Commute Calamity

[PresentSilentkay]

A groan escaped from her still lips as Vida tossed around in her bed. The alarm from her phone pierced through her ears, bouncing inside her head like a pinball. Her arm flailed around until it found her phone to swipe the alarm notification away. It took her three tries before her fingers could press the button to silence the phone. As soon as she could hear again, the soft sounds of Vida yawning and stretching filled her ears.

Vida had stayed up all night writing for her project. If she could nail the presentation for her clients today, she’d see her promotion come through. Her head was still sluggish, but nothing that a warm shower and breakfast couldn’t cure.

The warm light peered through her windows, its rays coaxing her to stay in bed. She yawned and stretched again, deciding that a short morning workout after the night’s rest was just what her body needed to wake up. Her body wasn’t lean like an athlete’s, but she had curves in all the right areas.

However, her phone interrupted her train of thought with another alarm. This didn’t come as a surprise to the young businesswoman. It often took three alarms to get her out of bed, and on a day such as today, she needed to wake up early to not miss her bus to her job. But what did come as a surprise was the time, 8:15. 45 minutes until her bus arrived.

“Fuck,” Vida said. She chided herself for cursing. It was unladylike for her to swear, but she cursed when she was stressed. Vida was lucky that habit didn’t follow her into her work life. So much for that morning workout. Shit.

Groaning, Vida pushed herself out of bed and hurried into her bathroom. She didn’t have a moment to waste. If she couldn’t get to that meeting on time, Jackie would swoop in and steal her clients from her. That bitch was always trying to one up her. Shit, there she goes again, cursing.

The steaming water did a great job of waking Vida up. It was a shame she didn’t have enough time to do a thorough job or enjoy the water flowing around her body. After her short shower, Vida grabbed her blow dryer and headed back into the bedroom to get dressed. She only had half an hour left.

Wrapped in her towel, Vida sat on her chair as she blew and brushed her auburn hair. With each action, she could feel the minute passing her by. It wasn’t long before Vida was finished with her hair. Determined to take a few moments for herself, she applied basic makeup on her face and put her heels on.

Vida was almost ready. She was mostly dressed, and her laptop and papers were already in her bag. Aside from breakfast, Vida was sure she didn’t forget anything else. As she opened her front door, Vida’s eyes widened upon the realization.

“I can’t believe I nearly forgot these,” Vida said as she grabbed her keys, her other hand holding her towel tight. “It wouldn’t hurt to do one last check,” Vida thought. High heels to impress? Check. Stockings to show off your legs? Check. Laptop and papers for your important meeting? Check. Business suit to show that you’re an upstanding woman?

Her phone rang again.

It was her 8:50 alarm.

“Crap!” Vida fiddled for her keys to lock her door. She ran as fast as her shoes would allow, her feet aching with each step. At least no one was outside to see her.

Vida’s chest was heaving when she reached the corner of her bus stop. The people waiting at the corner glanced at her before returning to their devices. It was a good thing that she lived close to the bus route. Checking her phone, Vida saw that she had about five minutes before her bus arrived, but knowing public transport, it could come at any moment or even earlier.

She tapped on a man’s arm. Vida asked, “Excuse me, do you know if the 42 bus has arrived yet?”

The man shook his head. “No, but I think it should be here soon.”

Perfect. Vida looked around the street until her eyes stopped at the local shop. The coffee shop was beside her, and she could grab something quickly. Peering through the window, Vida could see that the line wasn’t busy. She could get a quick muffin and coffee and return for her bus. Besides, she could leave if her bus arrived.

Stepping inside, Vida was immediately hit with the smell of cocoa beans and the sound of brewing coffee. The sweet smell was not overpowering and made her remember her first coffee when she took her sip of the beverage. Once she made her way over to the counter, Vida made her order and leaned against the counter.

It was then that she noticed the reflection from the glass. A woman in the cafe was wearing nothing but a towel and shoes. What an idiot. Vida laughed and rolled her eyes, pleased that she knew better than to step out of her house like that poor soul.

“Your order,” said the barista.

Vida turned around and was about to grab the paper bag and drink when her body was overcome by a sudden wind. It wasn’t impersonal like the wind or cool air from the A/C, but close and personal, as if her clothes decided to be rude and collapse to the floor.

Looking down at her feet, Vida shrieked when she saw her towel circled on the floor. Her body was stiff as a statue as everyone turned to Vida. She could feel her cheeks burning, and the A/C breeze gave her exposed nipples a slight tickle.

“Are you alright, ma’am?” the barista asked, snapping Vida from her initial shock.

Vida blinked her eyes and quickly covered her breasts. “I, uh…” She looked around, expecting to hear the laughs and jeers from the patrons, but was surprised to see them looking back at her with confused faces. No phones recorded her embarrassment, no fingers pointed at the silly naked lady, and no guys leered at her big breasts and ass. Just confused and concerned faces.

