Hazel had been troubled by headaches for about a week. The feverfew tea she drank soothed the headaches but did not stop them from returning.
A few days earlier, they were joined by stomach cramps and nausea.
The morning after the fair, Hazel woke up to find a large spot of blood on her bedsheet. She rushed out of bed and knocked on the door of Dona Reyna's room, the one closest to hers.
A groggy Dona Reyna stood blinking in the door way, wearing her dressing gown.
"What is it, Miss Levesque?" she asked.
"Do you have something for...?" Hazel said. "Something for...the monthly curse."
"You didn't bring anything for yourself?"
"This is my first time ever having one."
Reyna rubbed her eyes and yawned.
"I'll go wake up Miss McLean. Her belts and petticoats should fit you better than mine."
Miss McLean gave her a pad stuffed with dried moss and raw cotton. The pad had a loop at either end through which a string belt was threaded. Hazel put the pad between her legs and tied the string around her waist.To keep the mensural blood from ruining her skirts, Miss McLean lent Hazel a thick red petticoat.
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Pride and Percabeth
Historical FictionFiesty Annabeth Chase is thrilled when she is invited to the Duke of Olympus's house party. While her best friend Piper begins a romance with Lord Jason Grace, the Duke's son and heir, Annabeth crosses paths with Lieutenant Perseus Jackson, a das...