Susannah waved goodbye to her friends as they left the hall, leaving her to search for her hoodie inside her gym bag on one of the benches. Pulling it on, she straightened up with her bag on her shoulder and came to a sudden halt at the presence of Mr Carter. He peered back at her as if he already knew of her plans.
Before he could speak, she spoke up first. “Before you say anything, let me go first,” she said quickly. He closed his mouth. “I know I’m not well suited to this club, I get it, so that’s why I’m quitting. I was going to send you an email, but I guess, this is better. I’m sorry for wasting your time today,” she concluded, biting back her emotions.
She’d had fun in Adventure Club but throughout the two hours, she’d had to put up with Eliot, Reece and a handful of the other boys teasing and heckling her. She’d signed up to have fun and learn new skills. But this wouldn’t be any fun. She couldn’t handle this once a week. She wasn’t cut out for it and felt like an idiot for ever believing otherwise. She hated that she’d allowed Eliot Webb and Reece Ellis to get under her skin but they were right. She didn’t belong here.
Susannah went to leave when Mr Carter called out to her.
“Wait one cotton-picking minute,” he bellowed, stopping her in her tracks. “Why are you quitting?” He sounded furious. Even more so than she’d thought he would be about her quitting.
“Because I’m –.”
“What? Because you’re a girl? Because you’re not muscly like those idiots? Because what?” He looked down at her expectantly.
All she could do was nod dejectedly.
“That’s pathetic, Miss Fields and you know it,” he scoffed. “Look at me,” he ordered.
Susannah raised her quivering chin, grasping the strap of her bag tightly. She did feel pathetic. How could she have been so sensitive? She’d never cared what those boys had thought about her in the past. Hadn’t she enjoyed the adrenaline? Hadn’t she seen the proud expressions on her friends’ faces? And weren’t they the only people who mattered? The people who loved her. And herself. She mattered. What didn’t matter was what Eliot, Reece or anyone else thought. Only her.
Sam was right. They were intimidated by her and they’d put her down to make themselves feel less like idiots – and she’d let them. She’d never doubted herself before, so why now?
“Those guys in there, they’re idiots. The majority of men feel inferior to strong women. What you’ve gotta do is say, ‘fuck em’ and get on. Keep being yourself and don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t achieve whatever you set your mind to, Miss Fields,” Mr Carter said firmly as tears welled in her eyes. She blinked them away quickly and stood up taller. “You ever heard the quote, ‘No one can make you feel inferior without your consent?'”
“Princess Diaries?” Susannah sniffled.
“Yes.” Mr Carter pursed his lips behind a smirk. “But it was Eleanor Roosevelt who said it first. Do you know who she was?”
“First Lady.”
“Exactly. Are you gonna let those idiots make you feel inferior? Make you quit something you clearly love – something you’re very good at?” he asked, turning his bald head to one side.
“No?” Susannah answered. “No,” she said again, more confidently this time. “No, I’m not going to quit.”
“Good.” Mr Carter gave her what she assumed was a smile. “What are you gonna do?”
“Fuck ‘em,” she grinned.
“And where are you gonna be next Thursday at six o’clock?”
“Here.”
“Combat Fighting next week. Get your own back then.” He winked and at that, he strolled away, leaving Susannah with a very different outlook indeed.
Reece and Eliot should be scared. No one made her feel inferior and got away with it.
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