Fashion statements

The steady-paced young woman continued walking down the pathway when suddenly, from behind a tree, a sound of whooshing air and laughter caught her attention. She turned, but before she could move, the next thing she knew, a skimpily clad girl had crashed into her.

She reeled a little from the hit, but thankfully there was no major injuries. Grace grabbed her Bible, and picked herself off the ground. The girl below her was feeling her head as she got up, and looked at Grace apologetically.

"Sorry about that," she laughed. Her friends back on the grass were waving her back, also in amusement. Grace assured her it was no problem while warily eyeing her outfit.

The girl had on a crop-top and daisy dukes that suggested she might as well be wearing a bikini, or be in her underwear. Sure, it was a sunny day, but... well, it was obvious what she was doing here. Flaunting her body, which, sure enough, was a very good one, with nicely tanned thighs and legs and a toned stomach, and, of course, sizable breasts.

Grace Worthington, see, in spite of her strong beliefs, wasn't much of a talker, or proactively confrontational person like her friend Tasha or some of the others in her circle. She could be, when the time called for it -- but mostly she kept to herself, looking around and enjoying good company; she often avoided getting into direct arguments with non-believers or decryers when unnecessary... as her youth pastor Jack put it, she often adopted the role of a group angel. All she was missing were a halo and some wings.

Miss human projectile gave her a worried look. "Are you sure you're okay?"

Grace quickly moved her eyes back to her face, and nodded. "Yes."

The nearly naked young woman nodded and returned to her little squad. "Alright, girls, let's try that again, ready? S-A-T-U-R-N-A....."

Grace tore her eyes away from the ladies' group, who were all dressed like training escorts instead of promiscuous cheerleaders. She didn't know which was better anyhow.

She was just glad that she didn't feel the need to show off her body like that -- to... to so readily welcome the objectifying eyes and stares of men... she shook her head. Did they not have a shred of dignity? Respect for their own womanhood?

Continuing down the path, Grace sighed, tightening her Bible against her sweatered torso.

"At least no one feels obligated to dress like that for our Bible study meetings..." A dry tone lined her voice as she continued, shivering, "...or has that as... as some kind of apparent, unquestionable dress code." Contrary to a certain group of women she'd just passed, that was.

She shook her head, not noticing the slight charge going through the ring around her finger.

Speaking of which...

Her finger grazed against a fabric wrapped arm, and she gasped, looking down at herself.

These clothes... she had forgotten to bring out her painted over Hooters shorts and super low scoop neck sweater!

Oh no, Grace thought worryingly, as she tugged at her sweater like an insecure grade schooler caught hand-in-cookie-jar. I forgot to change..!

She curled a lip. Oh well, this just meant she'd have to do away with her clothes at the library once she got there. Normally being in your underwear would be against the rules in such a public area, but after the Bible study group convinced the staff that it and according attire were necessary, they quickly saw reason. The Bible study group made sure to show no less than a certain proportion of skin for each meeting. It also helped them loosen up during hot days -- girls and guys included.

And as it turned out, Grace was already falling behind on her duty and responsibilities as a loyal believer. How was she to set an example if she never provided it? How were others able to look at them, and see their fruits, when she had no hot legs or tight stomachs to show to them?

Grace beat herself up for her moment of forgetfulness. It wasn't necessarily just that; stripping to her underwear was relatively easy. It was just the symbol of the thing, of actually coming in with clothes by choice that showed off her body.

As she made a turn and past the sciences district, she loosened her grip on the Bible against her chest, her sweater already feeling a little itchy over her. She was ready to take it off when she got there first thing.

She was sure the others would understand.