Social Anxiety

Chapter 11: Food on the Table

Everyone sat in front of Bledsoe's desk, which cramped his office. Claudia noticed she wasn't the only one who hadn't showered yet. They were a motley crew of dirt and sweat. Tamara looked the worst of all of them. No one wanted to meet Bledsoe's eyes, but Shawna was making a show of not looking at him. She stared at the wall to her left with her arms crossed.

"I'm disqualifying your team from the rest of the flag football season," Bledsoe said.

"Are you doing the same to the Phi-O team?" Claudia asked.

"No, you attacked them."

"That's not true! Dana elbowed me. I fought back!"

"From what I hear, Miss Hill tackled their quarterback early in the game."

"That was an accident!" Tamara said.

"The Phi-O team says you were the aggressors, and witnesses back this up."

"Is Marla that witness?" Shawna asked, still focusing on the wall.

"She was one of them. Yes."

"More like she was the only one. She's putting that food on your table again."

"Watch your tone, Miss Davidson," Bledsoe said. Shawna turned in his direction again and opened her mouth. Everybody in the room braced for an onslaught, but Shawna bit down on her lip and remained quiet. Barb worried that Shawna would draw blood. "That's better," he continued, and Shawna bit harder. "Consider yourselves lucky. I will allow you to play other sports, but your flag football games are over. However, we will watch you closely. If this behavior continues, I will ban KMA from all intramural sports. And yes, that includes members and pledges."

"Yes, sir," Barb said, placing a hand on Shawna's arm when she saw her reacting. The gesture silenced her.

"Oh, and while we're on the subject, don't think I'm unaware of what KMA stands for. I will allow you to keep the name, but please refrain from any vulgarity. If I see 'Kiss my ass' written on any signs or other objects, I will punish KMA," Bledsoe said, looking directly at Shawna. She fought hard not to stick out her tongue at him. Part of her even wanted to fetch the mouth guard from her pocket and put it in her mouth.

"We understand," Barb replied, holding Shawna's arm as if reading her mind.

"You're dismissed," he said before sifting through papers on his desk. They all stood up to leave, except for Shawna. She stayed put, so Barb watched her with a growing pit in her stomach.

"Shawna..." Barb began, but Shawna held up her hand.

"I need to talk to Bledsoe privately," she said. Bledsoe eyed her warily when she said this.

"Is that a good idea?" Barb asked, but someone unexpectedly answered her.

"Sister Barb, I think Mistress Shawna needs to have this conversation," Kennedy whispered. "It's okay."

Barb glanced between Kennedy and Shawna questioningly, but she nodded and left. Once they exited, Bledsoe squirmed in his seat and cleared his throat.

"Is there a problem?" he asked.

"You told Marla about my parents," Shawna said. "Why?"

"I wasn't aware it was a secret."

"Bullshit. I told you last year I didn't want many people knowing about it."

"Watch your language. And I was trying to get her to sympathize with you more. I hoped it would ease the tensions between you."

"You know how she is. So, you had to realize how she would use it."