Turn 3 of 10

Ask Brynn what 'we' means — who exactly is choosing

You let Brynn steer you past the sofas, past the laughing clusters of sisters, past a console table stacked with rush pamphlets that all feature the same font — and you ask. It comes out lighter than you intend, almost playful, which is how you've learned to ask questions you actually want answers to.

"When you say 'we' — who exactly is that? The chapter? The executive board?" You glance at her profile.

"You say it like it's someone specific."

Brynn's stride doesn't falter, but there's a micro-pause — a half-beat where her smile holds perfectly still before warming back up, like a screen refreshing.

"Oh my gosh, that's so observant. You're so observant." She taps your arm with two fingers, light and approving, the way you'd praise a puppy for sitting.

"It's just a house thing. We're a really tight chapter — like, unusually tight — so everyone kind of moves together. It sounds weird from the outside, but once you're in, it's the best feeling. You never have to decide anything alone again."

She says it like it's a selling point. You let that sit.

"The house decides?" You keep your voice easy, curious, the voice of a girl who's just asking because the system is charming.

"The house knows," Brynn corrects, and she doesn't seem to hear the difference. She gestures broadly at the wainscoting, the coordinated throw pillows, the gold-leafed Greek letters mounted above the fireplace — all of it glowing with a warmth that feels less like décor and more like an argument.

"Kappa Delphi Nu has been doing this since 1887. We don't really rush — we recognize. You know how some places make you perform? We don't do that here. We just see who you already are and help you become more of it." She beams.

"We saw your file and we just knew. You're a perfect fit. You're so us it's almost spooky."

There it is again — *we saw*, *we knew*, *us* — and this time you notice that when Brynn says *we*, two sisters passing behind her nod in faint, identical inclination, like a breeze moved through them. Not looking at her. Not looking at you. Just... nodding. In sync. You didn't imagine it. You're sure you didn't imagine it.