Dear Carol,

My two best friends both just got their periods, and they’re always talking about it. I feel left out. I thought about lying and telling them that I got mine, too, but that’s probably a bad idea, right?

-Falling Behind

Dear Falling Behind,

Right. You’d feel embarrassed if you got caught up in the lie, and when you do get your period, which will no doubt happen soon, you might wish you could announce the news and ask them questions. Right now, it may seem like they took a step forward, but in no time, you’ll all be on the same page again. So don’t let what’s happening with your bodies affect your friendship. I was the last of my friends to hit puberty, and it made no difference whatsoever in the long run. Just keep doing what you’ve always done with your friends—and if they want to talk about pads and tampons, wait it out, then bring up a new subject.

Carol Weston is the author of 16 books, including Girltalk, Speed of Life and Ava and Pip. Follow her on Insta @carolwestonnyc and visit carolweston.com.

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