Chapter 12
Seraphina
Saturday. Pledge Party. The next step for those of us who are initiates and also the first time that the leaders of Alpha Phi will cut those of us that aren’t going to make it. The music pulses from the house, vibrating through the ground as I walk toward the front steps of Alpha Phi’s mansion-like abode. The red and gold letters of the sorority glimmer under the porch lights, and the faint scent of perfume and alcohol wafts out from the door. This was the night that would determine who would move on to the next stage of the pledge process, and I couldn’t shake the unease swirling in my stomach.
The last thing I wanted was to be here—surrounded by women trying to outshine each other, vying for a spot in the coveted sorority. But this was part of the game. I had to keep my distance, keep my wits about me, and not give in to the manufactured glitz and glamour.
“Seri, you made it!” Natalie, one of the pledge leaders, smiles too brightly at me as I step inside. I don’t miss the subtle look she gives me—assessing, almost like a predator circling prey. “Glad to see you didn’t let a little thing like… I don’t know, your morals, stop you from attending. It's all about making an impression.”
I force a tight smile, nodding politely. “I’m here to be part of the team, Nat. Just like everyone else.”
“Exactly.” Her gaze flits toward the other girls gathered in clusters around the living room, some of whom I know by name but only from fleeting conversations. The air is electric with anticipation, and the walls of the house practically hum with the weight of expectation. The pressure’s thick, and it feels like every set of eyes is on me, appraising my every move.
As I walk further inside, I catch sight of Claire laughing too loudly with some of the other girls, their laughter laced with competition. I nod in her direction, but she barely notices me, absorbed in the ever-present spotlight of the Alpha Phi sisters. The golden hour of being in a sorority, I suppose.
I make my way to the bar area, intent on finding something to steady my nerves. The drink I grab tastes like a concoction designed to make you forget about reality, but I sip it slowly, keeping my thoughts sharp. There’s no way I’m letting them play me.
“Seri,” a voice cuts through the noise. I turn to see one of the other pledges, a tall, slender girl named Brooke, standing beside me. Her blonde hair glimmers in the low light, and her bright eyes gleam with something I can’t quite place. “You’re doing well tonight,” she says, leaning in closer. “I think you’re on track for the next step.”
“Thanks,” I say flatly. “I’m just here to make sure I don’t screw anything up.”
“You’re doing fine.” She gives me a look—too knowing. “I hear there’s a cut tonight. If you make it through this phase, you’ll be one step closer to being an official sister. But... there’s always a little twist to see who really deserves it.” She leans in closer, her breath warm against my ear. “It’s all about what you can offer to the sorority. Don’t forget that.”
I try to keep my composure, but something about her tone rubs me the wrong way. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
She smirks, a little too smug. “Don’t worry, Seri. You’ll see soon enough.” She walks away before I can say anything else, leaving me with a chill running down my spine.
The evening stretches on like this, with the other pledges mingling and whispering in corners, trying to secure their place in the hierarchy. I’ve seen this all before—people vying for positions they think will get them something they want. But I’m not here for the prestige or the position. I’m just here to make sure I’m not the one left behind.
Around midnight, the tone of the party shifts. The leaders—some of the most senior sisters in the sorority—step onto the makeshift stage. The music drops to a lower beat, and the chatter dies down.
“Ladies,” the head sorority president, Miranda, speaks into the microphone. Her voice is sharp, commanding, and she has the confidence of someone who’s been in charge for years. “Tonight marks a pivotal moment for the pledges. This isn’t just about how well you fit into the sorority—this is about who can contribute the most. Who can bring something valuable to the table.”
I can feel the eyes of every woman in the room on me. I keep my expression neutral, though my insides are anything but. I have no interest in their ridiculous game, but I know this is part of the process. The stakes have risen.
Miranda goes on to explain that the next round of cuts would be based on the sisters’ personal observations and the conversations they’ve had with the pledges. It’s a subtle manipulation tactic—dangle the carrot of being part of the “elite” group and watch them scramble to prove their worth.
As the night presses on, I see the other girls in my pledge group—Natalie, Claire, and Brooke—engaging in more calculated conversations with the sisters, making sure they’ve said the right thing at the right moment. I’m being watched. I know it. But I can’t bring myself to care too much. I’ll pass the test, and I’ll do it without pretending to be someone I’m not.
Later in the night, I’m cornered by Miranda and another senior sister, Alexis, who leans in close, studying me like I’m some kind of rare specimen.
“You’ve been quiet, Seri,” Miranda comments, almost condescendingly. “Not like the others. That’s interesting.”
I force a smile. “I don’t do small talk. I’m not here to make friends—I’m here to be part of something real.”
Miranda raises an eyebrow, exchanging a glance with Alexis. “We like that,” Alexis says, but there’s a coolness to her tone. “But the question is, can you handle the responsibility that comes with being part of Alpha Phi? The pressure. The expectations. It’s not all fun and games.”
“I can handle whatever comes my way,” I reply, my voice steady despite the simmering tension in my chest.
