Fifth Prompt Post

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Welcome to the Glee Angst Meme again! You know how these things work. You can come here and prompt your most angsty prompts, and write stories filling those angsty prompts to let our characters suffer

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Growing Pains 3/3

[anonymous]

It was after dinner (she passed, not wanting to give up on the excuse of an upset stomach) before she finally emerged. Rachel bit her lip, trying to decide who to talk to. She needed to get some ‘supplies’. Slowly making her way down the stairs, she turned into the living room. Her dad was there, watching TV.

“Dad, can I - I need to discuss what happened during school today. I’m afraid I may have been somewhat disingenuous in my reason for leaving early.” She paused, unsure of where to go from there, and her father nodded his head.

“Rae-Rae I know you weren’t telling the truth earlier. Come over and sit by me, and tell me what happened today.”

She shook her head, needing to get it out. “I need to go to the grocery store. I -” her face flushed, “While in school I started my menstrual cycle. I need to get some sanitary napkins.”

Her father’s face was blank, “I’m glad you told me. Do you want your daddy to come with us?”

Rachel blanched. Having him know was bad enough. “That won’t be necessary Dad.”

His mouth twitched, like he was trying not to smile. “Alright then, let’s go.”

-

Staring at the wall of products was overwhelming. There were so many different options. Luckily, an older woman passing through was able to help them. Even with her dad’s theoretical knowledge he was hard pressed to figure out which of the brightly coloured package was the right choice. Rachel’s face was a blinding red before they were finished. The lady had handed her a package of pads as well as tampons. Clutching both to her chest, she made her way to the front of the store.

It was just her luck that Santana Lopez; her principal bully and the ringleader of the others got in the line right after her. After sneering at her father, the girl’s eyes found the two boxes. A cruel grin stretched her mouth. Rachel looked away, and said nothing as her and her father walked out of the store.

-

When nothing happened as she walked in to school the next morning, Rachel was cautiously optimistic. She fingered the front portion of her bag, which held the extra pads and tampons (even if she never wore them, Rachel felt the need to prepare for every eventuality). Maybe Santana had discovered a conscious?

She went from class to class, becoming less and less wary as the day progressed. Finally though, at lunch she had stopped expecting anything. Santana hadn’t even looked her way during class. Rachel stood in front of her locker, absentmindedly putting in the combination. Pulling the door open, she was hit by a wave of pink and white. As the students around her began to laugh, she picked the package off her chest before throwing it violently away as she realized what it was.

Santana strolled up as she attempted to flee - not even closing her locker - but the mass of students laughing hysterically wouldn’t let her through. “Just wanted to welcome you to the wonders of womanhood Rupaul. I always thought you had too much testosterone.”

Rachel’s lip quivered, tears glistening in her eyes. Straightening up, she looked Santana in eye. “At least I haven’t been on birth control for the past two years.” Shocked silence spread out as Santana gaped at her. Taking advantage, Rachel pushed past the ring of students and made her way outdoors. She no longer felt like lunch.

-

As she collected the tattered remains of her dignity, she waited outside for the late bell to ring. Rachel didn’t care that she was endangering her English grade by staying out. As soon as she felt safe, she slipped through the front doors and made her way back to her locker. It had been defaced; her lunch thrown around the hall, her books scattered and ripped. She couldn’t find her jacket anywhere. The humiliating packets of tampons and pads were still surrounding her locker. Squaring her shoulders, Rachel grabbed the nearest trash can and began to clean up. She knew now that it could only get worse.

A/N: First time writing Rachel. Hope I did her justice and that this was what you were looking for fellow anon!

Re: Growing Pains 3/3

[joyful]

This is really good!

Re: Growing Pains 3/3

[anonymous]

Thank you :)

Re: Growing Pains 3/3

[sayuri_rose_k]

I had a similar problem, only I was 10 and at home. My first period consisted of me freaking out (screaming, crying, you name it I probably did it). My mom was a big help to me and she told me what I would have to do from that point on.

And seriously, being only 10 and having that happen before almost every other girl did not make me comfortable in my own skin. But I've gotten over it for the most part.

What I'm saying is that I enjoyed this fill. Thank you author!

Re: Growing Pains 3/3

[anonymous]

Her first reaction is based mostly on how I reacted: I was 11 and in school. When I was writing it I realized how much having my mom helped - but I still didn't tell her why I came home until that night. Thank you as well :) I'm glad you enjoyed it!

Re: Growing Pains 3/3

[cadmon]

This was great! I get terrible cramps, so whenever I see cramps mentioned in a fic, I imagine them worse than what's probably implied. But it made me feel ten times worse for Rachel. )=

I was laughing at Rachel's explanation to her father though. 'Menstrual Cycle' and 'sanitary napkin'? Oh Rach. XD

Re: Growing Pains 3/3

[anonymous]

Well, it was going to be either menarche or menstrual cycle but I didn't think she'd know the former :) Thanks!

Re: Growing Pains 3/3

[tadpool]

Great story; I think you did do Rachel justice. :)
At least she was smart and used toilet paper... like I totally did when I was eight! *cough*

Re: Growing Pains 3/3

[anonymous]

Thank you for saying that, my fear was I didn't have a good handle on her character :)

Re: Growing Pains 3/3

[anonymous]

Wow, this was awesome. You really got the character down, and I felt so bad for her. It's such a simple situation, but it was so hard for her. :( When I started my period, I was living with my single dad and brother, so I can identify with not having a woman around to help. Your description of how her dad did't know what type of pads to get or how it worked in a non-theoretical way was really realistic.

Re: Growing Pains 3/3

[firefly_ca]

I won't lie, I cheered a little when she told off Santana like that. I'm so glad someone filled this prompt. It was as nostalgically Judy Blume-ish as I'd hoped it would be (all that was missing was someone snapping a bra strap).

Your Rachel was very good, too. Poor thing.