[scrantonicity]

I was completely miserable when I got to the tent outside Dancer, and those feelings didn't go away once I was inside. As I was being triple-rushed this time, I didn't feel too bad not joining in the conversation. I answered whatever questions were directed to me specifically, but for the most part I stayed quiet and only pretended to be listening to the other PNMs. Looking back, I know how difficult it can be to rush three PNMs at a time, and I'm disappointed in myself for not giving this house my full attention. I don't even remember what craft we made, I was so preoccupied with the events at Comet.

I was still a little upset as I made my way over to the next party, but this was Jack Frost. I did not want to have another horrible experience at one of my top choices, so I made up my mind to CHEER UP and have a good time! Again, their door chant was so incredibly catchy! I was picked up by a blonde girl who was a full head shorter than me, but who was clearly very bubbly and full of energy. She was clapping and singing louder than any girl around us! I was so tempted to start clapping too, but I thought that might make me look a little stupid, so I just smiled and hoped I looked as excited to be there as I was. After the song, my rusher and I - let's call her "Christina" - sat down at one of the tables. I thoroughly enjoyed the craftmaking this time. I was supposed to decorate the frame around a small mirror, but instead of just watching me do it and distracting me with occasional questions, Christina helped me! I thought this was really great. Working together with her to decorate the mirror made me feel like we were sisters already. Not to mention, it turned out insanely cute! After we were done, we kept talking for a while; I absolutely loved this girl! She was so sweet, and so funny! We goofed around a bit and I really felt like she was doing a great job breaking me out of my shyness. Whenever one of her sisters would walk by with drinks or something, she would make sure to grab her and introduce us, which made me genuinely feel like she wanted me to meet as many girls as possible. Then, toward the end of the party, all of the sisters were asked by the president to form a circle about the room. Christina excused herself and joined them - Looking around, I remember thinking that I felt very much at home with the Jack Frosts. The sisters sang a very sweet song to the PNMs, and then it was time to go. Again, I did not want to leave! I said a sad goodbye to Christina, and hoped with all my heart that I would get to see her again tomorrow.

In the span of under two hours I had gone from feeling hopeless and pathetic to on top of the world! Recruitment sure was a rollercoaster ride... I was curious to see how my friends were doing, but I still had two parties to attend.

Next up was Dasher. I'd had a good time there my first day, so I was happy to be returning. I hoped that Sasha (my friend from middle school) would be the one to pick me up, but no such luck. The girl who did was very nice though. Their craft involved coloring little papers that fit inside coffee mugs as decoration. I honestly thought this was a little... dumb. I felt like I was back in Kindergarten, coloring in my coloring book. Still, I wanted to impress my rusher, so I was sure to make it neat and pretty. By this time I had realized that the whole idea of making crafts during Recruitment was not too bright. Every time (except in Jack Frost) we wound up sitting in virtual silence while I made my craft. It was very awkward. I either had to rush through it and do a sloppy job (and look like I didn't care about their philanthropy), or take my time to make it nice and lose out on conversation. I tried to find a happy medium and my rusher and I wound up having a pretty good talk. As it turns out, we had gone to rival high schools! For the second time, I had fun at Dasher, but I still didn't quite feel that same spark as I'd felt at Comet or Jack Frost.

Finally, my last house of the day was Blitzen - literally on the complete opposite end of Greek Row from Dasher. I had plenty of time to get there, but I still hurried! I was excited to be going back to this house; I had definitely liked them yesterday, but I hoped I would feel a bit more certain about them after today. I was picked up by a girl named "Jessica" and we sat at a table with about four other Blitzens and their PNMs. She was very easy to talk to, and although I don't remember the specifics, I know I was glad that we stayed away from those "typical" Day One questions. The thing that struck me as odd, though, was the way this chapter bumped. Someone flickered the lights, Jessica excused herself, and then all the Blitzens at the table stood up and rotated themselves to the next girl in line. It was a little weird having Jessica now sitting on the opposite side of me, talking to another girl. Still, my next rusher was also very friendly, as were the other two. They kept rotating every ten minutes or so - I thought it was very awkward, and although I had liked all of the girls I'd talked to, I still wasn't entirely sure how I felt about this house!

After my last party, I hurried back across Greek Row to the tent outside of Dasher to meet Boston and my group. I knew the drill this time, and was pretty sure of how I was going to rank. We could visit a maximum of 5 houses tomorrow, and my list looked like this:

1. Jack Frost
2. Comet (there was still hope, right??)
3. Prancer
4. Vixen
5. Blitzen
6. Dasher
7. Dancer

After an emotionally and physically exhausting day, I was pretty much ready to talk about anything but Recruitment. Of course, neither Kate nor Claire felt the same way, and neither would shut up about it. I found out that Kate had been invited back to six, two of which were Cupid and Donder - she was still gunning for Cupid, even after I told her what happened to Mary. I didn't admit this, but I felt like it was pretty shady not to invite a legacy back to the second round, unless she'd been downright nasty to her rusher. Having known Mary for a very long time, I was sure that that was not the case. I really didn't know what to think of Cupid at this point, but I did not want to offend my roommate, who seemed to genuinely like them.

As I went to sleep that night, I couldn't help but wonder what might happen if Kate and I were to end up in extremely different houses. Would she no longer like me? Could we make it through the year as roommates peacefully? Also weighing heavily on my mind was whether or not I would be asked back to Comet after that whole debacle today. Had I really offended that rusher somehow? I imagined her standing up and declaring to her chapter that I was gross, rude, and unworthy of wearing their letters.... I don't know how I managed to fall asleep that night but I did.

To be continued....... dun dun dunnnn