darknightcat: I don't want to give anything away, but there MAY BE a talk. haha.

dove in love: I love your optimism. :)

Casey's POV

It has been less than 24 hours since Alex told me about her pregnancy and I'm trying my hardest not to let our situation get too awkward. By some miracle, we were able to enroll in the same classes for this quarter, but now I find myself wondering if that was a good idea. On our way to class, she grabbed my hand and I made her let go. I told her I didn't want people staring at us, but what I really wanted was for her not to touch me regardless of where we were. I understand that it's her body and her decision, but I wish she wouldn't have gotten my hopes up about this. Alex doesn't understand how much I want this baby. She just sees this baby as Mike's and not ours. After we left Megan's apartment, she told me that this was something she had to do because she couldn't see herself loving him or her. Alex thinks that every time she'd look at this baby, she'd be reminded of what happened that night. I can't say that I blame her, but this is something I know I can help her through. She wouldn't be on her own; she'd have me, but apparently I'm just not good enough for her.

Although the school day was awkward, it went by quickly. The first day of each quarter always does. Usually, professors just explain the syllabus and we're on our way out. Alex, of course, had her glasses on and was meticulously taking notes, perfectly organized, color-coded notes to be exact. Ordinarily, I think it's cute when Alex does that, but today I was annoyed. I hate that she has to be so damn perfect all the time. She needs to understand that it's okay for life to be chaotic and unpredictable at times. Now I know why Sasha calls her the Ice Queen. I never wanted to understand that nickname, but I actually do now. Alex is an Ice Queen and now I'm not so sure if I'd be willing to spend the rest of my life with someone who doesn't even take into consideration what I want.

The only thing that will keep me sane is finding a life and interests outside of Alex. Never would I have imagined myself as the type who'd attend a sorority's Rush Week events, but Allegra talked me into it. She's the president of Gamma Pi Delta or "G-Pi" as she calls it. Monique and Jennifer are also on the executive board, and Sasha is Rush Chair. Plus, my suitemates Sarafina and Belinda are also in it. I told Sarafina that I was going to be a Rushee and she literally jumped for joy. "Casey, we're going to be sisters!" she told me. Belinda added, "We're going to get you so fucked up, like every day and we can have matching suitemate G-Pi sweatshirts!" Monique and Jennifer said it's not about the drugs or the partying, it's more about finding a niche on campus and forming a close-knit bond with your sisters. Then Allegra added that that's all bullshit and she originally joined for the purpose of drinking and getting laid, a goal that she obviously achieved.

I wanted to tell Alex about Rushing, but I know she'd complain about the sorority taking time away from her. It's always about Alex. As I'm about to leave her dorm, she finally decides to talk to me.

"You look cute. Where are you going?"

"Out," I reply.

"What time are you coming back, babe?"

"Can't say. Don't wait up for me."

I walk upstairs to my dorm to meet Sarafina and Belinda who are going to walk me over to the Rush event.

"I'm excited, Casey. Are you excited?" Belinda asks.

"Yeah," I respond.

"What did you just say?"

"I said I'm fucking stoked!" I tell her.

"That's what I want to hear, bitch." Belinda says as she gives me a hug and a quick shot of vodka.

After four more shots, I finally start to feel relaxed. Before I started college, Caleb told me what Rush is like for girls. "They judge your hair, your clothes, your make-up, and how pretty you are," he said. I asked about personality and he started laughing at me. "You're a sweet girl, Casey. They'd eat you alive." Sarafina and Belinda promise me that this sorority isn't like that so I'm willing to give them the benefit of the doubt.

"Casey, how are you and Alex?" Sarafina asks.

"Fuck Alex," I reply. "She's such a selfish bitch."

"You're drunk already?" Belinda asks me. "You have to be. I know you'd never say anything bad about Alex if you were sober."

"Can we just not talk about her?" I ask. "Besides, doesn't the event start in 15 minutes?"

"Oh fuck, I forgot about that. We need to get going like ASAP," Sarafina says.

The girls and I quickly drink bottles of water on the way to the event to sober up.

When we get to the event, Allegra pulls me aside.

"Casey, I need to talk to you. Alejandra Cortes is here."

"What?"

"I know. It's awkward. She's been all over me and it's kinda creeping me out."

"Oh my god, do you think she's some kind of spy for Alex?"

