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all right.”
    â€œYes, ma’am, it’s fine,” Hayden said. “I’d love to help your daughter in any way I can.” She displayed another fake grin.
    â€œSo I talked to the regional coordinator, and I know you guys are planning to have a line this fall for sure,” my mom said as I tried to seem uninterested by keeping my head firmly planted in the menu. “I know Malloy isn’t quite sure if she’s going to pledge—of course this is hard for me—but I certainly want her to meet your chapter sorority sisters.”
    â€œOh, Mom, I’ve already met them,” I said as I heard Hayden nervously fidget with her plate.
    The look in Hayden’s eyes was one of panic. She knew I was aware that the Betas had already been talking to the girls they wanted to put on line and that one of her line sisters had came out and point blank told me I’d never pledge Alpha chapter. For some weird reason, I didn’t tell this to my mom. Instead I said, “They’re cool. They got passion.”
    â€œSee, I knew you would like these girls.” She leaned over and gave me a big hug.
    I didn’t look at Hayden for her reaction.
    Walking to my car two hours later, I said, “Mom, you guys go on to your meeting. I’ll be fine.”
    â€œYou sure, honey? Our meals took longer than I thought.”
    â€œI’m fine.”
    Hayden was walking toward me, but I walked away, got in my car, and drove off. Looking in the rearview mirror,a part of me longed to have the kind of interaction Hayden was experiencing with my mom. Maybe Beta Gamma Pi was the key.
    Â 
    I had just come from the front office and had gotten the keys to my brand-new place. I was so excited not to be in a dorm, to have my own apartment, to live the collegelife. My new car was loaded down from the backseat to the trunk. While unloading, I resented the fact that my mom wasn’t there to help me move in. I certainly could have used the extra hands , I thought as I struggled to figureout what to take out first.
    I decided to go into the apartment and look around first. Though I had seen the place before I’d left last semester,it was like a breath of fresh air being in my new home away from my mom. Even though we each had our own space, it was still stuffy. However, the newness of this two-bedroom apartment and the possibilities that could lie therein excited me. As I went toward my apartmentdoor to go back to my car outside, I was startled when a hard-looking girl exactly my height suddenly had my door key in her hand.
    â€œYou shouldn’t leave this in your door, you know.”
    Quickly I snatched it. Who’d she think she was? And why was she not leaving my space?
    â€œYeah, thanks. I know.”
    Her eyes roamed my body. I didn’t know if I’d done something wrong, but I had work to do. I did not have time to stand there with her.
    â€œUm, thanks, I assume you live here?” I asked.
    â€œI’m right next door. Our apartments are joined. I can practically see and hear everything you do. Isn’t that great?” she said with way too much excitement.
    â€œUm, yeah, I guess,” I said, not wanting to offend her. “I’m Malloy.”
    â€œSirena Rice,” she said as she held out her hand to shake mine.
    â€œOh, I’m dirty. Moving, you know.”
    â€œOh, no problem.” She grabbed my hand anyway and firmly shook it up and down.
    â€œWell, thanks for telling me about the key and all,” I said, trying to get her to leave.
    â€œYou need some help moving?” Sirena asked as she followed me out to my car.
    â€œNo, no, thank you.”
    I did need help, but I didn’t know her. What I could size up in two minutes wasn’t appealing. The chick was pushy. I didn’t need a second mom away from home, but even as I said no, she picked up a box, and inside we headed.
    â€œI’m a senior here. What year are you?”