Lucien

 

It was Saturday afternoon, and the brothers were congregating in the common room. We were playing out another tradition: the telling of the story.

Our legendary party began many years ago for one reason, and each year, we communed to remember that reason. We went over the rules of the party, laying down the law in a formal ceremony, before we commenced the planning process. After many years of throwing the same party, there wasn’t much to plan, but it was tradition, and Deltas were big on tradition.

As the President, it was my job to tell the story and pass down my headdress. I sat on my bed, admiring the headdress I’d owned since the party last year. Winning the headdress wasn’t always indicative of a new president, but it usually was. If you were successful at the party, then you were almost certainly in line for the presidency.

Seeing the headdress sitting on my desk filled me with a sense of pride, but it also made me sad. This time next year, I would be gone, and a new president would be in my place. Sooner than I wished, my younger brothers would forget about me and move on, letting my memory fade with the other past presidents.

It was a depressing thought, and one I did not want to have. Today was a celebration, the most important ceremony in Delta history. Even our brotherhood ritual wasn’t as old as the telling of the story. The first party was thrown two years after the fraternity was founded. Back then, no one talked about it outside the walls of this house. It was still kept mostly secret, but rumors spread around campus each year. Most people knew what the party was about, but they kept their mouths shut and their opinions quiet.

I was excited for the party this year, more excited than I had ever been before. Having won last year, I felt sure I would succeed again this time around. Even if I won, the headdress would pass on to the runner up, the second-place brother.

The pressure was off. I could just relax and enjoy myself without having to prove anything. Still, my pride often got the better of me, and this time was no different. I found myself mentally preparing for a win, just so I could go out with a bang. If I had to leave the frat at the end of the year, I wanted to do so on top.

“Hey,” Adam said. “We’re ready for you downstairs.”

“Okay,” I said, standing up and taking a deep breath.

I’d heard the telling of the story three times before, and I knew it by heart. But I’d never told it myself. I’d always been in the audience, just one of the brothers listening and taking in the excitement. Now, it was my turn to create that excitement. I was nervous. This was my first real act as president, and I didn’t want to screw it up.

“You’ll be fine,” Adam said.

He walked over and picked up my headdress, placing it firmly on my head. Once it was in place, I immediately felt better.

The headdress was shaped like a wolf’s head, almost identical to the wolf head I had tattooed on my arm. The tattoo came before I ever saw the headdress, but I thought it was a sign that I was destined to run Delta one day. With the headdress atop my head, my confidence soared. I was ready to begin.

“I’ll be down in a second,” I said, waving Adam away.

He nodded and left without a word. I moved quickly to my mirror and made sure the headdress was straight.

I looked good with it on. The sight brought a cocky grin to my face as I remembered the night I earned it. This year, a new brother would take it from my head, and I would feel proud, happy to be a part of a never-ending tradition. As I looked at myself in the mirror, I stood up straighter, preparing myself for the story.

When I was ready, I left my room and walked slowly down the steps. The house was silent, and each of my footsteps sounded louder than normal as they echoed through the halls. When I reached the landing, I saw the candles were already lit. I nodded my approval and followed the line of candles into the common room.

My brothers were arranged in their spots, each holding a shimmering candle. There was no light other than the candles, and all the curtains were pulled tightly shut. Not a single ray of sunlight could seep through.

This was perfect, exactly as it had always been. I remembered the three other times I partook in this tradition. Before, I was standing beside the fireplace, holding a candle of my own. Now, I stood where countless others had stood before and cleared my throat loudly.

With a glance around the room, I reached behind me and picked a candle off the bookshelf. Holding it above my head, I recited the Delta Pi chant alone. Everyone listened patiently while I spoke each word slowly.

When I was done, they all repeated the chant back to me. Their voices blended together, and it gave me goosebumps. This was brotherhood. This was the stuff I lived for.

Once the opening rituals were complete, I blew out my candle and took a step forward. Looking from one face to another, I made eye contact which each brother. This wasn’t something other presidents did before, but I felt it was necessary. It was a way to bond me to them all, to show that I wasn’t just talking to the group, but to each of them individually.

A few of them grinned with excitement, and others shifted uncomfortably. Adam was right about one thing, this party had become a source of controversy over the years. Many brothers refused to actively partake, but most of us still saw the merit in participating.

