Lambs of the Harvest Moon (Part 10 of 11)

The freshmen boys of Asher College have obsessed for weeks in anticipation of Phi Lambda Phi’s annual ‘Harvest Moon Panty Raid’ but Nick Wilder has other plans. He’s got his eye on one Phi Lamb in particular and he’s not about to screw it up by being like everyone else. But plans change and so must Nick if he’s going to get the girl of his dreams.

Chapter 26

“You are to be at the gates when the bells ring at 4:00PM. Not 4:01. Not 4:02. And definitely not 4:12.”

The older girl had been screaming at them for well over a minute. Nick knew enough to keep eye contact.

A brunette girl said, “It’s not our…”

The screaming girl continued, “No excuses, Lizbeth. You know the rules - you succeed as a group - you fail as a group. How many times do we need to remind you?”

A girl at the back said, “But she’s yet not part…”

“Really?” The leader interrupted. “We aren’t here to play games, ladies and I won’t tolerate any personal grudges. Those weren’t words out you sang on the sidewalk. Sacrifice. Unity. Power. It’s the Phi Lamb way of life. Do not test us. There are a dozen other girls on campus who’d love to take your place.”

Nick’s eyes darted around the group, but nobody dared to say another word. He’d messed up.

“It’s my fault.” Nick said, hoping it might undo some of the damage. “It won’t happen again.”

“Damn right, it won’t happen again. Phi Lambda Phi is the best sorority on campus for a reason, but if we want to stay on top, we can’t accept mediocrity no matter who your daddy is or how you were chosen.” The girl emphasized the word ‘chosen’ with a voice dripping of venom.

Nick saw a few girls exchange looks and then over to him, but none of them said a word. He didn't blame them for being mad.

“Get in your grubbies.”

A loud groan echoed from the gathered group.

“Actions have consequences, ladies. We meet in the basement in ten minutes. Do not be late.”

The groans got louder.

Nick waited until the screaming lady and the others had left before approaching Gwen. “What’s a grubby?”

Gwen ignored him. “What the hell happened to you? I went over to Bishop Hall to find you. Miss Applebottom said she’d dismissed you with plenty of time.”

Nick followed Gwen into the house. “It was Clem. He…”

Gwen held up a hand. “Don’t give me your excuses. I told you it was important to be here by 4PM.”

She led him into a room with a bunch of lockers. “Throw your stuff in there.” She opened a locker and Gwen pointed to a pair of worn-out sweatpants and an old t-shirt. “Those are my grubbies. Be thankful I keep an extra pair.”

Phi Lambs stripped around him on all sides, paying Nick no mind. He stared at Gwen, who’d already taken off her top.

“Take off your clothes, dumbass. You’re not making us late again.”

Nick began pulling down his pants. It didn’t seem possible a day earlier at this time, he was sitting in his dorm room, reviewing his geology notes. Now he was surrounded by the most beautiful girls on campus, most of them naked.

“Take off your bra.” Gwen ordered.

“Why?”

Gwen wasn’t in the mood. “You’ve lost the right to ask questions. Just do it.”

Nick reached around his back to loosen the bra. The clasp came off with a snap of his fingers, a sudden weight falling from his shoulders.

“Wow.”

“Feels good to be free doesn’t it. I hate bras. You don’t want to wear a nice one while we’re doing chores.” Gwen grinned, giving Nick hope she might be over her anger.

Nick nodded, “I had no idea that would feel so good.” Less than eight hours and the straps had cut grooves into his shoulders.

“Did I tell you to stop getting ready?” Nope. Angry Gwen was still in there. She tossed him the ratty looking t-shirt. “Can you put this on without my help?”

Nick was afraid to object, even when the shirt pulled tight over his chest. The cold air encouraged two nipples to show through the shirt’s thin material.

Nick asked, “Do you have a bigger grubby? This one is too tight.”

“Maybe you should start working out.”

“Seriously?”

“Sorry, that was a bitchy thing to say.” She sighed. “The actives look for reasons to make us do discipline work. They always find something but you made it too easy today.”

A nearby girl waved her hands, seconds later hair was tied in a bun. Another girl did the same only she tied her hair in braids.

Gwen tossed him a hair band. NIck pulled at his own hair that had fallen out of its braids at some point during the day. “You’re going to need this or your hair will drag on the ground. They love making us get down on our knees. Tie it in a pony tail.”

