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.”

at Rowan in exasperation, giving up my shy act as I settle my hands on my

guy really has

have any brothers who follow me around when I’m buying stuff for my period,” I say,

embarrassing, but I

would be…” His words trail off, and he looks

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.

12:12

Its

face as he looks to the ceiling,

catch.

into his back pocket, Rowan 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

I’m here to

me. “Thanks.” I feel guilty using a man’s money when I have no interest in sticking around the way he wants, but- well,

to leave. “Just don’t go far. And be

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,

over my shoulder to make sure he’s really leaving me alone, I head toward the personal products section

12012

Its

a few tampons and pads, trying not to linger too long on any one brand or box. It’s not like I really need them right now, but the act sells the story. I

way back toward the electronics section, keeping an eye

are easy enough to find, and I grab one along with a

I make my

of my own.

any moment.

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

her approval

packaging for the burner phone and

Ava. Its

a little like a shoplifter, even though I already bought the things. I slip the phone itself into my pocket, along

ready? Selene asks.

steadying myself. “As ready as I’ll