Jenna 10.
“It was a hell of a game. I hate how they cut off coverage during halftime. And they don’t show nearly enough of the cheering squad.” I listened to my boyfriend with a smile as he bitched about today’s game. “I don’t want to listen to those asswipes do their commentary. I wanna see my woman do her thing.”
“Your woman’s thing is herding rambunctious cats.”
His voice drops to a purr, my nipples pebbling in my bra at the tone. “And she does it so well. My woman does a lot of things really,reallywell.”
“I excel at crosswords.” His laughter is like a cure all. Whatever ails me, Andres Abbott is the cure. “Oh, wait a second.” I pull my phone from my ear and stare at the screen. There’s an emergency alert from the university’s messaging system. “Fuck!” I scream, scrambling to my feet.
“Jenna? What is it?”
“I gotta go, I’ll call you later.”
“Jen—”
“I’m ok, I’m not hurt. I’ll call you when I can.” I hang up without waiting for his reply, locking my office and rushing down the hall. Through the maze of corridors, I finally break free into the main concourse and run around the outer ring of the stadium.It’s organized pandemonium. About 7 people are in handcuffs, including three of my cheerleaders and Edee Shingleton.
“What the fuck is going on?” I ask nobody in particular. An officer turns to me with a stony face and I swallow hard.
“Who are you?”
“Jenna Nemac, I’m the cheering coach. Those three,” I point to Shaye, Jillian, and Lindsay, “belong to me. What happened?”
“LYNDELL! EDEE!” I spin around, my jaw dropping as Tyrone Wicawiil rushes into the fray. I listen as the police, Ty, and Edee talk frantically, piecing together a little of what has transpired. A pit yawns in my stomach, despair clawing its way up my throat.
“May I speak to those girls?” I point a menacing finger at my cheerleaders. The police officer gives me a curt nod and I waste no time stomping over to them. Jillian and Lindsay look terrified, and it doesn’t improve when they see my thundering expression. Shaye is scared as well, but she’s trying to hide it behind a mask of indifference.
“Coach—” I hold up a hand to silence Lindsay.
“What did you do?” I hiss, staring down at them as they sit on the concrete, hands cuffed behind their backs.
“We didn’tdoanything! It was all that fucking bitch Edee and that retard—”
“SHUT UP!” I bark, startling the girls, a few people nearby and myself. I have never raised my voice like that before to anyone. Of course, I’ve never felt this level of rage before either. That despair is slowly turning into hot, sticky fury. The three of them show no remorse, only fear for their own future. Never mind the future and physical and mental well-being of another human being. “You have made a mockery of this squad, the university, and yourselves. You should be ashamed of what you’ve done,who you have become. Listen to me and listen well,” I squat down so I’m eye level with them, my hard stare darting between each of them, “I am going to go line by line through the university by-laws and code of conduct, as well as that of the cheering squad and I am going to find a way to remove all three of you…permanently. You wanna play stupid fucking games? Here’s your stupid fucking prizes. Enjoy jail!”
I stand up, ignoring Jillian’s cries for me to stop and help. I am not lifting a fucking finger to save those fucking cunts. They have been nothing but petty, immature, skanks since they arrived their freshman years. But this takes the cake. Shaye physically assaulted someone while the other two cheered her on. They are just as guilty in my book. Lyndell is like sunshine and a beloved member of the athletic department, not to mention the university at large. Everyone knows Lyndell Wicawiil and it has nothing to do with his ex-quarterback and current mascot brother, Tyrone. And what they did and allowed to happen to Edee? They have no place on my squad and I am going to fight tooth and nail to see they are excised like the malignant tumor they are.
In my office, I wipe away the tears that fall. I log in to my computer and pull up the conduct code and bylaws. Hitting a button on my office phone, I wait for Brody to answer.
“Kinda busy, Jenna—”
“I know, Brody, I’m sorry, but I need the footage from the attack.”
There’s a pause, then, “Why?”
“Because I’m starting a fantasy assault league and I’m interested in Shaye for my team.” I snark, then shake my head. “I want to see for myself their level of involvement so I can file the proper grievances with the board.”
“Fantasy assault league sounds badass,” he mutters. “I’ll have Eric send it to you as soon as he can.”
“Thanks.” We hang up and I go back to reading line by line. About twenty minutes later, I’m fighting the urge to puke as I watch the footage for the second time. Good Lord! Shaye is off the squad, and I’m pretty sure she’ll be on very thin ice and probation with the university, if not expulsion. Unfortunately, I can’t kick Jillian and Lindsay out, but I can place them on conduct probation with a very tight leash. I spend the next half hour filing the proper paperwork online and submit for the board’s approval. Given the circumstances, I’m sure they are all aware of what’s happened and ready for an emergency meeting to discuss the fallout and repercussions.
I’m not satisfied, my bloodlust still thrumming through my veins, but it’s a start. Between what they did to Daya and the other little things they’ve done that I’ve documented, they don’t stand a chance. Feels good to cull the herd, so to speak.
I get an alert and check my phone. “Oh, thank God!” Lyndell has been found, he’s safe and unharmed. Physically, at least. Bile rises up my throat thinking about what I saw on that video. Poor Lyndell. I hate this for him, Ty, and Edee. I hate this for us all.
Done with the night, I shut off my computer and close out my office. Tears in my eyes, the weight of the season bearing down on me, I drag my feet to Brandon’s office, needing my friends since my boyfriend was hundreds of miles away. I quickly send Andres a text message.
Prickles:A few of my cheerleaders were involved in an altercation. They attacked Lyndell and Edee Shingleton. Lyn and Edee are ok. But everyone’s shook up. I’m heading to Brandon’s office to drown my sorrows.
