The Pledge Strikes Back
It was Elise’s turn. “OK, Darlings,” she smiled, “Let’s see how well you know the Alexion’s Pledge.”
Elise leaned forward, her eyes sharp. “Julian, let’s start with you. Recite the first sentence of the pledge—word for word.”
Julian hesitated, then recovered, “I solemnly swear to the Sisterhood of Gamma Delta my, uhh… my steadfast devotion as a member of the Alexionian Society.”
Elise nodded, “Not bad, but don’t stumble over the words. I’ll let it slide this time. A point for you.”
Julian exhaled in relief.
Tara continued, “Milo, what do you vow to respect and follow according to the pledge?”
Milo fidgeted with his skirt and stammered, “Uh, our values.”
Tara sighed, shaking her head. “The exact words are, ‘Gamma Delta’s values.’ You lose a point.”
Cassidy looked to Owen. “Owen, the pledge mentions three qualities you must embrace. Name them.”
Owen started confidently—none of the boys could forget “chastity.” He answered, “chastity, modesty, and… and… kindness.” He finished uncertainly.
Cassidy raised an eyebrow. “It’s chastity, modesty, and GRACE,” she corrected him, "Kindness is not until the next part. Another point lost.”
Madison tapped her pen. “Nate, besides kindness, what else do you seek to embody?”
Nate blurted out nervously. “Loyalty and obedience.”
“Those are correct, Madison replied evenly, “but you got the order wrong. I’ll let you have the point, but don’t make that mistake again.”
“Milo,” Tara asked, “what are you given in the pledge?”
Milo, relieved, replied more confidently, “the privilege of service.”
Tara smiled. “And how does the Pledge tell you to feel about that privilege?” she asked expectantly.
“Thankful,” Milo replied immediately. Then he realized his mistake, No, I mean—"
“Grateful,” Tara cut him off with a disappointed look, "you are GRATEFUL for the privilege of service. So that’s a plus one and a minus one—a wash.”
Madison said, “Let’s wrap this up. Nate, impress me. Recite the last line of the Pledge please.”
Nate answered nervously. He had studied this, but the stress of the moment made him falter, “These things I pledge with all my heart, and all my soul, to Gamma Delta.”
Madison tutted slightly, “almost, but you left out perhaps the most important word: ‘Sisterhood.’ You make your pledge to the ‘Sisterhood of Gamma Delta.’ Minus one for that.”
The Sisters exchanged pointed glances, clearly unimpressed. Elise sighed, “We’re not asking for perfection on everything, but your pledge is one of the most important things you should know. If you don’t know the words, how can you live them?” The question hung pointedly in the air for an awful moment.
The questions shifted back to Gamma Delta history, facts and lore, and they got trickier. Elise, her eyes sparkling, asked for the name of the Gamma Delta house’s original architect. The boys faltered. Tara then posed a question about the significance of the Gamma Delta flower, the Cream-Colored Rose, which prompted a round of blank stares. The group’s score steadily dwindled. Historical dates tangled in their memories, facts about Gamma Delta legends grew fuzzy, and a couple of times the boys struggled to fill in gaps with wild guesses.
Madison spoke up, her tone brisk and somewhat frustrated. “These are literally some of the most basic facts about Gamma Delta—things you should know by heart if you’ve applied yourself at all,” she said, “It should be a piece of cake after having two whole days to study!”
After several more questions, the pop quiz mercifully ended. “Well…” Madison said judgingly, “I suppose we still have work ahead of us.” Then she added in disappointment, “Gamma Delta deserves… and demands… more.”
Nervous energy coursed through the room as the boys squirmed under the weight of the Sisters’ disappointment. Milo reached down with unsteady hands to smooth out the pleats of his skirt. The delicate fabric fluttered beneath his nervous fingers, which seemed to betray his every effort to appear calm. He forced a deep breath, but his nerves refused to settle, making his gestures fussy and uncertain.
Beside him, Nate perched uncomfortably on the edge of his dainty little stool, his posture stiff as he self-consciously drew his knees together. He attempted to arrange his legs with awkward, almost tentative grace. The smooth, cool embrace of his white tights was ever-present—a tactile reminder of his transformation, whispering against his skin with every slight movement and making him all the more acutely aware of his unfamiliar attire.
Julian pressed his adorable navy flats against the polished floor, the soles making barely a sound. He subtly rocked, struggling to keep his fidgeting under control. Despite his best efforts, nervous energy seemed to radiate from his entire body, every shift and shuffle betraying his lack of confidence. His fingers gripped the hem of his skirt, twisting the material as he tried to ground himself in the moment.
Owen sat with his hands folded tightly in his lap, and he became increasingly aware of the slick lip gloss coating his lips. He could feel its faint, sticky sheen every time he reflexively pressed his lips together. Each little reminder of his outward appearance seemed to magnify his embarrassment.
None of the boys dared to meet each other’s eyes. Their cheeks were flushed, and whenever their gazes risked crossing paths, they immediately looked away, focusing instead on their shoes, their skirts, or the floor. They sat in a tense, silent row.
Breaking the heavy silence again, Madison straightened and fixed the boys with a level gaze. “Look at me—all of you,” she commanded firmly. Hesitantly, they lifted their eyes, faces flushed with residual embarrassment. Madison’s expression was stern. “I want each of you to understand something important. Gamma Delta isn’t just about cute outfits or quizzes. It’s about sisterhood, dedication, and respect for what this organization stands for.” She paused, ensuring their attention. “You Delta Darlings made a deal and a promise to uphold the standards of this house. Tonight, you fell short of that bargain.” Her words hung in the air ominously.
Topic: The Little Sisters of Gamma Delta (Read 12205 times)