Vida didn’t know what was happening, but it seemed like no one was reacting to her sudden nakedness. She slowly knelt down, picked up her towel, and covered herself again. “Um, sorry,” Vida said, grabbing her bag and cup. The screeching of the bus reminded Vida that she needed to get to her job. Placing the paper bag inside her work bag, Vida hurried to the 42 bus as it was about to leave.

The toweled Vida had one foot on the step when a thought hit her like a bus. Was she really going to show up to work in her towel? Maybe what happened in that coffee shop was some sort of fluke. It was only a matter of time before someone would arrest her for indecency. But that would mean admitting defeat and arriving to work late, where Jackie would be well on her way to stealing her promotion.

“In or out?” the bus driver said, his voice sounding hard as rocks. “I don’t have all day.”

“Sorry,” Vida said, stepping inside the bus. She immediately regretted it, but there was no turning back. Vida paid the fare and moved deeper inside the bus. Where was the best place for a woman in a towel to sit? Vida never thought she’d ever ask that question before, let alone find the answer. As she walked further inside, most passengers paid her no heed. The most she got were quick glances and annoyed looks. Absent was the shock of seeing a woman in a towel.

Finding a nice spot where she could hide from everyone, Vida sat down and went over her day. She was naked and near naked. People are “reacting” to her presence, so she can rule out being dead.

But before Vida could reflect on her strange situation, her phone buzzed. It was Jackie.

Vida gritted her teeth as she answered the call. “Hello?”

“Hey, Vida!” Jackie said in her annoying voice. “I just wanted to see how you’re doing.”

Vida held the bridge of her nose. “If you must know, I’m on my way to the office as we speak.”

“Cool, cool, I hear that,” Jackie said. Vida could hear the sound of rustling papers. “I just wanted to let you know that your 9:30 appointment called to say they will be arriving thirty minutes to an hour later.” That was good news to hear. It could give Vida time to figure out what’s causing her problem, or at least how to deal with it.

“That’s actually great news,” Vida said. “ I’m going to be a little late. I’m having an issue with my wardrobe.”

“Oh, do you want me to start the meeting if you don’t get back?” Vida rolled her eyes. Classic Jackie.

“No, don’t do anything until I get there.”

“I make no promises.” Click.

Fucking Jackie.

***

Though it felt like forever, the bus finally arrived in the city. Vida looked down as people got out of the bus. Even if no one thought it was weird that she was wearing a towel outside, she wanted to be seen too much in public. Easier said than done.

When the moment felt right, Vida stood up and hung her bag over her shoulder. With her drink in her hand and her towel wrapped, it was now or never. She could feel her heart racing. With one step, Vida moved along the empty rows of seats. It was a good thing she waited. Vida shifted her gaze to avoid the bus driver and finally got off. The doors behind her closed.

However, Vida’s problems were about to get worse.

In closing its doors, the bus managed to get a hold of Vida’s towel. It wasn’t much, but it was enough to take Vida’s embarrassing day to the next level.

It happened too fast for Vida to react. Her towel began to lose its grip as the bus moved. It wasn’t until her breasts popped into view that Vida noticed something was amiss. Her cup dropped, but she was quick enough to catch it, but it came at a steep cost as her towel fell to the bus station and dragged along the sidewalk. Vida tried calling for the driver’s attention, but it was too late. She could only stare as her once clean towel was reduced to a glorified mop.

Vida covered herself and prepared for the people at the station to shower her with humiliation, but it never came. Opening her eyes, Vida could feel her stomach drop as everyone continued their day. People entered and exited the ramp, paying her no mind. All of this felt so alien to Vida. To feel the breeze between her cheeks and the potential for utter humiliation if this weird spell or condition wore off. She needed to get clothes on her back before something else happened.

However, no matter how hard she tried, Vida’s legs refused to move. They were frozen in fear and embarrassment. Alright, she could use the time to drink her coffee while she waited for her legs to relax.

***

“This is so strange,” Vida told herself. The morning sidewalk was filled with people racing to their destinations. Vida kept looking around to see if anyone was staring at her (which was becoming a worrying habit at this point), but it was like she was invisible to them. No, invisible would be the wrong word. Vida blocked several people, and they’d reacted with annoyance or told her to get out of their way. Vida was closing in on a shopping center, which would be the best place to test her hypothesis.

“Hi, welcome to Klothes Mart!” an employee said as Vida entered. Her name tag read Abbie. Her smile faltered upon seeing Vida’s flustered face and her awkward posture.

“I need business clothes now,” Vida said.

“Oh, it’s by the corner to the left,” Abbie said. “Is there something wrong with the clothes you’re wearing?”

Vida snapped back. “Yes, there’s something wrong with my….” She looked down at her naked body. The light sweat from her body had a shine to it from her brisk walk and constant nervousness that she would be actually seen. “...clothes. You can see my clothes?”

