Page 18 of Pucking Bad Boys

Gen looks at us, her lips tipped in an arrogant sneer. “Really? And who’s going to run against me? You?”

Her voice tilts to laughter on the last word, as if just the idea of Sam running for president were ridiculous.

“Yes, me.” Redness creeps onto Sam’s face.

“Very well,” Madison sounds a little reluctant to acknowledge Sam’s candidacy. “Is there anyone else who would like to throw their hats in the ring?”

Her question is met with silence as Gen and Sam glare at each other from opposite ends of the table.

“So, since we have two candidates, this is how we’re going to proceed. Each candidate will tell us their plans for this year and their proposed solution to the housing problem. Then I have a caterer ready to serve dinner; they’re preparing everything in the kitchen as we speak. During dinner, the candidates will have the opportunity to speak to everyone on a one-on-one basis if they wish. After dinner, there is going to be a closed ballot vote. Sam, let’s start with you.”

Talia

Sam was well prepared to address the Zeta sisters.

I have no idea when she decided to run. Between training camp and having to pull double shifts at Joe's after I was cut, we haven’t seen each other as much as usual in the past few weeks.

I love her speech. Her plan for Zeta Theta Beta is centered on inclusion at every level.

“It’s especially important to review our rush criteria to highlight that we’re open to everyone who wants to join our ranks regardless of their sexuality, religion, political views, and economic status. Our core values are what matter. Being a Zeta isn’t about looks, economic or social status. This is why if I’m elected president, I’m going to use my discretion to lower the annual fee by twenty percent as permitted in our bylaws.”

Gen shakes her head. “If I’m elected, I’m going to raise the annual fee by twenty percent. We aren’t a charity organization. Being a Zeta is about status, and I think we should return to the traditional values and criteria our mothers had to meet when they were Zetas. There’s a reason why we’re the most prestigious sorority on campus. A Zeta woman has a certain pedigree, dresses a certain way, dates a certain kind of man. There’s even a certain standard when it comes to looks. In recent years, our standards have slipped.” Her eyes land on me and Sam. “We need to bring back the high standards of the past. Otherwise, we’re just another club of losers.”

I’d be lying if I said that Gen’s elitist approach to Greek life is a surprise. She’ll flaunt her father’s money and NHL legend status at any opportunity she gets.

“We have two opposite plans for our sorority.” Madison comments. “All we have left to discuss is how each of you plans to solve the first big hurdle you’re going to be faced with as Zeta president.”

Sam looks around the table and at the sisters who are standing around the room. “Like I said before, I think the juniors and seniors have earned the right to live in the house. I’m aware that there aren’t enough rooms for everyone to begin with, due to the fact that most of our current members are juniors or seniors. If you choose me as your president, you’re going to have priority over the sophomores. And I know the rooms in the house are usually allocated for single occupancy, but due to the situation, I would encourage any of you who want to share to let me know. People who choose a roommate will have precedence in getting a room.”

A chorus of discordant comments sounds in the house.

Marin, one of the sophomores, raises her hand. “What about us?” She asks. “Some people, like you, are local, but most of us aren’t. I’m from New York, for example. I don’t have any family here or anyone who can give me a place to stay. And my parents already paid the fees for the dorms that are now flooded. They can’t afford to pay more money when they’re also footing the bill for my Zeta membership. We are fully fledged sisters and we have the right to live in the house like the juniors and seniors.”

The few sophomores in our ranks voice their agreement.

“I hope you can pair up with a junior or senior as roommates. And if not, I’m going to ask the Dean for an emergency meeting and see what the housing department can offer. In the meantime, we have sleeping bags from our rush sleepover downstairs. I know it’s not ideal, but this is a big houseand we can all bunk together until everyone has permanent accommodation.”

“Right. Not ideal is the euphemism of the year. I’m a senior and the Zeta membership isn’t cheap. Between dance and classes, I have a demanding schedule, and I don’t want to be kept up by a roommate.”

Sam nods in understanding. “I get it, Fi. But this is an emergency. We’ll do anything we can. But with a whole building out of commission, there are going to be many students in the same situation. You know as well as I do, after attending school here for three years, that Star Cove is a small town and by now every available rental in town has been snagged. My mom operates an air B&B in the weeks of summer break. She rents to students during the academic year, including my old room. So I’m in your same boat.”

“Really?” Fiona snarks. “Is that why you’re running for president? So you get the whole presidential suite to yourself?”

“That isn’t why I’m running for president.” Sam remains calm. “If I’m elected, I’ll definitely take on a roommate. Talia applied for a room too, and she can stay with me. And since the presidential suite has a separate living room, we can offer the couch there to a third sister. A president should lead by example, and I would never ask you to do anything I’m not prepared to do myself. It’s in times like these that we have to show that the values of sisterhood our sorority promotes aren’t just on paper.”

There’s a moment of silence in the room. I spot several people whispering to each other. Probably trying to find someone to pair up with.

“Thank you, Sam,” Madison smiles. “Now let’s hear from Genevieve. What’s your plan to solve this unexpected housing crisis, Gen?”

When Gen reveals her plans, she sounds way too prepared. She confirms what my spidey sense told me earlier: that she knew about the housing situation before tonight.

“If I’m elected, I’m not going to ask anyone to choose a roommate. God knows that we all have insane schedules, and sharing a room can become a real source of conflict. I also don’t think it’s fair to penalize the sophomores just based on seniority. I’ve already spoken to the Dean and confirmed that each of the sisters who had paid for a dorm room will receive a refund. He plays golf with my Daddy when he’s in Star Cove during the NHL offseason, and he told my parents about this dorm problem last week. I’ve been working on a solution ever since.”

Sam’s face reddens even more. “So you’ve known for a week and it didn’t occur to you to tell anyone so we could look for a solution before everyone tried to move into their dorms and got turned away?”

“I didn’t say anything because I already found a solution. My daddy invested in real estate in town. It’s all part of the bid to bring an NHL expansion team to Star Cove. He built an apartment complex for future players. You know, to give them a decent place to stay when they’re new in town.”

My best friend’s frown deepens. “I don’t see how that will help our problem, Gen.”