The Eighteen Year Fallout

Chapter 4

It was two weeks later and although she'd met up with Carson several times during that time, Alexa was just as sick as she was back then. She didn't tell Carson this of course, she didn't want him jumping to the same conclusion she had previously. Obviously she had some sort of long flu or something but by now Taylor was worried as was her mom who had heard her being sick almost every morning. After a lot of nagging and persuasion, she agreed to go and see her local doctor.

Sitting in the waiting room, Alexa fidgeted nervously as she waited for her name to be called. Taylor was with her for moral support as her mum had some “important” meeting that she "couldn't miss". She doubted that very much so.

All the different possibilities of what could be wrong with her ran through her head; diseases she could have, or impending death. The pale white walls of the waiting room were cluttered with medical posters whilst the wooden table in the corner of the room was heaving with pamphlets and magazines. Usually she'd have read one of the magazines to pass time but she knew she wouldn't be able to focus on it so she just sat there staring into space.

The waiting room was crowded with a range of different people all sitting patiently – unlike Taylor.

“Will they ever hurry up?” she seethed tapping her foot impatiently against the leg of her chair, “that old dude that just went in looked fit as a fucking fiddle”

She giggled at this.

“Taylor,” she smirked, “he had to be wheeled in ‘cause he was that unwell.”

What did her observation gain? A snort from her very impatient friend. 

It probably didn't help that there was a middle-aged woman sniffling away beside us. It seemed like the noise was getting louder and louder every time she sniffled. Alexa could hear Taylor muttering something about sticking something up her nose if she didn't stop it soon. This earned a giggle from her and Taylor smiled as she realised her constant muttering was cheering her best friend up.

After what seemed like an hour since they’d arrived, a short plump woman with short curly brown hair and a bright pink face appeared and said, "Alexa Martin?"

She stood up and her knees began to shake. Taylor grabbed her hand knowingly and walked with her down the long corridor as they followed the woman into the doctor's office. The doctor was a young woman with long blonde hair and glasses. After a few brief questions about how she was enjoying the good weather and how was school, she got down to business and Alexa explained to her about being sick for a couple of weeks now. 

"Could you be pregnant?" was the first question she asked a slight look of disapproval on her face.

"I took a test, it was negative" Alexa replied calmly, relief washing over her.

"Those tests aren't 100% accurate" she said smiling kindly but her tone was stern.

Alexa furrowed her eyebrows. What was she saying?

"You look confused" she chuckled before continuing "We'll do a proper test here at the clinic to be certain before we investigate further."

"But I'm not pregnant"  Alexa protested, starting to get annoyed with the doctor. Why wouldn't she listen to her?

"I wouldn't be carrying out my job right if I didn't verify this" the doctor snapped and Alexa shrunk back in annoyance, "I'll go and get a test for you to take"

She stood up and left the room, closing the door behind her. Alexa didn't dare speak. Taylor squeezed her hand reassuringly but she didn't speak either. They both sat there in silence waiting for the doctor to come back.

As they waited she studied the room. The wooden desk, in which they were sat in front of, was littered with papers as well as an old looking computer. The blinds were closed, preventing any sunlight entering the room, making it appear dark and depressing. For the first time since they'd entered the room Alexa noticed another door off to the side of the room. There was no sign on it to indicate where it led so she was none the wiser.

"Sorry for the delay" Alexa was brought out of her trance by the sound of the doctor re-entering the room. 

She was holding a plain white box which she handed to her as she sat down again at her desk and faced them.

"There's a toilet in there" she said pointing to the door, Alexa had been studying prior.

She nodded and slowly let go of Taylor’s hand. Taylor smiled reassuringly at her and mouthed “Pee on a stick” as Alexa opened the door of the toilet and closed it behind her. As soon as the door closed, she was faced with the overpowering stench of disinfectant., a smell she was unaccustomed to.

She quickly read the instructions that were inside the box along with the test, and carried out what they said. A few moments later she re-entered the doctor's office, holding the test loosely – no way was she getting pee on her hands, her own pee or not. The doctor signaled to a transparent bag sitting on the desk and she slipped the test into it before sealing it.

"We should have your results in a few hours" she smiled kindly, standing up from her desk and making her way over to the main door, "if the results are negative we'll get you to make another appointment and we'll investigate further". She opened the door and held it for them as they passed by her.  Alexa thanked her before continuing down the corridor alongside Taylor.

She felt calm. She already knew she wasn't pregnant, this would just be more verification – and to prove that snappy doctor wrong.

She sighed in relief as they climbed into her car and left the car park. So far, she didn't have any diseases and death was highly unlikely. Taylor squeezed her hand and Alexa smiled at her as they drove away from the medical centre.

Taylor knew exactly what she was thinking and that was why she was her best friend.