Page 81 of Almost Always

“Is this your first period?”

She nodded, eyes fixed on the footwear of the person talking to her. They were simple black covered shoes that gave nothing away, but it was better than looking at their face.

“How about I get you a change of clothes and a pack of sanitary napkins so you can clean up?”

“Yes, please. Thank you,” she forced out, surprised at how hoarse she sounded.

“Do you want to tell me what was happening in the hallway?”

Daisy shook her head, knowing that if she named names or said anything, the bullying would only intensify. They’d already picked apart her skin color and her fat body. Now they had her period as arsenal. If she gave them anything else, they would break her. And she didn’t want that.

“All right, here’s some water. Why don’t you use the bathroom to wash up and I’ll be back, okay?”

She nodded again and squeezed her eyes shut, feeling the tears slide down her cheeks. Footsteps and a door opening and closing signaled that she was alone, so she stood up and shuffled to the bathroom. She peeled off her pants and wet toilet paper to wipe the inside of her thighs. Her panties were covered in blood as well and everything felt sticky. Thankfully the tears had stopped, so she could focus on the task at hand.

“Daisy?” A knock echoed through the bathroom. “I’ve left the clothes outside the door. Take your time.”

She breathed out slowly and opened the door a smidge, enough to grab the pile of things left for her. She locked the door once she had everything and went back to cleaning up. A pair of jeans, a plain T-shirt and underwear were in the pile, along with a sanitary napkin and a card with instructions on how to use it.

Once she’d cleaned herself as well as she could, Daisy changed into the new clothes and rolled up her soiled ones. It took her a few minutes to make sure the sanitary napkin was properly stuck on the inside of her underwear. And it wasn’t comfortable once she put it on, but at least she knew that she wouldn’t stain these clothes.I don’t even know where these clothes came from. Looking at herself in the mirror above thesink, she pulled her thick hair back into a half-hearted braid. Inhaling and exhaling loudly, she nodded once and closed her eyes.

When she stepped out of the bathroom, she finally made eye contact with the person who was taking care of her—Mrs. Travers, the guidance counselor, who was standing with Nurse Kelly.

“How do you feel?”

“I’m okay,” she said softly, nervously shifting her bag which now held her dirty clothes. “May I go home?”

Mrs. Travers watched her for a long moment. “Are you sure you’re okay? Is there anything you’d like to talk about?”

Daisy shook her head. “I’m embarrassed and tired.”

“All right. How are you getting home?”

“Bus. Or I can walk. It’s only a few blocks.” They didn’t look convinced, but there wasn’t a lot they could do to stop Daisy from leaving. “I promise I’ll be okay, Mrs. Travers.”

The two women exchanged a look and Mrs. Travers opened the door. “Come, I’ll walk you out.”

There was no point arguing with her, so she fell into step beside the guidance counselor and walked to the main doors. She kept her head down in case kids were still hanging around in the hallway. Even though she couldn’t see or hear them, she couldfeelVivian and gang watching her and preparing the worst kind of rumors to spread about her for tomorrow’s torture. At the exit, she thanked Mrs. Travers and hurried out and away from the school.

“Daisy, is that you?” Nonna called out from the kitchen as she let herself into the Ames house. She stood in the foyer and listenedfor other sounds, wanting to make sure that Rafferty wasn’t at home. She couldn’t face him yet, not when she was still feeling the aftereffects of being his friend.

“What’s wrong?”

Blinking out of her thoughts, she realized that she was crying again. Sniffling, she shook her head and forced a smile. “Nothing. I’m okay.”

“Whose clothes are those?”

“Mine?”

“Oh, stellina, what happened?” From the first day she met Nonna Ames, she’d been using the cutest Italian terms of endearment for the people she loved. Daisy had always beenlittle starwhile Rafferty got the weirdest ones, includinglittle potato.

Twisting her lips to the side, she tried to stop the tears, but it was pointless. “I started my period and stained my clothes.”

“Oh no, my darling. Come here.”

Collapsing into Nonna’s arms, she sobbed into her shoulder. This woman was the heart of the Ames family and the only reason Daisy felt any kind of joy in her life. They weren’t related by blood, but she called her Nonna anyway.

“I’m sorry. I should have prepared you better for this moment.”

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