Social Anxiety

Chapter 15: Starting Drama

Dan sat in his dorm room, working hard on his piling mountain of homework. He was so focused on math that he almost didn't hear the door open. Tommy entered the room, looking happier and more sober than Dan had seen in weeks.

"What's up with you?" Dan asked, grinning.

"I got a date to our fall social."

"That's awesome. Who is it?"

"Kelsey Monroe," Tommy said as he threw himself on his bed, bouncing slightly.

"Holy crap. She was almost the Phi-O president. How did you manage that?"

"Hey!" Tommy said, looking a little hurt. "Are you implying that Moi couldn't get someone that popular and hot?"

"I didn't mean it that way, man," Dan said. He felt bad, but he saw Tommy laughing.

"Nah, it's all good. She needed a stress reliever, and I hooked her up. Turns out she's pretty chill," Tommy replied as he grabbed his controller to play video games while they talked. He started playing Noir Detective 3 but kept the conversation going despite staring intently at the TV. "I learned something about that Marla girl, though."

"Really? What's that?" Dan asked.

"Kelsey can't stand her any more than your girl. It seems half of Phi-O are getting fed up with her."

"That doesn't surprise me. I don't suppose Kelsey knows how Marla beat her to become president, does she?"

"She thinks Marla either intimidated or bribed people into voting for her."

"Again, I'm not surprised," Dan laughed.

"Kelsey said Marla is trying to pull the same thing again to get some internship Kelsey wants. She's pretty pissed."

When Tommy said this, Dan looked intrigued. Tommy glanced at him because he didn't respond. He registered Dan's expression. "Oh, no. You're plotting something," Tommy chuckled.

"I am not."

"Dude, I know that look. Either you're plotting something, or you're hungry."

"How do those look the same?" Dan asked. Tommy shrugged and returned to his video game. "Okay, maybe I am plotting something, but someone has to knock Marla down a peg."

"Be careful, man. Don't go starting drama. That's my motto."

***

Barb and Hana were enjoying an afternoon jog around campus. They discovered their mutual love for running during their freshmen year. Running around the perimeter of the campus provided a nice scenic route. Barb loved how the trees grew over the roads around the school, creating almost a tunnel-like effect. Harrison University had a beautiful atmosphere. A little exercise helped ease her stress, but it also gave them a chance to have their visit.

"Sister Barb, we don't need a visit. I've known you since last year's Welcome Week," Hana laughed.

"We still require visits, and are you complaining about spending time with me?" Barb asked, looking sad.

"No, of course not!" Hana said. She stopped jogging and looked at Barb apologetically, but Barb laughed.

"I was messing with you. Come on, keep up," Barb said, jogging away.

"So, are you going to ask Ben to the Hootenanny?" Hana asked when she pulled even with Barb again.

"Why do you think I would want to?"

"You kept Tommy's drawing from class," Hana chuckled.

"It's a funny drawing!"

"Right. That's why you kept it," Hana smirked. This time, Barb stopped running.