Taylor's POV
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Trigger warning- emergency contraception/ abortion
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Clinics are not places you choose to spend your afternoons, they're always heaving. The air is stagnant as the air con is not working and I'm bizarrely thankful for my little cami top. Matthew quietly informs the receptionist, a small lady, the nature of our visit and she nods asking us to politely take a number from the machine on the wall. Relief washes over me that I was able to make a decision with him. I know I will not ever want to let go of his hand again.
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Taking a ticket from the little machine we receive number 37. I look at the number on the wall calling for patient number 15. Not too bad I suppose although there will still be a wait.
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Once we take a seat on two plastic chairs I notice that there are a few girls here alone. I can't begin to fathom how they are feeling and decide that I am very lucky to have somebody who is supportive with me. I glance at him and he smiles down at me.
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Matthew doesn’t get his phone out and he never looks bored or annoyed at having to wait. He just waits with me and I appreciate it.
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Eventually after around an hour our number is called, flashing up on the little electronic screen. Matthew guides me through the clinic and we go in together to be greeted by a nurse who is kind looking and much older than my mum. She smiles at us both and asks us to have a seat. Matty waits for me to be seated first. The nurse notices and smiles at me.
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"How can I help you today" she asks openly as we take a seat.
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"I was hoping to take the morning after pill" I ask as Matty holds my hand and I feel steady again.
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"Of course may I ask you a few questions" she says softly.
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I nod, I’ve no experience of this kind of situation and I wonder what her questions may be.
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"Okay, when was your last period roughly?" She asks looking at her computer screen. I blush but answer telling her that it was around two weeks ago.
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"Perfect, how many hours have passed since you had unprotected sex?" She enquires and it strikes me as an odd question, I look to Matthew and he calculates in his head.
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"Around 11 hours" he explains softly and I smile over at him.
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"Very good you're doing just fine" she says to reassure me and for some reason I feel like balling my eyes out.
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"Sorry I have to ask all of these questions, nearly there" she explains slowly.
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"Any medical conditions?" She asks looking at me.
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"None" I reply and she nods smiling.
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"Any other medicines you are on including herbal medicine" she enquires.
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"None at all” I explain and she nods again tapping her computer screen.
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"Any health symptoms such as pain during sex, pain passing urine, discharge, bleeding or spotting?" She questions and I feel the floor swallowing me up from the embarrassment.
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"No none" I say to her and she turns to face me.
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She shuffles in her chair over to what appears to be a filling cabinet. Opening the drawers she pulls out an airtight plastic package. Sashays her chair back over to the desk and smiles down at me.
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"Okay this is the emergency contraceptive pill, it's considered to be 95% effective within the first 24 hours of unprotected sex. This may effect your next period however so don't be too alarmed if your period is a little later than normal. To be extra sure take a pregnancy test within 3 weeks" she informs, passing me water in a small cup.
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Without a second thought I take the pill, and it's done. Swallowed and finished. My body feels a sense of relief and I know that I have done the right thing. Matthew rubs my back.
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"Should you wish I have some pamphlets on contraception." she says supplying us both with a pamphlet on contraception.
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"Most of these you can get from your doctor so you don't have to decide right now" she smiles.
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"Also we offer STI screening. If that is something you wish to do today just wait to the left of the waiting room to get a sample kit that we will send off on your behalf. Results can be texted to a mobile number if you wish" she informs us. That, I feel is not something I can comprehend right this very moment. I decide that it’s unnecessary, that Matthew is trustworthy and as far as I am aware he hasn’t been engaging in sex with other woman.
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Feeling oddly numb, we leave. The sheer amount of times I have taken medication in the form of pills and I haven’t ever questioned it. That however, even though I try to deny it, was different. The implications racing through my head I walk with Matthew down the corridor.
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“I can drive us away from here right now” he says whispering, sensing my worry.
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“I love you, you did amazing. Let me get you home” he whispers and I give him a small smile.
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“To your home” I smile at him.
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“As long as we are together” he says shakily. Just as surprised as I am by him practically asking me to move in with him.
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“I’d love to go home with you” I say softly as he kisses me slowly.
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“You’re so brave” he whispers and I smile up at him.
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“Our home” he corrects me and I breathe in deeply as he takes my hand.
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