Nick looked at the band and back to Gwen who was fixing her own hair.

“I don’t…”

A brunette grabbed the band. “I’ll do it for you.” She gathered his hair in a bunch behind his head then pulled the hand band around it. A couple of twists and a tuck made Nick’s hair disappear into a bun.

“Done.”

Nick looked in the mirror. Their hair would look the same if he had brown hair. “I thought you’d used magic.”

The girl shook her head. “Check out social media videos.”

A blonde checked the doorway before speaking, “Am I the only one who was freaked out by last night?”

A red-head nodded, “I can’t believe they sprung this Goody stuff on us. I thought it was a party. I spent half the night on clean up duty in the courtyard. It was so disgusting.”

A third girl added, “I didn’t get a wink of sleep.”

The first girl looked at Nick. “And now we need to deal with her.” The way she said her, made Nick sound like an alien creature.
All of the sisters looked at him, judging him. It was his worst dream come true.

Gwen spoke up, “We aren’t the first group to go through this. Every one of the active members went through the same thing. They’re trying to break us. They want to see how we perform under pressure. They want us to prove ourselves worthy of the insignia.”

The blonde asked, “Who made you boss?”

Gwen said, “I’m not trying to be the boss. I’m just saying…”

“I don’t care who’s boss.” The brunette in the bun interrupted, “I don’t want to end up back in Nebraska with my mind wiped. The witch studies programs at NU are very limited.”

The brunette with the pony tail said, “They’re not sending you back to Nebraska.”

The bun brunette responded, “How do you know?”

Another girl shouted, “Can we argue later? Becky is waiting downstairs. I don’t want to think what she’d do if we’re late again.”

The shouting stopped, and the whole group began to move. Gwen held up a hand creating a logjam at Nick’s locker where he was putting on shoes. All eyes bore into him.

Nick shrank back, “What’s the matter?”

Gwen said, “We’re waiting for you to finish. Do you think we’re going to take another chance you’ll be on time?”
About half the group laughed. The other half rolled their eyes.

“Oh.” Nick tied his shoes and hurried to the door.

Nick walked out of the room and into the lobby. The house looked different in daylight. Nothing sinister or threatening. No feelings of angst or darkness. It looked like any other house. An expensive house but something lived in.

He followed the group downstairs past the laundry room, and around a corner.

She smiled when she looked at Nick at the front of the group. “You made it with twenty seconds to spare. Good job. Everyone grab your magic wands off the table.”

Nick gave Gwen a look. A magic wand?

Gwen shook her head and mouthed the word ‘nerd’.

A pile of pink and powder blue toothbrushes lined the table along with several jars of grout cleaner. The others grabbed a toothbrush. Nick took the toothbrush that remained. A closer inspection showed its gnarled bristles and tiny scratches from previous use.

Becky said, “We’re going to the pool today.”

Groans filled the hallway.

Nick whispered to Gwen, “You have a pool?”

“We …” Gwen shook her head while pointing at Nick, “... have a pool.”

The procession made their way down still more hallways, past the TV room, a couple of study rooms, and what looked to be a library until they arrived at a pair of huge, wooden doors behind which revealed a large swimming pool completely drained of water. Along the both walls were subrooms full of weights and various elliptical machines. Tanning beds lined the other side of the pool.

“Get to work ladies.”

Nick hadn’t done a lot of swimming but this pool was half the size of the ones he’d seen at the Olympics with one end much deeper than the other. A couple of the girls had already jumped into its depths to scrub the mosiac tiles. A look showed ΦΛΦ in large letters across the bottom of the pool.

Nick waved his toothbrush. “I better get busy with my magic wand.”

Gwen stepped back, “Stop waving that thing around or you might hurt yourself. Or worse, you might hurt me.”

Nick looked at the toothbrush. “What am I going to do? Bristle you to death?”

Gwen picked up her toothbrush and waved it in the air. A spark of electricity flashed as soon as she pressed it against Nick’s skin.

Nick rubbed his arm at the spot of Gwen’s spell. “Ouch, that hurt.”

Gwen said, “Don’t blame me. You let your shield fall too low.”

Becky’s voice shouted from the next room. “You better not be casting magic in there!”

Nick looked at the toothbrush. It didn’t look any different than a regular toothbrush.

Gwen explained, “Any long stick can magnify a caster’s ability by being the focus of a spell. Any pointy object will do but few people would ever give a second look to a toothbrush in a woman’s purse. That’s why Becky called these our magic wands. She was being sarcastic.”

