It all started last year, right after you turned sixteen. I remember going out to the shed that morning, but you had still been asleep in your bed when I left. I couldn't have been out there for more than twenty minutes when I heard you shriek. My stomach jumped and my heart felt like it had been electrocuted as I scrambled back to the house. Was there a snake? A huge spider?
I ran down the hall, hearing as you let out long, panicked wails. I entered the bathroom where I saw your distorted face. You looked so scared when I finally reached out and grabbed you. You stood there naked and drenched in the water that continued to soak you. I didn't even notice at first, though, and instead I asked you what happened.
"I'm dying. I-I was showering and there was blood everywhere. Help me Ty...please," You begged, your sobs growing, and I finally realized what was happening.
"It's okay, shhhh," I hushed as I pulled you down, so that we were both seated on the shower floor.
You started to cry again when the water that swam past you turned red. You were gripping my arm so hard, and I tried to speak over your wails.
"Gemma, it's okay. This is supposed to happen. It means you can have babies. It's a good thing," I breathed, holding your wet shoulders until you finally stopped crying.
"It's good?" You asked as I wiped the tears from your cheeks.
"Yes," I breathed, "Once a month you will bleed for a few days, but it means you can have children. Every girl gets it."
I smiled, trying to make you relax. You grabbed my body as you pulled me to you, holding me. You let out a long breath.
"I was so scared, Ty," You whispered as I felt you tremble against me.
"Finish up and I'll give you some pads to put in your underwear, so it doesn't get everywhere," I soothingly told you as you finally let go of my body.
"Don't leave me in here alone. I'm scared," You whispered with a stuffy nose. I stood up.
As I reached for the door, you grabbed my hand, pulling me back. I felt so afraid of your request.
"Gem, it's not appropriate for a man to see you this way. You have to understand that," I mumbled, my face still turned toward the door.
"I'm scared, and I don't want you to leave," You cried back.
"It's not right, Gem," I snapped as I pulled my hand from you before walking from the bathroom.
I knew it wasn't right. I was 24...you just merely 16. You needed to have your privacy. It wasn't morally right no matter how far from society we were. I was surprised your parents hadn't taught you that that was wrong. Maybe you did know, but you didn't care because I knew that you trusted me.
Later that day, after you cleaned yourself up, I saw that you ignored me. You refused to look me in the eyes or smile at my jokes. It saddened me to see you that way.
"Gem, don't be this way. You know I love you," I pleaded as you let a tear escape.
You ignored me as you opened a can of peaches, trying to hide your face from me. I walked up behind you, resting my hand on your arm.
"You are just too young. I am much older. It's not right, okay?" I said softly as you stopped opening the can.
"You left me in there. Alone. When I needed you the most," You whimpered.
I felt your body tense in anger. You finally turned around to face me, your skin red and blotchy from crying.
"I'm sorry. Let's just let it go," I responded as your eyes bore into mine.
"It's because I'm ugly," You shot back, turning yourself back to your can of peaches.
"Don't say that. You are beautiful, Gemma. I told you, my eyes shouldn't see you without clothes," I answered as I grabbed your shoulder gently.
"I don't care," You muttered.
"I'll make it up to you. We can go swimming later. How would you like that?" I tried to compromise.
"No," You answered plainly, your head bowed.
"You are acting childish, Gem. That's the way the world works," I retorted as I stepped back, turning to leave.
"We're in our own world. Fuck all of them," You screamed.
"Gemma! Don't use that language," I barked.
"I heard my Father use it. He was in that stupid society with all those rules," You screeched as you threw the can across the room, the peaches splattering everywhere.
"Grow up," I yelled before slamming the front door behind me.
