The Pledge by Laura Ward, Christine Manzari Page B

shit.”
    I hurried off the bed, trying to hide Amanda from Caz’s gaze, but he wasn’t looking at her. He was staring at me.
    “Dude. You have a boner. That’s disturbing that you can get off while watching Jack Nicholson go fuckin’ crazy on his wife and kid.”
    “What are you doing here? I thought you were visiting your family.” I zipped up my pants, grimacing at the discomfort. Amanda had turned her back to us and struggled to get her shirt back on.
    “I did. Now I’m back.” He flopped down on his bed, unconcerned that he had interrupted my night. He picked up the remote and pointed it at his television. “Are you done watching this? I mean, it’s not like you were anyway.” He grinned, and I flipped him the bird.
    Amanda grabbed her backpack off the floor and slung it over her shoulder. “I’ll see you later, Alec,” she said as she reached for the doorknob.
    “Amanda...”
    But she was already out the door and disappearing down the hallway.
    “You could have warned me you were coming back tonight.” I dropped down on my bed in frustration.
    “I’ll give you two very valuable pieces of advice.” Caz grabbed the popcorn bag and shoved a handful in his mouth. “One, next time put a sock on the handle. And two, if you’ve got a girl in here, lock the door, dipshit.”

Chapter Eleven
    TAREN
    “Can I borrow a pair of earrings?” Alexis asked as she zipped up the back of my dress. We had another rush party tonight and were getting ready together.
    I bent over and slipped on my heels. “Of course. Help yourself.” I tipped my chin toward my dresser.
    Alexis opened my jewelry box and rummaged around. “What’s this?” She held up a long red ribbon.
    My breathing faltered as I took it in my hand. This ribbon was a symbol to me of both pain and joy. I sat on my bed, running my fingers over the smooth satin. “I can’t believe I still have this.”
    “Where did you get it?” Alexis sat next to me, securing a pair of silver hoops in her ears that Claire had given me for my last birthday.
    My voice was low and flat. “You know how I was picked on in school?” Alexis nodded. “Sometimes it got pretty bad. This one guy liked to torture me. He was always doing things to my backpack. Dumping it in the toilet, kicking it down the hall—or my favorite—cutting the straps off so I had to carry it like a bag of groceries.” I drew circles on the floor with my toes as I heard Alexis’ sharp inhale.
    “Oh, Taren. I’m so sorry.” Alexis grabbed my hand and squeezed.
    “It’s over.” I shook my head, dismissing her concern. “When I was working with Alec one day on our project, he noticed my backpack.” I ran the ribbon through my fingers, the satin smooth and bright. “He used this red ribbon to fix the strap so I could carry my backpack again. It was part of the reason I thought his kindness was more than just friendship.”
    “It was a nice gesture.”
    “Yeah, well I’m a hopeless romantic. I wore this ridiculous ribbon in my hair when I went to the bonfire to ask him to the dance.” I looked down at my hands, clasped tightly together. “Stupid.” I rolled my eyes.
    “Not stupid. Sweet. I love that you kept this.” Alexis took the ribbon from my hands and placed it back in my jewelry box, shutting the lid. “Keeping this shows you never gave up. You were willing to take a risk, and you survived.”
    I swallowed around the lump in my throat and plastered a fake smile on my face. “Let’s go. Jules will have a stroke if we’re late.” Alexis grabbed her sweater and opened the door. “And I think you just might be a hopeless romantic, yourself.”
    “I so am.” She giggled as we walked down the hall together arm in arm.
    ***
    I was in.
    I was a Gamma Gamma Gamma.
    They wanted me. They told me I belonged with them. And because sometimes, and only sometimes, things worked out the way they should, they also wanted Alexis and Julie.
    “We’re sisters! Real sisters! For