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 —

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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.”

giving up my shy act as I settle

really has no

any brothers who follow me around when I’m buying stuff for my period,” I say, channeling my inner dramatic teenager, instead. We all have one. Somewhere.

I have a

I see. That would be…” His words trail off, and

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.

12:12

Ava: Its

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

catch.

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 by the entrance. Let me know

here to

using a man’s money when I have no

turning to leave. “Just don’t go far. And be quick about

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 into my pocket. At least

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

12012

Its Personal

right now, but the act sells the story. I toss in a couple of shirts

back toward the electronics section, keeping an

to find, and I grab one along with a prepaid card

is pounding as I

of my own. I have to resist the urge to look over my shoulder, worried that

any

bathroom, clutching the bag close to my body. The restroom is blessedly empty, and

approval in

packaging for the burner phone and

Ava. Its Personal

me feel a little like a shoplifter, even though I already bought the things. I slip

you ready? Selene asks.

steadying