“Most of you have participated in the telling of the story before,” I said, my voice carrying easily across the room. “For those of you who haven’t, welcome. This is the oldest tradition of the Delta Pi house. After tonight, you’ll be privy to one of our most important secrets. As brothers, we take our secrets to the grave. Nothing said in this room will ever leave it.”

There was a murmur of agreement throughout the room. I nodded and cleared my throat, ready to continue.

“Years ago,” I said. “The first Delta Pi brothers came up with an idea. An idea that would pave the road to what we know today as the Virgin Party. That name is never spoken outside of this room, but this is a party we’ve thrown every year for decades. Named for its intention, The Virgin Party challenges each of us to invite a virgin girl to the party. Once here, we will all mingle and flirt to our heart’s content. The goal of the evening is to leave with a girl you did not bring, to take her virginity, and bring her panties back here as proof. The first brother to succeed in this endeavor will be given the headdress sitting atop my head. Last year, I won this challenge and went on to become President of Delta Pi.”

I let my words sink it, staring intently at the freshman in front of me. I wanted each of them to find excitement in this party. The challenge was meant to motivate and inspire them. If they thought they could one day become the leader of our frat, then they would be more likely to participate.

“Now,” I said. “Not everyone who won has become president, but most have. Winning this challenge takes initiative, cunning, and intelligence. I for one, will be immensely proud of the next winner. Whoever I hand this headdress to will have my eternal praise.”

There was another murmur that spread quickly through the room. My eyes found Adam’s, and he fixed me with a disapproving stare. I looked away, not wanting him to ruin the day with his guilt trip.

When I looked around the room, I saw a few other’s wearing similar expressions. Not everyone approved of this party, and over the years, more and more brothers refused to participate. They would attend the party, but they wouldn’t invite a virgin, and they certainly wouldn’t take one home.

It was infuriating, but I couldn’t force them to partake. They were all capable of making their own decisions, but as more brothers took the moral high road, the number of available virgins decreased. We could only have enough women for all the brothers if everyone brought a girl, which hadn’t been the case for the past couple years.

“Listen,” I said as the murmuring died away. I knew it was time to address my brother’s concerns. “I know some of you have a few issues with this party. You feel it’s unkind or manipulative. In a way, it is. However, I want you all to remember that these girls are willing participants. Do they know about the party’s intention? No, they don’t. But, we do not ever force ourselves on these women. They are to be treated with respect and kindness. If someone says no, then you take that answer and you leave. If I so much as hear that any one of you pushed a girl into something she did not want to do, I will personally exile you from the house. Is that clear?”

Everyone nodded and I smiled. I felt that my warning would assuage anyone’s cause for concern. This party wasn’t the most gentlemanly thing to do, but it was fun for everyone. When I took Sarah Harvey’s virginity the previous year, she was thrilled. We had fun rolling around together, learning the feel of each other’s bodies. We even stayed friends afterward. To this day, if I saw her around campus, I threw my arms around her and hugged her close.

She wasn’t hurt by what I did. In fact, she liked me more for it. As long as our brothers remained respectful, no one should have a problem with the party.

When I was done with my speech, I sought out Adam’s eyes again. He just looked at me and shook his head, silently telling me that my speech wasn’t good enough. He was still worried, and he still disapproved.

I shrugged and moved on. If Adam wanted to be a killjoy then there wasn’t anything I could about it.

The ritual ended, and we all sat around to plan the details of the party. We agreed on the alcohol, the day, and the time. Everyone was ready and excited, save for the few brothers who were deadly silent.

They sat together in the corner, not speaking and barely looking any of us in the eye. They hated this idea, and we all knew it, but it wouldn’t change anything. The Virgin Party was tradition, and I would be damned if I let a few guys ruin it for the rest of us.

When we finished the planning process, I dismissed everyone to their Saturday night plans. Many of them slapped me on the back and looked longingly at my headdress as they passed. As was my custom, I remained in the common room until the last brother was gone. I half-expected Adam to stay behind and voice his disapproval again, but he didn’t. He was the first one out when the meeting ended.

I stood in the deserted common room for a while longer. There were things I wanted to do tonight, but I wasn’t ready to leave just yet. This would be the very last time I ever wore the wolf headdress, and I savored everyone second of it. Finally, I took it off and placed it on the mantle. I stared at it for a few more minutes before I turned and left it behind.