Fuuka making it up to safety!

(chapter originally by doragom333 at writing.com)

-Success! Though the maneuver had left her dangling in midair, Fuuka's aim was true and hit her target. She grasped Minako's hand and held on with all her meager power.

"Oof!" Minako grunted, Fuuka's weight nearly bringing her down from her perch. Digging in with her legs, Minako pulled as hard as she could. With tremendous effort, she was able to bring Fuuka up to safety.

Just as Fuuka climbed into place, one of the boys ran into view underneath them. Sharing a quick glance with Minako, they both peered downward, matching expressions of fear and anxiousness. "There you are," he said, as he gathered up the ball where the girls were standing mere moments ago. And with that, he ran back around the bleachers and back towards the field.

Fuuka and Minako sighed. Faint smiles crossed their faces as they looked at each other, both lying down completely naked straddling a metal bar for safety. Their smiles soon gave way to small, quiet laughter that began to grow in volume.

"Pft! M-Minako-chan!" Fuuka whispered. "Why are you- he he- laughing?"

"I don't, *snerk* know!" Minako whispered back. "Ha ha- why are you?"

"I don't know *snicker* either," Fuuka answered. "This is hardly the proper time."

"I know, but just *psssh!* look at us," Minako continued. "All huddled up in here naked as jaybirds. It's just too absurd."

"You do have a point, he he. But it's probably more stress than anything else."

*SLAM* a noise rang out as another kick hit the bleachers.

"Eep!" Fuuka and Minako squeaked, quieting instantly, shrinking down against the bar.

They waited in silence for a few minutes as the game continued.

"So..." Minako whispered. "What's the plan for after they go back in?"

"Right, the plan!" Fuuka said, nearly panicking. She hadn't thought that far ahead. "Well... if I remember right, there's one more class after this before the day ends, right?"

"Yeah..." Minako replied. "So... that means people are going to be here again for another hour. I don't know if I can handle sitting like this for that long..."

"No, that won't work," Fuuka shook her head. "We vanished after lunch, so everyone in class is probably wondering where we are. We need to get back as soon as possible before people start searching for us, but we can't let this class see us. That means we'll have to go in and get changed in the break before the next class starts. Then we go back to our classes as soon as we can and play it from there. Is that all right?"

"Yeah," Minako nodded. "Sounds solid to me. Just tell me when we should go."

"Okay," Fuuka nodded back, and turned her attention back to the gym floor.

Not long after, the students began to return to the locker rooms.

They continued to wait.

*BBBBRING* went the class bell.

"Almost..." Fuuka said as she began to descend the bars to the floor, motioning for Minako to do the same.

Peering around the corner, Fuuka could see the door open as the students filed on through. She couldn't see the students themselves, but that meant they couldn't see her, which she was grateful for. Soon enough, the door shut.

"Now?" Minako asked.

"Not yet," Fuuka said. "I think there's-"

The door flew open once more.

"-stragglers. I thought so," Fuuka sighed. If they had jumped the gun just then, it would have spelled disaster for them.

The door closed once more.

Fuuka counted to five.

"Now!" she said, falling to the ground and dashing into the main room, Minako close behind.

Though she trusted her judgement, Fuuka held her breath as she popped out and looked around. Not a soul was in sight. "Phew!" Fuuka sighed, releasing her breath as she sprinted to the locker room.

In mere seconds, she and Minako were inside, panting and leaning back against the door. They had done it, safety was within their grasp! All that remained was to get to their lockers and get dressed.

Unless- Fuuka suddenly feared the worst.

Quickly, she raised her head and saw-