Period.
PERIOD.
Oh my gosh.
Ohhhhh my gosh.
As Logan drawled on, realization dawned on me like a bird smacking into a clean window. The back ache, the hunger, the intense desire to snap my date’s face off. I was on my period. I usually got cramps, but every once in a while, it would switch to a deep-set backache. It wasn’t often, and I had completely missed the warning signs. My back always hurt after thinning fruit, and I hadn’t given a thought to my time of the month.
Suddenly, I felt much more in tune with my body. Aware of things I hadn’t thought of while being a huge jerk toward my date. I discreetly leaned forward as far as I could and glanced downward to make sure my white pants were okay. White pants. WHITE! On day one! I’m not saying that leaking on the truck seat of the biggest crush of my childhood would be the worst thing in the world, but I wasn’tnotsaying it. We had a long summer to go for Logan to have any more embarrassing material between us.
I needed medication and tampons—pronto.
We reached the edge of town, and he pulled a quick U-turn on the two-lane road.
“Anything look good?” he asked.
“The grocery store?”
He looked at me like I was crazy. “You a big fan of their deli section or something?”
“I need to make a stop there really quick.”
“Okay. Do you want to go after we eat?”
“No, now—if that’s alright,” I added. There may have been leakage on his truck seat. Being nicer to him at this moment could only help me.
He pulled into the grocery store parking lot and parked. I opened the door and slid/backed out carefully like a five-year-old child might slide out of a pickup so I could check out the seat. My heart stopped racing. The seat was fine. Now, I only cursed myself for not bringing a jacket to tie around my waist, because I had no idea how the pants had fared during the trip.
Logan rounded the truck the same time as me, apparently coming inside. I briefly debated the merits of whether it was better for him towatchme walk inside or have him in the store with me. No, he could come inside. I would just make sure to walk behind him and then shoo him to the candy aisle while I made my purchase and ran to the bathroom. It was foolproof.
Except, Logan wasnotfoolproof.
We reached the doorway and found the sliding doors out of order. I made my way to the outer door first and yanked it open, hoping to usher him inside, only to feel the heat of his body behind me as his hand hit higher on the door than mine, holding it open.
“Go ahead, Jailbait.”
“No, you go. I’ve got it.” I turned back to smile at him. All of my insides were twisting together like snakes.
His brow furrowed. “What? You’re in front of me. Just go.”
“I was here first. I’ll be the gentleman—gentlewoman.”
I was making it weird, but I couldn’t stop. I could feelthings happening, but I had no idea the damage. I had so many things to do in this store, and I couldn’t waste any more time. First thing was to grab a box of tampons then run as fast as I could, without bouncing, to the register. I would buy it and then move swiftly, yet cautiously, to the bathroom—after I located it in the store. Which was probably down some shady hallway with an employees-only back-room door next to a forklift and some storage boxes. Note to self: always bring a light jacket with you, even if it is currently 95 degrees outside. Also, never wear white pants, even if they areso cute.
He stared at me, bemused, looking like he wanted to argue further. Thankfully, he played my game and stepped around me, entering through the doorway before me. “Alright. I’m just used to going out with Jake, and he insists on me opening all his doors.”
Even in my predicament, a laugh bubbled out of me at the image.
Once inside the store, walking side by side, I scoured the signs, searching for the words ‘feminine hygiene.’ But first, I needed to distract Logan.
“Listen, why don’t you go pick out some candy or something? I’ll be right back.”
He searched my eyes, a hint of amusement on his face. “You trying to get rid of me?”
“No. I just remember how much you love candy.”
He gave me a pointed look while I sent subliminal messages into his brain to suddenly need candy.
