Manny POV

How many ways could he get Laila to believe him? He wanted her to forget what she thought happened. First, he started taking her out on dates, not staying in their residence hall where she would run into Shamiya or Neta.

Secondly, buy her gifts and spend all his money on her. Not that he was rich, but whatever he had he spent on her. Bought her thoughtful gifts like a new Illinois State hoodie because the one she liked was stained. Or tickets to the play she wanted to see because of course he had to take her.

Never flowers or stuffed animals because that would look like guilt gifts. Just things she already was going to buy for herself.

Then he had to spend a lot of time with her. More than ever because she had to see that he was the best boyfriend.

Because of all this, he had no time for Shamiya. Just like that things were over with her and he was focused more than ever on his girl. He did love her. She was beautiful and smart and loved him as much as he loved her. Sex was just sex, and now that he knew he could get it if he wanted it, he did not want it from anyone else but Laila.

In his room, in bed, making out, he blurted out, "I love you, baby, we could move in together next year."

He did not know why he said that to Laila. He and Jordan were already thinking of moving off campus next year, get an apartment so they could have their own room and not share. Maybe they could take over the lease to the apartment Brian and Taj had and Brian would get his own place after Taj graduated.

"No!" Laila was quick to say. "My sister and I both want to become Resident Assistants next year."

This was news to him. "What? Why?"

"Free room and board! My parents can't help with tuition, my scholarships don't cover everything, and I don't want to keep taking out student loans. How could we pass this up?"

She had a point there. His financial aid covered eighty percent of his tuition and room and board. His parent paid the rest plus sent him money every week. Next year when he moved off campus, he would have to pitch in to pay all his fees.

"I could not be an RA, but I do need to find other ways to pay off school."

"Get a job!" she said and pushed him. "Stop being so spoiled."

"Baby, if I work I don't have time for you." He kissed her shoulder. "I love you so much I want to spend all my time with you."

"I love you too Manny."

When he was not with Laila he was with Jordan or his frat brothers.

"We need to think about next year," Brian said while they were at the house, not having an official meeting but business still was discussed.

"About what?" He and Jordan sat on the couch, watching TV, while Brian was at the dining room table doing school work and Taj sat on the lounge chair eating a bowl of Ramen noodles.

"Well for one, Taj will be gone so it'll just be the three of us and that's one more than Taj and I had this year before you two."

"You should be President," Jordan said to Brian.

"I guess," Brian mumbled, still focused on his laptop.

There would be no dispute there. As the longest in the fraternity and current Vice President that was an easy yes. Now all they had to do was figure out who would be Vice President. He thought to himself would he be a good candidate for that? Vice President would mean he was in charge of membership intake and bringing in new guys to the fraternity.

He did not think he was ready for that role.

"Jordan, you got this. You would make a great VP and Dean of Pledges."

Jordan gave his friend a look. Manny simply smiled at him. He would rather have fun next year and not have strict responsibilities. Since becoming an Epsilon Upsilon, he started to spread his wings. No longer was he the Gospel Choir boy that could sing, he was the hot EU that could blow.

Yes, he liked the attention girls gave him, even if he would not act on it anymore.

"I think Jordan is a good fit," Taj agreed.

He should feel some kind of way about Taj agreeing with him, but he did not. There were still other positions he would have to do and he planned on doing his fair share of work in the fraternity.

"When are we going to do something with the ladies of MAX?" he asked.

"Those girls stay busy!" Taj said with a chuckle. "If you can meet up with one of them and see if they can fit us into their schedules, go for it."

He nodded and then scrolled through his phone. He had all of them in a "Neo" Discord they made. He asked them when was a great time to do a joint Brother's Keeper/Sister Circle meeting. Malinda replied right back that their next couple of Sister Circle meetings were set, but they could join them in one of their discussions.

He texted them that the topic they wanted to do with them was a sort of "Men are from Mars Women are from Venus" discussion that the opposite sex could air out what they think each wanted, and try and form a better understanding of each other.

Malinda said that sounded interesting and they were in.

"Guys, they will be at our next BK meeting, I'm sending them the details. Jordan can you pub it? Taj and Brian, we may need a bigger meeting space. We should have refreshments and stuff. So after the meeting, everyone can mingle. This may be our biggest one yet."

Taj grinned at him. "And you have no interest in becoming President? I like how you took charge right now."

"Noooo!"

The guys laughed at him.

"I'll step back if need to," Brian stated as he stood from the table and headed to the kitchen. "Next year is going to be brutal for me as is. I'm trying to get into my grad program and I'm deciding if I will stay here or attend a different school."

"Manny, you can do it!" Jordan encouraged, giving him a light punch on the shoulder. "Brian will still be here to help as needed. I got your back too."

Well, things changed quickly. He went from not doing anything significant until now considering becoming President. Could he do it?

Did he want to?

A/N: Can I reform Manny to be a better person? Challenge accepted!