A couple of weeks has passed and it was now towards the end of October. Cheryl was getting ready for her day when she began to think about Marcus. Since what happened between her and Chris, she has been spending a lot of time with him.. He has been a really great friend to her. He has made her laugh, listened to her talk about how much of a jerk Chris has been, and even wiped her tears when she didn’t realized she was crying. She didn’t think he would had been there for her, but she appreciated the way he has been lately.
As for Chris, she hasn’t really seen him, but once in the lounge, and she simply ignored him. Another person she hasn’t seen was Monica, who has been dodging her since what happened. She can continue to do so, because she didn’t know what she would do if she did.
The one person she did encounter was Donnell, who she ran into on campus. She did tell him about Monica and Chris, which of course didn’t go well with him. If they were working out their relationship, then that was done, just like her budding friendship with her.
She glanced at a piece of paper on her dresser and sighed. It was a chore list the sisters wanted the pledges to do. Just looking at it made her even more upset, considering some of the things they had to do. She didn’t know how much more she could take of this. It has been weeks and Riana still hasn’t found anything incriminating on the sorority. She felt like quitting, but she knew Riana was still on a mission to take Dominique down, so she won’t stand in her way.
Especially since she tried to ruin Marcus’ life.
She went to her closet and looked at the outfit the sisters gave to the pledges. It was a cocktail waitress costume they had to wear to their annual Halloween party later that night. They had to service the crowd, which make Cheryl rolled her eyes. The outfit was deemed borderline offensive and she didn’t want to wear it. At first, she was eager to join GZG, but after everything she has encountered in the past few weeks, she doesn’t want anything to do with the sorority, especially being associated with the likes of Dominique.
This type of sisterhood sucks.She thought while closing the closet door.
The doorbell rang and she went to the living room. She opened the door and smiled.
“Hey Marcus.”
“Hey. Are you ready to go on our adventure?”
She smiled. “Of course. I’ve been looking forward to this for days.”
“Well, let’s go.”
She looked at him while taking his hand. He glanced at her, wondering if he should accept it. Since the time they’ve been hanging out, he realized he could really have feelings for her. He thought he had them for Riana, but at that time, it was more of an infatuation. She was off limits to him and he wanted to see how far he could go to pursue her; but with Cheryl, she was someone he really wanted to get to know more and do things the right way with her. He knew the time wasn’t right to say anything, but when it is, he wants her to know his feelings for her.
Once they reached their destination, Cheryl smiled.
“This is the perfect place to get my mind off of tonight.”
“You mean with the party? Why are you doing it if you don’t want to go?”
“Because Ri is still researching. I kind of want her to find something.”
“Why?”
“Well, besides Dominique being a conniving bitch, it’s just the idea what she put you through. She could had ruined your life if she went through with her plan.”
“But she didn’t, so can we move on?”
“Do you really want to do that? Especially with the things she has done?”
“Honestly, yes. I just want to focus on rebuilding my life and not think about what happened in the past.”
Cheryl sighed. “Okay.”
“As for tonight, if you want me to be there, I can. I know how uncomfortable you’ll probably be, so I can be there to hang out with or protect you if someone gets rowdy.”
Cheryl didn’t know what to say after that. She nodded her head, but a realization came to her.
“You sure? I mean, this is a party hosted by G…”
“I know and I don’t care. She won’t say or do anything to me, so don’t worry about that.”
Cheryl nodded again and the two got out of the car. They walked inside the building, which immediately brought memories for her.
“I’m starting to feel like a kid again.” She admitted while looking at the arcade games.
“There’s nothing wrong with that.”
She immediately went to the Roller Ball game while Marcus went to get tokens. Once he returned to her, she immediately grabbed the cup from him and began to play. Marcus smiled as he watched her; the smile she had on her face was too cute as she saw her score. She looked at him and smiled.
“This was one of my favorite games growing up.”
“I can tell.”
She glanced to the entrance and saw Dominique and a few of the sisters coming to her. She sighed, wondering why they were even here.
Marcus looked in the same direction as Cheryl. “What is she doing here?”
Dominique went up to the two and smiled. “Well, well, are my eyes deceiving me? What are you doing out #5?”
“I don’t have to start with the chores until another three hours, Big Sister Morris, so this is my free time.”
“Well, I decided to change it. Now, you need to hurry along to the house and start. Notify the rest of the girls as well.”
Cheryl looked at Marcus. She knew what this was about. Dominique saw them together, which for some reason, she should not have a problem with.
“Besides, I need to speak with Marcus alone.” Dominique said.
“I brought Cheryl here.” Marcus replied.
“That’s okay; one of the sisters can take her to the house.”
Cheryl sighed. “It’s okay. I’ll see you later.”
Marcus nodded and she left with one of the sisters.
“Now that she’s gone, we can talk.”
“I don’t have anything to say to you.”
“Oh really? First off, is she suppose to be with your friend? Are you trying to pull another move on someone else’s girl again.”
“Why do you care? Is it because you want to be with me?”
“With all the women you’d slept with, not a chance.”
“I believe your track record is up there too, so you shouldn’t be judging me.”
Dominique smirked. “I can after what you done to your brother.”
“I guess I could do the same then, since you falsely accused me of rape. Instead of admitting you wanted me the first moment you saw me, you lied to everyone to protect your image. At least people finally realized the real you.”
