Social Anxiety

Chapter 1: Never Mind a Naked Man

A strange noise broke the otherwise calm morning at Harrison University. The sound consisted of heavy breathing and a constant stream of curses as a young red-haired girl sprinted across the campus. She carried a bag of art supplies and a heavy backpack. The girl didn't know how she hadn't toppled over yet.

"This is Hailey's fault," Barbara Conrad thought as she ran. Her fraternal twin sister had an earlier morning class. Barb could have slept for another hour, but her sister created too much racket.

"Hail! You're doing this on purpose," Barb had mumbled from her bed while her sister got ready.

"No, I'm not. I'm trying to be as quiet as possible."

"Liar," Barb said, chucking a pillow in her sister's vicinity. She tried to go back to sleep. The problem was that she no longer had a pillow and lacked the desire to pick it up. Plus, she hit the snooze button three times, making her late for the new semester's first class. Sophomore year was supposed to be her year. This wasn't a good start.

Barb's bad mood only increased as she dodged another swarm of crickets. A biblical plague had cursed the campus since she returned to school. One had infiltrated their dorm room, further hindering her ability to sleep. As she ran, a few leaped onto her pants leg. She stopped to brush them away, only amplifying her need for speed.

The fine arts building came into view just as Barb's side felt like splitting. She wrenched open the door and hurried through it. Barb focused on her classroom and almost ran over a small brunette girl in glasses. She might not have stopped if it wasn't for an odd squeak. Did she step on a mouse? What was that? "Sorry," Barb said breathlessly to the girl.

"It's okay. I was in the way. Sorry," the girl said and hurried along without making eye contact.

Barb finally reached the room and tried to open the door as quietly as possible. She eased inside, hoping everyone's focus lay elsewhere. This delusion died the moment she made the first step. Every head turned to look, and Barb muttered, "Shit."

"Miss Conrad, I hope your painting will be as colorful as your language," Professor Rodriguez said with a raised eyebrow. "Please take a seat," he said as he gestured toward an open easel-of course, it was at the front of the class.

The only saving grace was it sat next to her good friend, Hana Park. She greeted Barb with a smile and a wave, so Barb failed to realize what was in front of her. Barb didn't glance at the subject they were painting until she put her bag down. This wasn't a bowl of fruit. A naked man sat on a stool. Who started the semester with a nude model? Barb couldn't think of anything to say. She stared at him for too long, earning a grin from the model. Barb said the only thing that came to her mind.

"Very impressive," Barb said and gave the man a thumbs-up. This drew laughter from the classroom, making Barb hide her face. She imagined it looked as red as her hair. Before she began her work, Barb placed her hair in its usual ponytail. She hadn't had the time before she rushed out of the dorm. In fact, she wasn't sure she even brushed her teeth. Thankfully, Hana had her back and gave her a stick of gum.

"Sup, B?" said a voice from Barb's left.

"Hey, Tommy," Barb said. She almost laughed when she looked at him. His half-opened eyes and grin told her he started the day with the old wake-and-bake method. Then, the laughter grew louder when she saw his easel. The only image on his canvas was a large dick. "Well, at least he got the proportions right," Barb said to herself.

Professor Rodriguez was a laid-back teacher. He allowed conversation as long as you kept it to a low murmur and did your work. Once everyone settled into their painting, Rodriguez turned on some music. Barb heard Rodriguez's usual mix of classic rock begin, and she began her outline while talking to Hana.