“I—yes,” I lied through my teeth.
There was a beat of silence, then he spoke again. “Listen, I’ve got two teenage sisters. Iknow. It’s all good, alright?”
I closed my eyes, feeling my face go hot. He knew. I didn’t want to admit it, but at the same time, his calmness made it feel like maybe I wasn’t in complete disaster territory.
“Wynter…you really don’t need to help,” I muttered, almost hoping he’d just walk away.
But he chuckled softly, as if this were the most straightforward thing in the world. “Right, but humour me, yeah? Open the cabinet to your left. There’s a basket in there with a lifetime supply of everything you’ll need.” He sounded so blasé, like this was no different than handing me a tissue.
I reached over, opening the cabinet, and sure enough, there was a neatly packed basket full to the brim of assorted brands and sizes of pads and tampons. Relief washed over me, and I could almost pretend this wasn’t happening.
“Sorted?” he asked, still calm, like he was just checking up on a routine task.
“Yeah…” I mumbled, though I looked down at my clothes and felt my stomach twist. I couldn’t go back outside like this.
Before I could even figure out how to ask for help, he spoke again, as if he already knew. “I’ll fetch you some clean clothes, yeah? Beck’s got some extras lying about in the laundry room.”
I barely had time to stammer, “You really don’t have to—” before I heard him walk away.
Moments later, he returned, tapping lightly on the door again. “Got some of Bae’s sweats and one of Beck’s jumpers. Bit big onyou, maybe, but they’ll do the job.” He extended them through the crack in the door, looking away as he did, like he wanted to give me space.
“Thank you,” I whispered, taking the clothes.
He leaned against the wall outside, his voice taking on that easy, slightly teasing tone again. “You good to manage, or do I need to talk you through this like a footie match, because I could.”
I actually laughed, surprising myself. “I think I’ve got it.”
“Brilliant,” he said, sounding faintly amused. “You know, this kind of thing happens to everyone, so don’t go feeling daft about it.”
His calmness somehow soothed my nerves. I changed quickly and took a deep breath before stepping back out, where he waited, hands tucked in his pockets, gazing up at the stars as if none of this had been a big deal.
“As for the bloody clothes—quite literally—I can put them in cold water then throw them in the wash.”
“Aren’t you at all grossed out?” I wondered, and he seemed confused by my question.
“Not by the bodies that quite literally bring life into the world no,” he reassured me, taking the clothes from me.
“Thanks, Wyn,” I said softly, not quite meeting his gaze.
He gave me a small, reassuring smile. “Anytime. Now come on, before they send a search party. We can let them think you were just off having an intense chat with a raccoon.” He winked, and just like that, the whole thing felt a little less mortifying.
I headed back to the campsite and Beck immediately pulled me aside from the crowd, her whisper of blonde hair cradling her face, worry in her eyes.
“Are you okay? When you turned to leave you were bleeding through—don’t worry no one else saw, but I tried to find you butyou were gone,” Beck questioned then realized I was wearing her clothes and sighed in relief.
“Sorry—I should’ve asked,” I apologized and she smiled.
“It’s no big deal, I’m just glad you’re okay. Did my brother help you?”
“Yeah, he did.”
“Good.” She nodded. “If you need some painkillers or a hot water bottle or anything really, don’t be afraid to ask. We’re here for you. I know what it’s like to not have your mom around.”
“Thanks, Beck.” I nodded just as a tall brunette waved at us from the clearing in the woods behind us, and Beck smiled warmly, glancing back at him then at me empathetically. She placed a finger over her lips, signalling me to be quiet, to not tell anyone.
And all at once I became her vault.
“Happy first red moon, Soh, see you later,” she whispered before turning around and racing into his arms.
