Sibling Love (Sequel to I Just Want To Be Loved)

Puberty Talk

Amber came to school the next day, but she ignored everyone. Kirika tried to speak to her, but Amber ignored her.

Kirika was dismayed. She didn't want to lose her friend over this. But it didn't look like Amber was going to forgive her anytime soon.

Amber had taken to avoiding everyone, and didn't answer teachers when they asked questions. She just glared at them.

Kirika tried everything she could to apologize. She gave Amber cards, offered her her lunches, and even told her that she would do all of her chores for a month. But Amber didn't say a word to her.

"I just don't understand why she's ignoring us," said Regina. "We were only trying to help her."

"Yeah," said Mike. "Maybe we should give up. She obviously doesn't want anything to do with us."

But Kirika, remembering Shu's story, shook her head. "No, Amber needs us, whether she knows it or not. It's my fault that she is ignoring us, and I will put it right somehow."

"You know, she doesn't speak at all now," said Isabella. "Maybe it has something to do with her voice. Maybe she has a sore throat."

"I don't think so. She would have communicated with us using notes," said Kirika. "Back in first grade, Amber and I would pass each other notes during class, though I could never read what she had written. It didn't bother me back then, but I should have connected the dots together."

Mike put an arm around Kirika's shoulders. "Kirika, you were six. There's no way a six-year-old would understand dyslexia."

"But why won't she talk to us?" asked Regina.

After a week, Kirika wrote a note and hid it in Amber's desk. She hoped that Amber might understand it enough.

Dear Amber,

Are you still angry with me? Why haven't you been talking? Please answer us. Meet us at the playground during lunch.

From Kirika

P. S. We miss you. Please talk to us! 🥺

Kirika and her friends hung around at the swings, hoping that Amber would come. However, twenty minutes passed and there was no appearance of Amber. Just as they thought that Amber was never coming, they saw her coming towards them.

"Amber!" said Isabella. "Where have you been?"

Amber looked upset. "I... I have something important to tell you."

They were the first words that they have  heard Amber say all week. They sighed thankfully.

"Amber, why didn't you talk to us? We are your friends," said Mike.

"I... Have... A red thing happening," said Amber.

Everyone looked confused. "What red thing?" asked Kirika. "You're not making any sense."

"I... I... Maybe I should show you. Come to the classroom."

So the friend group went to the classroom, feeling confused. Then Amber took out a pack of what looked like diapers.

"You still wear diapers?" asked Regina. "That's why you won't talk to us?"

"Amber, we are your friends," said Mike. "We don't care that you wear diapers. We won't tell anyone..."

Amber got super annoyed. "Guys, I was on my period! These are sanitary pads! Do you not know the difference?"

However, they all just stared blankly at Amber, who slapped a hand across her face.

"I guess that I have to give you the birds and the bees talk," said Amber. "When girls reach a certain age, they have periods, which cause blood to come out of where urine comes out. It's not harmful, but it comes with stomach cramps and mood swings. That was why I was so moody all week.

It only takes place for a week every month, and... Don't look so scared, Mike, you won't get it. You're a boy, and you should feel very lucky for that."

"All this drama because you were on your... Period?" asked Kirika. "Why didn't you say anything?"

"Because I was embarrassed about it," said Amber. "Ten is a pretty young age to start a period, and I am not ready for puberty. I was pretty cross with you, but the mood swings made me feel a lot worse, so I decided not to say anything in case I said something I regretted."

Kirika sighed. "I thought that you hated me."

"Oh Kirika, I could never hate you," said Amber. "Honestly, I figured out that you were right and I shouldn't give up. I will make sure that I pass my exams so I get to stay with you. Besides, I don't want to traumatize the next class of fourth graders for life by letting them see blood on my skirt."

"Well, at least now we are prepared for that time in our lives," said Regina.

Everyone laughed. They were relieved that Amber was talking to them again.

That night, Kirika suddenly woke up around midnight. Her stomach hurt for some reason. And why did her bed feel wet? Did she pee herself?

However, when she threw off the covers, Kirika saw blood all over the bed. She started to scream.

Shu came in, looking alarmed. Kirika's screams had somehow convinced him that she was being kidnapped. He gasped when he saw the blood.

"Shu, I am on my period!" screamed Kirika. "Do something!"

"Alright sis, calm down. We will get you cleaned up and I will see if I can borrow some pads somewhere. Wait, how did you know what a period is? I didn't know about that when I was your age."

"Amber told me," said Kirika.