1
The University of Fabulous
In every movie there is the girl everyone likes. She is pretty, has perfect hair, the latest fashion and is dating the hottest guy on earth. It is the same in school there are one or two girls who are, for the sake of my argument, ‘fabulous’.
I used to be one of those girls. High school was a breeze I had heaps of friends and a date to every social activity. I’m realising now that high school is nothing like the real world. I’m standing on the edge of my new life, university. It certainly feels different to high school. I thought I knew what expect, I mean, surely University is the same everywhere even if I am halfway across the world. I am standing just off campus afraid to walk through those big metal gates. I shouldn’t be scared I’m wearing the latest autumn fashion and spent an hour this morning straightening my hair so my blonde highlights would shine through. The best way to describe my look is, well, fabulous, so why am I so scared?
Well for one thing I have never had to make friends they have always just been there. University is going to be different but I can handle it.
Yeah I can handle it!
Orientation starts in five minutes, come on!
Ok deep breath.
I flick my hair and walk through the gate. I make my way to the orientation tent and look down at the girl behind the desk. She would be about a year older then me. She has re-growth and is in desperate need of an eyebrow wax but underneath it all she seems pretty.
She looks up, “Name?”
“Sorry?”
“Your name please.”
“Sam, Samantha Taylor.”
“Okay Samantha well here is a list of your subjects, your book list, a map and your dorm key.”
“Thank you.” I say and she smiles. She definitely has potential.
I make my way to the huge campus courtyard where about one hundred other first years, or should I say freshman, are waiting eagerly. I take a good look around at my new peers and am scared by my findings. They are all nerds; okay so that was harsh but seriously they are all nerds.
“Hi.” Someone from behind me says, “You look like you don’t know anyone.”
“Hi.” I say spinning around to see the hottest least nerdy guy in the courtyard.
“Wow you’re,” he pauses looking me up and down, “Fabulous!”
He smiles and I do my cute little blonde giggle, which I have been perfecting since grade seven. He outstretches his hand and says, “I’m Ja-”
“Jason! I’ve been looking for you everywhere.”
That was the sound of the girl with the eyebrow disaster and re-growth coming up behind me. She turns to me.
“It’s Samantha isn’t it?” I nod and she continues, “I’m Lynda and this is Jason, my boyfriend.”
WHAT!!!
I try not to scream out loud. I’m shocked. Jason seems way out of her league. I look from Lynda to Jason. But Jason is not looking at me he is staring into Lynda’s eyes.
“I just love your outfit Samantha where’d you get it? You must take me shopping.” Lynda says grinning way too much.
“Sure.” I say scared of what I got myself into.
These two are nice but what sort of couple are they?
In high school couples would be making out left right and centre. Lynda and Jason aren’t even holding hands. Maybe university will be different.
“What are you studying?” Lynda asks.
“Graphic Design.”
“Oh my, gosh so is Jason.” She smiles and elbows him the stomach.
“You should hang out with us Sam.” He says.
Later I find out that Lynda and Jason are two years older than me. They were both business majors but Jason is switching to graphic design. That means he will be taking the same freshman classes as me.
The three of us get talking and I get a well over due reality check. This couple sitting in front of me are sweet, kind and caring and they are all that to me a person they hardly know. The three of us walk through the courtyard and continue to talk and enjoy the fabulous autumn weather. As we talk I start to survey my surroundings, the huge buildings, the people... the guys!
“Who are they?” I say pointing out a group of very hot very buff boys sitting in the middle of the courtyard.
“Brainless jocks.” Jason says and Lynda elbows him, “I mean academically challenged sport majors.”
“They all live on campus too.” Lynda says as we get closer to them.
“Really?”
A couple of the boys look over to us, as we get closer.
“Samantha do guys always stare at you like that?” Lynda asks.
“I guess so. I don’t usually pay attention.” I say giggling, “Wait, watch this, I want to try something.”