"Casey, Alex wouldn't do that. I slept with Alejandra a few days before I met Megan and now she swears I'm hers. I know I told you she's a total bitch and she is, but she just looked really hot that night. I totally thought she had a girlfriend though. That's why I slept with her."

"Homewrecker!" I tease.

"Bitch! That was my past. I'm a one-woman woman now. Anyway, I just wanted to tell you not to let her psyche you out. You have way more girls on your side than she does."

"Thanks, Allegra. What does she look like so I know who I'm supposed to watch out for?"

"Trust me, you'll know her when you see her. Now go mingle with the other Rushees. These might be your line sisters, Casey. Start bonding."

I'm familiar with almost all of the active sisters and there are nine Rushees other than myself. All I need to do is a quick process of elimination to find out which of these girls is the dreaded Alejandra.

As I'm about to walk over to some of the Rushees, a cute girl with strawberry blonde hair approaches me.

"Are you Casey Novak?"

"Yeah. And you are…?"

"Chelsea Jenkins. I'm a Rushee too."

"Awesome."

"Do you know a girl named Marissa who goes to USC?"

I start to get nervous. "Yeah, her and I dated for awhile back in January. Why?"

"I'm Marissa's girlfriend," she says as she glares at me.

"Chelsea, I'm sorry. I didn't even know she had a girlfriend and I broke it off with her as soon as I found out."

"So I take you two had sex a few times and then she told you?"

"Yes and I felt horrible about it. My girlfriend had broke up with me and I met Marissa at a party and we just started seeing each other."

"So you're telling me that my girlfriend was your rebound skank?"

"I didn't mean it like that," I try to convince her.

"Marissa's right about you being a skeazy little whore," she tells me.

"And she's right about you being a frigid bitch," I tell her. "Why do you think she came to me when she wanted to get laid?"

Oh my god, Casey. What did you just say to this girl? Have you snapped into sorority mode already? She has every right to be mad at you. You had sex with her girlfriend, repeatedly.

"Chelsea, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to say that."

"No worries, but you should know I'm going to make this pledge process a living hell for you. Byees," she says as she struts away.

I look for Allegra so I could tell her about what just happened, but she seems to be occupied at the moment. I find her sitting down and being massaged by a bronze goddess with long black hair and dark eyes.

"You look so sexy with your hair in a ponytail," this girl tells Allegra. "I bought some new lingerie yesterday. Your favorite color. Want me to model it for you tonight?"

"Alejandra, I have a girlfriend and so do you," Allegra tells her. Oh fuck, that is Alejandra? This is the girl who brought Alex out of the closet? Had this girl been my first kiss, I would have come out of the closet right away too. She's so breathtakingly beautiful, but I shouldn't be looking at her. I'm with Alex. I'm with Alex. Oh, well. Looking never hurt anyone.

"Kelly and I are in an open relationship, Allegra. She doesn't mind if I have a little fun."

"Yeah, but Megan and I aren't in an open relationship."

"Oh. That's too bad," Alejandra tells Allegra as she starts running her fingertips along Allegra's arms.

I decide it's time to intervene. "Allegra, there you are! Some of your sisters are looking for you. They said they need their president's advice on something." It's a total lie but Allegra seems grateful to get away from Alejandra.

"Oh, right. Thanks, Casey," she says before leaving.

"Casey! Casey Novak?"

"Yeah," I respond.

"OMG! You're Alex's fiancé?" she says as she gives me a hug. "I'm Alejandra. Alex and I go way back. It's so nice to meet you."

"Likewise."

"You should really hang out with us sometime! I'm always telling Alex to bring you along, but she never wants to for some reason. She could be such a bitch, you know?"

"Umm…yeah…I guess," I tell her hesitantly.

"Alex never told me how hot you are," Alejandra tells me. I must admit, if I were single I'd sleep with this girl in an instant.

"Don't you have a crush on Allegra?" I ask her.

"Oh, of course not. I don't need to have crushes. I just get what I want and Allegra is simply fantastic in bed."

"I wouldn't know. She's like family to me."

Alejandra giggles. "You're so adorable, Casey. I hope I get to see more of you. You can take that statement any way you like," she tells me as playfully touches my hand.

This is day one of Rush Week and there are at least six weeks of the actual pledge process. How the hell am I going to survive this?