow. Don't tell Kurt about this. I don't want his gay ass to show up

smiled at him

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

•••••

she starts to rub her

popped my head up from my laptop and stared at

sits on her

with every new girl he sees. Nick hates him cos I was one of those women he played with. Aries is the type of man that

I just nodded.

I haven't seen him being with the same woman longer than one month. And be careful around those women he used to see, cos they'll hate you to death. They don't want to see Aries being with another woman. Trust me. I've

for the warning Trace. I'll try to stay

"Tracy do you know where

she just told me she's

•••••

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 laughing, then there's Billy behind them. He was bringing loads of stuff

gasped inwardly. "What

fell on the ground too. I hurriedly ran towards him when some men who were passing by were kicking him. They were

you 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. Why did he even sign up for this torture? And these heartless

again. Thanks." Billy

while reaching for the book away from

and grabbed the stuff from my hand. Billy quickly grabbed it from Alec as if he was scared to

you doing?"

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

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

a week, genius." One frat man answered me

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

do anything about this

who just stood there and didn't do anything at all. His eyes looking right at me and I think Alec was waiting for him to speak too. I turned away and faced Billy.

smiles. "I'm fine Savannah. Thanks again

I hear

such an

to me as he follows the other two who

the room, I was 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

Missed me?"

"Hey little sis. Had eaten

bring

can do

"I haven't had dinner yet but

actually on my way for a

Same old Cameron.

was surprised. Dad never takes him to meetings.

know. Next week I'll be

laughed. "Dream on

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

really

So, pick you up there tomorrow around seven

I'm sure