[trojangal]

"Ummm...it's going to be a dressy casual event. We wanted to have the opportunity to get to know some of the ladies on campus in a more formal setting. The crush parties are a lot of fun, but they don't really give us a chance to get to know the women. Too much noise, not enough quality conversation. Would you like to come? Ahhh..." Spencer coughed lightly. " I would really really like for you to be there. Please consider it."

"Spencer, I would love to be there. Thank you so much for inviting me. What time should I arrive at the house?"

"The event will start at 7:00 p.m. I'll come by to pick you up at the house at 6:30."

As Cassie hung up, Hailey asked her "Well, what's the news?"

"Spencer invited me to a dinner/party that the Sigma Xis are having on Saturday night. He also asked me if I wanted to help out with one of their philanthropy events as well."

"Wow..looks like things are getting interesting. Are you excited?" smiled Hailey.

"Yes, but nervous also. It's kind of a dressy casual event, so I need to figure out what to wear. Any advice?"

"Hmm...let me think. Hey, wait a sec. You mean this event is Saturday night? Cassie, THAT'S TOMORROW NIGHT!!!" realized Hailey as she looked quickly at the lion calendar hanging on the wall.

"Oh my gosh. I'll have to get a manicure and a pedicure, and figure out what to wear. Dressy casual...hmmm, I could wear my pantsuit with the cream and beige trim."

"No, I think this needs to be something else. " Hailey stepped out into the hall and called " Susan, Carly, can you guys come up here?" Susan was Cassie's Diamond sister and Carly was the sister who had represented Alpha Delta Pi on the Homecoming Court.

"What's up?" asked the girls as they walked into the room.

"Spencer invited her over to the Sigma Xi house for a dinner and party tomorrow night. "

"Cassie, that is so great!" exclaimed Susan. "What are you going to wear?"

"Well, I was thinking of my cream and beige suit.."

"Um..no, for a party/dinner, I think you need to wear a dress. " Susan yanked open the closet door, and surveyed the clothes. "Hmm..nice two piece suit, but too formal. Strapless black sundress..no, too casual. Carly, what do you think?"

"Well, I think I need to do her nails while we try to figure out what to wear. I'll be right back." Carly ran down to her room and grabbed her manicure and pedicure kits. "Hmm..you know what would look nice on her?"

"What?"

"How about that dress she wore to Pref?"

"Ooohhh...yes, why didn't I think of that? That would be perfect" exclaimed Hailey. She slid hangers around and pulled out a black dress with a subtle white floral print. "Cassie, this is what you need to wear. It's perfect!"

"And wear some black shoes with it."
"Hey Cassie, I've got some black pearl earrings and a black pearl necklace that would look great with it" chimed in Carly.

The ladies stayed up until midnight experimenting with Cassie's hair and perfecting her nails. Cassie could hardly sleep she was so excited.

The hours seemed to drag, yet fly all day Saturday. Cassie worked on more posters with her sisters to help her forget her slight bit of nervousness, then went upstairs to her room to get ready at 4:30. After taking a nice long bath scented with roses to relax her, she fixed her makeup and hair. She twisted her long hair into a chignon, giving it a simple but elegant look. As she was putting her dress on, Carly stepped into the room. " Here, let me zip that. You look great!" She handed Cassie the promised jewelry, then zipped up the back of her dress. Cassie glanced at the clock which read 6:20. "Uh-oh, ten minutes. Can you help me find my purse?" She called out, " Susan, have you seen my Coach bag?"

"She's not here. She said that she had a date tonight with a Lambda Chi Alpha brother. "

"Oh, okay." Cassie was so disappointed that her big wasn't there. She looked up in the closet, saw a monogrammed black bag, and decided to use that. Just as she moved her makeup bag and other essentials into her bag, the doorbell rung downstairs. She quickly spritzed on some perfume. "Where are you going? You look nice too, " as Carly headed out the door.