“Oh.”

A girl with a high-pitched voice chimed in, “Can I teach Nikki the next lesson?”

Nick turned to see a short red-head girl who looked like she’d been poured into her tight red top and black boyshorts. She took a much different tack than Gwen when it came to ‘grubbies’.

“I’m Rosa.” The red head whispered.”

Becky shouted from the next room, “Less talking more working!”

Nick got on his hands and knees, applying a generous portion of cleaner, and began scrubbing the tile like the others. The rhythmic motion of his hand and toothbrush joined the sounds of the others, the entire group soon scrubbing to the same cadence.

“Brushes down. Ten minute break.”

Gwen sighed and took a deep breath before acknowledging Nick’s presence.

Rosa joined the conversation. “I’m dying to know - what was up with you and that boy on the street?”

Nick said, “I was being stupid.”

Gwen said, “You kissed him.”

Nick said, “On the cheek.”

Gwen smiled. “Was that your first kiss?”

“Shut up.” Nick blushed realizing the accuracy of Gwen’s words.

Rosa added, “He looked about fifteen.”

The conversation spread to the other end of the pool.

“Who kissed a boy?”
“Nikki kissed a boy.”
“Why?”
“Who knows.”
“It was one of those idiot boys who watch us every day.”
“Why’d she kiss him?”
“I have no idea.”

By the time the conversation died down, Nick could see everyone was staring at him.

Nick steeled his nerves, “The boy wasn’t part of the group. Those idiot boys dared him to cross the street and call one of us a bitch.”

“You kissed him after he called you a bitch?”

Nick shrugged, “He was nerdy and nervous as hell.” I think those boys hoped I’d slap him or worse. I decided to teach them a lesson.”

“Ahh.” The brunette with the bun said, “That was sweet.”

The other brunette said, “You made us late.”

“I know. It won’t happen again.”

The tall blonde said, “It better not.”

Becky shouted from the elliptical, “If you are going to gossip like a bunch of old hens, I guess you don’t need a break. Back to work ladies.”

Groans echoed in the pool as everyone returned to their hands and knees and began to scrub.

The brunette with the pony tail dared a whisper, “They planned this.”

Rosa whispered back, “Why do you say that?”

The brunette with the pony tail answered, “They emptied the pool.”

The blonde girl nodded, “Yeah. Why drain it unless they knew they were going to make us clean it?”

Another blonde said, “I’m getting tired of these silly mind games.”

Another girl answered, “They aren’t silly.”

Gwen growled at the group, “Please everyone, be quiet. Do you want Becky to find something worse?”

Nick kept his head down and continued to scrub. He’d spent hours cleaning up messes at the department store all by himself. It was more fun to do in a group.

Chapter 27

Suds covered everything and everyone in the communal shower. Everyone but Nick. He stood outside, eyes closed, trying to block everything out.

One of the girls asked, “Are you okay?”

Nick shook his head. “It’s been a long day.”

She smiled, “Come and join us. A good shower always revives me when I’m feeling beat.”

She grabbed Nick by the hand, leading him inside. The conversation stopped as soon as he entered. Twelve pairs of eyes staring. Twelve heavenly bodies fixated on him. The scene in the shower was the fantasy of every twelve year old boy.

Nick found sanctuary at an empty showerhead, closing his eyes as he turned the knob. As the pounding drumbeat of water rained down, he felt every fibre of his hair, every pore on his face, the sinews in his arms, the muscles in his legs, and, especially, the new bulge on his chest.

“Better?”

Nick nodded. “Much.”

He hadn’t touched the soap. He hadn’t touched himself at all. He’d made it through the day pretending this second puberty was some sort of dream. It couldn’t possibly be real. The warmth of the water made continued delusion impossible. Loud voices broke him from his stupor.

“I swear if Becky makes me recite that goddamn song backwards one more time…”
“It’s a power trip. She’s not much older than us.”
“She’s our Pledge Mother. We have to do what she says.”
“Are we supposed to be grateful she had us scrub base boards with toothbrushes?”
“It builds character.”
“This doesn’t feel like sisterhood. It feels like a military school.”
“Maybe you’re too soft to be a part of this house.”
“I’m not soft. I’m human. They’re asking the impossible.”

“Do you know my name?”

