Gone From Me by Kate Channing Page A

picks up her purse. “I’ve got to hit the ladies. Meet by the elevators in two?”
    I’m about to agree, but decide against it. “Are you sure you’re up for going tonight?”
    “Are you effing kidding me right now?” She plants a hand on her hip and pops a knee.
    I shake my head. “I just don’t want you to feel obligated.” I glance at my hands, nervous. “If you aren’t feeling well.”
    “Elevator. Two minutes. Bring your party face.”

10
    Maddie
    You Gonna Be A Lush
     
     
    Tonight’s party is by invitation only. The card in Gina’s hand is fancy, printed on thick paper, and embossed. Gina is taking me as her plus one. It’s being held at another fraternity. I forget the name. She got the invite from some guy in her Biology class.
    The party theme? Heaven or Hell.
    I should’ve known that fancy dress meant ostentatious .
    When we arrive, a guy takes our invite and directs us to a sitting room. All the guys are in suits and ties, except the pledges; they’re wearing black pants and black bow ties. No shirts. And they’re carrying around silver trays of sparkling cider.
    “This party is lame.” Gina is leaning back in a plush love seat and I’m sitting next to her. She rests her head on her hand and closes her eyes.
    “Total snooze,” I agree.
    The décor in the sitting room is luxurious. The furniture is black leather. The carpet is white, and the curtains are black and white. Greenery—plants, shrubs, and trees—are spread throughout the room, and paintings—Van Gogh, Klimt, and an artist I don’t know—are hanging on the walls. A black grand piano is off to one side, and a guy in a tux is playing “Suite No. 2” from Romeo and Juliet . There’s even a crystal chandelier hanging from the ceiling.
    People are milling around, chatting quietly. One guy appears to be asleep. The whole scenario reminds me of a party from the book, The Great Gatsby .
    “Where’s the booze?” I ask, and immediately regret it.
    Gina raises an eyebrow. “You gonna be a lush, roomie?”
    I have no idea what she means , so I shrug. “Is this supposed to be a fraternity for the wealthy kids or something?” I whisper.
    “I guess. If this is how they party, then I don’t want to be rich.” Her right leg is bouncing up and down. She’s antsy.
    A clock on the mantle says eleven twenty-nine.
    “Want to go?” I was looking forward to the numbness , the warm fuzziness from the alcohol. But if all they’re going to serve is sparkling cider, there’s no point staying. 
    “Yeah.” She looks around the room in disgust. “Snooty and boring. Eesh.” She stands, and I’m just about to when a guy in a tux walks in. He’s handsome in that someday-I’ll-be-a-senator way.
    “My name is Sam. I’m the president of the Alpha Kais. If you’ll please follow me.” He turns and walks from the room. 
    Everyone rushes forward. Excited whispers fill the room.
    “What’s happening?”
    “Where are we going?”
    Gina and I follow the crowd.
    “Should we duck out? It looks like he’s leading us past the front door,” Gina says.
    I’m curious though. “Let’s see where he’s taking us.”
    Sam takes us past the front entryway, through the kitchen, and then opens a door.
    “Welcome to Hell,” he says with a grand flourish. A huge grin lights up his pasty-white face.
    Several girls squeal with enthusiasm. It’s like a herd of elephants clomping down the stairs.
    Gina and I exchange a look.
    Loud music is pumping below.
    Without a word to each other, we make our way down.
    At the bottom is a thick black curtain. I push it open and can hardly believe my eyes.
    “This is more like it,” Gina hollers.
    A disco ball sends sparkling lights around the room to the beat of the music. There are girls in bikinis dancing around poles on small circular stages. Their movements are slow and seductive.
    In the center of the room is a dance floor. Hundreds of kids are gyrating. To the right are small round tables. Couches