Free Work What You Got by Stephanie Perry Moore

chorus sang from the darkness.
    â€œCongratulations Hayden, you’re the last person to be on the Beta Gamma Pi line. Follow the lavender and turquoise lights to meet your line sisters,” Edythe said.
    The singing continued as I walked. It seemed so surreal, so sweet, so precious. My heart was calm and I forgot all the drama I had endured. I felt special being serenaded.

    â€œYou are now my sister, no longer just my friend, though you’re just a baby Beta, we’re connected till the end. I will show you the way, our bond will be great, now you will forever have Beta Gamma Pi on your mind. What a blessing you have made line.”

    As soon as they were finished singing, I was in a circle formed by a group of girls that I didn’t know. These girls couldn’t be my line sisters. All of the ladies who had been with me during all of the underground stuff were not around. I was hardly able to breathe, I was so excited, but completely devastated that my new-found friends that I had bonded with weren’t with me.
    Then I felt a touch and heard a familiar voice. “I’m here, girl,” Bea said.
    Trisha said, “Me too.”
    The three of us hugged so tight.
    â€œWhere is everybody else?” I said, hoping they were around the corner.
    â€œWe’re the only three that made it,” Trisha said, as the three of us hugged again. We had a bittersweet moment, crying tears of joy for ourselves. We also cried tears of sorrow for those who didn’t make it. I didn’t know why they weren’t picked. I heard when you participate in underground lines, you’re taking a chance to see if you’ll actually make the real pledge line, but I never thought that rumor to be true. I guess I was wrong.
    Bea said, “I guess we better count our blessings.”
    Â 
    I had arrived at the park at one in the morning and I didn’t leave until four AM . I was so tired. I did make it back to my apartment in one piece.
    â€œThank you, Lord,” I said. “This is exactly what I prayed for and because You honored my request, I know this is going to be a good experience. Help me not to lose my mind on line. I love You, Lord. Thank You and I pray for all of those who didn’t make it. May they keep on knowing that it’ll be okay.”
    When I stepped out of the car, I heard a car honk. Now, I was a little nervous. Though our area was secure it was scarcely patrolled by college police. It was after four in the morning and the bushes that surrounded my path made the place look so dark. Who would be honking at me? I already knew the Betas put on their headlights, so I knew it wasn’t them. I walked a little briskly to my door, but then the honking started again and a car started moving in my direction.
    â€œWait, wait. It’s me,” the faint yet familiar voice called out through the window.
    When the car got close enough, I noticed it was Creed’s. “Hey you!”
    â€œYou seem alone,” Creed said, looking all around the parking lot. “Hayden, I can’t go to my place. Can I come in? I need to hide out.”
    â€œYeah, just park your car way down there. I don’t want anyone thinking you’re at my house.”
    â€œCool, I’ll be right there.”
    I never let a guy into my apartment and I knew my dad would be totally angry if he knew I was entertaining a young man at four in the morning. But he was overseas fighting a war and we didn’t exactly see eye to eye on everything. I was in college now, I had to do my thing. If Creed was out this late and couldn’t go back to his place obviously he had good news, and I could tell him I made line too.
    When he came through the front door, I wrapped my arms around his neck and my lips found their way to his. I was a little bummed out that he wasn’t hugging me back. Then he put me down and pulled out a bouquet of lilies.
    â€œThese are the sorority’s flower,” I