"That's why... this is a referral for your latest round of blood tests, the lab should be just down the road from here. If we get anything concerning back, we'll call you for a followup."
"Gotchu." Natalie reached out for the form, but she quickly stuffed it down into her pocket. Getting rid of her future duty... and getting rid of her faint worry about that cancer talk.
"Natalie. Bloodwork right after this, this form goes in your pockets or somewhere you won't misplace it."
"Of course."
"Up on the table, let's make this quick."
"Weee!"
"Other way- like, roll over."
"..."
"You're still exercising regularly?"
"Of course!!"
"Hm. I'm just gonna say it, you've gotten bigger."
"Of course I have. Why would I ever get less fat?"
"Gotta change up your diet, Natalie."
"Same thing every time, sure."
"Breathe in deep, then exhale."
"Overall, you're a healthy kid, Natalie. We just need your bloodwork, and then we'll call you if anything is amiss. Get dressed, and you're out of here."
...
"Hi, uh- referred here for bloodwork?" Natalie offered the receptionist an awkward smile, glancing around to see a nearly empty lobby. "I'm assuming there's not a wait-"
"Not currently, through that door to your left."
"Thank y- hi!" She jumped a little when someone else came out the door she'd been told to enter.
"Are you Natalie?"
"That's meee, the one and only. In fact, I'm-"
"Let's get this over with, sit down. Arm preference?"
"Uh- left...?" And before she'd even gotten it out, she found herself with a long needle being stuck through her arm. "Ah- love getting poked by a 3 inch long needle, so fun."
"Nobody finds this "fun," it's necessary."
"Who's idea was this- y'all save the blood in the back and suck it like vampires?"
"Promise, we test this and dispose of it. We're no vampires."
"That's exactly what a vampire would say :3"
"Mmph."
"Bro probably read the Twilight saga so many times."
"Did I say too much? My apologies-"
"Get out of here, you're too nice to get stuck here."
"Oh- thank you! I feel a little lighter already!"
"You're welcome...?"
"Yeah! Have a good day :D"
...
Guinevere creaked open the door to Natalie's room, her voice wary and slow like her motions. "Natalie?" She'd heard about the blood tests; just the thought of how large that needle must've been was enough to make her queasy.
"Hey Sport...!"
"Are you uh- feeling alright...?"
"As I said to the nurse earlier... I feel lighter already!"
YOU ARE READING
Admiring the Light
Teen FictionFriendless and timid, Guinevere is stuck in her socially anxious shadow, content to let her sister lead and live a sheltered life. Without Natalie pushing her to break out of her comfort zone, she'd be trapped in fear. The world is scary, even her o...
