Laundromat Mix-Up: The College Student and the Case of Mistaken Undergarments

The sun was just starting to set as Ethan made his way to the campus laundromat. Balancing a basket overflowing with dirty clothes against his hip, he was thankful for the short walk. Midterms were coming up, and the last thing he needed was to run out of clean clothes. The laundromat was mostly empty, which was unusual for a Friday evening. He managed to snag two machines, side by side, and quickly sorted his laundry into darks and lights. One of the perks of the campus facility was the incredibly cheap prices – he could do his entire washing for just a few dollars. Soon, the rhythmic hum of the washers filled the air, and Ethan took a moment to relax, sinking into one of the plastic chairs nearby. After the machines beeped their completion, he swiftly moved his colored clothes into one of the giant dryers. The dryers were an impressive sight, capable of swallowing a week’s worth of clean clothes in one go. With his colors tumbling away, Ethan reached for his load of lightly colored laundry. Chatting with a friend on his phone, Ethan absentmindedly scooped out the clothes and transferred them to the dryer. He wasn’t really paying attention, focused instead on the latest campus gossip. He set the machine and plopped back into the chair, awaiting a different beep this time. When the dryer signaled the end of its cycle, Ethan hauled out the now-warm clothes and dumped them back into his basket. With practiced efficiency, he folded and sorted everything, hauling the neat piles back to his dorm room. As Ethan began putting his clothes away, he immediately noticed something was off. Instead of his familiar socks and underwear, he was confronted with an array of bras, panties, nightgowns, and even some silk stockings. His eyes widened in horror. He had clearly grabbed the wrong load of laundry while washing his clothes. Heart pounding, Ethan raced through his options. It was late, and he had no idea whose clothes these were. It seemed returning them tonight was out of the question. Embarrassment washed over him like a tidal wave, but practical considerations soon took over. His entire supply of socks and underwear had been swapped out. He had no choice but to wear whichever garments he currently possessed. The next morning, he slipped into a pair of silky panties, hoping they wouldn’t show under his jeans. He couldn't deny that they were incredibly comfortable. Later, he managed to tuck a couple of bras and some lace-trimmed nightgowns deep into his drawer, hoping his roommate wouldn’t notice. The stockings, however, he stored more securely, knowing he might need them to stave off a chill on some winter day. For the rest of the week, Ethan navigated his days in a blend of quiet panic and clandestine acceptance. Each night, he donned the nightgowns for sleep, finding the smooth texture strangely soothing. His focus remained on finding the rightful owner. Finally, the week came to an end, and Ethan returned to the laundromat with a nervous flutter in his chest. Luck was on his side – he spotted a girl who looked equally distressed, turning over piece after piece of clothing, undoubtedly searching for her missing items. Mustering his courage, Ethan approached her. “Um, excuse me,” he stammered, clutching a small bag with the bras, panties, and nightgowns. “I think I may have taken your laundry by mistake last week.” Her eyes widened, then softened with relief. “Oh my god, yes! Thank you so much. I've been looking everywhere for these,” she said, taking the bag. Ethan nodded, a rush of relief washing over him. “Sorry about the mix-up. Can I get my stuff back, too?” She laughed, the tension breaking. “Of course! I’m Katie, by the way.” “Ethan,” he replied, grinning. They exchanged phone numbers, agreeing to meet up and swap their laundry as soon as possible. As Ethan walked back to his dorm, his spirits lifted. Sure, the week had been a strange one, but he might have made a new friend – and at the very least, he'd learned to pay more attention while doing laundry.