4. Aribel
708 Words
4
Aribel
Incoming call: Grant McDermott
I bit my lip and then silenced my phone. I couldn’t talk to him right now. Not here. I thought I’d already be done with this and then on my way to band rehearsal like normal. Everything had run over, and I didn’t want to have to tell Grant that I’d come here.
I glanced around the examination room and then swallowed hard. I couldn’t keep my feet from tapping anxiously on the linoleum tiles as I waited for the doctor to come back. I couldn’t believe I was even here right now.
Incoming call: Grant McDermott
God, can’t you give me a minute, Grant? I ended the call deliberately that time. Maybe he would get the picture.
Knock. Knock.
The door cracked open. “Aribel,” the doctor said.
“Hi,” I said softly.
The doctor closed the door behind her and took a seat in the rolling stool next to the computer. “Well, you’re not pregnant.”
I sagged forward in the seat. That was so good to hear. I hadn’t missed a period or anything, but even with condoms accidents could happen.
“The rest of the tests will come in later this week. A nurse will give you a call to let you know the results. Here’s your prescription.” The doctor handed over a piece of paper. “If you’re still concerned about anything, feel free to give me a call at any time. I’d still suggest sending the young man you’re seeing over for peace of mind.”
“I’ll take that into consideration. Thank you.” I folded the piece of paper in half and stuck it into my purse with a sigh.
“Just check out at the front desk before you leave.”
“Thank you again,” I said before hurrying out of the office.
As soon as I exited the office, I pulled my phone back out. My finger hovered over the spot to give Grant a call back. I should have told him about coming here, but I hadn’t wanted to freak him out over nothing. I still didn’t want to freak him out.
“Ugh!” I exited out of the screen and dialed my brother’s number instead.
“Aribel?” he answered.
“Hey Aaron.”
“What’s up?”
“Just having a slight mental break down and I needed to talk to my big brother.”
“You’re having a mental break down?” he asked in disbelief. “What is O-chem causing you problems?”
I laughed hollowly. “No. School is fine. It’s more…guy related.”
“I see. Well, this is a first. My little sister is all grown up.” He chuckled softly.
“This isn’t a joke, Aaron! I just left he doctor!”
“What? What happened? Are you pregnant?” He sounded pissed.
“No! Christ, Aaron, no,” I said, flustered. I hadn’t meant for this conversation to happen this way. I opened the door to my BMW and sank into the driver’s side. “I don’t know how to be this girl.”
“What kind of girl?”
“Look…I don’t even know what I’m saying. I really like this guy.” No way was I about to tell him about Grant directly. He wouldn’t understand why I was dating someone like Grant. “But being with him terrifies me. Have you ever been in that kind of situation?”
“Sure. I know what you mean. You’re in love, kiddo.”
I threw my head back into the headrest and closed my eyes. Maybe that was all it was. Maybe I was just in love and scared. “We had an argument a couple weeks ago, and now I feel as if we’re trying to pretend nothing happened.”
“Aribel, calm down. It’ll be fine. You don’t have to tip toe around me. I know what happened with Henry over break. I’m sure it will be fine.”
“With Henry?” I asked, sitting up straight.
“Yeah. When you left La Petit Parlor,” he said, referencing the bar we had gone to after the New Year. “He’s a good guy for you. Don’t let one argument get in the way.”
“I…”
“I’ve got to get back to work, Aribel. If it’s about Henry, then don’t worry. You guys were meant to be together. I wouldn’t be surprised if mom is already planning your wedding.” He laughed again. “See you, sis.”
The line went dead in my hand and I stared down at it in shock. Aaron thought that I had slept with Henry? And that we were now dating?
Ugh! Not good.
This afternoon had gone from bad to worse in the span of one conversation.
- Writer
