Two

“WHY did I volunteer for this?” A pencil flew, and Lance caught it with a weary sigh.

“Because, like me, you felt that the past few years of pledging have been bullshit,” Lance replied. “I feel the same way you do, Aje.”

“I could be doing something MUCH more important,” AJ McLean said with a sigh, pushing up his sunglasses.

“Then go do it,” another member of their committee said. “I'm sick of your bitching.”

“And I'm sick of your poor fashion sense, Rick, but you see my ass still sitting in this chair, don't you?” AJ snapped.

“We appreciate your patience with his fashion sense, AJ, and Rick, we appreciate your patience with AJ in general,” Lance said quickly. “Look…we just need to brainstorm. Why don't we break for now, and come back later with some ideas for some neat challenges. The same old shit is boring. No more treasure hunts or anything like that. Something where they need to put themselves on the line…not physically or legally…just their pride. Nothing that will hurt them.”

“Fine,” Rick mumbled, and the two other men followed suit. They got up from the ground and left.

“I shouldn't even be here.” AJ lay on his back and stared up at a tree. They were sitting on the grass in one of the courtyards.

“Why? You skipping class or something?” Lance asked, organizing his notes. “I myself am going to be late for my first Statistics class of the year.”

“Nah…I have free time now. I mean…I'm bi. Why am I even IN a gay frat?” AJ asked.

“You know why. Because you feel comfortable with us,” Lance said. They had had this conversation a dozen times. AJ was a year older than Lance, but they were in the same year of college.

“Maybe it's because I have the hots for you, Lance.” AJ rolled over and winked at Lance.

“AJ, as I've told you many times, you are SO not my type.” Yet another conversation they had had many times, though it was always in jest.

“What IS your type, Blondie?” AJ asked. “I wanna know. I can change!”

“Hardly,” Lance snorted. He stood and was almost toppled over by another person. “Hey!”

“Sorry, Lance,” JC panted. “I had to talk to you. I just made a total ASS of myself in my psychology class!”

“Do you have that new professor?” AJ asked with interest. “I met him yesterday. He's cute.”

“A cute new professor?” Lance asked, smiling.

“No!” JC said quickly. He glared at AJ. “Why were you even IN the psych building?”

“I have to make up the psychology class I failed last year, remember? The one I never went to because I refused to get up for an eight-thirty class? Kirkpatrick's the professor.”

“Well, that IS him, but I didn't notice if he was cute,” JC retorted.

“Then why did you make an ass of yourself?” Lance asked.

“Shut up, Lance!” JC yelled.

“You're making NO sense,” AJ observed.

“All I know is I cannot go back there after acting like I did today.”

“Tomorrow is another day, Jayce,” Lance said soothingly. “You'll wow him with your witty brain tomorrow.”

“That will never happen,” AJ said, and JC pretended to step on him. 

The afternoon seemed to breeze by for Lance. He had two classes, and he knew he'd like them both. He slowly walked to where he had locked his bicycle, dreading the meeting that night Anyone who had signed the sheet showing interest in pledging the fraternity would be showing up for a casual barbeque. Somehow HE had become the leader of the committee, and he'd have to sound like he knew what he was talking about. Add to that the fact that he really didn't enjoy speaking in front of people, and the evening had turned into the Night From Hell.

The grill was already sizzling when he reached the large fraternity house. From the outside, it looked like any other frat house, but inside was a different story. The main “living room” was decorated with class and style, but the rest of the house looked as if a painter had gone insane. Wild colors covered the walls, and the bedrooms were every sort of theme and style. Lance had his own room, which he had decorated very conservatively. Because of a problem with his heart, he had played up the fact that he needed a lot of rest, and therefore he did not have a roommate. They had five spaces to fill this year, and he did NOT want one of them in his room.

By the time he got upstairs and showered and changed, people were milling around in the backyard. Lance looked out his window and saw AJ holding court under a tree. A few of the more unique guests were hanging on his every word. Lance smiled as he straightened the color on his polo shirt. AJ had charisma, he had to give him that.

“Hey, Lance!” JC called as Lance came down the main staircase.

“Jayce! What are you doing here?” Lance said in surprise.

“I wanted to be here for moral support. Besides, as an alum, aren't I welcome any time?” JC asked, sipping at his beer.

“You know I love when you come hang out,” Lance said. He gave JC a hug. “I hate this already.”

“You'll do great. You're such a nice guy, you'll be a GREAT big brother,” JC said affectionately.

“Not as good as you,” Lance said loyally, and JC rolled his eyes.

“We sound like a bunch of girls. C'mon. I'm hungry.”

JC led the way back to the large yard behind the house. About thirty men had showed up, and Lance walked around, reading nametags and saying hello. As he and JC got their burgers from the grill, there was a small commotion at the gate of the yard.

“C'mon, man! Our names are on the paper!” A tall blond was saying. “We signed up!”

“Signed up to kick our asses?” A frat member snapped. “Not quite. We know better.”

“He's serious,” another tall boy said. His hair was dirty blond and curly, and his eyes darted around the yard. “Find the list. Our names are on it!”

“What's going on?” AJ wandered over, smiling slyly. “Fight?”

“No.” The frat member turned to AJ. “These two say they're here to pledge.”

“What's wrong with that?” AJ smiled pleasantly at the blond. “Hi, there.”

The blond blushed but didn't speak. “AJ…” The frat member pulled AJ aside. “They're members of the basketball team. They AREN'T gay!”

“Who says we're not?” The boy with curly hair countered. “Look…if we were looking to kick your asses, we'd have brought the whole damn team, not just two people, and we wouldn't do it in broad daylight.”

Lance walked over, a sinking feeling in his heart. “What are your names?”

“Nick Carter and Justin Timberlake.”

“They're on my list. First ones, actually,” Lance admitted.

“And you're gay?” The frat member said suspiciously.

“Wanna see the rainbow on my driver's license?” The curly-haired boy snapped.

“Of course not. Come in,” AJ said, opening the gate. “You're more than welcome. We have to be careful.”

“Understood,” the curly-haired boy said. “I'm Justin. This is Nick.”

“I'm AJ. That's John.” AJ pointed to the angry frat member. “And this is Lance. Lance?” AJ looked over his shoulder, but Lance had disappeared into the house.

Lance stood in the kitchen, heart pounding. He grabbed at the counter to steady himself, closing his eyes. “Lance?” JC put a hand on his shoulder. He had watched Lance suddenly dart into the house, and he had followed him. “What's wrong? Is it your heart?”

“No,” Lance said weakly. “It's just…those two guys. I have a bad feeling about them.”

“They seem fine, Lance. That Justin kid is in one of the classes I'm a TA for. He seems pretty cool, and into the arts. One little hint that he's gay,” JC teased.

“I…I can't go back out there.” Lance opened his eyes. “And I don't think they should be in the frat.”

“Lance!” JC said, shocked. “You're the most open-minded person I know. Why are you acting like this?”

“Never mind,” Lance said. He took a deep breath. “I need a drink. Let's go.”

Three