Social Anxiety

Chapter 12: Spooky Season

As the days ticked down until the haunted house opened, the pledges worked hard to finish it. Hana managed the look of each room. She was in her element and felt confident for the first time during pledging. Hana also came up with a unique idea, which Keisha loved.

"We have this long, dark hallway. What if we painted it with this glow-in-the-dark paint? We could paint dots up and down the walls. Then we have people in black outfits covered in the same dots. They can blend against the walls. As the people walk through the hallway, they can scare them!" Hana said.

"I like the way you think, girl," Keisha said.

"Thanks! Oh, and the room before it should disorient them. We could make it bright and white to mess with their eyesight. That way, the people in the hallway blend in as much as possible."

"A white room, huh? Ooh, let's make it an insane asylum! It could be a padded white room with a crazy person inside. The room doesn't have to be scary. It just has to make it hard to see. We could have someone in a straitjacket act all wild and weird."

"Do we have a straitjacket?" Hana asked.

"Yeah, I saw one on the costume rack," Keisha replied, gesturing toward the loft. "I'm sure it will fit..." Keisha started, but a commotion in a nearby room distracted her. Hana and Keisha walked to the curtain and peered inside to find Tamara and Bart arguing.

"Look, I think I've been acting longer than you, young lady. You should listen to me," Bart said, placing his hands on his hips and leaning down to stare at her. Tamara lay on a table in front of Bart. They were doing a Bride of Frankenstein room. Bart was Dr. Frankenstein, while Tamara played the bride. Her only job was to sit up and scare the guests when the time was right, but Bart felt the need to critique her performance. "I'm not feeling your emotion in the moment!" Bart said.

"I'm sorry," Tamara replied, trying not to laugh at the situation's absurdity. "Maybe I should scream," she suggested.

"No, we need to preserve your voice for your play. You must find a way to convey emotion without screaming. Try something like this," Bart said before twisting his face into what looked like a mix of constipation and confusion. A strangled cry accompanied the expression, making Tamara bite her lip hard enough to almost draw blood. She had to refrain from laughing for his sake.

"Tamara, I need your help with something," Keisha said. She couldn't let the poor girl suffer any longer. Keisha beckoned her to follow. She led Tamara to the break room and gave her a sympathetic smile. "Coffee?" Keisha asked, gesturing at the table.

"I would love some," Tamara said.

"Great. Make me a cup, too. I'll be back in a second," Keisha said. Tamara looked confused as Keisha left, making Keisha chuckle. When Keisha returned, Tamara had their cups ready. "Sorry, I couldn't resist. Remember, you are still a pledge. Are you okay, girl?"

"No, Bart is a real pain in my butt."

"I'm sorry, but you'll have to put up with him until the end of the haunted house."

"Oh, this is complete bupkis!" Tamara yelled, but she immediately realized her mistake. Tamara looked at Keisha remorsefully and said, "I apologize, Sister Keisha. I shouldn't have said that."

"Bupkis?" Keisha asked.

"You know—BS," Tamara replied, muttering the last part.

Keisha stared at Tamara momentarily before both of them broke into uncontrollable laughter. Tamara needed it.

***

Back at the campus, Felicia was in the park photographing birds for a class project. She spotted a pretty blue jay and had found the perfect angle and lighting when a shadow appeared over the bird. Felicia's finger was on the button of her camera. She groaned and glanced at the person who cast the darkness. When Felicia saw who it was, she squeaked and almost fell over.