I should have been happier than I had been in a long time. I had the one thing I had been working towards since I joined the ZBZ's. President. Acting President, but president all the same. I was to head up the Cyrus Rhodes chapter of the Zeta Beta Zeta sorority until an official election could be held.

Like I said, I should be happy. But sitting at my very cluttered desk, in my new room, the one with the balcony that I had always wanted, I felt like I was drowning. Fran had indeed left a mess. A mess that I had two days to work out before the representative from national, someone called Cyndi Matthews, showed up at my door wanting answers.

The stack of papers I was raking through were making my head ache and I suddenly had a sobering image of all the responsibility that rested on Fran's somewhat shallow shoulders. How had she managed to screw things up so royally ?

I was working through the receipts that were supposed to account for all the members fees for the last month. Something told me that when Ms. Matthews arrived she would not be thrilled to hear that Fran had a part of our budget set aside for the ' President's Wardrobe'. I had receipts for shoes and make up and a new suede skirt that, while I'm sure was adorable, wasn't supposed to be purchased with the house's money.

Then there was the other pile of papers, the ones marked with lots of colorful red ink, blaring words at me like ' last notice ' and ' past due'. That was the pile that truly had me worried. The electric company was not going to care whether or not our president had miss used funds. All they were going to be concerned about was whether I could pay them or not and at the moment I was beginning to lean more towards the negative.

Maybe I could make an adventure out of it. We could light a fire in the fireplace and roast marshmallows and sing camp songs all night after the lights got turned off.

The thought made me realize exactly how crazy I was making myself and I stood up and began to pace around the spacious room. I still wasn't completely moved in. It was the least of my worries at the moment. I had everything I needed for the time being, my night clothes, my teddy bear, my toothbrush and my computer. Everything else would get here eventually.

Still it made the room seem so empty, cold and impersonal. I wished there were two beds suddenly. I had no idea how I was going to sleep without Ashleigh in the room with me. She had been my roommate for the last two years. I wasn't used to sleeping alone, I hadn't done it since high school.

I hadn't heard a word from Evan since our fight in the quad and that was really bothering me. I really needed him at the moment and of course he was no where to be found. The only time I had seen him was when I was inducted to the Greek Council two days before. He wasn't the only one at that particular meeting.

I felt Cappie watching me through the entire meeting. But it felt different. I didn't feel like I was being undressed from afar. I felt more like I was being studied, like I was under a microscope. It was unnerving and strange coming from him. I wasn't sure what that was about.

A knocking at the door brought my attention back to the present and I answered it quickly.

Ashleigh blew inside followed by her new little sis, Angela, I found out that was indeed her name.

" We have a major crisis brewing. " Ashleigh told me as she made herself comfortable on the foot of my bed.

" What now ? " I demanded as I sat down hard in my desk chair and let my shoulders slump with the weight that was pushing on them.

" We have an event coming up, the dance contest. Its a tradition. We do it every year and everyone on campus is looking forward to it. " she explained.

I nodded. I was well aware of the upcoming contest. " And..."

" And, " she sighed. " We don't have any of our paperwork in for the contest. None of our event request forms, or noise permits... nothing. "

I looked at her like she was insane. The contest was planned for the end of the next week. I couldn't believe that Fran hadn't gotten any of the forms filled out, none of the plans made.

" Are you telling me that we have nothing done for the contest ? " I asked, looking wide eyed in disbelief.

" Nothing. No food, no music, no request forms, no permits, no theme. We have no plans of any sort for the upcoming social event of the semester, besides the Mount Vesuvius party that is. " She explained.

" Oh my God. " I breathed. " I haven't even read the chapters in the book that cover everything we need in order to host an event but I know its a huge chapter. There are all kinds of permits and request forms I haven't even heard of that have to be filed before the party. "

" Well, I don't know what we need. " Ashleigh sighed. " I just know we don't have what we need. "

Angela shifted from leaning against the doorway where she had been standing this entire time silently and obtrusive. But finally she spoke up. " Aren't you friends with any of the other Greek presidents. Couldn't they maybe help you out ? "

I thought about that for a moment. Danielle Jackson, the Tri Pi president surely wouldn't help. They hated us and would love it if our event didn't go well. Evan and I weren't speaking.

" Maybe " Ashleigh perked up brightly. " What you need is someone who is a professional at putting together parties. "

I shook my head vehemently. " No way, Ash. " I said. I knew exactly what she was thinking. " You have no idea how badly things went to other night. I am not asking him for a favor. He told me to leave him alone. And that is exactly what I'm going to do. "

Ashleigh shrugged and stood, heading for the door. " Okay, I just wonder how it's going to look when you aren't able to put together your first event as president. "

I sighed heavily and glanced at the phone sitting on the corner of my desk. " Ashleigh, I can't. "

But she and her follower were already gone, shutting the door behind them.

I stared at the phone like I was expecting it to jump up and do a little dance any second. There was no way I could call him and ask him for help. At the moment, I couldn't afford to be seen with him, rather less have him helping me plan something like this. If word got out, I would never be the permanent president of the sorority.

