The Way We Roll by Stephanie Perry Moore Page B

greatness together.”
    I wasn’t a dummy. My mom was trying to make sure my line sister knew she expected them to welcome me. She was a lioness protecting her cub, but I wanted to roar on my own. I tried to walk away and give them space, but my mom tugged at my hand.
    â€œYes, ma’am,” Tammie said. “I just want to say that my mom is a Beta, and she said you’re the best president in the sorority’s history.”
    â€œOh, wow, I don’t know about that, but I’d like to meet your mom soon.”
    â€œWe’re from Mississippi. I’ll tell her,” Tammie said excitedly.
    â€œPlease do that. National Convention will be in Biloxi this year.”
    When I went to walk away again, my mom squeezed my hand. I just stood there looking for a second. She was introducing me to ladies in the graduate chapter that were on the advisery council for Alpha chapter. Everyone was so nice, which was a big contrast to the Alpha chapter sorors themselves who were over in a corner, mad as a kid on Christmas with not one toy. But I wasn’t Santa Claus or their parents, so I didn’t care that they were upset. I was on the line, and they were gonna have to deal with it.
    â€œOkay, look here.” Tammie came up to me and handed me a note as my mom got caught up socializing. “We’re meeting at this address in thirty minutes. Come with your two friends. We’ve gotta work out this whole line thing.”
    â€œAre the big sisters gonna be there?” I asked, wanting no part of any underground junk.
    â€œIt’s just us. I told you I was gonna give you some insideinformation. Come, all right?”
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    â€œOh, my gosh! I’m going to my first meeting,” Torian said, all giddy in the car twenty minutes later. Loni and I were both skeptical.
    â€œI’m just telling you now, if those big sisters are there, I’m gonna turn right around and leave,” I said.
    â€œI’m driving, so you’ll be walking home,” Torian said.
    â€œNo, I’m serious, Torian. I’m not planning to get caught up in all that. It’s not why I want to be a Beta.”
    â€œYou don’t even know why you want to do it,” she said. “Y’all just want to be paper.”
    â€œAnd what is paper?” I asked.
    â€œWhen you go through not one part of hazing and automaticallybecome a member of the sorority.”
    I leaned forward into the front seat and said, “Grand chapter sets rules by laws and covenants; it’s meaningful stuff. If it’s good enough for them to say that’s all you gotta do to be a Beta, it’s good enough for me. I’m fine with paper. I’m just telling you, if there’s any drama, I’m leaving.And if you got a problem with it, I’m taking your keys, or I’ll walk home.”
    Torian gave in and lightly pushed my shoulders backward.“All right, all right, all right.”
    We arrived at the address and walked into a classroom in the science hall. No lights were on, except in the room we had stepped into. The seven girls on our line were there and stared at us like we’d done something awful. I knew I should have stayed at home. Shoot!
    â€œThe meeting started five minutes ago,” said the girl who had stood right in front of me on the line.
    â€œWhat’s your name?” I asked her, already annoyed.
    â€œI’m Jaden, and I already know you’re Malloy. Come in. They’re here, y’all. Okay, well, here’s the bottom line,” Jaden said as she ushered us in. “I’m not asking because I’ve been voted the Line President. If you want some respectand credibility, we’re gonna have to haze you guys to get you up to speed on all we’ve been going through.”
    â€œAre you crazy?” I said without flinching. “Why would I let y’all touch me? I don’t need your respect. Plus, I never voted you