The Wake-Up Call

“Is this seat saved?” she asked the pretty brunette in the next seat.

“No, Sugar, it’s yours if you want it. I’m Missy, by the way. And you are?”

“Frannie. Thanks. I nearly didn’t make it.”

“You don’t sound like you’re from around here. That’s a Yankee accent if I’ve ever heard one. You’re rushing around like a Yankee, too. You can slow down and take it easy. This is the South, ya know, not New York.” Frannie sat and arranged the orientation packet on her lap.

“I’m from Philadelphia, not New York, but from down here, I guess it’s hard to tell the difference,” Frannie grinned. “Are you from Dallas?”

“Heavens, no, I’m from Baton Rouge, Loooosiana. That’s the real South. My family’s been coming to Crestmont University for ages… ever since it was Crestmont College. My mother, grandmother, and two aunts… and every one of them is a Theta Rho Xi. I can’t wait to pledge. You’re going out for a sorority, of course.”

Not wanting to sound ignorant, Frannie replied, “Well… I haven’t quite made up my mind.”

“Oh, you must,” Missy insisted. “Your sorority sisters are your best friends, and it’s a great way to meet guys. I can’t imagine being at Crestmont and not being part of Theta Rho Xi. You get to live on the sorority floor in the upper-class women’s dorm your sophomore year. It’s the one social scene that counts.”

Awesome” Frannie said. “So…maybe it doesn’t matter that my roommate is awful. When I’m in a sorority, I’ll spend all my time with my sorority sisters and I won’t be in the suite except to sleep. Who knows, I might just meet Mr. Perfect my freshman year. Then I wouldn’t have to worry about anything ever again.”