Orientation by Stunich C.M

Author:Stunich, C.M.
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Sarian Royal
Published: 2022-07-31T00:00:00+00:00

Marnye Reed – Burberry Prep Alumna

“Oh, poor Charlotte.” I clamp my hand over my mouth as the McCarthy twins stand outside my door wearing matching frowns.

“She wanted us to tell you in person.” They pause and exchange a look before turning back to me. “Also, the dress fitting is tomorrow.”

“We’ll be there,” I promise as Zayd puts an arm around me from behind. He’s been trying all week to find time alone with me. I know why, and I wouldn’t be telling the truth if I said I haven’t been avoiding him. It’s not as if I’m totally naïve. I know that all of my boys save for Creed have had other lovers in the past. Zayd and Windsor and Tristan in particular. I’ve even seen Tristan in the act, and it’s an image I wish I could permanently scrub from my brain.

But having to face images and videos and anecdotes of their exploits is a lot to handle.

“Let her know we’re thinking about her,” I say, just before the twins retreat down the hall, and I close the door. I turn around assuming that Zayd will take a step back, but he’s right there, pressed so close to me that I can’t take a breath without my chest brushing up against his.

“They attacked her in her own house?” he asks, whistling under his breath. Zayd reaches up an inked hand—he’s added some designs over the summer for sure—and rubs at the Never Again tattoo on his neck. “That’s hardcore.”

“Yeah, and gave her a concussion, too. Stole her ring.” I can hardly imagine it. To break into someone’s house over a silly hazing ritual? That seems extreme. My mind drifts back to the Infinity Club, but there’s no evidence that they have anything to do with this. As far as I can tell—I’ve been surfing microfiche in the university library—this hazing thing goes way back, to the year of the school’s founding.

Back then, it was exclusively men who attended the university, but the rule was that any man who came in as a first year and was married had to share his wife with an upperclassman. Disturbing, isn’t it? Many traditions are, if you trace them back far enough.

Anyway, that’s how it started. When women were finally allowed to attend Bornstead—not until 1920, when women also won the right to vote in the US—the tradition was altered so that anyone who was dating or married was harassed and bullied until they either broke up or shared their lover with an upperclassman.

Now, today, it’s evolved to this: freshmen can’t date. Married couples are left alone. Unfortunately for Chuck, engaged couples are fair game. Based on the people I’ve spoken to over the last few days—freshmen with older siblings or people who’ve chosen not to participate in this nonsense—it’s just supposed to be lighthearted mischief.

Lighthearted.

I won’t even comment on that. I don’t find bullying funny—obviously—but even if I thought pranks like sending a guy’s girlfriend old videos of him with groupies was cute, how would one explain Tory or Charlotte?

Both are accidents then?

I just don’t know.

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