Testing The New Gym Uniform

Serene Siren and the other two ladies on the school board—Ember Snow and Syren De Mer—are sitting around a conference table, giving the new gym uniform the once-over. Serene's the skeptic. She insists the only way to know if it holds up is to see it on an actual body. Right on cue, her stepdaughter Sophia Burns waltzes in and volunteers like she's running for prom queen. Serene squints at her—guarded—but the others are already grinning. Sophia heads to the washroom, comes out in the tight little get-up, and immediately starts doing push-ups like she forgot her panties exist. Her cheeks peek, the fabric stretches. Every flex earns a cough or a crossed-leg from the grown-ups. Ember clears her throat. Syren just leans forward, biting her lip. Serene squirms and pretends she's taking serious notes. She ups the ante—burpees, squats, that ridiculous toe-touch where her shorts ride straight up. Three sets of adult eyeballs follow every bounce. After the last round Sophia wipes imaginary sweat, smirks, and suggests they try “really” stressing the uniform by testing how easily it comes off. Serene blurts a scandalized laugh, but Ember and Syren don't even blink; they step in close, hands already brushing seams and zippers, coaxing her forward with soft, persuasive touches. Serene hesitates one beat longer—then her fingers reach for the hem herself, cheeks flushing the color of teenagers caught red-handed.