Science Ch 14

The foyer used to be decorated with framed photos and newspaper clippings relevant to the sorority, but that was all taken down when they cleared the place out for renovation. The walls are covered in discolored rectangles where things used to hang. Only half the bulbs in the chandelier-style light fixture work, and several of them flicker. Nothing looks real in the half-light, especially so late when everyone’s tired.

“There’s definitely something here,” Meri says gravely. She seems a bit shaken, and admittedly, the vibe in the foyer is weird. Everyone holds a La Croix; rushing around the house is thirsty work.

Wearing clean clothes and entirely too much cologne, you hang away from the others.

Apple’s lobster-red face and slightly glazed eyes haven’t gone unnoticed, but people are focused on the mission, not her.

“We’ve never found readings like this anywhere. In fact, we’ve never found any readings at all,” Colby admits, a little sheepishly. “Until now.”

“I get that you’re not comfortable with cameras, but I really want to push you,” Meri says. “We need to get you all out of here and us in for a night. There’s something in here. I’ve never been able to say that before.” Her eyes look wild, as though she doesn’t quite believe it herself. “We have to get a look at it. We have to.”

“We’ll think about it,” Tracy assures her.

You can’t avoid shaking hands with Scott before he follows the girls out. He gives nothing away, but he can read between the lines. You’ll just have to hope that he doesn’t have a crush on Apple or something. You have, miraculously, never gotten your ass kicked over one of your irresponsible hookups. But it’s sure to happen at some point. You’d hate for it to be Scott.

“We gonna talk about this?” Nadia says after they’re gone, as Rey, Delta, and Delilah linger awkwardly in the big foyer. Your mother is already determinedly marching up the stairs, and you know why. Things have happened, but tonight’s the first time she’s ever had to watch you do something like that. It has to be beyond uncomfortable for her. It certainly is for you.

“I’m taking a shower and going to bed,” your mother replies without looking back. Her tone is gentle, as usual, but everyone can still sense the danger. Even Nadia, attorney at law, doesn’t argue. She turns to the rest of you.

“Not sure what that’s about, but what are we thinking?”

“Scott looks good,” Rey says. “There’s a guy with demons. But he seemed chill.”

“Yeah,” you agree.

Delta glowers at her phone.

“Hey.” Nadia snaps her fingers several times. “Focus. Haunting.”

“It’s cool that they got readings,” Delta says. “It’s like… vindicating. Kind of.”

You scratch your head and grimace.

Nadia’s eyes narrow. “Flynn.”

“What?”

“Whatever you’re thinking so hard about, fucking say it before I kick you in the nuts,” Nadia says, pointing a finger.

You look to your sisters for help; they’re as startled as you are by Nadia’s ferocity, but they won’t back you. “Seems harsh,” you mumble.

“Flynn, we’re haunted. I don’t care about your delicate feelings. What happened?”

“Apple got haunted,” you say, avoiding eye contact.

Delta’s mouth drops open. She smacks your arm several times. “Are you kidding me?”

“Whoa! Whoa!” You put your hands up and back away. “She was on offense! She was haunted! It’s not me! I’m telling you because it matters…” You trail off, and they see your thoughtful expression.

“What’s wrong?” Rey asks worriedly.

“I don’t know, but something doesn’t line up. I guess I thought it was just us who are haunted, not the house, but… they were in here. Whatever.” You shake your head. “I just wanted to mention it. I guess we already knew with Delilah at least a little bit, but I think we should be careful who we let in here.”

“No shit,” Delta says bitterly.

“It’s good that you told us,” Nadia says, shooting her a look. “We’ll probably need a rule about this.”

“I, um, did feel…” Delilah trails off with a frown, glancing at Rey. “Would it sound crazy if I said that I got a little bit haunted, but not as haunted at Rey seemed to be?”

“Apple was pretty haunted,” you insist.

Delilah shrugs. “Anyway, Flynn did her a favor if he boned her,” Delilah adds.

Rey arches an eyebrow. “Oh?”

“Yeah. Me and Meri figured she would have to do one of those desperate, you know, go to a party—you know, like Superbad. Or those movies where losers are trying to lose their virginity. But now she doesn’t have to do all that.”

Delta rubs her temples. “You at least used a condom, right?” You hesitate a moment too long before you can lie. Delta kicks you in the shin.

“Oh, man,” Nadia says worriedly.

“If she’s preggo, you have to marry her,” Rey announces.

“I’m sure she’s on birth control,” you say lamely.

“I’m not,” Delta says, eyes wide.

“I love weddings,” Nadia says with a sigh. “You’d think that I wouldn’t because I’m divorced, but I do. Or maybe I just want to dance and eat cake.”

Delilah nudges you with her elbow. “She’s from Ireland and her family’s loaded. She’s your ticket out of this shithole.”

“Is Ireland better?” you ask.

“I mean, they have healthcare.”

“OK, I’m going to bed.” Your mom had the right idea. “Goodnight, everybody. Thanks for being sensitive about my feelings.”

“Yeah, uh, thanks for, uh, taking my friend’s virginity and maybe knocking her up,” Delilah says as you start up the stairs.