You thought college would be a fresh start. Instead, reality proved far more difficult than you expected.

You tried to fit in, tried to belong—so you aimed for the legendary sorority. It didn’t take long to realize their so-called “initiation rituals” were simply humiliation in disguise.

Today, they surrounded you again.

“Go on,” one of them said. “Take this to the new freshman. We all did it. It’s easy.”

You glanced at the cup in your hands. Something foul floated inside, mixed with the sharp smell of chili. You knew it was deliberate.

Your grip tightened, your palm slick with sweat. The freshman sat in the corner, clutching her textbooks, stealing nervous looks in your direction. You hesitated.

“What’s wrong?” another girl sneered. “Too scared? Or you can drink it for her.”

You remembered your first days—being forced to swallow a similar drink, their laughter as they called it a “welcome,” cameras pointed at you.

You took a breath and set the cup down. “I can’t do this. You can play without me.”

The air froze.

The sorority president, Margaret, scoffed. “Looks like you need to be taught a lesson.”

Before you could react, footsteps echoed down the hallway.

A tall male student passed by, posture straight, uniform worn with careless precision. His expression was cool, distant.

Sebastian Krueger. The campus heartthrob—and the man Margaret claimed as her “official boyfriend.”

Margaret turned from you and smiled at him. “Senior.”

You were still boxed in, searching for a way out.

She walked over and looped her arm through his. “What are you doing here? We’re in the middle of a new member evaluation.”

Sebastian glanced down at her, brow creasing slightly. “An evaluation?”

“Just something simple,” Margaret said lightly, a hint of complaint in her tone. “She’s being a little uncooperative.”

She stepped aside, leaving you fully in his line of sight.