Go to Class

It would be fair to say that Ella wasn't thinking straight at the moment. Rushed outside nearly naked when moments before you were showering would do that to a girl. So that's why the thought of 'maybe someone will have a coat' was enough to justify going to class when, really, Ella knew she was going because she couldn't bear to miss a chance to see Professor Belvadeer. And today was cool. Maybe she'd wear something more revealing than usual...

A stray thought of the Professor in a predicament similar to her own slipped through Ella's mind.

So Ella made her trek across campus toward the Sciences building. It was relatively early (for college students, at least), so Ella didn't have to worry about hiding for the most part. Occasionally, she'd have to duck behind a bench or a tree to avoid someone passing by. Which, in hindsight, didn't make much sense, as she was about to willfully enter into a packed lecture hall in the same state of undress. The asphalt sidewalks felt strange, but not too uncomfortable on her bare feet. t felt better when she'd occasionally stray into the grass, but some dirt and flakes of grass would stick to the soles of her feet, so she mostly stuck to the sidewalks.

As she entered into the Sciences building, Ella found that it was empty as well. One look at one of the clocks was enough to explain why: It was just past 9, everyone was already in their classes. Still not thinking straight, Ella breathed a sigh of relief, heading on toward the lecture hall. However, as soon as she opened the door, she realized it was probably better to get here early.

With the echoing clamor of the door opening, every head in the lecture hall instinctively turned to the sound, and thus to the undressed Ella. Everyone staring at the girl whose wet, naked body was only hidden by a damp white towel. She gasped, letting go of her hold on the towel, but quickly grasping it again before it could slip away from her.

Ella didn't know where to look. If she'd managed to make a friend in this course, she could at least look to them for sympathy or support, but she had none. All there was were the eyes looking down at her, dissecting her, ripping that towel off of her in their mind's eye. Ella turned to Professor Belvadeer, at least to turn away from her classmates. The Professor stared too.

But, Professor Belvadeer was a professional, and quickly snapped herself out of it. She coughed. "Ahem. Ella, may I ask why you're currently dressed like... well, I should say 'undressed', like this?"

Ella's mind reeled for an excuse. She knew she had none. She should have stayed back by the dorm and just come in late. But she was here now, and needed an explanation. Luckily, she managed to settle on a decent one. "I was at the gym's pool. I realized I was there longer than I thought, so I hurried on over here." It had come out so naturally, Ella almost believed it herself. What _didn't _come out naturally was, "I am definitely wearing a swimsuit under this towel."

Professor Belvadeer raised a curious eyebrow, but shrugged. "Alright, take a seat."

"Um, actually, first, uh-- Does anyone have a coat I could borrow?"