"School had to start today did it?" grumbled Mikaela, as she fidgeted in the front passenger seat of Annette’s Hyundai Ioniq 5.
"You packed everything right?" asked Annette, as she slid into the driver’s seat.
"Yeah, I did. Got everything necessary," sighed Mikaela.
"Well, don’t worry. You’ll get used to it," said Annette, as she pulled out of the driveway.
The drive to school was rcifully short, and Mikaela trudged towards her 5th grade classroom.
"Ms. Washington, have you got a minute?" she asked, seeing Maria walking towards the class,
"What’s up Mikaela?" asked Maria.
Mikaela beckoned her forward, and whispered in her ear: "I got my periods over Winter break, I’m wearing a pad today,"
"I see, not to worry. I’ll give you a hall pass," whispered Maria.
Mikaela breathed a sigh of relief and walked into the classroom.
"Hey Anna," she greeted Anna, who was sulking in her desk.
"Hey," mumbled Anna, giving Mikaela a half-hearted wave.
Mikaela shrugged, deciding not to pry, and took her seat.
"Morning class. Today we start with forces and types of energy," said Maria, entering the classroom.
Mikaela opened her books and prepared to take notes.
---
"What’s gotten into you?" demanded Anna, as she and Mikaela walked back to the classroom after recess.
"Nothing, just feeling under the weather," said Mikaela.
"You’re walking different too," pointed out Anna.
"In what way?" asked Mikaela.
"I don’t know, your butt is sticking out more," said Anna.
"Maybe I put on so weight over the Winter break," said Mikaela, wondering why Anna was being so persistent with her questions, and starting to get annoyed with them.
Anna continued to stare at Mikaela as they took their seats.
"What?" asked Mikaela, unable to hide her annoyance.
"Sothing’s different about you. I don’t know what," said Anna.
"Yeah, well. It’s not like I’ve grown an extra head or sothing. I’m just feeling a bit sick," snapped Mikaela.
"Why didn’t you stay ho then?" asked Anna.
"Because it’s the first day of school, and I’m not that sick that I need to stay ho! It’s just a bit of stomach cramps OK!" snarled Mikaela.
"Fine! Be that way!" snapped back Anna, turning away with a huff.
---
"Ugh! Finally! School is over," sighed Mikaela, as she sat in the back of Annette’s Hyundai.
"Don’t worry, you’ll get used to it," said Annette.
"I suppose," sighed Mikaela, as they approached the house.
Mikaela got out of the car, and headed straight to her bathroom.
"OK, this isn’t as bad as yesterday," she observed, seeing the few spots of blood on the pad.
Replacing the pad, she pulled out her howork, and started on her first assignnt.
Her phone buzzed with a text.
She opened it, and looked at the text ssage from Anna: "Are you feeling better?"
"I’m feeling better, thanks. Sorry for being annoyed earlier," texted back Mikaela.
"It’s fine," ca Anna’s ssage.
"Mikaela! Dinner’s ready," called Annette from downstairs.
"Coming Mom," called back Mikaela.
"Dinner, ttyl," she texted Anna, and got up from her desk.
---
Anna sat in her room, her hands shaking in shock, as she stared at the information she had looked up on the Internet, following her suspicions over what was happening to Mikaela.
The sound of Maria’s voice in the living room made her spring up and sprint down the stairs.
"Is it true?" she demanded, as Maria put down her purse.
"Is what true?" asked Maria.
"I’m going to start bleeding for three to four days every damn month. Is it true?" asked Anna, her eyes wide.
"Yes, it is true, but-" began Maria only to be drowned out by Anna’s scream.
"What the hell is going on?" demanded Stefan, hurrying out of the kitchen.
"Anna found out about periods," sighed Maria.
"I don’t want them!" shouted Anna.
"It’s part of being a girl and growing up, Anna," said Stefan, trying to console her.
"I don’t wanna be a girl then!" scread Anna.
"Anna, calm down. Relax. This stuff is as normal as peeing and pooping. You learned how to properly do that, right? This is almost the sa," said Maria, trying to hug a now sobbing Anna.
"I don’t wanna be a girl!" sniffled Anna.
"Shh, don’t worry. You haven’t got them yet, have you?" asked Maria.
"No, and I don’t wanna get them! They sound scary," said Anna.
"Yes, they sound scary, but they’re not all that bad. It’s all a part of growing up," said Stefan, getting on his knees, and giving Anna a hug.
"I’ll be a boy then. Boys don’t have periods right?" asked Anna, calming down a little.
"It doesn’t work that way," said Maria gently.
"And while boys don’t have periods, we suffer from changes too. Our voices crack, we start growing beards, and we start doing stupid things whenever girls are around, and not know why. It’s like our brains switch off whenever we see a pretty girl. So of us just end up staring and drooling like complete idiots," chuckled Stefan.
"Still sounds better than bleeding every month," grumbled Anna.
"I suppose," conceded Stefan, gently rubbing Anna’s back.
---
"I found out about them," said Anna, as Mikaela entered the classroom.
"Found out?" asked Mikaela.
"About why you were acting that way. You got your period didn’t you?" asked Anna her voice lowering to a whisper.
"Yeah, but don’t tell anyone. I don’t want to make a big deal out of it," whispered Mikaela back.
