Read Time to Shine for Free Online

on the intake application alone are classified as “paper” and not given the same respect as the ones who go through the pledge process.
    All of this information is completely useless to me, since I have absolutely no intention of pledging or joining any sorority. But since Piper and Meagan are Gamma fanatics, I have no choice but to hear the ins and outs of getting into Gamma Phi Gamma.
    The party is definitely already jumping when we arrive. Ironically, the DJ is spinning my cut “Can U See Me” when we walk into the party, as if on cue. Although the music is bumping, there aren’t many people dancing. There are clumps of girls and guys talking and laughing and a few couples grinding in corners—not exactly dancing.
    DeShawn waves at me from across the room, and I give him a three-finger wave in return. For some reason, he seems to think that this means “come here,” because he makes his way through the crowded room to where we are.
    He hugs me and lifts me off the floor as he does so. “Hey, girl. I feel like I haven’t seen you in forever.”
    I laugh. “I just saw you at Mystique’s wedding.”
    â€œToo long, too long. You could call me or text me or something,” DeShawn fusses.
    Gia starts clearing her throat violently. DeShawn asks, “Gia you okay?”
    â€œYeah,” she says, “I’m just kind of thirsty . You know what that feels like, right?”
    DeShawn rolls his eyes. “Thirsty doesn’t describe me in the least. I just like what I like.”
    â€œAnyway!” Gia says. “I see my homeboy Kevin. Where’s Ricky? He said he was probably gonna come through.”
    DeShawn shrugs. “I left him on campus. He might not have had a ride. Maybe you should go and call him.”
    â€œAnything to get rid of me, huh?” Gia asks.
    DeShawn nods and smiles. “Unh-huh! Now go and find your man.”
    â€œYou doing all right?” DeShawn asks as Gia rushes away, furiously pressing numbers on her cell phone.
    â€œI am cool. Yeah, pretty cool.”
    â€œGood, because I have a question to ask you.”
    I feel my stomach flip. “Okay . . .”
    â€œDid you invite me to Mystique’s wedding because you really wanted me as a date, or did you just invite me to make Sam jealous?”
    â€œI . . . uh . . . um . . . well . . .”
    Thank God for Meagan and her total disregard of conversation etiquette when she has something important to say. I have absolutely no idea how to answer DeShawn’s question and not sound like a jerk, so I am so happy that Meagan nearly knocks DeShawn over to get to me. The truth is, I invited him to the wedding so that I wouldn’t have to deal with Sam’s trying to get me back.
    â€œWhat’s wrong?” I ask her.
    â€œWrong? Nothing’s wrong! Nothing at all.”
    â€œThen why the dramatic entrance?” DeShawn asks.
    Meagan looks DeShawn up and down like he’s the one who interrupted. Then she dismisses him with a wave of her hand. Rude, but the hilarious look on DeShawn’s face is totally worth it.
    â€œI have found him, Sunday. My husband, my Chi Kappa Psi man. My Morehouse soul mate.”
    â€œAnd you know this already?”
    â€œI do, I do. He introduced himself, and he summers down the road from my family in the Hamptons. He’s going to study medicine, he’s deliciously fine, and he asked me out on a date. I could just pass out right now!”
    â€œWell, what’s this Romeo’s name?” I ask with a little giggle. It’s hard not to be tickled seeing Meagan like this. Her pin-straight hair is whipping all around as she jerks her head on that pencil-thin frame.
    â€œHis name is Linden. And I think I’m in love.”
    â€œYou can’t know you’re in love that fast,” DeShawn protests as if he is a part of the conversation.
    â€œDoes this guy know who I am?” Meagan asks.
    I