Social Anxiety

Chapter 22: Home

Felicia scrambled to grab her glasses and place them on her face. She watched the stand-off between Shawna and her mother with bated breath. Part of her wanted to step between them, but they didn't leave her any space.

"Mom, please listen! I love her," Felicia cried.

"I didn't raise a lesbian! Get in the car now, Felicia. I'm taking you home and pulling you out of school," her mother said without breaking eye contact with Shawna.

"No, you can't take her from me," Shawna said through clenched teeth.

"She wasn't yours to begin with. Felicia is my daughter. I have every right to take her home!"

"Felicia is an adult now. She can make her own decisions."

"Clearly not! I let her make decisions, and she chose this!" Mrs. Mays said, pointing at the gazebo. She walked over to the table and picked up the Hendrix R6 box. "Did you buy her this?"

"Yes."

"Keep it, and never come near my daughter again," Mrs. Mays yelled, shoving the box into Shawna's hands hard enough to almost knock her over. Shawna placed it on the table and got in Mrs. Mays' face, but this was a mistake. Felicia's mother slapped Shawna. When Shawna tried to retaliate, Felicia grabbed her arm.

"No, Shawna!" Felicia cried. "Please don't fight her," she added, making Shawna back down and look her in the eyes.

"Fel, I'm sorry," Shawna said.

"Get in the car, Felicia," her mother said again.

"Shawna, forgive me. I have to go," Felicia said, looking at the ground as tears splashed at her feet.

"No, Fel. Stay with me."

"I can't. She pays for my school."

"I'll..."

"GET IN THE CAR NOW!" Mrs. Mays screamed, cutting Shawna off.

"But my stuff," Felicia said.

"I'll come back for it later, but you're going home," her mom replied. She grabbed Felicia by the arm and dragged her to the car. Felicia glanced over her shoulder at Shawna, pleading with her eyes.

"Fel, don't go," Shawna cried. She watched helplessly as Mrs. Mays loaded Felicia into the vehicle and drove away. Shawna fell to her knees while staring at the tail lights. Uncontrollable sobs overtook her.

***

"Shawna, calm down. Look at me," Barb said, holding Shawna's head steady. "It's going to be..."

"Don't you dare say it's going to be okay! Nothing is okay!" Shawna screamed. Barb backed up and stood with the other sisters. No one knew what to do. They looked at Shawna, and their hearts broke. They had never seen her like this. Makeup ran down Shawna's cheeks along with the tears. "My whole world is crumbling," Shawna muttered.

"Shawna, I'm so sorry. I wish I knew what to say," Barb replied.

Shawna looked at Barb, and her expression softened a bit. She knew Barb meant well, and the gesture helped a little. She smiled weakly at Barb, but it only lasted a second. A dangerous look replaced it. Shawna seemed to have a realization that filled her with fury. "Marla did this," Shawna said.

Everyone followed Shawna away from the gazebo. She stormed across the campus, looking for Marla. Barb hoped she wouldn't find her, but that wasn't the case. Shawna spotted Marla chatting with Sandra, unaware of the danger approaching her. Barb stepped in front of Shawna to halt her.