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 as

really 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 all have one. Somewhere.

I have a goal.

be…” His words trail off, and he looks

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

Ava: Its

as he looks to the ceiling, mouthing something I can’t

catch.

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’m here to help.”

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

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

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

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

12012

Its

them right now, but the act sells the story. I toss in

I make my way back toward the electronics section, keeping an

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

as I make

with a tight–lipped one of my own. I have to

at any

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

her approval in my mind.

open the packaging for the

Ava. Its

the plastic and cardboard 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

you ready? Selene

deep breath, steadying myself. “As ready as I’ll