It took Nick a second until he realized a girl stood next to him.

“I’m Kathy.”

Nick offered his hand. “I’m Nikki.”

Kathy laughed. “I know.”

“Yeah…” Nick nodded, “I guess it would be hard to forget me after last night.”

“Trust me, you aren’t alone.” Karhy agreed, “There isn’t a girl in this room who hasn’t done something embarrassing since we pledged ourselves to Phi Lambda Phi. Honestly, last night was one embarrassment after another. I’d tell you the details but I’d rather not think about them. Trust me, it’s all one big mind fuck. They are trying to break us so we learn to rely on each other.”

Nick smiled. “My mind is certainly fucked.”

“I bet.” Kathy grabbed a towel. Nick noticed the other girls had stopped their arguing. They were all staring at him. Kathy said, “We failed you today.”

“No.” Nick shook his head, “I messed up. I was supposed to be at the gate at 4PM and got distracted. I failed you.”

Kathy pointed at her sisters, “We expected we were attending a party last night. They didn’t tell us the truth of the Harvest Moon ‘panty raid’ until three nights ago. Most of us haven’t slept a wink in the last three days and I’m not too proud to say this whole experience kicked my ass. I get bitchy when I’m tired.”

A voice sounded from the other side of the shower, “You get bitchy when you aren’t tired.”

“I heard that.” Kathy smiled, “What I’m trying to say is this week has been tough for everyone and now that Harvest Moon is over, all of us have spent the day catching up in our own lifes and only a couple bothered to reach out you.”

“What are you talking about?” A voice in the shower shouted.

“She’s our sister.”

“Not technically.”

“She’s our sister.” Kathy repeated, her face growing more intense. “How many of us bothered to introduce ourselves today? We got caught up in our own BS and forgot about Nikki. She needed us and we didn’t do the simplest thing possible.” Kathy held out her hand. “I’m Katherine White.”

“I’m …” Nick paused. “Nikki Wilder.”

The others lined up one by one. Nick shook their hands as they passed.

… Desiree Priest …
… Abbie Thompson …
… Dory Warren …
… Sarah Park …
… Susan Goodman …
… Gwen Bradford …
… Lizbeth Story …
… Prissy Carter …
… Alice Martin …
… Rosa Lopez …
… Mary Button …

The names flashing by in a storm of faces and words. Nick wiped at his eyes. “I hope you don’t expect me to remember everyone’s names.”

Someone shouted. “There will be a quiz later.”

Kathy replied in a serious manner, “They won’t quiz you tonight but I wouldn’t be surprised if they start tomorrow. They are always quizzing us. Not remembering our names and stories of your sisters would be a sin above all others.

Nick laughed.

Gwen said, “She’s not joking. The active members love to quiz us on names and places. We expect us to know everything in the pledge book forward and backwards. It’s only a matter of time before they start on you.”

Great. One more thing to learn.

Desiree pulled a towel around her body, “This afternoon, they got me in the freshman dining hall at lunch and they don’t eat there. They can show up at any time, at any place, and ask anything. You have to be ready to answer at all times.”

Nick said, “I’m not good at memorization."

“Me either.” The girl who called herself Prissy spoke. “I have flashcards on everything. We can practice together if you want. They help me a lot.”

A voice boomed from the hallway. “I see you ladies are standing around like a bunch of hens, gaggling and gossiping. Have you forgotten about dinner?”

The entire group hurried out of the shower and hurried up the hall to the locker room, this time with Nick in close in tow.

Chapter 28

“I look ridiculous.”

“It’s cute.”

“Does this have to be so short?” Nick pulled on his skirt.

Gwen said, “Be thankful. Girls working at diners used to serve customers in an outfit like that while wearing roller skates.”

The entire pledge class wore imitations of a maid’s outfit, cut shorter so it barely hid a thing. The skirt bowed out in a bell shape, the material not longer than mid-thigh. The top looked more like a corset, pushing up Nick’s ample breasts so everyone could see. The outfit was topped by a tiny little maid’s bonnet with no apparent look other than to humiliate.

Gwen pointed to the computer screen. “If you have special dietary instructions, you will see them here.”

“Orders?” Next to the name Nikki Wilder were three names - Michele Fletcher, Charlene Turner, and Patrice Brewster. The special instructions were blank on all three.

Gwen asked, “Do you remember their faces? Things get hectic out there so you have to be sure.”