As we pass the pack of guys I pick one out, he is cute, hot even, with light brown shaggy hair, which is almost blonde and gorgeous green eyes not mention a hot body. I make eye contact, flash a fabulous smile and discrete wave and the three of us continue on our determined path.
“What are we watching?” Jason asks but I silence him by raising my hand.
“Three, two, o-”
“Wait up!” The guy I made eye contact with cuts me off grabbing my arm. I turn around performing a fabulous hair flick in the process.
“Yes?”
“I’m Eddie.”
“Sam.” I say pointing to myself, “Lynda and Jason.”
Eddie ignores them and continues to stare straight at me.
“Was that it?” I ask after a moment of silence.
“What? No.” He says grabbing my hand this time, “my friends and I are having a party tonight at the Beta Frat House. Come. Bring your friends.” He kisses my hand, winks and rejoins his pack.
I turn around and continue to walk our original direction.
“So are you going to the party?” Lynda asks.
“You mean are we? You were invited too. Besides I don’t ever know where this Beta Frat House is.”
“Oh that’s easy right next to Jason’s fraternity.”
“Wait, wait you’re a frat boy?”
“I’m the Omega Fraternity President actually. Anyway I’m surprised you’re not a pledge.”
“A what?”
“A sorority pledge, you know to live in one of the houses on Greek row.”
“I’m not really following. I’m sorry I forgot to mention I only just moved to America. The only thing I know about the Greek system is what I saw in American Pie.”
“What?” The two ask in unison.
“But you are only just eighteen.” Lynda comments, “and you moved here to come to college?”
“Yeah, this university has one of the best design programs and I got a scholarship. I’m from Australia.”
“That explains the accent.” Lynda says.
“And the tan.” Jason adds as he sits down at an empty table.
“So. Explain the whole sorority and fraternity thing to me.”
“Ok.” Jason begins, “Well, obviously there are the normal dorms but there is one street on campus which is home to all the fraternities and sororities. It is called Greek Row. There is the Beta house. It’s got your typical sporty guys like Eddie. Next-door is the Omega Frat house, that’s mine, full of study hard guys. Phi Kappa Sorority is next they are the party animals. Next up, Lynda’s house, the Omega Frats sister sorority; Pi Omega house. Kappa Tau, Phi Kappa’s Brother Fraternity, then right up the end the biggest house is Delta Pi Beta which is Beta’s sister sorority and home to the college’s Barbie dolls.”
“Cool,” I say, “can we go to Greek Row now?”
“Sure, probably better now before all the rush excitement starts.”
“Rush?”
“Party season for pledges.” Jason clarifies.
“Beta’s is the first party of the season, always is.” Lynda comments.
Jason leads the way down Greek Row and Lynda points out all the houses to me. Once outside the Delta house Lynda’s expression hardens.
“Ok Jason, let’s go.”
“What’s the hurry.” Says a girl walking down the Delta driveway directly to Jason. She walks with grace and there isn’t a hair out of place. She is... well... Fabulous!
“Lynda how are you?” The girl asks without even looking at Lynda.
“Fine Carly, Jason let’s go.” Lynda says through gritted teeth.
“Hey Jase, sweetie.”
“Hey Carls, there is someone I’d like you to meet. I think you are going to like her.”
“No offence Jase, sweetie you don’t have the best choice in girls.”
OUCH, poor Lynda.
“Carly! Seriously this is Sam.” He says pulling me forward, “Sam this is my twin sister Carly.”
“Twin?” I clarify shocked.
“I know it’s hard to believe Jason could be related to evil reincarnated.” Lynda remarks but Carly ignores her.
“Finally Jason you’re learning. Now she,” Carly says, “is Fabulous and has got my vote for pledging. Of course my vote is all you need since I’m Delta president. I decide who comes and goes. I’ll send some of the Beta’s to get your things.”
“Ok...”
“Thanks Carly we’ll see you at the Beta party.” Jason says smiling at his sister.