Abbie nodded. “Yeah, it looks great on you. I’m guessing it’s for a meeting or something.”

Curious, Vida thought. Is that how everyone else saw her? “So, what am I wearing right now?” Vida asked, pushing the envelope of absurdity.

“Clothes.”

“Yes, but what kind?”

“Um, business clothes?”

Vida threw her hands up, momentarily forgetting to cover herself. It’s not like this young woman will acknowledge her nudity.

Abbie was about to open her mouth when she stopped herself. The young retail worker could feel the answer on the tip of her tongue but couldn’t bring herself to say the answer. She circled Vida. Vida blushed as she covered herself from Abbie’s unseeing gaze.

From Abbie’s point of view, Vida’s clothes kept changing every time she tried to focus on them. And every time their form altered, she’d forget what the clothes were before, and the cycle would repeat. Abbie rubbed her head. “What was I doing?” asked Abbie. She didn’t give Vida a chance to respond. “Anyway, the clothes are by the corner over there.”

Vida was left speechless as Abbie walked away. It didn’t matter. She was in the home stretch far as she was concerned. Vida could feel her relief as her body tingled all over with anticipation. As Vida was picking out her clothes, she received another from Jackie.

“Where are you?” Jackie said, her voice barely containing her laugh. “Mr. and Mrs. Jacobson are waiting in the lobby.”

“What?” Vida said, bending down to pick up a hanger holding a matching suit and skirt outfit. “No, it’s barely been half an hour! Can you try to stall them?”

“I’m stalling, alright,” Jackie said. “You could stay outside while I hold your meeting.”

The call ended after that, and Vida tried to call back, but the call went straight to voicemail. She gritted her teeth as she shoved her phone back into her bag. Vida was so close to landing that deal and promotion! No, she still can do this. She can show Jackie that she deserves the manager title and will overcome this stupid curse no matter what.

Vida was already walking toward the cashiers, knowing she couldn’t waste too much time putting on the clothes. She could put them on after her payment. Though the dressing room would have been the preferred option, it’s not like anyone would object.

“Your total is $69.99,” the cashier said, causing Vida to mentally groan at the cost of this day. At least she was one step forward to being clothed. “Would you like a bag?”

“No thanks,” Vida said. Leaving the cashier, Vida was tempted to find a changing room but time wasn’t a luxury she could afford, and everyone’s inability to see her naked did provide a unique form of privacy. Aside from the odd glances that fueled her embarrassment, Vida dressed in peace and could finally return to her life.

***

Checking her phone, Vida could see that she could make it to her office in 15 minutes by walking, five minutes quicker than waiting for another bus. And worse yet, Jackie wasn’t answering her phone. Waiting by a crosswalk, Vida felt an uncomfortable feeling in her clothes. It started slowly, her skirt having an extra breeze to it. But by the time she got to the corner, her clothes had failed to do their job. Despite how much Vida pushed her risqué skirt down, she still showed too much skin. The material of the blouse had turned lighter and clear, and her suit had shrunken into a vest. Somehow, she had lost her bra and panty on the sidewalk.

But the icing on the cake was the stares. The crowd’s oblivious glances changed to knowing stares as people could see through Vida’s discomfort like her transparent blouse. However, her discomfort came, not from her ever exposing clothes, but how late she was. Throwing caution to the wind, Vida ran through the street. A taxi honked at her as she ran. Vida’s feet ached as her heels hit the pavement. Everything was falling apart.

Vida made it to her office just in time to see Jackie waving her clients away. Her rival stiffened a laugh upon seeing Vida, who oddly enough wasn't covering her exposed tits. “Oh my! Was this your idea to wow the Jacobsons?” Jackie said. "There's flaunting your talents and then flaunting your talents."

Vida looked at Jackie with confusion. "What are you talking about?"

[MissAriel]

This is a fun story. I wonder what caused this conundrum of mixed up clothes. It seems like it's opposite day for Vida. Her clients are in for a big surprise.

[PresentSilentkay]

This is a fun story. I wonder what caused this conundrum of mixed up clothes. It seems like it's opposite day for Vida. Her clients are in for a big surprise.

Thank you, I'm glad you enjoyed this story! Her clients will be surprised indeed when they see her. It's a shame she won't find out why. The cause for the "opposite day" curse is open ended.

In case any of the readers wanted to know the rules.
Being naked (or wearing something inappropriate outside like a towel or a bikini in a non-beach setting) = Vida notices how exposed she is, but everyone else thinking she's fine. She's unable to convince anyone she's naked (Not that she would want to ).
When she clothed, she has a probability of suffering a massive wardrobe change/malfunction. Everyone can see the results but Vida won't notice and ignore anyone's comments about her exposed clothes.

[Executionus]

Interesting and unique concept. It's also funny that Vida didn't seem to actually mind her own nudity much, as opposed to being more worried about getting in trouble over it. She might end up just staying naked in her future until her curse ends.