“I think so.” Nick stared at the screen. The file had an image of each of his charges. “That’s the Michele I met this morning?”

“Yes. She’s your big sis. Charlene is her big sis. Patrice is Charlene’s big sis. We all serve our bigger sisters.”

“Oh. So you serve Zoey. That’s neat.”

“You won’t think it’s so neat if you mess up their order.”

Nick tried to imagine Zoey being mad as the other sisters grabbed plates of food as they appeared and headed into the dining room.
Gwen pointed towards a table near the stage. “You're lucky. Your big sis’s decided to sit together so serving them should be easy.”

A voice from behind the counter shouted. "Six more regulars." A tall thin man wearing a bandana wrapped around his head smiled at Nick as he placed six plates on the counter.

"That's Petey. He's our chef." As he finishes a meal, he puts them on the counter. If there's a special order, he calls it out. The process is pretty simple.”

Nick watched a brunette put three plates on a tray then lift it with one hand.

“It doesn’t look simple.”

“Abbie is showing off. Her parents own a restaurant. She worked there in high school. It’s safer to take them out one at a time.”

Gwen picked up one of the other plates. “We need to hurry. Active members don’t like to wait for their food. Seniors get served first, then Juniors, then Sophomores.”

Nick’s stomach growled as he looked at the plate of food. It looked delicious. Sort of chicken casserole with green beans and a roll. The faint memory of lunch wasn't the best of ideas. “When do we eat?

“We serve the upperclassmen, we clean up, then we eat.”

"That sucks. You do this for every meal?"

"Just dinners. Petey makes dinner Sunday to Wednesday. Finding food on the weekend is up to us."

Gwen picked up a plate of food and then a knife, fork, and spoon wrapped inside a napkin then created another plate for Nick. "Follow me."

Sounds of girls talking echoed through the room, their chattering stopping as soon as Nick exited. Gwen headed off towards her charges. Nick saw his own near the fireplace.

Nick’s heart quickened as he approached the table, suddenly unsure of the older girl’s names.

All were exquisitely dressed, their faces looked ready for a runway. Both were blondes, one had her hair cut into a bob while the other's hair hung halfway down her back. Nick searched his memories…

"I'm Nic ... Nikki. I'm your server." He said, stalling for time. Unders, he placed the plate in front of the girl with long blonde hair.

"Thank you, Nik..nikki." The girl laughed as she slid the plate to the girl next to her. "I'm Charlene." She pointed at the girl with bobbed hair.

"She’s Patrice."

“Oh.”

Patrice didn’t look nearly as happy. “Hurry along. The others are hungry.” Nick, well used to dealing with angry customers, bowed, “Yes … of course … I’ll take care of that right away.” He hurried back to the kitchen, finding Gwen waiting with another plate.

Two more trips. No mistakes. The years of working customer service kicked in. “Can I get you ladies anything else?"

Patrice barely acknowledged him. "Another Diet Coke would be nice."

Nick nodded looking around the room, seeing his classmates scurrying around with a singular purpose. Doing everything they could not to screw up. Nick could feel the eyes of the room on his as he made his way through the crowd, seeing a line of his pledge class waiting at the drink station.

He copied the others, taking a can of Diet Coke and filling it half full of ice before pouring the contents of the glass inside, then hurrying back to Patrice with her drink. She took it without comment.

Nick looked around the room. Trying to figure out what he was supposed to do next. A second later a voice at another table shouted, "Song!" The other upperclassmen started shouting the same thing.

"Song ... song ... song ... song ..."

The other members of the pledge class stopped what they were working on, all heading to the stage at the front of the room.

When Nick moved, Patrice grabbed his shoulder. "Not you. You stay here."

She gave no explanation. Nick looked at Charlene and Michele, but their faces were clean slates.

Nick whispered, “What do I do?”

Patrice didn’t look amused. “When a superior tells you to do something, you obey." She pulled back the chair next to her and faced it towards the stage. "Sit."

In the hectic rush to get dinner served, Nick didn’t realize the room. Twenty hours ago, he was the one on stage. His sisters gathered on stage, each taking a predetermined position, all looking calm and composed. He recognized the song at once.

Phi Lambda Phi, we sacrifice for thee,
Our voices rise in harmony.
A love held strong by unity,
To you we vow eternally.
Sisters of power and purity,
We give our hearts and loyalty.
A lifelong bond of sorority
Forevermore, Phi Lambda Phi.

