Claire hits puberty and Quil freaks out.

"Hey, Love Bug," I spoke into the receiver. "I'm just about to leave my house."

"Hey, Quil. I actually don't think it's a good idea that you come over. I'm really not feeling well."

Panic instantly surged through me. She's been off the last few days. I don't know what's wrong with her. Monday she was her normal perky self and the next day she was moody, upset, tired and wouldn't eat anything if it didn't have chocolate in it. "Well then maybe I should come check on you," I insisted.

"Quil, you wouldn't really understand. It's not exactly something you can fix," she whispered.

"What do you mean? Are you sick? Is it the flu? I've had the flu a thousand times."

"It's not the flu and you have definitely not had it before. I'm just being a baby. It happens all the time. I should be used to it by now. Don't worry about me. Go out and do something with the guys," I heard a sharp intake of breath.

"I'm coming over," I said. I hung up before she could protest.

Leah-who was sitting on my kitchen counter-, began laughing. "You're an idiot," she chuckled.

I turned towards her, giving her the dirtiest look I could manage, "Why? Because I'm worried about her?"

"Don't be stupid. It's really sweet that you're worried about her. I just can't believe you don't get it," she sighed.

"Get what?"

She turned to me exasperatedly, "She comes for a week every month and she brings a suitcase full of cramps, mood swings, hunger and fatigue."

Blood surged through my cheeks as I finally understood. Claire's on her period. It really does explain everything. "Oh," I sighed. "Do you know when she got it?"

Leah rolled her eyes, "Typical boy. If you mean when did she get her menstrual cycle for the first time. Then yes. I do know. Let's see, probably about six months ago. Her Mom was away so she called me." She sighed, "You know, she tries not to let it show, but her Mother being away all the time really takes a toll on her."

My heart panged for my baby girl. Her mother was constantly away on business and her Dad- although a very good Father- doesn't really know how to fill that female role in Claire's life. She spends a lot of time with Emily and Leah, but they still can't replace her mother. Not that her Mom wasn't in her life. Even when she's not home they always talk on the phone, but it still can't compare to always having her there. "I know. She tells me about it a lot. I just feel like Mrs. Young doesn't even see how it affects her children like it does. Leah, I've never thanked you for always being there for her. She really trusts you and I know you really care about her."

Leah smiled sadly, "She's one of the few friends I have that doesn't have to put up with me. She just does because she loves me. And vice versa."

"Leah, we do love you. Don't ever doubt that. You're just as much a sister to me as the guys are brothers," I never really knew Leah felt that way and it just adds onto my stress.

Leah's phone jingles declaring to us both that she has gotten a text. She smiled, "Perfect. It's Claire. She needs me to pick her up some tampons." She looked thoughtful for a moment. "You should do it. You're going over there anyway."

I groaned, "I really don't want to. I mean, I don't even go near that aisle when I'm shopping, now you expect me to go in there."

"You don't want to do it, but you know it's what Claire needs so you are going to do it," she stated.

"Yeah, you're right. Just tell me what I need to get."

So ten minutes later I was on my way to the only drug store in La Push. I figured I would pick up some snacks and medicine, so I got those first before heading to the dreaded aisle.

Boxes lined both sides of the shelves. There were different shades of pink, blue and purple that said things like "Special Leak Guard" and "100% Biodegradable." I have officially entered no-man's land. Leah told me to buy Playtex Sport Regular, so I continued to scan the shelves until I found what I was looking for. I plucked, not one, but two boxes off the shelf, figuring that's one less time I have to do this.

I went to the cashier (thank goodness it was a women) and set the items on the counter. She smiled brightly at me, "Wow, you're a really good boyfriend."

I blushed, "Actually, this is for my, my um, little sister." My little Claire and the thought of her being my girlfriend just did not mix. She's only twelve.

"Oh," her voice suddenly got three octaves higher, and she began to bat her eyelashes at me. "So you're single?"

"No," I lied. "I have a girlfriend. This stuff is just for my baby sister."

"Oh," her tone immediately became cold. "Well, that'll be $19.72."

I finally got on the road to go see Claire and I was there within minutes. I took my little plastic bag of her stuff and headed upstairs.

I poked my head in her door, "Claire Bear? Can I come in?"

"Claire Bear? Can I come in?" Quil's voice floated through my cracked door.

"Yes," I croaked.

He came in with a soft smile on his face. "Hey Bug, I brought you some things." He held out a plastic bag and I uncovered myself from the blankets to take it from him. The bag held two boxes of tampons, Midol and two bags of Ghirardelli Squares. A rush of gratitude and love swam through my veins. I stood up and walked to the edge of my mattress, pulling Quil into a tight embrace. "Thank you, Quil. You have no idea how much this means to me."

He wrapped his arms around me, "Claire, Leah was at my house when you texted her." He pulled away so he could look at me. "I understand that your Mom is away a lot, and that your Dad isn't really a help with some things, but I'm not your father. You can come to me for anything, Love Bug." He chuckled, "Even things like this, things that I wouldn't understand."

I leaned my cheek against his chest, "Thanks." I pulled back and blushed. "Well, um, I-I'll be right back." I said awkwardly.

"Okay," he answered rather cheerfully, lying back on my bed.

I went to the bathroom quickly, changed my- well you know- and took one dose of Midol. I then stashed the rest under the sink, hoping my brothers wouldn't get into these "long cotton balls" too. I got another sharp pain in my lower stomach and I grabbed the area. My cramps are really bad. I talked to my Mom and she said hers were too, when she was my age. She agreed to take me to the doctors when she got back from LA, but that won't be for another two weeks.

I walked back to my room and found that Quil had already popped in a movie and was almost completely covered in my blankets. I crawled in next to him and laid my head down in the crook of his neck. I groaned.

"What's wrong, Claire?" he asked me. The innocence in his voice actually made me giggle. The sharp pains made me stop.

"I just- I just get really, really bad cramps. Worse than most girls," I explained while holding my stomach.

"I'm sorry, love Bug. I wish there was something I could do," Quil whispered.

"There is," I shook my head. I grabbed his hot hands in mine and splayed one out on my lower stomach, where the pain was radiating from. "I used to have a heating pad, but my brothers broke it, and Dad hasn't had a chance to get to the store and buy another one." I sighed. My eyes opened just in time to see his roll. I know he gets frustrated with my parents, and so do I. I'm just a bit better at hiding it than he is. "Please don't get mad," I begged, cupping his cheek in my hand.

"How are you such a good daughter? You're parents aren't exactly Mom and Dad of the Year."

I sighed and thought about it for a minute before shrugging my shoulders, "I've learned to accept their flaws. No body's perfect. I don't expect my parents to be."

He grinned widely at me, "You speak as if you are well beyond your short twelve years."

I giggled and snuggled into him, "No, you are just really, really immature at times." He mocked offense, "But I still love you," I giggled.