The Apocalypse Survival Manual (Three Days Before Doomsday, I Stockpiled Billions) novel Chapter 831

Chapter 831

Nicole felt guilty. With everything she taught Poppy over the years, she somehow overlooked the changes the girl could expect from her own body.

Poppy was almost 15. She should have known what a period was before getting her first one.

“You’re not sick,” Nicole reassured her. “You’ve started your period. It’s a normal part of growing up.

Hearing his sister cry, Zeph came out of his room. “Poppy, what’s wrong?”

Poppy knew little about how her body worked, but she knew enough to feel embarrassed about discussing this with her brother. She stumbled over her words, then burst into fresh tears.

Her underwear felt wet. Mortified that he might notice, she ducked behind Nicole.

“She’s alright,” Nicole told him firmly. “We just need some privacy. Let me handle this.”

Zeph looked from one to the other, clearly confused. He scratched his head and went back to his room.

Nicole took Poppy to her room and explained what was happening.

“As you go through puberty, you start getting a period. It usually happens about once a month, though it can be irregular at first.”

Poppy listened, bewildered. She needed a little time to take it all in.

Once the fear passed, she felt a tentative pride in growing up. She wanted to become more independent so Nicole and Zeph wouldn’t have to do everything for her.

The future remained uncertain, but Nicole couldn’t keep putting off these conversations. She went on to explain sex and pregnancy.

Poppy was a pretty girl, and someday, someone might take advantage of her inexperience. Nicole wanted her to understand the risks before she found herself in a situation she wasn’t ready for.

The conversation left Poppy flustered, her cheeks burning as she struggled to take in so much unfamiliar

information.

She lowered her head and twisted the hem of her shirt.

“I won’t let a man touch me, Nicole. I promise.”

Then she scowled.

“If anyone tries, I’ll make him sorry!”

Nicole caught herself before she laughed.

“You don’t have to threaten anyone. Just remember that you never owe someone anything because he’s nice

to you. If he makes you uncomfortable or pressures you, stay away from him.

“And if you meet someone you like, take your time. You don’t have to have sex before you’re ready.

“If you ever decide you are, you need to understand how to protect yourself from pregnancy.”

1/3

+15 Bonus

Beatrice and Michelle were painful reminders of how dangerous pregnancy could be under these conditions. Beatrice was lucky to survive…

Poppy nodded. The conversation left her feeling closer to Nicole, as though they shared a secret.

Still sorting through everything, she blurted out, “Then why do you let Zeph touch you?”

Sometimes she heard strange noises from their room at night. It sounded a little like fighting, though not quite, and she never knew what to make of it.

Too embarrassed to ask, she pretended to be asleep.

The next morning, she watched them when they weren’t looking. They always seemed happy together, even more affectionate than usual, which only confused her.

Nicole drew a sharp breath. She wasn’t prepared for that question. Poppy watched her with such earnest curiosity that she couldn’t brush it aside.

Nicole chose a simple answer.

“Because I want him to. I love Zeph, and I trust him. He’s the person I want to spend my life with.”

That made sense to Poppy. Nicole was wonderful, and so was Zeph.

Nicole stroked her hair.