"I've got a date with Brian. I'll catch up with you tonight when you get back. Have a great time, and don't forget to be yourself!" Carly headed out the door smiling back at the pretty young woman.

"Cassie", called "Mama Ellie", the house mother. "You have a young gentleman here to pick you up."

"Thank you, Mama Ellie, I'll be right down." Cassie nervously glanced in the mirror, doublechecking everything. As she headed down the stairs, she saw Spencer waiting at the bottom. He looked drop dead gorgeous in his navy blazer and khaki pants. Underneath his jacket was a crisp white shirt, navy tie, and a tie bar that Cassie recognized as one similar to her dad's...the Sigma Xi crest. "Good evening, Spencer, " she smiled as she stepped off the last step.

" Good evening...wow..you look even prettier than you did yesterday!"

"Thank you" she said quietly, but secretly delighted that he had noticed. He took her arm, opened the door, and started to escort her out. "Oh..forgot something. Mama Ellie, these are for you." He handed the house mother a small bunch of white roses. " We thought you would like to have some of these."

"Why, thank you young man. " said a tickled Mama Ellie. "I'll go put them in the vase right now. " You young folks have a nice time tonight."

"Yes, ma'am" they both chorused as the walked down the door. Spencer helped her into the car, and as they rode over they talked of different things. Cassie asked Spencer about his times on campus, and he questioned her about her activities in high school and her involvement with ADPi so far. As they approached the Sigma Xi house, Cassie grew slightly more nervous. She took a calming breath, then relaxed, preparing to have a good time. Spencer helped her step out of the car, then led her to the house. Instead of taking her to the front door, he led her around the back.

"We're having the dinner and party out in the back where our patio is in the courtyard is located" murmured Spencer as he lightly held Cassie's elbow as he escorted her down the sidewalk. Cassie could smell some wonderful scents coming from the side of the house as she strolled with Spencer. She noticed some beautiful rose bushes climbing along the wall, realizing that these were the same type that Spencer had given to Mama Ellie.
As they entered the courtyard, Cassie looked and saw several of the Sigma Xi brothers dressed as nicely as Spencer. They were mingling with other young ladies who looked beautiful in their dresses. Without warning, the ladies stepped back, and the newest brothers of Sigma Xi formed a half circle in the courtyard.
Cassie looked around, confused, then heard the brothers start a song.

"We honor the beauty in this world
that comes from within,
like the glow of a pearl.
She's kind and sweet,
has grace and charm,
always a lady and ne'er would harm.
She's like our flower,
the best in our world.
This lovely White Rose,
Our Sigma Xi girl."

Cassie realized, all of a sudden, that the men were singing to her! There was Mark, who was in her College Algebra class. And over there were James and Tom, who had invited her to the crush party earlier that semester. On the end of the circle was Alex, who had graduated high school with her! As she glanced out across the yard, she saw the brothers smiling at her, and beyond them, the girls in their dresses smiling as well.

Spencer stepped up to her and Mark joined him. "Cassie, on behalf of the New Member Class of 2004-2005, we ask you to be our White Rose, an honor given to one lady on campus every fall, " said Mark. Spencer looked down at her, and asked the following question.

" We, as brothers of Sigma Xi, offer you this privilege as our way of recognizing the qualities we believe to be highest in womanhood, and have selected you to join the other White Roses. Do you accept this honor of joining the White Roses?"

Cassie, stunned, couldn't breathe. As she looked around, suddenly she saw Carly and Susan and Hailey standing behind the men. She looked quickly and noticed some other girls that she knew from classes and remembered from some of the other houses. Susan smiled at her, and nodded her head. Cassie realized, all of a sudden, that all of the ladie present were wearing a necklace with a white rose pendant.

"Dearest brothers of Sigma Xi, I feel privileged to be chosen for such an honor. Thank you very much for choosing me" said Cassie, her face glowing with pride.