1. Tessa

1

TESSA

I stand in the mirror adjusting my striped black, yellow, and white top one last time. The high-waisted brown trousers hug my plus-size frame, and the old-fashioned men's suspenders complete my usual "intrepid 1940s reporter" look, as my best friend Valencia calls it.

This attire feels most comfortable to me, reminding me of a time when journalists shaped the world. I take a deep breath, grab my bag, and head out the door, ready to face the day.

All across the campus, students are bustling about heading to their early morning classes. The air is misty and smells of pine and woodchips, and I inhale it, a smile spreading across my face. There's no place like Sterling Heights University.

Making my way to the campus café, the scent of freshly brewed coffee lures me inside. As I enter, I spot Valencia leaning against the counter as she gestures with her hands to give the barista her order. Her long, dark wavy hair is pulled up into a ponytail and she's got on her boyfriend's hockey jersey over a pair of black leggings, looking way more effortlessly cool than I ever could.

"Hey, Tess!" Valencia waves as I join her at the counter.

"Hey, Val," I say, grinning back.

"I got you a vanilla latte," she says, waving her card over the reader. "My treat."

Hefting my backpack up my shoulder, I bump her hip with mine. "I'll grab us a table," I decide, picking one in a quiet corner, where I spread out and look over my schedule.

Valencia joins me shortly, bringing over an iced vanilla latte for me and a caramel cold brew for herself. "How's the podcast editor for the Sterling Sentinel doing?" she teases.

"Busy," I say with a grimace. "My schedule is stuffed full this semester. Especially now that Sigma Theta is being reinstated."

Valencia looks down at her cup, hands wrapped around it. "I might have been hoping that maybe you could lay off them," she says, not meeting my eyes.

My brows furrow. "What? Why?"

"Well, you know how Matteo and I met during the trial, and all that?"

I nod, recalling how Matteo had been part of a group of Sigma Thetas who took a stand against their fraternity brothers, condemning their actions during the drugging scandal.

"And he even interviewed for your podcast series, remember?" Valencia adds, twirling a strand of hair around her finger. I nod, fidgeting with my fingers in my lap. Valencia had also been one of the people interviewed on my podcast series for the Sterling Sentinel , it's how we became friends.

Valencia blows out a breath and starts speaking in a rush. "The guys who are in charge now are sincerely trying to make a difference. They spent all summer planning out the year, including a ton of charity events. I was just hoping that maybe you could give them a chance and not be all ‘intrepid reporter' on them."

Taking a long sip of my drink, I consider her request. "I'll think about it," I say after a beat. "But you know I'm the podcast editor for the school paper. I'm literally in charge of investigating and reporting shady behavior. If something is going on, I can't just ignore it."

Valencia sighs. "I get that, Tessa. I do. It's just…They're all trying so hard. They're different from the ones who caused all that trouble."

I bite my lip and Valencia reaches out, squeezing my hand. "Matteo said that Alec Montgomery, he's the new president, was the one to lead the guys who stood up against their brothers. And Jace Whitmore, their new vice president, was right there with them. They're good guys, Tess. Can you just give them a chance?"

I look at her, considering her words. Valencia is my best friend, and I know she's only asking because she believes in Matteo and wants to support him. "I'll think about it, Val. I promise. But I can't make any guarantees. If there's a story, I have to follow it."

"Fair enough," she says with a small smile. "Just…maybe don't go looking for trouble where there isn't any?"

I chuckle. "I'll do my best but you know how I am." I'm like a bloodhound when there's a story around. That's why I made a whole series to cover the scandal in the first place. I knew there was more than a single article or podcast episode could cover. When I think about everything Max Byers and his cronies were getting away with for so long, it sends a shiver down my spine.

"Yeah, I do," Valencia says, the worry leaving her eyes as she grins at me. "But you should at least come to the Welcome Back party tonight. If you meet Alec, Jace, and the others you might realize that there's nothing to worry about."

I tap my purple pen against my lips. "Okay, I'll come. If there's nothing to worry about, then I'm sure it will be fine, right?"

