Social Anxiety

Chapter 23: Busted

Shawna woke with a start the next morning. A sound from the kitchen stirred her, and she noticed a smell. Was somebody cooking? How was that possible? She leaped out of bed and exited her room with a fly swatter in her hand. It was the only weapon she could find. She laughed when she entered the kitchen and found the source of her troubles. A startled Felicia stood there staring at her. She was cooking breakfast in an adorable apron with "Kiss the cook" written on it.

"Fel, what the hell?" Shawna asked.

"Oh, sorry. I wanted to surprise you. Don't be mad at me. I let myself in," Felicia explained.

"It's okay. That's why I gave you a key," Shawna replied, pulling Felicia into a deep kiss. "Sorry about my morning breath," she said when the kiss broke.

"I don't mind," Felicia grinned. "This isn't much. I made bacon and eggs. Nothing fancy," she added before glancing at the fly swatter. "Were you going to swat me with that?"

"Maybe," Shawna giggled before playfully swatting Felicia on the butt. After putting the swatter down, Shawna grabbed a piece of bacon and took a bite. "Delicious, Fel. I love it, and I love you," she said, kissing her again. After all, she couldn't disobey the apron's request. "You know, you could just move in," Shawna added.

"Isn't it a little early to move in together?" Felicia asked.

"Yeah, maybe," Shawna shrugged.

Fel focused on her cooking momentarily, but a smile appeared. "I'll get my stuff later today and bring it over," she said.

"That's my girl," Shawna beamed.

***

Barb couldn't stop grinning when she saw Shawna and Felicia together later that day. Shawna eventually had to tell her to quit staring like a weirdo.

"I'm sorry, but I can't help it. You two are adorable," Barb said.

Meanwhile, they decided not to tell the pledges about the previous night's drama. Felicia didn't want them to feel responsible for what had happened. As far as they knew, Felicia had a beautiful party, and Shawna and Felicia were an official couple. The latter news made the pledges overjoyed. Felicia also found joy as she tried out her new camera. She was busy taking pictures of Shawna and Barb when Hailey arrived to rain on their parade.

"Bledsoe completed his investigation. He says there isn't enough evidence to link the attack to Marla," Hailey grumbled.

"Are you kidding me?" Keisha asked. "Is my word not enough?"

"No, he says it isn't."

"That man is a menace. I want to take him down as much as Marla now."

"Yeah, but how?"

"Hold on. Let me talk to Chloe. Maybe Kelsey found some dirt," Barb said.

***

Barb found Chloe in one of the study rooms. She was nose-deep in a book, trying to finish a pile of homework. When Barb saw her, Chloe smiled.

"Oh, hey, Sister Barb. I'm a little behind on my work," Chloe said.

"I understand, and I won't keep you long. Have you heard anything from Kelsey yet?"

"She said she thought she had a lead the other day. Here, let me call her," Chloe said, fetching her phone and dialing Kelsey's number.

"Yeah, I'm onto something," Kelsey said when Chloe asked. "But I don't think you'll like it," she added, sounding anxious.

"What do you mean?"