I grabbed the phone and decided to go a different, all be it, just as difficult, route.

Punching the number, I only waited for it to ring once before Evan answered.

" Hi, Casey. What do you need ? " His tone was brisk and cold, very unwelcoming indeed.

" I just wanted to talk to you. " I lied. " Why do you assume I need anything ? "

" Because amazingly, I haven't talked to you since your election. I just figured you got what you needed from me. You got your presidency. You wouldn't be calling me if you didn't need something. "

I was hurt and shocked. What the hell was I doing to make everyone in the world think so badly of me.

Pretending, I answered myself without hesitating. I was pretending to be everything that I wasn't and up until now, I believed no one had seen through my facade. Apparently I was completely wrong.

" That isn't what happened, Evan. I've just been very busy. " I explained.

" Really ? " he asked. " With who ? "

Again I was shocked. " With the house. You have no idea what a mess Fran left here. I'm drowning. I don't know what I'm doing. "

His laugh was testy and sardonic. " So you need my help after all. Of course you need me. I knew it all along. "

" Evan, it isn't like that. " I protested, but deep down I knew it was a lie. Truthfully, I hadn't thought about Evan since this whole disaster began. He had every reason to hate me.

" It is exactly like that, Casey, and I can't do this anymore. I'm done. Call someone else to be your hero. I'm hanging up my armor. Good luck with the Sorority. Good luck with everything. "

He disconnected before I even had a chance to argue.

He was right. I was a miserable excuse for a human. I did everything wrong and everything fell apart because of it. It seemed the harder I tried to hold everything together the more fucked up it got. That's right, fucked up. I was always told that proper ladies didn't speak like that, but there wasn't any other term that applied so well and I was tired of being a proper lady.

In that moment, more than anything else I wanted to drink beer until I puked, danced until my feet hurt, watch '300' for the three hundredth time. I wanted to scream obscenities off that cliff. I wanted to eat pie in bed.

I wanted Cappie.

No, scratch that, I needed Cappie. For the first time in longer than I could remember, I really felt like I needed him. Not the other way around.

I grabbed my phone and pushed the button I needed to push in order to fulfill a promise I made before everything went to hell. I called my parents.

" Mom, It's me. " I said as soon as I heard her reassuring voice on the other end.

" Hi, Sweetie. How have you been ? We just talked to Rusty. He said things were pretty messy for you right now. "

" Yeah, that's putting it pretty mildly. " I sighed. Then shook myself. " Can I ask you something ? "

" Sure, Honey. What do you need ? " she answered automatically.

" I don't need anything except an answer. " I assured her, wanting her to know I wasn't calling for a favor or money.

" Okay, I'll do my best. " I could hear her warm smile through the phone and it made me want to hang up and make the ten hour drive home, just so I could see it in person.

" Are you and Daddy happy ? " I asked, without preamble.

" Of course we are. What kind of question is that ? Have we ever appeared like we weren't ? "

" It's just that... " I let my voice trail off while I tried to put the words together correctly. I didn't want to offend her by explaining it wrong. " I've watched you struggle financially my entire life. If you had a choice of not being with Daddy, but having all the money you would ever need, would you take Daddy or the money ? "

She was quiet for a moment and I really thought she was thinking about her choices. I was a little surprised by that. I wasn't really expecting her to think about it.

But when she spoke again, it calmed all my fears. " Casey, is that how you see your childhood ? Like we were struggling for everything we had ? "

" No, I know we had what we needed, Mom. I just know we couldn't have everything we wanted. " I answered.

" Honey, I promise you without a doubt in my mind, I would never have changed anything about the life I choose for myself. I am extremely proud of my life in fact. "

I felt a rush of relief I didn't know how to explain. " So you'd choose Daddy and no money. " I confirmed.

" I'd choose exactly what I have, a wonderful, fulfilling marriage that makes me happy just thinking about it, two children I couldn't be prouder of and the security of knowing I have everything I need. But Casey, Honey, You're father and I are everything we need. "

" What ? " I asked, confused.

" I mean, as long as we have you kids and each other, we don't need anything else. I personally feel better knowing that you didn't have everything you wanted growing up. It means you appreciated the things you got. I know that you and Rusty never took anything for granted. And that made it much more special than if it had been handed to you on a silver platter. "

She paused before continuing. " What is this all about ? "

" I just had a decision to make and I think you helped me make it. I just hope I'm not too late. " I answered.

" Too late for what ? Are you and Evan having problems ? " She sounded concerned now.

" We broke up, Mom. It's over. " It surprised me that my only involuntary emotional response to that statement was to finger the chain around my neck that still carried his letters.

Last time I called to tell her something like that, I thought she was going to drive to my room so she could make it better. I was a wreck. Of course, then I was telling her that I broke up with someone I really loved.

" Are you okay ? You sound okay. " she asked.

