SHIP — Sophia x Lara

Requested by @321jiminjeong

Written by — @Minaliter (Me!!)

Sophia could feel the familiar discomfort settle into her lower abdomen as she sat down at her desk in first period. It was a Tuesday morning, and the classroom buzzed with the usual chatter of classmates, their voices a background hum she barely registered. She had been dreading this day, knowing it had the potential to be one of those mornings.

She had woken up feeling off, but she had brushed it off. After all, it had been a hectic weekend, and she hadn't been able to keep track of her cycle as she normally did. The last thing she wanted to think about this morning was anything related to her period. She had a test in biology in third period, a project due in English, and her best friend Lara was sitting right beside her, offering her a smile that promised a much-needed distraction.

However, the unease in her stomach soon turned into something far more alarming. Sophia shifted uncomfortably in her seat, willing the feeling to pass, but it didn't. It only grew worse. She discreetly reached under her desk and adjusted the waistband of her jeans, hoping to push through it.

The bell rang, signaling the start of class, and she tried to focus on the teacher's voice, but her concentration was shot. She could feel the sensation of moisture spreading, and panic washed over her. She knew immediately what had happened.

She had never had an accident like this before, and the thought of it made her stomach churn with embarrassment. Her palms were clammy, and she shifted in her seat again, trying to assess the situation without drawing attention to herself.

"Sophia?" Lara's voice broke through her thoughts. She turned to look at her friend, who had been glancing over at her with a concerned frown. Lara had a sixth sense for when something was wrong.

"I'm fine," Sophia whispered, trying to smile, but the words came out weak.

Lara raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced. She glanced down at Sophia's hands, which were now gripping the edge of her desk, her knuckles white.

"You don't look fine," Lara said softly, not wanting to draw attention to them. She leaned closer, her voice dropping to a near whisper. "What's going on?"

Sophia's face flushed. She shook her head, unable to bring herself to say the words. But Lara, ever perceptive, pieced it together.

"Oh," Lara breathed, her expression immediately softening with understanding. "It's okay, Soph. Don't worry."

Sophia's eyes filled with tears, and she looked down at her lap, too mortified to speak. She wanted to leave the room, run to the bathroom, anything to escape this moment.

"Do you need me to go with you to the nurse?" Lara asked quietly.

Sophia nodded, grateful for her friend's offer but feeling utterly helpless. She felt like she had no control over her body at that moment, and the idea of walking through the hallways in front of everyone while trying to avoid looking like she had an accident was almost too much to bear.

Lara, sensing her friend's distress, stood up and quietly gathered her things. "Stay here. I'll get help."

Sophia barely had time to protest before Lara was out of the classroom, slipping through the door with a quiet urgency. She tried to steady her breathing, her mind racing. She wished she could disappear.

A few moments later, the door opened again, and Lara returned, followed by Ms. Jennings, the teacher, who was holding a stack of papers in one hand and a small bag in the other. Ms. Jennings had a look of gentle concern on her face, and she didn't hesitate.

"Sophia, I think you should go to the nurse's office," she said, her voice calm and understanding. "You can take your time."

Sophia stood up, trying not to let her tears fall. She could feel the heat of Lara's gaze on her, a silent reassurance that she wasn't alone.

"Come on, I'll walk you there," Lara said, taking Sophia's arm gently and guiding her through the door. The hallway felt like it stretched on for miles, but Lara stayed close, chatting softly to distract her.

When they arrived at the nurse's office, Lara made sure to stand by the door while Sophia went inside. The nurse, a woman with short, dark hair and a soothing presence, smiled kindly at Sophia and immediately took charge of the situation.

"You're alright," the nurse said gently as she led Sophia to a small restroom in the back of her office. "Take your time, and let me know if you need anything."

Sophia nodded, her face still burning with embarrassment. But the nurse's calmness helped her feel a little more at ease. After she'd cleaned up and changed into a fresh pair of clothes, she emerged, feeling slightly more composed.

Lara was waiting outside, as promised, and when she saw Sophia, her eyes softened with understanding.

"Do you feel okay?" Lara asked quietly.

Sophia nodded, her lips trembling. "I'm okay now."

Lara gave her a small smile. "I'm really proud of you. You handled it so much better than I would have."

Sophia chuckled weakly. "I don't know about that. But... thanks. I don't know what I would've done without you."

Lara grinned. "That's what friends are for. And hey, if you ever need me to bring you extra supplies or anything, you know I'm your girl."

Sophia laughed, the tension in her body finally starting to dissolve. She felt a warmth spread through her chest—her friend had not only helped her through a humiliating situation but had also shown her what real friendship looked like. In that moment, Sophia realized that having someone who would drop everything to help, without hesitation, was something truly special.

As they walked back to class, Sophia felt a little lighter, not just because of the embarrassing incident that was behind her, but because of Lara's unwavering support. She was no longer alone in her discomfort; she had a friend who would be there no matter what. And in high school, that kind of loyalty was everything.