Blended Ch 7

Just the sight of CCL House brings Piper anxiety. It’s a huge, plantation-style mansion on a hill outside Gurlberg, surrounded by relatively un-swampy woods. The size of the house, its age, the lack of central air evidenced by the dozen window units that Piper can see as she pulls up—it’s awful. Piper can never help but put herself in the shoes of whoever’s in charge, and she would not want to be responsible for this property on top of all the other drama and headache that goes with a sorority. She’s heard rumors about the president of CCL, but she must be a real psychopath masochist to being taking that role by choice.

The gravel parking lot, which might be too formal a term, is crowded. The house is loud. They’re listening to K-Pop Demon Hunters. What are they, twelve? Piper climbs up to the porch, tugging self-consciously at her Lord Gym tee. Maybe she’ll be lucky, and only the CCL girls she likes will be here.

She lets herself into the huge foyer, which is bearably cool. She smells cheap vodka, sweat, citrussy perfume, pizza, and Clorox wipes. She knows about a quarter of the people she sees.

Far from beautiful, Ying carries an aura of reassurance and dignity that makes her more desirable than any of CCL’s more traditionally attractive members. She breaks away from her group and comes to Piper. She glances at the boob situation, straining against the too-small tee, but does not comment.

“Are you here for Bella?” she asks.

“Yup. I love that top.”

“Thank you.” Ying smiles, hesitating. Her good manners win out, but Piper cuts her off.

“Did I see Flynn’s truck out there?”

“He is fixing the sink.”

“Is that a euphemism for knocking someone up?”

Ying shakes her head. “No. Leni is with him.”

“Oh, Leni. You temptress. I thought men couldn’t come in here. Or what was the rule? No penises allowed?”

“I think there were exceptions. But that rule is gone. Leni made that decision,” Ying says.

“How progressive. Why?”

“Because what if you wanted to come here? Or your sister? And we are trying to recruit Chadlee.” Ying waves a hand, but Bella appears before she can go on.

She staggers out of the kitchen, and Piper hurries to her. Bella is so soft and huggable. She smells like a Sephora with notes of booze and Hawaiian punch. Piper’s brain puts the pieces together effortlessly. There is actual punch, and it must be stronger than Bella expected or was led to believe. Nervous and out of her element, she over-indulged. She didn’t sound too bad on the phone; she’s not fucked up. But for all Piper knows, this is the drunkest that Bella’s ever been.

“Hey, sweetie. You’re OK.” Piper hugs her and smiles at Ying. “Did the bad women give you a strong drink?”

“I’m OK.” Bella sounds breathless. She squeezes Piper without reservation. “I’m good. Thanks for coming. I drank too much. I can’t drive.” Oh, yeah. She’s only one rung above buzzed.

“It’s fine. Let’s get you out of here.”

“Wait.” Bella pulls free, eyes wide. She hesitates, sweat on her forehead. Her eyes dart left and right. “I don’t want to throw up.”

Before Piper can reply, Bella hurries off. Startled, Piper rallies quickly. She needs to go with Bella and hold her hair, but the way is suddenly blocked by a radiant blonde with piercing, blue eyes. It’s Kylie Smith, and Piper’s night is going downhill fast.