The Pledge by Laura Ward, Christine Manzari Read Free Book Online Page A

the shop, having claimed she was too full from pizza for frozen yogurt.
    “Ooooh! I think I need that dress over there.” Julie pointed to the boutique window next door and walked over, peering through the glass at a hot pink dress.
    I looked around Route One, the main road that ran along campus, as I ate small bites of my chocolate FroYo. The street was filled with funky stores, as well as the typical college-town bars, restaurants, and take-out places. Small wrought iron tables sat clustered in front of a café, where students lingered, eating and talking. I smiled at the peaceful image, but then my grin vanished.
    Alec Hart. I’d recognize him anywhere.
    He leaned back and laughed, tagging a blond guy on the arm. The guy smacked the back of Alec’s head and a tiny brunette leaned close to Alec and spoke into his ear. His grin grew bigger, and his head turned in my direction as he spoke to her.
    I plastered my back against the brick wall of the coffee shop. Don’t let him see me. Don’t let him see me. My heart stopped beating. I was sure it did.
    After a few moments, I ventured another look to where he sat. Thankfully, he hadn’t noticed me. God, he looked so hot. Why did jerks like him get to be hot? It made hating them that much harder. The small girl next to him ran her fingers up his leg, resting them high on his thigh. My face burned. They were a couple. Of course, they were together. She was beautiful. He was gorgeous. Pretty people paired up. That was how it worked in life. Everything was easy for pretty people.
    The bells on the door of the coffee shop jingled as Alexis came out, sipping a large cup of steaming coffee. “That place is so cute. They even have live music on Tuesday nights.”
    Noticing that Alexis had returned, Julie joined us and we crossed the street to head back to campus. Alexis was chatting away about the coffee shop, but I barely heard a word.
    Alec Hart.
    I couldn’t believe he was here at my college. I didn’t want anyone here knowing about the old Taren, and Alec knew it all. Those painful memories needed to stay away. Fuck it. I would just leave Alec Hart and my ridiculous crush where it belonged. In my past.
    As we passed by the upperclassmen dormitories, a guy called out to us from where he stood in front of one of the buildings.
    “Hey girls! Looking good!”
    “I’m pretty sure he’s referencing the oral skills Julie’s demonstrating as she works over that yogurt,” Alexis whispered, her nose wrinkled.
    “No one has ever complained about my oral skills.” Julie ran her tongue along the edge of the cone in a way that made me blush.
    “Hey,” the guy yelled, clearly not discouraged by the fact that we never answered his first catcall. “Need a ride?”
    I looked back over my shoulder because, well hell, it was a long walk back to the dorms. If he had a car, that might be worth a “hello.”
    The guy smirked when he caught my eye. “I’ve been told I’m a great ride.”
    I didn’t see any car, only a loser palming his junk. I whipped my head back around. “Jesus. I thought guys were only that douchey in movies.”
    “Nope, that there is a real, live jackass.” Julie rolled her eyes.
    “You know what they say?” The guy followed us, hoping to get another reaction. We ignored him and continued walking. “Need a date? Try a Gamma. You three gotta be Tri-Gams for sure.”
    I looked at Alexis and shook my head. Ah. A fraternity dude classifying us by a sorority house. How wonderfully judgmental of him. We picked up our pace, refusing to respond, and he stopped stalking us.
    “It just goes to prove that what I’ve been telling you since last week is true.” Julie walked with her chin held high and chest puffed out.
    “What?” I threw my cup and spoon in the trash can.
    “Have you heard of Tri-Gam?” she asked. Alexis and I shook our heads. “He’s talking about Gamma Gamma Gamma. It’s the hottest sorority on campus. They only take beautiful girls who