I'm getting that banner!

Christina rushed out from behind the desk and ran towards the gossip. Sally heard Christina coming, glanced back and bolted for the door. She had it open and was in the hallway before Christina was within three feet of catching up. Being back in the hallway, still undressed, felt like a step backwards for Christina, but she didn’t stop chasing her. Not protecting her modesty anymore, her arms pumped back and forth while she pursued Sally.

Suddenly Sally stopped in her steps and turned around, hands up, one holding the banner and the other holding the tape.

“Wait!” She shouted.

Christina stopped dead in her tracks, looking around and putting a finger to her lips. She didn’t want Sally drawing any attention.

“Sorry,” Sally whispered. “I just hit me how pissed you are and I think I get it now. I thought I was just pushing a dare further, but I believe you. Let’s get out of these halls.”

Christina put her hands back in front of her body and stalked back to the music classroom. Sally closed the door behind them.

“Do you have anything you can wear, like in your locker?”

“I’m going for my gym uniform. The jacket in my locker won’t cover nearly as much.”

“I’ll get it for you, don’t worry. You need help.”

Christina shook her head, not sure he could fully trust Sally. If not today she’d have the combination to her locker for the rest of the year. “Just help me get this banner around me and I’ll get it. It’s not a far walk.”

“Umm, sure.”

Christina dropped her hands long enough to take the banner and toss it around her body. “Can you tape it in place?”

“It’s still showing a little of your butt. Turn it this way and wrap it at an angle. Here, like this.”

Christina felt strange with someone helping her cover herself. She knew she was blushing but she hoped Sally wouldn’t notice. Or at least comment on it.

Once the banner covered everything as best they could make it, Sally tore off two strips of tape and fastened the ends in place.

“There…” she said, “Sort of like a toga. A… really shitty… toga.”

Christina almost said thanks, but bit her tongue. Some anger at having to chase Sally remained, but she had calmed enough she no longer wanted to hit her.

“Aright,” Christina said. “I’m going to get my uniform.”

“You want any help?”

“No. You should get to class.”

“Showing up this late and having to make up an explanation, I’ll pass. I skip English all the time anyway.”

They agreed to part ways and Christina opened the door to the music room, looking both ways before stepping into the hallway. Sally walked down the hall opposite the direction to the gym and Christina started heading towards the changing room.

The paper banner rustled with every step Christina took, but she ignored it. She was more concerned with someone coming into the hallway to head to the restroom or somewhere else. The idea of accounting for her current wardrobe didn’t sound like a fun time right now.

Turning from one hallway into another one, the female locker room was in sight. The hallway was empty just like the rest of them had been. Christina plodded the rest of the way down the hall, pulled the heavy door open and walked into a vacant changing room. Squeaking sneakers and short rapid shouts came from the gymnasium, it’s own entrance opposite the entry from the hallway.

She approached her locker and started spinning the combination when she heard someone walking in from the gym. Sara sounded the corner, and stopped at the sight of Christina.

“Christina! What happened? I saw you weren’t in gym class, the coach sent me to get the extra basketballs, but now-“

“Stop, just please stop,” Christina said. Sara was one of her closest friends but Christina was physically and mentally drained. She didn’t want to talk any more than she had to. “I’ll tell you sometime but I don’t want to talk about it right now.”

“But… are you even wearing anything under that?”

“Just say I’m advertising for the concert.” Christina finished spinning the combination and popped her locker open and grabbed her gym uniform. “Can you, uh, give me a little privacy here?”