𝓛𝓮𝓸𝓷 𝓚𝓮𝓷𝓷𝓮𝓭𝔂| ɪᴍᴀɢɪɴᴇꜱ ʙᴏᴏᴋ 4

Stains and Strangers| Request

I frown at the sudden cramps, somehow I know the feeling of my period swiftly arriving, but I didn't think it would be so soon. I grab my phone from my pocket as shoppers continue to walk past me, giving me glares for standing in the way, but I can't hold back the panic of being completely and utterly unprepared for this. I nod at my calendar, seeing that my period isn't supposed to arrive for at least another week, but then again sometimes it's an unpredictable thing. I try not to rush as I gather the remaining items on my shopping list and pay, then I begin my hopefully quick trip home. 

The bags feel heavy in my hands as I rush down the steps of the subway station, I really need to get home so I can no doubt check to see if I'm bleeding and put on a pad/ tampon. I sigh, rocking on my feet as I wait for the train to arrive, the station's pretty crowded today, only making my situation worse as another wave of pain hits me. I breathe through it, feeling a mix of strong emotions. Yeah, definetly my period. I glance over my shoulder to see a group of girls my age walking down the steps, all laughing and loud as other people grumble and glare, but the girls don't seem to care, too wrapped up in their own bubble. I turn away, palms sweating since the train is taking so long to arrive when I needed it to be here five minutes ago. As soon as the group of girls stand behind me, their shrill voices and giggles setting me on edge rather than amusement, I want to curl up and hide. All I can do is hope that my bleeding is light and hasn't soaked through my blue jeans-

"Oh my God, look." One girl whispers too loudly to the others. My eyes widen as I stare ahead, I know they're staring at me, but a deep part of my brain hopes that they're pointing to something else. Maybe a hot guy or an advertisement for something. 

"She's bleeding, should we tell her?" Another softly asks, too shy to just commit and be friendly with me. I swallow, feeling tears prick my eyes just as the sound of the train approaches from the dark tunnel. The girls laugh some more behind me as they whisper intelligibly to each other, no doubt gossiping about me rather than doing the decent thing and being nice, I mean we're all girls, surely there shouldn't be any awkwardness when it comes to this mutual experience we all go through. I've got to jacket to cover up with, and no spare clothes to change into, all I can do is stand here and continue to bleed through my jeans, which are a light blue, of course red's going to stand out. The train stops, the squeaky breaks echoing through the station as the doors hiss open and people trample inside. I head in as fast as I can, immediately huddling into the corner as the girls thankfully linger near the doors. 

The train doors close, and then we're moving. The light jostle does nothing to ease my stomach, nor does the amount of people around me. I try to hide my back to them, but there's no easy way to do that without looking really weird. I shuffle, blushing as I stare at the floor. 

"Hey." A soft, masculine voice says to me, followed by a small tap on my shoulder. I look up to see the most handsome blonde man smiling down at me, blue eyes nervously searching mine as I swallow and give him a small smile in return. "I, uh, you've got a fresh stain on your jeans, I promise I wasn't checking you out, it was just, uh, bright." He rambles, wincing at his own words. Mortification fills me as my eyes widen, then they tear up, stinging as I nod and look away. 

"I'm so sorry, I know, I'm trying to go home and-" I begin, voice wavering as people ignore us. The man nods, face softening even further as he begins to undo his jacket and pass it to me. 

"It's alright, sometimes it can't be helped. Here, you can use this to cover it if you'd like?" He holds out the windbreaker to me as he shrugs up one shoulder. I nod, taking it and wrapping it around my waist and successfully hiding the red stain. I feel so bad and embarrassed about this whole situation, but the man doesn't seem to care or even mind, he's not being mean or even disgusted like some would. "I'm Leon by the way."

"I'm Y/N," I reply, toying with the jacket, "I'm really sorry about this, can I pay you for the jacket or something?" I offer. Leon shakes his head, that cute smile of his never leaving his face, until he tilts his head a little and then nods. 

"If you're feeling up to it, pay me back by letting me buy you some waffles, there's an amazing stand at the next stop that does the best chocolate drizzled waffles with Oreo pieces, I'm sure it'll make your day so much better." He grins. I let out a small laugh at his enthusiasm, noticing from the corner of my eye the group of girls are staring at us jealously. 

"I'm not sure that's how me paying you back works Leon, shouldn't I give you something?" I lightly ask as the train begins to slow for the stop. Leon waves out a hand. 

"You're paying me back in time. Come on, I promise it's worth it." He holds out a hand for me as the train doors open once more. I hesitate, but think 'screw it' and take his hand, smiling as it squeezes mine. He weaves us around the people and up the stairs, almost immediately we're greeted by a waffle stand, the scents of sweets greet me as Leon wiggles his eyebrows at me. I begin to feel at ease, even more so when I spot a convenience store with a bathroom sign. I point to the store, and Leon knows what I mean. "I'll wait here for you." He murmurs. 

I quickly buy a pack of pads/ tampons and visit the bathroom, wiping up the blood on my underwear and trying to save my beyond saving jeans, then I put on the pad/tampon and wash my hands, fixing my hair before heading out to see Leon leaning against the wall waiting for me. For some reason I'm happy to see him, and the way his eyes light up makes me wonder if he's happy to see me too. We quickly order waffles (Leon insists on paying) then we begin to walk down the street as we talk, which is easy since Leon's determined to get to know me. We devour the sweet treats quick, and spend most of the time laughing and having a great time, even though I have to keep declining when Leon offers to carry by bags. My stomach ache seems to have settled a little now that my panic has subsided, but Leon still asks "Are you in any pain? Should we get some painkillers for you?" 

I shake my head, brows furrowing at how open he is about all of this. "Why are you so chill about all this? You seem to have experience with periods, do you have a little sister or something?" 

Leon's eyes widen a little as he rubs the back of his neck, shaking his head as a small chuckle escapes him. "No, I had a girlfriend for a few years and well, you know, it's kind of a monthly thing right? I learnt a lot I guess." He smiles, blowing out a breath. "Talking about my ex on our first date isn't a great move, is it?" 

I stop, turning to look at him. "First date?" I tease, not feeling pressured or weird about it. Leon notices his slip up and freezes, but when I laugh and say "It's okay" he relaxes. We talk more as we head back down to the subway station, getting on the train until my stop comes up. Leon walks with me, but I stop at the end of the street so he doesn't know where I live, he's been kind but he's still a stranger. We both hover, unsure how to end this meeting as we watch each other and smile. 

"Can I get your number, if you're comfortable with it?" Leon asks. I nod, giving him my number as he gives me his. He sends me a text to make sure it all works, which ends up reading 'I hope you've had a great time, I know I have.'

A warm buzz fills me as I nod and reach for his jacket, but Leon shakes his head as he steps back. "You keep it for now, you can give it back to me on our second date." He winks. I blush, mouth opening at the flirtatious tease. 

"You're so smooth!" I joke, calling out as he grins and turns the corner, leaving me elated and happy.