TRAPPED

Not a Pre-Teen / 17

WARNING: Okay so the beginning of this chapter is a bit disgusting if you're not a girl. But if you can handle visual imagery of a period, then go right ahead. Otherwise, just skim until you see "Found it!" Don't ask why I put this in there. It's my book and I do as I want. It's a bit long since I owe you guys for not writing in forever. Enjoy!

CHAPTER XVII: NOT A PRE-TEEN

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I still don't know how to put on a tampon and the only other person that could've taught me is dead. Great. Just peachy.

I'm in the bathroom of the underground room trying to find out which hole the tampon goes in. There's like three holes! How am I supposed to know which one the blood came from when all the goods are completely covered in blood?!

I grab a few sheets of toilet paper and wet them in the rusty sink. Seriously, how could anyone live here?

New idea. I clean up all the area (which isn't pleasant) and let a few drops of blood come out from the vagina hole to see which one to put the tampon in.

Found it!

Once I've figured out how to insert it, I throw away the packaging and rinse my hands. I look up the mirror and am taken aback by the view. I look like an anorexic child with deep purple eyebags and a dirty... well... everything.

I wash my face to try and scrub off any scum so I don't have to deal with any irritating acne my step-mom always told scary stories about.

I open the mirror to find a makeup bag, a pill bottle, a box of pads, and extra shower hair care products.

Wow these pads would've been helpful 10 minutes ago.

I first grab the pills wondering what Marissa needed them for.

Walgreens Dr. William Gin
Marissa L. Dawson
Take 3 pills a day orally
To treat depression or anxiety
(50 mg) Tricyclic Antidepressants
Call (1800-555-0125) for prescription refills

She was depressed?

I open up the bottle to find a silver key and two pills left. I pocket the pills just for emergency. I put the container back where I found it and grab the remaining items. I open up the makeup bag to reveal what looks to be an everyday supply of girl necessities.

I take a quick whiff of myself and finally notice how revolting I smell. Since there is room inside the bag, I add in the shampoo, conditioner, and hairspray (they are all travel sized).

I sigh and turn off the lights before re-entering the same room as Jess. I hide the bag behind my back just in case Jess thinks it would he a waste if I took all of these things. I want to keep them because if I'm on the run, I can't look the same way as before.

I approach Jess holding up the key and pad box praying he won't notice my arm behind my back. Luckily for me, he was too excited from me finding the key rather than noticing my obvious arm.

"You found it," Jess exclaims with bright eyes, "where did you find it?"

"In the medicine cabinet in the bathroom," I reply still clutching onto the makeup bag.

"Great. Now we just grab the stuff and lets go."

"Okay," I obey.

I put the makeup bag into the backpack Jess had given me earlier. It was a tight squeeze and it makes it easier to notice there was more stuff inside than there was previously. Jess will only think it's some more necessities so I'm not worried.

"You ready?" Jess asks me as I walk towards him and the door, still holding the pad box.

"Yeah."

Jess gives a slight smile and puts in the key. With a simple turn, we're out. He removes the chains and unlocks all three locks. And just like that, we're gone.

**

We are packing the stuff away in the jeep before continuing our long journey to who-knows-where.

I want to put on some makeup before we hit the road again so I man up and decide to tell Jess about my findings.

"Jess?"

"Hmm?" He doesn't look at me as he continues putting the last of the duffel bags into the trunk.

"I found something earlier that I didn't tell you about because I didn't know if it would be okay with you," I shyly say looking down.

Jess stops pushing in the bag and turns to me. "What was it?"

I don't say anything but move him aside to grab the backpack from the top of the stuff. Jess just watches as I unzip the black Jan-sport and pull out a worn-out pink and purple bag tattooed with floral patterns.

"What is that?" Jess asks.

I open up the makeup bag and pull out the bottle of mascara to show that there was makeup inside.

Jess looks surprised but then switches to a more serious face.

"No, no. We aren't going to waste space just so you can look pretty. Who are you even trying to impress huh?"

"Jess, I wouldn't take this if I knew it wouldn't help. I brought it because I can cover up my face so people won't recognize me when we go into public places. Plus, it'll make me look older so people don't get suspicious why a 16-year-old is driving around with a 13-year-old. I know what everything is and how to put it on because I always used to watch my step-mom. C'mon please let me keep it?" I use my pouty face and hold up my hands together like I'm about to cry.

After a few unpleasant glares, he finally gives in.

"Okay fine. You can keep it. You're not even a pre-teen anymore so I guess you can start wearing makeup at this age." Jess looks around to show he doesn't care even though I know he does.

I smile shyly and hug him. "Thanks Jess."

"Mhmm. Sure," Jess says grabbing the backpack from me and zipping it up. He puts it back in the trunk and before he is about to shut the trunk, he looks back at me. He looks at the random stains on his white shirt that i've been wearing and mumbles something that I can't make out.

Jess goes into the duffel bag with the women's clothes; he hands me a gray shirt and a pair Victoria Secret Pink sweatpants.

"I also need underwear," I say quietly looking at the clothes in his hands.

Irritated, Jess once again digs through the duffle and pulls out medium bright orange lace panties and hands me all of the clothes to change into.

I thank Jess and go to the front of the Jeep to change. Although he's already seen me in my underwear, I still don't feel comfortable enough to willingly change in front of him.

As I pull on the violet waved-trimmed underwear, I think about how my life was before and compare it to now.

I guess I am not a pre-teen anymore huh?

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