One of the blondes shouted:

Who are we?

Phi Lambda Phi!

What’s our motto?

Sacrifice, Unity, Power

Who are we?

Phi Lambda Phi!

What’s our vows?
Sisters ‘til our final hour!

So much had changed for him in the last twenty-four hours. Nothing seemed real. He pinched himself to make sure he wasn’t dreaming. A new body. New classes. New friends. And magic?

The girls on stage were so smart, so beautiful, so talented. Every one of them had trained for years to be a Phi Lamb. It was a good thing he hadn’t gone on stage. Nick couldn’t help the feeling of a stranger in a strange land. An outsider looking in. Tears welled in his eyes despite his best attempt to hold them back.

“You okay?”

Nick turned to see it was Patrice who’d spoken. Unsure of his voice, Nick returned a nod.

“The first day is the worst.”

Nick nodded again.

Patrice looked at the others. “Are you two finished?”

Michele and Charlene nodded.

Patrice ordered. “Let’s go.”

Nick followed Patrice and the others through the crowded dining room, a guilt ridden feeling of relief as they walked out of the hall, leaving his new sisters behind.

“Are you sure it’s ok for me to leave them?”

Patrice said, “Are you questioning an upperclassman?”

“Sorry.”

The trio led Nick downstairs, past the pool and the workout facility, the only sound the click-clack of his heels. He’d forgotten he was wearing them, one of a thousand adaptations he’d made on this day. When the air turned musty, Nick knew their destination. The portcullis came into view a moment later.

The other three spoke as one, “Ex Sacrificio Unitas, Ex Unitate Potentia”.

The words carved into the stone overhead appeared to glimmer for a second while other intricate symbols around its circumference pulsed with energy.

“I met you three last night. You were the ones under the hoods.”

Michele smiled. “Took you long enough to figure out.”

Patrice shot Michele a withering look, “Let’s go.”

He watched Michele and Charlene enter the portal. Nick followed them into the inky blackness, exiting into a familiar library a second later. The place looked the same as it had the previous evening with one notable exception. The central pillar now held a large rock in a hollowed out area near its base.

“Is that what I think it is?”

Patrice nodded, “The gallows stone leaves this room once a year, the night of the Harvest Moon. That’s the only time Goody’s power crosses the veil into this world. The rest of the year it stays here for safekeeping as there are some in this world who would pay a king’s ransom to attain the stone.

The room looked the same as it did a day earlier but without the ominous darkness. “What is this place?”

“It’s a world between worlds spelled where only Goody’s daughter may visit. It’s a place where we can talk directly to her.”

“I can talk to Goody?”

“You can but not tonight. She spent a lot of energy last night and needs time to recharge. I do know she’s looking forward to speaking with you.”

Nick looked around the room. “Why bring me here?”

Charlene placed several books on the table in front of Nick. Michele held up a pink cloak.

“You’re technically not part of Phi Lambda Phi.” Patrice said, “We need to prepare you for the ceremony.”

“Another ceremony?”

Patrice gave a sympathetic smile. “You’ll need to get used to ceremonies if you’re going to be a part of the Phi Lambs.” She tapped one of the books Charlene had placed on the table. “Many of our traditions go back thousands of years.”

“Thousands?”

Patrice nodded, “You’ll need to go through the pledging ceremony before learning our secrets. That’s our purpose for bringing you here. We are making a formal offer to join us - would you like to be a Phi Lamb?”

Nick fought the lump in his throat. “I’m not sure I belong. These girls are so smart, so beautiful, so talented,” he voice broke as he spoke. “I feel like a fraud. Every witch on campus knows it. I could feel them mocking me all day, laughing at my inability. I felt it from some of the Phi Lambs too.”

“That wasn’t mockery. It’s their own insecurity.” Patrice placed her hand on Nick’s shoulder as did Charlene and Michele. “Every witch on campus knows we are different. They know we lived eighteen years in a male body and now…” Patrice stepped back to do a pirouette. “... we are as feminine as any girl on campus. We are the children of two worlds, three if you consider our link to Goody.”

Charlene said, “We scare them.”

Michele nodded, “Few of them say it but Charlene’s right. Our connection to the next world gives us advantages and causes envy, even among our sisters. It won’t take long until you’re the equal of any witch on campus.”

Patrice said, “You’ve done well today, aside from the unfortunate enchantment you performed on your previous roommate and being late to line up.”

