Secrets | TMR | One

2:6

The first thing Adeline feels as she wakes up is an excruciating pain in her stomach. Wrapping her arms around herself, she turns her body to the side.

But as she does so, her bottom half begins to feel uncomfortable, telling her that the thing she hates most in this world has arrived.

Her period.

"Shit!"

Sitting upright on her bed, Adeline quickly checks her sleeping bag for any stains. Relief instantly washing over her as she realises that there are none.

However, the same cannot be said for her pants or shorts.

Adeline releases a groan, throwing her head back in frustration. Groggily pushing herself from her bed, the girl finds that she is unable to stand from the feeling that a spear has been driven directly into her lower abdomen.

She briskly steps over to the door, opening it just enough so she can fit her head out the gap.

The girl glances from left to right, searching to see if there is anyone around who can help her.

At that moment, Alby steps out of his own room, and she immediately flags him down before he has a chance to go to breakfast.

"Alby" she whisper-shouts, "psst, Alby!"

The boy stops in his tracks, stepping backwards and turning to face her. "Good morning" he says cheerfully.

"Shhh" she orders before sticking her arm out the door and motioning for him to come closer.

"What's wrong?" the boy whispers, stepping forward as requested until the tips of his toes are touching the threshold.

"I need help. I, uh, I had an accident" Adeline confesses.

Alby's eyes widen, flickering down for a moment then back up to the girl. "Did you wet the bed?" he asks, taking a step back.

"What? Ew, no" the girl responds, scrunching her face up in disgust. "No." Sticking her head further out the door, she whispers to the boy, "I started my period, and I leaked a bit."

"Oh, shuck"

"Yea, oh shuck" Adeline repeats. "Listen, I need you to go and get me a clean towel."

"On it" Alby responds, turning around and rushing out of the Homestead towards the bathrooms.

Adeline closes the door once he is gone, making quick work of grabbing a tampon and a fresh set of clothes.

Alby walks into the room after a few minutes, making sure the door is closed behind him before handing Adeline a towel, a small bag and a clean top. "Thought you could put your old clothes in the bag before you put them in the bin, and here's a new top. Took the biggest size I could find so it should cover you fairly well."

"Thank you" the girl responds, pulling the top over her head and grabbing the towel to wrap around her waist.

"I'll come with you" Alby offers, "we can climb out the window in my room. It faces the bathrooms so you don't have to walk around."

Adeline furrows her brows at the boy as she paces towards the door. "We don't need to climb through any windows, loon. I just need you to make sure the coast is clear when we walk out."

Alby stands for a moment, his feet parted and his hands resting on his hips. "Right" he mutters, pulling his lips into a thin line and nodding his head. Drawing his hand up, he curls every finger except his index one and begins shaking it slightly. "Your plan is better. Let's do your plan."