They walked as instructed by Ivy and upon reaching the corner, out of sight of the boys, Ivy gave Liam's jackets to Shirley.
"Thanks you," she said, accepting it.
"Not a big deal. You could have asked yourself, it would have been a pleasure for him to help you if you have just told him," Ivy informed her.
Despite helping her, she still didn't understand her shyness over the matter. With Liam at that! They were going to get married and lived together for years. How she could still be shy over her period was beyond her understanding.
"You say as if it was easy. Would you have told them in her place?" Bella asked.
Not as shy as Shirley, herself would have struggled to have the words leave her lips. Not because of Andy but Liam presence shy her out.
"Of course. Why would I be shy?" she said matter of fact. Not only with them, she could tell anyone if in need. Period was something she had long stopped being embarrassed about. Why should she be flustered by something she had no control over. It wasn't her fault.
"You are closer than I thought," Bella commented.
For her to be so free with them. It was amazing to see such a closeness, how she wished to have a friendship like theirs. What Ivy shared with them was a bond so strong in her eyes, nothing seems to be able to break them apart.
She shrugged, "Andy is the sweetest when it comes to it, I'm sure you know that,"
Bella nodded. Andy always take great care of her when on her period. Providing all her need, making sure she was comfortable.
"Done!" Shirley exclaimed. The jacket was securely tight around her waist, giving it a funny look with her white gown but it didn't matter.
They went to the mall, which was five minutes of walked. It was a big mall, having many luxuries in store. Ivy guide them to the toilet. Her plan was to leave them in, with Bella keeping Shirley company while she went shopping.
"What are you underwear size? And do you prefer tampon or pads? Which brand do you prefer? Which size? Flavor?" Ivy bombarded her with questions.
"Tampon," Shirley said, and replied to the other questions.
"Tampon? How do you go around with that? I tried it one time, never again," Bella declared.
"I know right? I have never even tried due to fear," Ivy commented. The plugging in thing make her weary to even try.
"Anyway, you stay here," she told Bella, " I would go get what is needed." they nodded and she left.
Left in their own company, both minds wondered on the same thing. Why was she kind out of the sudden. Why helping Shirley out? Why her sudden change of behaviour? Many questions, which they knew will be left unanswered. For they would never dare to ask Ivy nor would she answered even if they did.
"Why do you think she's helping you?" Bella asked.
"I don't know. It's Ivy, she is always unpredictable."
Bella nodded, "But she hates you. Why helping you?" She pondered.
Hates her? She didn't bother questioning it, she knew it was a fact. Ivy couldn't stand her yet she decided to help her. Why?
Shirley couldn't answer, she didn't know the answer either. What she knew was she felt a little bit of guilt, for talking ill about her when she was here helping her.
Fifteen minutes later, Ivy was back, completely changed. Gone was her skirt. Replacing it was an oversized fade blue pant with a white tank top. She have a plaid shirt falling on her shoulder which she left open.
She gave Shirley her necessities behind the cabin. She also gave Bella clothes to change in. She accepted and wore them though confused.
"Why am I changing clothes?" Bella asked exiting from her toilet cabin.
"If only Shirley came back change, it would have been odd," she explained. To which Bella agreed and signed understood.
"You didn't have to go through so much trouble for me," Shirley said exiting her toilet cabin. Ivy picked for her a long skirt, reaching her ankle and a big oversized top which she tucked in her skirt. The belt around her waist concluded the dress perfectly.
"Thank you. I will repay you," she added.
"No need. I'm rich enough, buying you this felt like breathing. Plus you were in need of some fashion guiding," Ivy said.
"Why are you helping me?" she asked, ignoring her comment.
"I'm not a monster to ignore you giving your situation. That's all. It doesn't makes us friends," she informed them. She wanted to make it clear to either of them. The war may have stopped for her but it didn't mean past enemies was now friends. Not so easily, not so fast at least.
They gave her an understanding look, which pleased her, "Good, we can go back. And for the jackets, you can throw it if you wants."
"And what would you explain to Liam?"
"No need to worry about that. But it if you want, you can clean it. I decided to take Liam jacket for that reason. It didn't seat well with me to have you stain Andy's jacket instead, and potentially have you give him back," Ivy answered.
"So what do say, throwing or washing?" She asked, not caring about either. Either way, she would have to explain to Liam what went on.
Left in her hands, Shirley had no idea on what to do. The jacket been a gift she gave to Liam was the core of the problem.
Shirley decided to dispose of it. Once been done, they walked back to the boys who came to them immediately they entered the field.
"You change clothes?" Andy asked noticing their change of looks.
"As you can see."
"Look at you going shopping together."
"Don't get ahead of yourself. We were bored, that's the only reason. We didn't became friends,"
"Never said that,"
"But you thought it," Andy didn't protest.
Ivy breathed out, she knew it. Ignoring him, she turned to Liam, who was unusually quiet.
"This is for you," she gave him on of the two shopping bags in her hands. Each girls had one with them except Shirley who decided to dispose of her own clothes as well. That simple detail had the guys wondered.
"Mine?" he took it surprised and happy.
"It's to replace your jacket. I got my period and used it to cover myself. I got blood on it so I decided to throw it away. I bought you another one. Sorry about that."
"What? Are you okay? Why didn't tell us anything,?" He asked. Andy joined him with a concern look.
Seeing their reactions, she gave a look to the girls. They replied by rolling their eyes simultaneously.
"I'm find. Just wanted to deal it on my own, it wasn't a big deal,"
While the boy kept on talking about why she should have told them, the girls was astonishing by how simply and unbothered she told them. If before they weren't believing her, now, they did.
"Anyway, thank you for the jackets," Liam said, " I love it."
"I know right? The other was so ugly. I had to help you get rid of it." she giggled.
"Andy, be happy Bella has a good fashion sense, she is growing on you," she added. The compliment going straight in Bella's heart.
Liam said nothing, to Shirley displeasure. It was a gift she gave him, was he going to let his friends mock it like that? The answer seems to be a yes since he didn't say a word.
"Love, are you okay?" Liam asked, now noticing her pale face and displeasure expression.
Shirley dislike softened, "Not the best. I think I should head home," adding to her sore mood, her period pain was starting to act up. She needed to lay down.
"Are you sick again?" he was fast to her side, hands on her forehead. He breathed out, seeing she had no fever. Not again.
"You seem good but don't look like it. I would take you hope, ok?" Shirley nodded.
Liam took her hand in his, and turned to his friends.
"It's ok. Take care of her," Andy said before he could say a words. He understood the situation.
Liam smile in appreciation.
"Bella would leave with you. I have something to discuss about with Ivy."
He agreed, and after biding their farewell, they left. When they got out of ear reach, Andy said.
"It's Shirley who got her period right?"
"Why would you say that?"
"You would have never hide it from us if it was really you and it couldn't be Bella, she had hers last week," he explained.
"Why did she hide it?" He asked.
"She was embarrassed with you been here." She shrugged.
He nodded in understanding. It was a Shirley thing to do. "What is more surprising here is the fact you help her, why?"
"I hated her," she said the obvious, "but I'm not the indifferent at others suffering."