Brenna and Georgie in the Bedroom

The group went their separate ways. Some got changed, some left their dinner clothes on. Kiki, Vivian, Haylee, and Anais went out to the pool to bask in the humid evening warmth. Macie, Sharon, and Naomi hit the gym. Jane, Carmen, Libby, and Penelope went to the living room to watch TV or read. Chrissy, Gwen, and Sadie sat at the dining table, playing poker for coins. Brenna sat alone in the dormitory, hiding her shame from her housemates.

Brenna: It’s been eating at me all day long. I was the first one stripped, and it was all my fault. How could I have been so stupid? If I hadn’t given up, this would have been Penelope instead of her. It should have been Penelope. Right now, the only thing I want is to see her embarrassed the same way I am.

As Brenna sat on her bed, the door suddenly opened. Georgie entered.

“Hey Brenna, how’s it going?” Georgie asked.

“Um, fine,” Brenna said.

“You don’t look fine,” Georgie says. “You want to talk about it?”

“Not really. I kind of just want to be left alone.”

“In my experience, when people say they want to be alone, they really need a friend more than ever.

“That’s really f*cking not what’s happening right now,” Brenna said.

Georgie sat on the bed next to Brenna.

“There’s clearly something bothering you,” Georgie said. “Why don’t we talk about it?”

“Why don’t you f*ck off?” Brenna snapped. Georgie just looked at her patiently.

“I’m sorry, it’s just been a long day. I’m not exactly in the best mood right now,” Brenna said.

“So get it off your chest,” Georgie said.

Brenna sighed. “You’re not gonna leave unless I do, are you?”

Georgie smiled. “I’m stubborn that way. Now, what’s bothering you?”

“I mean, it’s all sorts of things. I feel like I made a sh*t first impression. I was just walking around down in the dumps. Now everyone is going to have this image of me as a sad sack.”

“Listen, first impressions don’t have to stick. You just get right back on that horse and try harder next time.” She reached over and rubbed Brenna's arm comfortingly. “Just act confident, and people will see you that way.”

“It’s hard to act confident when I’m, you know…”

“Exposed?”

“Yeah, I guess.”

“Well, it’s not like you’re walking around completely naked or anything,” Georgie said. “Besides, everyone was exposed for the challenge, right? They’re just as bad off as you are.”

“This is different. I was the only one singled out to lose my clothes. I’m the only one getting punished for it. And it shouldn’t even be me getting punished. Penelope should be sitting here like this, not me.”

“So it’s not just about losing your clothes. You wish someone else lost their clothes instead of you,” Georgie said.

“Yeah, I guess,” Brenna replied.

“Somebody else should be walking around stripped,” Georgie said.

“Yeah?” Brenna said.

“Would it make you feel better if I took my pants off?” Georgie asked.

“Yeah, right,” Brenna smiled bashfully.

“No, for real. It’s like, who needs pants? We could organize a protest. Everybody take off their pants and go around in just their underwear. It’s like, we might have to take our clothes off, but you’re not going to embarrass us for it! Don’t let the system win!”

“Yeah, well, you’re not even wearing pants, so there goes that idea.”

“Okay, fine,” Georgie said, “I could take off my dress.”

“Yeah, no, I think I’m good.”

“Are you sure? You said it yourself, you feel bad being the only one who lost clothing. Maybe having somebody else around without all their clothes would make you feel better.”

“I don’t think that’s a good…”

Before Brenna could reply farther, Georgie pulled her dress over her head, revealing her thick thighs, her panties, and her large-cupped bra. Finally, the dress was completely off, leaving her standing in only her lacy bra, panties, and socks.

“F*ck,” Brenna muttered to herself. She looked away uncomfortably.

“See? It’s nothing to be embarrassed about,” Georgie said.

“I’m feeling pretty embarrassed right now,” Brenna replied.

“But you don’t need to feel that way alone. How about this… as long as you walk around without pants, I’ll walk around in my underwear.”

“Dude, why are you doing this?” Brenna asked.

“I’m just trying to be a good friend. I don’t have a lot of friends, so I know what it’s like to need one,” Georgie replied.

Brenna sighed. “Okay, do whatever you want, but could you just give me some space?”

“Sure,” Georgie replied. She sat down on the next bed over.

Brenna awkwardly browsed her phone while Georgie continued to sit there in her underwear, supportively.