Valencia sits back, shoulders relaxing. "Great," she says, seemingly placated for now. "You have nothing to worry about. I mean, Max is still in jail," she adds.

I stiffen for a moment, his name striking a nerve. Max was the ringleader of the entire ordeal and he and I had a personal history. When he was put behind bars, I felt a huge sense of relief, like a weight being lifted from my shoulders.

"Yeah," I agree, trying to pretend like I'm fine. "He and his buddies can stay there for all I care."

We continue chitchatting about the summer break, catching each other up on what's been going on before we both have to leave for class.

I head out into the sun-drenched day, walking absent-mindedly toward the Comms building, not paying a lick of attention until I almost run into someone.

"Oh shit, sorry," I say, holding the door for Ryan Carter, his baby face blinking back at me. He's one of the junior investigative reporters on staff at the Sentinel . "Didn't see you there."

Ryan seems nervous, almost skittish. "Oh, hi Tessa," he says, glancing over his shoulder. "Sorry, can't talk right now. Gotta go."

He pushes away without another word and takes off in the opposite direction. I wonder what's got him so keyed up but before I can speculate, I spot Dr. Reynolds and hurry to catch up to her.

She stops when I call out her name and waits for me to catch up. Dr. Reynolds is my advisor and my mentor, as well as the professor of the class I'm heading for.

We chat as we walk into the classroom together and I head for a seat near the front, eager to start my last year of journalism studies. We get an assignment right away and I mentally calculate how much time I'll have to work on the assignment before Valencia drags me off to the Sigma Theta party tonight.

It seems I'm right about the timing because as soon as my classes are over for the day, I try to head to the library but Valencia insists on having me come over to Delta Pi's sorority house to help her get ready.

I sit on her bed, running my hands over the fuzzy purple duvet on the bed as Valencia tries on outfit after outfit for me. "What about the pink dress?" I offer, trying to get this show on the road. I have a schedule and I prefer to stick to it, but I'm willing to be there for my best friend.

Valencia holds it up on the hanger in front of her "You don't think I look too young and innocent in it, do you? I want to look sexy and glamorous."

"Then maybe the black one?" I offer. "I know the black and the pink look similar, but I think the black might have the vibes you're going for."

"Great idea," Valencia says, beaming as she tosses the pink dress on the bed. "Are you going to change too?"

"I wasn't sure what to wear," I tell her. "I'm not usually one to go to frat parties."

"Let me help you then!" Valencia insists. I blush, ducking my head. Is it weird I'm strangely looking forward to the party? I guess part of me is curious if Sigma Theta can truly turn over a new leaf.

Once Valencia finishes putting her outfit on, she frog-marches me to my dorm where we spend another hour picking out an outfit for me.

She's got me in a black, ribbed turtleneck and an A-line pinafore with a houndstooth pattern. She even gives me graphic liner and pins my hair up in a high half-up bun, making me look like I've traveled from the 1940s to the 1960s.

"You look great," Valencia assures me, linking our arms as we head for the Sigma Theta fraternity house together.

Once we're there, Valencia fusses around getting me some punch before disappearing to find her boyfriend in the crowd. I bring the cup up to my face, sniffing it suspiciously but don't detect any scent of liquor. One of the conditions of Sigma Theta returning is alcohol-free parties.

The place is packed already and it's still early in the evening. I make my way around, trying not to look like I'm snooping as I surreptitiously check out the place. It's surprisingly tidy for a frat house and I wonder if the university hired someone to deep clean the place during their year of suspension.

So far everything seems in order, but I find myself drawn to a door that's shut near the end of the hallway on the first floor. When I try jiggling it, it's locked. My reporter instincts kick in and I wonder if I can use the bobby pins in my hair to unlock it.

I step back, studying the lock for a moment before deciding that I should at least pretend to be social first, since I promised Valencia I wouldn't go looking for trouble.

Just as I turn around though, I bump straight into someone, my nose colliding with a firm chest. Jumping backward, I clutch my nose and groan, eyes flicking up to see who I hit.

A gasp escapes me, shock traveling through as I realize who I've just collided with.