SKINNY DIP

Zara slowly moved her dark eyelashes to look at Ella, and something from her eyes showed worries. Ella knew exactly how enthusiastic Zara was in joining the sorority, and she didn't even want to see her quitting.

So, threatening her about stopping the quest will surely make her anxious because what she was doing now was just being childish and seeking attention.

Ella didn't know what to do next if Zara will continue doing this - being childish. She just hoped she wouldn't, because it would not surely be accepted greatly by the group. Since they never knew that this could be a group task and missing one of them might be a big deal to paralyzed them in continuing the task.

Nevertheless, before Ella can even say another pep talk for Zara. She had already stepped out of the car, giving Ella relief.

Together, they walked out of the car and followed the rest of the girls. Ella was crossed her fingers the whole time, prayong that no other trouble would happen between those two girls again.

"Look, I guess it was them!" Yden, who was walking in front and ahead of the group, pointed over to the group of people sitting around the bonfire.

"Bonfire! That's cool!" Leira exclaimed excitedly.

Ella made another sigh of relief. She never knew how this night would end. It could be fun or dangerous. It had to be fun, and she prayed so.

Because she had gambled enough for this. Dane, probably had been waiting worried at the bus stop, and she even forgot to text him, with everything that had been happening, and it was past two hours from the expected time that they should had met.

She did remember texting Dane inside the car for a moment. However, her sight was hazy with the effect of the liquor, and she sat in the middle, was feeling a bit tight and suffocated.

There were also times that she felt the urge to puke, and she had been trying to control herself the whole time. And looking over her cellphone in a moving vehicle might make that stomach-turning feeling worse.

As soon as she remembered Dane again. She abruptly took her phone out before they even reached the bonfire and joined the rest of the sorority girls.

Ella opened her phone and beeped after beeps as message after a message was popping out from it. All of it was from Dane's, expressing his worries after a series of annoying-sounding messages.

What can she expect? Even if she was in Dane's shoes, she would probably react that way too. Since she hadn't have time to read all of Dane's messages, she just had to at least replied one. 

Just to stop him from worrying. Anyway, she knew that Dane was supportive of her joining the sorority.

[Dane, I'm sorry, I wasn't informed either. But the sorority initiation had just started, and I doubt if I can be in the staff house tonight. I don't know how long it will take, just have a good night's rest and don't worry. I love you.]

As soon as Ella pressed send, she abruptly tucked her phone back into her bag and ran after the rest who were already joining the group.

It was the same girl from the house who had been giving them instructions about the initiation. The moment the girls arrived, she was already introducing the important rules and introduction in and about the sorority to the ladies. Since the five of them were late, they missed those important parts. And most of them didn't care, just thinking that it was just some random speech.

However, not Ella… She was not that comfortable missing those details. She wanted to know more about what the sorority was all about and wanted to learn about everyone behind it, she even was hoping to know about its history.

Some sides of her do also accept that she got what they sue. It may not be her fault, yet it was nobody. Maybe some other time, they will introduce them to it again.

"This time, we would like, as usual, to test your loyalty to the group, and this will also show how you're being bold as a person if it comes to the group because we want members who are courageous enough to face any adversities we might encounter.

Yes, we only want those who believe themselves as the winner, bold and fierce, to go against the tide, literally. This test will also symbolize you, being open to all of us, no hiding of secrets, and being thoughtful." The MI (master initiator) made her speech while she was walking around the bonfire.

She had to make sure that everyone was on ears on her and processed every detail and important part of her speech.

Hearing her words made Ella slightly relaxed and took a few of her worries. She was talking about being truthful and not having secrets. Could this mean that it's time for her to let go of all her doubts and suspicions and fully trust the sorority?

Ella looked over her other friends. Zara was now smiling again while she was listening to the MI. That sight was giving Ella another feeling of relief. The next could still be a group task or individual, but at least Zara's mood was back again, and it could be a great help for all of them.

"For the next test, you will enjoy the river tonight. You will be having a night swimming!" The MI announced with full of enthusiasm. Started clamors from all the girls around the bonfire. They, although, sounded more excited than being worried about having sopping wet clothes after.

Yet, Ella being pessimistic as always she was expecting different things and whispered over to Zara. "Do you think they would let us get back inside the car when we are all wet?"

"Of course, they do. How do you think they would bring us back home if they don't let us get inside it when we are wet," Zara replied.

Ella tried to look over the surroundings for some packs or bags, 'maybe they were bringing something for the girls to change,' she thought.

"I heard someone whispering, asking how you will get inside the car after swimming, thinking that your clothes might get wet. No, girls, uh-uh you won't get soaping wet dress because you won't be wearing anything inside the water. You will be going for a skinny dip!"