I was sure glad to be finished high school and headed off to college far away from my home town exhilarated to be leaving it all behind. At nineteen, it sure was a thrill to experience life away from my strict parents but most especially from my most evil identical twin sister Chantal. All my life she had tormented me, teased me about my prudish ways whilst she had run wild. Somehow, my parents had always blamed me but now I was as far away as possible from her, in sunny California UCLA whilst she was still stuck in the Mid West working a crumby Mac job. Everyone used to always comment on how beautiful she was and I assumed rather vainly perhaps, by extension the same compliment rang through for me.
We were both blond haired, blue eyed and busty though truth be told I always secretly thought my 36c breasts were bigger than my sisters. This was probably because she worked out at the gym and as a cheerleader; her body was tighter and well toned whilst I preferred the more academic orientated pleasures in life. She used to tease me publicly about my larger than average rear always slapping it as she and her popular friends walked by. Apart from the glasses I wore, our slight body differences were the only way of telling us apart. I suppose I remained outside the social radar as I always dressed and thought more conservatively than my outrageous younger sister (by 15 minutes). On Friday nights she would be out at parties whilst I remained at home studying but now it was time for me to get the rewards I deserved.
I had settled in well to the rigours of university life and had for the first time in my life made friends and even began to consider myself quite popular. My academic prowess was noticed and for the first time was not a source of shame. In fact my pleasant and kind demeanour had endeared me to the other students and I was orientated into a sorority, which enabled me to attend all the best parties and meet all the cutest guys including the football and basketball teams. Any boyfriend I ever had, Chantal had stolen for me with lusty promises and had ensured my virgin status. When people asked me about my family I denied her very existence, as it was the easiest for way for me to cope. I of course didn't lie about my virgin status but that only endeared me further to my friends and particularly to the guys though I did receive some playful teasing and curious glances from the more sexually active in the sorority. The boys were just lusty as hell to get at me though.
Anyway in November I decided to head home for a brief vacation before Christmas for a week. We had a slight study break and whilst all my friends stayed on in L.A. I felt I had done enough work (and partying) to earn a break. When I returned I was surprised to find my sister had headed off also. Though I was glad I didn't have to see her I was secretly looking forward to lording up my new lifestyle, although I think the disingenuous postcards I sent detailing my new life and friends may just have done the trick. In any case I was pleased to return to L.A. when my week was up though when I returned I couldn't help but feel the mood had changed around campus. I seemed to be more popular than ever amongst the guys though I received a more frosty reception from the girls.
On Friday our football team won their match and there was to be a big celebration in campus recreation hall. All week long guys cheered me wherever I went and patted me on the back whilst my friends seemed distant and embarrassed to be around me. I figured I was just being paranoid not used to the ins and outs of popularity. Practically everyone I knew was invited and I couldn't wait to let my hair down. When I walked in the doors, all of a sudden there was a big hush followed by a huge cheer. I never felt so happy in all my life though there was a weird feeling in the air, as if something was expected to me. My friends rushed up to me, exclaiming disbelief that I'd actually come. But why wouldn't I, I wondered which only provoked more astonishment from my friends
"So you're really going to go through with it?" asked Melinda my best friend on campus.
"Just what are you talking about?" I enquired, suddenly becoming aware of the swarming crowds.
"The strip of course. What else!"
Suddenly my heart sank. What strip. Me? Was she serious?
"I don't understand! Why is everyone staring at me?"
"Oh my god. You didn't think everyone would forget did you. Last week. Your big bet."
"Last week! I was at home with my parents. There must be some misunderstanding."
"Oh I don't think you're going to get away with it that easily. You can't back out of a bet. Fair is fair. Besides, one way or another I reckon this crowd isn't letting you go home tonight with your clothes on."
And then it dawned on me. My sister! She was conspicuously absent last week when I was at home. God forbid what else she got up to in my absence. The weird looks from the guys and the sneers from the girls. If only I could explain. Unfortunately for me the crowd was getting more and more restless sensing my growing discomfort. I tried to plead for time but Mike, Melinda's boyfriend and the college quarterback approached through the crowd with a triumphant grin on his face.
"Come on then. We haven't got all day. Get up on that table as promised, we won fair and square and you know you'd have shown me no mercy."
And there it was. He was eying me with an increasing familiarity. I squirmed, my body trembling with fear.
"You don't understand, it wasn't me...........it was my twin sister," I pleaded but my protestations only provoked a huge outburst of laughter from the excitable crowd.
"That's the worst excuse I've ever heard. Strange how we've never heard of her before, now pay up, you know you want to."
I couldn't believe I was in this position. Everyone knew the football team would win easily this weekend. The team had won every game this season and they were playing the worst team in the league. It was a bet I would never have made under any circumstances and that probably made it all the more intriguing for the crowd. They must have assumed I was some kind of exhibitionist but that wasn't the case at all. I had never been naked in public before and never in my worst nightmares did I imagine having to strip for a gaping crowd but there was no way out now. I knew if I tried to run away my clothes would be ripped from me anyway so trying to retain what little dignity I had, I realised I had no choice, I had to strip! The crowd by now began to chant my name as if in some hypnotic state.
NANCY
NANCY
NANCY
Mike escorted me to the centre of the room where there was a long rectangular table. This would be my makeshift stage. It meant that there would be people both in front of me and behind me as I paid out my alleged bet. I pleaded again for mercy but the crowd was whipped into such frenzy that there was no hope for me. Mike lifted me up onto the table. The crowd cheered once more as I stood before them. The chant shifted from my name to one of; STRIP STRIP STRIP.