18. First Period // Fourteenth Birthday

First Period:

I woke up that morning feeling like crap, and my stomach really hurt. I was wearing my black PJs, that was a set of shirt and shorts. I walked into the bathroom because I really had to pee. I sat down with my eyes closed then, when I was about to pull my shorts back up, I saw that my underwear was stained red. My eyes went wide, and I tried to figure out what to do. I knew that it was my period, I wasn't stupid or clueless, but I had never been told what to do when I got it. I didn't want to stand up and get blood in even more places, so I quickly called for JARVIS,

"JARVIS, could you tell me who is currently in the tower."

"Currently, Mr Rogers, Dr Banner, Mr Stark, and Mr Wilson are in the building, Miss Katie."

Great, only the men, who had no idea what this was like, were here.

"Where are Aunt Natasha and Aunt Maria?"

"Ms Romanoff is on a personal mission, and Ms Hill is on her way here."

"How far is she?"

"About ten minutes, Miss Katie."

I groaned out of frustration.

"Thank you, JARVIS."

"You're welcome, Miss Katie."

I tried to reach over to the cabinet under my sink to see if either of my aunts had left me some necessities. There was nothing there, and I concluded that I would just have to wait for Aunt Maria and hope that she had what I needed. After waiting for about three minutes, I heard Dad knock on my bathroom door.

"Hey, Honey. Are you ready for our run, Sam is waiting downstairs," Dad told me from behind the door.

"Uh, I may have to skip today, Dad."

"Are you ok? What's wrong?"

"I'm fine, sort of. I just have a slight problem that I need Aunt Maria for. She's on her way, so could you send her up."

"Sure, Sweetheart. Are you sure I can't help?"

"Definitely! I'll see you later!"

"Ok then." Dad left, and I waited for Aunt Maria to get here. My legs were starting to get numb from sitting on the toilet for ten minutes, but Aunt Maria finally knocked on the door.

"Katie? What did you need, Gumdrop?"

"Oh, thank goodness! I got my period, and I have nothing in here to use."

"Ok, I have a pad in my purse."

"Can you grab me some underwear, too, please!"

"Of course." Aunt Maria passed me the pad and clean underwear and guided me through how to put the pad on. Once I was finished, I let her into the bathroom.

"Um, how do I fix this?" I asked, showing her the stained underwear.

"You can soak it in cold water, but you may have to throw this pair out."

I did as she said and placed the underwear in the sink, and then she left to let me get ready for the day. I walked into the kitchen for breakfast when Dad and Sam were coming home. My cramps were starting to get really bad, and I was getting cranky.

"Hey, Kiddo! Having a rough morning?" Sam asked when he saw me. I kept breathing in and out slowly to try and help the pain when I spoke,

"You could say that."

"Are you feeling ok, Baby?" Dad asked with concern and worry laced into his tone.

"I'll be fine," I tried to get out, but the pain was getting worse, and I let out a small whimper.

"Katie, what's wrong?" Dad was growing very concerned now.

"I got my female thingy." I didn't want to outright say it because Sam and Dad were there, and Uncle Tony was walking in with Aunt Maria. Dad didn't understand and looked to Sam for help, but Sam just shrugged.

"Cap, Sam, Munchkin, how is everyone?" Uncle Tony asked when he reached the table. I couldn't answer, so Dad spoke for me,

"Katie isn't feeling well, and we don't know what's wrong."

"It's just her time of the month. Relax," Aunt Maria told the three men, "And I have medicine to help with the pain, Gumdrop."

I weakly smiled at her and then took the medication. The three men were a bit shocked and didn't know what to do.

"Is there anything we can get you, Munchkin?" Uncle Tony finally asked.

"Ice cream?" I was starting to feel better.

"At seven in the morning? Katie, that's not a good-"

I interrupted Dad with a sad look. I didn't mean for it to make him feel guilty, I genuinely felt sad, but Dad caved anyway and answered with an, "Ok then."

I spent the morning eating my small tub of Ben and Jerry's chocolate ice cream with banana and strawberries while watching Star Wars. The rest of the week wasn't horrible, but I wasn't excited for next month. Not to mention the rest of my life that I had to put up with this.

Fourteenth Birthday:

It was Thursday morning, and Dad had just woken me up with breakfast in bed.

"Happy Birthday, Katie!" he said while brushing my hair out of my face. I smiled at him as I sat up.

"Thank you, Daddy," I giggled. Dad had made me chocolate chip waffles and eggs, which were my favourite. As I was finishing up, Dad pulled his birthday card out of his pocket.

"You can read this while I take the tray back to the kitchen. I'll meet you downstairs?"

"Yes, thank you again, Dad."

"You're welcome, Baby." Dad gave me a kiss on my forehead and then left. I opened the card and read it: On this special day, I hope you feel as amazing as I do when I see you grow every day. These past three years have been some of the best of my life, and I owe it all to you. My amazingly talented, extraordinary daughter. I love you so much, have a great day, Sweetheart. Love, Dad. I beamed and had happy tears in my eyes as I read the card. Once I had composed myself, I got up and got dressed. I put on a black skirt and a white button-up shirt. My hair was wavy because I had put it into a twist before bed last night, and I left it down. Right when I finished getting ready, Uncle Tony knocked on my door.

"Come in!"

"Happy birthday, Munchkin!"

"Thank you, Uncle Tony," I giggled and gave him a hug.

"I have a surprise."

"What?" I smiled. Uncle Tony just smirked at me.

"JARVIS, could you show Katie our birthday surprise," Uncle Tony said to JARVIS, who then replied,

"Indeed, sir."

After a moment, the room went dark, and fireworks went off on the window. After the fireworks, holographic, neon confetti started falling around us. I was amazed and full of wonder. This was astonishing! When it was over, JARVIS spoke again, "Happy Birthday, Miss Katie!"

"Thank you, JARVIS. That was amazing, Uncle Tony. Thank you!"

"You are very welcome, Munchkin. You will get your actual gift later tonight with everyone else's."

"Okie dokie! I'll see you later then."

"Sure will."

When I met up with Dad in the kitchen, I ran up to hug him. He chuckled,

"Did you read the card?"

"Mhm. Dad, I am who I am because of you. Don't ever forget that."

"I won't."

The day had been fantastic, and so was dinner. We had cheeseburgers and fries as the main course, and ice cream cake was our dessert. Everyone sang happy birthday as Dad placed my birthday cake in front of me. I smiled thankfully at everyone: Dad, Aunt Nat, Uncle Clint, Aunt Maria, Sam, Thor, Bruce, Rhodey, Pepper, and Uncle Tony. I got so many amazing gifts. Dad and Nat had gotten me a beautiful blue pair of new ballet shoes accompanied by a blue leotard. Uncle Tony and Pepper had gotten me a Kobo along with two hundred dollars worth of Kobo credits. All the other gifts were awesome as well, and I was so thankful. The last gift I opened was from an anonymous person, and I knew that must mean it was from Uncle Nick. It was a wall decoration. It was a line of silver butterflies that I had wanted when I was still living with Uncle Nick. I went to bed with a giant smile on my face.