Chapter 5: The Naked Houseguest

Coach Strickland maintained a severe but indifferent demeanor about the freak accident and her student’s newest dilemma. However, this was going to make Eveline’s stay at her house quite interesting.

The coach was dead serious about retrieving Eveline’s books before leaving the building. She accompanied the blushing student to the hallway locker where she kept her textbooks and school supplies. Fortunately, the second locker opened. Unfortunately, Eveline never kept any clothing in it, just her books and supplies.

Loaded down with a stack of books in her arms, the naked student was even more nervous as she accompanied her coach along a very long deserted hallway that led to the faculty parking lot. She desperately hoped no one would see her. Fortunately both the building and the parking lot were empty, but she felt the hot sun and a light breeze hitting her bare skin as soon as they exited the building, reminding her of her nakedness.

Eveline was surprised when she saw the car that Coach Strickland was driving, so much that she momentarily forgot that she was standing in the middle of her school’s parking lot with nothing on. The vehicle was an old Fiat, a very old Fiat. A detail that made the car even more unusual was the steering wheel’s location on the right side. Obviously the car had been made for use in Europe, not the US. Noting the student’s puzzled expression, the coach commented:

“Years ago I worked as an intern at the Belgian mission to the UN. When one of the diplomats left, he sold me his car for 50 dollars, just ‘cause he was eager to get rid of it. I’ve had it ever since. Now, would you like to know why I am driving a 50-dollar car with a steering wheel on the right side?”

“I ... uh ... I ‘spose, ma’am...”

“Because driving an expensive car is stupid, that’s why. You never get your money back on a car. So ... I drive my 50-dollar car year after year and invest what I’m saving.”

Eveline was not very interested in her teacher’s lesson about saving money. She was wondering when she’d finally get a hold of some clothing. Well, it looked like it wouldn’t be for a while. First, she’d have to endure a naked ride in the coach’s weird car.

Coach Strickland did not give her companion much time to worry about her lack of clothing. As they drove away from the school, the older woman barraged her passenger with questions about her studies and how she was doing in school. Eveline was forced to admit how badly she was failing everything.

“That’s total bull-shit and we’re gonna fix it. You’re a bright girl and you have no right to flunk anything. Anyhow, I’m not gonna let it happen. It’s that simple. It’s just not gonna happen.”

There was a threatening tone in the coach’s voice that seemed to say: “shape up, or else...”

Eveline swallowed and tried to keep calm.

“Yes, ma’am.”

The stressful ride seemed to take forever, but when it finally ended Eveline was impressed with Coach Strickland’s house. It was a very nice one, on an acre plot of land in a neighborhood mostly inhabited by corporate tax-evaders and scam-artists, in other words, people doing the same thing Eveline’s mom had tried to do, but with better outcomes because they were either more lucky or smarter. The Fiat looked totally out of place in the area, but it had paid for itself many times over. The house was proof enough of that.

Eveline hoped that finally her coach would have some clothing for her, even if it didn’t properly fit. However, as the older woman invited Eveline to walk around with her and bragged about the property, there was no mention of clothing, and Eveline was too nervous to ask.

Coach Strickland told Eveline to take off her shoes as soon as they entered the house. Instead of touring her around the residence, the hostess took Eveline straight to a guest room. As soon as Eveline set down her books, the coach placed her hands on the younger woman’s bare shoulders.

“This is your room. I hope you appreciate it.”

“Yes, ma’am, I do.”

“A peaceful place to study and sleep, I would say. You won’t have to worry about distractions in here.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“OK, sweetie. Get some rest. I’ll be back up in an hour. You’ve got a lot to take care of this weekend, starting with your next chemistry test.”

Oh, crap, thought Eveline to herself. She must have talked to my chemistry teacher.

The student didn’t know what to say, but forced the words “yes, ma’am” to come out of her mouth.

After the coach left to change her clothes and go back downstairs, Eveline looked around the room. It was a nice room with a study desk and a dresser. She noticed there were some books, but no computer, phone, or television. She checked the dresser, it contained some hair brushes and manicure items, but not a single item of clothing.

Exhausted emotionally and mentally, she collapsed on the bed. She took a deep breath upon realizing her coach was not about to give her anything to wear. She wondered why, but increasingly she realized there was no point in asking because the answer would be “no”.

She wondered what to do. She didn’t have the nerve to ask for any clothes, let alone insist on them. She started to resign herself to the idea that she would spend the rest of the day, and possibly the entire weekend, in the nude.

The coach called Eveline to the dining area and gave her a salad, a bowl of chopped fruit, and a glass of orange juice for dinner. The meal was lighter and healthier than anything she had eaten for a long time. It was a strange meal for someone used to eating mostly junk food and leftover pizza. She already could feel the difference in her stomach at the change of diet when she finished eating. Strickland then handed the girl a toothbrush and told her to brush her teeth and return to the guest room to study.

“There are two things I’m gonna let you do in that room. Study, or sleep. That’s it. If you’re too tired to study, I want you to sleep. If you’re not sleepy, I want you to study. And if I catch you doing anything else, anything other than studying or sleeping ... well, let’s just say there’ll be consequences you wouldn’t like.”