An unfortunate detour

Eric was quick to question Mrs. Jackson's proposal. "What do you mean? I can't leave, I'm completely naked!"

Mrs. Jackson scoffed at Eric. "Eric, there isn't enough time for you to worry about modesty. The basketball team will be here in..." Mrs. Jackson trailed off, looking at her watch. "...2 minutes. Most people are probably gone by now, since the only two reasons anyone stays after school on Thursdays is for Basketball practice, or the robotics club over in the new wing of the school." She noticed Eric's lack of response, and sighed. "You can take your chances with the basketball team I guess, if you think your chances are better." Mrs. Jackson stood straight, and began walking down the boys gym corridor towards the stairs.

Eric gritted his teeth, before calling out towards the doorway. "Wait, I'm coming." Eric yelled out. He took a deep breath, and leaned into the hall. After confirming that there was only Mrs. Jackson in the hallway, he streaked across the corridor towards an alcove for the water fountains, pressing his body against the wall to hide himself from any prying eyes that looked through the windows on the doors to the gym.

Mrs. Jackson couldn't contain her laughter, and began reaching into her pocket. "Oh, right. I don't want you getting into any trouble if you're caught, so take these and make a run for it." Mrs. Jackson procured a jingling pair of keys, and outstretched them towards Eric. "I'd hurry if I were you, because..."

Suddenly, a door slammed open upstairs. A loud clambering down the steps confirmed Eric's fears. The basketball team had arrived, and he had only seconds to react before they would stumble upon him in his naked glory. Without a second thought, he uncovered himself and sprinted full speed past Mrs. Jackson, making sure to catch the keys as she dropped them from her hand. He continued past her, and ran past the stairs just before one of the players turned their head down the hall. Mrs. Jackson decided to do Eric a favor, and began chatting up a few of the front-runners about their grades on a recent quiz. This gave Eric the distraction he needed to sprint through the doorway past the stairs, and around the corner to escape their potential gaze. Eric breathed a sigh of relief as the door closed behind him.

Eric's relief was short lived however, when he noticed he had sprinted through the doorway that lead outside towards the football field.