“Listen, I never got the chance to tell you how sorry I am about that.”
“Why say it now? It’s been three years.”
“it’s never too late to apologize.”
“Okay, you did, so this conversation is over.” Marcus said while walking away. Dominique grabbed his arm and he shrugged away from her.
“There is something I need you to do. I need you to talk to Shawn.”
“And why would I do that? He barely talks to me.”
“Don’t try me; I know you two had made up. Now, if you know what’s good for you, I suggest you do.”
“I don’t take threats from anyone.”
“Well, maybe you should. If you don’t, then your ex and new fling will be paying for it.”
Marcus watched her as she walked to the exit. Once she left, he grabbed his phone from his pocket and hit Shawn’s name on his Contact list. He needed to warn him about what Dominique said.. Now, they have to find a way to protect the women in their lives.
*** Britney glanced at Monica, who was staring at her costume in awe.
“I still can’t believe you and Chris are dating.”
“Why? Because he wouldn’t go for someone like me.” She said.
“I didn’t mean it like that; it’s just that Chris was so happy with Cheryl and then bam, he’s not anymore. It doesn’t make sense.”
“Well, she hurt him when she decided to kiss Devin not once, but twice.”
“Yeah, but she didn’t sleep with him; there’s a difference.”
“But she would had.”
“How did Donnell take it?”
Monica turned around and stared at Britney.
“Not too good. I was going to tell him before Cheryl blabbed to him about it.”
“Well, she has every right to after what Chris done. I’m sorry, but this is too much and it will backfire in both of your faces.”
“We’ve been together for almost a month now and I don’t see us slowing down.”
“If you say so; just know that I’m here for you, okay.”
Monica nodded. “Thanks. So since you’re not going to the biggest party of the year, what are your plans tonight?”
“More likely Jackie and I will be at my place watching movies, even though I would love to dress up and have some fun.”
“It must be hard for you to keep your relationship a secret.”
“It is, but I really like him, so I’m willing to do what I can to keep the relationship going.”
“Are you scared you two will get caught?”
Britney sighed. “Ever single day. Thank God the semester is halfway over so we can at least walk around campus together.”
“But you still can’t date each other; allegedly.”
“I know, but at least we’ll be able to have a conversation in public without looking over our shoulders.”
“All I can say is be careful, Brit.”
“I know.”
Monica continued to stare at her costume when Britney sighed. Maybe she needed to take a break from Jackie and have some fun tonight. That way she doesn’t have to think about her relationship for one night.
*** After hours of cleaning up the sorority house, Riana and Cheryl were exhausted. Riana sighed as she put on her costume. The outfit felt a little snug, but it did accentuate her curves in a major way. She did a turn in the mirror when she noticed Shawn staring at her.
“Although I hate what you’re doing, I have to admit that outfit looks incredible on you.”
Riana blushed. “Thanks.”
“Incredibly sexy.” He growled. He pulled her to him and kissed her. She wanted to go further, but she didn’t want Dominique to blow a fuse if she showed up late.
“Baby, I have to go. I don’t want to be late and punish the other pledges.”
“I understand. Just know that I’ll be there to keep an eye on you, especially with Terrance lurking around.”
“I’m pretty sure he won’t be worried about me.”
“He will be, especially if you haven’t broken things off with him.”
“I sort of did; just not verbally.”
“I can’t really say much since I haven’t told Dominique anything either, but only because you said not to.”
“I know.”
He gave her another kiss before leaving out of the room. Cheryl walked in and smiled.
“It’s good to see you two so happy again.”
“I know; it feels good too. How are you holding up? I know you probably heard Chris and Monica will be there.”
Cheryl sighed and sat down. “Yeah and I’m not looking forward to seeing either one of them. Knowing Dominique, she’ll have me serving only him the entire night to see how I’ll react.”
“Don’t worry, I’ll be there along with Shawn, so it’ll be okay.”
“Marcus will be there too. In fact, I think the two are going together.”
“Oh really? Shawn didn’t say anything about that.”
Cheryl shrugged and fluffed her hair.
“Are you and Marcus together? I know you two have been hanging out a lot…”
“No, Ri; we’re just friends. He’s been really great to me, especially after everything with Chris.”
“That’s good. I’m glad he has been there for you.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. You thought I would be jealous of you being with him?”
“Honestly, yes.”
“I’m not. I love Shawn too much and I don’t want to lose him again. If you want things to progress between you and Marcus, then go for it. I won’t stand in your way.”
“Thanks, but I don’t know if I want to.”
“Why not?”
“It’s just the idea Marcus has been with you and Britney; I don’t know if I want to be with someone that had various partners.”
“You sort of had.”
“I’d only been with 3 guys; Marcus has been with a lot of women. I don’t know if I can handle that.”
“For all you know, Marcus could have changed into a different person. I’m pretty sure you have seen it when you’re around him.”
“A little; he’s been really great. And he’s so excited to be starting his classes next semester. It’s just great to see him happy again.”
Riana smiled. “You really do like him.”
Cheryl smiled. “Maybe, but I’m still trying to get over what Chris has done.”
“I know.”
Cheryl took a deep breath and grabbed her coat.
“You ready?”
Riana sighed. “Not really, but if this takes us one step closer to finding out anything, thenI’m all for it.”
Cheryl put an arm around her and the two headed out of the room.
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