My sister a dentist my brother a doctor

Appointment

TAYLOR'S POV

I didn't want to be here. Not for a single second. Every part of me was screaming to leave, to walk out and never come back. But here I was, sitting on the exam table, my hands clammy and my heart pounding in my chest. I didn't want to face any of this. Austin was calm as always, but I could see the concern in his eyes as he prepared the thermometer.

"Let's start with your temperature," he said, his voice gentle but firm.

He stuck the thermometer in my ear, and the beep seemed to echo in the quiet room. My whole body was shaking, though I tried to keep it under control, not wanting to let him see just how terrified I was. He pulled the thermometer out, noting down the reading.

"You doing alright?" he asked softly, his voice like a calm anchor in the storm of my nerves.

I nodded hesitantly, my throat too tight to say anything more. Everything inside me wanted to bolt, but I stayed frozen on the table, too scared to move. Next, he grabbed the blood pressure cuff and wrapped it around my arm. I could already feel my pulse quickening, the anticipation of what was coming next too much to handle. He placed the stethoscope under the cuff, inflating it slowly as he checked my blood pressure. I could feel it rising, my heart thudding in my ears as I tried to focus on anything other than the growing anxiety.He finished and carefully removed the cuff, making a note of the reading before warming up the metal of his stethoscope between his hands.

"Take a deep breath for me, Tef," he said softly, his voice attempting to calm me even as my entire body trembled with fear.

I sucked in a shaky breath, trying to follow his instructions as he listened to my chest. His stethoscope pressed lightly against my skin, then moved down to my back as he checked my lungs. It was all so routine for him, but for me, every sound, every touch felt amplified in my anxious state. He took the stethoscope off and hung it around his neck, moving over to grab the otoscope.

"You're doing great," he reassured me, noticing the panic still bubbling just under the surface. "Almost done, okay?"

I nodded, but it didn't help the lump in my throat or the cold sweat beginning to form on my palms. He checked my ears, then moved to my nose and throat, his hands gentle but efficient as always. I tried to relax, but the dread of what was coming next was impossible to ignore.

"Alright," he said softly, guiding me to lay down. "Let me just check your stomach really quick, and then we're almost done."

I couldn't stop the whimper that slipped from my mouth as I lay back on the table. It wasn't the physical discomfort that made me squirm, but the fear—the overwhelming sense of dread of what was still to come. I had been through these exams a million times, but today it felt different. Today, it felt like everything was so much harder. Austin's voice was soft and comforting as he examined my stomach, his hands gentle as he felt around.

"You're alright," he said, sensing my unease. "You're doing so good. Let's sit you up, and then we'll just check your reflexes and get those shots out of the way. It'll be over before you know it."

I sat up slowly, still shaking, my stomach in knots. I wasn't ready for the shots. I wasn't sure I would ever be ready for them. But Austin's calm demeanor and patient approach kept me tethered to reality.

He picked up the reflex hammer, checking my knee-jerk reaction before putting it away. Then, he grabbed the tray with the syringes. My heart dropped when I saw them. Three needles. Three shots. It was too much. I couldn't stop staring at the tray, my stomach turning as the fear consumed me.

"Alright, let's get these out of the way," Austin said sympathetically, his voice soft but firm. "It'll be quick, Tef, I promise."

I shook my head, the panic starting to rise in my chest again.

"I'm not ready," I whimpered, moving to jump off the table, but before I could move, Austin caught my arm gently but firmly.

"Tef, listen to me," he said, his voice low and reassuring. "The longer you put this off, the longer you'll have to worry about it. If we just get it done now, you won't have to stress about it later. You know how this works. Three shots today means you don't have to come back for more. It's just three, and it'll be over before you know it."

I swallowed hard, fighting back tears.

"Fine," I whispered, unable to say anything more.

My hands were shaking as I forced myself to sit still, knowing I had no choice but to get through it. Austin grabbed my arm, his grip gentle but steady.

"Just stay still for me," he instructed softly before the first needle went in.

The sharp sting made me flinch, a quiet whimper escaping my lips, but I forced myself to stay still, my eyes squeezed shut. He didn't let up, quickly administering the next two shots, one after the other. I could feel the cold metal of the needles against my skin, the pressure building with every poke. Finally, he put a small bandage on my arm, and I let out a shaky breath. It was done. It was over.

"See? That wasn't the worst thing in the world," Austin said, his voice light as he disposed of the used needles, trying to make me feel better.

"Thanks, Austin," I sighed, the tension in my body slowly starting to fade.

I was relieved, but also exhausted from the emotional rollercoaster of the entire experience. I just wanted to go home and crawl into bed, where I could forget about today. I gathered myself and stood up, grateful it was finally over. But I couldn't shake the feeling of being worn out, both physically and mentally. I just wanted to rest.