Billie and Lilo had always shared a special bond. Billie, being four years older, naturally took on a protective role in Lilo's life. Their mother used to say they were two halves of the same heart, always connected, always understanding each other without the need for words. They did everything together, from sharing secrets in their room to exploring their neighborhood on sunny afternoons.
It was a warm Saturday morning, and Billie and Lilo had planned a day out just for the two of them. Billie had recently gotten her driver’s license, and Lilo couldn’t be more excited about their first solo adventure. They decided to start their day at the local park, where they would stroll through the trails and have a picnic by the lake.
As they walked through the park, laughing and joking as they always did, Lilo began to feel a strange discomfort in her lower abdomen. She had never felt anything like this before, and as they continued, the sensation turned into a dull ache. She didn’t say anything at first, trying to ignore it, but when they stopped to sit on a bench by the lake, she felt something even stranger—a wetness that made her heart race with anxiety.
“Billie…” Lilo’s voice was small and uncertain, unlike her usual upbeat tone. Billie immediately noticed the change.
“What’s wrong, Lilo?” Billie asked, concern filling her eyes as she turned to face her sister.
“I… I think something’s wrong with me,” Lilo whispered, her voice trembling. She looked down at the bench, and then back at Billie, her cheeks turning red. “I… I think I’m bleeding.”
Understanding washed over Billie like a wave. She had been here before. Billie reached out and gently squeezed Lilo’s hand. “Hey, it’s okay. You’re not sick or anything. You’re just starting your period.”
Lilo’s eyes widened. “My period? But… what does that mean? Why is this happening?”
Billie smiled, realizing this was one of those big sister moments she had always imagined. “It means you’re growing up, Lilo. It’s completely normal, and every girl goes through it at some point.”
“But… it hurts, and I wasn’t expecting it. What do I do now?” Lilo asked, her voice a mixture of fear and confusion.
“First things first,” Billie said calmly, pulling her backpack off her shoulders. She unzipped it and dug through until she found a small pouch. She pulled out a pad and handed it to Lilo. “You’re going to need this.”
Lilo stared at the pad, unsure of what to do with it. Billie noticed and stood up, holding out her hand. “Come on, let’s find the restroom, and I’ll show you how to use it.”
They walked together to the nearby restroom, Billie keeping a reassuring arm around Lilo’s shoulders. Once inside, Billie explained everything patiently. She showed Lilo how to open the pad, how to place it properly, and how to make sure it was secure. Lilo followed Billie’s instructions, still a little overwhelmed but feeling safer with her sister by her side.
As Lilo adjusted the pad, Billie began to explain more. “So, getting your period means your body is preparing itself for the possibility of having a baby someday. Every month, your body builds up a lining in your uterus, kind of like a cushion, in case a baby starts to grow there. If there’s no baby, your body doesn’t need the cushion, so it sheds it. That’s what the blood is—your body just getting rid of what it doesn’t need.”
Lilo nodded slowly, processing the information. “But… why does it have to happen? And why does it hurt?”
Billie thought for a moment, remembering how confusing it was when she first got her period. “It happens because it’s a natural part of growing up. Your body is just doing what it’s supposed to do. As for the pain, that’s because your muscles are working to push everything out. It’s annoying, I know. But it doesn’t last forever, and there are ways to make it hurt less. A hot water bottle, or sometimes just resting helps.”
