Teacher's Girl (Aflyingwhale)

EMMA’s POV : 

I never thought in a million years that I would be spending Valentine’s Day in a Planned Parenthood clinic as a high school senior.  It was a lousy Saturday morning and I was sitting in that waiting room with my two best friends.We came in as soon as the doors opened at 9 AM.

After filling out an extensive form, I was brought into an examination room where they did a physical exam and an ultrasound on me.

The ultrasound determined that I was in fact, four and a half weeks pregnant.

It was living inside me for 32 days...That thing is 32 days old...  I was being administered by a female nurse, her name was Jackie, and she was very helpful.

She told me there are several ways I could do the procedure.

One of the ways was through a medical procedure, which meant taking an abortion pill or a shot.

Then she went on and told me about all the side effects.

"A medical abortion is a process, not an instant fix.It may take up to 48 hours after your visit for the medication to work.It can also entail heavy bleeding, intense cramping, and the passage of large clots,"she said.

"I'm explaining everything to you not to dissuade you from your decision.I’m just stating the facts.Are you with me?"

"Yes," I nodded.

"The other option is to get a surgical abortion.In which case, you will be put under anesthetic and the doctor would insert a small tube into the uterus, applying gentle suction, and remove the contents and lining of the uterus,"she paused for a moment to make sure I was still following her.

"The procedure itself takes around 10 minutes, but you need to get prepped for surgery so it will take about 4 to 5 hours in total.After the anesthetic has worn off and you have received your aftercare, you will need to be driven home,"

She told me to think over my options.

I could take a minute, or an hour, or even a couple of days.

But the thought of taking more time to let this thing inside me grow didn’t sit well with me.

I knew I couldn't keep it.

There was no point in prolonging the charade.

I told her I would just need a couple of minutes to talk to my girlfriends about it.

She was very supportive and she told me to take as much time as I need.

Going back out into the waiting room, I spotted Tiff and Carrie sitting carelessly on the sofa while watching the bad TV programs they put on.

"So?" they looked up at me as soon as they saw me.

"The nurse was really nice.She told me all my options .."I said as they scooted for me and I sat in between them.

"Okay, and?"

"I think I'll do the surgical procedure.It'll take about 4 or 5 hours in total but everything will be done at once.And I'll need someone to drive me home later,"

"Absolutely, we'll be here for you," Carrie squeezed my hand supportively.  

"What's the other option?"Tiff asked.

"A medical abortion by taking pills.She can give me one to take one right now and after 48 hours, I'll have to take another one at home and wait for it to work,"

"You don’t wanna do that? That sounds less painful,"Carrie said.

"No, I'm afraid I might mess it up.Taking pills was never my forte,"I stifled a dry laugh, but no one else was laughing.

 "That was a solid joke.I would laugh if the circumstances were different,"Tiff gave me a small, sorry smile.

"Anyway, the side effects of the pills sounded really bad.A lot of bleeding and blood clots and stuff,"

"Ouch..." they winced.

Blood clots...maybe that is what my little blip would turn into after I do the procedure.

32 day year old blood clot.

I wonder if it'll feel pain.

I wonder if it'll feel sad knowing that their mom and dad had decided to get rid of them like trash...  "So, you're sure about this?"

Carrie asked cautiously.

"Of course,"I shrugged.

that I was here today to hear my options, the different ways I could deal with terminating the

honest, I didn't have a choice

had decided that this was the only way

first, I agreed with him, I couldn't wait to get

lying in bed trying to sleep, I

ever do wrong and why did we hate it so much?  "Hey, Em, it's okay to not be sure.It is

hand again and caressed

can't," I sighed bitterly,

want this baby.It’s

do you?"Tiff asked

"What?"

you want

logical side in

"But?"

for it.It’s just a little baby.It's a product of our love.Why is

while Carrie bit her lip and looked

inside me.When they did the ultrasound earlier, I saw the little blip in my stomach.They told me it was 32 days old.32 days.In just a couple of days when the blip turns 5 weeks old, they said I can start hearing the heartbeat.The heartbeat, guys...it's gonna have a heartbeat..." my voice cracked as

and Carrie looked at each other before turning to look at

in their eyes too, and they didn’t

just pulled me close into a

snuggled my shoulder and

can keep the paternity a secret.lan wouldn't get in trouble and I can always go to college later, take a gap year like you, Tiff.A

said, "Emma, have you told lan that

should have seen his face last

looked disgusted.He didn’t want to hear or have anything to do with this baby.All he cared about

conversation from last night, my heart was breaking into pieces all over

seen

he said out loud, although true,

you're a high school student and you're

us, I can go to jail, Emma! Do you know that? Don’t be

I was being

this baby would ruin our

what was best for everyone, for

into a world

blip, but you

call the nurse?"I said as firmly as

procedure.I

"But, Emma "

"Now.Please,"

back into the examination room and told Nurse Jackie what my decision

if I was sure,

asked me that question, I would have to question my own decision again and I was tired of She went on and told me about the

went through all the possible problems and after

nodded at everything she said and restrained myself from changing

couple more minutes, as she needed to prepare the room for the surgery.I went back out in the waiting room and I noticed

walking about and some nurses passing by as they were

with Tiff and Carrie and

"You're good?"Carrie asked.

"Yeah,"I nodded.

don’t

handed my phone

to the exam room so she was holding onto it

and

calling like, twenty

Tiff said again.

know what he would

up on me and to make sure I was

to him, but at the same time I was desperate for some

the right thing to say

I took a deep breath and grabbed the buzzing phone from

stood up and walked a few steps away from my

all day.Where are you?"he

getting ready to...you

paused for a beat before continuing,