From his brother's description, the initiation for legacies was easy, but Joey didn't presume anything. On the night pledging began, he sat in a chair before a table of the officers; the same brothers who had been on his couch a year prior. They tried to look official; even dressed in suits, but when you've seen a group of boys in a drunken dog pile in your foyer, it's hard to ever take them seriously again.
Sam, who was apparently now the president, spoke first. "Your brother probably told you about legacy initiation. It's a seperate process from new initiates, but in many ways more difficult to complete. You have one month to convince each of us, individually, that you should be a member of our fraternity."
"How?"
"How to do it, and what it will take, are things you'll have to discover on your own. The only rule is, you can not speak a word to us until the end of the month, when we are seated here again. The vote must be unanimous."
Joey had no idea what they were looking for. Convince them he was worthy, without saying a word? He decided to ask around, and talk to the current brothers to see if they had any hints. One of the brothers, Tom, Joey remembered Marc mentioning. At the party later that night, he pulled Tom aside.
"How do I do it? How do I convince them to let me in?"
"You have to do it in order, up the line of officers, from Treasurer up to President. So first Harry, then Greg, Justin and Sam."
"So what will it take to convince Harry?"
"Oh Harry's easy. He's always been the heaviest kid in the frat, ever since he joined, and he's looking for someone to take his place. Convince him that you're serious about eating, and you'll have his vote."
"And Greg?"
"Drink him under the table. Which is simple, but not easy. You'll have to warm up to it first."
"Justin?"
"I'm pretty sure you've already got Justin's vote. I'll talk to him and let you know once you get past Harry and Greg."
There was a pause in which Joey notably didn't ask about Sam, and Tom felt he had to comment.
"You don't want to know about Sam?"
"I know how to get Sam's vote already," Joey said. He'd been planning for Sam's vote ever since a year ago. The next day, he set about getting Harry's vote. Getting into the cafeteria was easy. All freshman were essentially forced to take a nearly limitless meal plan, so they couldn't possibly run out of food. The trick for Joey was, he had to be there enough, and eat heavily enough, that it would catch Harry's attention.
The first day, he missed two classes to spend an extra hour and a half in the cafeteria, keeping an eye out for Harry. He spent the time chowing down, eating more than he ever had. The food wasn't high quality, but it was definitely greasy and delicious. The cafeteria kept a hot grill running throughout each meal, constantly stocked with pizza slices, burgers, hot dogs and fries. Joey, in turn, kept his tray full of those things, and always closed with a big dessert.
At the end of the day, Joey went home with a painfully full belly, twice. The walk home seemed long, and uncomfortable. He fell asleep on his own couch.
The next morning, Joey didn't have class and got an early start on a huge breakfast. Pancakes were legitimately his favorite food, so convincing Harry or not, he piled his plate high and ate several short stacks. He lost himself in the food, loving pancakes so much he didn't notice until he was just as stuffed as the night before. He got up, and started to make his way home. He noticed Harry on the way out. Harry...
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