"It's very nice to see you today—" The friendly nurse glances down at the sheet of paper, with all of my information that's attached to the clipboard she's holding, perhaps searching for my name. I speak up just in time, beating her to it. "Isabella," I politely say. She locks eyes with me and grins. "And you were born in March," she carefully states. I nod in agreement. "So that makes you seventeen years old, am I correct?" "Yes," I reply. She writes something down and I glance over at my mother who is sitting on the chair, patiently flipping through a fashion magazine to keep herself preoccupied. If only she knew why I'm really here today. "That's correct." "Alrighty, then!" She cheerfully exclaims, sitting on the stool and smiling. "And why exactly are you here for an appointment today?" I shoot my mom a worried stare but she only grins shortly, before returning her gaze to the magazine on her lap. "Um," I say faintly, looking back at the nurse before she narrows her eyes. "I think I have a UTI." I lie, grimacing at my hands that are linked together from nerves. "Oh," she mutters, giving me this weird stare before looking to my mom. "Okay. Excuse me, ma'am, but I have to give Isabella a form to fill out where she'll be answering some personal questions, and nobody is supposed to be in the room during that time with any patient who is older than sixteen years old," she explains. My mother widens her eyes, understanding. "It's simply procedure." "Oh, yes," She gasps, rushing to her feet before placing the magazine under her armpit to take along with her. "Of course." "After your daughter is done filling out the form, I will come and get you from the waiting room and you can come back inside," the nurse assures her, opening the door and standing to the side. My mom grins and waves at me lovingly. "Answer the questions honestly, sweetheart." "Sure thing," I calmly agree before she leaves the room. I finally release the huge, long, deep breath I've been holding in ever since we walked inside this building. I lock eyes with the nurse once she closes the door. She turns away to look through a cabinet as I try to even out my breathing. She takes much longer than usual, and it makes me even more anxious. "So where's that form?" "The form is completely optional to our teenage patients here," she quietly rushes out. I press my lips into a straight line, goose bumps running up and down my arms. "We usually have you fill it out if you are here for a physical. You don't have to fill it out if you don't wish to." "Then why did you tell my mother that?" I ask before I can help myself. She sighs and I realize she's finally found what she's looking for. "Because," she begins, her voice nearly a whisper before she turns to face me. I notice the small plastic doctor's cup she's holding in her hand. "You need to take a test, right?" "For the UTI?" I softly guess. She unexpectedly shakes her head. "Your mother's not here at the moment." The nurse gently reminds me, stepping closer. I let out a small breath filled with nerves and anxiety. "You're not here because you think you have a UTI, are you?" I slowly shake my head. "So, why are you here today, Isabella?" She questions me sweetly. I feel my eyes beginning to fill up with unwanted tears, but I honestly can't help it. I can't control the toll this is taking on me. "I'm here," I barely manage to say. My voice comes out quiet, hoarse, and raspy. "Because I missed my period and figured it was just related to stress from moving from my aunt's place in England back to the United States for this summer, so I didn't take it seriously." "Mhm. You missed your period?" She confirms. I nod innocently. "That month, the first month of summer, I figured it was nothing." I release a deep breath, closing my eyes. "But I was supposed to get my period last month and I still didn't get it—" "You've had two missed menstrual cycles and you haven't taken any tests?" She speaks over me, obviously trying to hide the concern in her tone. "I was scared," I whisper, and I finally allow myself to cry. She gives me a sympathetic look, gently taking my hand. I hold onto her, my cheeks becoming soaked with tears. "That's completely understandable. Have you had intercourse recently?" "I've only had sex once." I quickly try to sound positive. "One time. I lost my virginity to the boy." "It only takes one time," she tells me, pressing her lips into a thin line. "Here you go. Take this cup to the bathroom and pee into it so we can get a sample of your urine. We'll use this to do a pregnancy test for you and we can also do a blood sampling if you'd like." I carefully take the cup, keeping my eyes on it. "I think I'll just go with this for today." "So you're here because—" And before she can even say it, I calmly announce, "I think I'm pregnant." Well, this is it. This is the moment that will change my life forever. This is the moment that will predict my entire future. This is the moment that will either make me, or break me. But either way... I'm ready for it. I have to be. I have no other choice.