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.”

my shy act

has no clue.

don’t have any brothers who follow me around when I’m buying stuff for my period,” I say, channeling my inner dramatic teenager, instead. We

embarrassing, but I have a

I see. That would be…” His words trail

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 my gaze for a beat before letting out

12:12

Its

my face as he looks to the ceiling,

catch.

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 by

I’m here to help.”

I feel guilty using a man’s money when I have no interest in sticking

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

so it should be okay. I shake my head, tucking the money into my pocket. At least he’s

leaving me alone, I head toward the personal products section to make it all believable.

12012

Ava: Its Personal

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 toss in a couple of shirts from the clearance rack, too -might as well make this

section, keeping an eye out for Rowan.

grab one

I make

giving me a friendly smile that I return with a tight–lipped one of my own. I have to resist the urge to look over my shoulder, worried that Rowan

at any moment.

my body. The restroom is blessedly empty, and I duck into the largest stall, locking it behind me.

approval in

open the packaging for the burner phone

Its

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

ready? Selene asks.

breath, steadying myself. “As ready