Chapter 3 School Frat And Sorority

Alessandra Russo POV 

After a little searching, I found my dorm building and my room on the second floor. Thank goodness there was an elevator. I’d given up on the shoes in the registration office and hadn’t bothered to put the torture devices back on, despite the funny looks I was getting from other students as I walked around campus in my bare feet.

Opening the door, I stepped inside the dorm room which I was to share with a woman named Editha Wilson. I hoped I’d be the first to arrive, but that wasn’t the case. My new roommate was already settled in, lying on her bed and busy with something on her phone. Hearing me enter, Editha lowered the phone and smiled up at me. “Are you Alessandra?”

I nodded. “I am, you’re Editha?”

“Sure am. I hope you don’t mind I already chose this side of the room.” My eyes swept the room. There was no difference between the sides. Each side had a single bed against the wall, desk, and closet. The large window was smack dab in the center of the wall in front of me. The floors left much to be desired, they were a grey tile that looked very well worn. For the amount I paid to live here, I’d have expected the dorm room to be more - well, didn’t know exactly, but it reminded me of a double jail cell. The bathroom was just as I came in. Peeking inside there was no tub, just a shower and a small pedestal sink. The grey tile that was on the main room floor also covered the bathroom. Did they get a deal on the stuff and just run with it?

“No, doesn’t matter to me.” My eyes settled on my roommate again. She was a tall, slender, stunning woman with perfect chocolate brown skin and high cheekbones a model would kill for. She could easily have been a supermodel gracing the runways of Milan. Fashion Week was one of the few events I got to enjoy each year with my mother. “Oh good, so where are you from, I’m hearing a little accent.”

“I’m from Italy. Yourself?” Pulling my luggage into the room, I placed my largest suitcase on the bed and opened it up. Might as well unpack and get it over with.

She grinned, “I’m a Davao girl.”

When I didn’t respond, she continued, “Davao del Norte. I’m on an athletic scholarship. Couldn’t have afforded this place otherwise.” “That’s awesome. I’m envious, my athletic abilities are slim. What sport?” “Volleyball.” That made sense, she wasn’t standing but I’d guess she was close to six feet tall, almost as tall as my brothers. “I wish I was good with sports. They never were my thing. I’m a bit of a nerd to be honest. Most of my time is spent reading.” As I was putting my clothes away in the closet, I heard her getting up from her bed and crossing the room to me. “Is this real Louis Vuitton luggage?” I turned and saw her admiring the suitcases, carry-ons, and my handbag. They were all bought on my last trip with my mother and a slew of guards in Milan. I didn’t know the monetary value of them. Life for me when it came to material things was to point at it, say I wanted it, and it became mine. Money for me wasn’t an issue, but I suspected it was for her, and the last thing I wanted to come off as was a spoiled, rich girl. That would just lead to more questions I hadn’t devised answers to yet.

After considering her question a moment, I shook my head pretending to be embarrassed. “Nah, they’re all knock-offs. Really good ones though.”

“Wow, they sure are. My cousin sells knockoffs to tourists in Greenhills area.” She fingered the material and stitching of the seams. “The ones my cousin sells are good knock-offs, but not nearly as good as this.”

I shrugged. “It’s Italy, anything less than super fakes would be spotted immediately by people there.” If she knew I was rich then she’d want to know more, like what my family did for a living. I didn’t want anyone to know. I wanted people to like me for me, not for what I might have or what position my family kept. Perhaps it was a good thing my father ensured I didn’t have an online presence, it made it so much easier for me to be whoever I wanted myself to be while here. While I hated to lie to someone I was going to be spending every day with for the next nine or so months, it was for the best. It’s not like I could tell anyone the truth. I just had to keep certain things about my life back home and how I grew up to myself. Not lie about everything, but just keep out certain details. The bad stuff.

“Those are cool.”

She made her way back to her bed and flopped back down onto it. “So you’re first year I’m assuming.” I nodded.

“Me too. My sister graduated last year and was part of the sorority. She said that I have to join and since she was a member throughout her four years that I won’t have an issue getting in. She was also on a volleyball scholarship although she’s not nearly as good as me.”

She grinned and gave me a wink. “People seem to be really obsessed with the frat and sorority here.” Finished with putting everything in the closet, I sat down on the edge of the bed. “Is it that important to be part of?” Her dark eyes grew wide and she nodded. “Yeah. It’s extremely important. All the most influential families that have attended the college have been members. Being a part of one of them means you get doors opened for you once you graduate.” She gave me a lopsided grin. “Not to mention they have the best parties. You definitely want in if you can get in. I can have my sister put in a good word for you as well – if you like.”

“Yeah, I’d like that. Thank you.” Might as well make the most of my college years and if the sorority was where the action was at, then so be it.

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