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Some people say that periods are a beautiful part of life. Those people have clearly never had to survive a high-intensity gym class while feeling like their uterus was personally attacking them.

It all started when I woke up feeling a little off. My stomach hurt, I was weirdly tired, and I had an overwhelming urge to fight the universe. Classic signs that my period was about to make an appearance. But since my body enjoys keeping me guessing, I had no solid proof—just a bad feeling.

And then, right before gym class, I knew. I felt that familiar, dreadful gush and immediately entered panic mode. Of course, this was the one day I had forgotten to bring anything. No pads, no tampons, not even a crumpled-up tissue to cry into.

I turned to my best friend, Zoe. “Code Red. Emergency.”

Zoe, who understood girl code better than the actual school dress code, instantly handed…

There are some moments in life you just know you’ll never forget. Your first crush, your first embarrassing fall in public, and—if you're lucky—your first period happening in the least ideal place imaginable.

For me, that place was the toilet paper aisle of a grocery store.

One moment, I was just walking alongside my mom, debating whether I could convince her to buy me a family-size bag of chips. The next, I felt a weird sensation in my stomach. Not a cramp, exactly—more like a sudden shift in the universe, like the Earth itself was telling me, “Hey, congrats, you’re a woman now!”

I froze. Then, with the panic of someone realizing they just sent a risky text to the wrong person, I whispered, “Mom…”

She barely looked up from comparing paper towel prices. “Mm?”

“I think—I think I just got my period.”

I was sitting at my desk, deep in thought when I felt it. That weird, sinking feeling in my stomach. That Oh no, not now kind of feeling. My period had arrived, completely uninvited and totally off schedule.

I froze. I couldn’t just stand up and check my chair. What if there was a stain? What if someone saw? I leaned over to my best friend and whispered in full panic mode, “Zoe, emergency. I think I just got my period.”

Zoe, being the absolute legend that she is, nodded like a professional crisis manager. “Okay, do you need a pad?”

“No,” I whispered back. “I need a distraction so I can check my chair.”

Without missing a beat, Zoe shot her hand in the air and declared, loud and proud, “Mrs. Sanjana, I just realized… MATH IS A SOCIAL CONSTRUCT.”

The entire class turned to stare. I took the opportunit…

I was halfway through the school day when I felt this dull, annoying cramp during PE. I ignored it because, honestly, I thought it was from running laps. Later, in the bathroom, I noticed something red on my underwear. My heart sank. Did I seriously get my periods in school?

I panicked for a second, but then I remembered the emergency pad my mom stuffed into my backpack ages ago. I found it crumpled in the side pocket, still wrapped, thank goodness. After some trial and error putting it on, I made it back to class. Honestly, I had never been more scared in my life

I was in the middle of class wehn I began to feel comfortable. My periods weren't supposed to come until another week. I had to check, and decided to go the washroom. My problem: my bag was way too far and it would look weird if I just reached out and slipped a pad in my hand. So I decided to play out a few steps:

Step 1: I casually stretched and grabbed my bag. No one noticed

Step 2: I slid the bag on my lap, acting like I was looking for a pen

Step 3: I quietly pulled a pad out and put it in my pocket like a secret agent.

I raised my hand and casually asked the teacher if I could use the washroom.

When i went to the bathroom, I checked and found out that there was no leak. I put in that much effort…

I had gone on a vacation with my family, and I realize I needed to change my pad. I snuck into the bathroom, but as I unwrapped the pad, the sound the wrapper made echoes like a jet engine.

I froze, holding my breath, waiting to hear if someone reacts. Then, from the stall next to mine, I heard the reassuring crinkle of another wrapper. I burst out laughing. Turns out, I wasn't alone with having problems with loud wrappers.

When you're on your period, having friends who get it can make all the difference. Sometimes all you need is someone to listen. A good friend will let you vent and won’t judge how you’re feeling. Whether it’s a heating pad or pain meds they can help you feel more comfortable when cramps hit. A good laugh or a movie night can take your mind off the discomfort and mood swings.If you need some time alone, a friend will understand and give you the space to rest without making you feel bad about it.A true friend knows when to comfort, distract, and help without making you feel any pressure. Having that kind of support during your period can really make the tough days easier.