Tangled

52 Ava: Its Personal

Why not tell him you need to buy some sensitive things you don’t want him around for? Selene asks.

It isn’t that I hadn’t thought of that–but the electronics section is far from someplace that sells menstrual products.

“What’s wrong?” Rowan asks, and I realize with a start that I’m scowling in his direction.

Oops. “Nothing, I just-“I nibble on my thumbnail, trying my best to look a little distraught. “I need some things, but I didn’t think you’d be following me the entire time, so…”

Rowan smiles in relief, thinking he understands. “It’s fine. You can get anything you want. Clayton can afford it. He’s obnoxiously loaded.”

I was worried my acting was too much, but I guess it’s not enough. I wrinkle my nose and shift from foot to foot. After a moment, I start rubbing one arm, as if I’m beyond uncomfortable with my request.

I was never a very whiny teenager, but I’m trying to

12:12 —

1/7

channel one anyway.

“Oh, no, it’s not that

Personal”

it’s expensive, but–you know.

“Personal… Oh. Oh.” Rowan’s furrowed brow clears as he looks me over. “It’s fine. I have younger sisters.”

shy act as I

really has no

buying stuff for my period,” I say, channeling my inner dramatic teenager, instead. We all have one. Somewhere. Right?

embarrassing, but I have a

be…” His words

for a few moments, locked in an uncomfortable silence. I raise an eyebrow, challenging him to just let me have this bit of privacy, holding strong to that young adolescent defiance as Selene hums her approval in my head. He holds

12:12

Ava: Its

fight from letting triumph show on my face as he looks to the

catch.

pulls out a sleek black wallet and thumbs through it. He peels off a few bills and hands them to me. “Here, get what you need. I’ll wait by the entrance. Let me know

here

take the cash, relief flooding through me. “Thanks.” I feel guilty using a man’s money when I have no interest in sticking

to leave. “Just don’t go far. And be

Rowan walks away, I catch the faint sound of hist mutterings. Something about the store being well–guarded, so it should be okay. I shake my head, tucking the money

make sure he’s really leaving me alone, I head toward the

12012

Its Personal

It’s not like I really need them right now, but the act sells the story. I toss in a couple of

way back toward the electronics section, keeping an eye out for Rowan. The coast is

are easy enough to find, and I grab one

I make my

own. I have to resist the urge to

at any

close to my body. The restroom is blessedly empty, and I duck into the largest stall,

hums her approval

open the packaging for the burner phone

Its

and cardboard into the trash makes me feel a little like a shoplifter, even though I already

ready?

breath, steadying myself. “As ready