Adolescence has a way of sneaking up on you. One day, you’re worried about finding your locker. The next, you’re navigating the realities of a body that doesn’t always follow the schedule you’d like. For my sister, that reality showed up on the first day of her sophomore year.
Right before lunch, in the middle of English class, she bled through her jeans. She didn’t realize it right away—she didn’t always experience cramps and her periods weren’t regular yet. But when the bell rang, and she was walking to her locker, she heard a giggle. And then another.
Her ears turning red, she fought back tears. This wasn’t how 10th grade should start. She wished she could disappear into the floor.
But here's what happened next: Three junior girls appeared behind her, and offered to walk her to the bathroom. One discreetly handed my sister a spare pair of leggings from her locker, another (someone my sister had never even talked to) whispered "this happened to me last year,” casually slipping a pad and tampon into my sister’s backpack. The last girl? Turned around and stared down the kids who had been snickering. They didn’t bother my sister again.
When she came home, instead of proclaiming it the worst day ever and hiding away in her bedroom, my sister excitedly shared how these three girls helped save the day, and even invited her to sit with them at lunch.
We both learned something that day: periods might surprise us, but they don't have to defeat us. Not when we have each other.
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“This bag is absolutely perfect for girls going into middle school. I packed all my pads and tampons in this and still have leftover room. It's also very cute and portable so you can put it in your school bag without having to be embarrassed about carrying these products with you!” - Ava
Until next month,
Team August 💟
P.S. Have a period story to share? Reply and tell us. We might just feature it in next month's newsletter.
