Unwanted Change

Chapter Five

Five minutes later we pulled into the hospital parking lot. It was mostly empty on this Friday night at 9:37 pm. 

I stared up at the hospital as I said, "I don't want to do this."

I looked up to realize that Ian was no longer in the truck, but he was instead walking around to my side. He opened the door for me and attempted to give me a reassuring smile. 

I repeated myself again,  "Ian, I don't want to do this." 

He sighed as he shut the truck door and looked me in the eyes.

"Look, Theo, I'm not going to make you do anything," He sighed, running his strong hands through his hair, "but we need to make sure you're healthy." 

I nodded my head in delayed agreement and he began to walk towards the entrance before I could make any attempt of voicing my opinion again. I followed him reluctantly as I glanced around me. The parking lot was mostly pavement but in the spots where there were open areas of grass, they had planted flowers and trees.

Nice attempt to make this place look happy, I thought as I rolled my eyes.

Ian stopped walking for a moment until we were strolling side by side. He slipped his hand into mine, gave it a heartened squeeze, and promptly let go. We entered the hospital and were greeted with the signature sterile smell and squeaky clean floor. People walked by us, but not too many. I don't think people generally voluntarily go to the hospital so late at night. We finally reached the front desk after a few moments. A woman sat tapping away at the computer she sat in front of before she looked up and greeted us warmly. Her hair was tied into a long blond braid and fer face was very symmetrical and pretty. A sympathetic look crossed her face when she further examined us (probably noticing the state of my deposition including dark eyes and muddy clothing). 

"How can I help you?" She politely asked, smiling up at us. 

I stood there wordless as she stared at me expectantly. How do you tell someone "I've just been raped. Please help me."? So since I didn't know, I stayed silent. However, Ian quickly came to my rescue and answered the lady for me. 

"We're here to check on Theo." He stated, pointing at me. 

"Okay and what for?" She further inquired.

"Well uhm-" He cleared his throat uncomfortably, "She was just raped." His voice cracked on that last word and at the same time mt heart dropped into my stomach. Such a clean word for such a dirty crime.

Don't think about it, don't think about it. I repeated this mantra in my head. 

A look of shock took over the woman's face.

"Oh, okay, well I'll personally lead you to a room." She stood up from her desk area and rounded the corner towards us, all the while signaling a nurse to take her place momentarily. She ushered us into a room and motioned for me to sit on the bed thing with the crinkly paper. She awkwardly patted my shoulder and gave me what she thought was an encouraging smile. 

"The doctor will be right in, hun." 

Ian and I sat there in silence for a few minutes, besides the occasional sniffle (from me) and the "you can do this, Theo" (from Ian). We could hear nurses and doctors laughing outside of the room, babies crying and the click-clacking of the occasional heel. A female doctor finally entered, holding a clipboard in front of her with papers on it that I assumed were my medial records. 

"Hello," She said warmly, her light blue eyes reflecting the light. Her eyes were sympathetic and ... sad. She must have been informed of my condition. "We're just going to run a few tests on you and make sure that everything is alright. I'll also treat that black eye of yours." She softly, obviously aware of my fragility. 

I nodded and forced a very fake smile. I think she could tell. 

She gently dabbed at my eye with a liquid and shined a light in my eyes. Every move she made was precise and intentional. 

"Okay, so no sign of concussion," She stated kindly, "but we still need to run a few tests."

I nodded.

"Is this your boyfriend here?" She asked, pointing to Ian.

I slowly shook my head. 

Ian's face flushed as he stuttered out, "uh, no."

"Alright, I'm going to have to ask you to exit the room for a while so that we can have privacy." She informed kindheartedly. 

Ian nodded his head, swallowing

"I'll be right out here, okay?" He said to me, forcing a smile and pointing to the hallway that led outside the room. 

I offered a weak "Okay," and with that, he left the room.

The doctor had me pee and then she sent out my urine to be tested for STDs. She treated mt wounds and made sure everything was functioning properly down there. 

"So just so you know, hunny, this will be reported. The police will work to find the man who did this to you." She began to say as she took off her gloves and washed her hands. I nodded, feeling tears form in my eyes as she continued speaking. "I want you to come back next week so that we can run a few more tests. It's extremely rare that you would be pregnant, but it's possible. I don't want you to worry, but I want you to be aware of the possible outcome. We've called your parents and they're on their way."

I shook my head as I sat there silently.

Pregnant? No. I stated in my mind, dismissing the thought as fast as it came. 

I sat on that uncomfortable bed for a few more minutes until my parents burst into the room. Tear after tear streamed down my mom's face like a waterfall. The only time I had ever seen here cry this hard was at funerals. My dad stood next to her, tears evident in his eyes, but he held himself together for the sake of my mom and I. 

"Oh hun, oh sweetie," My mom sobbed as she hugged my petite frame. She squeezed my body tightly as if in fear that I would disappear before her eyes if she let go. 

I couldn't feel, couldn't cry. I just sat there as my parents hugged me. My mom was falling apart before me and I wanted her to be the one thing holding me together. She stroked mt back and caressed my cheek with the love that only a mother could obtain. 
The doctor had left by then, first letting us know that we were free to go after updating mom on the test results and future appointment. After too many minutes of this tear fest, my mom picked herself back up and put herself together. I was exhausted, ready to collapse. 

"I just want to go home." I whispered. 

"Of course, sweetie." My dad replied, smiling painfully. 

Ian was still standing outside the door as we left the room. I wrapped him into a hug. 

"Thank you, Ian," I said softly, "I'll see you soon." My words came out slow and flat, but he knew that I truly meant them. 

"No problem, Theo," He replied, giving me an encouraging smile (one that actually worked a little bit this time), "I'm always here for you."

I nodded and thanked him again. 

My parents thanked Ian as well and then we promptly checked out and left.

The ride home was a blur - I think I fell asleep.
I vaguely remember being carried up to my room by the strong hands of my father. 
I fell in and out of restless sleep throughout the night, having reoccurring nightmares of everything that occurred at the football game. 
I wanted to go back in a time machine and change everything. 

                                                                       ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I really hope you liked this chapter. Just hang on, please! We've barely dove into the book yet so just bare with me.
I was too tired to edit this chapter so I'm sorry for that.

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