One, Two, Ouch

I pressed my face against the glass of the smooth window as I counted how many bicyclists we passed. So far I had counted three until I was interrupted by the sound of my name. “Abigail Ray I hope you have your seatbelt on” nagged my mother as she sat in the front. I quickly grabbed the belt with my left hand and swiftly tugged it across my body. “click” “You know the rules if you don’t wear the belt then i’ll have to put you back in a carseat. They’re going to ask you if you wear your seatbelt and a helmet and I want you to be able to answer yes.” I always wore my helmet when riding my bike. It was bright pink and matched the ribbons that stuck out of my handlebars. I lost count of how many cyclists we had past and began a new count. I was able to find two before the car was parked and I had to unbuckle my belt. 

My Mother took my hand and briskly walked through the front doors. The building was very clean and had a weird smell that I wouldn’t find anywhere else. 

“Can I press the button?” I asked my mom hopeful that she’d say yes.

“sure, numer 4”

I pressed the dull button with the number 4. It lit up at the touch of my left index finger which made me happy. The doors slid open and my mother and I stepped into the office space where we were greeted by a young lady who held a black pen in her right hand while holding a phone to her ear in the other. 

“We’re here for Abigail Roush’s appointment”

“They’e ready for you in the back. You’ll be in the first room on the left.”

My stomach dropped as we entered the small room. The walls were marked with images of butterfly’s and flowers. I sat quietly on top of the wrinkled sanitary paper, clenching my mothers hand. She tried to comfort me by rubbing her thumb gently across mine. It was no help. My mind was moving at high speeds remembering all the  horror stories my friends had told me. The paper crinkled under my thighs as I shifted from side to side in nervousness. Just minutes later a plump women with dark hair wrapped into a twist walked through the door. Her friendly appearance distracted me for just a moment.

"I'm just going to clean the area" she said as she unwrapped an alcohol wipe.

My blunt bob swag back and forth as I gave her the nod that showed my approval.

"How bad is it going to hurt"

"You will only feel a pinch that lasts about two second’s."

One, two I counted in my head. I can do anything for two second’s.

“Alright I'm ready"

I closed my eyes and clenched my teeth as the cold alcohol wipe brushed against my thigh. I took a deep exhale in an attempt to calm myself down. I was nowhere near a relaxed state. I felt a small pinch where my thigh had been wiped.

One, two,

It wasn't working.

Three, four,

I began to panic as the pain had lasted longer than two second’s and was growing more intense.

"Abby let go!" my mother screamed

I didn't listen to what she had to say. I was shrieking at the top of my lungs eyes still closed. The pain was moving down my leg.

"stop it" the nurse yelled

I opened my eyes to see my hand on the nurses.

“what a tight grip you’ve got there” 

I looked down to see the damages I had done. Blood was running down my leg as I noticed the inch long cut that appeared. 

“Did I do that?’’ I asked the nurse in shock

“Next time we will have your mother hold both your hands. I wouldn’t have been as painful if you hadn’t grabbed my wrist.” 

The thought of me dragging a needle down my own leg made me cringe. The nurse cleaned my wound and offered to let me pick out the bandages. My options were Mickey Mouse or Transformers. I wasn’t particularly fond of either so I let her decide. I left the office with a red lollypop in my mouth and three Mickey bandages down my thigh. They didn’t even ask me if I wore my seatbelt or bike helmet I thought to myself as I glared at the lady behind the front desk. I kept the glare as the elevator doors closed. Without asking I pressed the button that read one. I lit up just a before but this time I didn’t receive the same feeling of happiness. To much was on my mind. Next time I wont close my eyes and i’ll keep my hands grip free. As we descended down to the first floor I decided I would let the nurse do her job and not try to control things that I don’t know much about.