“Well, we’ll see,” Miranda says, and I can hear the thinly veiled judgment in her voice. She doesn’t like me. But I’m not here to be liked.
The rest of the night passes in a blur of forced smiles, superficial compliments, and calculated glances.
The music is quieter now, replaced by a hushed tension that fills the room. The air feels thick with anticipation, the remaining pledges grouped in tight clusters, exchanging nervous glances. I can feel the weight of the moment settling over me like a heavy blanket. The final cut is happening.
Miranda, the head sorority president, steps back onto the makeshift stage, her sharp eyes scanning the room as the others follow suit. Alexis and the other senior sisters flank her, their faces unreadable but their body language unmistakably assertive.
“Ladies,” Miranda’s voice is the loudest thing in the room, and it grabs everyone's attention immediately. “Tonight marks the moment we separate the truly committed from the rest. Not everyone here will be moving forward, and we’re looking for the women who understand what it means to be an Alpha Phi. We’ve seen your efforts, your dedication, and now it’s time to decide who moves on.”
I keep my back straight, my gaze level. I’ve done everything I can to fit in here, but I’m well aware that this isn’t about simply being ‘good enough.’ It’s about who can offer the most. And I don’t want to be another pawn in their game.
Miranda lets the silence stretch on, adding weight to her words. “But before we make our final decision, we want to remind you of the rewards that come with becoming part of this sorority. Some of you are here because you believe in what Alpha Phi stands for, but others are here because you’re looking for more.”
She pauses, glancing at Alexis, who gives a subtle nod. It’s clear they’ve rehearsed this moment. “As you know, Alpha Phi has an impressive legacy, and our alumni network includes high-profile individuals who have ties to some of the most powerful families in the world. They’re always watching, always looking for the right people to connect with.”
She allows the implication to settle into the room before continuing. “This next stage is not just about your place within this sorority, but the doors that will open for you—connections to powerful networks, opportunities that could change your life.”
I suppress a smirk. The promise of ‘networking’ and ‘connections’ is an old game; one I’ve seen before. The way Miranda says it, though, it’s clear she’s dangling something that sounds better than it actually is. A social ladder disguised as exclusivity.
“But, of course,” she continues, “those doors are only open to the ones who prove they belong. Only the most worthy will have the chance to meet with some of our most influential alumni. You will be tested on what you bring to the table in the coming week.”
The words ‘tested’ hang in the air, like an invisible weight, as if we’re not just proving ourselves as sorority material, but as something far more valuable to them.
“Each of you has your strengths, and we know who’s been working hard,” Alexis adds, her voice smooth but edged with something I can’t quite place. “But in the end, it’s about showing that you understand what it takes to truly belong in this sisterhood.”
The senior sisters break into groups to individually approach the remaining pledges. I stand still, my heart pounding but my face an emotionless mask, as they begin to make their rounds.
It doesn’t take long before I’m called over by Miranda and Alexis. They stand before me with their arms crossed, studying me carefully, their eyes flicking between each other before landing on me.
“Seri,” Miranda says, her tone colder than usual. “You’ve been a bit of an enigma tonight. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, but it’s something to keep in mind.” She pauses, and for a moment, I think she’s sizing me up more than she’s actually saying anything of value. “You’re not a typical pledge. We like that, but you’re going to have to show that you’re fully committed. If you can prove that you’ll be one step closer to becoming a sister.”
I nod slowly, swallowing the words I want to say. I’m not interested in playing their game—but they don’t need to know that yet. I’ve gotten this far, and there’s still a part of me that wants to prove to myself that I can get through it without losing who I am.
“Keep your eyes on the prize, Seri,” Alexis adds, her smile a little too tight. “Next week will be the deciding moment. Some of our most influential alumni will be back in town, and they’ll be watching. Their connections could open doors to more than just this sorority. They could open doors to everything you’ve ever wanted.”
The subtle threat—or rather, the subtle promise—hangs in the air. I feel the eyes of the other pledges on me, each of them measuring how I react, how I respond to the promise of power, money, and access.
I nod again, but it’s a gesture that carries no real meaning. They don’t know me, not truly. And they never will.
Miranda and Alexis exchange a glance, then nod, their judgment passed. “We’ll be in touch,” Miranda says, a polite finality to her tone.
I stand there for a moment, letting the weight of the conversation settle, before turning on my heel and walking away. There’s nothing left to say.
The door to the Alpha Phi house feels like a relief when it’s finally in front of me. I step outside, taking a deep breath of the cool night air. The stars above feel strangely distant.
I take one last look at the house, hearing the muffled sound of laughter and music from within. It’s a world I’ll never truly belong to, no matter how much I fake it.
And just as I turn to leave, a soft breeze stirs the air. My phone buzzes in my pocket.
It’s a text from Angie: “TJ says he wants you to go to the next party with us. You sure you don’t want to go? They’re all there. You should come.”
I frown at the message but keep walking. Angie can only mean one thing with ‘they’. No. I’m done playing their games. The night’s air feels fresh against my skin as I head back to my dorm, where the real game will continue to unfold—one where I’m not just another pawn.