" I'm fine, Mom. I'm really fine. I think it's been over for a while now. I just didn't realize it. Actually he broke up with me, to tell the truth. "

" What happened ? "

" He overheard a conversation I had with Rusty. " I told her vaguely.

" I'm a little shocked, honestly. I was half expecting you to tell me you were engaged. What could you have said to Rusty to make him break it off ? " she asked.

I took a deep breath and plunged ahead. My parents weren't huge Cappie fans. They didn't hate him, they just thought he lacked a bit of vision. I was hoping she wouldn't be too disappointed in my choice.

" I told Rusty that Cappie and I loved each other and Evan overheard me. "

" And do you ? " she asked quietly.

" I do, Mom. I love him. I never stopped. I have done my best to get over him, to make this feeling go away, but it won't. I can't make it stop. " I was crying now and I batted at my eyes uselessly.

She didn't say anything for a long while. I was afraid I had really made her angry.

" You know, " she began finally. " My parents didn't like your father at first. They said I could do better. Told me he didn't have any ambition. "

I braced myself for the lecture that I sensed was coming. The last thing I wanted at the moment was to hear about all of Cappie's short comings.

" I insisted they were wrong. I told them I loved your father and I had to do what I had to do. Well, I guess you know how that turned out. " She was smiling again. I could hear it. " So if you really love him, I mean really love him. If he is what you want and what you need to have everything, then I'm happy for you. "

I felt like my heart was bursting. I let out a loud breath I hadn't realized I was holding. " Thank you, Mom. I needed to hear that. "

" Now, tell me why you think you might be too late. "

" We had a fight. He said he didn't want to see me anymore. " I answered and I was crying harder now.

" Well, Honey, I'm sure you can talk to him. If he loves you like you love him, it will all work out. "

" I hope so. That fight was so... " I searched for the word. " Final. "

" I thought you said that nothing had ever been final where he was concerned. " she answered. " Talk to him. You'll make him see. "

" I will. " I promised. " Thank you, Mom. I know you were hoping for great things with Evan. "

" I was hoping for you to be happy. That's all I've ever wanted for you and Rusty both. Now, get off the phone with me and make yourself that way. "

I hung up with a quick I love you and dialed Rusty's phone. I wanted to feel everything out first before heading into something I wasn't sure about.

Rusty answer's was a bit too slurred and relaxed for him to be sober, so I knew he was at the house. Either that or at Doppler's.

"It's me. " I said.

" I know, Your name lights up all pretty when you call. What's up ? How is everything, Madam President ? "

I winced at the title. " Everything is all messed up. I actually need a favor. "

I could hear music in the background and a certain amount of glass clanging. And every once in a while I thought I heard a voice that made my stomach flop. I was a bit jealous that Rusty got to sit at his house with him, talk to him, even just be close to him.

" What is it ? How can I help ? " he asked.

" It isn't you I need the favor from, " I paused for dramatic effect. " It's Cappie. "

The phone went silent and I thought he had hung up on me. A few minutes later he came back and it was suddenly much quieter. " No, " he answered in a firm voice that left no room for argument.

I was a little dismayed by his reaction.

" What ? "

" I said, no. You said that the only way for both of you to move on was to stay away from each other and I agree. You need to stay away. He's better now. He's moving on and things need to stay that way. I can't let you come around and screw it up for him. "

Whoa ! My mind screamed. What the hell did that mean, moving on ? Was he seeing someone ? Was he over me so completely that it showed on his face ? Was I really too late ?

" What do you mean he's moving on ? " I asked, in a voice I didn't recognize as my own.

" He's seeing someone and he's happy about it. Leave this alone. " he insisted.

" Who ? " my voice was weak and fragile now and I hated it.

" Danielle Jackson. " he answered.

My blind went completely numb. I was having a bit of trouble focusing on what Rusty was saying. I could tell that he was explaining exactly who Danielle Jackson was, like I didn't already know, but I couldn't concentrate on the words.

" I need his help, Rusty. " I said finally. " If he's moved on, then great. That's wonderful. But I have no idea what I'm doing here with the sorority and he knows about this stuff. Can you just ask him for me, if he's so happy with Danielle, " I couldn't keep the bitter tone out of my voice at saying her name. I'm sure he heard it. " then it won't matter, right ? "

" Why don't you just ask Evan for help ? He is the president of his Fraternity, too. He knows everything Cappie does. Probably more. " he suggested.

" Evan and I broke up. He isn't talking to me. I have an event coming up in two weeks and I have no plans for it. Its a campus tradition. If this thing fails, they will never elect me president permanently. "

I could hear him thinking over the phone. Finally, he said, " I'll let him know what's going on, if he chooses, he'll call you. If not, you're on your own. Don't push it. "

I agreed and thanked him quickly.

Then I settled back to wait for the phone to ring. Just knowing that the next person that called might be Cappie made my heartbeat faster.

It wasn't over and I was going to use every resource in my 'Cappie' arsenal to prove it to him.