Chapter 15: Nice to Meet You

Tamia

Months had passed since I was in New York with Jason and his brothers, and surprisingly I was happy with where we were in our... "relationship". We still texted and talked on the phone occasionally, when I wasn't too busy with school and when he wasn't in the studio.

"So I saw that y'all have a new album out," I said to my phone. Jason and I were on a video call and seeing each other for the first time in months.

"Yeah," Jason said unenthusiastically, but trying to force a smile.

"What's wrong?" I asked.

"I still feel like we didn't have that much creative control with this album," he replied.

"Oh," I said. "I'm sorry."

Jason smiled. "No, I'm sorry," he said. "I know you don't really understand. I don't wanna bore you with this."

"No, I do," I said. I really did understand. Even though Jason and his brothers had their own recording studio, they were still signed to a record company and they had the final say on what songs made it to the album, even if the guys didn't write all of the songs.

Still, I decided to change the subject. "So when does the movie come out?" We hadn't really talked about the movie since we both made it back from New York, and I made it back long before he did.

"Next summer, but enough about the Draper Brothers," he said, "What's new with you? Your dorm looks different." I could tell he didn't want to talk about New York either.

"That's because I'm not in a dorm this year," I said excitedly.

"You got your own apartment?" Jason asked.

"No," I replied, "I'm living in a sorority house."

"You pledged a sorority?" Jason asked excitedly.

"I did!" I said. "It's called Mu Sigma Epsilon." I panned the phone to my blue and white sweatshirt with the Greek letters 'ΜΣΕ' on it.

"That's awesome," Jason said. Then his tone and face changed. "That's something that I thought about doing if I could attend college."

I felt bad. I kept forgetting that Jason keeps missing out on all of these college experiences I was having.

"But I can do without the hazing," he said, laughing.

"Oh, there was no hazing from my sorority," I said.

"How are your classes going?" Jason asked.

"They're good," I replied, "but I didn't think that I was gonna pass my midterms."

"What about your music classes?" he asked.

"They're fun," I said, "but not as fun as when you and your brothers gave me lessons."
I thought back to one of the first times I went into their studio. Caiden taught me how to play the drums, Raymond taught me how to play the keyboard, and Jason taught me how to play the guitar, along with more lessons on the drums and keyboard. I missed those days.

"Um, I have to go," I said, interrupting my own thoughts. "I have a class that starts in 20 minutes."

"Oh, okay," Jason said. "I'll talk to you later. Bye."

"Bye," I said, hanging up.



Jason

My brothers and I were finally back in L.A., and it seemed like we were busier now than when we were in New York. Not only did we film our first movie, but we were also finishing up another album, which released last week. Now we were planning a tour for the beginning of next year, so we were preparing for that.

"Was that her?" Raymond asked as he walked into my room.

"No, that was Tamia," I said truthfully. Raymond was referring to 'Miss T.', aka Gonzala Terrazas, aka the girl I was trying to move on from Tamia with.

"Does Tamia know that you're dating again?" asked Raymond.

"I'm not dating anyone," I replied.

"It sure seems like it," Raymond said. "I mean, you hung out with this girl more than Tamia when we were in New York, and you're always on the phone with her."

"We're just friends," I replied.

"You said the same thing about Tamia," Raymond argued, "and everyone knew that wasn't true... but I believe you this time."

As always, Raymond could read me.

"Why this time?" I asked.

"Because," Raymond started, "it's obvious you're trying to replace Tamia. I mean, how many times have you invited 'Miss T.' over to listen to our new music? You did the same thing with Tamia."

I looked down. I guess it was true that I was trying to find a "replacement" since Tamia was away at college, living her life. She was also the one who stated that we should only be friends. And then here comes Gonzala— who reminded me a little of Tamia and really wanted a relationship with me... but would it work? Like Tamia said, we live in two different worlds and Gonzala was a part of the same world that Tamia was in— and that wasn't my world.


Tamia

That Friday night, I was at a Greek party with my Sigma Sisters (that's what we're called). All of the sororities and fraternities on campus were there, including our brother fraternity Mu Alpha Gamma (or the Alphas).

Harley, one of the first people I met freshman year, was also there and she was one of my Sigma sisters. Her mother was a Sigma, so she's what's considered a 'legacy' in the sorority world.

Because this was my first party, I was standing off to the side, being a wallflower. I didn't want to follow Harley around everywhere, even though she was the only person I knew really well.

I was scrolling on my phone when I got a notification . It was from Gonzala's blog. I almost forgot that I decided to subscribe to her blog. Since I had seemingly nothing else to do, I decided to read her blog post.

Unsurprisingly, it was about meeting the Draper Brothers in New York a few months ago. But I was completely unprepared for what I was about to read. As I read her post, my heart began to sink and tears started to form in my eyes. Before they could, there was a tap on my shoulder. It was Harley.

"Whoever messaged you must've had something really good to say!" she joked.

"Yeah, girl," said Faye, another one of my sorority sisters. "You're so engrossed in your phone."

"Oh, I was reading a blog post," I said, putting my phone in my back pocket.

"Well we were looking for you," Harley said. "We wanted to make sure you were okay."

"Yeah, I'm fine," I said.

"Hey, you see that guy over there?" asked Faye.

I look to where she's pointing and see this gorgeous guy, and 'tall, dark, and handsome' doesn't even begin to describe him.

"He wants to talk to you," Harley said excitedly.

I see him smile at me and a warm feeling comes over me. After what I just read on Gonzala's blog, I decided that I should go over and talk to this handsome stranger. I noticed he was wearing a hoodie with the Greek letters 'ΜΑΓ' so I knew he was from our brother fraternity. I confidently walked over to him.

"Hi, I'm Tamia," I said.

"I'm Alex," he said. "Nice to meet you."