Rachel B. • Indiana • 23
I went to a Catholic school all my life. And one fateful night in the 7th grade, I was serving as an altar girl at Saturday night Mass, wearing my white robe that did no favors for my appearance.
Despite it though, my "boyfriend" was in the front row, smiling at me and my holiness. I was sitting down, listening to the Priest go on about how Jesus was going to save us. But Jesus did not save me that day.
I stood up when it was time for the Eucharist and noticed that there was blood on my seat. And lo and behold, there was blood on my white robe. Jesus Christ.
I couldn't do anything about it though. My duty as an altar girl was not finished. I had to go on or I would be sent to hell, probably.
I had to WALK DOWN THE AISLE of the church to bring back the things for the Eucharist to begin. Giving everyone in church a good look at my bloody robe. Everyone was probably thinking I was the spawn of Satan.
The worst part? There was Charlie, my boyfriend in the first pew at church, witnessing it all. His face changed and I could've died.
I ran to the bathroom after church was over and tried to clean myself up. It was useless. I took off my robe and put it back in the church closet as if it wasn't stained with my insides.
I exited the church through the back and went to my mom's car, not looking back. My mom took me to CVS and bought me some pads. She told me what to do and I went in the public bathroom there and placed it in my underwear.
That night, I was going to spend the night at Relay for Life, a charity event for cancer. My entire class would be there. I had no idea how I was going to survive the night with my newfound womanhood. But I went (after changing my clothes).
I was there all night and I swear I changed my pad in the porta-potty every 20 minutes. Everyone probably thought I had diarrhea or something, but I had no idea what I was doing and I was too embarrassed to seek out help. Did I mention I went to a Catholic school? Yeah.
So, my first period was terrible. But I am #blessed with a good story, I guess. So Amen to that.
