Fair-Weather Friends by Reshonda Tate Billingsley

pledging with me walked by in similar outfits. Jasmine laughed. “Y’all look like the three blind mice. I might have to find someone else to eat lunch with. Even I don’t want to be seen with you dressed like that. You’re killing my rep,” she joked.
    I couldn’t help but laugh. “You don’t have a rep.” I looked at my outfit. “But you’re right. I wouldn’t want to be seen with me either.”
    â€œMaybe I should catch up with you later.” She took another glance at my outfit and shook her head. “Make that tomorrow. Unless of course they make y’all wear diapers or something.” She laughed. “Naw, I’m just messin’ with you. If it doesn’t bother you, it doesn’t bother me. Are we sitting outside today?” She motioned toward the patio door.
    â€œUmmmm, I know you really don’t want to be around me, girl. And it … it’s cool,” I stammered. “I have to sit with my pledge sisters anyway.”
    Jasmine looked at me like her feelings were really hurt. She was about to say something, but apparently changed her mind because she shook her head and mumbled something about it not even being worth it as she turned and walked away. I felt bad about sticking Jasmine out like that. The Thetas had let us sit where we wanted the first few days, but then had made it clear that we all had to start sitting together today. I’m sure that was so they could torture us some more. I got my lunch and went and sat down next to Kim, one of my pledge sisters.
    I didn’t see Tori at the table in front of me—until I heard her say loudly, “I know you see me. Don’t you have something to say to me?”
    I took a deep breath before getting up and going to stand directly in front of Tori. I put on my fakest smile and repeated the daily greeting we were required to say every time we saw one of the Thetas: “Greetings, Big Sister Beautiful One. I humbly greet you this beautiful day with much respect and gratitude toward you for allowing me the opportunity to serve you. What can I do to make your day better?”
    â€œNothing right now, pledge. You are dismissed. Besides, you’re blocking my view,” she said as she tried to look around me. I turned to go back to my seat and saw Kalvin, one ofthe cutest boys in school and captain of the football team. He was standing a few tables away, laughing with some of his teammates. This boy was superfine and word around school was that he didn’t have a girlfriend. He and I had sixth period Spanish together. I’d had my eye on him for a couple of months and we had even flirted with each other a couple of times. It had never gone anywhere, though. But I was hoping that one day it would. That’s why there was no way I was going to let him see me looking like this. I quickly and quietly tried to ease back to my seat unnoticed.
    â€œCamille,” Tori called just as I was about to sit down. “Get over here now!”
    I walked back over to her, dreading what she had in store this time.
    â€œWe’ve been discussing something and we need you to help us get the answer. I need you to go over and ask Kalvin if he wears boxers or briefs. And oh yeah, ask him if you can borrow a pair.”
    My mouth dropped. Had she lost her mind? I thought about telling all of them what they could do for me, but I remembered how bad I wanted this. I would just have to explain to Kalvin later the reason for my appearance. Maybe he wouldn’t be too turned off by this outfit.
    I slowly walked up to the football players and stood behind Kalvin. He was so engrossed in their conversation that, at first, he didn’t even see me standing there. One of his buddies looked up, smiled, and then nudged Kalvin.
    â€œOh, hey Camille,” Kalvin said with a confused look on his face. All of his friends had the same expression.
    My face was beet red at this point. I almost