“You know about that?”

Patrice smiled, “Phi Lambda Phi has a team who work continuously to safeguard the sanctity of this house. Sometimes we send them to watch over a new member. They’ve been watching you all day … from a distance of course.”

“You saw everything?”

“I didn’t see. I received a report.” Patrice said. “Did you know Miss Applebottom cast a hex on you in the lunchroom and again after class, amplifying your carnal desires?”

“She did?”

“Her motives aren’t as pure as she proclaims. She’s part owner of a large prostitution operation out west. They’d love to recruit one of Goody’s daughters into their executive training program.”

Nick shook his head. “Isn’t she the house mother?”

“Miss Applebottom is an excellent teacher and a good house mother. She can be a little overzealous at times when it comes to sex but she’s right about one thing. You have to experience the world to get the most out of your abilities. I know today has been tough on you but it’s part of the process. You need to expose your vulnerabilities to the world and experience new things to improve.”

“Do I have to join the Phi Lambs?”

“You have a choice in everything, Nikki.” Patrice said, “It would be awkward if you didn’t join Phi Lambda Phi but it’s your choice.”

“It doesn’t feel real.”

“I know.” The three Phi Lambs spoke at the same time.

Nick couldn’t believe the words as they entered his head, “I want to be a member of Phi Lambda Phi.”

Patrice nodded. “Good.”

Michele held up a pink cloak. “Let’s see how it fits.”

The other two girls smiled as Nick put his arms through the sleeves.

“Perfect fit,” Michele said.

Nick had to agree. The pink material hugged his body in a way that gave support, yet wasn’t too hot or too cold. He watched as the others put on their cloaks.

“So what happens now?”

“I need the cloak. You’ll get it back at the pledging ceremony.”

Nick took off the cloak to reveal the short serving dress underneath. “I look ridiculous.”

Michele said, “I think that outfit looks cute on you.”

Charlene nodded. “Me too.”

Patrice asked, “Ready to go?”

From the balcony the entire campus of Asher College looked small, like a series of candles lit up so NIck could tell them apart. Students hurried up the street, some getting a head start on their weekends, others headed for the libraries. Everyone looked tiny from up here.

A day earlier he’d looked up to this monolith on a hill and the idea of talking to one of the girls inside was an unattainable goal. That he might stand in this spot would have never occurred to him in a million years.

Most people took at least one look at the house as they passed. One thought kept repeating - Could these people see him in darkness? And if they could, what did they think about what they saw? Whatever it was, they’d surely be wrong.

“We’re ready.”

Nick nodded. He was ready too.

Michele led him across the hall and through a set of double doors. The first time he’d entered this room, Mitsy called it a party room. The second time he’d come here, it was a stage where he performed in a pageant. On his third, it was the place he’d battled with a good friend over who should be Chosen.

The truth? He now knew this was the Phi Lamb dining hall though at the moment all the chairs and tables were missing. The room contained multitudes as did every person within it.

Michele led him through the lines of girls dressed in pink cloaks with the hoods pulled up. No one said a word, the only sound in Nick’s ears was the pounding in his chest and his own ragged breath. Mitsy began reading from a book when he stepped on stage.

“People say thirteen is an unlucky number. They’ve said a lot of things over the years. Some say Eve was the first of our number. If this is true, it is quite fitting as her only crime was to be a woman seeking knowledge.

Our sect has gone by many names over the millennia. We were called the Sisterhood of Asherah when twelve of our members arrived in this land with orders to cleanse the pain caused by rogue members a century earlier. Upon our arrival we found a once kind soul named Goody Peters at the heart of the darkness and in time soothed her rage with the promise of a daughter.

That’s how twelve became thirteen, a most fortuitous number.”

Misty closed the book.

“Who speaks for Nicole Wilder?”

Patrice took one step forward. “I do. I have spent time with Nicole. She is a fine young woman who will make a fine addition to our ranks.”
Mitsy asked, “Does anyone else speak for Nicole?”

Charlene and Michele stepped forward in lockstep. “We do.”

Misty nodded, “Very good.” She turned to Nick.

“Nicole, do you pledge to uphold the values of our sisterhood? To always strive for excellence, to support your sisters in their endeavors, and to always remain loyal to the ideals of Phi Lambda Phi?”

Nick nodded without hesitation. “I do.”