“You’re invited?...I mean you’re coming?” Carly asks trying her best to not look surprised.
“That is what he said,” Lynda snarls, “Sam got us the invite.”
“Well...see you there and Sam, you move in tonight.” Then with a hair flick Carly was gone.
“What just happened?” I ask as the three of us walk back up Greek Row.
“You just met Jason’s evil twin.” Lynda answers.
“Why doesn’t she like you?”
“We used to be best friends. I started dating Jason still best friends. Then when college pledging came along we were both going to be Pi Omegas but then Carly gets a bid for Delta, promises we’ll be friends forever, moves in and becomes a Barbie Doll. I like you promise me you won’t become a Barbie.”
“Promise me too.” Jason adds, ’I love my sis but she is a psycho.”
“But you want me to pledge Delta?”
.“Pledge,′ Jason said, ’Just don’t turn Barbie.”
“Ok I promise. But what will we wear to this party?” I ask turning to Lynda.
Before she has a chance to answer two boys are running towards us.
“Are you Sam?” One of them says starring at my chest.
Jason answers for me.
“That was quick. Did Carly send you two?” They nod.
“Yeah, I’m Troy and this is Jack.”
“Nice to meet you boys, well, my stuff is this way, I think.” I say pointing towards the thought direction.
Jason takes my key out of my hand and inspects it.
“This way.” He says pointing us in the opposite direction. He smiles at me and I can’t help but blush.
Troy pushes himself between Jason and me.
“So,” he begins, “you’re a freshman and a Delta pledge.”
“That’s right and you’re a Beta?”
“Well not yet. I’m a Beta pledge.”
“Cool,” I say while biting my bottom of lip and moving closer to him. Another flirting move I had perfected over the years.
“Here we are.” Jason says pulling me away from Troy.
The five of us walk to what has officially been my dorm room for an hour.
“Well come on in boys Lynda and I will just be a second picking out what to wear to the party tonight. Make yourselves at home.”
“You’re coming to the Beta party?”
“We were invited,” Lynda said sitting on my temporary bed.
“Ha, by who?” Jack said laughing.
“A guy named Eddie.” I said and the wannabe Beta pledges fall silent.
“Eddie?” Troy clarifies.
“Yeah he seemed nice. Oh Lynda, I think you’ll look hot in this.” I say as I pull out my diamond studded wrangler jeans, purple satin designer halter and purple paten heels.
“Oh Sam it looks a bit tight.”
“That’s the point silly.” I say grabbing my sky blue mini strapless dress, curling iron, makeup case and my silver open toe heels. I shove all my stuff in my country road bag and put it on my shoulder.
“Ok guys we’re set. Troy, Jack, it is just those three boxes and those two bags. I’ll take the guitar myself.” I say picking up my guitar.
“No problem Sam. We’ll see you at the party.” Troy says stacking the boxes.
“Thanks you guys are sweet.” I say. I kiss Troy on the cheek and Jason, Lynda and I head back to Greek row.
“Well you guys go get ready and I’ll come get you in an hour.” Jason says as we stop outside his house.
“Alright.” I say and Lynda and I run into the Pi Omega house.
The two of us shower then meet back in Lynda’s dorm. Lynda jumps into my jeans and I help her curl her hair before pinning it up giving it a tossed look and covering her re-growth. I pluck her eyebrows, curl my hair and do both of our makeup. An hour later Jason knocks on Lynda’s dorm room door. I answer the door.
“Sam you look great.” He says.
“Awe thanks.” I say just as Lynda walks through the door behind me.
“Babe,” Jason begins doing a double take. “You look gorgeous.” He hugs her and kisses her long and hard. I can’t help but feel happy for them they do make such a cute couple and they have stayed together even if Jason’s sister is a bit of a bitch. The two break apart and the three of us make our way down the stairs.
“It is all thanks to Sam.” Lynda said turning to me and giving me a hug.
“Well come on girls, let’s par-tay.”