Just then, the fire alarm bell rang.
"Fire drill, everyone. Let’s go," said Maria, as the kids scrambled to arrange their belongings.
"So glad I’m over them today," thought Mikaela, as she queued up with the other kids, and marched towards the fire exit.
"OK, you seriously are walking differently these days," said Anna, as she walked behind Mikaela.
"In what way? I’m not doing anything different," sighed Mikaela.
"I don’t know, it’s like your swinging your hips more. Or maybe it’s your hips? I think they’ve gotten fatter," said Anna.
"I don’t feel any different," said Mikaela, as they approached the assembly point.
"Yup. It’s your hips. You’ve filled out your pants," chuckled Anna.
"Whatever, Anna. Can you stop drawing attention to it?" asked Mikaela, starting to blush.
Instead, Anna playfully smacked Mikaela’s bottom. Her hand connected with a aty thud against Mikaela’s jeans.
"Ouch! Hey! I told you to knock it off!" snarled Mikaela.
"Sorry, I couldn’t resist," said Anna, now blushing herself.
"Oh yeah? Well, your butt is sticking out too!" said Mikaela, seizing Anna by the arm, and smacking her jeans in turn.
"Oww!" cried Anna.
"Both of you, stop that!" scolded Maria, coming over.
"She started it," complained Mikaela.
"I don’t care who started it. Behave, both of you!" said Maria.
Mikaela and Anna stood away from each other, and a huffy silence descended on them as they walked back to the classrooms.
---
"Ms. Albrecht, how are you settling in?" asked Fr. Abel, as Adelaide entered his office.
"Let’s cut to the chase, Father. We both know why I was summoned here," said Adelaide.
"Yes, you petitioned the student council and Vice Principal to change the uniform code to include heels higher than the current 4 cm height regulation. You cited that the school heels already use The Feminine Professional’s technology, so it is feasible from an ergonomics perspective, but I would like to know your own rationale behind it," said Fr. Abel.
"Does them looking and feeling fabulous not count?" asked Adelaide.
"That’s entirely subjective. There are so in the student body who are vehently opposed to them. In fact, there is a counter petition to switch everyone to flats, or even sneakers," chuckled Fr. Abel.
"Yes, I know exactly which ugly cow you’re referring to. The bitch wants the entire uniform code abolished," said Adelaide, her eyes narrowing.
"Now, now, there’s no need for that kind of na-calling," admonished Fr. Abel.
"If you’re asking to withdraw my petition, that’s not happening. I’m well within my rights as a student to voice an opinion or make a suggestion," said Adelaide.
"Well, you still haven’t articulated why it is so important that you would file a formal petition. Personal preference is one thing. That begins the second you leave the campus. Why advocate for it at school?" asked Fr. Abel.
Adelaide took a deep breath and collected her thoughts.
"First, let’s talk elevation. Heels can add up to 6 cm of extra height. That boost is invaluable to girls, who want to project authority among their peers. Second, it automatically corrects your posture. You can’t hunch if you don’t want to face plant on the floor, so it will build the muscle mory needed for conducting yourself with grace and poise. I ask you, Father. Would anyone take you seriously if you showed up in beach slippers and a baggy t-shirt? That cassock you wear instantly confers a gravitas, doesn’t it? The sa thing is true for heels," she said.
"I see. And since The Feminine Professional has already tackled the ergonomic disadvantages through its engineering, you believe that this kind of rollout is feasible," said Fr. Abel.
"My only question is why hasn’t this school done it sooner," grumbled Adelaide.
"Perception my dear. This is an institution for education after all. While the Sirius Zone is by no ans prudish, having teenage girls prance around in The Feminine Professional’s infamous eight centiter stilettos would definitely raise eyebrows. Such a change would have to co from the student body itself, such as your petition," chuckled Fr. Abel.
"So what? Are we doing this or not?" asked Adelaide, her patience wearing thin.
"We will hold a Student Body referendum. The rules are not going to change for a vocal minority. Unless we get an 80% vote on yes or no, it’s not happening," said Fr. Abel.
"When do we start?" asked Adelaide.
"Tomorrow. You and Ms. David will need to present your argunts at the Assembly, after which six rounds of debate and four polls will take place, the results of the polls will determine the outco," said Fr. Abel.
"This has already been cleared by Ms. Cormac and Fr. Joseph?" asked Adelaide, unable to believe her luck.
"Yes, it was actually Ms. David who forced the issue. Unlike your petition which was sent through proper channels. Ms. David is courting expulsion through blatantly violating the existing uniform code. Given that her parents are supporting her, and threatening to bring their dia conglorate’s spotlight on us, Fr. Joseph decided to make it a public referendum," said Fr. Abel.
Adelaide stood up, her expression set.
"I’ll be ready Father. Like you ntioned during my orientation. No amount of money will save a rule-breaker, and an ugly one at that," she said.
"Before you leave, Ms. Albrecht. Let inform you that profanity and personal attacks are strictly forbidden during the presentations and debates. If you cannot articulate your displeasure without using vulgar sexual references, then St. Ignatius Academy has failed in its mission to educate the next generation of citizens," said Fr. Abel.
"I understand, Father. I’ll prepare accordingly," said Adelaide with a mortified blush.
With that, she left the Guidance Counselor’s office.
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