WRAP

Story one of volume one

The Wrap Skirt

By Michelle Roselyn @2018

Karen stood in the main hallway of her junior high, unable to move. It was as if someone had rammed a piece of rebar down her spine, legs, and into the floor. She felt trapped. Rooted to the spot. Right here in front of all the seventh, eighth and ninth graders changing classes.

In the next fraction of a second, her life would be over. She’d never be able to return to school again. Why couldn’t she just disappear? Was she that important to the future?

She looked at Billy Farmer, and saw the expression spreading across his face. It was clear she had about a fifth of a second before he bestowed on her the title of laughing stock. A spittle christening from his belly laughs sure to follow.

“Nudie!” he shrieked, gaining everyone’s attention. He laughed, pointing at her, and almost choked himself as he sucked another breath in to laugh again.
Allison Jacobs was next. Of course, the queen bee would have to chime in. “Oh, my God! You still wear princess underwear. Well, aren’t you daddy’s little girl?”

Karen wanted to cuss her out. Allison’s snide tone annoyed her in general, but she just couldn’t bring herself to take a breath to talk back to Allison. She looked from Allison to the rest of the chic posse. Everyone was encircling her, laughing and pointing, smug smiles spreading across their faces.

“You’re too stupid to know how to tie a knot,” Someone said from the crowd.
It was like the naked-in-a-crowd nightmare- except this was real.

Her bow had come loose, allowing her wrap skirt to slowly snake its way off her body, and onto the floor. She now stood in her Little Mermaid underwear.
Move! Pick up the skirt!

She bent over and picked up the skirt and hastily tied it around her waist. Unfortunately, it remained twisted, still leaving part of her rear exposed. She ran, pushing her way through the laughing crowd.

The bathroom door banged open, and she ran into a stall, slamming the door shut. She fixed the skirt, still unable to think straight as the one-minute bell rang. She straightened the skirt and walked out into the hallway.

“Mr. Kelley!” Allison pointed at her. “Karen Bass is in the boy’s bathroom.”
She looked up at the placard on the door that read, “BOY’S.” The heat of further humiliation filled her.

“For Heaven’s sake, Karen.” Her mother folded her arms, snapping Karen back to the here and now. “That was fifteen years ago. You’re out of college now. Let it go.”

Karen looked around the bridal shop. She hadn’t worn a dress or skirt since that day, including to Prom. She shook her head. “I don’t understand why I have to wear a dress to the wedding. Many women don’t.”

“It’s a tradition.” Her mother shook her head. “You have to stop reliving that moment every time someone even mentions a dress.”
Karen scowled, folding her arms. There was no way she’d wear a dress- not for anything.

“It’s alright,” the clerk smiled. “We have several new formal pant sets and jumpsuits. Some are white.” She walked toward the formal side of the bridal shop. “I have a gaucho one that will mimic the look of a gown.”

“Perfect!” Karen smiled. “Because the only way I’ll ever wear a dress or skirt again is if I am dead and someone dresses me in one.”

Karen’s mother folded her arms frowning. “Well, let us hope it doesn’t come to that.”

“Beautiful,” Karen said holding her arms out for the pant-set. “I can’t wait to try it on.”