The school gymnasium was unusually quiet, as Nimmi, Ruvini, and Lihini who had turned eighteen years old during the previous year sat on the wooden bench outside the examination area, swinging their legs nervously. They were the last three left; everyone else had already finished their mandatory sports physical exams and rushed off to catch the school bus.
Miss Fernando, the stern but distractible sports teacher, bustled out of the examination room, clipboard in hand.
"Alright, girls, since we're behind schedule, I'll take all three of you together. Come in."
Nimmi's stomach flipped. Together? She had hoped to do this alone, where no one would see her fumble or blush.
Lihini smirked, leaning in to whisper.
"Don't worry, Nimmi. It's just us. No boys here to peek."
Nimmi's cheeks burned. "That's not I wasn't"
Ruvini rolled her eyes but gave Nimmi's shoulder a reassuring squeeze.
"Relax. It's just measurements and stretches. We've done this before."
But they hadn't not like this. Not with Miss Fernando watching, not with the way Lihini's eyes gleamed with mischief.
The examination room was sparse, a weighing scale, a height chart on the wall, and a long examination table covered in crisp white paper. Miss Fernando adjusted her glasses and pointed.
"Blazers off first. Then shoes."
Nimmi's fingers trembled as she unbuttoned her navy-blue blazer. She folded it neatly on the bench, avoiding eye contact. Lihini, in contrast, shrugged hers off with a careless flick, letting it slide to the floor before picking it up with a giggle.
"Shoes next," Miss Fernando said, marking something on her clipboard.
Nimmi bent to untie her black school shoes, her skirt riding up slightly. She quickly tugged it back down. Lihini, already in her socks, wiggled her toes playfully.
"Look, Nimmi, yours have little bows."
Lihini grinned, pointing at Nimmi's white ankle socks.
"So cute."
Nimmi's face flamed.
"They're just normal socks."
Ruvini, now barefoot, stood straight-backed beside the scale.
"Stop teasing her, Li."
Lihini pouted but didn't argue.
Miss Fernando gestured to the scale.
"Ruvini, you first."
Ruvini stepped on, her toned legs flexing slightly. Miss Fernando noted her weight, then measured her height.
"You've grown half an inch since last year."
Ruvini smirked.
"Must be all the basketball."
Lihini went next, swaying her hips exaggeratedly as she stepped onto the scale.
"Miss, have I gotten fatter?" she gasped dramatically.
Miss Fernando didn't look up.
"No. Next."
Nimmi swallowed hard as she stepped onto the scale. She hated this part the cold metal under her feet, the way the numbers seemed to judge her.
"Forty-six kilos," Miss Fernando announced.
"Same as last year."
Nimmi exhaled in relief.
"Skirts stay on for this part," Miss Fernando said, gesturing to the floor mats.
"Toe-touches first."
Nimmi bent forward, her fingers brushing her shins. She wasn't very flexible; her hamstrings always felt tight.
Lihini, of course, folded herself effortlessly, palms flat on the floor.
"Easy," she murmured, glancing sideways at Ruvini.
Ruvini, competitive as ever, stretched further, her skirt riding up just enough to reveal the hem of her black boy shorts.
Nimmi's breath caught. She quickly looked away, but not before Lihini noticed.
"See something you like?" Lihini whispered, grinning.
Nimmi's face burned.
"No!"
Miss Fernando cleared her throat.
"Now sit-and-reach."
They sat on the floor, legs extended. Nimmi reached forward, her fingertips barely grazing her toes. Lihini, meanwhile, leaned so far her chest nearly touched her thighs.
"Wow, Li, showing off much?" Ruvini teased.
Lihini smirked. "Just natural talent."
As Nimmi stretched, her balance wavered. She tipped sideways with a gasp, only for Ruvini's strong hand to catch her waist, steadying her.
Their eyes met. Ruvini's grip was warm, firm.
"Careful," Ruvini murmured.
Nimmi's heart pounded.
"Thanks."
Lihini watched, her lips curling into a slow, knowing smile.
"Blouses off now," Miss Fernando said absently, flipping a page on her clipboard.
Nimmi froze. Oh god.
Lihini didn't hesitate. Her fingers flew over her buttons, shrugging off the white fabric with practiced ease. Beneath it, her lacy pink demi-cup bra hugged her curves, the delicate embroidery just visible under the gym's fluorescent lights.
Ruvini undressed methodically, folding her blouse neatly. Her black sports bra accentuated her toned shoulders, the straps digging slightly into her skin.
Nimmi's fingers fumbled at her buttons. Her hands were shaking.
"Need help?" Ruvini asked softly.
Before Nimmi could answer, Ruvini's hands were there, deftly undoing each button. Nimmi's breath hitched as cool air brushed her skin. Her plain white full-cup bra felt suddenly childish next to Lihini's lace.
Lihini's eyes flicked over her.
"Aw, Nimmi, you're so modest," she teased.
Nimmi crossed her arms over her chest.
"It's just practical."
Miss Fernando approached, checking their posture.
"Shoulders back, Nimmi."
Nimmi obeyed, hyper-aware of Ruvini's gaze lingering on her collarbone.
Miss Fernando adjusted her glasses, her sharp gaze sweeping over the three girls.
"Posture check first. Shoulders back, chest out."
Nimmi swallowed, forcing herself to straighten. The air felt cooler against her exposed skin, the thin fabric of her white full-cup bra suddenly inadequate under scrutiny. She resisted the urge to cover herself, fingers twitching at her sides.
Lihini, ever the performer, arched her back slightly, making the lace of her pink demi-cup bra stretch taut over her curves. A smirk played on her lips as she caught Ruvini's glance.
"Something wrong, Ruvi?" she teased.
Ruvini's jaw tightened.
"Just wondering how you breathe in that thing."
Lihini laughed, the sound light and musical.
"Practice."
Miss Fernando stepped closer, her fingers prodding at Ruvini's shoulders.
"Good muscle tone. But these straps are too tight; they'll leave marks."
Before Ruvini could react, Miss Fernando hooked a finger under the black sports bra strap and tugged it aside, examining the reddened skin beneath.
Ruvini stiffened, a flush creeping up her neck.
Nimmi's breath hitched. She had never seen Ruvini flustered before.
"Your turn, Nimmi," Miss Fernando said.
Nimmi's pulse spiked as the teacher's hands guided her shoulders back.
"You slouch too much. Stand tall."
The correction was gentle but firm, fingers brushing the edge of her bra strap. Nimmi's skin prickled with awareness.
Lihini watched, her gaze lingering on the way Nimmi's modest cotton bra contrasted with her own daring lace.
"Miss, don't you think Nimmi would look cute in something prettier?"