Girl meets growing up

Chapter 5: lunch

Riley's perspective

I walk to the restroom and decide to go to the bathroom before lunch. I walk into a stall and almost have a heart attack. I start freaking out. My tired mood was starting to make sense.

I STARTED.

Like, for the first time. I had no idea what to do!

I panicked and started to think things through. I needed to get to Maya. She got her first period the year before in 8th grade. 

But how do I get to the lunch room without anyone noticing the big stain on my pants? It's the middle of August. I didn't bring a jacket. I realize I need to actually do something. The faster I get  Mayas help; the better.

I clean up the best I can and put toilet paper in my underwear..just in case.

I'm praying that nobody walks into the bathroom. Slowly unlocking the stall, I look left and right. All clear. I pull the strings on my backpack so it slumps really low, making it harder for someone to see the stain. 

Please, nobody see me.

Walking out of the bathroom, I look like an emotional wreck. Man, this day has been rough.

I look down to fix my outfit and when I look up I see Lucas walking up to me. 

"Hey Riley! Going to lunch?"

I panick. "Um..yeah Lucas..but listen I gotta go. Catch you later?"

He stares at me, confused, for a while; then shrugs his shoulders. "Okay, see you at lunch."

"Yeah..maybe..see you..bye!!"

I dart in the other direction. I hope he didn't see anything. Now I'm face to face with the lunchroom. Kids are absolutely everywhere. This place is packed. There's no way I can go through there without somebody seeing.

I spot Maya at an empty table all alone, waiting for me.

"Maya!" I shout. But not too loud, I didn't want to avert that much attention.

She doesn't hear me.

"Maya!" I say a little bit louder. Still no reaction.

I sigh, losing all hope. I was going to have to walk up to her through the crowded cafeteria.

I start to make my way to her table, feeling my face get red. At least somebody has seen it already, and is probably mocking me. I reach Maya and sit down right next to her.

"Well there you are Riles! What took you so long? I almost thought you made a new friend and abandoned-"

"MAYA." I interrupt.

"Riles, what took you so long? You might wanna go get some lunch in the food line before they run out-"

"MAYA." I repeat. Suddenly I'm embarrassed to tell her what had happened.

"What?"

"Maya...."

"Riley, WHAT??"

"Just.. Come with me. Can you follow close behind me? And bring your backpack." My face is probably super red by now.

"Whoah.. You don't look okay. Is something bothering you? Who hurt you? What's going on Riley?" Maya gets up and follows me. She doesn't seem to notice what had happened.

We get to the hallway and she asks again:

"Riley, tell me what's going on? Where are we going?"

I answer on the verge of crying. "To the bathroom. I.. I don't feel so good."