Chapter 2: The Bare Rules (Part 4)

Jenna's face fell. "Oh. Oh no. I'm so sorry---I left them in my locker at school. I was in such a hurry last night, I just grabbed your bags and ran. I totally forgot the clothes were in the locker."

She forgot my clothes. The one thing I actually need.

"That's okay," Chloe heard herself say. "It's not like I can wear them anyway."

Jenna's eyes went wide. "What do you mean?"

Chloe led her into the living room. Victoria was standing in the doorway, watching. Ethan was still in his armchair, his phone forgotten, staring at Jenna with the same hungry look he'd been giving Chloe all morning.

"Mrs. Bennett." Jenna gave her a little wave. "Hi. I just came by to drop off Chloe's stuff."

"Thank you, Jenna." Victoria's voice was even. "Chloe was about to explain her new living situation. Weren't you."

That's so humiliating.

Chloe took a deep breath. "My mom decided that since I'm a nudist, I should... live the lifestyle. All the time. She threw away all my clothes."

Jenna's hand flew to her mouth. "Oh my god. Chloe, that's---that's awful. I'm so sorry."

"It's fine." It wasn't fine. Nothing was fine.

Jenna sat down on the couch next to Chloe---close, her thigh almost touching Chloe's bare leg. She was wearing jeans, and the denim was rough against Chloe's skin.

"This is all my fault," Jenna said quietly. "If I hadn't taken your clothes as a prank, none of this would have happened."

"It's not your fault." Chloe shook her head. "You didn't know Mr. Hannigan would be there. You were just trying to be funny."

"I know, but still." Jenna reached over and squeezed Chloe's hand. Her fingers were warm. "I'm going to help you through this. Okay? Whatever you need. I'll be there. At school, everywhere. You're not alone."

Chloe felt tears prick at her eyes. She's such a good friend. She's the only person who actually cares about me.

"Thanks," she whispered. "That means a lot."

Victoria cleared her throat. "Jenna, would you like to stay for lunch?"

Please say no. It's already hard enough with my family seeing me all the time like that.

But Jenna was already nodding. "I'd love to, Mrs. Bennett. Thank you."

***

Lunch was sandwiches. Turkey and cheese on white bread. Chloe sat in her usual chair, naked, trying to eat while Jenna sat across from her. It was like breakfast all over again, except worse, because now there was more audience.

Jenna kept looking at her. Not staring, exactly---more like glancing, quick little flickers of her eyes that landed on Chloe's breasts, her stomach, and then skittered away. She was trying to be subtle about it.

"So," Jenna said, picking at her sandwich, "what's the plan for Monday?"

Chloe's stomach clenched. School. Walking through the halls naked while everyone stares at her.

"I don't know," she said. "I haven't really thought about it."

"You should sit with me at lunch," Jenna said. "And walk with me between classes. I'll make sure nobody bothers you."

"That's really nice of you."

"It's the least I can do." Jenna smiled, that warm, concerned smile that made Chloe feel like maybe---just maybe---everything was going to be okay. "We'll get through this together."

Ethan snorted. "Yeah, I bet you will."

"Ethan." Victoria's voice was flat. "Manners."

"What? I didn't say anything."

Chloe stared at her sandwich. She'd taken two bites. She wasn't hungry.

Monday is coming. I hate my life.

* * *

After lunch, Jenna left. She hugged Chloe at the door---her body warm against Chloe's bare skin, her hoodie soft where it pressed against Chloe's breasts---and promised to text later.

"We'll figure this out," she whispered. "I promise."

Chloe watched her walk down the driveway and then closed the door, leaning her forehead against the wood.

She turned around. Ethan was standing in the hallway, leaning against the wall, his arms crossed. Smiling.

"Your friend's hot," he said.

"Shut up, Ethan."

"Just saying. Maybe she can come over more often. You know, to support you in your... situation." He made air quotes around the word. "I could support you too. We could all support each other."

Chloe walked past him, up the stairs, into her room---her doorless room. She sat on the bed and pulled the comforter around herself and stared at the empty doorway.