Misty said, “Repeat after me,

I, Nicole Wilder, pledge to pick up the torch of those who came before me,
Doing so in full knowledge of sorority to my sisters and myself
And commit my loyalty, forever and ever, to the sisterhood of Phi Lambda Phi.

Nick repeated the lines as Mitsy spoke them, receiving a big smile as he said the final words. She held out a pledge pin, placing it in Nick’s hand. “Wear this with pride.”

“I will.”

Mitsy turned him towards the crowd. “It is with great pleasure that I welcome Nicole Wilder as a pledge to our sisterhood.”

Nick felt a tug at his shoulder and saw Michele holding the robe. She helped him get his arms through both sleeves before asking.

“Do you need help with the pin?”

Nick nodded. He couldn’t trust his shaking hands.

Michele affixed the pledge pin on Nick’s chest, close to his heart.

Mitsy said, “You are ready to join your sisters.”

A look at the crowd showed they’d taken off the hoods, their smiling faces congratulating him as he made his way to the stand with the rest of the freshmen.

When Nick stood by them, MItsy called from the stage. “This year’s pledge class is now complete.”

The room roared with applause and high-pitched screams and the sisters jumped and cheered with congratulations all around. Soon, the cheers turned to chatter and laughter turned to smiles as girl after girl made a point of introducing themselves. There was no way he was ever going to remember them all. It felt like a dream seeing so many amazing women and knowing, somehow, he was one of them.

A voice cried out:

Phi Lambda Phi, we sacrifice for thee,
The rest of the sorority joined in:
Our voices rise in harmony.
A love held strong by unity,
To you we vow eternally.
Sisters of power and purity,
We give our hearts and loyalty.
A lifelong bond of sorority
Forevermore, Phi Lambda Phi.

Mitsy called out:
Who are we?

Phi Lambda Phi!

What’s our motto?

Sacrifice, Unity, Power

Who are we?

Phi Lambda Phi!

What’s our vows?

Sisters ‘til our final hour!

Nick did his best to repeat the words, singing an entire octave higher than he thought possible.

He did remember the end part, and shouted with the rest, “Sisters ‘til our final hour!”

The faces passed in a congratulatory haze until Nick found he had to sit down. It didn’t take long for most of the others to head off to their own responsibilities.

A loud voice shouted from behind. “NIKKI!”

Nick barely had time to react before Zoey crushed him in a hug so hard he thought she might crack a rib. “I knew you could do it. I knew you could.”

Nick said, “Thanks.” It felt nice to be held tight in a woman’s arms. “Zoey?”

“Yeah?”

“Do you think you could help me work on my makeup skills this weekend?”

Zoey’s face looked like she might explode. “You know there’s nothing I like better than a makeover.”

“I appreciate it.”

“I hate to break this up but…” Nick noticed Gwen standing behind Zoey holding his backpack. “Ready to head back to the dorm?”

“I don’t want to leave.”

“I understand the feeling.” Gwen smiled, “I remember the night of my initiation. Ours was on a Friday night, and we partied until dawn.”

Nick shook his head. “I’m too tired to party.”

“Me too. The last few days have been exhausting for everyone.” Gwen handed Nick his bookbag. “Michele gave me your pledge manuals.”

“Thanks.” Nick threw the bag over his shoulder, the weight digging deep into his shoulder. “I can’t believe how much stuff they make us carry.”

“It’s important. You’ll need to study whenever you aren’t doing something else. Hell week is the week of Halloween. You’ll need to know it all by then.”

Nick’s face turned beet red, remembering the gift Miss Applebottom gave to him. “Did you look inside my bag?”

“It’s no big deal.” Gwen laughed. “That woman gives those out like party favors.”

“So embarrassing.”

“I keep mine on me all the time.” Gwen opened her purse, removing an item that looked several times larger than the tiny purse where she stored it. “See?”

Nick whispered. “I’m not keeping a dildo in my purse.”

Gwen said, “I’ll teach you the purse spell tomorrow. It’ll make carrying your books easier and so you can hide items you want on you at all times but would rather others not see.”

“I don’t need a dildo.”

“You say that now,” Gwen said, waving hers around. “A good dildo is every girl-witch’s friend.

Nick pleaded, “Can we change the subject?”

“Of course.” Gwen said, returning her dildo to her purse.

A voice called after them. “See ya this weekend, Nikki!”

Nick waved at Zoey. “See ya later, Zoey.”

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