Laila POV

"Not another party!"

"Not just any party, the party. A Phi A!" Marketta said to her. "One of the biggest parties of the year...outside of Homecoming."

She could not believe her sister was thinking about another party and it was only the first week of school. She went to the one party, stayed about ten minutes and she was over it. College was about more than partying. She hated to pull the big sister card, but she would.

"I'm not going to a stupid frat party with stupid frat guys. Ugh! They are all the same and I would rather not be bothered."

"But-"

"But nothing! Haven't you learned from last year? They are dogs, playboys, playas, whatever you want to call them. I had my heart broken, crushed...just, I want nothing to do with a frat guy...or any guy right now."

"One bad guy doesn't spoil the whole bunch."

"Your man didn't cheat! He just covered for a cheat so he's just as bad."

Marketta rolled her eyes and stomped around their room, mumbling something but she heard her very clearly. "Least I didn't sleep with him."

"So what are you trying to say? Because I slept with him that means something? Like I deserved this?"

"No! I'm not saying that, but you were so quick to sleep with him, maybe you should have waited."

"So now it's my fault?"

"I didn't say..." Marketta let out a loud sigh. "You were so thirsty over that boy and you knew he liked me, why would you even..."

She hated to hear the truth from her sister. She was right. She should not have gotten with Manny. Basically she took her sister's leftovers. Because Marketta did not want Manny, she pushed herself on him. She couldn't even be sure if Manny truly had feelings for her, but used her affection for him to get what he wanted.

He was her first, her only at this point. She thought she would be with Manny forever. She was not the type to sleep around. She waited that long to have sex because she wanted it to mean something. Now her first was the worst memory for her.

Would she ever really heal?

"I'm not going to the party, but you go ahead, enjoy yourself." She stormed out of the room, away from her sister.

Now what?

Her sister was her only real friend for real. She did not make friends too well. She kept to herself. Without her sister at school with her, she would have been all alone. Another reason why she waited a year for a sister.

They called her sister and her anti-social because they did not hang out with other Black people last year. Or anybody. It was always just the two of them if they weren't with Manny and Jordan. She wished she knew how to make friends, but how was she supposed to do that at her big age?

After leaving her dorm room, she made it down to the lounge on the first floor. She needed to cool off, get some air and think.

Maybe she and her sister were going in two separate ways in life. Marketta was more outgoing than her, while she was more reserved. All her life she focused on being the best big sister so that her siblings had someone to look up to. She cooked and cleaned after them for many years while her mother and father worked hard and they still scraped by.

Marketta and her had the same father, and their four younger siblings were all their half-siblings, not that she treated them any differently. Her brother Kolvin was fourteen. Then there was Korneli who was twelve, Mona age nine, and baby brother Kaven age five. Yes, all the boys were "K" names, and all but her girl's names were "M." Her mother's name began with an M, and her stepfather's name began with a "K"

She always felt like the odd man out. Her L came from her father's name, Leroy. Not that he was ever in their life much. Left their mother to do his own thing and let another man raise his kids. He came back around when they were in middle school, but did not do much as a father.

Her stepfather was all the father that she needed. He was not a perfect man, but he stayed and took care of his responsibilities.

Maybe that is why she did not think highly of men. That and the ex from hell. Maybe one day she would be ready to open up her heart, but she did not see that happening any time soon.

"Hey."

She looked up to see a girl with a slightly curly fro, a petite frame carrying two super heavy-looking bags.

"You okay? You need help with that?"

"Would you mind? Thank you so much."

She stood from the comfort of her seat and took one of the bags from her. They were loaded with books. Who even used hardback books anymore when you could download everything?

"What do you need all of this for?" She started to walk off with the girl that looked a bit familiar but she did not know her name. She must have seen her around the residence hall.

"Most of my nursing books can't be downloaded, so here we are. Sorry I bothered you, but I know you, right?"

"Do I?"

"You and your sister were always together last year. Little I got out, I would see you two together. And in BSU, right?"

"Yes. I'm Vice President, and she is the President."

"I plan on attending meetings. I'm trying to get more involved this year. Last year I only was here for a semester. I transferred here to be with my boyfriend, Brian."

"Oh, now I remember you!" How could she forget Brian's little girlfriend? That boy was much a player as Manny, but it was not her business to tell her that. "I think Brian tried to get us to hang out but then-"

"Really?"

"Yeah, my boyfriend...I mean, the ex-boyfriend is an EU."

"Sweet!"

"I said ex."

"Well, my name is J'Nae. Which one are you, Marketta or Laila, I get it confused. You look like twins."

She chuckled at that. "I'm Laila, and no we do not! I mean, we're sisters with the same parents, so I guess we look alike, but not like twins."

"Well, I'm an only child. So at least you have that."

"I have four other ones at home."

"Sheesh!"

They made it up to her floor and she was on the floor above them. She used her key to open the door. Soon as they walked in, she saw a half-naked white girl dancing around to loud hip-hop music. The girl had no shame, and didn't seem embarrassed they caught her.

"Sorry, my roommate."

Laila placed the bag on her table. "I'll just let you guys be."

"I'll see you at the meeting next week?"

"Of course."

The one thing she was glad about was that she did not have to room with some random person. If they had the money they could have gotten single rooms this year. Since they could not afford that, it was better to just room together again.

She left J'Nae's floor and headed back to her room. She was done thinking and cold-shouldering her sister. She could not help that Marketta wanted to get out there, meet people, party, and possibly date again. Maybe she would have better luck at it this year.

Soon as she headed back into the room, Marketta rushed over to her.

"I'm sorry for being an ass to you! You did nothing wrong with Manny, he's the asshole. I did not mean what I said."

"I'm sorry too. I shouldn't tell you what you can and cannot do. Go to the party and have fun."

"But you still won't come with me?"

"Sorry, I just can't do it. I'm not ready to be all around sweaty, horny guys right now. But when BSU has their parties and events, I'll be up and center for them." Even if it was out of her comfort zone. She was only doing it because of her sister.

And because it would look good when she pledged Mu Alpha Chi.

A/N: Again, some of me in this. My sister and I are the oldest two of EIGHT. Four girls, four boys. All the boys have "A" names. Two girls have "T" names. My older sis and I have different initials.